Chapter 295: When facing a shy youngster, you have to resort to trickery and deceit!

Du Shanü felt wronged.

But Du Shanü did not say anything.

She watched Chen Weifang leave listlessly, and then watched Chen Weifang bring an overly young youth before her timidly and obediently.

This person was about twenty years old, with a well-proportioned, upright build; years of sun exposure and training had given his skin a firm, wheatish tone.

His face was sharp and cold, with flat brows and long lashes; when he lowered his eyes, they hid dark, deep pupils; his thin lips were usually pressed tight, showing no smile.

His whole being was somber and taciturn; even under bright sunlight he gave off a distant, chilly aura, lacking any youthful vigor.

Chen Weifang led him to stand where he was told; he would lower his head and salute there, never daring to lift his eyes to glance at Du Shanü more than once.

Although Du Shanü had already prepared to use whatever means necessary—whether the person was human or ghost—seeing his appearance, her heart gave a sudden thump—

Strange.

Really strange.

How come everyone on Chinu's side is just like Chinu, all gloomy and sinister?

Even Afang, who usually seems the most good-tempered, with a cool, teacher-like demeanor, when she gets angry she is no less formidable.

In broad daylight he looks like a vicious ghost; if one were to encounter him at night upon rising, wouldn't that be frightening?

Du Shanü pondered for a long time, really not knowing what to say, but decided it was important to first open with some small talk:

"...... So it's you."

"Chen Qing told me that this time someone named Xuan Feixing had rendered great service; when he said you had once accompanied me to Tancheng, I recalled all sorts of things... and now, seeing you, it's indeed you."

Du Shanü admits she is somewhat eager to recruit talent, wishing to open her heart to him and achieve a ruler-minister rapport.

But this statement cannot be entirely considered a lie spoken with eyes wide open.

If I remember correctly, when we previously went to Tancheng to meet the Deposed Crown Prince, he was the most quick-witted of the group.

Not only did he know, when the Deposed Crown Prince could hardly walk, how to bind him with hemp rope and carry him on his back while riding a horse; he also knew, after she fell unconscious, to quickly find a place to rest and to ascertain who was marching outside...

Even after she woke up, it was this person who assigned the guard duties.

He indeed handles affairs reliably.

It's just that I hadn't paid special attention to him before; but now that I have noticed him, I will certainly not overlook him in the future.

Du Shanü spoke gently and slowly, but Xuan Feixing showed no particular reaction; he kept his eyes lowered and repeated once more:

"...... I have seen Your Highness the Princess."

He had said that once after taking his stance; Du Shanü didn't pay much attention, merely smiling and replying, then asked again:

"I heard you captured everyone this time with only a dozen or so men?"

Capturing alive is far more difficult than a simple ambush assassination.

Assassination only needs to see blood; as long as there are enough arrows, sharp enough blades, and enough lives...

There will always be a time when it can succeed.

But capturing alive requires considering many factors: how to lay the trap, how to strike, even if the force is too great and one accidentally kills the person—what then?

Moreover, Liu Ji is no fool.

How could it make sense to knowingly go onto someone else's territory and leave the city without bringing enough men?

The more people, the harder the encirclement hunt becomes, and the risk of undertaking this rises.

Although he looks young, he is indeed quite formidable!

Du Shanü gazed at the stern youth before her with smiling eyes, waiting for him to casually reply with something, so she could then smoothly proceed with "clasping hands and gazing at each other," "meeting and regretting the delay," "a wise ruler and loyal minister,"...

However, as soon as Du Shanü spoke those words, she saw the youth not far away—whether he heard her or not—lower his head even further and repeat once more:

"...... I have seen Your Highness the Princess."

Chen Weifang: "......?"

Du Shanü: "......?"

What's wrong with this kid!?

He's said that little bit of talk back and forth three times already!

He looks like a stern, capable temperament, yet he turns out to be so timid and shy toward strangers?

Du Shanü is convinced, but not entirely convinced.

Fortunately, Afang is not the type to embarrass her; she reached out and patted Xuan Feixing on the back, instantly pulling the stern youth's wandering spirit back.

Du Shanü's eyes are sharp; she personally saw the youth not far away, after being 'pat'ed, his whole body's muscles tense and coiled with power, but just before the moment of explosion, he somehow thought of something, and in a single breath forcibly suppressed his inner agitation.

Xuan Feixing regained his composure, though his whole self still seemed somewhat tense and bewildered; Chen Weifang then asked again the question Du Shanü had posed.

Xuan Feixing again lowered his head even further, then cupped his fists and said:

"In reply to Your Highness the Princess...... that is correct."

He kept his mouth shut and spoke little.

Fortunately, etiquette remains; he addresses her as "Your Highness the Princess" each time.

Du Shanü casually waved her hand, trying to use the wind from her palm to dry the damp paper covered in writing on the table; her face remained smiling.

"Feixing, you make it very hard for me like this......"

In principle, she speaks, he replies, she replies again...

Wouldn't that let us chat smoothly and steadily?

But the result is that this person before her is good at nothing—he can't even muster a fart with a pole eight feet long; all he knows is to lower his head further...

What's up?

She wants capable talent, not an ostrich! o(￣ヘ￣o＃)

Du Shanü, feeling helpless, carefully folded the paper on the table and slipped it into a prepared envelope, pondered a moment, then sealed it with a kiss, thus completing this weighty family letter.

She looked back and forth at the envelope full of the letter, made sure nothing was missing, and then sent it out:

"...... Send this letter to Cang Cheng."

Du Shanü's words were, of course, spoken to her own Afang.

She pondered for two days before putting pen to paper to write this family letter; naturally she hoped someone could smoothly and steadily get things done.

Afang handles things reliably; entrusting it to Afang is sure to be correct.

However, what Du Shanü and Chen Weifang didn't expect was that a pair of hands, preceding Chen Weifang's, caught the letter.

Xuan Feixing stepped forward, respectfully placing the letter into his palm, and replied in a low voice:

"Yes."

Chen Weifang's expression shifted slightly, she gave Du Shanü another glance, but ultimately said nothing more.

Du Shanü hadn't expected Xuan Feixing to be poor at speaking, yet he was so proactive in handling matters; she immediately laughed as well:

"Good, then leave it to you to handle."

"By the way, I just realized, didn't you often go back and forth delivering my family letters?"

Du Shanü previously resided in Dun Cheng for a long time; whenever not too busy, she often delivered family letters to Yu Baobao, or wrote to Ouyang Yan and others, instructing them on how to govern the city......

If I'm not mistaken, it seems this person was the one running back and forth?

No wonder the other party would instinctively accept the letter.

Du Shanü continued to laugh heartily, while Xuan Feixing seemed to finally awaken, still lowering his head and bowing respectfully, saying:

"Exactly."

"I, your humble subject, just had the audacity to meet the Princess; I hope Your Highness will pardon my offense."

"Actually, our success in capturing Liu Ji this time is not solely due to my humble efforts; it also relates to my ancestors' legacy. Although our branch's lineage has mostly been lost, there still remains a jar of the 【Five Turbid Vessel】."

"That substance is extremely toxic; once the jar is opened, even all the herbs under heaven must avoid its sharpness. But if only a bit is taken and diluted with plenty of clear water, it becomes a bewitching drug that is hard to find anywhere under heaven or earth; those who take it will, within three breaths, have their limbs go limp and lose all consciousness......"

?? Come provoke, come provoke! Today I also love you guys (*^▽^*)