Departure Beyond the Northern Border (1)
Departure Beyond the Northern Border (1)
"General Sheng."
"Ji Sheng," Gao Ling called out. When they were in private, she would call Prince Ji Sheng with his real name directly. She had gotten the permission, so she had to make use of her privilege to the fullest.
Prince Ji Sheng nodded his head. He looked at the two of them then shifted to Wei Liuying. "Xian will depart with Yan, so you have to reach the gate in half an incense stick time."
Wei Liuying nodded. "I understand, General Sheng."
Gao Ling pursed her lips. "Are you saying that Liu Ying will have to leave so soon?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"They're going to have a short visit at the north. In the meantime, you'll have to stay here, Ling'er."
The soldiers from Gao City couldn't be trusted fully. Even though most of them were loyal soldiers under General Gao, there were still some of them who were spies from other factions. Prince Ji Sheng didn't want to risk Gao Ling got hurt if she were to return back to Gao City.
Gao Ling nodded. "That's easy. I just need to make up an excuse to my father and stay here for a longer period of time. But since I'll be staying here, shouldn't you also start to train me in archery again, Ji Sheng? I feel like my skills have turned rusty after not touching the bow for so long."
"If you want to, I can teach you personally."
"Aren't you busy?"
"I can make the time for you."
Hearing their conversation, Wei Liuying felt as if she was seeing two completely different people than those whom she knew from a long time ago. Then again, she knew that they would always act like this whenever it was only the two of them.
'Am I treated as an air here?'
At the very least, Wei Liuying knew that both of them trusted her enough to make them could disregard her presence when they were their real self. However, she felt that she would just become the third wheel if she stayed here any longer. Rather than torturing herself, she better just left.
"I'll be going to see Strategist Yang now, General Sheng. Please excuse me."
Prince Ji Sheng finally shifted his attention back to Wei Liuying. "Before you go, I want you to be careful in your journey. If they ever found out that you're visiting the north, you'll be an even bigger target than Xian."
Wei Liuying pursed her lips. If people talked about Strategist Liu, they would be thinking of a way to rope him in. He had only stayed with Prince Ji Sheng for more or less half a year's time, so the bond shouldn't be that strong yet.
Besides, Wei Liuying had never showed her undying loyalty to Prince Ji Sheng in public despite the fact that she would not get swayed by other people's offer so easily. After all, she liked here much more than her original place in the past.
"There's no need to worry, General Sheng. I'll never fall for their trap."
"I'm more worrying you'll get hurt."
Wei Liuying blinked her eyes and glanced up. Prince Ji Sheng was looking at her with his dark iris that seemed to be able to see through her. Somehow, within his cold gaze, Wei Liuying felt that there was concern. Coming from someone who was so cold and unfeeling like Prince Ji Sheng made it sounded a bit strange.
Slowly, Wei Liuying lowered her head and cupped her hands. "I understand, General Sheng. I'll be careful."
Prince Ji Sheng studied Wei Liuying's expression carefully. Even though she acted like a man, he couldn't help but seeing her like a small animal that was trying to act tough. Probably, it was because her body was really small.
"You should go."
"Yes, General Sheng."
Gao Ling watched Wei Liuying left and pursed her lips. "Why do you have to arrange everything to be moving so fast, ah? I still have a lot that I want to talk with Liu Ying."
"Will it be related to some girl's matter."
"Well… there's that too," Gao Ling admitted and looked away. No matter which angle she saw, Wei Liuying still looked like a child that haven't grown up yet, so there were some things that she was worried about.
"Tell me. What do you want to talk to him?"
"I want to ask if he's eating properly or not. He's so skinny and small!" Gao Ling replied with a huff. Comparing the power that Wei Liuying could hold with her small frame, it was always hard to believe that she could be so powerful. Besides, she was so skinny that Gao Ling felt like she was mistreated in the military.
Prince Ji Sheng rubbed his temple. "He's not a big eater, so it might be one of the reasons. However, I can assure you that no one can take his ration."
If anyone dared to bully Wei Liuying, they would have to be prepared to face her retaliation. She was no longer confined under the guise of a meek and obedient lady, but she was a valiant strategist. If they still wanted to be alive, they couldn't possibly offend her in case she would chose to put them in the most dangerous location during war where the possibility of staying alive would be close to zero.
Gao Ling nodded. "She better eat much more. She looks like just bone and skin."
Prince Ji Sheng nodded in agreement. He would just leave a message to Yang Xian later to inform that strategist to make sure that Wei Liuying would be eating a lot during her journey to the north.
…
Wei Liuying chose to eat first before she came to the north. Looking at Yang Xian and Shi Yan, she could guess that they must have debate from their body language. It seemed that Shi Yan couldn't accept Yang Xian coming with him.
"Xian, you know that it's highly impossible for you to come along with me like this," Shi Yan said with a frown. "A lot of people already know your face. If you really think that your meagre make up and disguise can fool them, you need to think twice."
Yang Xian sighed. "Like I say, just leave it to me."
"But you…"
"I can assure you that no one will be able to find me out. Besides, I'll be leaving your group along with Liu Ying when we reach the city where Shi Mo is staying to deliver us message in set interval."
Shi Yan furrowed his brows. Shi Mo has been staying in Xiong Tribe's territory. There was a small city, which was more like a village where a small tribe was living. The location of that tribe's village was right between Xiong Tribe and Han Shi Kingdom. Due to the fact that it was so small and poor, the two sides never tried to take the small village for their own.
Both of their original location was a bit far. Xiong Tribe was also a nomadic tribe who would not want to have set location. They always needed to move to wherever food was. Because of that, they would never want to take over that small and worthless village.
Shi Mo has been staying in that place, disguising as a traveler who lost his way and lived there. This way, he would be able to get information easily and sent it back to Han Shi Kingdom using merchants who came once a month.
"How about Liu Ying?"
"Don't worry, no one will be able to recognize him too."
Shi Yan still looked at Yang Xian with distrust. In the end, he gave up and waved his hand. "You better not drag me to a power struggle of Xiong Tribe, ok."
"That will not happen."