This trip to the Wintercrow Clan would be fraught with danger.
However, the Northern Dynasties Emperors weren't worried about Jun Yi Xie's safety, but who would take over the horse farms and snow mountains once Jun Yi Xie was gone?
If Jun Yi Xie died in the Wintercrow Clan, then who would get the farms and snow mountains?
The crown prince had always been in charge of recruiting soldiers and buying horses, but the Northern Dynasties Emperors had sent the second imperial prince this time precisely because they didn't want the crown prince to take any risks. A country couldn't go a day without a ruler or heir apparent.
With the second imperial prince and Jun Yi Xie going, it was inevitable that the horse farms and snow mountains would fall into the crown prince's hands. The Northern Dynasties Emperors valued the crown prince, but didn't want him to have too much power. After all, Crown Prince Long Tianmo had set up his own house to serve as a warning!
In the midst of her hesitation, Bai Yanqing spoke up. "The second imperial prince might not be able to handle this. If Yixie goes, Old Man won't have to worry. The barbarians are afraid of supernatural powers, so Yixie's poison skills should be enough to deal with them. "
The Wintercrow Clan was extremely backward, especially when it came to medicine. Many of their incurable illnesses were attributed to supernatural beings. If Jun Yi Xie used his poison skills there, he might even be worshipped as a god.
In the Wintercrow Clan, anyone who was worshipped as a god could order them around as they pleased.
"Poison skills, that's a good idea! Beloved subject, why didn't you say so earlier? "the Northern Dynasties Emperors suddenly realized.
"I just thought of it," Bai Yanqing explained.
Just like that, the Northern Dynasties Emperors agreed. After Bai Yanqing and his disciple left the palace, Bai Yanqing instructed in a low voice, "Find someone to tell the crown prince the news in a few days. He won't miss out on a chance to fight for merits."
Jun Yi Xie's lips curved up in a ruthless smile. "Master is wise and brilliant. This disciple definitely won't disappoint you."
No matter who it was, as long as they could bring back the horses, they would be considered meritorious and would be able to directly take charge of the warhorse warehouse. The Crown Prince would not easily give this opportunity to the Second Prince.
Jun Yi Xie had plenty of ways to lure the Crown Prince to the Wintercrow Clan. Once he was there, he would be able to decide how the Crown Prince and the Second Prince died.
Once the Northern Dynasties Emperors lost the crown prince and the second prince, it was as if they had lost their left and right arms. Even if they supported another prince, they would not be able to fight against him in a short period of time! In the future, when the Northern Dynasties Emperors grow old, it would be hard to say who would take control of Northern Li!
Previously, Jun Yi Xie had never understood why his master wanted him to keep an eye on the internal affairs of Northern Li and not be distracted by interfering with external affairs. Now, he was more or less obvious. If he did not lose to Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi, perhaps he would be more relied on by the Northern Dynasties Emperors.
His master had set up a big picture, but the most important thing was to control Northern Li.
Bai Qingyan and Jun Yixie returned to their own tents before Bai Qingyan spoke up. "Cloud Realm Trade Consortium is the biggest variable. The grain and horses in their hands can't be underestimated."
"Master, just what is the relationship between the Ning Clan and Cloud Realm Trade Consortium? In the past, Cloud Realm Trade Consortium sold quite a few red coat cannons to the Ning Clan during their war with Western Zhou, "Jun Yixie reminded.
Bai Yanqing shook his head. "There's definitely something fishy going on."
"Also, Ning Jing actually married into the Tang Clan. Because of her marriage, the plans to grow medicine in the snow mountains were all put on hold. What do they have to do with the Tang Clan? "Jun Yi Xie muttered to himself.
"You don't need to worry about that for now. Make your preparations well and be careful when you go to the Wintercrow Clan," Bai Yanqing instructed.
"Don't worry, master. It's just a trivial matter."
Jun Yi Xie was as confident as ever. At this moment, Jun Yi Xie's junior sister and Bai Yanqing's adopted daughter, Bai Yuqiao, walked in.
"Go and make your preparations. We'll set out tomorrow for a trip back to Imperial City."
Bai Yanqing waved his hand, clearly shooing them away. Jun Yi Xie didn't want to leave so soon. "Master, about Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi …"
"Do your part well," Bai Yanqing was unhappy.
Jun Yi Xie was both unsatisfied and curious. His main concern was how his master was going to deal with Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi. What he didn't understand the most was why his master had warned him not to touch Han Yunxi so casually.
Just what kind of medicine was he selling?
Every time he asked, his master would either change the topic or chase him away. He had endured it for a long time.
"Master, do we still have secrets between us?" His usually cold and insufferably arrogant eyes were filled with stubbornness and even a hint of grievance.
"Are you suspecting your master?" Bai Yanqing's face fell.
Bai Yuqiao silently retreated to the side. Seeing her usually arrogant senior brother being as stubborn as a child, she felt her heart ache. She knew all of her master's plans and had wanted to secretly tell him several times, but she didn't have the courage.
"That's not it! Since master doesn't want your disciple to interfere, your disciple will obey. "Jun Yi Xie finished speaking and turned to leave.
When he reached the door, Bai Qingyan said Coldly, "You've already been defeated by a woman over and over again. What right do you have to interfere? Don't worry, master will avenge you for the humiliation Long Fei Ye gave you. Don't be anxious. "
Hearing this, Jun Yi Xie's dim eyes immediately lit up. He turned and respectfully bowed. "Thank you, master!"
Seeing this, Bai Yuqiao felt extremely helpless. She knew that her senior brother must have been too happy and didn't notice that master only mentioned Long Fei Ye and not Han Yunxi.
What her senior brother wanted the most was to get revenge on Han Yunxi. After all, he lost every time because of Han Yunxi.
"What are you still standing there for?"
Bai Qingyan's stern voice broke Bai Yuqiao's train of thought. She quickly ran over and handed over a secret missive. "Master, the City of Daughters sent this over at top speed."
The City of Daughters had long been under Bai Yanqing's control. Even Jun Yi Xie didn't know about this.
Bai Yanqing opened it and suddenly laughed. "As expected, the Old Man guessed correctly!"
Bai Yuqiao was curious but didn't dare to ask. Only when Bai Yanqing threw the letter on the table did she catch a glimpse of the words inside. She was extremely shocked.
The letter said that the Tian An Country's Empress Dowager had offered an extremely high price for the number one expert in the City of Daughters. The City Lord, Madam Leng Yue, had personally taken action to kidnap a person.
Seeing that person's name, Bai Yuqiao was shocked. "Master, it seems like you guessed correctly."
Bai Yanqing's eyes narrowed, revealing a terrifying killing intent. "It must be him!"
Bai Yuqiao was most afraid of her master's bloodthirsty appearance. He didn't have his usual elegance and calmness. He was like a dark avenger.
Bai Yuqiao didn't know where her master's hatred came from. She only hoped that her master would treat her senior brother well and not let him become a tool for his revenge.
"How's the investigation of the Mermaid Clan?" Bai Yanqing asked again.
"It's still under investigation. The mermaids in the water are not difficult to deal with, but those on land are troublesome. Your disciple will make good use of the time." Bai Yuqiao said seriously.
"Very good, if this matter is settled. Master will definitely tell you where your sister is. " Bai Yanqing was in a good mood. "Go personally to the City of Daughters and tell Leng Yue that no matter what, accept this deal!"
Bai Yuqiao received the order and left. When she reached the entrance of the tent, she exhaled a mouthful of turbid air. Her small hand covered her chest, feeling her wildly beating heart.
Master hadn't mentioned her sister for many years. She was adopted by Master and always thought that she was an orphan. However, many years ago, Master accidentally mentioned that she had a sister with eyes as big as hers.
Master said that he only knew that much, but she knew that Master wasn't telling the truth. She knew Master better than her senior brother.
"Little sister …"
Bai Yuqiao muffled her mouth. Although she was overjoyed, her eyes were wet. She hadn't cried in a long, long time. "Little sister … where is she?"
Was this what it felt like to have family? She suddenly felt like she wasn't so lonely anymore.
Northern Li seemed peaceful, but there were huge movements.
Who knew if Long Fei Ye would be able to sense them in the short span of a month?
Yes, one month!
May was the best season to climb Celestial Mountain. The mountain paths were easy to traverse and the weather was just right. Besides taking care of matters in South Ning, they could reach the foot of the mountain by the end of the month.
They were in a hurry from Reclining Dragon Range to South Ning Prefecture, but just as they were about to enter South Ning Prefecture's borders, a guard came with bad news.
Even though it was the middle of the night, Chu Xifeng didn't hesitate to wake Long Fei Ye. "Your Highness, something big's happened. Grand Concubine Yi's gone!"
Long Fei Ye's eyes flew open. Han Yunxi was startled awake as well.
"What do you mean?" Long Fei Ye asked coldly.
"This evening, a servant girl went to deliver food, but she was already gone. All of the Shadow Guards in the ancestral hall were killed with sword wounds. Judging from the scene, they were probably robbed. The attacker's martial arts were extremely high, "Chu Xifeng reported.
"Are there any other clues?"
Long Fei Ye was still calm, but this was no small matter!
During the chaos in Tianning's capital, Grand Concubine Yi had been rescued by the Shadow Guards and sent to South Ning Prefecture. After the Duke of Qin's estate was built, Grand Concubine Yi had been living in the ancestral hall of the estate. She spent her days chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha until she faded out of the public eye.
Grand Concubine Yi wasn't just an old imperial concubine. Although she wasn't clear on Long Fei Ye's origins, she knew Long Fei Ye wasn't Emperor Tianhui's son!
That fact alone was enough to threaten Long Fei Ye. Thus, Long Fei Ye hadn't agreed when she asked to become a nun at the nunnery. Instead, he'd placed her under house arrest in the ancestral hall and sent three groups of Shadow Guard to guard the place.
Over the past year, she'd been safe and sound. Who knew that something would happen now?!
What were the kidnappers' motives?
"None at the moment. Your Highness, should this subordinate hurry back first?" Chu Xifeng was very anxious.
Before Long Fei Ye could reply, Han Yunxi said, "We'll go back together. If the kidnappers aren't trying to use Grand Concubine to threaten us, then they must be suspecting Your Highness's identity. "
"I'm afraid it's the latter," Long Fei Ye's eyes flashed sinisterly. "Long Tianmo!"
Emperor Tianhui and Empress Dowager Chen had both suspected this in the past. They'd even hired assassins from the City of Assassins to fight over Mama Su.
Without any other clues, Long Tianmo was the prime suspect. Long Tianmo had fled to the west, but Empress Dowager Chen and the imperial uncle's estate had all stayed behind in Tian An to follow him. Besides Emperor Tianhui, the only other person who knew was Empress Dowager Chen, the current empress dowager of Tian An.
That very night, Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi abandoned their carriage and rode with Chu Xifeng back to South Ning Prefecture.
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