Aoyama

Chapter 462 Parting
Zhang Xia will take himself hostage and head to Baidadan City?

Chen Ji remained outwardly calm, but his heart gradually grew heavy. If Jiang Xianzong harbored any intention of rebelling against the Jiang family, he would probably immediately and secretly control the person who went to deliver the message, and then erase everything related to the envoy.

Looking around at the ruins, he was surrounded by armored soldiers, standing guard with their halberds. The mountains and forests were silent, with birds circling but not landing.

He pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, “Lord Jiang, Your Highness, when we used to transport grain, we would always be thoroughly inspected before anyone entered Baidadan City. We would investigate their background, examine their belongings, and check their goods. I’m afraid Generals Jiang Que and Jiang Yun won’t be able to sneak into the city… It would be better if you all didn’t risk yourselves and thought of another way.”

Jiang Xiansheng looked at Jiang Que, who nodded slightly.

Princess Liyang pointed to the middle-aged man who had questioned Chen Ji earlier, and then to a young man behind Jiang Xiansheng, and said, "Jiang Que and Jiang Guo, these two officials, do not usually use weapons. Let them go."

Jiang Xiansheng frowned, hesitating.

Chen Ji looked at Jiang Que and Jiang Guo. The two had traveled a long distance but their complexions remained unchanged, as if they still had energy to spare.

These two must be the skilled officers that Jiang Xiansheng brought from the Jiang family. Jiang Xiansheng was worried that if the two experts left, his safety would be in danger, which is why he hesitated to make a decision.

Seeing Jiang Xiansheng hesitate, Princess Liyang teased him, "Lord Jiang doesn't use weapons, so why don't you shave your beard and pretend to be an old widower?"

Jiang Xiansheng said in a deep voice, "Nonsense."

Princess Liyang scoffed, "Lord Jiang, are you afraid?"

Jiang Xiansheng said slowly, "It's not that I'm afraid, but as an envoy, I bear a heavy responsibility and cannot risk my life. Besides, even if only Jiang Que goes alone, he can still control the overall situation."

Princess Liyang's expression was mocking, as if she were silently laughing at Jiang Xiansheng's cowardice.

Chen Ji silently observed Princess Li Yang.

Their first plan was to infiltrate Baidadan City and escape Jiang Xiansheng's control. When that failed, they tried to get rid of the officials guarding Jiang Xiansheng, thus weakening the manpower watching over them.

This princess of the Jing Dynasty truly only wanted to escape. One can only imagine the terrible things she committed in the capital that led to her exile to the Ning Dynasty.

At this moment, Jiang Xiansheng remained silent for a long time before instructing Jiang Que and Jiang Guo, "You two lead them to Baidadan City, and be careful along the way. Once you have ascertained Jiang Xianzong's intentions, return immediately to report."

Jiang Que and Jiang Guo clasped their hands in a fist and palm salute: "Yes."

The current situation is that Jiang Que, Zhang Baishi, Asheng, Jiang Guo, Zhang Xia, Xiaoman, and the little monk went to Baidadan City, while Hong Zuer and Chen Ji stayed in the mountains as hostages.

There is still danger.

How to do?
Should I reveal my identity as the Ning Dynasty's Imperial Guard Envoy?
But now he has no tokens on him, so how can he prove that he is the Governor-General's Imperial Guard?
Given Jiang Xiansheng's ruthless nature, he might interrogate everyone else thoroughly. What if someone couldn't withstand the pressure and revealed that they were there to intercept and kill the envoy?
If Hong Zu'er knew that he was the ceremonial guard, who knows what kind of trouble he would cause.

No, this path won't work.

Chen Ji's mind raced, and he said, "I just overheard the two noble ladies saying... that you wish to go to Ning Dynasty?"

Jiang Xiansheng glanced at him sideways: "What do you want to say?"

Chen Ji hurriedly said, "I know a mountain road that leads south through the Da Ma Mountains to Chongli Pass... This is a route used by merchants. I once traveled it with them to trade silk and tea. If you follow the mountain road south, you gentlemen will not have to risk your lives and will be able to reach Ningchao in about ten days."

Princess Liyang instinctively shouted sternly, "No!"

For Chen Ji, the best outcome would be to lead the envoy directly to the Ning Dynasty. But for Princess Li Yang, if she went to the Ning Dynasty like this, she would truly be trapped.

Chen Ji ignored Princess Li Yang and looked at Jiang Xiansheng instead.

After a moment's consideration, Jiang Xiansheng also refused: "No, I am an envoy bestowed with double banners and double insignia by the imperial court. How can I go to Ningchao in such a sorry state? What will become of the national prestige?"

Princess Liyang looked at Chen Ji and sneered, "According to the rules, after arriving at Baidadan City, the border town's military governor should send someone to deliver the letter of state to the Ning Dynasty. After the Ning Dynasty returns the letter of state, the military governor should then send an honor guard to escort them 120 li to the boundary marker between the two dynasties, where they will meet the Ning Dynasty's honor guard."

Princess Liyang continued, "Etiquette cannot be wrong in the slightest. The handover of the ceremonial guard must be 120 li long, not a li more or less. If this old man dares to flee to Ningchao in such a sorry state, he will have completely disgraced the Jiang family and Jingchao. When he returns to Jingchao, his career will be bleak, and he will never be able to aspire to the position of Grand Councilor again."

Chen Ji's heart sank.

It seems that no matter what method is used, it won't work.

However, at that moment, Zhang Xia whispered, "Husband, wait for me here, nothing will happen."

Princess Liyang clapped her hands in admiration: "Women should be this strong, instead of crying and placing their hopes on something unrealistic."

Zhang Xia smiled and looked at Princess Liyang: "May I have a few words alone with my husband? In case he doesn't come back, I can at least explain things to the family."

Princess Liyang replied with a smile, "Why not? I'm sure Lord Jiang wouldn't be so inhumane."

Jiang Xiansheng sneered: "Your Highness, there's no need to provoke me. This matter is of great importance. Speak your mind here."

"Alright," Zhang Xia said with a soft laugh as she straightened Chen Ji's clothes. "Husband, you're usually such a decisive person, how come you lose your composure when it comes to me?"

Chen Ji remained silent.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhang Xia chuckled and said, "No need to say anything, I know what you mean. We'll be fine... but if something really happens, there's a letter for you in the third layer of the jewelry box at home."

At this moment, Jiang Xiansheng said indifferently, "Don't get caught up in these sentimental feelings. There will be plenty of time later."

After saying that, he coldly instructed Zhang Xia and the others, "Leave some food. Your people are here as hostages. Do whatever Jiang Que tells you to do, and don't have any other thoughts." Jiang Que changed into the clothes that Hong Zu'er had brought, and Jiang Guo changed into the clothes that Chen Ji had brought. They set off with the mule caravan towards Baidadan City.

Chen Ji stood by the mountain road, watching Zhang Xia and Xiao Man turn back again and again, until they finally disappeared at the end of the mountain road.

Princess Liyang said slowly, "Stop looking, or you'll turn into a wife-gazing stone. Instead of worrying about your wife, you should worry about yourself."

Chen Ji sensed that Princess Li Yang's words had a hidden meaning. He looked around and saw Jiang Xiansheng sitting by the campfire, with soldiers baking some flatbreads for him.

No one paid any attention to Chen Ji and Hong Zu'er, seemingly certain that these two grain farmers were no match for them.

Chen Ji then turned to look at Hong Zu'er, who was pretending to be honest and dull, but his eyes kept glancing at Jiang Xiansheng's neck.

Chen Ji felt a chill run down his spine.

When Hong Zuer saw that the two officials, Jiang Que and Jiang Guo, had left Jiang Xiansheng's side, he once again considered beheading them.

Now that these two innate beings are here, if there is no Dao-seeking realm among the armored soldiers, they might actually succeed.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention to them, Hong Zuer turned around and looked at Chen Ji with a questioning look in his eyes.

Chen Ji shook his head slightly.

Hong Zuer lowered his voice: "This is an opportunity we must not miss."

Chen Ji glanced around and lowered his voice, "Zhang Xia and the others are still with Jiang Que and Jiang Guo. Whether you succeed or not, the Jiang family will kill them."

Hong Zu'er said coldly, "If we can succeed, why should we fear death? Do you think the night scouts have been enjoying a life of ease in the border town all these years? We are not afraid of death, and neither should you."

Chen Ji forced out his question through clenched teeth: "Where's Asheng?"

Hong Zu'er calmly said, "If he doesn't want to be taken away that night, that's his fate."

Having said that, he stopped looking at the traces and made a move to walk towards the campfire.

But Chen Ji gripped his wrist tightly: "Don't make any rash moves, or I guarantee you won't succeed."

Hong Zuer stared at Chen Ji, trying to break free from Chen Ji's grasp, but after a long struggle between the two, he was unable to break free.

Someone looked at the two of them, and they immediately put on smiling faces and loosened their grip.

Hong Zu'er withdrew his arm, a forced smile on his face: "Kid, I'll settle this score with you later."

Chen Ji calmly said, "I only want them to live. You can do whatever you want with the rest."

Hong Zuer turned around and went to the side, finding a birch tree close to the campfire to lean against and sit down, while Chen Ji sat opposite him, staring intently.

……

……

At this moment, Princess Liyang sat by the campfire, her almond-shaped eyes scanning her surroundings, seemingly calculating something.

She suddenly spoke up, saying, "Lord Jiang, how about you let me go? Just say that I was assassinated by thieves on the road and died there. I promise that I will live in anonymity from now on and will not cause you any trouble. When my brother ascends the throne, I will grant you the position of Grand Councilor."

Jiang Xiansheng closed his eyes to rest, not even lifting his eyelids: "Your Highness really thinks I'm easy to fool? If I release you today, tomorrow you'll run off to Zhongjing Road to find that Yuan Jiedushi who admires you, and start causing trouble again, disrupting the court."

Princess Liyang said solemnly, "Do you know that if I hadn't used alliances to restrain Yuan Xiang, the court would not be what it is today? Three of the twelve military governors are on my side."

Jiang Xiansheng, with his eyes closed, sneered, "Nonsense! They're doing this for your brother, the Third Prince, not for you."

Princess Liyang sneered: "No wonder you've only been able to serve as a lowly advisor to Yuancheng all these years, and you're not worthy of being called a big shot."

Jiang Xiansheng remained unperturbed: "Say what Your Highness says."

A moment later, Princess Liyang's gaze drifted, and she stood up and said to Jiang Yun, who was not far away, "Come, I have something to say to you."

However, Jiang Yun stood behind Jiang Xiansheng with his halberd, his eyes fixed straight ahead, showing no intention of paying any attention to Princess Liyang.

Jiang Xiansheng opened his eyes and said with a smile, "Your Highness, there's no need to bother. They won't pay any attention to you if I don't speak."

Princess Liyang's eyes darted around again, and she actually lifted her skirt and walked towards the ruins.

She came to Chen Ji's side and sat down, stroking her skirt.

Princess Liyang looked at Jiang Xiansheng, and seeing that he did not stop her, she smiled and said, "Boy, you are no ordinary person."

Chen Ji casually replied, "My ancestors were also nobles, but unfortunately my grandfather was implicated and stripped of his title when he joined the army because the commander of the army was beheaded."

Princess Liyang didn't care about any of that. Instead, she said in a low voice, "You should have noticed that we didn't hide anything from you when we were talking about the secrets of the court. We had already decided that we didn't intend to let you leave alive. If you want to live, listen to me, and I will give you a way out."

(End of this chapter)