Chapter 411: Guess your lordship’s thoughts (1/2)

Chapter 411: Guess your lordship’s thoughts

Long Tianmo and Mu Qingwu rose to their feet as Han Yunxi entered. It had been ages since Long Tianmo had seen this woman, so he naturally missed her. A glance told him that she had…gotten a little fatter.

Going to the disaster regions was a tasking job on her mind and body, but it was Imperial Qin Uncle who had brought her here. How could he ever allow her to suffer?

Despite the reluctance in his heart, Long Tianmo still greeted, “Imperial aunt.”

Han Yunxi simply nodded and gestured to Long Tianmo to sit.

“Blessings for esteemed wangfei,” Mu Qingwu greeted with his head bowed.

“Young General, please rise,” Han Yunxi’s polite tone only served to emphasize the distance between them.

“Thank you, esteemed wangfei!” Mu Qingwu’s attitude was the same as before. After straightening up, he went to kneel down behind and to the right of Long Tianmo.

Han Yunxi sat by Long Feiye’s side and said nothing, her entire form very quiet. Long Tianmo was planning to talk about the Northern Li affairs, but he forgot all his lines at the sight of her. Although he didn’t like fighting, his stomach was full of hot air at the thought of Jun Yixie, that swine, lusting after Han Yunxi. If there was a chance for him to express his views, he’d definitely support what the Duke of Qin did. Even if they couldn’t kill Jun Yixie, they could at least trap him until he died on Fishery Island!

Unfortunately, he was here under the trust of the emperor once again. As the crown prince of a country, he had a responsibility to the citizens of Tianning. If war really broke out, their people would suffer the most. Compared to Long Tianmo, Mu Qingwu was more straightforward. He hid away all his feelings and rose to a kneeling position with one knee planted on the floor.

Cupping his hands before his chest, he intoned, “Your Highness Duke of Qin, His Highness and this soldier were entrusted by His Majesty and the millions of people living near the Three-Way Battlefield to invite you and General Baili back to the capital. Please join His Majesty for a military conference!”

Mu Qingwu’s words awakened Long Tianmo from his hesitation. He couldn’t help but feel abashed at the fact that the other man had spoken first. Quickly, he added on, “Imperial Qin Uncle, imperial father had me prepare an excellent carriage drawn by eight horses just to invite you and imperial aunt back. Jun Yixie really was a beastly bully, but everyone is still waiting for input from you and imperial aunt on battling Northern Li.”

“What’s there to discuss?” Long Feiye asked coldly.

“War tactics!” Long Tianmo said hurriedly.

But Long Feiye only replied, “Your lordship has never involved myself in affairs of state, much less meddle in military affairs. His Majesty can decide on his own for this matter.”

Han Yunxi sat silently on the side, secretly chuckling inside her heart. Forget about those two, even she was often left speechless by Long Feiye’s passing remarks. Emperor Tianhui really should’ve invited a professional speaker here to persuade him!

Long Tianmo fell silent for a long time before he said, “Imperial Qin Uncle, then General Baili…”

Long Feiye retorted mid-sentence, “Does the crown prince mean to say that it was your lordship who instigated General Baili to surround Fishery Island?”

Now Long Tianmo wasn’t just tongue-tied, but stifled in his heart as well! That was the truth, because General Baili would never have dared to move without the Duke of Qin’s orders. But under the circumstances, he had no choice but to deny it. “No, Tianmo doesn’t mean it that way! I simply want to consult Imperial Qin Uncle about the matter regarding General Baili and how we should take care of it.”

“Your lordship already said that I don’t involve myself in military matters. Go back and ask your imperial father instead,” Long Feiye said mildly as he waved them off.

Long Tianmo was faced with an insurmountable wall! Fortunately, he was even-tempered, or else he would have blown his top like his father before such words. By his side, Mu Qingwu was much more impulsive and said directly, “Your Highness, the citizens on the borders are innocent, and so are the Tianning soldiers stationed there! The soldiers’ pay and provisions are in a critical state, especially with weather so cold at the Three-Way Battlefield. Once war breaks out, the casualties will be unthinkable! I ask that Your Highness thinks thrice!”

Long Feiye allowed Mu Qingwu to get agitated before he gave him a warning glance. “Young General should say these words to General Baili instead.”

“Your Highness!” Mu Qingwu was even a little angry now. “Your Highness, this soldier doesn’t advocate for letting Jun Yixie off. A swine like him is too cheap for a death by the blade. I only hope that Your Highness can return to join in the discussions for the countermeasures!”

At the very least, they’d get some compromise out of the talk so that neither Jun Yixie would be freed, nor war break out! This was the true motive for him and the crown prince. As Mu Qingwu spoke, he stole a glance at Han Yunxi. Unfortunately, she kept quiet. Agitated and angry, Mu Qingwu’s chest heaved, but Long Feiye only replied with a question of his own.

“Your lordship doesn’t involve myself in military affairs. Didn’t you understand what I said?”

Han Yunxi was keeping a quiet tally on the side. Long Feiye had already said this line three times, a sign of his patience towards the duo before them.

Mu Qingwu gave a start, before he said, disheartened, “This soldier understands.”