Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 137 Killing One's Own Kin

Is this Nanfei's plan? Is it true that he said he would go back to live on Chongming Island?

It took Yuan Feng a long time to come to her senses: "You asked the Crown Prince for Yan Zeyi? Do you know that Uncle Liu was killed by Yan Zeyi?"

Nanfei shook his head: "I told the Crown Prince that the Great River Gang has many capable people, Qin Jiu and Yan Zeyi are both quite good. I didn't miss a single round of the Ship Master Selection Competition, and Yan Zeyi really stood out. I originally thought that Uncle Liu was killed by Xu Lai."

The Crown Prince said that since I valued Yan Zeyi so much, he would have him assist me. I immediately assumed that the Crown Prince had instructed Yan Zeyi to kill Liu Lin. The Crown Prince denied this, saying they had a personal grudge. I dare say, the Crown Prince definitely played a part in Liu Lin's death.”

Yuan Feng sighed, "You get people when you want them, money when you want it, and titles when you want them. The Crown Prince is really generous to you. Generals Zhao and Wang are veterans who fought alongside His Majesty in the past. How many years has Dongyang not been granted the title of Duke? The last Duke was the consort of the Eldest Princess."

Nanfei said lazily, "Only a generous reward can bring forth brave men. If it weren't for my sister being in his hands, I wouldn't want to bother with him no matter how generous he is. It's so comfortable living on Chongming Island, instead of living in constant fear with him."

Yuan Feng said, "You're still worried? Didn't you see the scholars' expressions? They'll definitely report you to the Emperor and Empress when they get back. You need to watch your words, lest you give them something to criticize..."

This was the second time Yuan Feng had tried to persuade him, and knowing that Nan Fei would not listen, she asked, "Does the Crown Prince not trust us? Why send them here to cause trouble at this critical juncture?"

Nanfei paused for a moment before replying: "Zhao Xiuwen, relying on the Empress's support and having received a few years of education, has been causing trouble in Bianjing. The Crown Prince has long disliked him. This time, it was probably Zhao Xiuwen who volunteered, and the Crown Prince went along with it, wanting to use someone else to do his dirty work."

Yuan Feng was startled: "You absolutely mustn't do anything! He's a member of the Empress's family..."

Nanfei couldn't help but complain, "When I'm with the Crown Prince, I never dare to relax, for fear of falling into his trap. It's much more comfortable and carefree with the young master."

"The Crown Prince trusts you quite a bit." Yuan Feng noticed Nan Fei's distracted state: "What are you thinking about?"

Nan Fei said, "I'm thinking, Xu Sheng has been besieging Longli for so long without making a sound. He's a disciple of Guigu, and he's cunning, which doesn't make sense."

Yuan Feng didn't care about any of that: "Uncle Yin and Uncle Le are going with the two generals, where are you going?"

Nanfei looked at her, his smile captivating: "Guess?"

Yuan Fengxin's heart skipped a beat: "How...how could I have guessed?"

Nanfei touched her earring and said softly, "I'll stay with you. It's been quite a while since we last saw each other. Don't you miss me?"

Perhaps it was because Nanfei's expression and voice were too gentle that Yuan Feng forgot she had to restrain herself while in the military. She hugged his waist and snuggled against his chest, saying, "I..."

"General." Yan Zeyu looked up and quickly withdrew.

Yuan Feng awkwardly pushed Nan Fei away, straightened her clothes, and whispered, "I'll go out first."

Nan Fei pulled her back and called out, "Come in."

Yan Zeyu and Ouyang came in together: "We've come to discuss our strategy for attacking the city."

Nanfei said, "You guys discuss it, I'm leaving."

Everyone was stunned. Yuan Fengqi asked, "Where are you going? Aren't you coming with us?"

"I'll be in charge of coordinating and issuing orders. The siege is your responsibility; you decide how to attack. The deadline is next March. Success will be rewarded, failure..." Nan Fei said with a half-smile, "I'll have no choice but to sacrifice my own family for the greater good."

Nan Fei finished speaking and left. His words sounded like a joke at first, but upon closer listening, they carried a chilling intent. Yan Zeyu and Ouyang Qi both looked at Yuan Feng.

Yuan Feng lowered his eyes and asked, "What good strategies do you two generals have?"

The group couldn't come up with a good plan, and when they left the tent, Nanfei was already gone. Yuan Feng searched and asked around, but no one knew anything.

When Yuan Feng and Yan Zeyu returned from their patrol, Nanfei was still nowhere to be seen. Yan Zeyu couldn't help but reassure them, "General, don't worry, your son-in-law is quick-witted and will surely be alright."

Yuan Feng said in a flat voice, "I was just thinking about attacking the city."

Yan Zeyu replied, "Yes."

Yuan Feng took two steps toward the main tent, then turned around and said, "Throughout history and across the land, is there any precedent for a first-rank general to have such a leisurely and easy life as him?"

Yan Zeyu thought to himself, "They've really slapped me in the face so quickly," and replied, "No."

Yuan Feng said, "He has neither experience in leading troops nor in being an official. Relying on his status as the Crown Prince's brother-in-law, he acts arrogantly and calls for violence..."

“Ah ha…” Yan Zeyu saw a hand lift the tent flap and then lower it again, and immediately yawned: “General, this humble general takes his leave.”

Yuan Feng watched him walk away, then frowned and said, "What are you afraid of? He said he would put righteousness before family. You're not his relatives."

Yuan Feng lifted the tent flap and almost screamed in fright. Nan Fei stood behind the tent flap, face to face with her, nose to nose.

It took Yuan Feng a while to recover, and she said coldly, "Does being scared to death count as upholding justice and turning against one's own family?"

Nan Fei smiled ingratiatingly: "General Yuan, I'm just doing my job."

Yuan Feng sat down and ground her teeth for a long time: "I rejected all of their suggestions. Yan Zeyu said..."

Nanfei said, "You can decide for yourselves; there's no need to tell me."

Yuan Feng retorted angrily, "I was just going to say, if you're so powerful, why didn't you cut out my tongue?"

Nanfei quickly said, "Go on, I'm listening..."

Yuan Feng said, "I won't say anything more."

Yuan Feng looked at his grinning face and grabbed him, pushing him outside.

Nanfei held her wrist, backing away as he said, "Ah Feng, there are many people in the army, please save some face..."

"So you care about saving face?" Yuan Feng said, "I have committed insubordination; you can uphold justice even against family ties."

Yuan Feng exerted his strength, and Nan Fei staggered back several steps before regaining his footing. Yuan Feng said, "Xiao Man, anyone who trespasses into the main tent without my permission will be executed!"

Xiao Man looked straight ahead, head held high, and replied loudly, "Yes, General."

Yuan Feng went inside after speaking. Nan Fei stroked his chin, glancing at Yan Zeyu standing beside him, looking at him with a half-smile.

Nanfei asked, "Brother Yan, aren't you sleepy anymore?"

Yan Zeyu smiled and said, "The night is long, and I sincerely invite you, my son-in-law, to have a talk by candlelight."

Nanfei nodded repeatedly: "Brother Yan has devoted himself to the country, neglecting important matters of life. At his age, he is still alone, spending long nights alone and unable to sleep. It is truly lamentable. I have always been considerate of my subordinates, so I will make an exception and act as matchmaker for Brother Yan."

The eldest daughter of the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice is not picky about looks, height, family background, or dowry; she will bring a courtyard house as a dowry plus three thousand taels of silver. I will write to the Crown Prince now and ask him to issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage…”

Yan Zeyu's face turned pale. Xiaoman stared in disbelief.

Nan Fei seized the opportunity to enter the main tent. Yuan Feng turned around, saw him, and shouted, "Xiao Man!"

Xiaoman responded and came in.

Nan Fei interjected, "Xiao Man isn't married either. Let the Crown Prince bestow a marriage upon her as well, since the Left Vice Minister also has a second daughter..."

Xiaoman jumped up and ran away. Yuan Feng glared at Nan Fei.

Nanfei solemnly laid out paper, ground ink, and began writing a letter. He wrote slowly, making corrections and adding circles and dots, and finally said innocently and earnestly, "Ah Feng, if you're sleepy, go to sleep first. You don't need to wait for me."