newbobooks Chapter 285 Summoning Liu Ruyan from the Northern Border
Chapter 285 Summoning Liu Ruyan from the Northern Border
Inside the Tianqi Hall, candlelight flickered.
Qin Mu sat on the throne, his fingers lightly tapping on the map.
His gaze fell on the place marked "Northern Frontier," and the smile on his lips deepened.
Liu Hongyan.
This name reminded him of many things.
The snowstorm in the northern border, the banquet at the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, and the woman standing behind Xu Longxiang with a touch of heroism in her eyes.
That day, he tested Xu Longxiang by saying he wanted to take her as a concubine.
Xu Longxiang politely declined, citing their "cousin" relationship.
She is Xu Longxiang's woman.
It was a pawn that Xu Longxiang planted in the open to mislead various forces.
It is also one of Xu Longxiang's sharpest hidden weapons.
How could someone like that be given away to someone else?
Qin Mu snapped out of his thoughts, and the smile on his lips deepened.
He never expected to hear her name here again.
"Liu Hongyan..."
He murmured the name softly, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Did Xu Longxiang send her?"
Zhang Julu stood before the long table and nodded slightly.
He said in a hoarse but clear voice, "Liu Hongyan entered Liyang territory half a month ago. She was carrying documents identifying her as an envoy from the Northern Border, saying that she was sent by the Crown Prince to discuss an alliance with Liyang."
"An alliance?"
Qin Mu raised an eyebrow, and the smile on his lips deepened.
"interesting."
"When did you arrest them?" he asked.
Zhang Julu pondered for a moment: "Four days ago."
"Has it been reviewed?"
"I haven't had time yet." Zhang Julu shook his head. "I originally wanted to interrogate him personally, but His Majesty's letter just arrived, and I've been busy preparing for the wedding these past few days, so I've put the matter aside."
Qin Mu nodded.
"Bring the person over here," Qin Mu said.
Zhang Julu was slightly taken aback.
He looked at Qin Mu, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Does His Majesty wish to conduct the interrogation personally?"
Qin Mu nodded.
"Yes," he said.
He paused, his gaze deep and unfathomable:
"I will personally conduct the trial."
Zhang Julu fell silent.
He turned his head and looked at Gu Jiantang.
Gu Jiantang stood to the side, his head still down, his expression unreadable.
He then looked at Li Chunfeng.
Li Chunfeng stood by the window, gazing at the deep night outside, as if all of this had nothing to do with him.
Finally, his gaze fell on Zhao Qingxue.
Zhao Qingxue stood behind Qin Mu and nodded gently.
The movement was very light and subtle.
But this made Zhang Julu's heart clench again.
He took a deep breath.
He turned back to look at Qin Mu.
"Yes," he said.
At this time,
Gu Jiantang suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I shall go instead."
After he finished speaking, he turned around.
The black iron boots pounded on the gold bricks, producing a dull "thump-thump" sound.
A moment later, the footsteps faded into the distance.
Silence fell once again inside the hall.
The candlelight flickered inside the lampshade, casting long, long shadows of the people onto the gold bricks.
Qin Mu leaned back on the throne, one hand supporting his chin, his gaze fixed on the unfolded map.
His fingers gently caressed the spot on the "Northern Border".
The smile on his lips never faded.
Zhao Qingxue stood behind him, watching him like this.
A complex and indescribable emotion welled up within me.
She knew what Qin Mu was thinking.
He was thinking of Liu Hongyan.
I'm thinking about that envoy from the North.
I was trying to figure out how to get more information about Xu Longxiang out of her.
But what made her feel a slight tightness in her chest wasn't this.
Rather, it was the fleeting glint in Qin Mu's eyes when he spoke of Liu Hongyan.
In that light, there was interest, appreciation, and something else...
Something she couldn't explain.
Zhao Qingxue's fingers tightened slightly inside her sleeve.
A vague, unsettling feeling welled up inside me.
Zhao Qingxue took a deep breath and suppressed her emotions.
She knew now was not the time to think about these things.
........
Liyang Imperial City, Heavenly Prison.
This is an ancient prison built a hundred years ago, located in a secluded corner on the west side of the imperial city.
The high walls, built of bluestone, were covered with dark green moss, and the top of the walls was covered with dense barbed wire, which gleamed coldly in the moonlight.
Deep inside the prison cell, in the innermost compartment.
An oil lamp hung on the mottled wall, its weak flame flickering in the darkness, illuminating the small cell with an intermittent glow.
Liu Hongyan sat on the simple wooden bed in the corner, her back against the cold stone wall.
She wore a lake-blue brocade dress, made of the finest cloud brocade from the Northern Frontier. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with exquisite silver cloud patterns, and a white jade belt was tied around her waist, from which hung a small jade pendant.
That was specially prepared by her when she went on a mission to Liyang.
As an envoy from the North, representing the Crown Prince's reputation, his attire naturally cannot be shabby.
But at this moment, her luxurious dress was already wrinkled beyond recognition.
The hem of the skirt was covered in dust, and in several places it was even torn by something, revealing the white petticoat underneath.
The jade belt around his waist was askew, and the jade pendant had been rubbed off at some point, rolling to some corner of the cell.
Her hair was originally styled in an exquisite updo, adorned with a jade hairpin.
But now, her hair bun had long since come undone, and her long, black hair was disheveled and draped over her shoulders, with a few strands clinging to her pale cheeks.
That face was still stunningly beautiful.
Her eyebrows were arched, her phoenix eyes were full of affection, her nose was straight and elegant, and her lips were like cherry blossoms.
Even in this dimly lit cell, even in such a wretched situation, her beauty remained like a burning candle flame, unable to be completely swallowed by the darkness.
But there was no trace of life on that face at that moment.
There was only a hollow sense of bewilderment and a deep, overwhelming weariness.
She just sat there, motionless.
I don't know how much time has passed.
It might be one hour, three hours, or a whole day.
In this sunless prison cell, time seemed to lose its meaning.
Liu Hongyan closed her eyes.
Thoughts surged through my mind like a tidal wave.
She doesn't understand.
I really don't understand.
As an envoy from the Northern Frontier, I have come to Liyang on the orders of the Crown Prince to discuss the specifics of the alliance between the two armies.
This was originally a major event between the two countries.
According to custom, envoys should be treated with courtesy, stay in guesthouses, and be received by special personnel.
But now she's been arrested.
Without any warning.
There was no reason at all.
Liu Hongyan's fingers slowly tightened inside her sleeve.
She recalled the words the prince had spoken to her before she left—
"Hongyan, be extremely careful on your journey to Liyang. The Empress of Liyang is a cunning and shrewd woman, not someone to be trifled with. But you need not be overly afraid, after all, the Northern Territory and Liyang are allies, she will not make things too difficult for you."
She smiled and agreed, saying, "Your Highness, rest assured, Hongyan will definitely handle this matter properly."
But now—
ally?
Is this how allies treat their guests?
A self-deprecating smile curved at the corners of Liu Hongyan's lips.
Having lived in the North for so many years, she has witnessed countless acts of wickedness and experienced countless open and covert attacks.
She thought she was cautious enough, smart enough, and capable enough to handle any situation.
But she never expected that Empress Li Yang would pull this stunt.
The envoy was detained without any reason.
This is a major taboo during an alliance between two armies.
It is an extremely serious provocation that could break the alliance.
What exactly is Zhao Qingxue trying to do?
Could it be—
Liu Hongyan's heart sank suddenly.
Has His Highness the Crown Prince and Empress Li Yang broken up?
That doesn't make sense.
Before she set off, the Crown Prince clearly said that Li Yang had initially agreed to the alliance, and only the final details needed to be discussed.
Her trip was to discuss those details.
How did they break up?
Could something have happened after she left?
Or perhaps—
Has something unexpected happened within the Li Yang Dynasty?
Is the Empress being sidelined?
Is someone planning a rebellion?
Countless thoughts surged through her mind, almost overwhelming her.
But not a single thought could explain what was happening before their eyes.
The more Liu Hongyan thought about it, the more confused and agitated she became.
She suddenly opened her eyes.
Those beautiful phoenix eyes were now filled with complex emotions.
Of course she was scared.
The cell was dark and damp, with moss growing in the corners and a musty smell permeating the air.
Occasionally, screams could be heard in the distance, indicating that some unfortunate prisoner was being tortured.
The screams echoed through the deep, dark prison, sending chills down one's spine.
Liu Hongyan took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
She told herself—
Don't panic.
Do not panic.
She is an envoy from the North, representing the Crown Prince's reputation.
No matter what happens, she must not lose the dignity of the North.
and--
She still has one hope.
His Highness will not let her be arrested and left unattended.
Their alliance hasn't been finalized yet.
If Li Yang dares to do anything to her, then the alliance will be completely broken.
Someone as smart as Zhao Qingxue wouldn't do something so stupid.
and so--
There must be some misunderstanding.
definitely is.
She will be released once the misunderstanding is cleared up.
As Liu Hongyan thought this, the fear in her heart subsided slightly.
But just then—
Footsteps came from the end of the corridor.
The footsteps were heavy and steady, each step firm and resonant, echoing through the deep prison.
Liu Hongyan's heart jumped.
She sat up straight, her eyes fixed on the tightly closed iron gate.
The footsteps grew closer.
Getting closer.
finally--
With a loud "clang".
The iron gate was opened.
Moonlight streamed in from outside the door, illuminating the tall figure.
Liu Hongyan saw the man's face clearly.
Gu Jiantang.
General Gu Jiantang of Liyang.
He was dressed in a suit of black iron armor, with a giant sword as wide as a door hanging at his waist, making him look like a moving iron tower.
The moonlight shone in from behind him, casting a half-light and half-shadow on his resolute face.
Those tiger-like eyes were fixed on Liu Hongyan.
He had no expression whatsoever.
Looking at Gu Jiantang and seeing his appearance, Liu Hongyan felt the anger she had just suppressed surge up again.
She stood up.
I walked to the iron gate.
He met Gu Jiantang's gaze through the open prison door.
Those beautiful phoenix eyes were now filled with a cold, icy light.
"General Gu."
Her voice was cold, as cold as the ice and snow of the North.
"What exactly does your Li Yang Dynasty want?"
She spoke each word slowly and deliberately, each word like a sharp blade tempered with ice:
"Even in times of war between two countries, the envoy is not to be killed."
"Moreover, we in the North and Liyang are allies."
"Is this how you treat the envoys of your allies?"
Gu Jiantang looked at her.
Looking into her phoenix eyes filled with anger, and at her pale yet still stubborn face.
A complex emotion flashed through his mind.
This woman has quite a bit of backbone.
After being locked up for so long, he can still speak with such confidence.
pity--
Gu Jiantang spoke, his voice hoarse and low:
"His Majesty summons you."
These five simple words made Liu Hongyan pause slightly.
His Majesty?
Zhao Qingxue wants to see her?
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.
A summons?
Are they going to let her out?
Still need to—
She dared not think any further.
But no matter what, it's better than being locked up in this dark and gloomy cell.
Liu Hongyan took a deep breath.
The breath she inhaled, carrying the musty smell unique to prison cells, made her more alert.
She looked at Gu Jiantang and said calmly:
"it is good."
Gu Jiantang did not speak again.
He simply turned around and walked towards the end of the corridor.
Liu Hongyan followed behind him, stepping out of the cell where she had been imprisoned for who knows how long.
The moonlight shone on her as she stepped out of the prison gate.
She couldn't help but close her eyes and take a deep breath of the fresh air outside.
The air was filled with the fragrance of grass and trees, the coolness of the night breeze, and a sense of freedom.
Liu Hongyan opened her eyes.
Seeing the tall figure ahead, he stepped forward and followed.
......