Chapter 126: The Northwest, The Fairest of Them All

“Attack the Northern Di?” Yun Yi’s expression shifted, and Xie Mingyu and Wen Renyuan were equally taken aback.

“Your Highness, Meng Tianxu has long intended to unite the other three kingdoms into a coalition to confront the Meng family army. Among the four nations, Xiliang in the west and Nanzhan in the south have already shown signs of restlessness, but the Northern Di has remained cautious and undecided. By acting this way, aren’t you forcing the Northern Di to cooperate with Meng Tianxu?” Yun Yi voiced his concerns, his face filled with disapproval.

Meng Yuanheng scoffed disdainfully, unfazed. “So what if that’s the case? Doesn’t Meng Tianxu want a four-nation alliance? Then I’ll just fulfill his wish. I fear he’s too weak; otherwise, the game won’t be worth playing.”

A coalition of four nations—what of it? He would wait calmly in Jingzhou City and see what they could do to him.

Meng Tianxu, He Liancheng, Mo Hanshan—every one of those who played a part in Mo’er’s fall from the cliff—he would exact revenge on them a hundredfold, a thousandfold.

The three present exchanged glances, their expressions grave. This man now seemed to embrace a mindset of chaos, intent on stirring unrest throughout the land.

Was he truly willing to sacrifice all the people under heaven as a tomb for that departed gentle woman?

Xie Mingyu’s refined and gentle countenance had not eased since arriving in Jingzhou City. On the journey here, he had witnessed countless scenes of war and turmoil, the devastation of livelihoods. The northwest, once never prosperous, was now even more desolate, a dreadful wasteland. And the cause of it all was the man before them, who appeared lazy but was in truth ruthless, issuing commands that brought ruin.

Was this man transformed into what he was now all because of Mo’er?

His grandfather had once told him that though Prince Xuan seemed patient and aloof, there was a violent spirit lurking beneath his brows. Given the right trigger, he might erupt.

Seven years ago at the Onikawa River, he had experienced a sudden calamity, plummeting from the pinnacle of life to its depths. Though he chose strength and endurance over these years, his prolonged solitude and seclusion only nurtured the violent energy within him. Since Mo’er appeared by his side, he cherished her as his life, believing that his once dim and bleak existence had finally found hope and color. Alas, fate was unkind. Perhaps it was Mo’er’s death that unleashed the long-suppressed rage in his heart, compelling him to vent his sorrow and fury through unending bloodshed.

Thinking of his cousin, so intelligent, brave, and perceptive, Xie Mingyu was overcome with sorrow.

Back in Suzhou, he had refused to accept Mo’er’s death, but upon arriving in Jingzhou, his heart gradually hardened. So many had searched for nearly two months without a trace; reason told him she was likely gone.

Could it be that heaven was jealous of her beauty?

He sighed softly, then spoke thoughtfully, “Before coming to Jingzhou, my grandfather told me that Prince Xuan is no ordinary man—both a civil sage able to stabilize the country and a martial hero who can unify the realm. Given time, he will surely achieve great deeds. If Mo’er’s spirit watches from heaven, she surely would not want to see His Highness fall into despair…”

“Xie Mingyu!” Meng Yuanheng lifted his gaze, his eyes suddenly turning icy cold. “My Mo’er is not dead. If you say she wouldn’t want me to despair, then bring her back. Bring her back to stop me. Also,” his tone deepened, “how can a man who cannot even protect his own wife deserve the lofty praise of Mr. Piaomiao?”

He would not allow anyone, not even the Xie family, to question Mo’er’s fate in his presence.

What use was talent in governance and war? Even if he conquered the whole world, with whom could he share it?

Seeing the man tense up at the mere mention of Shen Qianmo, becoming prickly as a hedgehog, the three present fell silent, unsure how to console him. The study grew quiet.

At that moment, a voice sounded outside the door.

“Your Highness, subordinate Yan Mo requests an audience.”

“Enter,” came a low command, tinged with faint hope and urgency.

The study door opened, and Deputy Commander Yan Mo of the secret guards strode in, radiating coldness. Behind him followed Leng Aoshuang, clad in sleek black armor, still as stunning as ever.

Since arriving in Jingzhou with Xie Mingyu, Leng Aoshuang had joined the secret guard’s search party for Shen Qianmo. Upon entering, she headed straight to Xie Mingyu, shaking her head slightly at his questioning gaze. The relentless days and nights of searching had added a trace of fatigue to her exquisite beauty, but sorrow weighed more heavily.

The journey had been bitterly cold and dusty. Xie Mingyu clasped her chilled hands in his own; his scholarly, handsome face looked even more burdened.

Meng Yuanheng turned to Yan Mo, his voice low. “Your Highness’s consort… any news?”

Yan Mo bowed his head. “None so far…”

Silence lingered.

After a moment, a voice tinged with desolation issued an order: “Continue the search.”

“Yes, subordinate obeys.”

As Yan Mo bowed to leave, a flat, emotionless voice interrupted from outside the door: “Master, a woman claiming to be Jiang Xiaolian requests an audience.”

Meng Yuanheng frowned, his cold, lonely gaze clouded with confusion. Jiang Xiaolian? Who was that? He couldn’t recall ever hearing the name.

Seeing this, Yun Yi knew Meng Yuanheng had no impression of the woman. He kindly explained, “Your Highness, Jiang Xiaolian is the daughter of Jiang Tianyu, the governor of Jingzhou. It is said she is not only the most beautiful woman in Jingzhou City but in the entire northwest…”

“Throw her out.” Before Yun Yi finished, a sharp, unhesitating order came.

Yun Yi rubbed his nose, knowing this would be the reaction from Meng Yuanheng.

But why would Jiang Xiaolian seek an audience? Could it be love for a hero again? Had she taken a fancy to Meng Yuanheng?

Yun Yi’s eye twitched. If that were truly the case, all he could do was light a candle for the northwest’s fairest beauty and hope she fared well.

Yet, clearly, Yun Yi’s prayers were in vain. The impassive Chang Dong lacked experience dealing with persistent women like Jiang Xiaolian. Soon, a melodious voice rang out outside the study door, sweet as an oriole from the valley.

“Prince Xuan, Jiang Xiaolian, daughter of Jingzhou Governor Jiang Tianyu, requests an audience with important military intelligence to report! Prince Xuan…”

Well, Jiang Xiaolian was indeed tenacious, using important military intelligence as an excuse to see Meng Yuanheng. The others exchanged glances, then turned to the man behind the desk, his sharp brows furrowed ever tighter, icy eyes flickering with a hint of killing intent. They silently shed a tear of sympathy for the northwest’s first beauty, shouting so loudly outside.

Only they knew how dangerous this man truly was beneath his serene exterior.

But killing Jiang Xiaolian might severely damage the Meng family army’s reputation among Jingzhou’s people.

Jiang Tianyu had served as governor for over ten years, renowned for diligence and devotion to his people, earning great respect. This was why, when the Meng family army took Jingzhou, Meng Yuanheng had only ordered Jiang Tianyu’s family imprisoned rather than executed.

If Meng Yuanheng killed Jiang Xiaolian in a fit of anger, Jiang Tianyu would not let it go easily. The Meng family army might then lose the hearts of the people.

Yun Yi was genuinely afraid of this man who killed on a whim. He stood and looked at the close-knit pair of Xie Mingyu and Leng Aoshuang holding hands, and the stern, unwavering Wen Renyuan. He sighed internally, realizing he alone would have to be the scapegoat.

Reluctantly, he said to Meng Yuanheng, “Your Highness, perhaps I should go out and send her away, to prevent her from causing more noise and disturbing the peace?”

Meng Yuanheng didn’t even lift an eyelid, only coldly snorting, tacitly agreeing.

Seeing no objection, Yun Yi straightened his clothes and stepped out of the study like a brave martyr going to his fate.

Not far from the door, Chang Dong firmly blocked a woman dressed in a light pink satin fitted jacket under a few wintersweet trees. The woman was Jiang Xiaolian, acclaimed as the northwest’s most beautiful.

Seeing a dashing young gentleman in white approaching, Jiang Xiaolian’s face brightened, but when she recognized his features, a flicker of disappointment crossed her enchanting phoenix eyes.

Though the man was handsome, with refined brows and a graceful bearing, he was not the one she desired—the cold, icy man with eyes as deep as the sea, whose every movement radiated dominance and nobility, even with his hair snow-white. His silver strands fluttering in the wind only underscored the profound love he bore for his deceased wife, stirring the hearts of women like Jiang Xiaolian, who awaited their fate.

If only she could become the beloved of that man, would she too receive the kind of earth-shattering, unforgettable devotion he had for the late Princess Xuan?