Chapter 72: Defenses Breached Part 3

As the host, Yuan Man still had the waiter add a few jars of wine, though they weren’t as strong as what they’d bought—tasting little different from plain water.

The group played drinking games with fist-guessing, having a great time. Xun Changqing didn’t know how and just watched from the side. Once out of the yamen, they avoided official talk. With money, they drank; without, they mooched off Xun Yisu—living quite freely.

Yuan Man couldn’t hold up against the three and got poured a few cups. Xun Yisu let her be and ordered the waiter to brew some tea, handing a cup to Wei Lingci.

Wei Lingci by the window enjoyed the cool summer breeze, feeling refreshed all over. She took the tea from Xun Yisu, her eyes deepening. “Without you today, I probably couldn’t have persuaded Changqing.”

“She’s just kind-hearted. She’ll stop harping on it after suffering losses later. She’s smart. You two hold power now—you could compete for it. If you don’t, Changqing’s brothers will see her as a thorn in their side. Your paths won’t be easy either.”

Wei Lingci’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected Xun Yisu to have such thoughts. The road to Female Emperor was arduous. The Previous Emperor was female but childless under the Ningyuan Emperor, so she was chosen. Now with Changqing’s brothers alive and the court full of officials, they might not submit.

Seeing no response, Xun Yisu continued, “His Majesty believed women inferior to men, so he let Shao Yun lower her guard on the Rear Palace princesses. But his favored legitimate son ending up like this was inevitable—he shouldn’t have trusted Xun Yiran so much, elevating the Empress and Shao Family.”

Wei Lingci sipped her tea but didn’t reply. Xun Yisu was clever; otherwise, she couldn’t have survived five years safely in the perilous borderlands and now in Ji Province. Her gaze fell outside. The Welcoming Guest Tower was on Ji Province’s main street. Though few ventured out at night, some vendors still hawked their wares. She steadied herself, then suddenly spotted several ragged figures running eastward—toward the yamen.

The faint smile in her eyes froze. Xun Yisu beside her saw them too. She turned to Yuan Man. “Aman, something’s happened.”

No sooner had the words fallen than the private room door was violently slammed open. A man in armor burst in, searching for Yuan Man. Upon spotting her, he blurted, “Border City… something’s wrong…”

Yuan Man’s wine cup shattered on the floor. She shot to her feet, tense. “What happened? Speak!”

“This subordinate doesn’t know the details. General Huangfu from Border City is here—he says the Border City has fallen!”

A city garrison general rushing here to shout that his city had fallen—it was the biggest joke Yuan Man had ever heard. Furious, she clenched her fists and, ignoring Xun Changqing and the others, rushed back to the yamen with her men.

Wei Lingci, Xun Changqing, and the rest followed to the yamen. By then, it was lit up like daylight. The hall entrance was packed, and inside stood several men—the ones Wei Lingci had seen earlier. They weren’t in armor; their brocade uniforms were torn and bloodstained.

Wei Lingci and Xun Changqing stood in the shadows, noting the leader was Border City garrison general Huangfu Lin, around forty, square-faced, with terror in his eyes. Facing the raging Yuan Man, he wiped dust from his face and explained, “The borderlanders attacked the city suddenly. There were too many—we couldn’t hold. Lord Yuan, seal Ji Province’s gates tight…”

Yuan Man suppressed her fury, softening her tone. “The borderlands have tens of thousands of troops—why did only you few return?”

Huangfu Lin had fled all the way, scared out of his wits, but he still made excuses. “We couldn’t hold. A few days ago, the entire army caught a cold. When the enemy came, we didn’t even have the courage to fight.”

“It’s scorching summer—how did so many catch colds? Huangfu Lin, you’ve been in the army for years. Don’t you know camp protocols? Why not report it? Now Border City’s lost, putting Ji Province in peril. You’ve doomed so many soldiers—what do you expect me to defend Ji Province with?” Yuan Man lost all patience, her chest heaving with rage. Ignoring their equal ranks, she grabbed Huangfu Lin’s collar.

Huangfu Lin was too scared to resist. Xun Changqing pulled them apart with a graceful smile. “General Huangfu, why the colds? Tens of thousands infected, yet you, the general, are fine and escaped first?”

Her rapid-fire sarcasm left Huangfu Lin speechless, his face flushing. He stammered, “You… who are you…? This is a military matter—you have no right to interfere…”

Xun Changqing held back the punch-ready Yuan Man, understanding her fury. She signaled Wei Lingci to close the hall doors, blocking outside views, then replied coolly, “I’m Princess Xiang’an. Deserters from a fallen city should be executed on the spot.”

Her faint smile chilled Huangfu Lin to the bone. He staggered back, gripped by fear, clutching his blade tightly. “This general is an imperial appointee. Even if you’re a princess, you can’t kill me…”

Before he finished, a blade pierced his back from behind. The long knife went clean through. Huangfu Lin’s eyes didn’t even close before he vomited blood. Yun Shen yanked her knife free with effort, blood spraying across the polished floor tiles. She spat, “I thought you were something special. Turns out you’re just a coward. The borderlanders can kill you, but I’ll chop you up for dog food first.”

Killing in the dead of night added another layer of grievance, but this man deserved it.

Yun Shen wiped her long blade clean with her hem and asked Xun Changqing, “Little Princess, why kill him? I got my thrill, but I’m curious. Keeping him could help defend Ji Province.”

Wei Lingci glanced at the two trembling in the corner, a hook curving her lips. “If he stays, Ji Province can’t be defended.”