The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 86 - Bold

"If there was no way, I wouldn't have brought it up," Song Chuyi said coldly, watching the Tartar soldiers fight desperately without a hint of softness in her eyes. She spoke quickly and urgently, "But since I've helped you so much, how will you repay me?"

Is this really just an eight-year-old girl?! Ye Jingchuan's eyes widened. He himself was only a twelve-year-old boy, who usually talked about inheriting his father's legacy and going to war, but still had some childish habits and innocence. Yet, this girl, who should have been living a carefree life like all the pampered young ladies in the capital, worrying about nothing more than spilling her grandmother's tea or secretly wearing her mother's jewelry, was already discussing state affairs.

But her gaze was firm, and her words were not at all like a little girl's joke. The aura she exuded was almost as imposing as his mother's.

Is the Marquis of Changning's mansion raising every girl to be a future noble consort? He thought involuntarily, sneaking a glance at the motionless Song Chuyi, coughing a few times, unsure whether to make a decision.

Song Chuyi waited for a long time without hearing Ye Jingchuan's response. She turned to look at him steadily and then smiled, "Are you waiting for your retainer to arrive before making a decision? I wonder if he gave you any good advice when you sneaked into Tongzhou?"

Yes, this disaster was caused by Ye Jingchuan himself.

The King of Zhennan couldn't stand his persistent pestering and sent him to Zijing Pass to train with his uncle. But he kept looking for opportunities to lead his men out, occasionally provoking a few Tartar soldiers for fun.

This time, it led to trouble. A group of Tartar soldiers broke through a damaged section of the city wall and rushed into Zijing Pass, making their way into Tongzhou.

So Ye Jingchuan brought his men to clean up the mess, hoping to resolve the issue without alerting the elders.

This little girl was frighteningly clever. Ye Jingchuan frowned and glared at her, feeling somewhat indignant, "How do you know everything?! Like you can predict the future."

Thanks to living another life, Song Chuyi had developed a thick skin. She couldn't say she was clairvoyant, so she just smiled and shook her head, "You stationed yourself in Tongzhou early, refused to alert the court or report to the Ministry of War, and even refused to inform the King of Zhennan. I pieced these things together and guessed correctly."

The situation outside hadn't changed; the battle was still at a stalemate. Although Ye Jingchuan had brought many men, the Tartar soldiers were fierce and persistent, holding out for nearly half an hour without breaking.

"Archers, ready," Song Chuyi ordered. The windows of all the rooms around the granary were pushed open, revealing numerous bows and arrows.

Before Ye Jingchuan could react, Song Chuyi had already waved her hand and ordered, "Release!"

Seventeen guards unhesitatingly drew their bows and released their arrows, which swiftly and accurately pierced into the bodies of the Tartar soldiers.

The situation instantly reversed again. Ye Jingchuan's men raised their shields and desperately hacked and slashed at the Tartar soldiers.

After the last incident at Huangjue Temple, Qin Chuan had specifically led the guards in the mansion to practice archery, which was now coming in handy.

"It seems now that it's almost impossible for me not to take your advice." Ye Jingchuan glanced out the window, finally putting away his light-hearted attitude. "I just don't know what kind of help you need from me."

"It's not difficult." It seemed she had been waiting for this sentence for a long time, as Song Chuyi immediately spoke up, "I just want to borrow some manpower from you to help me with two things."

This little girl was so strange that the tasks she wanted to accomplish were probably not simple. But thinking about the trouble they were in now, Ye Jingchuan weighed his options and decided to see if Song Chuyi's suggestions were worth it. "So, what method do you have to keep my uncle and me out of this?"

"Hasn't Xingfu from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs troubled your uncle many times already?" Song Chuyi smiled at him, her eyes sparkling so brightly that he couldn't look directly at her. "Why not push the trouble onto him?"

Xingfu was someone who had received many benefits from Prince Duan and only did bad things, never good ones, which was quite rare.

Yuan Hong, who was appointed as the commander of Zijing Pass, had been extorted by Xingfu several times when he came to the capital for business. Yuan Hong had a bad temper and almost beat Xingfu up on the spot each time, but it was Zhennan King who mediated and prevented any incidents.

If they could push the trouble onto Xingfu and make him suffer, it would be a great thing. Ye Jingchuan thought about it excitedly but then felt a bit disappointed. "How can things be so simple? This old fox is highly trusted by the emperor, and he currently holds great power, even overseeing the three major camps. Even my father has to greet him with a smile."

"No, it really is that simple." Song Chuyi looked at Ye Jingchuan with a serious expression. "As long as you listen to me, I guarantee that Xingfu will take a big fall. He might not be down forever, but it will take him at least a few years to recover."

Ye Jingchuan felt he must be crazy to listen to a little girl say such things, but he had a gut feeling that Song Chuyi wasn't exaggerating and really had a way.

"Things can't get any worse anyway." Song Chuyi noticed his hesitation. "If this matter blows up, it will be difficult for Zhennan King to protect both you and your uncle. One of you will definitely be sacrificed. Xingfu, that old fox, has never had a good relationship with Zhennan King. If he makes some moves, forget about going to Fujian to fight the Japanese pirates, it will be hard just to stay alive."

Knowing exactly how to hit where it hurts, Ye Jingchuan gave Song Chuyi a somewhat resentful look, puffed up his cheeks like a steamed bun, and after thinking for a long time, finally slapped the table and agreed.

After all, he wouldn't be at a loss. No matter how capable Song Chuyi was, she couldn't possibly ask him to pluck the sun from the sky, right? It wouldn't be worse than being tormented to death by that eunuch Xingfu.

"Go ahead, as long as you don't ask me to kill or set fires, I'll do whatever you want!" He patted his chest and agreed. "But don't deceive me. Although I'm easy to fool, my father and brother are not!"

Yes, she almost forgot that this innocent young man had a brother-in-law as cunning as a fox. Song Chuyi chuckled, reached out, and high-fived Ye Jingchuan to seal the deal. "It's a deal. I guarantee that Xingfu will take the fall for this."

The battle outside was already clear. Most of the Tartar soldiers were killed, and a few were captured, their hands tied behind their backs and thrown to the ground as prisoners.