Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 82 Separate Confrontations
Aisha raised her wine cup, but got no response. She wasn't upset. She just stumbled a few steps and said, "I was drunk and frightened her. I was rude. I should drink three cups as punishment."

After saying this, he poured himself three cups of wine and fell into a deep sleep.

Seeing that Tan Huaike had nearly fallen for his scheme, Shen Tu Zhuo was helpless, his rage simmering with rage, and with nowhere to vent, he stormed out, feeling dizzy and nauseous. Zhou Wencong also pleaded a lack of tolerance for alcohol and needed to take a break, holding his forehead as he left. The welcoming banquet had been a feast, but Chi County Magistrate was left alone, drinking, feeling deeply troubled.

In the side room, the maid brought a brand new skirt for Tan Huaike to change into.

After the maid closed the door and left, Xu Guanbai stood behind the screen and spoke frankly to her, "When I first heard the tragic news that the entire marriage party had been massacred, I assumed no one survived. But now, seeing how the eldest prince treated you, I imagine you must have known about the incident. So, you're not a concubine of the Tan family, but a maidservant of Princess Mohe?"

Tan Huaike paused as he dressed and answered frankly, "No, I'm not the princess's maid. I'm just the daughter of a merchant who happened to be entering the country. I only met Princess Alan once."

"I see." Xu Guanbai nodded. "The princess has been missing for a long time, and the Mo He side has remained idly watching. This shows that they are not very united. If they return empty-handed, they may even encounter more dangers. The eldest prince has no other choice but to seek a way out here."

"Guan Bai Niangzi, do you also think... that I am his way out?"

"My mission is the same as his, but our stance is different." Xu Guanbai chuckled self-deprecatingly. "According to the Queen's order, I must do everything in my power to make this unexpected marriage happen. However, I sincerely don't want the Third Prince to marry Princess Mo He, no matter who becomes the princess. Do you understand me?"

"I don't quite understand." Tan Huaike thought as he tied his belt. "So, do you intend to facilitate this marriage, or do you intend to let the news of Princess Mo He's death spread to the world and prevent His Highness the Third Prince from getting married?"

"Your Majesty has decreed that the Third Prince can only be crowned king after marrying a foreign prince." Xu Guanbai didn't answer her question, but said meaningfully, "There are undercurrents in the court right now, and the disputes are unresolved. Perhaps if we wait a little longer, there might be a third path."

Tan Huaike changed his clothes and walked out from behind the screen. He looked at her and said, "Guan Bai Niangzi, I don't understand the chess game you are playing, and I don't want to understand it. But I don't want to be a chess piece, manipulated by you at will. I have my own wishes."

Xu Guanbai smoothed the wrinkles on her back. "Everyone in this game is a chess piece," she said softly, "Madam, don't worry. It's not time to make a decision yet."
-
The lights flickered in the corridors of the County Magistrate's Mansion, reflecting the uncertain expressions of Shentu Zhuo and Zhou Wencong.

The two were classmates at the Imperial College and had been close friends in their youth, sharing everything. Now, reunited after a long separation, their mutual suspicions and concealments regarding the marriage proposal inevitably created a rift.

Facing his former best friend, Shen Tu Zhuo didn't want to beat around the bush anymore and said bluntly, "Your Highness, since you've personally come to the border, you must already know what the marriage party has truly encountered. Do you really want to continue pretending to be with that Prince Mo He?"

Zhou Wencong said, "Zhongqi, the princess who was to be married off was assassinated. The Eastern Palace paid a huge price to allow the Zhenxi Army to suppress the incident, buying us room for maneuver. Coincidentally, Prince Mohe is also willing to continue to promote it. For the sake of diplomatic relations between our two countries, I should cooperate, isn't it?"

"As a prince, marrying a foreign princess is still a good thing. Now that she's gone, you're willing to replace her in such a hurry? Do you think your lifelong event is a joke? Besides, there's no wall that can't be penetrated. If the truth is revealed one day, the royal family will lose face, and how will that innocent woman feel?" "The marriage was decided, and I have no right to disobey. My father intended to weaken the power of the Eastern Palace and allowed me to be crowned king after the marriage. It was both an inducement and a threat. Marrying a foreign princess as my consort is also a wise move for me to protect myself. This matter was destined from the beginning, and I had no choice. Now this unexpected change has caught me off guard."

"Is there no other way?" Shen Tuzhuo couldn't help but question, "Ayisha wants to take Tan Huaike as her sister. Can't you see his intention? Even if he wants to find a replacement, why her?"

"Zhongqi, calm down," Zhou Wencong said. "I don't know why you're so resentful. From a mere merchant's daughter to a princess, isn't this a kind of redemption for her? Besides, the Tan family treated her with such disdain, forcing her to marry into the Shentu Mansion and live as a widow. Her father even went so far as to set her up to harm him in order to save his own fortune. Trapped in such a quagmire, what's there to cling to? Even if this marriage is just a cover-up, at least I'll treat her well and she won't have to endure all this torture. Zhongqi, don't you trust me?"

"You know nothing about her." Shentu Zhuo shook his head, deciding to tell his old friend the truth. "She's not the so-called concubine of the Tan family. The real Tan Huaike died young. The Tan family bought her from a human trafficker and used her as a replacement. Before falling into the hands of the human traffickers, she was a Mohe merchant woman who followed her father and brother into the pass. She was also the only survivor of the assassination attempt on the marriage party that night."

Zhou Wencong was surprised: "She was from that passing caravan? She actually managed to escape alive..."

Shentu Zhuo sneered, "As expected, the Zhenxi Army is keeping this a secret. You guys in Andu know more about the details than those of us who are actually implicated."

The wind was biting cold, but the alcohol warmed his blood. He looked at Zhou Wencong and said, "She witnessed the tragic deaths of her father and brother. After escaping death that night, she is still helpless. She finally opened her own restaurant and found a moment of peace in my house. Are you going to push her into the abyss again? Yes, she wants to find the murderer and avenge her father and brother, but why should she entrust her fate to you? What you are doing is no different from the greedy Tan family!"

After the shock wore off, Zhou Wencong felt guilty. "I misjudged you." As if realizing something, he said solemnly, "But this makes her situation even more worrying. The person behind the assassination hasn't surfaced yet, and it's unknown what other plans they have. If they knew there was such an insider, they would definitely not let her go easily."

"..." This was also what Shen Tuzhuo had been worried about. He frowned, "Is there no evidence at all? There aren't many people in the world who dare to do such a thing, right?"

"Because the Emperor's intention is to maintain checks and balances, the Eastern Palace has been significantly constrained, and a full-scale investigation is currently unavailable. However, this is a grave concern. Regardless of how the marriage ends, we must eradicate these treacherous individuals." Zhou Wencong paused. "If we arrange for Princess Mohe to appear at this time, perhaps we can confuse the public and lure them out?"

"No, I don't agree!" Shen Tu Zhuo immediately understood what he meant. "Don't dream on. I will never let her take any risks. You should find another suitable candidate. I think Xu Guanbai is a good candidate. Hasn't she always wanted to marry you?"

"Since Lady Bai is a female historian sent by the Empress Dowager, her position is legitimate. With her support, we can better confuse the enemy." Zhou Wencong thought for a moment and said, "However, this move is still too risky and requires careful planning. If we want to carry it out, we must obtain the approval of your eldest wife. Zhongqi, rest assured, I will never force anyone to do anything against their will."

"No! I won't agree anyway!" Shen Tu Zhuo punched the pillar and said under the influence of alcohol, "Song Shu, tell me honestly, have you fallen in love with her and want to take advantage of the situation to get her..."

"I'm talking to you about serious matters, what nonsense are you talking about?"
-
　Next chapter: You are crazy, she is your sister-in-law!

　　Happy Valentine's Day everyone! (Unfortunately, this Valentine's Day, Zhuo Gongzi is not very happy o(*￣▽￣*)ゞ)
　　(End of this chapter)