"What dignity does a man have on the vast grassland if he can't even mount a horse properly?"
Kagel continued his sneering mockery, "Children as young as five or six here ride horses better than the woman beside you. Afraid of her? Ridiculous."
Fan Zehao ignored their cold taunts and pressed on, "Then let my wife go, and I'll stay here as your hostage." As soon as he finished speaking, he paused, then declared with a do-or-die resolve, "If you don't let the Princess leave safely, then we'll fight to the death. At that time, my son and daughter will lead the inner city army to attack, and they can wear you down with round-the-clock attacks."
Their single inner city garrison alone was more than double the forces on the grassland, not to mention he had the elite special forces as his sharp sword. He had no fear that they wouldn't be able to avenge him.
After his threat, Ale pondered and decided it was better to keep the Regent as a hostage. This rather intelligent Princess was skilled in business, but in other aspects, she hadn't shown any remarkable talents.
Kagel, seeing that the King had not yet responded, impatiently urged him, "Ah Ge, just agree to it. I don't believe a mere woman can stir up any trouble."
"Very well. With the Regent, Prince Xiaoyao, and Prince Xian in hand, I doubt they would dare to act rashly," King Ale finally spoke after a long silence.
He looked at Fan Zehao, who, even as a captive, remained calm and composed, negotiating with him. This alone was enough to earn his admiration.
Unfortunately, their positions were different; otherwise, they might have become good friends.
Ale called out to Fan Zehao, "I can let the people go, but the Princess must promise me that she will return and tie up those formidable special soldiers and deliver them to me. Otherwise, I will take your head."
Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao exchanged a look and quickly agreed to Ale's terms, "As long as you guarantee the safety of my husband and the two princes, let alone a few people, I will hand over the entire inner city."
Ale laughed happily upon hearing this, "Indeed, a deep love between husband and wife. Good, I promise you. If you dare to break your word, I will twist your husband's head off and use it as a chamber pot."
Using it as a chamber pot! She herself now wished she could twist his head off and stomp on it like an egg.
Anyone could utter arrogant words, but this was not the time to put on a brave face. They had to get back safely first before they could figure out a way to rescue them.
After the brief transaction, Zhao Jiaqi also requested the return of the three maids. Four women, accompanied by a guard team composed of herdsmen, escorted them out of the pass. Only after ensuring their safe entry into the Yun Kingdom did the team return.
For the two days of the journey, the four women spoke very little, fearing that any words might attract the attention of these people, which would be counterproductive if they became wary of them.
Upon reaching their own territory, they all breathed a sigh of relief. On their way to the Bin Yue Inn, they passed by a gambling house, and Zhao Jiaqi encountered the same herdsmen who had cheated last time.
No sooner had they arrived at the inn than Su Ya, with the token given by Ying Xiong, went to find the innkeeper. Uncle Qiu, seeing the boss's token, dared not delay and followed Su Ya to the private room on the upper floor, labeled "Heavenly."
"This servant had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai and did not know it was the Princess who had arrived. Please forgive my transgression."
As Uncle Qiu spoke, he was about to kneel and pay his respects, but Zhao Jiaqi refused, directly telling him to sit down, "I have something to instruct you. You must complete it. This concerns the safety of the Regent, the two princes, and the survival of the Yun Kingdom."
Hearing this, Uncle Qiu felt a chill down his spine and immediately sensed that something was amiss. He hurriedly said, "Princess, please speak. This servant will surely complete the task."
Zhao Jiaqi believed that the four of them might already be under surveillance. If they were to do anything at this moment, they might be immediately detected by Ale's men.
"I will speak, and you will record it. Then find a trustworthy person to go to the inner city and inform Princess Yu Meng."
Her daughter was currently training with the special forces. Upon learning that the princes were in danger, he would definitely come to see her.
She could only hope that these people were sharp enough and would not make any mistakes.
Inside the room, after a brief conversation with Manager Qiu, Zhao Jiaqi sent the manager away. After resting at the inn for two days, the four of them, along with a hired carriage driver, set off, preparing to return to the inner city.
As they left the town, Zhao Jiaqi lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside. Among the people leaving the city, several tall men were mixed in.
Although they were wearing Yun Kingdom male attire, Zhao Jiaqi had seen those faces many times.
Gan Jiaojiao followed the Princess's gaze and whispered, "Madam, these men, this servant has seen them before. They were dressed as herdsmen then. Now that they have changed their attire and are still leaving the city, I fear there is a trick."
Zhao Jiaqi lowered the curtain, discreetly leaving a small gap. She did not answer Gan Jiaojiao's words but calmly watched as they successfully left the city. Not far behind them, in the crowd, three people were also hurrying after their footsteps.
Seeing this, Zhao Jiaqi silently withdrew her gaze. At this moment, she understood that those who had cheated at the gambling house were actually Ale's spies.
This also explained why he had received the news immediately upon their entry into Ale's territory.
Playing the pig to eat the tiger was a brilliant move. If they hadn't suddenly visited the grassland this time, perhaps this secret would never have been discovered. Now that her husband, the two princes, and General Xiao Ce were all imprisoned, they had to be rescued first.
Jiaojiao wanted to say something more, but Su Ya covered her mouth, shook her head at her, pointed at the person driving the carriage outside, and winked at Gan Jiaojiao. The latter then understood her meaning.
The Madam was afraid that the person driving the carriage was a spy from the Axi tribe, sent specifically to monitor them. Thinking of this, Gan Jiaojiao felt that her previous actions in the Gan mansion were like childish games.
Following this, the carriage fell into a period of loneliness, quietness, and a suffocating atmosphere that permeated the carriage, almost making it difficult to breathe.
"Jiaojiao, put my cloak on me. I'm going to sit outside for a while and get some fresh air."
"Yes, Madam."
Jiaojiao brought the cloak. Just as she was about to put it on her, Zhao Jiaqi grabbed her hand and wrote a few words on her palm. Seeing her nod, Zhao Jiaqi then confidently put on the cloak and left the carriage.
The carriage moved slowly along the road. It was already December, and the weather was getting colder. There were only a few carriages on the road, and they were all moving at a fast pace.
The driver, seeing his employer emerge, instinctively reined in the horses and asked, "Madam, is there something you need?"
Zhao Jiaqi sat on the outside of the carriage, smiled at the driver, and waved her hand, "It's stuffy inside the carriage. I just wanted some fresh air. You can continue driving."
The driver, seeing this, started the carriage and said with a laugh, "I've been driving for so many years, but this is the first time I've seen a Madam like you, choosing to endure the cold outside instead of staying in the warm carriage."
After saying that, he shook his head with a smile, as if he had seen a great joke.