Liao Kong did not immediately grasp Xie Jia Yan's meaning, or perhaps he understood but chose not to.
Perhaps Liao Kong's gaze was too direct, as Xie Jia Yan spoke again, "I cannot leave at this moment. You must leave the city now and ensure the master departs tomorrow morning."
Having finally persuaded his father to cooperate, and after faking an illness at the Imperial Academy and being declared unable to recover quickly by the imperial physicians, the Emperor had granted him leave to resign.
Originally, he had no intention of leaving.
"The situation is different now. Great changes are imminent in the capital. Since the madam has been rescued, why doesn't the young master leave with her?" Liao Kong urged anxiously.
"My mind is made up," Xie Jia Yan's tone was unyielding.
The current situation was indeed precarious, but success depended on human effort, and they had to try their best.
If Prince Han of Jun succeeded this time, how many more Prince Hans of Jun would emerge in the Central Plains?
Wang Ning Qing was truly incorrigible, plotting against all other noble clans. For the sake of his family's interests, he completely disregarded the lives of the common people, truly hateful.
According to the schedule, the Seventh Prince should arrive in the capital within these two days.
One could not have both fish and bear's paw. Prince Han of Jun, intending to ambush the Seventh Prince by surprise, would certainly not reveal himself easily.
This period was crucial.
Within the capital, there were twenty thousand Southern Army troops. Outside the city, General Han led two branches of the Northern Army, which had accompanied the Seventh Prince out of the city. The remaining force numbered forty thousand.
Prince Han of Jun's reluctance to attack the city rashly was likely to avoid heavy casualties, hence his plan to ambush. Then, he would attack the city amidst the collapsing morale.
If the Northern Army outside the city could be deployed strategically, and they, along with the Seventh Prince's victorious army, could launch a pincer attack, then it would be they who were caught in a trap.
The current problem was how to make General Han and the Seventh Prince cooperate without alerting the enemy.
Phoenix Mountain
"Your Highness," He Jing, Prince Han of Jun's confidant, entered.
After whispering a few words into Prince Han of Jun's ear, Prince Han of Jun's expression shifted to one of thoughtful intrigue. "You say they turned back?"
"Yes, the carriages bore the emblems of the Yu, Gu, and Mo families. After taking shelter from the rain at the land temple, they did not proceed further but returned to the villa. Along the way, they picked up some stray dogs. My subordinate guesses that a few young ladies were out for a stroll and encountered the heavy rain, not noticing anything amiss. I feared alerting them and did not act, but I have had people watching that residence."
"You did well. I hope they discovered nothing. These family members are of great use to me. Keep a close watch on them. If they attempt to return to the capital, leave none alive." A murderous glint flashed in Prince Han of Jun's eyes.
If they disrupted his grand plan, he would not care whose daughters they were.
"Given the pace of Xiao Che's entourage, they should reach this vicinity before sunset tomorrow. What are the arrangements with the Northern Army?" Prince Han of Jun asked Wang Fan, who was seated below him.
Wang Ning Qing's son was proving useful. With their father and son's assistance this time, things were indeed proceeding smoothly.
"Your Highness, rest assured. My father, Deputy General Hu, owes you a life debt, and all arrangements are in place. He will stall Han Xi Zheng. Once Your Highness deals with the Seventh Prince, we can discuss how the Northern Army, composed mostly of sons of officials, cannot compare to the well-trained Hanzhong Army and is not a threat at all," Wang Fan said.
Prince Han of Jun burst into laughter. Although his hair had turned completely white, his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's.
"Good, very good. When I capture the capital and expose Yong An's crimes of patricide and fratricide, your father and son will be the foremost contributors."
"We dare not claim such merit, but Your Highness must not forget what you promised us."
Wang Fan bowed to Prince Han of Jun, his demeanor respectful, yet his underlying arrogance was evident; he did not truly hold the Prince in high regard.
They could place him on that throne, and if he proved disobedient, they could just as easily replace him.
Many coveted that position, but not everyone had the destiny to attain it.