Baili Chongyan explained, "Now is precisely the time when they are letting their guard down and fighting amongst themselves. If I were to appear, I would certainly gain the upper hand, but I would also become their common enemy. They would drop everything and spare no effort to deal with me first."
He had been through this before.
Those people usually bit each other like dogs, but once a stronger enemy appeared, they would "unite as one" and deal with that more powerful individual first.
Instead of going out and becoming the target of their arrows, it was better to continue pretending to be useless and watch them tear each other apart.
Lord Song, upon hearing this, immediately understood that he had been too hasty. "Your Highness is right. I was too simplistic. Why don't we let them fight for a while longer, and then we can reap the rewards."
After temporarily agreeing to inaction, Lord Song returned.
He had used Song Fanghua and Zhang Yicheng's private engagement to refuse the emperor's decree, so he naturally had to act to make everyone believe that the two families were indeed betrothed.
Madame Song had someone match their birthdates and then discussed it with her brother and sister-in-law. She set the date for their marriage for the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
There was still more than a month before then. If, during this time, the second prince died, or if someone else was chosen to perform the 'chongxi' ritual, this marriage might still be annulled.
Madame Song felt that Song Fanghua was not worthy of her nephew and was somewhat slack in her efforts. Madame Song had to keep an eye on things herself.
Zhu Ling originally wanted to persuade her a few words.
Song Fanghua was a person of great fortune, more than enough to be matched with a prince or noble. She was definitely a good match for a prime minister's son.
However, remembering that Zhang Yicheng was in love with Song Fanghua, she abandoned this thought, realizing that if there wasn't a conflict between the two of them, no amount of outside interference could separate them.
Each man sweeps the snow before his own door.
She had this time, she might as well roll around in bed with Baili Chongyan.
Experiencing the taste of love for the first time, the two were so entwined and inseparable, as if they wanted to merge into one. And for a man and a woman, the most effective way to shorten the distance infinitely was through the matters of the bed.
...
Night.
Baili Chongyan had just finished reviewing the account books sent from various regions. He wrote down the problematic areas and potential culprits on a piece of paper nearby. He put down his brush and picked up the paper.
"Mo Jia."
The hidden guard appeared silently and knelt before him. "Greetings, Your Highness."
He handed the paper over. "You will personally investigate all twenty-six cities in the Southern Four Prefectures. Those who are light offenders will be dismissed, and the heavy offenders will be killed. If there are any other forces involved, you must interrogate them thoroughly."
Mo Jia took the paper, carefully folded it, and put it away. He cupped his hands. "Your subordinate obeys."
After speaking, he did not leave as usual.
"Is there anything else?"
"Your Highness," Mo Jia hesitated, "if I leave, who will protect Your Highness?"
"Aren't there others?"
He had more than one hidden guard, not to mention the other guards. No one could easily get close to him.
"Moreover, there is the Princess Consort. She can protect me."
Mo Jia said, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort's actions are truly suspicious. That day, I distinctly tested her and found her to be breathless and deceased, yet she inexplicably came back to life and suddenly possessed such profound martial arts. Your subordinate is uneasy."
"What is there to be uneasy about?"
The door was pushed open without a sound. Zhu Ling walked in boldly. "Afraid I'll eat your prince? Hmm?"
The hidden guard lowered his head and remained silent.
"They misunderstood you. Ling'er, don't be angry. Mo Jia, apologize to the Princess Consort."
The hidden guard said in a deep voice, "Your subordinate has offended you. I beg the Princess Consort's forgiveness."
Zhu Ling chuckled and sat beside Baili Chongyan, flirting with him. "They all worry I'll eat you. Hmm, Your Highness, are you afraid?"
Baili Chongyan shook his head. "Not afraid."
Zhu Ling leaned close to his ear. "Don't worry, even if I were to eat you, I would only..."
Baili Chongyan, after many days, blushed again from her teasing, like a big shrimp.
"You!"
"Me what?"
Baili Chongyan naturally couldn't say such things in front of the hidden guard. He could only helplessly pinch her face. "You truly capture my heart."
He looked at the person kneeling on the ground, his voice casual but firm and unyielding. "You may go. Depart for the Southern Four Prefectures as soon as possible and resolve the matters in the south. Do not worry about this prince. I was saved by the Princess Consort. Even if she decides to kill me one day, you are not allowed to interfere."
The hidden guard lowered his gaze.
If such a day were to come, they naturally would not refrain from interfering.
But he had touched Baili Chongyan's mind.
"Your subordinate obeys."
He disappeared as silently as he had arrived.
Zhu Ling was quite curious about this. "How did he leave?"
Clearly an ordinary person, how could he come and go so silently?
"Find a place to hide, a rafter, a table leg. Reduce your presence, and you can achieve it."
Zhu Ling looked at the places he pointed to, thinking that it would be too difficult to train to this level, and it wasn't as convenient as hers.
She said, "Forget it, I'm not interested. Want to see something fun?"