Chapter 125: Chapter 116: The Grand Plan Takes Shape, The Two Women Reconcile, Enjoying the Bliss of Having Both

Only Qi Xingyan and the Champion Marquis remained at the table.

But neither of them was the least bit drunk.

Qi Xingyan’s aged eyes were perfectly clear as he looked at the Champion Marquis. “Huo Guanjun, what are your plans for this journey? In any case, our families are connected by marriage. There are some things only you and I can discuss.”

Huo Qing swirled the liquid in his cup, contemplating. “The Court is sending me to the Northwest Three States to serve as Governor. The military force there is sufficient. It’s best if I don’t interfere too much, lest I bring disaster upon myself.”

“I believe you must interfere.”

Qi Xingyan’s gaze was serene, a faint smile playing on his lips beneath his white beard.

“Oh? And why is that?”

Huo Qing was slightly taken aback.

“If you wish to truly grasp the future, General Huo, you must not only interfere, but you must also ally with Prince Zhenbei.”

The Champion Marquis was shocked to hear such a bold proposition.

“Elder Mr. Qi, what is the meaning of this?”

He didn’t think Qi Xingyan was suggesting rebellion, but rather that he was clarifying his doubts and laying out a strategy.

With a push of his large hand, brilliant golden Literary Qi erupted from Qi Xingyan. His wine cup fell, and in an unseen transformation, the banquet table became a chessboard, the cup a single white stone.

“Elder Mr. Qi, are you planning to make a move?”

Huo Qing’s pupils constricted in shock.

“Some matters are not yet clear, and it is not convenient for some to act. Therefore, it is necessary for me to direct the play.”

Qi Xingyan smiled faintly.

The situation had intensified; he had to keep up with the great tide of events.

Since it was inconvenient for the Prince to act, he would have to be the one to make a move.

“General Huo, I can understand your many reservations regarding this campaign. However, you must not let those reservations become a stumbling block. The future of Great Yan is in turmoil. The Demon Country will not rest, and the Capital City will not remain a pool of stagnant water. Every bit of extra strength is an extra layer of security. This war is being waged because someone covets the Holy Nether Country’s National Fortune, hoping to extend Great Yan’s Celestial Mandate by another hundred years.”

“Others may not investigate this, but you and I must.”

The situation was volatile.

Every bit of extra strength was an extra layer of security.

The Champion Marquis understood immediately.

He quickly grasped what the other man was planning.

“Sir, are you telling me to fight for my own interests, to preserve a chance of victory for the Huo Family? Even if it means befriending Prince Zhenbei?”

Qi Xingyan smiled and nodded. “This is both a death trap for you, General, and your only source of hope.”

“Your purpose in doing all this is for the Sixth Prince, isn’t it?” Huo Qing quickly saw through the aim of the other’s scheme, yet he could understand his actions.

’Keeping a trump card is crucial. Qi Xingyan is telling me to hold onto the army as my trump card.’

’Only with a trump card can you act without fear.’

“Yes and no. It is more for my own faction, and for all of Great Yan.”

“How can Prince Zhenbei possibly trust me?”

The Champion Marquis couldn’t help but ask.

’He doesn’t even know Prince Zhenbei. He’s being sent as a Governor; it’s only natural for Prince Zhenbei to be wary and on guard against him.’

“Rest assured. After your daughter is married, he will trust you.”

The Champion Marquis did not yet grasp the deeper meaning of these words.

“Sir, you don’t support the Sixth Prince without reason. Can you reveal what that reason is?” Huo Qing recalled what his daughter had said to him on the way to the Imperial Palace, about the question of whether to intervene.

’I didn’t expect to face it so soon.’

“I cannot reveal that reason just yet,” Qi Xingyan said with a smile, stroking his long beard. “However, General Huo, you need only watch from the border, and the answer will reveal itself in time. Even if I don’t say a word then, a man of your strategic mind will figure out what to do. I’m pointing out the crux of the matter now to guard against the unexpected.”

Still, Huo Qing couldn’t help but ask, “Can the Sixth Prince really inherit the throne? Isn’t he…”

“There is a solution to this predicament, but we must wait a while longer.”

After a long moment of thought, Huo Qing finally agreed. “Very well. Since you have laid out this plan for me, Sir, I will watch and wait, and simply pay closer attention.”

As the two reached a preliminary agreement.

Outside the palace hall, it was another scene entirely.

Starlight spilled from the heavens.

Even in the dead of night, the jade mansions of the Imperial Palace glimmered with a faint light.

The sky full of stars was like a suspended downpour, glittering under the reflection of some mysterious light.

Huo Hongling stood under this starlight, by Lu Mingyuan’s side.

It had been many days since they had last seen each other. This woman, who had always been so full of life, had grown somewhat thin recently. Even under the starlight, her eyes were filled with confusion.

“It seems Miss Huo still hasn’t quite adjusted.”

Hearing Lu Mingyuan’s soft voice near her ear, Huo Hongling seemed to tense up instantly, turning her head stiffly.

Today, in a rare change, Lu Mingyuan wore a white robe with a python pattern. A saber hung at his waist, and with his black hair casually tied back and his deep eyes, he was like a piece of jade glowing in the night.

Huo Hongling looked at Lu Mingyuan, her glistening red lips parting, but for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.

Lu Mingyuan stood up straight, a smile gracing his face. “Have you not been eating well these past few days? You look a bit thinner.”

“I was just thinking… besides the Huo Family, what else am I pursuing in this life? If I marry you, what will I face in the future?”

Huo Hongling kept her head down, letting the warm night breeze blow past, causing her clothes to flutter.

They walked for a long time, circling the palace grounds until Yaoguang Palace was visible in the distance.

Huo Hongling’s steps grew slower and slower, as if she feared that once they reached Yaoguang Palace, she would have no more excuse to linger.

“Miss Huo, you won’t have to ’face’ anything. Rather, you will have more support. Your Martial Dao, your ambition—you won’t have to hold back. You can let your brilliance shine freely by the Prince’s side.” Qi Muxue spoke softly, offering her answer.

“A woman as upright and dignified as you, Miss Huo, is in the prime of her life. You should be forging ahead fearlessly, just as you’ve always done. The Prince will not force you to do anything, much less make things difficult for you. Just be yourself.”

Hearing this, Huo Hongling’s expression was deeply moved.

The icy pools of her eyes seemed to melt, growing much softer.

Her tone was slightly unnatural, but her gaze was sincere. “Miss Qi, on the day of the martial contest, I spoke harshly to you. I’m sorry. I apologize to you now.”

Qi Muxue’s smile was gracious as she gently shook her head. “It’s nothing. If it had been me, I’m sure I wouldn’t have known how to answer either. My own impulsive question must have thrown your mind into turmoil and left you at a loss. I am also responsible. I shouldn’t have done something so improper as to question Miss Huo in public.”

“That is why I can never become a Gentleman. But I have no regrets.”

“I hope that you, Miss Huo, will be able to think the same way in the future.”

She apologized for her words and actions, but she didn’t regret fighting for her chance. If she could do it all over, she would do the same thing again.

Seeing her say this, Lu Mingyuan worried that Huo Hongling might think Qi Muxue was applying a double standard. After all, Qi Muxue had stood up for his sake. He said, half-jokingly, “You see? Everyone has a selfish streak buried in their heart. Take me, for example—I can’t help but look twice at any beautiful woman. So where in this world can you find a perfect person who never makes a mistake?”

He frankly admitted his own shortcomings to them both.

“That’s true.”

Huo Hongling admitted frankly.

’Even she hoped to have both the prosperity of the Huo Family and her own happiness. But where in the world could one find something so perfect?’

Huo Hongling pressed her lips together. “All of this has thrown my mind into turmoil. I’ve thought about it for a long time and didn’t know how to handle it. Later, whenever I sat in the courtyard, I would always think of the scene from the martial contest, and I’d also remember sparring with the Prince in the bamboo forest that day, and the words I said to you…”

“Because of all that, I suddenly came to a realization a few days ago.”

The previously downcast Huo Hongling suddenly became bold, looking directly at Lu Mingyuan.

Lu Mingyuan did not avoid her ardent gaze. Instead, he lowered his head in thought for a moment. “It’s good that you’ve come to terms with it. I remember your birthday is after this month, isn’t it?”

“What do you want? You can tell me.”

The corners of Huo Hongling’s eyes curved up, and her eyes grew a little moist. “Yes… I should have been married long ago. So many young ladies of noble families are married by this age.”

At this, Qi Muxue gave a faint smile, wrapping an arm around her shoulder comfortingly. “From now on, you and I will both be the Prince’s Princess Consorts. There won’t be many grievances for us to suffer.”

“Mm.”

By the time she returned to Yaoguang Palace, her steps had even become cheerful.

As Lu Mingyuan walked through the palace gates and along the corridors, his posture was erect and distinguished. Handsome as jade and flanked by two women of distinctly different temperaments, he drew constant sideways glances from all the Guards and Palace Maids along the way.

They didn’t know who it was at first, only realizing it was the Sixth Prince upon a closer look.

’In just a single year, how did the Sixth Prince reach a state where he could enjoy the blessing of having two such beautiful women!’

Huo Hongling blinked, staring at the scene, and finally knew that her father’s choice had not been wrong.

…

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