Day 18: “Infiltrations(1)”

I have Zhao Mingxia's personal maid inside the clinic, she seemed to be panicking. I made warm Oolong tea for the two of us and sat in the opposite direction, "Now, tell me. Who are you and what happened?", The maid introduced herself as Chang Wenqian. She has served Zhao Mingxia ever since they were little. She claimed that the new Marquis, Qin Zihao, had visited the eldest princess this morning, and threatened her to marry him.

"They used to be childhood sweethearts but now he has changed and become arrogant. Although, the princess told me not to say a single word about this, in order to defend that man. However, this lowly one thinks the princess deserves better...", Chang Wenqian tilted her head and said, "Although I don't really trust you, Her Highness seems to be smiling because of you. Truth be told, I have never seen the princess smiling ever since the first queen's death. It was also the first time she had talked about someone happily... if she chooses you, then, please save the princess. This lowly one will do anything the physician ask.",

"You know that even without you begging, I will rescue Her Highness myself.",

"Then, you have to be quick, because she will be married by the end of December.",

"That's a week from now on!",

I tried to calm myself and think clearly, there must be something that I can do. Though, the fact that Zhao Mingxia still cares about that man hurt my heart a bit. However, there are more pressing matters to be handled.

"The servant can rest assured, I, Xun Jinyun, swear to rescue the princess from an unwanted marriage.",

"This lowly one thanked the physician.",

After escorting the Chang Wenqian to the gate, I immediately returned to my office. Let's see, based on what we know, Qin Zihao, is a Marquis due to his technique in pressing the Huns to the core. He even spoke about taking over the Hun's main tribe. This means either he had something that could make the Huns run in terror, or there is something more than just chopping their heads. But what is it?

"Jinyun, are you there?",

Liao Yan suddenly showed up while bringing a jar of wine. Seeing that I'm present, Liao Yan entered the office and placed the wine jar on my table.

"I couldn't sleep, let's drink.",

"Liao Yan, can you help me sneak into the army at the border?",

"Did you hit your head or something? Why would you want to sneak into the border?!",

I explained everything regarding what Chang Wenqian had said earlier. Liao Yan furrowed his eyebrows and said displeasingly, "This Marquis sure is cocky. There must be something going on in the border.",

"Yeah, that's why I need to sneak into the border and see what's going on by myself.",

"I'm in. With my title as Li Xiang's secretary will allow me to travel there.",

"Thanks, Yan. Counting the day, we need around two days to arrive at the border, which means four days of journey, we only have about two or 3 days to investigate the border.",

"Don't worry, I'm familiar with hidden objects and other things. Let's depart at dawn, it'll be quite a long journey.",

Liao Yan created a fake permit letter with Li Xiang's fake hand sign. Honestly, if the emperor knew about this, we would be beheaded after the investigation.

"On second thought, let's just sneak into the army.",

"Why?",

"This letter could backfire us in later dates.",

"Then, we should dress like your shadow guard.",

Hold on a minute, that's right, I have a shadow guard who's always monitoring me. I tried to call the shadow guard, and what appeared was the same woman who brought the treaty with Narantuya.

"You're an expert at sneaking around, could you help us to the border?",'

"You're not supposed to know me. It means I fail my mission.",

"What is your mission?",

"To protect you quietly from any danger.",

"Then, isn't this still count as your mission? I'm about to risk my life going to the border for the princess.",

The woman clad in black clothes opened her mask. Her face was pretty with smooth skin and piercing eyes, making her look like a dominant type.

"Then, perhaps we should discuss how to infiltrate properly.",

"This subject thanked the miss.",

The next day we departed at dawn, we rode with our steed, and headed towards the gate. Surprisingly, there was general Li Xiang waiting with her horse.

"Liao Yan, I remembered you asked for a month's leave to help physician Xun with his project, is this what you meant by helping?", Li Xiang moved her horse to walk circling us, "Planning to infiltrate the borders and gain evidence of a Marquis's foul play? Are you wishing for death?",

"It was this subject's idea. Don't blame, Liao Yan.",

Li Xiang drew her sword and pointed it to my neck, "You are not allowed to intervene. It was up to his choice to decide to help you. He must take responsibility for his own actions.",

Liao Yan dropped off the horse and kneeled before Li Xiang, "This subordinate apologize for his rash actions and is willing to accept any punishment.",

"Good, now, I will strip you of your ranks.",

Liao Yan raised his head and was about to say anything, however, Li Xiang intervened, "This is the least I can do, you tried to fake my permit letter and even bringing Her Majesty's personal worker to the army at the border. If I didn't intervene, your head will be chopped down by this morning.",

"Hold on, this whole operation was--",

"Shut up, Jinyun. This... is my business. General, I will accept the punishment and will no longer be your secretary, thank you for all the teachings you have taught me.", after saying those words, Liao Yan kowtowed three times before Li Xiang.

I don't know if I'm just imagining it, but Li Xiang seemed sad and there was sadness in her eyes. Suddenly, she stared back at me and glared, "Now, what is your plan?",

I wasn't planning to tell my plan to a general who blindly serves the kingdom. The woman who had been silent this whole time finally spoken, "The eldest princess knew about your plan and asked general Li to support the idea.",

"Well, I wonder who has told her about this news.", my words were pregnant with sarcasm.

"The princess trust your judgment, which is why she supported your plan.",

"Alright, anyway. Since we have general Li and Liao Yan here, it means we can infiltrate easily. First, general Li and Liao Yan went straight ahead to visit the Marquis while I and the shadow guard infiltrate from the back's door.",

Liao Yan smirked and said, "You got the idea from the movie again, didn't you?",

"It ain't stupid if it works.",

Liao Yan laughed and nodded, I took a look at the woman and she nodded as well, which means the idea itself was actually able to be implemented.

"Hold on, Liao Yan is no longer a soldier.", Li Xiang said hurriedly.

"Yes, but the army at the borders didn't know about it… yet.", I winked at Li Xiang and Liao Yan, Liao Yan laughed even more and said, "You're so dead.", anyway, Li Xiang hadn't approved of my idea at first, but seeing that there's no way else, she agreed.

The four of us discussed more regarding the infiltrations with plans A and B, once we're done, we're ready to go to the borders. Along the way, we encountered many homeless people and kids begging for money and food. I was about to give them a coin, but Liao Yan stopped me and said, "There are more pressing matters than them.", then whispered, "They've got friends to strips all your money.",

"You're right. Let us be on our way.",

I couldn't blame them for resembling a pack of wolves, you need to do everything you can in order to survive the harsh world and shelter yourself from the cold wind. It is also like that in the modern world, but with different kinds of survival methods. It took us exactly 2 days of journey to reach the borders. Li Xiang gave a sign for us to go separately and do as planned.

"Good luck, Jinyun. Don't get yourself killed.",

"I could say the same for you, Yan.",

We both bro-fisted before going separate ways, let's dig a mud at this guy's camp!