Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 209 The Embroidered Uniform Guards Have Their Eyes on You

There is no such thing as pure loyalty.

A blind, selfless loyalty—that's an angle.

This does not negate the existence of loyalty; it simply means that one-sided loyalty is impossible.

And faith can give you more than just material rewards.

And still have spirit.

Kang Yi served as a hostage in this country for so many years, his freedom was restricted, he was humiliated, and his wife was exploited by Song Shi'an, but he always maintained his principles.

It was because his father had promised him when he sent him to Dayu: "Son, I'll wait for you to come back."

They even gave him a top-secret royal edict as a token.

Therefore, he trusted his father more than anyone else.

The king did not trick him into going to Dayu and then hand over the throne to his younger brother.

Is this imperial edict still valid?

Yes, but it's impossible for Kangxun to return the throne to himself based solely on this royal decree.

The late king had said before his death that he would pass the throne to him. However, those old men, for their own selfish desires, used the excuse that the country needed to be stabilized as soon as possible to put their younger brother on the throne.

The edict was no longer valid.

So what is its function?

Just as Song Shi'an said: This thing can prove that it is him.

The moment he received it, he hid it in his belt. He had to wear it whenever he left the proton house. After all, if this thing fell into the wrong hands, it would be worth tens of thousands of troops.

Frowning, he bit his finger, and blood immediately gushed out.

Then, on the gold and silk, he wrote down the eight characters that Song Shi'an had asked him to write.

These eight words can be described as piercing the heart.

If this thing ended up on Song Shi'an...

It's too dangerous!
However, he couldn't possibly give it to him so readily and for no reason.

You're using me as a pawn.

Then Song Shi'an, you will also be my pawn.

……

"We can't go too far."

Xinyue, with her sword at her side, stood behind the young master's wife.

"There's a soldier over there, let's walk a few more steps..." the princess said embarrassedly.

So they continued walking into the bushes.

In a slightly overgrown area, she lifted her skirt, pulled down her underpants, and squatted down. At the same time, somewhat embarrassed, she asked, "Moon Envoy, are you just going to stare at me like that?"

“Nighttime is different from daytime; I have a duty to keep watch,” Xin Yue said.

"Alright," the young master's wife could only accept.

Under the hazy moonlight, the sound of flowing water could be heard.

Amidst the external noise, she seized the opportunity and said, "Young Master is willing to write it."

"Where are the things?" Xinyue held out her hand.

“However, the young master is very worried,” the princess said. “He hopes that Lord Song will deliver this letter to my father.”

“Of course, that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Xin Yue said.

“I know Lord Song will help us…” She looked up at Xinyue and said, “But we also want to feel more at ease.”

"What do you mean?"

"Could Lord Song leave us a certificate?" she asked.

"Do you think he's the kind of person who would allow others to threaten him?" Xin Yue said speechlessly. "Because we're both women, I've always helped you. Don't test his patience anymore. You're going to Xincheng tomorrow. If you can't produce anything by then, you, an insignificant person, are doomed."

The princess is listening.

At the same time, she noticed a member of the Imperial Guard behind Xinyue, quietly approaching them...

"As soon as the items are delivered to my father, we will immediately return and destroy the proof that Lord Song left here," said the young master's wife.

"you are too naive."

Xin Yue smiled and shook her head, looking at the woman.

But then I suddenly realized that the other person's gaze wasn't directed at me.

Just as she was about to turn back, the princess hurriedly pleaded, "No, don't kill me, I really can't resist him."

Sensing the sudden increase in the princess's voice, as if reminding them, the Imperial Guards slowly and quietly walked back step by step.

“Lord Song has lost his patience,” Xin Yue said. “I can’t persuade him.”

"But my husband..."

"Remember, your son is in our hands too."

"Tomorrow, before tomorrow night." When talking about her son, the princess quickly promised, "I will definitely persuade the prince not to provoke him by killing me... He would even kill me for his own face."

"It seems you two aren't very affectionate," Xin Yue said with a smile.

“Therefore, I envy you and Lord Song,” the young master’s wife said.

"Heh, what's there to envy?" Xin Yue retorted.

“Envoy Yue, I did nothing with Lord Song. It was all an act. Please believe me.” The princess turned around and tried to win over Xin Yue, saying frankly, “He only loves you. Even when I made the first move, he refused.”

Her face instantly darkened, and Xin Yue said seriously, "Swear an oath."

“I swear, Lord Song didn’t…didn’t have an affair with me,” the young master’s wife said. “Alright,” Xin Yue said, “pull up your pants and let’s go. Leaving us too long will arouse suspicion.”

"Then, Envoy Yue, you must put in a good word for me with Lord Song," the young lady said, pulling up her trousers and standing up.

"Tomorrow night, the final deadline."

After Xinyue said those words, the two returned to the camp.

Actually, they weren't far at all; the nearest guard was only thirty paces away.

Fortunately, the conversation was short and the two spoke softly.

But that's just what Xin Yue thinks...

The young master's wife wants to expose his deal with Song Shi'an.

Otherwise, there would be no leverage left.

She was escorted back into the tent.

Because it's different from the rooms in the inn, it's somewhat soundproof and has a larger space.

The two people couldn't speak.

They could only kneel on the ground and communicate by writing on the ground with their fingers.

Princess Consort: The Embroidered Uniform Guards have already noticed.
Kang Yi: Tomorrow, under the surveillance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, deliver the items to Song Shi'an.
This item cannot be given directly to Song Shi'an, because it is a unique piece, the only one of its kind. If it were given to him, and Song Shi'an did not help them, he would have no way to question him, much less inform Zuo Ziliang.

Since everything is gone and there's no evidence, Song Shi'an can simply claim he got nothing and that these two are making baseless accusations.

Even if Zuo Ziliang didn't believe it, there was nothing he could do.

Moreover, breaking ties with Song Shi'an like this carries a high risk of assassination!
The only way is to let their deal be discovered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

That way, Zuo Ziliang would question Song Shi'an about whether such a thing existed.
Then, Song Shi'an had to defend himself: This was part of the plan, and I didn't tell you in order to avoid leaks.

Ultimately, under supervision, Song Shi'an was unable to keep this item for himself.

He could only follow his 'plan' and send the blood letter to Northern Yan to establish a new ruler.

This is how this couple saved themselves.

Don't mistake us for some kind of virtuous people!
.........

A member of the Imperial Guard entered Zuo Ziliang's tent.

Lying down, Zuo Ziliang kept his eyes closed and asked casually, "What is it?"

"When Song Shi'an's woman took Kang Yi's woman to the toilet, the two of them had a conversation," the Imperial Guard said seriously.

"What conversation?" Zuo Ziliang opened his eyes.

"Song Shi'an seems to want Kang Yi to give him something, and Kang Yi is unwilling..." the Imperial Guard said, "but under duress, he has no choice but to give it to him. However, Kang Yi made a request: that Song Shi'an leave them a certificate."

“That’s Song Shi’an, how could he possibly agree?” Zuo Ziliang laughed, then said, “The emperor has given him enormous privileges, he can do anything, as long as he can stop Yan from forming an alliance with the pseudo-Qi, we can’t interfere.”

“That’s true…” The Imperial Guard walked over, knelt down in front of him, and whispered, “Master Zuo, I’m afraid that while he can prevent Yan and Qi from forming an alliance, he can also gain some benefits for himself.”

"Then he's really something else." Zuo Ziliang's eyes gradually deepened. "What do you think he wanted from Kang Yi?"

“I suspect it is evidence,” the Imperial Guard said.

"What's the use?" Zuo Ziliang asked again.

“There are words on the evidence,” he shrewdly guessed, “intended to overthrow the Yan state.”

“This is indeed a very useful thing…” Zuo Ziliang said. “Given Kang Xun’s character, he would probably cower at the sight of this thing. Of course, money can also make him cower.”

“There’s one thing I’m worried about,” the Imperial Guard said. “If Song Shi’an can’t handle it, he can use this to solve the problem. But if he can settle things with money without using this, then this thing… will belong to him.”

"Oh dear." Zuo Ziliang slowly got up and sat up, looking at his subordinate. "You've graduated."

"Thank you for the compliment, Master Zuo." The Imperial Guard smiled modestly.

“Logically speaking, it is only right for the emperor to reward someone for accomplishing something,” Zuo Ziliang said. “But if he tries to earn more, especially secretly, that would be overstepping his bounds.”

"Master Zuo," the Imperial Guard continued, "that young master's wife seemed to notice that I noticed them whispering, but instead of stopping, she reminded me, isn't that...?"

"They're afraid of being taken advantage of by Song Shi'an," Zuo Ziliang judged. "Song Shi'an even deceived Ji Yuan. His oath at Chishui was just empty talk. Who would dare to believe him?"

"Then can we..."

The Imperial Guard asked tentatively.

Zuo Ziliang said seriously, "Yes, keep a close eye on it."

.........

On the last day of travel, we should be able to enter the new city before evening.

After setting off, Song Shi'an, Xin Yue, and his son Kang Qing sat together in the carriage.

“Turn around,” Xin Yue suddenly said coldly to Kang Qing.

Kang Qing slowly turned to the opposite side and knelt on the carriage floor.

The next moment, Xin Yue suddenly lifted her thigh and straddled Song Shi'an.

Ignoring the softest, most supple flesh at the base of his thighs, he pressed against Song Shi'an's abdomen through his robe. Then, he wrapped his arms around Song's neck and suddenly pressed his ear against Song's earlobe...

Song Shi'an's body stiffened.

Then she felt Xin Yue's soft lips rubbing against her earlobe, her breath forming dewy spider silk, clinging to her soft bone as she whispered, "We've been targeted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Previously, things were fine; I had never been caught red-handed.

But she is certain that some of her conversation last night was overheard.

That young master's wife is a despicable woman.

Song Shi'an remained calm, patted her back, and then whispered in her ear, "It's okay."

(End of this chapter)