Chapter 108 -
Inside the main strategic room of the Xi Estate, the air was tense and cold. A large map of the empire’s northern border was spread across the big wooden desk.
Standing at the head of the table was Master Xi Wenzhe’s, Beside him stood Wenzhe, broad-shouldered and quiet, his hand resting on his sword.
Dong Li stepped forward, pointing a mud-stained finger at a mountain pass near the border.
"Master Xi, Young Master," Dong Li said in a low, serious voice. "Our scouts just returned. Enemy soldiers are gathering near the border pass right now under the cover of this heavy rain."
Master Xi frowned, his voice loud and strict. "How many?"
"At least ten thousand men," the scout answered, his boots caked in wet mud. "They want to strike at dawn while the mountain roads are flooded. If they break through the border wall, the nearby towns won’t stand a chance."
Master Xi slammed his hand on the desk, making the ink pots shake. "They think they can sneak past us just because of some rain?!"
Wenzhe stepped forward, his face serious. "Father, we can’t wait. If they break that wall, thousands of innocent people will be in danger."
Master Xi looked at the map, then at his son. "You take three hundred heavy horsemen and lead the group straight to the border before dawn to block that pass. I will ride to the imperial capital tonight to inform the Emperor and mobilize the main army."
"Yes, Sir!" Dong Li and the guards saluted, quickly leaving to prepare the armor and horses.
Wenzhe looked out the window into the dark, rainy night. Going to the border meant riding straight into a dangerous battle without knowing how long he would take.
....
Inside her bedroom, Sue Yueqing was pacing back and forth across the floor like a trapped cat.
She wore a simple nightgown, her hair down. Her hot tea sat untouched on the table.
[Nine, explain this to me right now!] Yueqing shouted in her head, waving her arms at the ceiling. [Why did Wenzhe’s favorability go up when I hit him with a towel?! And why did Lanyin’s favorability go up?! AND WHY IS ZI HAN GIVING ME POINTS FROM OUTSIDE THE HOUSE?! Do I look like a joke to them?!]
DING!
[System: Host, please calm down. Favorability points increase when people like your actions. Maybe they find your fiery temper refreshing.]
[REFRESHING?!] Yueqing’s mouth dropped open in shock. [I am supposed to be an evil villainess! I am trying to make Wenzhe angry enough to get rid of me so I can go home! If he likes me, he’s never going to swing his sword at me! My whole plan is ruined!]
She groaned in frustration, falling face-first onto her bed and hiding her face in the pillows.
[Fine! If throwing towels doesn’t work, I’ll think of something worse tomorrow! I’ll ruin his breakfast! I’ll insult his tea! I’ll—]
Before she could finish her plan, fast, heavy footsteps sounded in the hallway outside her room.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Her personal maid opened the door hurriedly, her face pale with worry.
"Madam! Great trouble!" the maid gasped, bowing quickly. "The guards just brought urgent news. Young Master Wenzhe is leaving for the northern border tonight for an emergency battle!"
Yueqing sat up straight on the bed, her eyes wide in complete confusion.
[WHAT?!] Yueqing screamed in her head, turning to Nine. [NINE! What is going on in this book?! There is NOT supposed to be any battle at this part of the story yet! Did the plot jump off a cliff?! Why is there an invasion right now?!]
DING!
[System: System database searching... Plot butterfly effect detected. Storyline branching in progress.]
[Branching my foot!] Yueqing swore silently, totally lost.
She turned back to the terrified maid standing at the door. "Wenzhe just returned from a long journey! Aren’t they going to let him rest for even a little while?!"
"No, Madam," the maid replied anxiously. "Master Xi is riding to the imperial capital to meet the Emperor, while Young Master Wenzhe is heading straight to the border with three hundred horsemen right now!"
Yueqing stared at the maid in total disbelief, her mind completely spinning.
The maid looked at Yueqing anxiously and added, "Madam, if you want to see the Young Master before he departs, you should go right now. He is leaving in fifteen minutes!"
Yueqing scoffed, rolling her eyes dramaticly. "Who wants to see him?" She waved her hand dismissively, putting on her best cold villainess front. "Leave."
"Yes, Madam," the maid bowed quickly and scurried out, shutting the heavy wooden doors behind her.
As soon as the room went silent, Yueqing’s haughty expression melted away. She dropped her head onto her hands and let out a long, heavy sigh, sitting on the edge of her bed with a worried frown.
[Nine,] she called out in her mind, her voice dropping all its playful sass. [Hand over my fur coat from the last mission.]
DING!
[System: Host... are you sure? That is the High-Grade White Fox Cloak with cold-resistance enchantments! You spent 500 points on it and refused to use it even when we were freezing in the snow realm! You said it was your absolute favorite asset!]
Nine knew just how precious that coat was to her. She treated that soft, snowy-white fur coat like a rare prize and guarded it with her life.
[Stop blabbering and just give it to me!] Yueqing snapped, though her heart felt a little tight. [It’s storming out there, and that block of wood just finished a long ride from the banquet without rest. He’s going straight into a icy mountain pass! If he freezes to death before he gets the chance to execute me, how am I supposed to complete my mission and go home?! I’m just protecting my target!]
DING!
[System: Item retrieved from inventory: Enchanted White Fox Cloak.]
A shimmering light flashed in front of her, and the heavy, incredibly soft fur coat materialized in her arms. It radiated a subtle, gentle warmth.
Yueqing hugged the warm coat tightly, took a deep breath, and stood up.
[Fifteen minutes...] she muttered, wrapping the cloak around her arm as she rushed out of her room and into the chilly night air.