in2ebook Chapter 436 A plan within a plan
Chapter 436 A plan within a plan
The Prince Xian's eyes showed impatience. Ever since he reached an agreement with Hu Manman, whenever he returned to his residence, he would stay at Hu Manman's place.
However, Hu Manman's belly was uncooperative, and there was still no sign of pregnancy after so long.
It was Hu Manman's fault, not his.
Otherwise, how could A-Yin get pregnant when he was with her? Come to think of it, before, he was busy with things and had to spare energy to deal with Gui-Shan. The days he spent resting in A-Yin's room each month were nothing compared to the days he spent in Hu Man-Man's room now.
The Prince recalled Hu Manman's words: "Lord Hu is very knowledgeable about medicines related to men and women, many of which are harmful to the body. That's why Consort Rong miscarried when she was pregnant, and why Si Muwan also lost her child when she was pregnant."
Is this also why Hu Manman is unable to get pregnant?
He stepped towards the outer study: "Tell Consort Hu that I am busy and tired today, so I will not go to the inner courtyard."
Lying in bed, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. In the past, he would get up at this time to practice calligraphy and calm his mind, while Ayin would stay by his side and grind the ink for him.
Ayin was very good at reading his expressions. If he was displeased, she would quietly grind the ink. If he was in a good mood, she would pester him to teach her to read.
The clumsy Ah Yin was taught to read by him, even by his own hands.
But in the whole world, only Ah Yin understood him.
The wise prince got up and went to the clean room to bathe. The more he washed, the more Song Yin's face appeared in his mind.
Song Yin wasn't particularly pretty, nor was she gentle; sometimes she even seemed fierce. Even in bed, he didn't know how to be gentle or tender to please her.
She's not as good as Hu Manman.
But no matter how many skills Hu Manman has, she can never replace the place in his heart.
The wise king sat in the bathtub, and for a moment he felt as if he had made a mistake. He clutched his chest and wondered, was what he truly wanted that supreme power?
Yes, it must be.
The wise king forced himself not to think wildly, got up, put on his clothes, and had a beautiful dancer summoned.
In the blink of an eye, the envoy from the northern desert arrived in the capital, originally intending to pay his respects to the emperor.
However, Feng Ziheng did not take them to see the Emperor, but explained with a smile: "Your Excellency, His Majesty is busy with official duties these days and has no free time. When His Majesty has free time, please come to the palace to pay your respects."
The envoy was slightly displeased: "To meet an envoy is to meet a monarch. Is this how the Great Zhou treats its guests?"
Feng Ziheng smiled and said, "You flatter me, sir. I am a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. His Majesty's decision to send me to meet you personally is sufficient to demonstrate His Majesty's willingness to negotiate peace with the Northern Desert."
"But……"
Before the envoy could speak further, another official from the northern desert beside him tugged at him and smiled at Feng Zizhou.
"I've heard that this is the heir of the Duke of Feng, who enjoys His Majesty's deep trust. It is our honor to meet him. However, we cannot forget His Majesty's request. We beg you, heir, to put in a good word for us so that we can meet His Majesty soon and return to the northern desert to report back as soon as possible."
Feng Ziheng's expression softened slightly: "That's only right."
They were then detained at the post station, and strict guards were placed in charge of their entry and exit.
The envoy watched from the window, and seeing Feng Ziheng walk away, he pulled down the curtain and said angrily.
"This Feng Ziheng is clearly keeping us locked up here on purpose. Whenever we try to go out for a stroll, the guards of the Great Zhou keep interrogating us, and after the interrogation, they follow us around constantly!"
The young general hurriedly said, "My lord, now is not the time to worry about these things. We must wait patiently and see His Majesty as soon as possible before we can implement our plan."
The envoy's eyes darted around, and he asked, "Are the beauties prepared for Your Majesty all safe and sound?"
The young general smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir."
The envoy then said, "But I've heard that the king is not fond of women, and he already has a favored concubine. I'm afraid this beauty might not be able to get close to His Majesty."
The young general said, "The beauty is just a smokescreen. The real culprit is the magician. This magician can shoot poison needles from three zhang away without anyone noticing. The King of Zhou will only think he was bitten by a poisonous insect. By the time he realizes it, it will be too late."
The envoy was then satisfied: "You've arranged things very well. Have you obtained the map of the Great Zhou and the military plans?"
The young general said, "Tomorrow, His Highness the Wise Prince will secretly send the items over, and I will personally arrange for them to be sent back to the Northern Desert."
"it is good."
Of course, the people of Mobei got the map, but before they could even leave the capital, they were captured by Prince Ning.
Prince Ning, with his iron will, not only arrested all those carrying the map, but also immediately returned to the post station and ordered the arrest of all the envoys from the northern desert.
The envoy shouted, "Who are you? I am an envoy personally appointed by the King of the Northern Desert, here to negotiate peace. You dare to arrest me? Aren't you afraid that the Northern Desert will rise up in rebellion?"
Prince Ning looked at him with disdain: "How laughable! How could a great nation like ours be afraid of that tiny place in the northern desert? Besides, you were the ones who offended us first, daring to steal our Great Zhou's maps and military deployment maps. What audacity! I will kill you on the spot, and His Majesty will not utter a single word against me!"
His arrogance turned the envoy's face pale, but he also realized who this person was.
In the initial border war, the northern tribes were at a disadvantage, mainly because General Cao, who led the troops, was too difficult to deal with. Their northern generals devised a plan to capture the leader first, devising a scheme to lure General Cao into a fatal trap.
Unexpectedly, a young general proved to be exceptionally brave and rescued General Cao.
Later, I heard that the young general was actually a long-lost child of the Great Zhou royal family, namely Prince Ning.
Compared to others, Prince Ning had personally experienced the war in the northern deserts and hated the people of the northern deserts to the bone. How could he possibly let his guard down against them even a little?
The envoy was utterly dejected, knowing that his days were numbered.
However, the envoys were almost all die-hards; even under severe torture, they did not reveal the identity of the wise king. They knew that if they did, not only would the wise king lose his life, but the Great Zhou would likely regroup and break through the northern border defenses.
Prince Ning returned to the Emperor and reported back.
"We found maps and military deployment maps, but the spies in the northern desert all refused to admit it, saying they only said they found them. Your Majesty, without evidence, we cannot prove that this matter is related to the Wise Prince."
The Emperor frowned slightly: "Have they all been interrogated?"
Prince Ning nodded: "They have all been interrogated. Several spies couldn't bear it and committed suicide. I have taken control of the others and forbade them from committing suicide."
The Emperor said coldly, "In that case, I will go and meet them myself!"
Both Prince Ning and Feng Ziheng opposed the emperor going there himself.
"Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance. Those people are desperate and would be inappropriate if they offend Your Majesty."
The Emperor said, “This concerns the fate of the nation, and I cannot ignore it. With you all by my side, what do I have to fear? I just need to talk to them personally. If they are willing to reveal who is behind this, I may spare the northern desert this time.”
Upon arriving at the Dali Temple's prison, the envoys from the northern desert were completely bound and unable to move. Each of them had been tortured, and the scene was truly terrifying.
When they saw the emperor, they all cried out that they were innocent and that they had not done anything wrong.