C184

Dongfang Ze pulled on the reins after the snow had fallen. He frowned and said, "Brother Qi, are the Qi Country's reinforcements really preparing to invade our Zhou Dynasty?"

Dongfang Shimo looked at the endless drifting snow and said in a low voice, "That should be the case. The Qi Emperor has never been a kind and amiable person."

Dongfang Ze was silent for a moment. Amidst the rhythmic sounds of horse hooves, he said, "Although the strength of the Qi Nation is not as good as ours, it is still a huge gap. Once the army starts, it will be a bitter battle." After pausing for a moment, he frowned and said, "That's strange. Our country has always been at peace with the Qi Empire. Why does he suddenly become restless? Isn't he afraid of Dongling breaking in?" Even though he had reached an agreement with Thousand Generations Ben Ying, he had never really believed them. He had never forgotten the phrase "if you are not of my race, then the heart must be different".

"Dong Ling …" Dongfang Yi repeated these two words to himself. After the snow had dyed those two thick eyebrows white, he said, "Has there been any movement from the Thousand Generations Ben Ying's side?"

Dongfang Zexuan brushed the snow off his shoulder and said, "I just saw them the day before yesterday and there's nothing abnormal. What's wrong? Are you afraid that the Qi Kingdom will form an alliance with the East Peak?"

"The Qi Emperor was originally a concubine and did not have the qualifications to inherit the throne, but he left behind a testamentary edict and appointed him as the ruler, causing the Qi Emperor to ascend the throne before he reached the age of the weak. His two brothers were not satisfied with the loss of the throne, and secretly plotted a rebellion, but before they acted, they were annihilated by the Qi Emperor who somehow got the news, and their wives, children, and trusted followers were all killed. It was also from then on, the Qi Emperor gained complete control of all the armies."

Dongfang Ze nodded in deep agreement. "How about, I go and see Thousand Generations Ben Ying now, see if I can get something out of her?"

Dongfang Yan shook his head and said, "It's no use. The Thousand Generations Ben Ying has been in Jinling City for a long time, so she might not know about what happened in East Ling. Even if she did, she wouldn't tell you that I knew about it. The one who is allied with the Qi Kingdom might not necessarily be Dong Ling. "

"It's not Dong Ling?" Dongfang Ze was stunned, then he immediately understood. "Seventh Brother is referring to Xi Chu?"

Dongfang Wenshu sighed. "Compared to the East China Sea, the West Chu is more motivated. The existence of the princess is still a threat to Emperor Chu. It'll only be a relief if we don't kill her."

"That despicable Xiao Ruo Ao!" Dongfang Ze hatefully cursed. After all the passersby had walked far away, he worriedly said, "If both sides are being attacked, we will be under a lot of pressure. If we can withstand it, I'm afraid Dong Ling will interfere."

Dongfang Qin sighed. "I understand your worry. We can only take things one step at a time. I hope the situation isn't as bad as we think."

"That's the only way." Dongfang Ze nodded helplessly. The two separated at the street corner and returned to their respective residences.

Xu Li passed through the sky of flying snow and arrived under the eaves. As he put away the umbrella, he looked at the rustling falling snow and muttered to himself, "From the looks of it, I'm afraid it will take another two days before it stops."

"The prince is back?" The sudden voice startled Xu Li. Only after seeing that it was Xia Yue did he let out a sigh of relief and replied: "En, the prince just returned home. I've come specifically to report to the princess." Saying that, he asked with doubt, "Why isn't Sister Xia Yue inside waiting on the princess?"

"Princess said that she wanted to be alone, so I came out."

Xu Li glanced at her still swollen face and probed: "Big sister Xia Yue, what exactly did the Prosperous Sect's Ju Ji say to the princess? Why do you have to kneel down and beg her, and the princess …"

Xia Yue coldly interrupted him, "Don't ask about things that you shouldn't ask about. It's not good for you."

Xu Li didn't dare to say anything else and only obediently agreed. He then carefully said: "If there's nothing else from Sister Xia Yue, I'll be going in to see the princess."

After Xia Yue nodded, he quietly pushed open the door and entered. Not long after, Mu Qianxue walked out wearing a robe with azure feathers.

Xia Yue took the umbrella that Xu Li had placed down before and opened it to help Mu Qianxue block the snow that was blown into the eaves by the wind. "This servant will accompany you."

Mu Qianxue stared at her for a moment before lightly nodding as she was supported by Xia Yue to head to the South Pavilion. Even though there was a chance to block the wind and snow, Mu Qianxue still coughed incessantly on the way here. Because this illness caused her to experience the hardest winter every year.

Mu Qianxue's arrival caused Dongfang Qin to be a bit surprised. After ordering Cai Yuan to make ginger tea, he saw Xia Yue's red and swollen face and asked in astonishment, "What's going on?"

Xia Yue had already thought of an excuse long ago. She lowered her eyes and said, "While this servant was playing with the snow with Xu Li, I accidentally fell onto the ground."

Dongfang Qing's gaze chilled as he coldly said, "It's Shen Xijun, right?" When he returned, Cai Yuan told him about Shen Xijun's visit to King Rui's Estate today. Originally, according to Dongfang Qing's instructions, Shen Xijun was not allowed to enter King Rui's Estate. However, with Mu Qianxue allowing him to enter, Cai Yuan couldn't really stop her.

Xia Yue's silence undoubtedly confirmed his words. Disgust surged up between Dongfang Zhi's eyebrows. "You actually dared to come to this duke's residence to hurt me. You're too presumptuous!" As he spoke, he seemed to have thought of something and nervously sized up Mu Qianxue. "Did she hurt you?"

"Nope." Mu Qianxue's reply made Dongfang She heave a sigh of relief. She changed the topic, "If she comes again to bother you in the future, you can get someone to chase her away. As for Xia Yue's matter, I will take care of it. Princess, there's no need to worry."

After a moment of silence, Mu Qianxue raised her eyes and said, "Qianxue has indeed come today to discuss something with Your Highness, but it is not about Xia Yue."

Dongfang Yi was a bit surprised. "Oh? What is that? "

Mu Qianxue caressed the warm stove in her hand and said, "That marriage … "Has Your Highness considered it yet?"

Dongfang Qin frowned and without hesitation, he said, "Shen Xijun is arrogant and conceited. She doesn't care about the feelings of others. I definitely won't marry a girl like her."

"And the Empress Dowager? How does Your Highness plan to explain this to the empress dowager? "

"I will try to convince the Queen Mother."

Mu Qianxue shook her head. "Your highness is well aware of Empress Dowager Wei's personality. The things she decides won't be easily changed. Your highness has no confidence in persuading the empress dowager." After a brief moment of silence, the gentle, beautiful, and ethereal voice rang out once more, "Are you thinking of disobeying the decree?"