The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 398: Qi Nation, Seizing the Opportunity

Chapter 398: Qi Nation, Seizing the Opportunity

Qi Nation.

As soon as Ye Siheng entered the territory of Qi Nation, he headed straight for Jianggu.

Jianggu was the fief of Prince of Liangguang, Qi Xuan.

His lineage had followed the Emperor Taizu in founding the kingdom of Qi Nation, saving Emperor Taizu several times from peril. Therefore, Emperor Taizu left a testament before his death: whoever became emperor in the future, as long as the Prince of Liangguang did not commit mistakes, he would not allow the fief to be reduced or the military power to be seized.

Thus, Qi Xuan was the only prince in the entire Qi Nation who had his own army.

At this time, Qi Nation was already starting to feel chilly, requiring thick clothing.

There were a few charcoal braziers in the room, warming the icy air.

Ye Siheng wore a simple black robe, his physique robust, unaffected by the cold.

Even in the attire of an ordinary rivers and lakes swordsman, he could not conceal his noble demeanor when his true face was revealed.

In Mu Nation, he had dominated everything and commanded the winds and clouds. Yet here in Qi Nation, he had been left hanging for several days without any progress.

Today was already the sixth day.

The accompanying secret guards were already impatient, whispering, "Master, we come here every day. Despite the good food and drink offered by the servants, we still haven’t seen Prince of Liangguang. What exactly does he mean?"

Ye Siheng remained calm and composed, leisurely making tea, every movement graceful and pleasing to the eye.

With half-closed eyes, he stared at the water that had not yet boiled and said, "After all, Emperor Taizu left instructions. As long as Prince of Liangguang doesn’t rebel or cause trouble, he can continue to hold the Jianggu fief and live peacefully. He needs time to think things through."

If Prince of Liangguang had no intention, he would have been arrested long ago, and it would have been an opportunity for the new Emperor Qi to earn merit.

The secret guard clenched his teeth. "But dragging this on indefinitely isn’t a solution either, Master. Mu Nation can’t hold on much longer."

They couldn’t stay away from Mu Nation forever.

If discovered by Qi Nation spies, not only would their plan fail, but their journey back home would also be fraught with danger.

Seeing that the water had finally boiled, Ye Siheng’s lips curled slightly. "It’s about time."

The secret guard frowned anxiously. Time was running out, but why did the prince still look so relaxed? It was driving him crazy.

Just as Ye Siheng finished making tea, a group of people arrived outside.

At the forefront was none other than Prince of Liangguang, Qi Xuan.

In his thirties, robust and with a full beard on his face.

Upon seeing Ye Siheng, he burst into laughter. "The Ninth Prince! I’ve heard so much about you!"

Ye Siheng stood up and exchanged greetings with him, saying, "Prince of Liangguang, I’ve been waiting for you."

"Ah, I’ve been busy with affairs and couldn’t free myself," Qi Xuan said. "I apologize for keeping you waiting. Come, let’s have tea instead of wine to make amends!"

He sat down, his guards standing behind him, hands resting on their weapons, wary of any possible attack against Prince of Liangguang.

The secret guard looked at the densely packed group and couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

It was no wonder Prince of Liangguang was so cautious and fearful. After all, the prince’s martial arts prowess was notoriously profound, and now he didn’t even fear ghosts.

Ye Siheng spoke up, "The tea is still hot. After thinking for so many days, Prince of Liangguang, why not share your decision?"

Qi Xuan’s expression darkened slightly, narrowing his eyes. "The Ninth Prince is straightforward."

"After delaying for so long, it’s time to be direct. If we continue to beat around the bush for a few more days, we might miss the opportunity," Ye Siheng said. "If you want a way out, you have to make a decision."

Qi Xuan sneered, "The Ninth Prince came here in person, showing sincerity. But as long as my lineage doesn’t rebel, I can live peacefully. I don’t really need the way out you’re talking about."

Ye Siheng raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then why did you come? Why didn’t you capture me?"

Qi Xuan was caught off guard by his insight, his face showing some embarrassment.

He had intended to test Ye Siheng’s patience, but unexpectedly, Ye Siheng was in no hurry at all. Instead, he had exposed his own flaws first.

In that case, Qi Xuan decided to get straight to the point. "Qi Hong dared to kill his own father, the Emperor. He will certainly disregard Emperor Taizu’s instructions and act against Jianggu. But Jianggu can also directly surrender its military power, submit to Qi Hong, and thus secure peace."

Ye Siheng smiled faintly. "Perhaps not? Qi Hong has already asked you to surrender military power before, and you refused. Qi Hong’s temper is not good at all. If you defy him once, how can he see you as anything other than an obedient dog?"

Qi Xuan was slightly angry. "You dare to speak so boldly!"

To call him a dog!

The guards behind him moved, drawing their weapons with a gleam of cold light, even the air seemed to freeze.

Ye Siheng remained calm and unruffled. "Whether you want to be a dog or a master, it’s all up to you to decide. Now that you can seize the opportunity by using the charge of regicide to pave a way out, why hesitate? It seems Prince of Liangguang lacks the courage and insight."

Qi Xuan clenched his fists, clearly angered. He snorted, "Ye Siheng, you’re from Mu Nation. You want to incite internal conflict in our Qi Nation so Mu Nation can benefit from it. Do you think I will easily be swayed by your provocations?"

Ye Siheng replied calmly, enunciating each word clearly, "Indeed, Qi Hong must be planning to start another war, which is why he committed regicide and usurped the throne at this time. Mu Nation has never been fond of war, which is why I patiently waited here for you for several days. If this plan succeeds, everyone will have their own benefits. Why not seize the opportunity?"

"Furthermore, Mu Nation is not unwilling to fight, just reluctant to. If Qi Nation decides to mobilize troops, Mu Nation can still put up a fight. Who’s to say who will win or lose?"

Qi Xuan actually believed these words from Ye Siheng.

Mu Nation indeed wanted to profit from the chaos, not annex Qi Nation.

As for himself...

Despite his glory and power, there was always a knife hanging over his neck.

Just as Ye Siheng said, with Qi Hong’s temperament, even if he voluntarily surrendered military power now, Qi Hong would not spare him.

He had no choice!

After struggling for a long time, he finally asked, "I need to be a hundred percent sure to seize this opportunity. Now that Qi Hong has mastered demonic techniques and cannot be dealt with, even if I lead troops to attack the city, it will be useless. Since the Ninth Prince has come in person this time, you must have a solution, right?"

Ye Siheng had been waiting for him to make up his mind.

He took out a dagger made of millennium peach wood, intricately carved with runes, forming a talisman array capable of fatally affecting many evil spirits and demons.

He said, "Qi Hong’s demonic cultivation feeds on resentment and malevolence. This peach wood dagger will certainly have a restraining effect on him. Also, I have carefully deployed spies and operatives in the capital, all ready for your use."

Qi Xuan stared at the peach wood dagger.

A soldier who had seen much bloodshed naturally carried many lingering spirits and auras of death. Yet, when the peach wood dagger was placed here, it seemed to suppress all those resentful spirits and malevolent auras.

Now he felt completely comfortable all over his body.

"The Ninth Prince is indeed well-prepared!" Qi Xuan exclaimed excitedly as he picked up the dagger and examined it carefully. "But capturing Qi Hong won’t be easy."

The tea had cooled halfway.

Ye Siheng took a sip. "Rest assured, I’ve prepared for that too."