Chapter 280: Another Encounter With Consort Li (1/2)

Nan Xun paused. His second in command must have come for something important. He ordered a servant to keep anyone from entering his study before making his way to the main hall. Once Nan Xun got out of eyeshot, the servant smiled and entered the study when no one was looking.

He picked up the letter from the desk and memorized every word. Before he could leave, he heard conversation coming from outside the room. Panic flashed through his eyes, but he was well trained. He took a deep breath and opened the window to make a silent escape.

Nan Xun opened the door and walked in as he talked to his second in command about issues within the military. His second in command told him what had happened at the training ground.

Nan Xun frowned and walked to the desk when he noticed the letter was now open.

“What's wrong?” his second in command asked.

Nan Xun told him. The second in command looked at the open window and said, “Perhaps it was the wind.”

Nan Xun wasn't entirely convinced, but as a man, he didn't pay as much attention to details as women did. He nodded and gestured for his second in command to take a seat. He picked up the letter and read through it.

He knew the loving words were merely there to mask her true message, but it still made him smile. His second in command didn't even have to think to figure out who the letter was from.

Jun Huang had been staying in Southern Mu for a while. She believed Nan Jihan could be a good partner and asked Nan Xun if he thought allying with Southern Mu would be a good idea. It'd be ideal if the two countries could conquer Eastern Wu together. They stood a better chance of winning if they fought together, and they could split their spoils and ensure a closer collaborative relations.h.i.+p in the future.

Nan Xun thought about it carefully rather than blindly agreeing to Jun Huang's suggestion. He couldn't reach a conclusion just yet, so he didn't draft a response immediately and instead sent for Qi Yun to discuss the issue.

Both Qi Yun and Ji Bo came. Nan Xun handed Jun Huang's letter to them. Qi Yun's expression clouded when he read the adoring words. He looked up at Nan Xun and only put aside his jealousy when he was sure Nan Xun didn't intend to boast.

“This gentleman thinks she made sense,” Ji Bo said. “If we are to face Eastern Wu on our own, there is no guarantee we'll win, and we may suffer too great a casualties. Then, Southern Mu can become the oriole that catches the mantis. Things will be different if we ally ourselves with Southern Mu.”

Nan Xun and Ji Bo turned to Qi Yun. The prince had to make the final decision. If he found it inappropriate, they'd reconsider.

Qi Yun nodded without hesitation. He was still upset about Nan Xun's relations.h.i.+p with Jun Huang, but he knew to look at the big picture. He wouldn't argue needlessly when he believed the idea was a good one.

With that decided, Nan Xun wrote a letter in response. Since Jun Huang had implied that their communication might have been compromised, he ordered one of his men to personally deliver the letter.

Prince Duan's manor was shrouded in a heavy air. Prince Duan narrowed his eyes at the servant kneeling before him, his eyes sharp and inquisitive, making the servant cower.

“Are you telling the truth?” Prince Duan demanded.

The servant nodded. “This servant wouldn't dare lie. If Prince Nan hadn't returned when he did, this servant would have taken the letter. However, this servant also worried about rousing troubles if I took the letter before the prince could read it. Therefore...”

“Alright, that's enough. You're dismissed.” Prince Duan rubbed at his forehead without another word. The servant sighed in relief and walked away.

A shadow guard walked out from the dark and asked after some deliberation, “Does Your Highness suspect him?”

Prince Duan glanced at the guard, annoyance flas.h.i.+ng through his eyes. He kept his emotions in check since the guard was his confidante and contemplated what to do with a hand supporting his head. “Have a man follow the servant. If there's anything unusual, don't hesitate to take him out.”

The guard nodded silently and went off to put someone on stakeout duty.

Prince Duan stayed in the study for a long time. He thought back to the letter the servant had recited, but he had troubles figuring out what deeper meanings lay therein.

Jun Huang soon received Nan Xun's response. She was glad that he agreed with her. She made her way to the palace after some preparations. She didn't want to waste any time.