How Can I Yield to the Traitor! - Chapter 6

Qi Zhan’s heart drummed against his ribs, but he maintained a mask of calm. Drawing on yesterday’s memories and sensations, he stepped into the stirrup and swung himself over.

Perhaps it was because he had prepared more thoroughly today, or perhaps being pinned by Xie Gebai’s gaze had unlocked some hidden potential, but his movements were even more fluid than the day before. He landed steadily in the saddle.

Surprise flickered in Xie Gebai’s eyes. He then mounted his own black horse with effortless, powerful grace.

“Follow,” he dropped those two words, flicked the reins, and the black horse began to trot.

Qi Zhan quickly urged his mount to keep up. He didn’t dare go too fast, nor too slow. He focused entirely on the original owner’s posture, controlling the reins and letting his body rise and fall naturally with the horse’s rhythm.

Xie Gebai didn’t intentionally speed up; he simply maintained a steady, even trot around the field. His gaze drifted between the path ahead and occasional, seemingly casual glances at Qi Zhan.

Qi Zhan was fully concentrated, not daring to relax for a second. He could feel Xie Gebai’s scrutinizing gaze like thorns in his back. Fortunately, the body’s muscle memory held true. Basic riding was no issue, though his fine-tuned control remained a bit stiff far from the “one with the horse” harmony that Xie Gebai displayed naturally.

After two laps, Xie Gebai struggled to find a way to open a conversation. He had no experience with girls, and since she didn’t speak, he had to search for words. He actually quite liked listening to her voice it was pleasantly androgynous and easy on the ears.

He finally came up with some small talk: “I heard palace women are skilled in dance, but it seems your riding is also passable.”

Qi Zhan’s heart tightened. The testing has begun. He steadied his breathing, trying to sound natural. “I only have a crude understanding. I’ve made the General laugh.”

Xie Gebai gave a non-committal hum and suddenly nudged his horse’s flanks, increasing the speed. “Keep up.”

Qi Zhan groaned internally. He had no choice but to kick his horse into a gallop. Wind whistled past his ears, and the ground became a blur. With his heart in his throat, he desperately recalled Luo Shu’s guidance and his body’s instincts, barely managing to stay behind the General.

Xie Gebai seemed intent on testing him, moving faster and faster, even executing a sudden, sharp turn. Qi Zhan pulled the reins frantically, his body jolting violently. He stabilized himself just in time, breaking out in a cold sweat. He felt Xie Gebai’s eyes sweep over him again, filled with inquiry.

Due to his guilty conscience, Qi Zhan was like a startled bird; every look felt like an interrogation. He never would have guessed that Xie Gebai’s “circuitry” was just trying to act cool to impress a girl. If Qi Zhan knew, he’d probably curse the man’s entire lineage. What a total idiot!

Just as Qi Zhan felt he was about to reach his limit and blow his cover with a spectacular fall, Xie Gebai suddenly pulled back. Near the edge of the stables, Lu Xun was standing, appearing to have urgent news.

Xie Gebai galloped over. Qi Zhan sighed with relief, quickly slowing his agitated horse to a trot. Following behind, he felt his arms turning to jelly.

Lu Xun glanced at Qi Zhan who was pale and breathless before whispering to Xie Gebai: “General, news has arrived from the State of Wei.”

Xie Gebai’s brow furrowed, and he nodded. He cast one more deep, unreadable glance at Qi Zhan before saying flatly: “That is all for today. You are free to do as you please, Lady. If you are tired, I will have Luo Shu escort you back.”

With that, he and Lu Xun galloped away. The news from Wei was clearly more pressing.

Qi Zhan watched their retreating figures, his tensed nerves finally snapping. He slumped over the horse’s neck, gasping for air. Close one. Faked it again.

He was certain Xie Gebai’s suspicions hadn’t vanished. This ride had been terrifying, but he had survived. But what would the next test be? How many more times could he get lucky? Qi Zhan looked at the empty field, feeling no relief only a growing weight in his heart. Xie Gebai was like a crouching predator, ready to snap his neck the moment his disguise slipped.

He had to find a way out, and fast.

After Xie Gebai and Lu Xun left, the atmosphere in the palace side-hall was heavy enough to draw blood. The sunlight filtering through the window lattices illuminated Xie Gebai’s iron-cold profile and Lu Xun’s anxious, confused expression.

“General! Withdrawing now is no different from handing over half of Qi to the State of Wei! We fought through blood to get here. Are the soldiers’ sacrifices to be for nothing?”

Lu Xun’s voice trembled with agitation. He was trying to suppress it, but his frustration was palpable. I’ve planned this to the very end! A war is about to start, but this man won’t take the bait? He wants to retreat? What does that make me?

Xie Gebai stood by the window, his voice devoid of emotion. “The Wei vanguard has already crossed the Sui River. They are only three days away. The old King of Qi surrendered his cities for help; Wei has a righteous reason to intervene, and their momentum is strong. Our forces are stretched thin, and our supply lines are struggling. If we are trapped in Linzi, it will be a true death trap.”

“But General!” Lu Xun took a step forward. “We aren’t without a fighting chance! Linzi’s walls are high and the moat is deep; it’s enough to hold out! If we hold for a month or two, reinforcements from Chu will surely arrive…”

“And then what?” Xie Gebai turned, his gaze like a cold blade cutting into Lu Xun. “Even if reinforcements arrive, we’ll just be stuck in a stalemate with Wei on Qi soil? Letting the State of Zhou to the west and Yan to the north sit back and reap the rewards? Lu Xun, look clearly! The world isn’t just Qi, Zhou, and Chu! We cannot swallow the entire Qi Kingdom. Being able to take the wealthy lands of Jianghuai is already the greatest victory of this campaign! One mustn’t bite off more than one can chew!”

His voice rose, carrying suppressed fury. Failing to catch the old King and instead being outmaneuvered by him to bring in Wei had already left him frustrated. Lu Xun’s questioning now felt like a direct challenge to his authority.

Intimidated by Xie Gebai’s aura, Lu Xun’s lips moved, but he still insisted: “But to just leave like this—how do we face the fallen soldiers? Are we not just making a wedding dress for Wei to wear?”

Xie Gebai sneered, a cold and sharp smile. “You think I want to give them this victory? The battlefield changes in an instant. A commander must know when to advance and when to retreat! To die defending an isolated city, gambling the lives of the entire army, is the ultimate irresponsibility! I must be responsible for the Chu people who follow me.”

He walked to the table and pointed to the Huai River line on a rough military map. “Retreating here, relying on the river to digest the lands we’ve occupied and letting the troops recover that is the superior strategy! So what if Wei gets Linzi? Will the remnants of Qi truly submit to them? They will soon find that they’ve chased away a wolf only to invite a tiger! Then, internal chaos will erupt on its own!”

Lu Xun looked at the map, then at the unwavering determination in Xie Gebai’s eyes. He knew further argument was useless. He knew Xie Gebai; once a decision was made, there was no turning back.

He let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion and helplessness. “The withdrawal will be hasty. What about that ‘Consort Chen’? Taking her might slow us down or cause complications…”

At the mention of Qi Zhan, Xie Gebai’s eyes flickered. He remembered the seemingly fragile yet surprisingly resilient figure from the stables. He remained silent for a moment before his voice returned to its usual coldness: “She is not Consort Chen. She is a Princess of Chu. Naturally, she will return to Chu lands. Lu Xun, my army will not suffer ‘complications’ because of one woman.”

Blindly following beauty! Absolutely blinded!

Lu Xun was fed up. He had been an undercover agent for years, yet he wasn’t as successful as this other spy. Who could he even complain to? That woman is literally here to cause complications for you! Lu Xun bit back a curse and turned to leave.

“Go arrange the withdrawal. Move quickly. We must move out before dawn tomorrow,” Xie Gebai ordered, his voice decisive, ending the explosive meeting.

Lu Xun could only obey and strode away. Left alone in the hall, Xie Gebai’s brow remained furrowed. He didn’t regret the decision to retreat, but an indescribable feeling a sense of something slipping out of his control quietly surfaced in his mind.

The opportunity came more suddenly than expected. That night, the atmosphere in the palace shifted. The sounds of footsteps, horses, and clashing weapons were much louder than usual. Torches illuminated the palace walls, and the air was thick with the tense, murderous energy of an army preparing to move.

Qi Zhan’s heart stirred. He had a vague guess. He sent Fu’an to investigate quietly. When Fu’an returned, his face was pale, and his voice was a whisper: “Sovereign, it’s a mess outside. Everyone is packing. I—I heard them talking… it seems they’re moving out!”

Moving out? Xie Gebai is retreating? Qi Zhan’s heart pounded wildly.

It made sense. Xie Gebai’s hasty departure today was likely due to an emergency. The old King had brought in the “wolves” of Wei. No matter how strong Xie Gebai was, his numbers were limited. Deeply invading Qi was risky, and now with Wei involved, he would be caught between two fires if he didn’t retreat to consolidate his gains.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!

An army on the move is a scene of utter chaos the perfect time to fish in troubled waters and escape this cage! He suppressed his excitement, his mind racing. How do I run? Where do I go? Even in a retreat, Xie Gebai wouldn’t leave an “important person” unguarded. Luo Shu was likely still close by.

“Fu’an,” Qi Zhan’s eyes sharpened. “We have to go. Now.”

Fu’an shivered. “N-now? Sovereign, there are soldiers everywhere…”

“It’s because there are soldiers everywhere that it’s messy and easier to run!” Qi Zhan interrupted. “Go, quickly. Find two sets of common soldier uniforms. Be fast, and be stealthy!”

Seeing Qi Zhan’s resolve, Fu’an knew there was no other choice. Gritting his teeth, he slipped out into the chaos. Qi Zhan scanned the room. He couldn’t take many valuables they were too eye-catching and heavy. He picked only the smallest, most expensive pieces of jewelry and tucked them into his robe. He also wrapped the remaining snacks and dried meat from the table in oil paper and stuffed them into his sleeves.

Soon, Fu’an returned clutching two sets of dusty, old uniforms, his breath ragged. “Sovereign… I s-stole them…”

“Change!” Qi Zhan didn’t hesitate, immediately undoing his own silks. There was no time for second thoughts.

The two scrambled into the soldier uniforms. They washed off the exquisite makeup with water and used a cloth to smear dust over their faces to darken their complexions. Qi Zhan tucked his long hair into the cap and pulled the brim low.

“Listen, Fu’an,” Qi Zhan grabbed his shoulders, his eyes burning. “Whether we live or die depends on tonight. Stay close to me. No matter what happens, don’t make a sound, and don’t look back!”

Fu’an nodded heavily. His lips were white with fear, but his eyes held a desperate resolve. He would protect his Prince, even if it cost him his life.