Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 124

Ye Xuejin appeared lost in thought. “When a relationship is shallow, one should not speak deeply. Qianhua is still evaluating me; I didn’t glean much from our exchange just now. However, one thing is certain: her ambition is immense.”

Tao Qianhua had referred to herself as “this subject” and maintained a low profile in her words and deeds. Yet, her responses were watertight. Their verbal sparring had ended in a draw.

Yun Chi was slightly surprised and couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration. As expected of a heroine, Tao Qianhua was another individual whose intellect bordered on the demonic. Like Ye Xuejin and Qi Mingyan, she was a formidable opponent.

“However, after being apart for so long, it is a rare reunion. I shall trouble the Consort to prepare a few bottles of fruit wine tonight,” Ye Xuejin said, stepping out from behind her desk. “Come, we should go hear Mingyan’s report on the situation in Mozhou.”

As the saying goes, “courtesy before force.” Some matters would naturally come to light tonight.

Yun Chi followed her out. As they exited the study, they saw Shi Niang dropping to her knees directly before Tao Qianhua.

Tao Qianhua looked startled. Seeing Ye Xuejin emerge, she said apologetically, “I’ve made a spectacle of myself before Your Highness. I only wished to have a chat with Shi Niang, but she knelt down without saying a word.”

Shi Niang looked conflicted, silently lowering her head.

Ye Xuejin understood immediately: the dilemma between a new master and an old one. Tao Qianhua had mentioned the incident but omitted her own reaction, essentially tossing the problem back to Ye Xuejin.

Although the rank of a Noble Consort was roughly equivalent to that of the Eldest Princess, Tao Qianhua had traveled thousands of miles to the Southern Border. If she intended to submit, a clever person wouldn’t kick the ball back to Ye Xuejin. Was Tao Qianhua not clever? Of course not. She was simply showing her hand—her ambition was bold, and her courage was even greater.

Ye Xuejin did not disappoint her, making no move to tear down this facade. “Shi Niang, you shall stay by Qianhua’s side from now on. She was your master first, after all.”

Shi Niang looked up in a daze, her voice hesitating. “Your Highness…”

Tao Qianhua’s eyes immediately welled with tears. “Shi Niang, I have always treated you like a sister. I only wanted a private word with you; why must you push me away so coldly? Even Her Highness has given her consent—will you still refuse?”

Shi Niang suddenly understood. She stood up and explained hurriedly, “I am dull-witted and have saddened Your Ladyship. I beg for your punishment.”

She had been foolish. Since Her Highness had spoken, it meant she had permission. Furthermore, Tao Qianhua and Ye Xuejin shared a deep bond; even Shi Niang’s mission to protect Ye Xuejin had been ordered by Tao Qianhua. She realized that loyalty to the Princess and honesty with the Noble Consort were not mutually exclusive, as the Princess had approved it.

Tao Qianhua finally broke into a smile. “Call me ‘Eldest Miss’ as you used to. Do not be so formal. Come, follow me to my room so we don’t delay Her Highness’s schedule.”

“Yes.”

Tao Qianhua scanned her surroundings and consciously walked toward a side room in the corner.

Seeing this, Yun Chi lowered her voice and asked, “If she asks Shi Niang about Zhu Yan…”

Then their efforts to send Zhu Yan away early today would be meaningless.

Ye Xuejin chuckled softly. “It matters not. I am only afraid she won’t ask.”

That kind of subtle testing might work on a Tao Qianhua without ambition, but for the current Tao Qianhua, it made no difference. A determined person cannot be kept in the dark forever. It was better for her to ask and find out everything, so she would know how to make her choice.

When Qi Mingyan met them, she gave a concise report: “Inspector Wu was skeptical of Wu Hu’s words, but he was already well aware of Your Highness’s intent to rise. Once he heard that Commandery Princess Yi of Caozhou was also at Your Highness’s disposal, he pledged his loyalty. These are the troop registries for Mozhou, and here are the records of their grain and fodder…”

She produced several account books and handed them to Ye Xuejin. After reviewing them, Ye Xuejin felt reassured. Inspector Wu had been thorough, proving his submission was genuine.

“The Court yesterday appointed Zhou Chuan, the Duke of Zhen, as the General Who Pacifies the South,” Ye Xuejin said. “He is leading fifty thousand elites from the Zhongzhou Guard to the Southern Border. Mingyan, how do you suggest we deploy our forces?”

In the Southern Border, because of excessive imperial interference, Caozhou had only ten thousand elites. Mozhou was small and also had only ten thousand. Yangzhou, due to Zhu Yan’s grand designs, had twenty thousand. On the opposing side, Zhou Chuan was a veteran general with a reputation for brilliant tactics.

Forty thousand against fifty thousand—normally, the odds would not be favorable.

However…

Qi Mingyan thought for a moment and confirmed, “War inevitably drains the treasury and hurts the people. Does Your Highness wish to avoid a major conflict?”

Ye Xuejin nodded. “As for wealth, the treasuries of the three provinces need not be touched; I have my own arrangements. As for the people, unless absolutely necessary, I truly do not wish to cause widespread suffering.”

With this assurance, Qi Mingyan mused, “It is unrealistic for the Duke of Zhen to take the mountain paths directly to Yangzhou or Mozhou. He will surely take the plains to strike Caozhou first, then move on to Mozhou or Yangzhou. The terrain is flat. In my humble opinion, five thousand of the Caozhou Guard will be sufficient.”

Ye Xuejin smiled. “Five thousand against fifty thousand? What are the odds of success?”

A smile touched Qi Mingyan’s lips as well. “With the Princess Consort’s assistance and the people currently in this manor, the odds are very high.”

The Inspector General’s Manor in Yangzhou was currently a “den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.” They had black gunpowder, women skilled with repeating crossbows, guards with stun batons, and sniper rifles that could take a life from eight hundred meters away—not to mention their bulletproof vests. If used correctly, these were all “miracle troops.” In a battle of the few against the many, the unconventional leads to victory. And they had no shortage of the unconventional.

Ye Xuejin nodded. “Though the Duke of Zhen will likely strike Caozhou first, we must not leave Yangzhou and Mozhou unguarded. Mingyan, I leave the arrangements to you.”

“Your Highness can rest easy,” Qi Mingyan replied confidently. “I shall not fail my mission.”

In the corner side room

Tao Qianhua looked at Shi Niang with a face full of sorrow. “Shi Niang, there was no news from you for so long. Do you know how worried I was? Worried for you, and even more for Her Highness, fearing something terrible had happened.”

A flash of unease crossed Shi Niang’s face. “Eldest Miss, this subordinate is guilty.”

Tao Qianhua shook her head. “We are like sisters. Do not be so distant.”

Shi Niang lowered her head in shame. She had originally been a minor escort who failed a delivery and was rescued by Tao Qianhua while fleeing an ambush. The Eldest Miss had not only saved her life but brought her to the Prime Minister’s Manor and taught her much. When the Eldest Princess fell into trouble, Tao Qianhua had entrusted her with a great responsibility, yet she had failed to complete her mission properly.

“Eldest Miss, I have let you down.” Her mission was to protect the Princess and send all information about the Princess back to the capital. She had only done the first part.

Tao Qianhua sighed softly. “Shi Niang, I have known Her Highness for many years and understand her character. She has always been steady in her actions; I understand. You must not speak such nonsense again.”

She had guessed the truth when Shi Niang stopped sending messages. The person she had painstakingly cultivated had defected to Ye Xuejin. In a sense, the lack of news was the news. She didn’t blame Shi Niang; she only felt regret.

Shi Niang was consumed by guilt. “Eldest Miss, I know you have always kept Her Highness in your thoughts. Ask whatever you wish to know; I shall tell you everything.”

Tao Qianhua lowered her eyes. See? she thought. The prerequisite for honesty is her belief that I care for the Princess. The Eldest Princess’s charisma and leadership were indeed extraordinary.

“Tell me,” Tao Qianhua said. “What has happened on this journey?”

Shi Niang organized her thoughts and recounted the important events.

“After arriving in Yangzhou, I imagine Her Highness faced many difficulties?”

“After arriving in Yangzhou…” Shi Niang began.

As Tao Qianhua listened, her eyes narrowed. “This Chief Secretary Zhu Yan secretly hoarded a massive amount of black gunpowder? It is fortunate Her Highness had the help of a ‘deity.’ This man cannot be underestimated; he is best kept right under her nose. I trust Her Highness has not let her guard down?”

Shi Niang nodded. “Chief Secretary Zhu stays in the study of the outer courtyard. Her Highness indeed does not fully trust him yet.”

Upon hearing this, Tao Qianhua took Shi Niang’s hand. “Shi Niang, I will not hide it from you. My father is foolishly loyal, and the Emperor lacks the bearing of a wise ruler. My reason for coming to the Southern Border was a premonition that the world will fall into chaos. I wanted to persuade Her Highness early on. Now it seems I worried for nothing; Her Highness surely has a plan of her own.”

Hearing this, Shi Niang was completely relieved. “Your Ladyship’s intuition is correct. Her Highness is in need of capable people; you have come at the perfect time.”

She knew it! The Eldest Miss admired the Princess so much; she had surely come to offer her services.

Tao Qianhua smiled. “If I can share Her Highness’s burdens on this trip, then my journey will not have been in vain.”

Divine favor, black gunpowder… the Eldest Princess’s great cause can be achieved…

Tao Qianhua knew exactly what she had to do next.