Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 200 Go and keep an eye on Song Shi'an

The hostel was also called the hostel mansion, but that's a more respectable name. In reality, it was just a detached inn with fewer people.

The outer perimeter was surrounded by high walls, with only one gate guarded by two soldiers.

Although it wasn't heavily guarded, it was still within the imperial city, so even if Kang Yi escaped, he would have virtually no way to leave Sheng'an.

Moreover, there was no way he could escape.

Because the consequences of getting caught are too great.

He was sent here with his wife, and they even had a son in Dayu. He has many weaknesses.

Therefore, over the years, the supervision of him has gradually been relaxed a lot.

Sometimes, he would even be invited to royal banquets.

The envoy from Northern Yan could also meet with him.

This is humanitarianism.

Of course, humanitarianism isn't about being a good person for no reason; it's always driven by self-interest.

If the goal is to infiltrate the politics of Northern Yan, install a new ruler, and have him engage in political maneuvering with Kang Xun, temporarily becoming a puppet and a 'pro-Yu faction,' then during his time as a hostage, he should be treated well.

If he had become the King of Yan in the future, he wouldn't have harbored such deep hostility towards the Great Yu.

There's even a possibility that he won't be able to shake off his servile nature and will treat his sovereign father, who is far away in Dayu, even more as the suzerain state.

As Xinyue reached the door, the guard immediately raised his hand to stop her.

So she produced the fish-shaped tally that proved her identity as Song Shi'an's deputy envoy: "I am Song Shi'an's man."

Upon hearing this, the other party quickly withdrew his hand. He accepted the fish-shaped tally with both hands, confirmed its authenticity, returned it, and then asked after bowing with a clenched fist, "Was it impossible for the magistrate to come in person?"

“The Earl’s residence is celebrating a joyous occasion, and he is unable to spare the time. What, are you not allowing me to enter?” Xin Yue retorted coldly.

"No, since you are the lord's man, please come in." The other party opened the door, but before entering, he reminded them, "My lord, the hostage is isolated from the outside world and cannot know what is happening outside..."

"understood."

Xin Yue interrupted her and went inside.

The guards did not follow; they closed the door behind them.

Upon entering, one sees several chickens eating feed in the small courtyard. Further inside, a woman dressed in coarse cloth is sifting wheat with a winnowing basket in her hand.

She was a little nervous when she saw a woman arrive, but not too afraid.

"Madam?" Xinyue asked.

"you are?"

The young master's wife asked somewhat warily.

Do you know Song Shi'an?

Although this place is isolated from the outside world, the proton has gone out once or twice in the past year or so, and it was at official banquets. He shouldn't be completely ignorant of anything.

"I know." The young lady might not understand much else, but she knew very well that Song Shi'an was currently the most powerful young man. So, she tentatively asked, "Are you his wife?"

Xinyue smiled: "You can understand it that way too."

"Is that how it's understood?" The young master's wife was even more confused.

What exactly is their relationship? They could be a wife, yet they aren't.

mistress?

“I can represent him,” Xin Yue said.

Upon hearing this, the young master's wife immediately became formal: "The young master is inside, I will go and call him right away."

“No, I came to see you,” Xinyue said very gently.

"Then please come this way..."

After glancing at her, the princess led her to a kitchen on the side of the house. Inside, she lit a lamp and closed the door.

The two people sat facing each other on small stools.

When they were so close, the princess suddenly said, somewhat absentmindedly, "You are so beautiful..."

"It is you, Madam," Xin Yue said modestly, while praising in return.

Hearing this, a bitter expression appeared on her face. She opened her rough, calloused hands and stroked her no longer delicate and fair skin: "I'm just an old woman, what do I have to talk about being beautiful?"

She was actually quite beautiful, with delicate features and a good figure, but her condition wasn't much better than that of an average rural woman.

After all, he lived the life of a peasant woman.

But it wasn't like this originally.

She was originally destined to become the Queen of Yan, the matriarch of the nation.

This kind of life has been stolen from me!

“Madam, there is now an opportunity to return home,” Xin Yue suddenly said.

Immediately, her eyes lit up, and she looked up at Xinyue, her voice trembling as she asked, "Really?"

"I have something to say to you, Madam. Please keep it a secret," Xinyue said.

"I promise I won't tell anyone outside the family," the princess said, extending her hand. "I won't even tell the young master."

"You can't lie to me," Xinyue said.

"No, please believe me."

As she spoke, the young master's wife prostrated herself and bowed to Xinyue.

After kneeling, Xin Yue helped the other person up, saying, "Please sit down, Madam."

The young master's wife just stared at her expectantly.

Song Shi'an told her that all she needed to do was maintain a good relationship with Kang Yi's wife, and that she didn't need to make any explicit promises.

But he also said that you can't convince the other party if you're not sincere. So he taught him some conversation techniques.

Xin Yue also started doing something she was quite unfamiliar with—winning people's hearts.

“Kang Xun in the north wants to form an alliance with Ji Yuan,” Xin Yue said bluntly.

"..." The young master's wife was stunned for a moment, not because she was surprised, but because she didn't know what the consequences of doing this would be. So she asked, "How did this matter go?"

“If Kang Xun and Ji Yuan form an alliance, it means that my Great Yu and your Yan will become enemy states,” Xin Yue said seriously. “If that happens, will you ever have a chance to return to your country in this lifetime?”

"!" The young master's wife was immediately frightened. "Will His Majesty execute us?"

“These decisions are entirely up to His Majesty; my master and I cannot interfere,” Xin Yue said. “But my master will be setting off on his mission tomorrow, and I will be there as well. You, the young master, and the young mistress will all be included as bargaining chips.”

"This...this..." the young master's wife panicked, "Then our lives depend entirely on the attitude of the Prince of Yan?"

“You could say that,” Xinyue said.

"If he insists on forming an alliance, will we die?" the princess asked.

This woman is really a bit stupid.

“No, no,” Xin Yue explained, “The Great Yu court’s plan is to use you to exchange for peace with Kang Xun. They will send you to Northern Yan and then terminate the alliance with the pseudo-Qi.”

"Then, then we can go back to our country?" the princess asked.

“As the elder brother of the Prince of Yan, and with a son he brought back with him, are you sure, Madam, the Prince of Yan will let you live?” Xin Yue asked.

She was speechless with astonishment.

Then, Xin Yue asked again, "Even if I were alive, would life be better than here?"

She shook her head blankly.

Finally, Xin Yue asked three questions: "Even if you pose no threat to the Prince of Yan and live a hard life, will he allow you to live on indefinitely?"

These three questions awakened a woman.

The imperial edict issued by the old Prince of Yan was given to her husband, not Kang Xun.

It was those ministers who put Kangxun on the throne!

So, can he tolerate his brother threatening his position?
If we're going to return to Yan like this, it's better not to return at all!
"Then what should we do?" she said, about to kneel again. "Please, Lord Song, give us a way out!"

Xin Yue quickly helped her up and said, "Are you willing to listen to me?"

"This servant is willing, willing to do anything!"

“Alright.” Xin Yue looked into her eyes and said, “This mission was specifically requested by my master, Shi An. But don’t be afraid, it’s not to send you to Yan.”

"Mmm." The young master's wife nodded obediently.

“He has an idea, but he hasn’t told anyone,” Xinyue said.

"I will never tell anyone."

After another attempt to keep things secret, Xinyue said, "My master thinks Kangxun is fickle and cannot be trusted. Even if you are used to stop the alliance, he may still go back on his word later."

"Yes, that's exactly the kind of person he is!"

“So,” Xin Yue said in a low, cold voice, “he wants a Prince of Yan who keeps his word.”

"..." She was stunned for a moment before she reacted, "Lord Song, are you willing to support the young master to ascend the throne?"

“Lord Song didn’t say anything.” Xin Yue slowly shook her head. “But in Liaodong, if there were a king who was trustworthy, benevolent, and knew how to be grateful, he would be very happy.”

"Yes!" Once again, the princess knelt on the ground and kowtowed to the muddy ground. "Please rest assured, Lord Song, as long as my husband can become king, he will definitely listen to you and be loyal to the Great Yu."

Slowly, Xinyue got up.

The other person slowly raised their head and looked up.

“It is loyalty to His Majesty,” Xin Yue corrected.

"Yes, but the most loyal to His Majesty is Lord Song," the princess assured him. "Everything is for the sake of Great Yu. I understand, I understand."

“But there are bound to be other voices along this road,” Xin Yue said.

"I only trust Lord Song... and you." Holding Xinyue's hand, the princess said solemnly, "We are both women. I believe you. Whatever you say goes."

"Well, see you tomorrow then."

Finally, Xinyue revealed a gentle and beautiful smile.

left here.

The princess found the prince of Great Yan, her husband, the moment she left.

I told him everything.

Kang Yi frowned, looking somewhat serious: "This Song Shi'an is trying to disrupt the major policies of my Northern Yan."

"You're preoccupied with the legacy of your ancestors, but has your younger brother ever thought about you?" The princess consort asked angrily, seeing her husband's stubbornness.

“But to become Song Shi’an’s puppet like this…” Kang Yi was very resistant.

"A puppet king is still a king, and a prisoner in a golden cage is still a prisoner!"

The princess had had enough of this miserable life; she had been suffering ever since she married Kang Yi.

She was seeking a way to save herself.

Kang Yi looked at his anxious wife, then at the sleeping child in the side room. Finally, he made a difficult decision: "I will continue to pretend I don't know. If Song Shi'an's woman comes to you again, you must obey her."

"So what does Song Shi'an want you to do?"

"I do."

.........

"Zuo Ziliang, keep an eye on Song Shi'an."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

(End of this chapter)