Chapter 213: Night Raid

"Go ahead and leave, Azi, and tell Qi Shihuai the news," Gu Rongjin said.

"You're not going yourself?" Azi asked doubtfully.

Gu Rongjin looked at the table full of food and said to Azi, "I'm eating right now; I'll go talk to him in detail after I finish my meal."

Azi pursed her lips, as if wanting to say something, then glanced at Mu Yuanzhi before leaving.

Mu Yuanzhi felt that Azi kept looking at her with an uncomfortable gaze, perhaps because of Qilin's influence, and she now felt a bit awkward.

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head and continued eating.

After finishing his meal, Gu Rongjin went to find Qi Shihuai, and at that moment Qilin, who had been missing for half a day, returned.

"Senior sister!" Qilin burst in, bustling about, "Senior sister, I've completely investigated Azi's background—she wasn't originally called Azi; this is a name she changed to."

Mu Yuanzhi raised an eyebrow: "Where did you dig up that information?"

"I asked that rude monk." Qilin sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and then continued, "She was originally a lady from a martial arts family, joined Frost Descent at age five, and her birth name was Zhao Yan Yan. Why would she change her name to Azi?"

Mu Yuanzhi: "Why?"

"Azi, Azhi, senior sister, don't you think this name is too similar to yours?!" Qilin said irritably.

Mu Yuanzhi: "That's a bit of a stretch."

"What's the stretch? Why would she change to a name that has nothing to do with anything? It's obvious she wants to be your stand-in!" Qilin snorted coldly, "And don't you think her clothing style is imitating yours? Black combat outfit with a single ponytail—you often dress like that!"

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head: "You're stretching it even more—she's a martial artist, so wearing a neat outfit like that is quite normal."

"One thing being normal is fine, but two? Changing her name to Azi and copying your Azhi style of dress—I think that's a clear case of 'Sima Zhao's ulterior motive'!" Qilin continued to snort, "And look, Frost Descent isn't lacking women; it's just her who constantly circles Gu Rongjin, and the way she looks at you is definitely hostile—don't deny it!"

Qilin, parched from speaking, drank another cup of water, "You also saw her that day arguing with Qi Shihuai's sister—clearly she was in the wrong yet she lashed out and hit someone; even though Qi Shian is also despicable, I think she's being spiteful too!"

Mu Yuanzhi rubbed her temples: "I feel like I'm about to be convinced by you."

Qilin: "You'd better listen to me—you need to keep an eye on Azi; she's surely been eyeing Gu Rongjin for a long time!"

That night, Gu Rongjin didn't return to sleep; he had to go out on an errand, so Mu Yuanzhi went to bed first.

Not long after she fell asleep, a sudden noise came from the room's window!

Her sleep was light, and she woke up instantly.

Someone?!

Mu Yuanzhi focused her hearing—someone was climbing through the window!

Who?!

Mu Yuanzhi had quietly taken the concealed weapon from beside her pillow into her hand.

The footsteps were so light that without careful listening you wouldn't hear them; if it weren't for the noise the intruder made when slipping through the window, she might not have noticed at all.

As the person drew near, Mu Yuanzhi had already gripped her concealed weapon tightly.

That person had already reached the side of her bed!

Mu Yuanzhi flung back the covers and threw her concealed weapon.

"Azhi, it's me!"

Pei Shangling barely dodged the concealed weapon, breaking out in a cold sweat; the sharp flying needle sliced the hair beside his ear, and had he dodged a fraction slower, it might have struck his throat!

"Is it you? What are you sneaking around for?!" Mu Yuanzhi immediately switched to gripping a dagger in her hand, warily eyeing the night-raiding Pei Shangling.

Sneaking in at the dead of night like a chicken thief—this can't be anything good!

"Azhi, put your weapon down first—I won't hurt you."

In the darkness, Pei Shangling couldn't see Mu Yuanzhi's face clearly, but from the glint of the dagger he could clearly see the cold vigilance in her eyes, which made him feel heartbroken.

"Do you even believe what you're saying?" Mu Yuanzhi snorted, "Should I count the ways you've hurt me?"

Pei Shangling, feeling ashamed, licked his lips, not wanting to continue the topic, and compromised: "Azhi, I'm not here to argue with you; I'm here to take you back. Don't be muddle-headed, falling for Gu Rongjin's scheming—if you return now, I'll intercede for you with the Father Emperor, and he certainly won't hold it against you; otherwise he wouldn't have sent me to fetch you."

"I'm not going back with you." Mu Yuanzhi glanced at Pei Shangling's back and asked, "What about the other one?"

"What?" Pei Shangling feigned ignorance.

Mu Yuanzhi: "And Xiao Yichen? Stop pretending—we've known your movements all along."

Pei Shangling had no choice but to admit: "He didn't come; he's outside providing support."

"Oh, they're outside then—good, let's catch them all in one net!" Mu Yuanzhi curled her lips.

"Azhi! Why are you still being obstinate? Gu Rongjin is plotting rebellion—are you joining him too? That's our Father Emperor we're talking about!" Pei Shangling demanded heatedly.

"He's just your father emperor." Mu Yuanzhi corrected.

Pei Shangling sorrowfully closed his eyes, "He raised you for over ten years! Even if there were misunderstandings before, he's still your adoptive father!"

"I've already repaid him with a life—isn't that enough?"

Mu Yuanzhi's words made Pei Shangling suddenly recall that nightmare.

What does "repaying a life" mean?

Could it be……

Pei Shangling dared not dwell on it; he had tried every means to ignore and forget that nightmare, unwilling to think about it.

So he changed the subject: "Azhi, if you're rebelling, have you thought about your father? Your loyal, patriotic father would be devastated to see you like this!"

Upon hearing that, Mu Yuanzhi's eyes turned icy: "How dare you mention my father? He died on the battlefield for the country, and only because his daughter almost gave her life could he return home! He himself, the peace bought with countless soldiers' lives, is now being destroyed by your father!"

Pei Shangling shook his head and stepped back, "What are you saying?"

"You yourself know the answer, Pei Shangling—why do you, holding a million troops, not send them out?" Mu Yuanzhi stepped forward, now it was her turn to question.

"Qi Shihuai is a rebel—do you think it's no problem to hand over troops to a rebel?" Pei Shangling shouted.

"Why is he a rebel? Is that what he wants?" Mu Yuanzhi pointed outward, "Why don't you go to the frontier and see how many people are displaced, how many lives have been lost to the yellow springs, how much land has been seized? You refuse to fight, only daring to hide like turtles and discuss peace—look what happens: the capital will soon be trampled underfoot!"

Seeing Pei Shangling merely stare at her, drawing a deep breath, she sneered, "What's the matter? You've got nothing to say, right, Pei Shangling?"