Chapter 631

Zuo Feichen looked at Gu Jiu Ling in surprise: "What opportunity?"

Gu Jiu Ling raised her hand, dipped it in the water from the tea cup beside her, and wrote a few characters on the table.

Zuo Feichen saw the characters Gu Jiu Ling wrote, his face instantly stiffened slightly, and he hurriedly whispered: "Princess Consort, you must absolutely not—if anything happens to you..."

Zuo Feichen recalled that earlier Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin had a quarrel, creating a rift, and she left the Wangfu for an island in the East Sea Area.

That time Xiao Yin nearly went mad, stirring up the whole Shang Jing so it had no peace; even the dogs on the street would flee far when they saw Xiao Yin.

If Gu Jiu Ling puts herself in danger this time and something happens, each of those involved will be skinned alive by Xiao Yin directly.

Gu Jiu Ling whispered: "Now word has spread from Hengzhou about the grain shortage; the Eight Great Families will surely make a move."

"The Eight Great Families hate Xiao Yin to death; they will surely tamper with his military rations, and then we can turn the tables."

"Moreover..." Gu Jiu Ling steadied her words: "I previously found a double wearing a mask to stand in for me at a manor in the suburbs of the capital; Xiao Yin's entourage are all sharp people, this deception won't last long, and if Xiao Yin notices, he will surely have me captured."

"That person is petty; he'll probably lock me up. The Eight Great Families also have some connection with my maternal grandfather, the Du family—I can't just sit in the rear waiting for news."

"I recall you have a batch of medicinal herbs with hallucinogenic properties; I want to use them this time."

Zuo Feichen's face twitched slightly: "Dealing with the tiger for its skin—better leave it to Xiao Yin."

"I think the Princess Consort should go find the Prince; whether it's a covert or overt plot, it's better to leave it to the Prince to handle."

Gu Jiu Ling slowly shook her head: "On Xiao Yin's side, the Eight Great Families will surely keep a close watch; conversely, our side is a variable, and as long as we are a variable, the Eight Great Families won't guard against us."

Gu Jiu Ling's expression gradually became solemn, looking at Zuo Feichen: "Xiao Zuo, do you want to take a gamble?"

Zuo Feichen hesitated; he wasn't afraid of death, but he feared Gu Jiu Ling would toy with him to death.

Gu Jiu Ling pointed toward the window; from the window one could even see the stone general's statue faintly standing at the city gate.

Gu Jiu Ling stared at Zuo Feichen: "The feeling of personally slaying one's enemy should be great; hiding behind is boring, Master Shi, don't you want to try?"

Zuo Feichen's eyes flickered slightly; he slowly picked up the tea cup before him and drank the tea in one gulp.

"What should we do next? Please make it clear, Princess Consort!"

Gu Jiu Ling smiled, took out a banknote from her bosom and pushed it toward Zuo Feichen: "You've been holed up at Yankou Pass half a year ago; you must know which big grain merchants are in the town. Let's go visit them together tomorrow."

Zuo Feichen raised his eyebrows slightly, thinking to himself: "This woman must have become a spirit; how does she know everything?"

Dusk gradually fell; tonight's moonlight was very bright, gently shrouding the Azure Dragon Army's camp outside Hengzhou.

At this time the Azure Dragon Army's camp spread densely, seeming to stretch into the boundless wilderness, too numerous to count.

Suddenly, in one of the tents, a fierce argument broke out; two soldiers were fighting over a bowl of thin rice soup you could see the bottom of.

This minor incident quickly subsided, like a tiny ripple disappearing into a dark lake.

The Azure Dragon Army, after all, has strict discipline; such brawls in the camp don't happen often, and even when they do, they are quickly suppressed.

But now, due to the grain shortage, the atmosphere in the camp has gradually become tense; such incidents have occurred many times tonight, leaving everyone uneasy.

Ling Feng hurried toward the main tent; the commanders inside had just finished discussing military affairs, and they all filed out, their expressions even outside the tent still showing a hint of caution.

Working under Xiao Yin, one either gets promoted and ennobled, or ends up dead.

Sometimes one doesn't die at the hands of external enemies, but is beaten to death by one's own commander.

Just now a deputy commander was beaten fifty military strokes by Xiao Yin for drinking, his buttocks smashed to pieces.

Ling Feng stood sideways, saluting several military officers.

Everyone knows that this young master beside Xiao Yin holds a high status; if it weren't for Prince Rui keeping him close for great use, given his talent he would likely have already become a deputy commander.

Although they have high status, nobody dares to look down on Ling Feng.

Ling Feng saluted them, and they all returned the salute with clasped fists.

After Ling Feng watched them walk away, he turned and walked to the outside of the main tent, bowing and saying: "Prince!"

"Come in!" came Xiao Yin's deep, muffled voice, slightly hoarse.

Yeah, how could he not be tired?

This battle concerns life and death; the long-time enemies should finally settle the score, and both sides have gone red-eyed.

Even Ling Feng, who has followed Xiao Yin for many years, now greatly admires his patience.

If it were anyone else, they couldn't suppress their anger now and would surely strike straight at the heart of the Eight Great Families, Yingzhou.

Yet the Prince can linger outside Hengzhou for so long now, like a seasoned hunter lying in wait, awaiting the final moment to capture his prey.

At this moment, Xiao Yin is actually the most composed of everyone.

Ling Feng hurriedly strode into the main tent; the account inside was somewhat disordered.

On the table lay a sand table, its flags planted thickly—some for the Azure Dragon Army, some for the rebel forces of the Eight Great Families.

The blue and red were mixed together, indistinguishable, reaching a white-hot intensity.

Xiao Yin's tall figure stood beside the sand table, brows furrowed, as if he could stare a flower into the sand table.

The expression in his eyes and brows was extremely cold and stern, making people feel fearful.

Even Ling Feng became cautious, standing before Xiao Yin and bowing: "Prince, if we don't issue the military rations soon, the soldiers will really mutiny."

"Tonight alone there have been over a dozen private fights, with soldiers breaking heads and bleeding over a bowl of porridge."

"Prince, we actually do have grain; if we just tell the brothers, let them eat their fill first, then we can put on the show..."

Xiao Yin cut off Ling Feng's words, knowing that Ling Feng had grown up alongside these Azure Dragon Army soldiers since childhood.

He also felt pity for these soldiers, who haven't had a full meal in days, and he didn't understand why the Prince was doing this.

Although Bai Xiaosheng had withheld their military rations, the Prince still has private holdings in the Jiangnan region more than enough to feed the brothers.

Now the Prince's actions leave everyone puzzled.

Xiao Yin slowly said: "A performance?"

"Since we're putting on a show before the Eight Great Families, we need to make it realistic."

Ling Feng was about to speak when two secret guards hurried in from outside; they were scouts trained by Xiao Yin to gather intelligence.

The two knelt before Xiao Yin and handed over the secret letter in their hands.

"Prince, there is news from Ying Prefecture."

Xiao Yin turned, took the secret letter, opened it, and a smile flickered across Xiao Yin's face.

Xiao Yin casually handed the secret letter to Ling Feng, who hurriedly took it.

Xiao Yin said slowly, "Convey this prince's order: move the prepared rations over; soldiers must eat their fill before they can fight."