Finest Servant-Chapter 624

Chapter 624 Poison

The procession of the Turkic people gradually faded away with the haunting melodies, the golden imperial tent disappearing into the last wisp of cloud at the horizon. He sat there, entranced, oblivious to how long he had been sitting there when a warm, soft jade hand slowly pulled on his arm. A gentle voice arose beside him, "You fool!"

Looking up, he saw Miss Xu, who had, unbeknownst to him, caught up. Her eyebrows were filled with tenderness as she slowly sat down beside him.

"I am a bit foolish!" he sighed softly, tightly grasping Xu Zhixing's tender hand. "This morning when she spoke to me, her expression was so clear, yet I hate that I didn't pay full attention. When that girl deceives, she blends truth with lies, as clever as I am."

"Boasting now, aren't we?" Xu Zhixing chuckled, looking at him with amusement. Her gaze fell on the scrapes on his hands and feet from his fall from the horse, the wounds clearly visible with trickles of blood seeping out. It must have been a harsh fall indeed. A pang of pain struck her heart, and she quickly reached out, gently caressing those wounds, softly asking, "Does it hurt?"

"Not at all!" He shook his head hastily.

The female strategist sighed lightly, slowly wiping the dust from his face, softly saying, "It's not that it doesn't hurt; perhaps the pain inside is just overshadowing it."

Her soft whispers, her fingers brushing away the dust on his face with utmost gentleness, offered Lin Wanrong a moment of tenderness amidst his trials, suddenly making his nose tingle with emotion. "Miss Xu, you are truly kind."

Xu Zhixing blushed with a mix of joy and shyness, giving him a few reproachful glances, "You get yourself in this state because of another woman, and now you remember my kindness! How did I come to recognize you as my adversary?"

This did seem rather unfair, Lin Wanrong thought, his heart softening. He quickly tightened his grip on her jade hand, "You are now my betrothed, not yet passed through my door. I will definitely treat you well!"

These words, more effective than any sweet nothings, elicited a soft 'hm' from Xu Zhixing, tears glistening in her eyes. She suddenly let out a tender laugh, her delicate fingers playfully tapping on his forehead, "You still don't believe when I call you a fool! What about that decade-long promise? It's nothing but a sham!"

"Eh?"

"You don't understand this?" Miss Xu was both exasperated and envious. To make the world's cleverest Lin San act so foolish, even if Yueya'er died, she would die happy, "What about ten years, eight years, five years? The threads are all in your hands. The moment you release Salmu, she will marry you, willingly and happily, with a smiling face!"

Lin Wanrong was taken aback, then enlightenment struck him. Indeed, only if he let go, she would marry! This was what they call 'the onlooker sees more of the game.'

Xu Zhixing looked at him and shook her head, softly saying, "Look at the mad passion of your beautiful golden blade lover; to think she could endure ten years of yearning? The whole world would laugh at the notion!"

The strategist spoke the truth. The emotional dedication and exuberant passion of the Golden Blade Khan made enduring the agony of longing more painful than death.

Lin Wanrong let out a loud laugh, as the flavors of life – sour, spicy, bitter, sweet – surged in his heart. The every word and smile of Yueya'er reappeared before his eyes, lingering long after.

Xu Zhiqing saw the look on his face and knew exactly what he was thinking. She couldn't help but twist his arm fiercely, "Stop pitying her, and think about what you should do! Your little sister is a clever one; she has tossed all the difficult problems to you!"

Indeed, how to deal with this Young Khan of the Turks was a huge dilemma. Lin Wanrong's mind was in a haze of mixed sorrow and joy, and he was at a loss on how to decide.

Upon their return to Xingqing, the news of the treaty signed between the two nations had already spread far and wide. Li Tai personally led a welcoming party. The border citizens, weary from the ravages of war, poured onto the streets, cheering and leaping with joy, eager to catch a glimpse of General Lin's valor.

The Marshal patted his shoulder heartily, laughing with excitement, "Good, good, Lin San, you are the eternal hero of our Great Hua!"

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Such an eternal hero, at the cost of Yueya'er's broken heart—what use did he have for such a title?! He clenched his teeth tightly, his nose tingling with sourness.

Li Tai was well aware of the situation and shook his head with a sigh, "What's done is done; we must look to the long term now. The treaty between the two nations is signed, but how it will be implemented still requires your decision."

Lin Wanrong furrowed his brow and after a long pause, nodded, "The first point, a ceasefire and peace treaty, is harmless to both sides and should not pose any major issues. As for the second point, the indemnity, given the cleverness of the Turkic Khan, she is unlikely to publicize it broadly and may keep it under wraps. We will inform the Turkic Khan and the few Turkic people aware of this matter that Great Hua will use these funds entirely for the construction of the free trade zone. We'll level the land, build medical facilities, plant seeds, and erect houses! The Turkic people are busy during the herding season and idle otherwise; we can employ them on the spot, pay them wages, and have them work alongside Great Hua craftsmen to build. All expenses will be itemized and disclosed regularly."

As he spoke, the scribes were already recording all these points. Both Li Tai and Xu Zhiqing nodded in agreement.

"As for the free trade zone, there will surely be opposition from the Turkic people, but only a handful can see the key interests involved. We can spread proclamations widely from Xingqing to the area between Wuyuan and Bayanhot, and let the Turkic merchants convey this news to the steppes. From today, Great Hua will advocate and encourage trade with the Turkic people, migration, intermarriage, navigation, and free movement! Whether they are from Great Hua or the Turkic Khanate, those who excel in trade will be rewarded! Interethnic marriages will be congratulated on the red list and presented with ceremonial gifts! Those willing to participate in the construction on the Bayanhot grasslands will be rewarded generously and granted free housing! Meanwhile, at the border between the two nations, we will stockpile large quantities of tea, silk, and other trade goods, encouraging commerce in the free trade zone. All trading activities within this area, for the next ten years, will be exempt from taxes!"

He said all this in one breath, with promises of rich rewards and tax exemptions. The central message was crystal clear: he intended to use trade as a link to quickly break down ethnic barriers and foster coexistence between the two peoples. Once the people of the steppes gained tangible benefits and saw significant improvements in their lives, it would naturally trigger a massive ripple effect. And those opposing the trade zone would be left without a leg to stand on.

Xu Zhiqing nodded, her face displaying a trace of worry: "This free trade is excellent! But it also requires support! My only concern now is whether Yujia can control the situation on the steppe. Don't forget, the Turkic Left Prince is covetously lurking."

Speaking of Yujia, who could be more concerned than Lin Wanrong? He grunted, saying, "That's why I hope that Gao Qiu, Du Xiuyuan, and Hu Bugui, the three brothers, will lead a strong force to station themselves at Helan Mountain, extending all the way to the steppe, to frequently drill the troops. Bring the cannons to the border for practice now and then. On one hand, it's to ensure order within the free trade zone; on the other hand, it's to exert pressure on the Turks. It's to nail Batur in place so he dares not make any rash moves!"

"And the Right Prince?"

"Tursun, he'll stay in Great Hua forever!" He sighed faintly, "His tribe, I'll give it to my little sister as a gift!"

Pinning Batur to the border to prevent him from mobilizing troops rashly would ensure that Yueya'er, who was in the royal court, was the safest. The Silver Blade Right Prince had become a cripple and a captive of Great Hua, his tribe now scattered like sand. Yujia and her father Khan had immense prestige and respect among the people of the steppe. If she didn't know how to use that to her advantage, she didn't deserve the title of Golden Blade Khan!

Xu Zhiqing couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. This man's thoughts were all about reducing Yujia's pressure! But thinking of the sacrifices Yueya'er had made for him, it was completely understandable. This was repaying a peach with a plum!

Li Tai nodded, "The beginning is the hardest; it is necessary to deploy heavy troops initially to prevent the unforeseen! But what about the last condition, how shall we deal with the Young Turkic Khan?"

This was really hitting where it hurt! Lin Wanrong rolled his eyes, at a loss for words!

Miss Xu, understanding his mood, quickly said, "This matter is of great importance, and it's not easy to decide in a moment. Let's wait until we return to the court to discuss it."

The war was over, and naturally, they had to return. But with this departure, wouldn't it mean getting farther from the steppe, farther from Yueya'er? She had lost even Salmu, the only one she could talk to, and had to support the situation on the steppe all by herself. To whom could she confide her loneliness and sorrow? With this sentiment, he sighed deeply, wishing he could sprout wings and fly to Kyzil.

After arranging the return of the troops, it was late at night, the streets were empty, and he returned to that simple dwelling. Seeing the dim yellow light in the house brightened his heart greatly, and he pushed the door open with joy, "Sister, Fairy Sister, I'm back!"

"You walk as heavy as a brick; I heard you long ago!" Ning Yuxi smiled, walking out from the inner room, took a hot towel, and tenderly wiped the dust from his face.

He took a deep breath of comfort, "Sister, you're so good!"

Fairy Sister chuckled lightly, "But not as good as your little sister, right?"

"You, you," his eyes widened in shock and delight, "you said you weren't going to go, didn't you?"

Ning Yuxi's cheeks reddened slightly, turning her head, "I didn't plan to go. I was just worried that you might be ambushed by the Turks, so I occasionally took a turn at the edge of the desert!"

"Understood, understood!" Lin Wanrong embraced her tightly, moved, "Sister, I'm already used to your 'occasional' appearances!"

The fairy smiled softly, caressing his cheek as her gaze lingered fondly on the warm little hut before them, her eyes flickering with a deep sense of attachment and reluctance to leave. Every little detail of this place had been lovingly arranged by the two of them. Here, she had hidden away with the thief, tending to his wounds, spending days and nights together, sharing a bed in simple yet blissful contentment. She had willingly fallen from her celestial perch to become mortal, just to be by his side.

"Thief, must we really go?" she murmured into his shoulder with a gentle sigh, her emotions evident in her voice.

"Mmm," he responded, a touch of loss in his voice before a playful smile appeared. "But you know, this place will always stay just as it is."

Her beautiful eyes widened as she looked at him. "Why is that?"

"My Fairy Sister," Lin Wanrong said with a proud kiss on her cheek, slapping a few land deeds into her hand, "I declare, the six houses in this alley are all ours now! Sister, you are now a great landlord. Congratulations, congratulations!"

"Really?" Ning Yuxi was overjoyed.

Lin Wanrong nodded gravely. "If I say it's true, then it certainly is! These deeds are in black and white, personally handled by Gao Qiu himself! It wasn't easy, though. They started by asking the sky-high price of a hundred taels for a house like this. Gao Qiu is famously known to win people over with virtue. I was quite annoyed when I heard it; how could our humble dwelling be measured in mere silver? It's so vulgar, so offensive! So, in a fit of rage, I—"

"You hit them?" The fairy was shocked.

"No, I gave them a thousand taels!"

Ning Yuxi chuckled, lightly tapping his forehead. "You're being mischievous! Trying to sweet-talk me like this, you must be up to something, right?"

"Sister, how do you know?" he exclaimed, his eyes going wide.

The Fairy smiled. "Does it have something to do with your little sister Yueya'er?"

"Mmm, mmm!" he nodded eagerly.

"Is it about the poison in her?"

Lin Wanrong, with tears streaming down his face, utterly surrendered. "Sister, you truly are a celestial being; you know everything! What is the poison that was used on Yujia? Is it more powerful than a sleeping draught?"

"This time, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Ning Yuxi said, shaking her head gently. "It was Junior Sister An who tampered with Yujia. I only know that she used poison, but I don't know what kind."

"You can't be serious, weren't you taught by the same master?" Lin Wanrong was astounded. "You must have some clue!"

The Fairy laughed. "It's true we share the same master, but she never taught us the use of poison. Junior Sister An is from the Miao people; her poisoning techniques are the secret arts of the Miao villages. How could I know them? If you want to save your little sister, you'll have to find her."

So Sister An was self-taught. Now they were in a predicament! Yujia had only a few months to live, and although she didn't mention it when she left, it was only to ease his worries. All the talk of a ten-year agreement, it was nothing but a pipe dream!

He couldn't help but look up to the heavens and sigh deeply: ‘Master Sister, this time you've truly caused me great trouble!’

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