My wife has a secret

Chapter 207 Negotiation
At the critical moment when the second young lady of the Yang family was full of doubts, a beautiful snow-white face emerged from the parking space inside.

The other person pulled up the car curtain with one hand, as if glancing out casually, but that stunning face was still breathtaking and clear as snow from any angle.

Although Yang Qin had lived in the border area for a long time, she had also heard of the reputation of the two beauties of Qi State.

This was originally a saying used by gossipers in the market to praise Shen Shuangxu and Yang Xianning, one for literature and the other for martial arts. However, as time went by, the two girls grew up to be graceful and elegant, and this saying gradually evolved into a title of stunning beauty.

The man just said that he was from the Liao Kingdom delegation, and that person was also in the delegation, so the identity of the woman in the car was obvious.

"Hello, Miss Shen."

Shen Shuangxu, who was sitting in the car, happened to turn her gaze here. After seeing Xu Qing was safe and sound, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

The Liao army just now were all elite soldiers with great skills. If I hadn't been quick-witted and ordered the accompanying guards to cut off their retreat, the situation would have deteriorated unimaginably.

Letting any one person escape will affect other members of the delegation on their escape route.

"The second young lady of the Yang family? You can't get off the car to return the gift when we first meet. Please don't blame me, second young lady."

Shen Shuangxu's voice was soft and her attitude was respectful, fully revealing the temperament of a lady from a noble family.

When Yang Qin first met this woman of the same age who was extremely intelligent and not arrogant, she felt quite fond of her.

"It's okay. Since Miss Shen is visiting Huangling Pass in person, why don't you follow me to Yang's house to have a chat?"

"Good work."

After Shen Shuangxu answered politely, he saw the second lady of the Yang family asking the cavalry who came to support to deal with the situation and take some people away alive.

After giving instructions to the people around him, Yang Qin quickly approached Shen Shuangxu's carriage and signaled the coachman to follow him.

But what she didn't expect was that Shen Shuangxu in the car seat was staring in the direction she came from, as if he was communicating with someone through eye contact.

Yang Qin looked back in confusion, but apart from the disguised man who brought the news, she could not see anyone else.

It's strange. How could the daughter of the Prime Minister of Qi State and the wife of the Queen Mother's nephew be flirting with the men in the caravan?

As soon as the doubts in Yang Qin's mind arose, they were answered.

"Husband, shouldn't you be the one to take charge of visiting the Yang residence?"

husband?

When Yang Qin heard this word, she thought she had recognized the wrong person, but when she thought about it, she connected it to the news that had previously come from the Liao Kingdom.

It is said that the Empress's nephew, Xu Qing, Marquis of Guangping, who had not been seen for a long time, showed up in Liao and was involved in Prince Xiang's private affairs.

Fortunately, in the end, Young Master Xu returned to the team smoothly without causing any trouble.

It's not surprising that Shen Shuangxu returned to the country secretly from the diplomatic mission and brought her husband with her...

and many more.

When Yang Qin thought of this, Bai Jie couldn't help but break out in beads of sweat on her forehead. She, who had previously been able to kill enemies without any commotion, now felt quite embarrassed.

Xu Qing's identity is extremely special. He is not only the nephew of the Empress Dowager and the husband of Shen Shuangxu, but also the husband of her eldest sister.

But the Yang family had always been dissatisfied with the tyrannical Queen Mother, so they were extremely perfunctory at the marriage ceremony and only sent a few personal soldiers to get the matter over with.

He...won't use these things to make things difficult for the Yang family, right?

Xu Qing stayed behind for a while, and felt relieved to see that the second lady of the Yang family was not paying attention to him.

But when Shen Shuangxu brought the topic up to him, he became a little embarrassed.

"You...are Xu Qing?"

Yang Qin looked at him in disbelief, her eyes staying on him for several seconds.

"Yes, I forgot my official uniform in Guangping Marquis Mansion."

Xu Qing said slowly: "General Yang, please forgive me."

Yang Qin was slightly startled, turned her head and said nothing more, but her mind was already in turmoil.

Seeing that he couldn't avoid either blessing or disaster, Xu Qing got on the carriage and looked at Shen Shuangxu in confusion.

Only after the carriage started moving did he dare to approach the other party and asked in a low voice, "I kept it a secret in the Punishment Hall all the way. How did you tell it out?"

Shen Shuangxu smiled at him, and her cold and beautiful face was like an iceberg melting and shining with warm sunshine.

"No matter what, the head of the Yang family is also the sister of the second wife."

"I have never met her once."

Shen Shuangxu said calmly, "I've never met you, but some family matters are easier to discuss than external affairs, and you are more suitable than me to come forward."

Xu Qing frowned and thought about it, with a strange look in his pupils, but he still accepted Shen Shuangxu's proposal.

Compared to the other party, it is more appropriate for him to meet General Yang. After all, Shen Shuangxu is in charge of Chengxuanfang and is often regarded as a minion of the court.

Since he has a relationship with his aunt, what he says will gain more trust from the people in the Yang family.

……

The convoy arrived at Yang's house very quickly. Yang Qin did not ride fast this time, so her personal soldiers had already sent a message before the convoy arrived.

The Yang family, who learned of this at short notice, hurriedly cleaned up the place. By the time Xu Qing helped Shen Shuangxu get out of the car, the inside had already been simply cleaned.

The Yang family's courtyard is full of towering ancient trees, entwined wisteria, green bricks and green tiles, and has the atmosphere of a classical family.

No one would have thought that the interior decoration of the mansion of the Yang family, a military family with a century-old heritage, would be so elegant.

There was no one in the Yang family's front hall except Yang Xianning and Yang's younger sister. Yang Xianning sat on the main seat right below a tiger portrait, staring ahead with calm eyes.

When Yang Caiyun heard the footsteps outside the house, she knew that her second sister had arrived with the two "distinguished guests". She looked at her eldest sister with a half-smile in her eyes and asked in a low voice, "Sister, your beloved is coming."

Yang Xianning glared back at the restless little sister. Just as she was about to lecture her not to talk nonsense, Yang Qin led Xu Qing and Shen Shuangxu into the front hall.

"You two, here."

After revealing his identity, Xu Qing's movements and demeanor were a little reserved. When he entered the room, he first bowed to the head of the Yang family and his younger sister, then held Shen Shuangxu's slender hand and sat down on the guest seat on the left side of the hall.

In the past when getting along with Shen Shuangxu, Xu Qing would never have such an intimate behavior, but this time he officially met with the Yang family, and the two of them represented the face of the court and the Xu family.

"Sister, the people are here."

Yang Qin clasped her fists like a man, lifted her skirt, and sat upright.

"Ah."

Yang Xianning, who was sitting on the main seat, responded and asked as if they were strangers, "You two must be here for something important, right?"

Shen Shuangxu looked at Yang Xianning dressed like this, her expression still calm. But the more she looked like this, the less confident Yang Xianning felt in facing her.

In name, Shen Shuangxu is Xu Qing's first wife and his own "sister".

She had never seen Xu Qing not take this matter to heart before, but after going through those things with Xu Qing, her heart had long been in turmoil.

Fortunately, the purpose of Shen Shuangxu's visit was for the important matters of the Liao Kingdom.

Xu Qing said: "Second Miss, do you think the information is accurate?"

Yang Qin clasped his fists towards Xu Qing and said, "I was wrong. Marquis Guangping, please don't take it to heart... The caravan intercepted at the parade grounds are indeed all Liao people. The way they use swords is different from ours, so they are very easy to identify."

"The prince of Liao eliminated dissidents in the country and deliberately arranged for spies to sneak into Huangling Pass. This explains everything, right?"

Xu Qing said: "Now that the two countries are about to go to war, can we strike first and catch them off guard?"

"No."

As soon as Xu Qing finished speaking, the younger sister of the Yang family, who had been listening quietly, rejected the proposal.

"A war between two armies is no joke. Simply moving the army's baggage and supplies and assembling troops will reveal a lot of information. The two countries have not fought in recent years, and many Liao people are doing business on the border of Huangling Pass... If we take action, the Liao will definitely notice it."

The prince of Liao was also a famous general who had experienced many battles. He knew the simple truth that food and fodder should be sent before troops move forward.

As long as people inside the pass secretly pass the message, the intention to send troops will be exposed.

"The terrain of Huangling Pass is special, and there are not many people inside the pass. If we act rashly, we will be trapped in the city at the bottom of the pass and fight like a trapped beast."

After Yang Caiyun finished speaking, Yang Qin also added: "Those people may have the skills of the Liao people, but there are no Liao army logos on their weapons and clothes. They have deliberately concealed their identities. We have no legitimate reason or excuse to send troops."

After hearing this, Xu Qing realized the severity of the situation at the border and that he had thought the problem too simply.

At the same time, Yang Xianning, who had not spoken, asked, "Is Shen Shoufu also in the delegation visiting Liao? When will he be back?"

"tomorrow."

"In that case, you two should rest in Huangling Pass first, and we can discuss this matter when Prime Minister Shen returns tomorrow."

Seeing that her elder sister showed signs of softening her stance on starting a war, Yang Qin stood up and looked at her with confusion.

Although she talked a lot with Yang Xiaomei, the key obstacle to Huangling Pass was the lack of soldiers and food.

The eldest sister put the matter aside for further discussion. When the Liao and Qi countries went to war, it would be the Yang family and the residents of Huangling Pass who would risk their lives.

However, after looking back at the figures of Xu Qing and Shen Shuangxu, Yang Qin chose to remain silent. He waved to the personal soldiers waiting outside the house, signaling them to take the two away.

After Xu Qing disappeared in the hall, Yang Xianning stood up and tried to leave, but Yang Qin caught up with her and asked, "Sister, Xu Qing is the nephew of the Queen Mother, and the Shen family plays an important role in the court. Why don't we... detain them temporarily inside the pass, and release them after the court replenishes the previous food and grass."

Although it was somewhat unethical to do so, Yang Qin felt that the newly enthroned empress was very terrifying. If he could not find her weakness and demand money and food, the situation at Huangling Pass would become even more passive.

"Qin'er."

Yang Xianning looked back at him, bit her teeth, and replied, "Doing this will only push the Yang family and the people of Huangling Pass into a dead end... The Liao Kingdom is watching covetously from the sidelines. If Qi Kingdom has a disagreement now, the consequences will be disastrous."

"The people of Huangling Pass can't survive, and we can't survive either. Why should we care about them?"

Yang Qin was a little excited when she said this. "We are going to fight the newly enthroned empress to the death. Why is it that the neighboring Liao Kingdom has money, but we in Huangling Pass don't..."

"enough!"

Yang Xianning's cry woke Yang Qin from her indignant state. She realized that she had retorted to her most respected elder sister. She felt ashamed and embarrassed to stay in the hall.

After finding an excuse for patrolling, Yang Qin quickly left the lobby.

The scene of the sisters arguing scared Yang Caiyun who was drinking tea nearby.

After everyone left, the younger sister of the Yang family jumped down from the high stool and came to her elder sister.

Yang Xianning, who was an excellent martial artist, did not realize her younger sister's arrival because her mind was becoming more and more confused.

She didn't want the people of Huangling Pass and the troops who followed them to suffer, nor did she want Xu Qing to suffer an unjust accusation and be placed under house arrest in the mansion by the Yang family. This was not her style of doing things.

Especially after she realized that she had mistaken Xu Qing for someone else and pinned a false accusation on him, she felt guilty.

The two of them walked together all the way. If he had known that the other person was Marquis Guangping, why would he have winked at him?

"Big sister, second sister is also doing this for the good of the people of Huangling Pass."

"I know."

Yang Caiyun said in a childish voice: "If you feel uncomfortable, why don't you go find your brother-in-law and ask him about it."

"Ask...what do you ask?"

Yang Xianning was frightened by Yang Caiyun's proposal. She turned around to look at this mischievous little sister and sighed helplessly.

The two people have different positions. One is the head of the Yang family, and the other is the nephew of the empress. The marriage was just a political marriage and there was no emotion involved.

What's more, how could his cold attitude towards the Liao Kingdom win the other party's favor?

"Since my elder sister came back from Liao, she has been staying in the house in a daze. I don't know that my second elder sister often goes out to patrol the border, but I can see it clearly!"

Yang Caiyun said that to Yang Xianning, her neck turned red, and she looked embarrassed, not knowing how to answer.

The Yang family’s house was not big, and the three sisters lived next to each other, maintaining the habits they had grown up with.

When she returned to her room after being tutored by her husband, she saw Yang Xianning sitting alone in the room, wondering what she was thinking about.

Until the news of Guangping Hou spread in Liao Kingdom...

"Sister, if you ask me, you are no worse than the daughter of the Prime Minister. When night falls, I will go to ask Sister Shen for advice on her homework, and you can sneak into the guest room and explain everything to her."

"have nothing to say."

Yang Xianning used to be very graceful and elegant, but when this kind of thing really happened to her, she became a little shy and uncomfortable.

What embarrassed her most was that she didn't understand the relationship between men and women as well as a twelve-year-old child.

"Sister, judging from my brother-in-law's attitude today, he obviously didn't recognize you."

"is it?"

Yang Xianning hesitated when she heard this.

She originally thought that Xu Qing was pretending not to know each other just like herself, but from what her younger sister said, it seemed that the other party didn't know that the woman who was with him day and night in Liao Kingdom was her.

"Of course, sister, you usually dress like a chivalrous lady, wearing tight clothes and riding boots when you go out. When you heard that Xu Qing was coming today, didn't you put on makeup and change into a formal outfit behind the Punishment Hall?"

The words of the younger sister of the Yang family hit Yang Xianning's heart directly.

(End of this chapter)