"What?"
Song Qingchao asked in surprise, "What do you mean by 'husband of the stronghold'?"
Song Xiaoguo's eyes darted away slightly.
"Miss, didn't we say earlier that there were three powers in Mobei? This Hongniang is one of them."
She took out a map of Mobei and spread it on the table, pointing it out to Song Qingchao.
"This area with the high mountains belongs to their mountain stronghold. Hongniang is the youngest daughter of the old stronghold leader. This group of mountain people is different from the others, and it's best not to provoke them easily."
Song Qingchao let out a light laugh.
"Why shouldn't we provoke them? What makes them different?"
When it came to serious matters, Song Xiaoguo's expression became quite solemn.
"Their operational procedures are different. They seem to have undergone formal military training, even training in counter-tracking. Our people have fallen into their hands several times."
Song Qingchao wasn't very interested at first, but hearing Xiaoguo say this, she became curious.
"They've undergone formal military training and are skilled in counter-surveillance. That old stronghold leader is no ordinary person."
Song Xiaoguo nodded gravely.
"Yes, that's why I was very cautious when assigning Nightingales. But even so, we haven't managed to infiltrate them."
"The more you say that, the more curious I become."
Song Qingchao tapped rhythmically on the table. "What are the chances of me getting Bai You'an back?"
Song Xiaoguo stood up excitedly, slapping the table with a bang.
"Miss, you absolutely must not take the risk!"
"Don't get agitated, Xiaoguo."
Song Qingchao never did anything without certainty. Her desire to visit the stronghold was not at all because of Bai You'an.
She had a premonition that the old stronghold leader might have been a general.
"Xiaoguo, let me ask you, has the mountain stronghold ever harmed anyone?"
Song Xiaoguo shook her head. "I haven't heard of it."
"Then what do the people of Mobei City think of this mountain stronghold?"
"The people here have no complaints about the mountain stronghold. They all know that Hongniang belongs to the stronghold, yet they still treat her well."
Song Qingchao had a grasp of the situation upon hearing this.
"A mountain stronghold that survives by robbery, yet the people in the area have a good impression of them. This means they must not have done anything bad. If I go there now, they probably won't harm me either."
Song Xiaoguo was still worried, her eyebrows knitted tightly. "Miss, I'm still uneasy."
"What is there to be uneasy about?" Song Qingchao smiled and reached out to rub her hair. "You know my martial arts skills, and I'll be bringing Zheng Xi."
"But they have a large number of people, and we don't know them well. Miss, you absolutely cannot mistake others for good people based on your own assumptions."
Song Qingchao tilted her head and asked, "Since when did our Xiaoguo become so cautious?"
"Miss, I've always been cautious!"
"Uh..."
"Miss!"
"Yes, yes, you've always been cautious," Song Qingchao quickly conceded.
She quickly changed the subject. "Alright, hurry up and have Nightingale check where they are. Don't lose them."
Song Xiaoguo said somewhat strangely, "Miss, how did you know I sent Nightingale to follow Mr. Bai?"
Song Qingchao, while collecting the map, smiled at Song Xiaoguo. "Because I'm your Miss!"
With that, she took the map and tapped it on Song Xiaoguo's head. "Don't stand there dazed, go and get busy."
After Song Xiaoguo left.
Song Qingchao spread the map of Mobei again, looking at it and falling into thought.
According to the location Song Xiaoguo had pointed out to her.
The Hongniang's mountain stronghold was located at the border of Mobei and Beiman.
If Beiman were to attack, the location of the mountain stronghold would be the first line of defense.
She became increasingly interested in this mountain stronghold.
It's just that...
If she went today, she wouldn't be able to return tomorrow.
But if she didn't go today, it was uncertain whether Bai You'an would still be hers.
Hesitation leads to defeat.
Song Qingchao directly put away the map, rolled up her sleeves, and walked out.
Fortune favors the bold. She was determined to go on this trip.
She walked to the table and casually wrote down a string of words.
At this time, Song Xiaoguo also returned.
Her speed in handling matters was always fast, and she never caused Song Qingchao any worry.
"Nightingale has followed him all the way, and the direction indicates he is indeed returning to the mountain stronghold."
Song Qingchao nodded to show she understood, and at the same time, she handed the paper she had written to Song Xiaoguo. She did not try to conceal it at all.
"If Bai You'an comes tomorrow, give him this."
Song Xiaoguo looked at the words on the paper and exclaimed, "Miss! You've already forgiven him?"
"Not really."
Song Qingchao thought for a moment.
"There's an 80% chance he won't be back tomorrow."
"Why are you so sure, Miss?"
Song Xiaoguo was a bit puzzled, but she still put away the paper.
Song Qingchao explained, "He went to the mountain stronghold with Hongniang. Hongniang went to great lengths to get him into the stronghold, and I'm sure it wasn't for trivial matters like love."
"Then what for?" Song Xiaoguo asked doubtfully. "It's probably for something important."
Song Qingchao didn't say what that important matter was.
But she had a guess.
The old stronghold leader had likely guessed Bai You'an's identity.
That's why he had Hongniang go to such lengths to bring him back.
If the old stronghold leader wanted to rebel, then Bai You'an would be the best person to join them.
If the old stronghold leader wanted peace, then taking Bai You'an under his wing would also facilitate his own survival.
After all, Bai You'an's existence was a ticking time bomb. What he wanted to do and what he could do involved many complexities.
Therefore, Song Qingchao had to go on this trip.
But if she went now, matters concerning Prince Wanyan would have to be postponed. She didn't know if he would survive until then.
However, there were priorities. She couldn't...
She couldn't just let Bai You'an go with Hongniang like this.
What if Hongniang genuinely took a liking to him?
"Keep a close eye on Wanyan, don't let him die," Song Qingchao instructed Song Xiaoguo. "Also, be careful while I'm away. I suspect people from Shuiyunjian might be trying to infiltrate our side, so strengthen our defenses."
"Don't worry, Miss, leave these matters to me. You don't have to worry."
After Song Xiaoguo responded, she asked, "When do you plan to depart, Miss?"
"I'm leaving now."
Song Qingchao walked out, giving Song Xiaoguo various instructions.
"Then, Miss, please wait. I'll call Zheng Xi right away and prepare the things you need to bring."
Song Qingchao nodded in agreement and then waited.
Song Xiaoguo was very quick.
Zhou Zhengxi also came with her, carrying two packages.
Song Qingchao looked at him and then nodded.
"Alright, let's set off."
But in her heart, she thought, Bai You'an, wait for me, I'm almost there.