Eight thousand arrows

In late May, Chi Ying returned to Yan Prefecture. Little Cui Xian hadn't seen her mother for nearly half a year and rushed towards her as soon as she got off the carriage, sweetly calling, "Mother~"

Chi Ying picked her up, delighted, "Did you miss me, Xian?"

Little Cui Xian kissed her cheek loudly, making everyone laugh. Xiaoqiu, moved to tears, said, "Madam, you're finally back. The little lady misses you every day. If you didn't return soon, I wouldn't know what to do."

"Thank you, Xiaoqiu," Chi Ying stroked her daughter's pigtails, holding her tightly, "Fortunately, you were here, otherwise I would never have been able to leave Xian. This trip to the capital was full of dangers, almost costing both the Prince and me our lives."

Xiaoqiu immediately chanted, "Amitabha, Amitabha, Your Highnesses are blessed with heavenly protection. I prayed daily, wishing for heaven's blessing to protect you. Please don't say such unlucky things!"

Baili Zan also smiled, "After the Prince and Lady left, Miss Xiaoqiu burned incense three times a day, without fail. Anyone passing by the door had to be dragged in to pray to Buddha, otherwise, they couldn't leave."

Cui Xiang, looking pale, was helped off another carriage. Xiaoqiu immediately directed people to escort him to the palace for rest. Baili Zan glanced back and whispered, "Forgive me for speaking frankly, Jing Wang's mother is from the Ye family. Bringing him here may cause trouble within the household."

Empress Xiaoling's mother, Zhong Lüping's grandmother, was from the Ye family. Hearing this, she frowned, "How can you say that, Mr.? The Ye family includes the Prince's maternal grandmother, and he was raised by them. Do you mean the Ye family would harm the Prince?"

Baili Zan knew about Zhong Lüping's arrival from previous letters but didn't expect her to be so eloquent. He apologized with a bow, "Miss Zhong is right, I spoke out of concern for the Prince. I meant no disrespect to the Ye family or Old Lady Ye."

Zhong Lüping grumbled unhappily, but Chi Ying understood and said, "Sister, you're new here, and there are many things I will explain to you later. The advisor is concerned for the Prince, not intending any disrespect. Don't be angry with him. — By the way, where is General Yang? Is he patrolling the city?"

"Oh, during General Cao's absence, General Yang often worked in the fields. The rapeseed planted in spring is ripe now, he's probably still in the fields," Baili Zan replied, "Shall I send someone to call him?"

Chi Ying thought for a moment and decided, "No, it's not urgent today. Sister Zhong must be tired from the journey, she needs to rest."

Baili Zan understood her meaning and smiled, "Yes, rest well, Lady and Miss Zhong. There are still matters to attend to at the government office, I'll take my leave."

After Baili Zan left, Zhong Lüping was still displeased, "Sister, was that gentleman the Prince's advisor? The Prince and Jing Wang share deep brotherhood. How could he say such divisive words?"

"The advisor isn't sowing discord," Chi Ying pulled her hand, walking into the palace gates, "While in Jiangzhou, did you learn about what happened in the past two years?"

Zhong Lüping shook her head, hesitating, "Not... very clearly. Last year, I heard Father and Uncle talking about the Prince marrying the eldest daughter of the Xie family. Later, it seemed the Princess died. Her mother is also Aunt's niece, right?"

Chi Ying smiled, "That's why the advisor is concerned. Honestly, the Ye family has ties with both the Zhong and Xie families, but in the struggle for the throne, they sided with the Xie family. When the Xie family supported the Prince, the Ye family did too. Now that the Xie family has switched sides, the Ye family..." She recounted what Nongyue had told her about the Ye family asking Consort Du to betray Cui Yi.

Zhong Lüping was shocked, "How could this be! My sister treated Consort Du like a sister. Without my sister, how would the late emperor have noticed Consort Du? How could the Ye family be so ungrateful!"

Chi Ying calmly said, "Whether ungrateful or opportunistic, it's their choice. The advisor's concerns are valid. Since Huaiyou is Consort Du's son, he shares the Ye family blood, naturally more worthy of their loyalty."

Zhong Lüping shook her head disbelievingly, then said, "If that's the case, I misunderstood earlier. Will the advisor be angry?"

"He won't be angry," Chi Ying thought, Baili Zan wasn't narrow-minded enough to hold a grudge against a girl defending her family, "Just apologize when you see him. He's not a vengeful person."

Zhong Lüping nodded, then the steward came to inquire about arrangements for Cui Xiang's meals and clothing. She dared not comment further.

Chi Ying arranged for Cui Xiang to stay in the courtyard where Xie Yuchan used to live, with two maids and two servants. He ate the same food as the main residence, but was not confined to the yard. However, he had to be accompanied by servants whenever he went out, not allowed to meet anyone alone.

"Lady, your arrangement aligns with mine," Baili Zan reported on the situation over the past six months the next day, approving of her decision.

He said, "The Prince and Jing Wang's brotherhood is good, but if he lets his guard down because of it, disaster could strike within the household. Your arrangement is perfect, honoring Consort Du's wishes while preventing Jing Wang from betraying the Prince. We can't afford to lose."

Zhong Lüping took the opportunity to apologize, "Yesterday, I misunderstood you, sir, please forgive me."

Baili Zan bowed from afar, smiling, "No offense taken, ignorance is no sin, Miss Zhong needn't worry."

Zhong Lüping smiled shyly, sitting back down, her gaze drifting toward the man standing beside Baili Zan—tall and handsome, wearing simple warrior robes that couldn't hide his radiant aura. Though a general, he exuded no pressure, exactly the young general Chi Ying had mentioned. His lips curved in a smile, but his brows were furrowed, seemingly troubled.

Zhong Lüping blushed and lowered her head after one glance. Yang Qiong didn't notice, continued reporting on camp affairs. There were no major events, soldiers mostly behaved, spending half the day training and half farming. With Chi Ying's reward system, everyone competed for farmwork, and the city's houses were repaired, no longer leaking during rain.

"The first crop of rapeseed has been harvested and handed over to the oil mill. Seeds have been sorted and dried according to farmers' guidance, ready for the next planting season," Yang Qiong spoke calmly, not arrogant or oppressive. Zhong Lüping secretly admired him, stealing glances, growing more fond.

Their reports were all good news, making Chi Ying relieved. During their absence, the Northern Di cavalry harassed nomads near the border but didn't cause significant conflicts. Spring was a productive season, ending in prosperity for Yan Prefecture, promising a bountiful year.

Baili Zan suddenly mentioned, "By the way, Fu Zhi brought back ten thousand stones of rice and eight thousand privately made arrows from Xuanzhou."

Chi Ying was astonished, "Eight thousand!"

Yang Qiong thought she found it insufficient, "Even eight thousand can fill the gap in our supply. For Mr. Fu to obtain so much single-handedly is remarkable."

Chi Ying's eyes widened, "I didn't mean that. Eight thousand arrows indicate Xuanzhou's military preparations far exceed our expectations. Eight thousand might just be the tip of the iceberg, and they're privately made... Did he mention who supervised their production?"

Baili Zan smiled slyly, stroking his beard, "Lady, guess?"

Chi Ying's first thought was Xie Xiao, but the Xie family had been merchants for generations, producing only civil officials, none capable of wielding weapons. Such military equipment would be useless. Upon hearing this, Baili Zan indeed smiled and shook his head, "Guess again?"

Zhong Lüping pondered, "If the Ye family truly plotted to betray the Prince and support Jing Wang, these arrows were likely prepared for that purpose."

Chi Ying's eyes lit up, excited, "Right! Why didn't I think of it? The Ye family and Xie family publicly supported the emperor but secretly backed Jing Wang. Marrying one woman to two men was a ruse to deceive the emperor. Their real goal was to make Jing Wang emperor. The Xie family is wealthy, rivaling the royal treasury depleted by years of warfare. If war broke out, victory would be uncertain. And with Xuanzhou close to the capital, with enough troops and supplies, the Purple Chapter City might fall before reinforcements arrive."

Baili Zan laughed wryly, "I thought Lady was impressive, but Miss Zhong is also quick-witted. Soon, Mr. Fu and I might have to step aside."

Zhong Lüping blushed, hurriedly humbling herself, secretly glancing at Yang Qiong, but he showed no reaction, leaving her disappointed.

Yang Qiong didn't notice her attention, continuing, "But Xuanzhou isn't a border region, with few troops stationed. Moreover, Jing Wang is the youngest and illegitimate son, lacking legitimacy. How could the Ye family dare be so bold?"

Excluding the capital, Xuanzhou bordered three other prefectures. Now that Yan and Jiang prefectures had formed a pincer movement against Xuanzhou, neither were allies of the Ye family. That left only Gan Prefecture.

"Could the Ye family or Xie family have colluded with the governor of Gan Prefecture?" Chi Ying asked hesitantly.

Baili Zan smiled without answering, Chi Ying's heart raced, "Could it be... Could it be..."

Zhong Yuanshan's indecision, Zhong Lüping's care for Cui Xiang, and Cui Xiang's insistence on coming to Yan Prefecture...

The various clues converged, leading to a conclusion that even Chi Ying herself found hard to believe: "Could it be that they are looking for... the Zhong family?"

Zhong Lüping trembled all over. Chi Ying's gaze had already shifted to her: "Lüping, before Lord Wang and I arrived in Jiangzhou, did the Ye family send someone to Jiangzhou to meet your father?"

"Not exactly to find my father, but because Grandmother was unwell, the Ye family sent people to visit. They came with four or five people, stayed for a few days, and then returned," Zhong Lüping widened her eyes like a startled fawn, "Do you suspect that my father is also helping the Ye family? How could that be possible! If that were the case, he wouldn't have allowed me to come with you to Yan Prefecture. Wouldn't that be like sending a lamb into the tiger's den?"

Baili Zan smiled, saying meaningfully, "There's a saying, 'You can't catch wolves without risking your child.' Have you heard of it, Miss Zhong?"

Zhong Lüping's face instantly turned deathly pale.