Green Mountain

Chapter 529 392: Leading the Dragon

A gust of wind swept through Mei Valley, causing the yellow wintersweet to fall from the branches, drifting through the gaps between the crowd and the horses.

The people were still, while the wintersweet moved; everyone stood in place, seemingly unprepared for Chen Ji's refusal of the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince gently said, "Chen Ji, my virtuous brother, I recall that you preferred traveling alone when we were in Guyuan. How have you changed now? Mr. Liao must stay by my side, and others cannot approach Zaozao, so it's most prudent for you to go."

Chen Ji declined again, "Your Highness, let Mr. Liao make the journey. I could protect you well in Guyuan, and I can do the same here in Fragrant Mountain."

Though his tone was gentle, his gaze was direct, showing no sign of compromise or retreat.

When he realized it was the Crown Prince who wanted to kill him, he knew that at this moment, staying beside the Crown Prince and Prince Fu was the safest choice.

Unless, the Crown Prince dared to kill everyone present here.

The Crown Prince remained silent, and Mr. Liao beside him slowly spoke, "Young Master Chen, could it be that you fear battle? Our soldiers of the Ning Dynasty do not retreat from battle and view death as a return; how can they harbor fear of war?"

Zhang Xia suddenly interjected, "Mr. Liao, your words are incorrect."

Sitting on Zaozao's tall saddle, she looked down at Mr. Liao, "During the battle of Guyuan, you weren't by the Crown Prince's side, so you don't know. If it weren't for Chen Ji, I'm afraid I, Qi Zhenzhuo, and His Highness wouldn't have returned alive to the Imperial Capital."

Before Mr. Liao could refute, Zhang Xia continued, "To His Highness, Chen Ji's loyalty is unquestionable; to Qi Zhenzhuo and me, he is a lifesaver; to you, Mr. Liao...Chen Ji preserved your reputation and life."

Mr. Liao calmly remarked, "Second Miss Zhang, why bring this old minister into the matter?"

Zhang Xia gazed at him, "Mr. Liao is the Crown Prince's advisor; if the Crown Prince were to suffer any loss, I would be utterly ashamed and would beg His Majesty for either three feet of white silk or a cup of poison wine. Therefore, Chen Ji has restored your integrity as well."

Mr. Liao was silent.

Prince Fu watched with interest from the side and waved to Zhou Kuang.

Zhou Kuang understood, took a deer-skin pouch from the saddle, and brought it in front of Prince Fu.

Prince Fu picked out a salt-pickled plum the size of a thumb, bit off half, and smilingly said, "Second Miss Zhang speaks with reason!"

Then, holding the half plum, he leaned over and whispered to Zhou Kuang, "No wonder no one dares to propose to the Zhang family. If Second Miss Zhang entered the door as the mistress, the head of the household wouldn't have many good days left."

Zhou Kuang observed with a calm demeanor, "Your Highness should say less, lest Second Miss Zhang becomes angry with you, and then you won't be laughing."

Prince Fu cleared his throat and sat upright on his horse.

At this time, Mr. Liao no longer spoke to Zhang Xia, instead turning to Qi Zhenzhuo, "Commander Qi, Young Master Chen is a Common Household under your command. What is your opinion?"

Everyone instinctively looked at Qi Zhenzhuo, and Zhang Xia frowned.

Prince Fu whispered, "How uninteresting, always picking the soft targets."

Qi Zhenzhuo looked troubled, glancing at Chen Ji and then at the Crown Prince.

Mr. Liao smiled and said, "Mr. Qi was once the tutor of His Highness, when His Highness was still young. I've heard Mr. Qi lecturing on loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness..."

Qi Zhenzhuo interrupted him, avoiding the Crown Prince's gaze, "Mr. Liao, the Yulin Army is the Imperial Guard. To dispatch the Yulin Army, the Ministry of War's document is required. Without it, the Yulin Army naturally guards only the Crown Prince and Prince Fu."

Chen Ji looked unexpectedly at Qi Zhenzhuo, while Mr. Liao squinted slightly.

Nobody expected this softest persimmon to suddenly harden today, disregarding the relationship between the Qi family and the Crown Prince.

Prince Fu burst into hearty laughter, "Mr. Liao, I suggest you focus on matters within the Eastern Palace; the affairs outside are beyond your reach."

The Crown Prince gently said, "Very well, let the attendants of the Eastern Palace go. With Virtuous Brother Chen Ji protecting me, I can feel more at ease."

Mr. Liao spoke no more and immediately instructed an attendant of the Eastern Palace to dismount, while another rode one horse and led another, quickly descending the mountain.

The Crown Prince looked at everyone, "Ladies and gentlemen, shall we descend now, or stay here and wait for reinforcements to quell the rebels?"

Mr. Liao contemplated for a moment, "Descending south via Mei Valley requires passing the Zhaosong Woods, where the terrain is narrow and the pine woods are dense, ideal for ambush. Heading north, we must pass the Furong Flats and Chong Cuiyi, both perilous places..."

Prince Fu raised his eyebrows, "According to you, we apparently can't go anywhere?"

Mr. Liao calmly replied, "To Prince Fu, that is precisely my meaning. Rather than risk it, it is better to control movement with stillness. Here, we have the Five Armies Camp, the Longevity Army, Prince Fu's attendants, and the Eastern Palace's attendants. It's unlikely the assassins would dare act rashly. The snow on Fragrant Mountain has just melted, making it impossible for miscreants to set fire to the mountain."

Chen Ji and Zhang Xia exchanged a glance; regardless of Mr. Liao's intentions, at the moment, as he said, staying put is the best option.

But Prince Fu just had to sing a different tune from the Crown Prince, "I think we should hurry down the mountain. What if the assassins have reinforcements too?"

This time, the Crown Prince dismounted, "Then the royal brother can go down the mountain by himself, while I shall stay here."

Mr. Liao followed suit, wiping a stone with his sleeve for the Crown Prince to rest, ignoring Prince Fu.

Prince Fu pondered for a moment, then smiled broadly, "Alright, then this prince will also accompany the Crown Prince here."

...

...

Mei Valley returned to peace.

Yang Fang and Yang Xian removed their armor and bit down on sticks.

Yangyang lit a campfire, heated his dagger, and pried out the crossbow arrows from their flesh, tossing them into the fire as fuel.