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Qin Yining compressed her lips tightly, taking a few deep breaths before regaining control over her emotions. She continued gravely, “If I may ask, who might this young soldier be to the prince? Judging from your speech, you don’t seem a vice general. The position of a strategist is the only one appropriate for such a talent.”
The young man started, then smiled. “Miss Qin has quite a sharp eye.”
But this time, his voice wasn’t that of a young man at all. It was the raspy one of an elder.
“This old man is Xie Yue, secondary name Hongchang. I am one of the prince’s attendants and have served him for five years. I am skilled at strategizing and disguises, which is why I was selected for this trip. The prince was worried that others wouldn’t be able to properly explain things to you and create misunderstandings instead, and was also concerned that they wouldn’t be able to fully describe Great Zhou to you. He’s given me special orders to stay by your side and clear up any questions you may have.”
Qin Yining looked curiously at the young face and nodded merrily. “So it’s Sir Xie. My apologies for the disrespect.”
“Not at all.” The slightly hoarse, young voice returned. “Let’s go to the campground first, miss. Just keep silent when you see Master Zuo in a moment.”
The girl waved her hand. “No rush. I understand the situation now. We can think of a plan first before returning. It won’t be convenient to talk about this once we enter the campground.”
Xie Yue was slightly surprised by the Qin fourth miss’ reaction. “Does Miss Qin have a plan?”
“I do have some thoughts, but need the honored strategist’s weigh-in on them.”
“I would be delighted to hear more.” Xie Yue raised a cupped fist salute.
“Since that Master Zuo Jinwei’s been promoted to the new commander of the Valiant Tigers, he certainly won’t be a fool. He’ll grow suspicious that his secret reports aren’t receiving a response. He’ll try again. This time, don’t block it.”
“Oh?” Xie Yue arched a brow. “Whyever not, Miss Qin?”
“The Valiant Tigers are the fruit of the prince’s many years of hard work and efforts. I won’t allow someone to seize it all for free.” With a curve of her lips, a confident light shone out of her almond-shaped eyes. It was piercingly bright.
Her appearance of having a card up her sleeve somehow reminded Xie Yue of Pang Xiao, who’d already made fast time back to the capital. A few more hints of gravity entered his expression.
“It’s not easy to train one person, let alone an army of a hundred thousand. Not only do the Valiant Tigers have excellent battle capabilities and superior formations, but they possess strict discipline and regimen. Such an army is a defensive shield in the prince’s hands, but a lethal weapon in others. Does that Master Zuo really have so much competency? I say he’s just earned some imperial favor, so I’m going to make him lose it!”
“What does Miss Qin mean?”
“His Highness returning and continuing to pretend to be sick holds too much risk. Even if he’s lucky enough to succeed, His Majesty already knows that the prince has privately sent out troops. He just hasn’t arrested the prince for it, but the seeds of doubt will have been planted. If this is the case, His Majesty will be ever more wary of and scheme against the prince.”
“But what’s done is done, do you have another idea? Does it have something to do with letting Zuo Jinwei’s report through that you just mentioned?”
“Mm hmm.” Qin Yining smiled craftily and beckoned Xie Yue closer, whispering a few words next to his ear.
The strategist’s eyes widened the more he heard. At the end, he was looking at Qin Yining with a worshipful expression.
“Miss Qin is the daughter of Wise Pan An alright! Such a plot puts this old man to shame.”
“Not at all. I’ll be relying on your mastery of disguise in this.”
“What I do is just a parlor trick. Thankfully it can be put to good use in helping the prince.”
Qin Yining nodded with a smile.