Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 196 The family from my hometown has arrived.

"His Majesty."

After Song Shi'an left, even Chen Bao, who was usually reluctant to ask questions, couldn't help but say with concern, "Since he said he could do it for 10,000 gold coins, why not let him risk his life for 10,000 gold coins?"

The emperor showed no displeasure at being offended; instead, he looked at Chen Bao and said, "Because of this matter, it will be very difficult to accomplish with 10,000 taels of gold."

Although this sum of money was extremely large, almost enough to instantly transform Northern Liang into a small but powerful regional state, the emperor knew better than anyone how much money it would take to accomplish something.

Song Shi'an wanted to use this money to smooth things over with all his connections and create nationwide public opinion.

Instead of hiring an assassin to kill a specific person.

Assassination is cheap and saves money, but what if the assassination fails?
Then war broke out at the first sign of trouble, and Song Shi'an was beheaded in an instant.

Furthermore, assassination will not solve the problem.

One person's head isn't that valuable. His death must occur within a balanced situation for it to have a ripple effect.

In other words, his life itself was worth only 'one shot' in this diplomatic war.

"Your Majesty is wise," Chen Bao said.

"I know you think 20,000 taels of gold is too much," the emperor said, taking it in stride. "But if we had 40,000 more border troops to permanently guard the northern frontier, 20,000 taels of gold wouldn't be enough to settle things."

It's not that there are 40,000 full-time border troops in the north, but rather that there are 40,000 more.

“Your Majesty, I’m just worried that Song Shi’an might be a bit inexperienced in this mission,” Chen Bao said. “After all, he is still quite young.”

What Song Shi'an is demonstrating now is political wisdom and courage, but even more so, 'spirit'.

To succeed, he would stop at nothing, even rebelling against his own father with ruthless determination.

But if you're going on a mission, you'll be facing a bunch of seasoned veterans, and the young people will easily suffer losses.

"It's just gambling," the emperor said without any pretense. "Right now, who can do it better than him?"

Upon hearing the emperor's words, Chen Bao lowered his head and truthfully admitted, "Your Majesty, there are none left."

"Moreover, as long as he can use the money and the person well."

The emperor's face remained expressionless, but the thought of Ji Yuan filled him with murderous intent: "Ji Yuan is in grave danger."

.........

Song Shi'an obtained several things from the emperor.

Kang Yi, and his wife and children.

You can take it with you when you go on your mission the day after tomorrow.

The gold has already been prepared and sealed by the Imperial Guards.

A full 20,000 gold coins.

Finally, there were the officials from the State Trust Bureau who accompanied them, as well as the Embroidered Uniform Guards disguised as bodyguards.

This team is incredibly strong. It can be said that as long as they are outside of Sheng'an, they have influence throughout the entire Dayu region and can get all local officials to cooperate with them.

The emperor had to grant him this power, after all, most of the national treasury's gold was in his hands, so he would definitely support Song Shi'an in gambling.

Why take such a risk?

If the emperor can take risks, why can't I?

This whole world is Song Shi'an's game.

When playing games, you have to play them with gusto!
However, the emperor was quite humane and said that tomorrow was Song Ce's wedding, so he would give him a two-day holiday and not have to worry about anything else.

"Okay, let's log off here."

In front of a mansion, Song Shi'an called for a stop. He then got off the carriage and said to the eunuch who was escorting him home, "Sir, I'm meeting a close friend. She will take me home."

"Young Master, then I shall return to the palace."

The imperial carriage departed.

He went to the door and knocked.

After a while, a maid opened the door: "Sir, who are you?"

"Inform your master that Song Shi'an has arrived," Song Shi'an said.

Upon hearing the name, the maidservant revealed a hint of gossipy shyness, and then said, "So it's the young master. Please wait a moment, I'll go and tell my master right away."

"Hurry up," Song Shi'an urged.

"Yes."

The maidservant hurried to the mansion and went to Xinyue's room to report, "Master, Lord Song has arrived."

"Oh? He's here." Xin Yue, her hair loose and wearing an elegant nightgown, sat up in bed, rubbing her temples. "Then tell him to wait a bit, I'll be there in a little while..."

Before he could finish speaking, a man stood in the doorway.

Xin Yue's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you get in?" she asked.

"I came in since there was no one at the door," Song Shi'an said matter-of-factly. "Also, don't you have any other maids here? It looks so empty."

"I only kept her and the cook," Xin Yue said, then looked at him with some difficulty. "Could you go out for a bit now?"

"Go ahead," Song Shi'an casually said to the maid.

"I was talking about you," Xin Yue said, embarrassed.

Song Shi'an looked at her calmly.

Xin Yue sat on the edge of the bed, draped in a plain white nightgown. Her long, ink-black hair was loose and flowed down to her waist. The slightly open collar of the robe revealed her delicate collarbone, and the thin fabric outlined her graceful and flowing curves, her shoulders and neck as sculpted from cold jade…

"What's wrong?"

Xin Yue was puzzled as to why she was being scrutinized.

You look so beautiful with your hair down.

Xinyue: "..."

The maid blushed, lowered her head, and asked softly, "Then this servant will take her leave?"

"Go ahead," Xin Yue said, slightly embarrassed, as she dismissed her. She then left, closing the door behind her.

"Why are you still lying in bed at this hour?" Song Shi'an asked.

"I'm not feeling well today," Xinyue explained.

The next moment, Song Shi'an placed the back of his hand on her forehead and checked his own temperature: "It's okay, you don't have a fever."

"It's not that kind of thing." Xin Yue pursed her lips, unwilling to say too much, and said tactfully, "Wait outside for a moment, I'll change my clothes and come out."

"If you're not feeling well, just rest."

As he spoke, Song Shi'an sat down at the foot of her bed, right next to her jade-like feet, and immediately adapted to the situation: "There's no need to go through these trivial formalities with me."

This person really enjoys talking to himself...

However, it was indeed she who took the initiative to reach out and hold his hand that day.

Therefore, no matter how much he encroaches on her boundaries now, Xin Yue has no way to refuse.
I want to sleep next to you.

"That's not possible!"

Faced with Song Shi'an's unreasonable request, Xin Yue immediately blushed and refused.

"Why not?" Song Shi'an retorted.

"Why can't I?" Xin Yue retorted defiantly.

"Why are you so cruel?"

"Is this a problem with the 'fierce' thing?" Xin Yue bit her lip and said with a hint of anger, "Don't say such frivolous things anymore. Just stay here and we'll have lunch together this afternoon."

"Alright, alright." Song Shi'an stopped bothering him and asked, "Can you come to the banquet tomorrow?"

"Hmm." Xinyue felt slightly unwell, but wasn't very weak.

"That's good."

Song Shi'an smiled gently, then placed his hand on his calf under the blanket.

Xin Yue didn't dodge, and let him do it.

“I’ve been staying home lately and haven’t gone anywhere, so I don’t know anything,” Xin Yue asked. “What’s with your official robes? Are you already a fourth-rank official?”

"He was originally given a fifth-rank position, but he was promoted at the last minute."

"Promotion?" Xin Yue looked puzzled.

So Song Shi'an told her everything.

This includes his own meetings and negotiations with the emperor.

After listening, her expression gradually became serious.

"This trip to Yan is extremely important. Moreover, it is also extremely dangerous," Song Shi'an warned in advance.

Xin Yue didn't speak, she just stared at him coldly.

Then I heard him say, "So, I want you to come with me."

She had expected him to say something like, "It's too dangerous, don't go," but seeing that Song Shi'an still didn't treat her like an ordinary woman, Xin Yue's cold expression gradually turned into a faint smile that said, "You're smart to know what's good for you."

"You're so cute."

"..."

Xin Yue couldn't hold back any longer. She sat up and pushed his back, saying, "Song Shi'an, I'm begging you, please speak properly."

"Okay, that's boring."

Song Shi'an stopped joking and got back to the point, saying, "This time, so much money is in my hands, and I must use it well. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain it to the emperor."

“It’s alright,” Xin Yue said. “Just do as you think. We’ve had times when we had even less capital.”

“That’s what I thought too, but this time, they’re all the emperor’s men,” Song Shi’an said. “The Embroidered Uniform Guard is strong and useful, but they’re too loyal to the emperor.”

"You mean, sending Kang Yi to Beiliang might encounter obstacles?" Xin Yue asked.

“Yes,” Song Shi’an said.

"Then kill the Imperial Guards who tried to stop us?" Xin Yue asked coldly.

"Don't just kill people like that." Song Shi'an was truly exasperated. "We're all from Dayu."

"Then what should we do?" Xin Yue asked. "Logically speaking, the person should be placed in Ji County of Dongliang, the place closest to Kang Xun, so that we can effectively deter him."

Song Shi'an wants this asset.

But it can't be too obvious.

"Hey!" Song Shi'an suddenly had an idea. "Doesn't he still have a wife and son?"

"Are you eyeing his wife?"

"Why don't you mention that you also have a son?" Song Shi'an complained. "We didn't say we wanted his whole family, but half of them are enough for us."

Conson has the legal basis for inheritance.

Conson's son also had it.

"understood."

"After the banquet tomorrow, go to the hostage residence," Song Shi'an said seriously, looking at Xin Yue. "Use your identity as a woman to gain her trust."

Xin Yue wasn't averse to deceiving women. It was simply that she wasn't good at it. Although Song Shi'an was certainly capable of it, she didn't want him to be that kind of subservient man. So, she had no choice but to accept the order: "Okay."

.........

"Why hasn't An returned yet?"

While busy at the mansion, Song Jing was a little worried about what Song Shi'an had said to the emperor, and why it was taking so long.

Just then, Song Gan rushed in and excitedly reported, "My lord! The people from our hometown in Huai County have all arrived!"

(End of this chapter)