Aoyama

Chapter 492 Peace Talks
Zhongcui Palace and Jingyang Palace are separated by only one street, yet they feel like they are worlds apart.

Chen Ji first met Bai Li here when he arrived in the capital. Now, after many twists and turns, he has returned here. A few months have passed, but it feels like several years have gone by.

He looked back and saw that the price for Yuancheng was being discussed in Zhongcui Palace. Whether it was five thousand or eight thousand warhorses, it had nothing to do with him.

He then turned to look at the Jie Fan Guards on duty along the palace road, pondering how he could say a few words to Bai Li.

But within the Forbidden City, even breathing must be slowed down, and many words cannot be spoken.

Just then, Qi Zhenzhuo approached Chen Ji and said, "Master, what are you looking at? Princess Liyang is pointing her finger at the Crown Prince and cursing him in Zhongcui Palace, and Bailong is standing there without saying a word. Do you want to go and do something about it? I feel like only you can control her."

Chen Ji glanced at him: "What are you cursing about?"

Qi Zhenzhuo shrugged: "Let's bring up old grievances from both dynasties. The Crown Prince said that in the twenty-fifth year of the Jianing era, the Jing Dynasty started a border conflict without authorization and massacred more than ten villages of our dynasty. Princess Liyang said that in the early years, Qi Zheyun of our dynasty led a cavalry force into Jing. That year, Qi Zheyun's camp had thirty-two scouts from Chongli Pass. They marched north, captured Jing Dynasty nobles, and even went deep into the heartland to set fire to the pastures of the Baidadan tribe, causing tens of thousands of cattle and sheep to starve to death. Anyway, both dynasties have a lot of messy accounts, and no one can sort them out."

Chen Ji calmly said, "Ignore them. Our job is just to provide protection. Whatever outcome the negotiations take is their business."

Qi Zhenzhuo said in a low voice, "I don't know how long this will take. It might not be finished in half a month."

As they were speaking, footsteps came from the palace road.

On the palace road, female servants led the way with round fans. Behind the empress were more than ten female servants and eunuchs, holding umbrellas to shield her from the sun and incense burners. Strangely, there seemed to be no incense burning in the incense burners.

The empress wore a bright red casual dress embroidered with cloud and crane patterns, and a kingfisher feather and gold-threaded crown.

Aunt Yuan Jin carried Wu Yun and followed beside the Empress. Wu Yun wore a custom-made pure gold safety lock around its neck, and its fur was shiny and smooth. It was completely different from before and was no longer the peasant from Taiping Medical Hall on Anxi Street.

Upon seeing Chen Ji, Wu Yun immediately meowed, "Don't stare at me, or Yuan Jin will become suspicious."

But Chen Ji saw that it didn't move, but instead nestled comfortably in Yuan Jin's arms.

Chen Ji raised an eyebrow. Was he not going to act anymore?

Hearing the howl of the dark cloud, the Empress followed its gaze and looked towards the gate of Zhongcui Palace. When she saw Chen Ji and Qi Zhenzhuo, she smiled slightly, as gentle as a spring breeze.

As the Empress entered Jingyang Palace, she saw Bai Li holding a broom but not sweeping the floor; instead, she was looking towards Zhongcui Palace. Only after the Empress entered Jingyang Palace did she quickly turn her gaze away.

The Empress was puzzled for a moment. Aunt Yuan Jin turned around and glanced at Chen Ji, then whispered a few words to the Empress.

The Empress suddenly realized, and stepped forward to take Bai Li's wrist and walk into Jingyang Palace: "Didn't I tell you not to do physical labor? Why are you still sweeping the floor?"

Bai Li said with a smile, "If you use your power to bully others, how are you any different from Xuanzhen?"

"Your temperament is just like your father's. Don't bother with anything today. The cherries in the Imperial Garden of Qin'an Hall are ripe. I'll take you to pick some cherries," the Empress said, leading her into the main hall. After offering three sticks of incense to the Three Pure Ones, she led her out of Jingyang Palace.

However, the Empress did not go directly to Qin'an Palace, but instead came to Zhongcui Palace and asked Chen Ji with a smile, "This must be the Baron of Wuxiang County?"

Chen Ji stared blankly at the white carp two steps away until Yuan Jin coughed lightly. He quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Your Majesty, I am Chen Ji, a man from Wuxiang County."

"No need for formalities," the Empress asked gently, "What are you doing in Zhongcui Palace?"

Chen Ji lowered his head and replied, "The Jing Dynasty's envoy, Princess Liyang, is currently discussing peace talks with our Crown Prince."

The Empress smiled and said, "I heard that you brought Princess Liyang back from outside Chongli Pass after she had risked her life. Did she suffer any injuries?"

Chen Ji's heart skipped a beat. Why would the Empress care about whether he was injured for no reason? She was clearly asking on behalf of Bai Li.

He replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I am unharmed. This journey was not as perilous as the outside world has made it out to be."

The Empress glanced at Bai Li, then smiled and asked Chen Ji, "What did you see and hear on your trip to the north? What is the Jing Dynasty like?"

Chen Ji said softly, "Going north from the capital past Changping, the terrain rises sharply, and even the climate is colder than in the capital, as if spring has not yet arrived. Walking along the official road and looking into the distance, you can see continuous snow-capped mountains hidden in the mountains, with snowmelt flowing swiftly beside the official road, attracting wild horses to drink water by the streams..."

"Chongli Pass is majestic and imposing; standing at its base and looking up, you can't see its end. The military market outside Chongli Pass is bustling; at night, bonfires are lit, and merchants and border soldiers sing and dance..."

Qi Zhenzhuo stood there dumbfounded; what his master said seemed different from what he had seen.

He clearly saw the remnants of war beacon towers along the way, standing forlornly atop the mountain, like old soldiers who refused to fall even in death. As he approached Chongli Pass, three out of ten villages along the route were deserted. Walls crumbled, weeds grew rampant, and occasionally he saw elderly people, too weak to walk, leaning against doorframes, their eyes clouded as they gazed southward. Near the border, the air was thick with a mingled scent: the earthy smell of burning stubble, and occasionally, a lingering trace of rust and blood.

Just then, Chen Ji suddenly said, "We should be able to go again next April to see the snow-capped mountains and the grasslands."

Be patient and wait a little longer; you should be free next April.

You can visit the grasslands and snow-capped mountains, or you can see the ocean and whales. You can be a wild goose flying north, or a traveler on the South China Sea.

The Empress listened quietly without interrupting.

After Chen Ji finished speaking, she smiled and said, "Life outside the palace is much more interesting than life inside. When I was young, I always wanted to go to the border to see the world, but I never had the chance. However, life in the palace is not bad. There are four dishes and a soup every day, and new clothes are made every season. I am neither hungry nor cold. I can go to the Imperial Garden every day to relax, so I am not too bored."

Chen Ji understood immediately: This was hardly the life of an empress; it was clearly the life of a white carp.

But the Empress said gently, "Commander Qi and Baron of Wuxiang County are outstanding young talents and pillars of our dynasty. They must take good care of themselves."

Qi Zhenzhuo said with trepidation, "Your Majesty flatters me."

Chen Ji took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty."

The Empress, holding Bai Li's hand, walked towards Qin'an Palace: "Let's go pick cherries."

Chen Ji watched the Empress and Bai Li's departing figures. At this moment, Wu Yun meowed in Yuan Jin's arms: "Her Majesty the Empress is beautiful and kind-hearted. She promised the Princess that she would find a way to send her out of the palace, but unfortunately she hasn't found a suitable opportunity yet, and she herself is not free. She wanted to discuss this matter with the Hu family, but the Hu family felt that Prince Fu had finally gained power and should not take such a risk for the Princess, angering His Majesty, and even more so, should not give the Crown Prince and Consort Xue any leverage."

"The Grand Canal Gang secretly employed several eunuchs who had been planted in the palace years ago to help the princess. One of them, Xu Xi, was from the Imperial Wardrobe. He secretly delivered a box of rouge to the princess, which she then gave to a nun in Jingyang Palace. The eunuch also said that the Grand Canal Gang leader was trying to rescue her..."

As the dark clouds were carried away, Chen Ji fell into deep thought.

The Empress is sending the Princess out of the palace? The palace is heavily guarded, and the Jie Fan Guards search every time someone enters or leaves. They not only check the Princess's waist token and official seal, but also announce her name at each checkpoint.

Even the maids serving the Empress must be on the list of the Jie Fan Guards before leaving the palace. Their appearances have already been recognized by the Jie Fan Guards, and unfamiliar faces will never be allowed to leave... Unless there is someone in the palace who resembles Bai Li, it is impossible to substitute for her.

Even if we do that, the investigation will inevitably trace it back to the Empress, which will give the Crown Prince and Consort Xue grounds for attack.

In addition, the Canal Gang had previously played a role in supporting Emperor Ning's ascension to the throne, so it was not surprising that they could place a few eunuchs in the palace. But what ability did the Canal Gang have to rescue Bai Li?
At this moment, Qi Zhenzhu muttered to himself, "I've long heard that Her Majesty the Empress is gentle and virtuous, but I didn't believe it. She actually chatted with us for so long today..."

Chen Ji glanced at him: "Maybe it's because you're so handsome that they want to arrange a marriage for you."

Qi Zhenzhuo's eyes lit up: "Really?"

Chen Ji looked into Zhongcui Palace and saw Princess Liyang stepping out of the threshold, lifting the hem of her pheasant-colored dress: "Six thousand warhorses and the return of two thousand captured soldiers and civilians—I can decide on that. But I absolutely cannot submit a letter of surrender or pay tribute every year. If Your Highness the Crown Prince is not sincere in negotiating, then find someone else to talk to me tomorrow. Farewell for today."

After saying that, she walked out of Zhongcui Palace without looking back.

Qi Zhenzhuo whispered, "It seems this negotiation will take a long time; I'm afraid I'll have to go to the palace to do my duty every day."

Chen Ji casually replied, "That's fine too."

Princess Liyang walked to the gate of Zhongcui Palace, then suddenly turned to look at the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, is it alright for me to take a stroll around the capital of Ning Dynasty?"

Chen Ji was puzzled. What was Princess Li Yang planning to do? Why was she suddenly no longer afraid of being assassinated?

He looked up and saw that the Crown Prince had become much thinner standing on the stone steps. He had been confined for many days, and even his cheeks were sunken. When the light shone down from above, it even cast two shadows on his cheekbones.

The Crown Prince said gently, "Your Highness, please don't put me in a difficult position. This is against etiquette."

Princess Liyang scoffed, "Keeping me locked up in the Huitong Hall every day, anyone who didn't know better would think I'm under house arrest. Does His Highness the Crown Prince really think that a mere weak woman like me would cause trouble right under the nose of your Ning Dynasty's capital?"

The Crown Prince said sincerely, "The two dynasties have a long-standing feud. I am also worried that Your Highness will be murdered. Your Highness, please do not forget that our two dynasties have a blood feud."

Princess Liyang smiled slightly: "It's alright, the men of Wuxiang County will protect me."

The Crown Prince glanced at Chen Ji, and after a moment said softly, "Then it is Your Highness's will."

Chen Ji frowned. The Crown Prince had actually agreed?
(End of this chapter)