Chapter 416: Red Aunt

Moreover, the Great Prince himself volunteered to take charge, garrisoning Xi Xiang Cheng, while the Third Prince remained in the capital; the situation now is probably not good.

The man pondered for a moment, his brows slightly furrowed; over the years, Xijiang has seen the Great Prince and the Third Prince each holding a side, evenly matched—if they two cooperated, Da Ning would probably……

Has anything strange happened in the West Wing?

Given Xi Ge's nature, to have him voluntarily withdraw from the capital, the Third Prince must have suffered a great loss—what could it be?

Ning Chengyan's brows were locked tight; the situation is not optimistic, and the western front is on the verge of eruption.

If something happens on this western side, it will trigger a chain reaction, Da Ning will find itself surrounded on all sides—will the events of over twenty years ago happen again?

No!

It must not happen again!

Da Ning can no longer afford another surrender; whether it is war or death, they must press on.

Having quickly sorted his thoughts in his mind, Ning Chengyan looked toward the opposite side.

"Xi Xiang Cheng? I haven't heard of anything happening there!" The black-clad person over there thought for a moment; the situation has become too serious lately, many of them have withdrawn from the open into the shadows, trying to minimize contact—pull one thread and the whole body moves.

"Tell me what rare thing is going on."

"No matter what, it's impossible for there to be nothing; Xi Ge isn't that idle."

But what could it be?

What could make him abandon the capital and come to a remote border town? Enough for him to go all-in, or perhaps he already has victory in hand?

"Xi Xiang Cheng has a pleasure house called Mi Xiang Ju, which is said to be the Great Prince's property; three days ago Mi Xiang Ju posted a notice for a talent competition."

"The top three will receive a large amount of gold as a reward."

"Is this considered a big deal?" one person said, frowning uncertainly.

"Xi Xiang Cheng is really too small; few people come and go each day, being perpetually on the border—what big event could there be?"

"Mi Xiang Ju?" Ning Chengyan narrowed his eyes, "What are the requirements to enter?"

"General, you cannot go; Xi Ge has seen you, and if he recognizes you, it would be dangerous." The two people's expressions tightened as they hastily urged him.

"Yes, General, we'll go." That person likewise responded.

Ning Chengyan shook his head: "The situation is unclear—not only is Xijiang restless, but other countries have also been unsettled these days; I need to find out exactly what Xijiang is planning."

"This time I'll go; prepare the credentials for me." After saying that, Ning Chengyan added, "There's no need to report my coming to the Jiang family."

General Jiang's situation is not optimistic; he also worries about the Jiang family army, fearing it might leak information.

The point at which General Jiang was poisoned inevitably raises suspicion.

"Yes!"

The two exchanged a glance, each feeling a bit more contemplative.

Jiang Yunchu woke up in the morning, opened the window, and looked at the desolate street outside—what good could war bring?

Would peaceful coexistence not be nice?

It is merely a game of power; no matter which country's people, they ultimately end up displaced—victory brings them no benefit, defeat turns them into slaves of a fallen nation.

"Sigh." She let out a soft breath; she hardly has time to worry about other countries now—General Jiang's poison remains unsolved, and Da Ning's western flank sways unsteadily, not the least bit stable.

"Miss, the things you wanted—I've bought them back." A girl's voice came from outside; her father had died under a flurry of blades the previous night, leaving only a pile of flesh and blood. She did not cry; in this place she had seen much, long since grown accustomed—one day she too would meet the same fate.

Jiang Yunchu pitied her, gave her silver to bury her father, and never expected that this girl would then follow her.

"Come in." Jiang Yunchu withdrew her gaze from the window and instead looked toward the gate, "You shouldn't follow me; being by my side is dangerous."

The girl shook her head, "Wherever it is dangerous, but by your side I feel at ease."

The miss is a fine person; aside from her father, she is the first from childhood to extend a hand to pull me up—her fingertips are a little cool, yet they warm the heart.

She has no home, no relatives, no future; she knows the miss is no ordinary person, and whatever she can do for the miss, she is willing.

"But… my heart is uneasy." Jiang Yunchu gave a bitter laugh, then shook her head.

Taking the items she had bought, she first changed into a black outfit, then wove a foot chain from jewels and bells, fastening it to her white ankle; each step sent out a tinkling sound, quite lively.

"How is it?" She took two steps and looked toward Hong Gu.

Hong Gu nodded, "Looks good…"

Then she added, "Also sounds nice."

Jiang Yunchu chuckled, "Tonight I, the miss, will show you what true pleasant sound is."

Her hand lightly stroked the foot chain; she had already conceived the melody yesterday, but she had never practiced it.

Formerly, Xijiang had no ancient zither; later, the various states went to Da Ning for literary contests.

But they were dispersed by a plum zither.

Since then, all countries have begun earnestly practicing the ancient zither, while Xijiang boasts countless noble ladies who love the zither; her entering the zither competition this time is not at all out of place.

"Yes." Hong Gu gave a light laugh and followed behind Jiang Yunchu.

Night fell, and the originally pitch-black street was now illuminated.

Mi Xiang Ju, with its usual flow of people, is different today—only those holding credentials may enter; over these days they have sold over a hundred such credentials, and Mi Xiang Ju has also given out additional ones, bringing the total to as many as three hundred.

"This is too beautiful!" Hong Gu stood behind Jiang Yunchu, gazing at Mi Xiang Ju; Mi Xiang Ju is a place for men's entertainment, which she had never visited before, nor even seen.

This was her first time seeing it; she glanced at the miss in her veiled hat and asked softly, "Miss, are you sure about coming here?"

Jiang Yunchu nodded, "Exactly here."

"Hong Gu, I don't know if I can leave alive, nor where I will go afterward; if I don't find you, I'll leave silver on the table at the inn—live well, and consider our debt repaid."

She herself was merely a passing traveler, while Hong Gu was a native of Xi Xiang.

Her future choices will depend on others.

But Hong Gu can decide for herself.

"Miss, I will surely follow you—in life I am yours, in death I am your spirit; I will go nowhere else." Hong Gu felt anxious, her hand involuntarily gripping Jiang Yunchu's sleeve, her voice sharp and urgent.

Jiang Yunchu patted her hand, "Then stay here and wait for me to come find you."

She can't take her...

She herself doesn't even know whether she can get the medicine, whether she can walk out alive...