Chapter 200
Xiao Ruojiang swallowed back the words he wanted to say to persuade Bai Qingyan to keep the horse. He secretly decided to discuss with his brother when he returned, hoping to find a precious steed for Miss Bai as soon as possible.
Returning to the camp, Bai Qingyan had Xiao Ruojiang summon Bai Jinzhi. When Bai Jinzhi heard that this white steed was for her, her eyes lit up with joy.
“Really?!” Bai Jinzhi reached out to touch Pingan’s mane, but Pingan, with a fiery temperament, blew hot air into her face and haughtily shifted to the other side of Bai Qingyan.
Bai Jinzhi widened her eyes. She had never seen such a temperamental horse before. Despite her astonishment, her eyes were full of delight. “This horse… is quite spiritual! Just like…”
The words “Swift Wind” got stuck in Bai Jinzhi’s throat. Everyone knew that Swift Wind had died saving its master. Its body was never found.
“Eldest Young Lady, I feel no connection with this horse. But it seems fated for you!” Bai Jinzhi genuinely liked Pingan. Her words were sincere. Pingan’s temperament was quite similar to Swift Wind’s. If Pingan stayed by Bai Qingyan’s side, it would be a comfort.
“I remember your uncle promised you that when you set out for battle, he would give you a fine steed like Swift Wind!” Bai Qingyan smiled, gently stroking Pingan’s mane. “This is from your uncle, given by me! Although Pingan is spirited, it can be tamed. I have tested it for you. As long as you can ride it without being thrown off, it will obey you. If you spend time with it and form a bond, it will recognize you as its master!”
She had not fulfilled her promises to A Yu; A Yu had not completed his promises to her either.
Now, even though her father was gone, she could fulfill his uncompleted promises.
Hearing her Eldest Young Lady mention their uncle, who treated her like his own daughter, Bai Jinzhi’s eyes reddened. She nodded in the end, “Thank you, uncle! Thank you, Eldest Young Lady! I won’t decline!”
“Your uncle would be comforted to see you gain Pingan’s loyalty!” She smiled at her younger sister.
Taming and gaining loyalty were two different things.
Taming a horse meant it would follow your commands but not be loyal.
If it recognized you as its master, it would protect you with its life, just like Swift Wind. She hoped that on future battlefields, Jinzhi would have such a horse fighting by her side, giving her more assurance.
“Eldest Young Lady, rest assured! Within three days, I will have Pingan recognize me as its master!” Bai Jinzhi swore confidently.
“I believe in you, Jinzhi!”
Bai Jinzhi’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Bai Qingyan. Every time her Eldest Young Lady voiced her trust, her heart surged with confidence because no one had ever told her they believed in her! Others always saw her as impulsive and reckless, even her mother thought so!
So when her Eldest Young Lady said she believed in her, she was eager to prove herself because she knew from the bottom of her heart that her Eldest Young Lady genuinely believed in her each time. She didn’t want to disappoint her Eldest Young Lady or divert her attention with unnecessary worries.
Xiao Rongyan’s guard rushed back to Mengcheng on horseback, bringing Bai Qingyan’s message to Xiao Rongyan.
Upon hearing that the guard who had delivered the horse to Bai Qingyan had returned, Xiao Rongyan ordered the Map of Rivers and Mountains to be put away and sat by the brazier, letting the guard in.
“Subordinate greets the master!” The guard, bringing in the cold air, knelt on one knee to salute.
Xiao Rongyan used copper tongs to stir the charcoal in the brazier, lowering his eyes, “Were the horse and letter delivered?”
“Yes! Delivered! The letter was burned by Miss Bai after reading it in front of me,” said the guard.
Xiao Rongyan’s lips slightly curved as he stared at the silvery grayish-red charcoal in the brazier. Bai Qingyan probably recognized it as his handwriting and burned it in front of the guard to reassure him!
“Did Miss Bai say anything?”
“Miss Bai asked if the master wanted to borrow anything else from her. But she didn’t seem angry or mocking, just asked plainly. I didn’t say much, only replied that the master didn’t say so. Later, when I was about to leave, Miss Bai mentioned… taking down Nanyan isn’t just about winning battles. Nanyan follows the old governance of Yan. For over a decade, its people have been treated as cattle and horses by nobles. It’s hard to go from extravagance to frugality. Those who experienced Empress Ji’s new policies likely harbor resentment towards the Nanyan court.”
The guard relayed Bai Qingyan’s words to Xiao Rongyan verbatim.
Xiao Rongyan paused his charcoal-stirring action, pondering Bai Qingyan’s words. She was hinting that he should leverage public sentiment and resentment.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Rongyan recalled how, in Dadu City before, on New Year’s Eve, residents gathered spontaneously in front of the Duke of Zhen’s mansion, awaiting news from the palace along with the womenfolk of the mansion.
When the Duke’s body returned to Dadu, the whole city turned out, holding lanterns and umbrellas at the southern gate to welcome the loyal spirit of the Bai family.
Xiao Rongyan gazed at the dancing flames in the brazier. Yet if the plan were leaked prematurely… if Nanyan prepared in advance, could the Yan, with its current limited military strength, still seize Nanyan in the ensuing chaos?
Xiao Rongyan’s guard knelt silently. After a while, Xiao Rongyan instructed, “Call Wang Jiuzhou here!”
The master summoning Master Wang showed his determination. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
The guard quickly responded and went to summon Wang Jiuzhou.
Wang Jiuzhou hurried in to find Xiao Rongyan’s deep and calm eyes growing even more profound with a hint of chilling air. He asked, “How many more days will the Mengcheng Market continue?”
“Master, counting today, it will continue for two more days,” Wang Jiuzhou answered respectfully.
“Over the next two days, spread the word from the market to Nanyan’s capital, saying that the Yan Army is coming…” Xiao Rongyan added some logs to the brazier, putting down the copper tongs. “But the Emperor of Yan has ordered the Yan Army not to slaughter civilians. This time, it’s to depose the illegitimate Emperor of Nanyan, reunite Yan, overthrow the previously abolished governance of Yan by Empress Ji, and restore true Yan for the people’s welfare.”
Mengcheng Market was the busiest, longest-running market with the highest traffic in Nanyan. The master intended to use the rumors spreading among the people.
Understanding Xiao Rongyan’s strategy instantly, Wang Jiuzhou nodded, “Rest assured, master, I will handle it properly!”
Xiao Rongyan nodded.
Watching Wang Jiuzhou leave, Xiao Rongyan’s eyes grew darker as he sat by the brazier. Using public sentiment was something he had never considered before.
Let’s give it a try. Maybe Bai Qingyan’s method would work, reducing Yan’s military losses.
However, if it works, he would owe Bai Qingyan a considerable favor. How would he repay it?
Thinking of this, an unexpectedly faint smile appeared in Xiao Rongyan’s eyes.