635 Palace (1/2)

The Second Consort was sitting alone in her tent. It was late at night but she was still dressed and felt sleepless. And every once in a while someone would come in and report with news.

The Royal Court was like a great pride of lions, in which the young lions were openly fighting to be the new king while the old king was showing signs of death but had not expired yet.

The Second Consort clearly felt her inherent weakness as a woman at this moment. She had the ambition, the army, and even the supporters but she could only remain inactive. At such sensitive times, her intervention would only bring her disputes whether she won or lost.

Like the pride, the male lions competed for the throne while the lionesses looked on. They always had a way to control the new lion king but never interfered or choose the king.

The Second Consort wished she could have a choice.

A female soldier dressed in leather armor and a scarf walked in. ”The armies of King Rizhu and King Kuari have joined the battle. As you predicted, the other lords are so timid that they are all staying in the craftsman's area as onlookers.”

”This means that the two kings haven't finished fighting yet.”

”King Rizhu has many generals and ample soldiers and is sure to win.”

The Second Consort smiled. The female soldier chose what she wanted to hear and didn't understand that what she badly needed right now was the truth. If King Rizhu was sure to win, then the other kings would not choose to simply look on. ”Is there anything unusual happening in the north?”

”Nothing unusual so far. The state of alertness in the palace was raised but there's no sign of cavalry being mobilized. The lords have all kept their promises and haven't transferred any soldiers to the north. The protection of the Flower Camp is even stricter than that of the palace, not even a fly could enter.”

The Second Consort waved the female soldier away and continued to consider the various possible results of the current situation as well as the most advantageous countermeasures.

”She thought that the Second Consort wanted King Rizhu to win.” A voice came from behind.

The Second Consort looked back and wasn't particularly surprised. She smiled instead, and replied, ”Even a fly could not enter but the Dragon King can. Is your kung fu too good or did my subordinates betray me?”

”Your subordinates don't think I'm a threat, and it's in your best interest to have it so.”

”The first signs of betrayal are when the servants begin to think for their master and act on their own. Haha, why does that sound like something the Khan would say? Alas, I've learned a lot from him.” The Second Consort shook her head. ”I knew I shouldn't have let my subordinates hang around the female soldiers of the Land of Fragrance too much.”

”I'm here to end what should have ended then.” Gu Shenwei revealed his purpose.

The Second Consort turned around and looked at the young Dragon King. ”We haven't started yet. What's the so-called end of it?”

”Our alliance is already dead because of your lies, so it doesn't matter if it has really 'started' or not.”

The Second Consort was neither angry nor ashamed of the accusation. ”Yes, I sent Luo Ningcha to the Khan. It was an order I had to follow. I didn't tell the Dragon King because the Dragon King didn't seem interested in that woman.”

”It's not just about her.”

”Hehe, the Dragon King is trying to trick me into confessing but I don't understand. Why not just say it? You can give me a cut if I don't tell the truth. The Royal Court is very lively tonight and I will not die alone anyway.”

”The Norland has been intercepting the messengers of the Dragon Army.”

”Believe it or not, but I've never heard of such a thing and I don't know what intercepting a messenger would do.”

”Was it your idea to send Duodun to the Western Regions?”

”The old man told you? Yes, it was my idea. And it is also my credit that brought this son into the Khan's attention. No matter how that old man thinks or how he envies, I'll marry Duodun, as a result for all the years I've served him and for all the suffering I've endured.”

The Second Consort put it bluntly with a firm expression as if those who opposed her would become her enemy. Then she softened her tone and continued, ”It's not bad for you and has no effect on our alliance. Once Duodun becomes the Khan, you will be the king of the Western Regions. We can continue to join hands and wage a war with the Central Plains. Weren't you a man of the Central Plains before? You can become the emperor of the Central Plains.”

This scene was so far away that even the Second Consort felt it was too illusory, so her eyes lit up, hoping to strengthen her persuasion with an expression of excitement.

Gu Shenwei wasn't interested in it so he went straight to the next question, a question he was very concerned about. ”The Khan has arrested several people related to me. I think that they are kept here.”

”Women?” The Second Consort's eyes became brighter. All of a sudden, this news seemed to be more important than the battle of the kings that was going on in the Royal Court.

Gu Shenwei nodded.

”I knew that the Dragon King was an affectionate man. That's why I chose to ally with you.” The Second Consort showed real excitement and even took a step towards the Dragon King, forgetting that the other side was a killer. ”I heard that you beat Golden Roc Castle with the help of the female soldiers of the Land of Fragrance. Ever since then I thought that you were special. You trust women, and in particular, you trusted your enemy's daughter. You two fell in love, didn't you?”

”That's not why I came to you.” Gu Shenwei poured cold water onto the Second Consort's fantasies with a cold tone. ”I need a reliable ally in the Norland, not a woman who cares more about love than strength.”

The Second Consort put away her smile but her expression was still ambiguous. It was as if she had found something in common with the Dragon King, and with that, the two had suddenly come to understand each other. ”I hope that I can help you, and I'll spare no effort to help you. Shangguan Ru has been missing for a long time but she's not in the Flower Camp. Indeed, hiding women in my place would be the most convenient but you forget that the Khan is the most cunning fox on the prairie who has at least twenty or thirty caves, and each of them can hide over a dozen women. But you are right to ask me for help. No one knows the Khan better than I do. Give me a day, and I'll find them no matter how many there are.”