At this moment, Chu Qianli looked like a big bad wolf.
Even Fu Ning could easily tell that she had some ill intentions.
But the young lady had long been accustomed to all sorts of handsome men, so she shouldn't have any special thoughts about Qingcheng.
Could it be that the young lady still suspected Qingcheng's origins?
Just then, a young maid hurried in from outside and quickly approached Chu Qianli, respectfully saying,
"Miss Chu, there's a Mr. Gan outside who wishes to see you, claiming to be an old friend."
"Alright, please invite him in. I'll wait for him in the side hall."
Chu Qianli glanced at Qingcheng one last time before turning to leave.
Fu Ning wanted to follow but couldn't rest assured about Qingcheng.
She said softly, "The young lady means no harm. She's a very, very good person, just sometimes she seems a bit thoughtless. But she really is a good person."
"I'll go see if the young lady needs anything, and then I'll come back to find you."
Qingcheng remained unresponsive.
Fu Ning sighed softly, wondering if his hearing was also poor.
Or perhaps he simply didn't want to acknowledge her.
After smiling at him again, Fu Ning quickly caught up with Chu Qianli.
As for Qingcheng, he merely watched them leave indifferently, not a ripple in his eyes.
After they were far away, he looked at the flowers and plants in the courtyard before him, his eyes inevitably filled with disdain once more.
They were all too ugly.
He turned and walked away.
... The person who arrived was Gan Shiyi, who looked like a rough fellow after disguising himself.
"The Nanling tribe has rebelled?" This was news that had not been heard of at all before, fresh and hot.
Shiyi nodded and whispered, "Previously, the Nanling tribe had always been subservient to the current Emperor of Nanming. Since the current Emperor ascended the throne, they had maintained a harmonious relationship."
"Although Nanling is only one tribe, they are numerous and powerful. If they rebel, it won't be so easy to deal with."
Chu Qianli pondered for a moment before looking at Shiyi, "Has the news not come back yet?"
"It should not have, for now. But our news will not be much earlier, at most half a day, and the Emperor and several princes should know by then."
"The Nanling side has already begun attacking the city. The day the news was sent back, Xuyin City was on the verge of falling. Now, it's probably already been captured."
"This is not right," Chu Qianli frowned.
Fu Ning immediately asked, "Young lady, what is not right?"
"Nanling is located in the heart of Nanming, not a true border area. If the royal family truly wanted to deal with it, they could easily create a three-sided encirclement. Where did they get the audacity?"
Fu Ning and Shiyi exchanged glances.
Shiyi was only responsible for delivering messages, and when it came to strategy and tactics, Shiyi was certainly not that specialized.
Chu Qianli thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Who is guarding the cities around Nanling? Gather the information on their commanding generals for me as quickly as possible."
"Boss, are you suspecting that the Nanling chieftain has helpers in the royal family?" Shiyi's thoughts immediately became clear.
"Nanling can be considered a major tribe. If Nanling rebels, the royal family will certainly take it seriously."
Chu Qianli looked at the cup of tea in her hand, her gaze gradually turning cold.
"Now that Prince Jing is injured and bedridden, if the Emperor wants to make an example of them and quickly recapture Nanling, he will definitely send a strong contingent. And the one leading the army will either be Prince Yu or Prince Ling."
Her five fingers gripping the cup gradually tightened: "If someone deliberately wants to transfer Prince Ling away, then once Prince Ling is gone, the Emperor of Nanming will immediately be in a state of isolation and helplessness, and the imperial city will be in grave danger."