Villain Lady

The next day, the atmosphere was still very cold. There was no telling what Wei Liuying was thinking, but Yang Xian didn't have any intention to irk her again. After what had happened last night, he was sure that Wei Liuying might want to kill him if he dared to make a mistake like that again.

Even if he didn't see anything and only hear…

He better not said it, though. He didn't want to raise her anger by making her remember the incident last night.

Wei Liuying finished her breakfast and tapped the table. "Where will we have the talk with His Highness?"

"In his residence. Let's go."

"Ok."

As it was summer, Wei Liuying knew that the temperature was not that cold despite it was morning. However, it was still a bit colder compared to the time when she was at the Capital City.

She had to learn to get used to this place.

It didn't take a long time for them to arrive in Ji Sheng's Residence.

"Your Highness, Strategist Yang and Apprentice Strategist Liu are here."

"Send them in."

The two of them came in and saw Ji Sheng was there. Shi Yan was sitting by the side, looking at a pile of bamboo strips filled with letters before him. He was still dressed with fur robe as usual, but it had changed to be slightly thicker.

"Yang Xian (Liu Ying) greets His Highness."

"No need to stand on ceremony," Ji Sheng said simply and then signaled for the servants to leave. That way, there were only the four of them in the large hall.

Yang Xian sighed. "I didn't expect you to be the one who comes first, Yan."

"A merchant has to wake up earlier if they want to earn the most profit. Don't you know the saying that time is money?" Shi Yan protested. He put down the bamboo strip in his hand and looked at Wei Liuying's direction. "You seem healthier after you come here, Liu Ying."

"Really?" Wei Liuying touched her cheek in confusion. She didn't pay much attention to her appearance, so she didn't realize whether she was getting healthier or not.

"Yes. You're no longer look like you can fly with a gust of wind."

"I'm not that thin, Yan."

Shi Yan laughed and corrected his sitting position. "So, what brings you here, Xian? I thought you're going to be busy with the aftermath from dealing with that Hao, eh Hia, eh Huo Tribe?"

"It's Hou Tribe," Yang Xian corrected Shi Yan. "And before I can finish the matter regarding Hou Tribe, there are some things that I wish to discuss with His Highness. Would you like to join in the conversation, Yan?"

"Well, if you're also going to asks about my carriages, then yes."

"That's one of them. How's your preparation?"

"It's finished," Shi Yan replied. "The people at the north cared more for thick clothing aside from food, so I traded some valuable materials with clothing back in the journey to come here. The stock should be more than enough for me to trade with Xiong Tribe once I reach their location."

"Show me your way."

Shi Yan nodded and took out a scroll. It was made of animal's skin, probably something that was big enough. There was a map on top of the skin as Shi Yan unfurled it with red line that marked his journey's plan.

"This is the way that I agreed with them, and I'll not get too close with their settlement in case I'll incur their wrath," Shi Yan added. She had heard that these people have eagles as their pet. He didn't want to be targeted by the eagles, so it would be better for him to not get too close to their range.

"This path, it's blocked."

"Eh?"

"We just passed by yesterday when we're going to Gao City," Wei Liuying said. "If you try to use this path, there'll be hills of sand waiting for you."

Shi Yan groaned. This was one of the reason why he didn't like going to the dry lands. The fact that they could change the terrain so easily was one of the reason why he felt that they would not be able to survive.

"Rely on the stars more if you're lost," Yang Xian added. "It'll be better if you learn how to read the stars and find your way back. I wouldn't want to see you get lost in the dry lands."

"I understand."

Prince Ji Sheng tapped the table. "Also, Shi Mo will be waiting in a small village between Xiong Tribe and us. It's a lawless area, so you can visit there without worry. He'll give you message that you have to bring here."

"Can't you use different method?"

"It's too far for bird."

"Fine."

Shi Yan felt that he had just gained new occupation aside from being a merchant. He had to be the message courier for Prince Ji Sheng along with his real work.

"Are there any other merchants?" Wei Liuying asked.

Shi Yan nodded. "I already spread the words for them to join in. However, they wouldn't be able to come so soon, so I'll be first."

"In that case, be careful."

"I will."

Yang Xian added some other things that Shi Yan needed to be careful during his journey because the north was vast. It wouldn't do him any good to get lost in such a broad area with little chance to return back if he was not careful enough. The profit he could earn couldn't be compared to his life.

After he had finished, Yang Xian changed the topic. "Now, about Liu Ying."

"Is there any problem with her?" Shi Yan asked in confused tone.

"I'm thinking about the arrangement for her. I still need to teach her a lot, but at the same time, she needs to learn how to apply everything she learned in the real battlefield. I don't want her to only know how to think and not action."

Shi Yan was stunned. "Aren't you hurrying her growth?"

"I am."

"Why? If you let her grow at normal pace, you'll get a great strategist in a year or two's time. It shouldn't be too late for you to wait for that long, right?" Shi Yan asked again in confusion.

"Normally, I wouldn't be in a hurry, but it wouldn't take long before all the princes will reach of age," Yang Xian replied unhurriedly. "Don't you think the situation will be far more interesting and dangerous at that time?"

Interesting?

Shi Yan completely disagreed. He felt that it was not interesting at all. He only wished to keep his life and not get involved with political matters like that. If only it was possible, he wished to run away as fast as possible.

"She can follow Commander Zhao," Prince Ji Sheng gave his decision. "Whenever she returns back, you'll be her teacher, Xian. However, you have to make sure that you didn't forget your real task in the battlefield."

"I'll do my best," Yang Xian replied.

"I don't want you to do your best."

"I understand. I'll do it."

Prince Ji Sheng nodded in approval at Yang Xian's answer. He then gave Wei Liuying the thorough schedule of Commander Zhao's arrangement in the battlefield. He was one of the few commanders whom Prince Ji Sheng placed importance to supervise the entire battlefield by roaming around with no fixed direction.

Their task was simply to help all who needed the aid.

"The border is not as peaceful as what you think. Even without Xiong Tribe, it'll not be easy at all."

Wei Liuying nodded. She smiled. "I can do it, Strategist Yang. There's no need to worry so much."

"Good to hear that."

They talked a bit more until a servant came in. He brought a message from the men Prince Ji Sheng placed in the capital city. The message was tightly sealed inside a tube with no way to open it without breaking the seal.

Prince Ji Sheng tore it open and read the content. His brows furrowed when he saw the bamboo strips containing different information.

"This is about my brothers. They're pinning Ji Shao Yang to a disadvantageous situation," Prince Ji Sheng put down one of the bamboo sticks. "This one is about the court decision. I reckon you'll be able to learn more about this, Xian."

Taking the bamboo strips, Yang Xian studied the recent decision that they made in the court. It was not that many, but some of the important decision might change the overall situation in Han Shi Kingdom.

"They're going to keep you here, Your Highness."

"It's not that weird," Prince Ji Sheng remarked and handed the last bamboo strip to Wei Liuying. "This is about Wei Family."

Wei Liuying frowned when she took the bamboo strip. When she read the content, she understood what had happened. After everyone was happy about the piece of news regarding the peace treaty with Xiong Tribe, Wei Hong got another happy news.

One of his concubines was pregnant.

He would be happy thinking that he could get another son from this.

"Even when his daughter is gone, he's still in the mood to have another child." Shi Yan clicked his tongue. "What a father he is."

"They never announced Wei Liuying's death. I'm sure that they're planning to have someone replace her soon enough."

"I know," Wei Liuying put the bamboo strip away. "But it's not that important anymore."

Prince Ji Sheng smiled when he heard their response. He looked at Yang Xian and Shi Yan too. They were all filled with determination.

"In that case, let's all start our move."

"Yes!"