Chapter 1038: If Ning Jing dies, I die (1/2)

Han Yunxi said, “Mu Linger is my most treasured little sister. I too, came to this decision after careful consideration. Head Elder, this northern campaign is crucial to our success or failure. You should know that neither East nor West Qin can afford to take risks.”

“But…” Before Head Elder could speak, Han Yunxi cut him off. “Besides the safety of the hostages, does the Di Clan have any other reasons to convince me with? This matter’s already been set!”

Ning Cheng didn’t give them any suggestions for the punitive expedition north. It was Long Feiye who first suggested going in spring, which had delighted the members of the Di Clan. In reality, Ning Nuo and Head Elder were both clear that the best time to head north wasn’t the start of spring, but the start of summer.[1]

First, as Northern Li was located in the north of Cloud Realm Continent,[2] it was chilly. Its early spring was akin to winter to the central and southern regions. Thus, the start of summer was the best season because all the ice would have melted. It also rained less than the south, making the temperatures just about perfect. Sending out troops then could avoid plenty of issues for soldiers unused to the climate.

Next, the end of spring, approaching summer was a ripe time for growing grass. What laid behind Jun Yixie’s forces was the southern and eastern regions of Northern Li. Once battle began, the horses’ feed supply would be affected by the fray.

Third, Jun Yixie and the Northern Li emperor were currently approaching a stalemate. It would save them a lot of trouble for the man to tire out his troops over the course of two to three months. Besides the hostages, Ning Nuo and the head elder couldn’t find any other arguments, much less things to convince Han Yunxi. Long Feiye drank his tea in silence while Han Yunxi waited patiently. Tang Li and Gu Beiyue were quiet as well.

Ning Nuo and Head Elder had made all sorts of preparations before this trip, but never expected Long Feiye and Han Yunxi to give them this! Although they couldn’t refute Han Yunxi, they found it hard to accept the situation. Perhaps it was now that Han Yunxi truly understood the “cruelty” that Long Feiye had undergone. Seeing the two men silent for so long, Han Yunxi added in a merciless tone, “Then we’ll do it this way. Have everyone nurture themselves well for the next few months so they’re thoroughly prepared.”

Head Elder was shaking his head while Ning Nuo was muttering. “Princess, suppose...suppose my big brother and Ning Jing can’t come back?”

“That won’t happen!” Tang Li leaped to his feet. “Definitely not!”

Ning Nuo laughed coldly. “How can you guarantee that? On what grounds?”

Tang Li’s voice was ice. “Then I’ll swear it on my life! If Ning Jing lives, I live, and if Ning Jing dies, I die!”

Ning Nuo was stunned. A moment back, he assumed that Tang Li had sacrificed Ning Jing for the sake of East Qin. Now he was rendered mute.

“Tang Li, remember your words today!” Ning Nuo said before tossing his sleeves and walking out.

“Young Master Nuo! Young Master Nuo!” Head Elder chased after him. “Young Master Nuo, how are we explain this to everyone else?”

Ning Nuo smiled sardonically. No wonder Long Feiye chased them all out. If the rest of them were here, they’d explode at the news. This left him and Head Elder to be outspoken by the rest. Now they were responsible for convincing the rest of the Di Clan too.

“Just say that those were the princess’s orders. Didn’t my big brother say that we’d listen to everything she said?” In the end, Ning Nuo ended up pushing the blame onto Han Yunxi. He had no other way since the Di Clan couldn’t launch a rescue on their own.

The rest of the Di Clan delegation rushed to meet them as soon as they emerged, but Ning Nuo stopped their questions cold. “We’ll take when we get back. Go!”

Everyone was lost, but seeing Ning Nuo’s unhealthy pallow, they didn’t dare to ask any more questions. Young Master Nuo always loved to smile, so something huge must have happened.

Once the Di Clan members were gone, Long Feiye remarked, “You and Tang Li will definitely gain infamy.”

“Let them talk as they please. I’ve got a guilty conscience, so they ought to speak upt,” Han Yunxi smiled freely.

A guilty conscience?

Long Feiye gave a start before he laughed out loud. “What a guilty conscience, indeed!”

He had heard his share of the saying, “having a clear conscience while letting others say as they please” as a form of solace, but this was the first time he’d heard of having a “having a guilty conscience while letting others say as they ought.” It was a magnamious statement. How many people in this world actually had a clear conscience? If one wasn’t guilty towards events, then it could be towards people or even oneself! Instead of blabbing about clear consciences, why not let people comment as they please while being aware of right and wrong?

Gu Beiyue looked at Han Yunxi with fond eyes mixed with admiration. The princess was as broadminded as any man! If she hadn’t ran into Long Feiye, she might have ended up as a female emperor in her own right. A discussion that should have started with swords drawn and bows bent was resolved in a few statements, courtesy of Long Feiye’s overwhelming momentum and Han Yunxi’s ruthlessness. Of course, Ning Nuo and Head Elder would have enough trouble convincing the rest of the Di Clan just by saying “the princess ordered it.” Heaven knows what kind of unrest would rise within their ranks.

But Long Feiye and Han Yunxi couldn’t deal with that anymore. Han Yunxi would wait until the chaos settled down before having Ning Nuo deliver another letter to Tiger’s Den to inform Ning Jing of their choice. When the time came, it would be worth having Bai Yuqiao risk a message to Ning Cheng about the exact news.

Now that the Di Clan had been shelved, Xu Donglin spoke up. “Your Highness, princess, tomorrow is Lunar New Year’s Eve. Shall I pass on orders to make preparations?”

Han Yunxi had originally planned to spend the New Year with Gu Beiyue and Tang Li, but completely forgotten while being busy with other things.

“No need to make a fuss. Just have the kitchens prepare the traditional reunion dinner for New Year’s,” Han Yunxi instructed.

Tang Li was in no mood to celebrate at all, so he needed company more than ever. It was much better to share a table and eat and chat instead of leaving him to pine for loved ones far away. Baili Mingxiang overheard from the sidelines and didn’t say a word. However, she spent that night busying herself in the kitchens long after everyone else had gone to bed.