After paying the carriage driver, Ji Man hastily got off the carriage. She straightened her clothes, then went to the entrance to look for the jailer. After messing around in Zhangjun for so long, she had established some contacts here. But, it wouldn’t be good to go bother those people in the middle of the night, so she went straight to using money as a temporary expedient. 

  After a lot of persuasion, she finally gained access to the imperial prison. However, when she said that she was looking for Ning Yuxuan, they all said that there wasn’t a prisoner by this name. 

  It was probably because his imprisonment was a top secret, so the common jailers wouldn’t know? Ji Man thought it over and bribed them with more money. “Sir, could you help me out and let this one see the people that were arrested today?” 

  Once enough money was given, the jailer became quite easy-going. He led her into the prison and allowed her to walk around. The imperial prison wasn’t a place that enforced strict and fair discipline. There were plenty of people that came here to settle personal vendettas. The row after row of torture tools that were hanging on the wall were quite terrifying. Ji Man’s heart felt increasingly heavy as she walked here. However, after searching through the entire place, she didn’t see Ning Yuxuan. 

  Did Wu Yong lie to her? No, that couldn’t be possible. Then, Ning Yuxuan must have been locked up in a secret location, and it wouldn’t be a place that she could gain access just by using money. 

  Ji Man left the imperial dungeon in dismay. She felt a bit regretful. He was a man that would do important things. As a woman, why had she messed things up for him? If Ning Yuxuan met his end here, it would be such a waste. If one day, someone wrote Marquis Moyu’s bibliography, she would be written as the femme fatale that brought disaster. 

  After returning to the prince’s estate, she asked around again, but no one knew where Marquis Moyu had went. Ji Man didn’t sleep well that night and even had a nightmare before waking up. She couldn’t remember what had happened in that nightmare and only felt lingering fear. 

  — 

  To her surprise, Guibai came over when she was eating breakfast. 

  “The marquis has already left the city.” Guibai looked at her with a stern expression as he said, “He wants me to say something to Mister Ji on his behalf.” 

  Left the city? Stunned, Ji Man felt as if a large stone had fallen down in her heart with a loud thump. Great, she hadn’t actually harmed him. 

  Ji Man slightly smiled as she asked, “What’s the message?” 

  Guibai lowered his head. He was probably mimicking Marquis Moyu’s expression. “My lord said, 

  “I came from far away with a heart full of hope, 

  but all my expectations and efforts have been dashed to nothing. 

  The past three months had felt like three years. 

  Once we met, I would rather go back and wait another three years.” 

  Ji Man’s smile slightly stiffened, and the corners of her mouth slowly went down. In the end, her lips twitched, and she chuckled. “The rhyming isn’t very good. It could use some work.” 

  Guibai deeply bowed at her, then he turned around and left. 

  The weather was chilly today, and snowflakes were fluttering down. Ji Man stood at the doorway, and white mist came out with each exhale. She looked at the sharp edge of a distant building and couldn’t help laughing lowly. 

  It was good to not show forgiveness. She wouldn’t relent to him, and he shouldn’t show her affection. After all, she was only a passerby, and she didn’t want to leave behind any reasons for sorrow. 

  — 

  The army sent by the imperial court was already stationed at Xi River when Ning Yuxuan arrived at the army camps. 

  Seeing his cousin’s unpleasant expression, Ning Mingjie chucked and asked, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you rush to come here? Why do you seem unhappy?” 

  Ning Yuxuan expressionlessly answered, “It’s too cold. I’m frozen stiff. I can’t move my face.” 

  Ning Mingjie wasn’t sure how to respond. He gestured for him to come over. “I’ve sent people over to Zhangjun to announce the imperial decree, but looking at their stance, a battle is inevitable. I’ve already written a military report requesting for reinforcements. The report is on its way to the emperor now.” 

  “En.” Marquis Moyu went over to the side to look at the pile of correspondence on the desk. He lightly said, “Let’s bide our time and wait until the imperial court has sent reinforcements before attacking Zhangjun.” 

  “That’s what I was thinking too.” Ning Mingjie slightly smiled. “This war will probably last a long time. Who knows how old our children will be by the time we return?” 

  Ning Yuxuan froze in surprise for a moment. Thinking of how Haohao was still in the palace, he couldn’t help sighing. 

  Zhangjun Prince refused to accept the imperial edict, tightly closed the city’s gates, and gathered the twelve surrounding cities with Xi River as a boundary line. He threatened to purge the emperor’s court of its evil officials as his political slogan for fighting against the current regime. 

  This news traveled to the capital, and the emperor was furious. He sent the requested reinforcement to Ning Mingjie and put the dowager empress under house arrest. Zhao Li also wanted to take the opportunity to deal with Xiao Clan. 

  (T/N: Just in case it was too long ago, the dowager empress is Zhao Zhe’s mother, and Xiao Clan is her maiden clan.) 

  The news quickly spread from the imperial court to the commoners like smoke. Xiao Clan had a centuries-old foundation, so how could it be possible to remove it in a single move? Xiao Tianyi incited the common people, and the civil and military officials also jointly petitioned to protect Xiao Clan. It was only now that Zhao Li woke up from his dream. When he swept his gaze over the imperial court, he realized that most of the officials that had once been loyal to him had been pulled to Xiao Clan’s side without him noticing. 

  He had previously arranged for his own people to take over duties in the Six Ministries. To his surprise, other than the people in the Ministry of Revenue, most of those people had become traitors. Every one of them was saying that Prime Minister Xiao was a good official that worked for the benefit of the common people and the country and that Xiao Clan couldn’t be harmed. It was a clan that had always taken on the responsibility of supporting the reigning emperor. 

  Under this pressure, Zhao Li could only back down and leave Xiao Clan alone. 

  After he gave Kangyuan Junzhu the rank of virtuous consort, her father, Yong’an Prince, took the opportunity to enter the capital and serve the emperor by lending his troops to Ning Mingjie. Surely, this would help Ning Mingjie seize Zhangjun. 

  As a result of all this, the situation in the imperial court suddenly became tense. Zhao Li was at a loss. When he turned back to look, it had already been a long time since Pengyue was willing to see him while Kangyuan was whole-heartedly devoted to him. It was only…… He didn’t know why. His heart felt empty. 

  — 

  An endless stream of reinforcements were sent to Zhangjun, but Ning Mingjie continued to bide his time. By the beginning of spring, there were already fifty thousand soldiers camping outside of Zhangjun’s city. The grain reserve was running low, and the imperial court was struggling, but support continued to be provided. The emperor had sent four imperial edicts to order Ning Mingjie to start attacking as early as possible, but Ning Mingjie ignored them. 

  — 

  Spring was already heavy in the air when the war against Zhangjun finally and officially started.

  Chapter 408 – Taking on the role of a femme fatale that brings disaster (1) 

  The battle took place on Xi River. In the first battle, Ning Mingjie and Ning Yuxuan split the army into two parts and caught Zhangjun unprepared. The enemy’s side lost five hundred people. It could be considered a minor victory. However, when Ning Mingjie was writing the battle report, he said the enemy had lost five thousand soldiers, and the army had passed through Xi River. Only the general and assistant general knew what was written in this report. The two cousins had a tacit understanding. 

  When the emperor received this report, he was very pleased. He had originally been feeling annoyed that Ning Mingjie had ignored his imperial edict four times, but he let bygones be bygones due to this swift and major victory. The emperor even personally prodded the rear end part of the supply chain to transport more grain in order to avoid the soldiers not having enough food. 

  However, the cost of grain hadn’t gone down at all during this period. Yan Buba was helping Ji Man by manipulating the amount of grain that entered the capital. Any excess of grain would be sent to Zhangjun. Because the remaining supply was less than the demand, the unit price of rice had risen to sixteen silver coins. 

  The imperial court had set out an order to purchase two and a half bushel of grain at ten silver coins, so Yan Buba secretly purchased grain at a price of thirteen silver coins per two and a half bushel of rice. Since the tenant farmers no longer had grain to sell, the imperial court could only purchase the grain from the rice merchants. As a result, Yan Buba ended up being imprisoned again in the imperial prison. He wouldn’t come to an agreement with imperial court over the price of the grain. 

  Once Yan Buba was arrested, Ji Man wrote letters to all of the rice merchants in the capital to instigate them by saying that the imperial court was using Yan Buba as an example to scare them into obedience. If they didn’t respond now as a group, they might not even be able to protect themselves and their families’ lives, much less earn a profit. How can they care about selling grain once that happened? 

  As a result, one by one, the rice merchants fled the capital, and there was no one left to sell or buy grain from. Even the families of officials, who had money, weren’t able to eat much good rice. Faced with layer upon layer of pressure, the officials once again released Yan Buba. With a body full of injuries, Yan Buba went straight to calculating how much additional salary he should demand from his boss. 

  — 

  Watching the distant battlefield from a bystander’s detached point of view, Ji Man thought this war was going very strangely. Why weren’t they fighting? There wasn’t a trace of tension in Zhangjun. There were even water lanterns being released in the Xi River in the evening. How was this the ambience of war? It was clearly more like people playing house. 

  However, Zhangjun Prince didn’t show any signs of relaxing. He was reaching out to various titled princes and his former subordinates while seriously deploying troops to battle with Ning Mingjie. 

  Ji Man had received grand praise from Zhao Zhe for her assistance in causing a complete mess in the capital. Since that time, Zhao Zhe had treated her a trusted confidant. Wherever he went, he would bring her along. He would even occasionally jokingly ask her questions like, “Do you remember what this prince had said to you back then?” 

  What he had said back then? Zhao Zhe has said plenty of things to her. How was she supposed to know what he was referring to? She smiled to indicate for him to finish his thought, but Zhao Zhe meaningfully turned his head away and left her guessing as if this was a joke to him. 

  However, since he had left the logistics of supplying food to her, Ji Man could be considered quite busy each day. Once she got busy, it wasn’t easy to think about more complicated things. 

  The past few months of war had gone by in a flash. Neither side had suffered significant casualties. Most of the times, the battles would just cut off, and each side would stay on their side of the river to cook and barbecue. It was just like a camping trip. 

  After three months of this, Ji Man finally found out why this war had been going about so calmly. 

  Zhao Zhe brought her along to Tianxian Building to see an important guest. When the doors to side room was pushed open, Ji Man saw Marquis Moyu。 

  He was the same as before, but there wasn’t much of a smile on his face. When he saw her, he slightly froze in surprise, and his eyes brightened a bit. “Mister Ji.” 

  It really had been three months since they last saw each other. Ji Man awkwardly smiled and obediently stayed behind Zhao Zhe. 

  As soon as Zhao Zhe entered the room, he teased, “Look at you. You didn’t see me but saw Mister Ji first. Marquis, your eyes can see quite far.” 

  These two people, they had already been colluding?! Ji Man was shocked. When had this happened? Why hadn’t she noticed this at all? 

  Slightly annoyed, Marquis Moyu looked away. He was still feeling angry about last time. Although he had been the one testing her last time, she truly showed no signs of holding him in her heart. Was his life that worthless to her? If he was a bit more foolish and had genuinely placed his life in her hands, would she have still so easily betrayed him? 

  Ning Yuxuan sat down on the side and lightly replied, “Your Highness, please excuse this one. This one just called out in curiosity because it was surprising to see that Mister Ji’s face hasn’t changed at all.” 

  Zhao Zhe raised his eyebrows. He turned his head back and glanced at Ji Man before nodding. “That’s certainly true. It probably feels really uncomfortable always having to wear that mask, Sangyu?” 

  It had already been a long time ago since someone had last called her Sangyu. Ji Man slightly froze in surprise. It took a long time for her to return to her senses. She chuckled and said, “It’s fine once this one got used to it. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.” 

  Zhao Zhe glanced at Ning Yuxuan, then he looked at her again and said, “It won’t be long. The road between Zhangjun and the capital is almost done, and that path to the capital will be unimpeded. The current emperor is fatuous and tyrannical. He had harmed his own henchmen and falsely accused his faithful officials. When this prince enters the capital, this prince will return justice to Nie Clan, and you can return to living with your original identity, Sangyu.” 

  Ji Man stood up and deeply saluted him. “Thank you, Your Highness.” 

  Zhao Zhe looked at Ning Yuxuan again before smiling and saying, “Marquis, you were probably feeling extremely helpless back when you were forced to divorce Sangyu. Once our goal is completed, this prince will personally return the two of you back to your happy marriage. What do you think?” 

  Ji Man froze in surprise, but Ning Yuxuan slightly smiled and said, “Thank you, this one is deeply honored by your kindness, Your Highness.” 

  “Marquis, you’re probably in a dilemma over your heir being in the palace.” Zhao Zhe sighed. “In the end, second imperial brother isn’t very sensible. How could he use your son’s life to threaten you?”


  Chapter 409 – Taking on the role of a femme fatale that brings disaster (2) 

  Right, Haohao was still in the palace. What would happen to Haohao if Ning Yuxuan and Zhao Zhe started messing around? Ji Man was somewhat anxious, and she looked at Ning Yuxuan with anger. 

  Ning Yuxuan said, “Since Haohao is in the palace, this one will need your Highness to act out a good show with me when you breach the capital.” 

  In Zhao Li’s eyes, he was someone that had never betrayed him. Ning Mingjie had been the one that continued to hold the army back and wouldn’t send them out, and he was the one that repeatedly urged his older cousin to listen to the imperial edict. However, the army was under Ning Mingjie’s control, and there was seemingly nothing he could do about it. The spies in the army should have already conveyed his attitude to the emperor by now. 

  “Of course,” Zhao Zhe said, “This war has already lasted a while, and it’s time for a victor and a loser. Marquis, what kind of excuse should we use to have Ning Mingjie withdraw the troops?” 

  Ning Yuxuan’s expression slightly sunk. He glanced at Ji Man and seemed somewhat unhappy. “Your Highness, since you brought her here today, do you still need to ask this one this question?” 

  “Isn’t it because I was concerned that you would be unhappy about using her as the reason?” Zhao Zhe loudly laughed and patted his shoulder. “I know that your heart has Sangyu, and you’re reluctant to push her out. But, you can see that she’s the most suitable person. Didn’t you dig up that box in Feiwan Courtyard a long time ago? It’s time to have someone hand that box over to the emperor to be used as foreshadowing.” 

  Ji Man was startled. What box? 

  It couldn’t be the box that she had buried a long time ago? The one that was filled with portraits of her that had been painted by Ning Mingjie? How did they know about that box? 

  She quickly raised her eyes to look at Ning Yuxuan, but the latter was busy contemplating. There was coercive pressure in Zhangjun Prince’s gaze. He had obviously already decided there was no other choice that could be made. Nie Sangyu was the only reasonable excuse for why these two cousins would turn against each other. 

  “Alright.” Ning Yuxuan furrowed his brow and said, “Qing-er will make the arrangements in the estate, and I’ll have a falling out with Mingjie in the next half month. Mingjie will retreat with the army and go back the capital, and I’ll follow after the army at a delayed pace.” 

  “Okay,” Zhao Zhe agreed with a smile. “The prime minister’s gaze was very accurate. Yuxuan, he was sure that you would be willing to help me. As for the things that happened before, let’s let bygones be bygones.” 

  Ning Yuxuan stood up and saluted Zhangjun Prince. His gaze was thick with worry when it drifted over to Ji Man. 

  Ji Man hadn’t fully understood the latter part of this conversation. Why had they dragged her into it? Did this count as her being struck by a bullet that she had buried? Why were they using her as an excuse? Just because Ning Mingjie had drawn some portraits of her? And, what was the situation with Mu Shuiqing? Hadn’t she originally been Zhao Zhe’s minion? Why did it seem like she had become loyal to Ning Yuxuan? 

  Ji Man was somewhat muddled-headed by the giant pile of questions. When they walked out of Tianxiang Building, she didn’t even notice that the nearby Zhao Zhe had left already, and only Ning Yuxuan was left. 

  “Last summer, I decided to plant qiangwei flowers in Feiwan Courtyard and had the servants till the soil. I didn’t expect that they would dig up a box.” Ning Yuxuan kept his gaze looking ahead and softly said, “He’s really has feelings for you.” 

  (T/N: It’s mentioned in chapter 15 that the qiangwei is Nie Sangyu’s favorite flower.) 

  Ji Man returned to her senses and looked around. There weren’t other people around by the willow riverside. The surface of the river had almost frozen over. 

  Ning Yuxuan’s side profile was very good-looking, and white puffs of condensation came out as he talked, “Zhangjun Prince’s intention is for me to use someone to inform the emperor that Mingjie had already fallen in love with you a long time ago. And then, it would be expected that Ning Mingjie would withdraw the army because Zhangjun Prince was using you to threaten him. I’ll act as a person that doesn’t care about my relatives and who has pledged my life to helping the emperor stay on the throne. I’ll write a letter to the emperor to clearly state Ning Mingjie’s betrayal, which will force Ning Mingjie to side with Zhangjun Prince. After that, I’ll return to the capital.” 

  Luckily, Ji Man was able to understand this long list and her position in all this. She nodded her head and said, “So, what you’re saying is that I can return to my original appearance, and I don’t have to crossdress as a man anymore, right?” 

  “En.” Ning Yuxuan’s stride suddenly quickened a bit. “Take off your mask once you go back to where you’re staying.” 

  Ji Man was somewhat at a loss. She had been wearing this mask for too long and almost thought of herself as a man. Finally…… Nie Sangyu’s face could be seen in public again? 

  So, she no longer had to hide her identity, and this information could no longer be used against her. Even if Liu Hanyun betrayed her, or if Wen Wan regained her memories, no one would be able to threaten her by exposing her identity. 

  She let out a big sigh of relief. However, a new problem soon arose. Would she end up with a bad outcome if she took on the role of a femme fatale that brought disaster? 

  As soon as she thought of the endings of various femme fatales in ancient times, Ji Man couldn’t help shivering. 

  Ning Yuxuan glanced at her. He reached out and held her hand. When his big, warm hand wrapped around her icy hand, she felt warmth spreading through her body. 

  Ji Man slightly paused, but she didn’t pull her hand out. She only lowered her head to seem as if she contemplating and didn’t say anything. 

  Ning Yuxuan’s lips curved up into a smile, and he brought her back to Zhangjun Prince’s estate. By the time Ji Man took off her mask, changed into a woman’s clothing, and came out in high spirits, he had already left. 

  Instead, it was only Guibai standing there. This time, there was finally a smile on his face. “My lord said that he would be too reluctant to leave after seeing you, so he left first.” 

  These weren’t the words that his master had told him to pass on, but Guibai felt that these altered words conveyed his master’s thoughts more accurately.