"I am not worried about the safety of the border. The Black Armored Army is stationed here and will ensure everything is secure. It's just... Gu Beichen is deeply in love with the Princess of Xiliang, and His Majesty has already decreed the marriage. I fear there will be trouble on the wedding day."
Ling Mohan had always suspected that the Xiliang envoy's arrival, and the Xiliang Emperor's prompt agreement to the marriage, had other intentions.
"Murong Jinyun is truly devoted to Gu Beichen. They've already pledged their lives to each other. The matter is settled, and it's difficult to stop now. We can only stabilize the situation first. More guards must be assigned to the post station. By the way, what are your plans for His Majesty?"
For such important matters, Emperor Xuanwen needed to be informed to facilitate their actions.
"His Majesty must be kept in the dark for now. You should go back and rest. I will go discuss it with Prince Jing. If the Xiliang Princess asks you to go out alone, make sure your hidden guards accompany you."
Ling Mohan worried that the Xiliang people might try to involve Feng Jin. In the current situation, caution was paramount.
"I understand. You must also be careful."
Ling Mohan nodded slightly, leaving a contingent of soldiers to protect Feng Jin before departing.
...
Deep in the night, a shadowy figure crept into the study of the Third Prince's mansion.
Hearing the commotion, Chu Yanxi became instantly tense, his gaze sharp as he looked at the person behind him: "How dare you come here? You may not want to live, but I do!"
"Your Highness the Third Prince need not panic. Your Eastern Chu patrol guards are no match for spotting this general. Naturally, they won't know about the Third Prince's dealings with our Xiliang!"
"Shut your mouth, or don't blame me for disregarding our past relationship and ensuring you never return to Xiliang alive!"
Chu Yanxi's face darkened, and he felt a surge of murderous intent.
Baili Xi sneered, utterly unconcerned by Chu Yanxi's words: "If this general suffers any mishap in Eastern Chu, your secret will be exposed, Third Prince!"
"You dare threaten me!" Chu Yanxi's hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched tightly, his murderous intent escalating.
"Your Highness, feel free to try and see if I can threaten you. His Majesty specifically sent me to thank you. Without the iron ore you prepared, our Xiliang army wouldn't have the weaponry and equipment."
Baili Xi's gaze was provocative as he looked at Chu Yanxi, confident that Chu Yanxi wouldn't dare do anything to him.
Trafficking iron ore with an enemy nation was a grave crime of colluding with the enemy and treason. If this were to be revealed, Chu Yanxi would surely perish.
"What exactly do you want!" Chu Yanxi demanded angrily.
"His Majesty has always considered the Third Prince his most powerful ally. As long as the Third Prince continues to cooperate with our Xiliang, we will undoubtedly support you in ascending the throne!"
In his pursuit of personal ambition, he had been blinded and cooperated with Xiliang. Now that his leverage was in Xiliang's hands, he had become timid and had been coerced into doing many things by the Xiliang people.
"I already told your Xiliang Emperor last time that this was the last thing I would do for you, and I will not do anything else."
Now that Ling Mohan and Chu Chenyi had become suspicious, if this continued, they would eventually investigate him. If the matter were exposed, it would be a disaster for him.
"Third Prince, you must consider the bigger picture. The Xiliang Princess is about to marry the heir of Prince Zhennan. With the support of Xiliang and Prince Zhennan's mansion, the throne will eventually be yours. Why should you care about gains or losses in the immediate moment?"
Chu Yanxi sneered. He knew the dangers of dealing with tigers but also how much benefit he could gain. "Your Xiliang Emperor is ambitious. For years, under the guise of a marriage alliance, he has sent out Xiliang princesses like playthings, merely to gather intelligence from various countries and attempt to annex neighboring nations. Such delusions!"
Baili Xi's eyes deepened, filled with ferocity: "Our Xiliang has strong military forces and is of the bloodline of the former Qin imperial family. Naturally, we shall be the rulers of this world!"
"Cooperate with us obediently, and you will get what you desire. But if you dare to play any tricks, don't blame us for discarding our past affections!"
Chu Yanxi's brow furrowed, suppressing the anger in his heart: "What exactly do you want to do!"
"We have decided to place weapons within the dowry being escorted on the day of the princess's wedding. We need the Third Prince to cooperate from the inside to help our people transport the weapons into the imperial city."
"What! This is impossible!"
Chu Yanxi refused outright. The capital had strict security. Any person or vehicle entering the city had to be thoroughly inspected, let alone the dowry sent by Xiliang.
It would be subjected to even more rigorous searches. If weapons were smuggled in, it would certainly cause a major incident. He truly could not do these things.
"Why is it impossible? The Third Prince can request the Emperor to oversee the marriage and find a way to transport the weapons in unnoticed."
Baili Xi had already planned everything and gave Chu Yanxi no chance to refuse.
Their Xiliang had spent considerable financial and material resources to elevate Chu Yanxi to his current position. Now was the time to use him, so they wouldn't give him any opportunity to refuse.
"What do you intend to do by transporting weapons into the capital?"
"This matter concerns Xiliang's secrets, and this general does not know. However, I can guarantee that it will not harm the safety of the Third Prince or the Emperor."
"Third Prince, if you do not do this, I cannot guarantee that Prince Jing and Ling Mohan will not receive evidence of your collusion with Xiliang on their desks tomorrow. I have learned that Ling Mohan has been investigating the iron ore matter lately. If he receives any clues, I wonder if he will thank me."
Chu Yanxi's heart leaped, enveloped by a sense of dread. The last shred of his integrity vanished without a trace: "I... I agree to your terms, but this is the last time. From now on, I will have nothing to do with you."
"If Your Highness handles this matter well, our Xiliang will surely help you ascend the throne."
"Dawn is approaching. You should leave as soon as possible." Chu Yanxi no longer wanted any entanglement with Baili Xi and dismissed him.
"Your Highness need not worry. I shall take my leave. Please do not forget your promise today."
Baili Xi was not at all worried that Chu Yanxi would go back on his word, as he held leverage over Chu Yanxi, enough to ensure his eternal damnation.
"You don't need to worry about me!" Chu Yanxi shouted angrily.
Only after Baili Xi had left did Chu Yanxi, as if driven mad, smash everything in the study into pieces.
His bloodthirsty eyes were filled with murderous intent, the rage within him no longer suppressible.
"Baili Xi, one day I will tear you to pieces!" Chu Yanxi gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his flesh, crimson blood dripping from between his fingers.