Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1087 - 1084_1

Chapter 1087: 1084_1

Shangguan Wanru learned about the Imperial Court’s preparations for a military campaign against Nangong Country several days later. She discovered this while looking for Prince An in his study and overhearing his conversation with Shangguan Ruixi.

"The first batch of grain and provisions has already been covertly transported out. The roads are slippery due to the snow, making it unsuitable for further transportation at the moment. However, once the weather warms up and the ground no longer freezes, you must hurry to send out the second batch of provisions. Be careful not to be discovered," Prince An said

"I understand, father, don’t worry. It is the end of the year now, and there are many merchants transporting goods; each team is quite long. We also disguise ourselves as a merchant team, and no one will be suspicious of us. Alas, if it wasn’t for Yijin giving birth, I would love to lead an army to attack Nangong Country," replied Shangguan Ruixi.

Shangguan Wanru, standing outside the study, was about to knock on the door when she overheard the men’s conversation and was so shocked that she spilled the stew she was holding.

The men inside the study, hearing the noise, exchanged looks.

"Princess, are you okay?" A young servant of Prince An, who had just returned from using the restrooms, rushed over and hastily asked her.

"No, I’m fine!"

Shangguan Ruixi then opened the door.

Seeing him open the door, Shangguan Wanru grabbed his hand, "The Imperial Court plans on invading Nangong Country?"

Shangguan Ruixi glanced around cautiously, then pulled her into the room and shut the door, saying, "This matter is still under discussion, and nothing has been announced yet. You need to keep your voice down!"

Currently, only officials of the Imperial Court are privy to the plan. If overheard by anyone more talkative, the whole Imperial Capital would be aware of it, and naturally, the people of Nangong Country would know in advance!

If that were to happen, they could kiss their ambush goodbye!

"What do you mean it’s still under discussion? Didn’t you just say that grain and provisions are already being covertly transported? I understand that the principle of war is to move the supplies first! The grain is being transported, isn’t that set in stone?"

"Yes, preparations for war are underway," King Anqing frowned, seeing how agitated Shangguan Wanru was.

"Why?" If war were to break out between the two countries, where would she, the princess of the Minze Country and the Crown Princess of Nangong Country, stand? Wouldn’t she be caught between a rock and hard place?

"Why? From the time you miscarried, you should’ve known that Nangong Country had long been eyeing our super rice breeding technique and cement production method. Even if we don’t attack them now, they will inevitably wage a war against us sooner or later to get that technology! So why can’t we strike first?" Shangguan Ruixi was already harboring resentment against Nangong Country since the time when Shangguan Wanru was bullied. But, back then, Shangguan Wanru was still the Crown Princess of Nangong Country. If they had acted too aggressively, it would’ve been Shangguan Wanru who suffered. To make matters worse, the emperor did not even consider attacking then. He was forced to swallow his anger, but times had changed. Under the current favorable conditions, if they did not attack, the opportunity would be lost.

"But where will I stand if the Imperial Court attacks Nangong Country?"

"The emperor of Nangong Country had placed you and Zhuan’er under house arrest and had caused you to miscarry. Now that the Prince of Nangong is dead and so is Zhuan’er, you’ve returned to Minze Country as their princess. You no longer have anything to do with Nangong Country, so where do you think you should stand?"

Shangguan Wanru found herself at a loss for words after hearing this. Yes, her husband was dead, her child was gone, and she had escaped back to the Minze Country. She was no longer the Crown Princess of Nangong Country!

Nangong Country had nothing to do with her anymore. Why should she be affected by the war between the two countries?

But why was her heart so uneasy?

Seeing his daughter in such a state made Prince An feel uncomfortable too, "Alright, Nangong Country has nothing to do with you anymore. Gong Zixuan might have chosen to marry you for a reason, don’t keep grieving for him! Don’t let yourself get trapped in the past and unable to move on. You’re still young, and you’ve got your whole life ahead of you. Think about how you will go on."

"No, that’s not true. The Crown Prince was very kind to me; he would absolutely not use me! If you want to attack Nangong Country, then do it, but don’t you dare defame the Crown Prince!" Shangguan Wanru couldn’t accept Prince An’s defamation of Gong Zixuan, and she replied heatedly.

"Alright, alright, Gong Zixuan did not use you! I understand, I was wrong," Prince An said, seeing her so upset. He was worried she might do something impulsive like playing her flute day and night, which would be terrible. So, he quickly conceded to her demands.

"..." Shangguan Ruixi rolled his eyes helplessly. When women were emotional, they were truly unreasonable!

"Can’t we avoid warfare? Why must we fight?" If a war broke out, Gong Zixuan would surely find no peace in the afterlife. And if the Minze Empire really managed to conquer Nangong Country, how would she face Gong Zixuan in the future?

"It’s the emperor’s decision. It can’t be easily changed," said Shangguan Ruixi.

Hearing this, Shangguan Wanru finally conceded. The first batch of resources had already been transported out, this matter had obviously been long in the planning. How could it possibly be canceled because of her single objection?

"Enough, this year, Nangong Country has been covertly recruiting soldiers and buying horses. A battle between the two countries is inevitable. We are vastly outnumbered by Nangong’s forces, so we need to take them by surprise while they’re unprepared. This is a matter of national importance. It involves the well-being of millions of civilians. It must not be confused with personal feelings, so you should not overthink it. Go back and rest."

...

While the Imperial Court was covertly patching up their spring offensive against Nangong Country, the twelfth lunar month quietly arrived, with freezing temperatures turning breaths into clouds of frost.

Seven consecutive days of snowfall had passed, and there was no sign of temperature increase. Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t even dare to let Xiao’er take a walk outside because the ground was covered with a thin layer of frost in the mornings.

Today was Laba Festival. Xiao’er got up early with the maids to select beans, preparing to make Laba congee later on, and then distribute it to the friendly neighborhood. Meanwhile, the kitchen was already preparing Laba congee, which was intended for the poor people outside the city gates.

"The weather is really cold this year. We haven’t had such a heavy snowfall this time in the past years," Yang Liu came in from outside, lifting up the thick curtain and letting in a chill, causing a young maid to shiver.

"Yes, this winter will likely be longer than usual," Xiao’er replied. She had learned from Bai Tian that this winter would indeed be longer and particularly colder, even places in Nangong Country that usually didn’t get snow would experience some.

In such cold weather, many people preferred to stay indoors rather than go out, this was particularly convenient for their soldiers marching towards the battlefield.

The distribution of commodities had already started, and because it was a covert operation, batches of soldiers had begun to set off towards the border of Minze Dynasty and Nangong Country.

By the time next year’s spring blossoms, all the soldiers should have reached the border.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.