"This subordinate does not promise anything I do not understand, lest I mess up important matters. I hope Master of the Imperial Son-in-Law will forgive me," Xie Yunliu said.
"It's alright. Since General Xie cannot agree, I, the Master of the Imperial Son-in-Law, must ask him personally." Meng Jiangming stood up, looked at Xie Yunliu, and walked towards him step by step.
The footsteps grew closer, exuding pressure, but Xie Yunliu stood tall, his back unbent by Meng Jiangming's arrival.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Xie Qing and Xie Wei, behind Xie Yunliu, placed their hands on their swords. If Meng Jiangming dared to attack Xie Yunliu, they would retaliate.
Meng Jiangming reached out his hand, pausing in mid-air for a moment. Finally, he placed his hand on Xie Yunliu's shoulder and patted it gently. "Why is General Xie so nervous? I, the Master of the Imperial Son-in-Law, have no other intentions."
With that, Meng Jiangming left.
Xie Yunliu straightened his body, looking in the direction Meng Jiangming had departed. A subtle, complex emotion flickered deep within his eyes.
Meng Jiangming walked out of the tent, with Meng Lie following closely behind. "Master, General Xie was too disrespectful to you. Why didn't you let me discipline him?"
"Discipline?" Meng Jiangming suddenly stopped.
Meng Lie also quickly halted. "Yes, daring to be disrespectful to Master, this subordinate cannot let it slide."
"Let alone whether you can defeat Xie Yunliu, before you could even make a move, Xie Yunliu's subordinates would have already acted."
Meng Lie's body trembled. He looked at Meng Jiangming in astonishment and said, "Master, you mean..."
"Meng Lie, do not underestimate Xie Yunliu. He is not simple." To be able to lead troops into battle at eight and suppress bandits at ten, how could anyone ordinary achieve such feats?
"But seeing how disrespectful he was to Master, this subordinate cannot stand down." Meng Lie's hand tightly gripped the sword at his waist. His sword would not agree either.
Meng Jiangming suddenly smiled, but it was a cold one. "It doesn't matter. Who can say for sure about the future?"
"Master, are you really going to the city to collect grain?" First, Guan Chang, the border town, was perennially covered in snow, and the citizens in the city barely had enough to eat themselves. How could they collect grain for the army?
Meng Jiangming raised his head, gazing at the scorching sun in the sky. Yet, against the backdrop of vast white snow, it emitted a pure white light. "I will naturally find someone to accompany me, someone whom Xie Yunliu cares about."
"Miss, this servant heard only this." Wu Hen recounted the entire conversation between Meng Jiangming and Xie Yunliu to Xue Xingyue.
Xue Xingyue, draped in a white fox fur, sat on a cushion, leaning against the brazier. The firelight from the brazier painted her face a rosy red.
"Alright, I understand," Xue Xingyue nodded.
"Wu Hen, do you know the art of disguise?" Xue Xingyue suddenly looked up at Wu Hen.
Wu Hen was taken aback. He looked at Xue Xingyue and said, "Miss, do you wish for this subordinate to disguise you?"
Xue Xingyue nodded. "My heart feels uneasy."
Wu Hen nodded. After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Xue Xingyue held a bronze mirror and looked at her reflection. Her appearance had changed, becoming a face that was ordinary and unremarkable.
Only her eyes could not be changed; they remained as clear as water.
Wu Hen expressed slight regret. "It's a pity this servant only learned the superficial aspects. If Fei Yu were here, it would be better."
"This is sufficient. As long as I am careful, even if Meng Jiangming is suspicious, he will know that this is Xie Yunliu's territory."
Wu Hen also disguised himself and Fei Yu, their appearances significantly altered.
"You... you are?" When Xie Yunliu lifted the tent flap, he saw an unfamiliar face. However, upon meeting those clear, limpid eyes, his frightened heart finally began to calm down.
"You know?" Xie Yunliu asked.
Xue Xingyue nodded. "You don't need to stop me. The more you try to obstruct, the more Jiangming will suspect something is amiss."
"But..." Xie Yunliu looked at Xue Xingyue's resolute expression and couldn't voice the rest of his words.
"Young General, Master of the Imperial Son-in-Law requests your presence." The soldier glanced at Xue Xingyue and said.
"I understand," Xie Yunliu replied.
The soldier retreated.
"I'll accompany you." Without waiting for Xue Xingyue to refuse, Xie Yunliu made the decision himself.
Xue Xingyue did not refuse. With Xie Yunliu by her side, at least Meng Jiangming wouldn't act recklessly.
Xue Xingyue and Xie Yunliu arrived at Meng Jiangming's tent. Xie Yunliu lifted the tent flap, and Xue Xingyue walked in. She kept her head down, but she could feel the oppressive pressure emanating from the front.
"Your subordinate greets Master of the Imperial Son-in-Law." Xue Xingyue bowed deeply, about to kneel.
"Rise!" Meng Jiangming's voice drifted from above.
Xue Xingyue lowered her gaze, but only she knew that at this moment, she wished she could rush forward and kill Meng Jiangming, kill everyone in the Duke of Ning's mansion. Yes, these people she had wholeheartedly trusted had colluded with Xue Tianyue and Qi. Her imperial brother had been angered to death, and Xue Tianyue had taken the throne.
Looking back, she realized she had been too naive, too foolish, truly believing her sincere efforts would be reciprocated. She never expected that those who betrayed her would often be the closest people to her. She would avenge her imperial brother.
Xue Tianyue, and Meng Jia, she couldn't comprehend, couldn't understand. Even if Xue Tianyue hadn't done these things, he would have ascended the throne a few years later. Her imperial brother had no children, only Xue Tianyue as an adopted son. Why couldn't they wait?
When she came to Jiangnan, they made their move.
Pitiable imperial brother, he never got to see her before he died. She also never imagined that this trip to Jiangnan would be a separation from her imperial brother forever. She would never forget this hatred.
Now that Qi had reneged on their agreement and Xue Tianyue had sent Meng Jiangming to Zhen Guan, this was a heaven-sent opportunity. She couldn't wait to act; she had waited too long.
For some reason, Meng Jiangming felt the gaze of this young man was somewhat familiar, but for a moment, he couldn't quite place where he had seen him.
Suddenly, Xie Yunliu coughed a few times, and Xue Xingyue was jolted back from her hatred.
"Master of the Imperial Son-in-Law Xie," Xue Xingyue said after straightening up, retreating to Xie Yunliu's side.
Xie Yunliu clasped his hands and said, "Master of the Imperial Son-in-Law, this subordinate has brought the person you requested." As he spoke, he intentionally or unintentionally angled his body to conceal half of Xue Xingyue's form.
"General Xie, you are dismissed. The Master of the Imperial Son-in-Law wishes to have a private talk with him." Meng Jiangming held his teacup, looked up at Xie Yunliu, his eyes as cold as ice.
"This subordinate..."
"I can handle it myself," Xie Yunliu said, hearing the voice from behind him.
"Don't arouse his suspicion," Xue Xingyue said, seeing Xie Yunliu's unmoving posture, feeling a sense of urgency.
"This subordinate obeys!" Xie Yunliu turned around, giving Xue Xingyue a deep look, and walked out of the tent.
"Be careful, I'll wait for you!" Xie Yunliu whispered as he approached her.
A warmth spread through her heart. She knew Xie Yunliu was worried about her.