Chapter 467: Chapter 451: Total Slaughter
Zhang Da came looking for Fengyu late at night. Fengyu and Fang Lingjun were playing with gemstones as if they were marbles. When Fengyu stepped outside, the snowstorm was fierce. Zhang Da spoke in a deep voice, "Miss, Zhang Meng discovered during his patrol today that a large number of Sannan people suddenly arrived in the city. They’ve all taken up residence at the West Wind Inn."
"Besides the West Wind Inn, have they gone anywhere else?"
"After entering the city, they went straight to the West Wind Inn. Nowhere else."
"Send people to keep an eye on them. If there’s even the slightest movement, report to me immediately."
"Understood!"
Fengyu fell into quiet contemplation. Han Ziqi hadn’t brought many people to West State; there had always been only around a dozen staying at the inn. Now, with so many entering the city, what could their purpose be? Unless it was something important, they wouldn’t come with such high visibility. Her talks with Han Ziqi had all but broken down, and her Second Brother wouldn’t agree to Han Ziqi’s threats. What was Han Ziqi doing, bringing so many people here?
Fang Lingjun asked, "What’s the matter?"
"There’s some situation in the city. It’s nothing." Fengyu had been living with Fang Lingjun these days. They had endless things to talk about and were very close. Because of their intimacy, Fengyu didn’t hide much from Fang Lingjun and spoke about Han Ziqi.
Fang Lingjun said, "Is Jiangnan about to go to war?"
Fengyu nodded. "Judging by Han Ziqi’s demeanor, it seems inevitable."
Fang Lingjun placed the gemstone-marbles down. Fengyu squatted beside her and patted her head gently. "Are you worried about the Grand General?"
"A little."
"The Grand General has spent his life in the saddle, defending Jiangnan for years, with plenty of experience. He’ll be fine. Don’t worry."
"I’m going to find Xie Xun. If you get tired, go to sleep early; don’t wait for me."
"Alright!"
Xie Xun’s internal wounds were actually worse than Fang Chuning’s. He had been going to bed early these days, but tonight, due to Xie Jue’s recurring eye condition, he had been tossing and turning all night. His courtyard was just next door to Fengyu’s, a few steps away. He was strong and unafraid of the freezing cold. There was no fire in his room, and the chill was biting, so Fengyu generally disliked coming to him. Usually, it was Xie Xun who would visit her courtyard.
When Xie Xun heard Fengyu had arrived, he ordered someone to bring two stoves to dispel the cold in the room. "Why are you here so late?"
"Zhang Meng patrolled the city today and said that a large group of Sannan people poured into the city. It doesn’t seem normal. I came to let you know and have you send someone to investigate." Fengyu said, "Logically, business has concluded, and Han Ziqi should have left. He couldn’t possibly still be waiting here for news. Now, with so many people entering West State, it’s out of the ordinary. I’m worried something might happen."
Xie Xun also felt puzzled as he listened. Han Ziqi originally came with only a dozen people, all of whom stayed at the West Wind Inn to protect him. "How many have arrived?"
"Over fifty. The West Wind Inn couldn’t accommodate them all, so they’ve booked the neighboring inn as well." Fengyu said with concern. "They entered the city in small dispersed groups, so Zhang Meng only noticed something unusual during his patrol."
"What could he be planning?" Xie Xun got out of bed, covered himself in a robe, and summoned Nuanyang and Feiying, instructing them to take men to the West Wind Inn to investigate. "Han Ziqi hasn’t mentioned when he plans to leave West State?"
Fengyu nodded. "Exactly what I’m worrying about."
"Before I leave, they must leave."
"The gates of West State City are wide open. If they plan to leave, they can do so anytime. But if they want to deceive you, they might stage an exit, stay in nearby towns, and re-enter the city after you’ve left. You wouldn’t be able to stop them." Fengyu chuckled lightly. "The City Lord Mansion has your personal guards as well as Zhang Da’s trained troops. Nothing will happen. You don’t need to worry about me. But now... Han Ziqi knows my Second Brother’s true identity, and I’m afraid he may harbor ill intentions."
"Is it possible he wants to kill Second Brother?"
"Second Brother declared to his face that he would return to Sannan to inherit the throne and ally with you, handing over Sannan. Do you think Han Ziqi would let such a dangerous tiger return to its mountain unchecked? In recent years, the King of Sannan has trained Han Ziqi well. He’s completely different from the man I met years ago in the Capital City. Moreover, Sannan and Beiman are both skilled in venomous poisons and secret concoctions—impossible to guard against." Fengyu’s gaze gradually turned icy. "In my opinion, it would be better to kill them all and eliminate future threats once and for all."
"What?" Xie Xun froze, momentarily unable to process her suggestion. "Kill them all?"
The Third Miss, who had spent the past few years managing farming and affairs in the rear, often worked alongside farmers and craftsmen. During land reclamation, she would even sit under the sun with them, discussing ways to improve yields. The sharp, cold killing intent she once possessed had gradually faded away. Xie Xun rarely saw this side of her anymore.
She had even developed the patience to listen to tenant farmers talk about seasonal changes and planting cycles. Her demeanor had become gentler, more compassionate.
"Sannan is preparing for war, and Han Ziqi being present in West State—why let him return?" Fengyu’s killing intent arose as thoughts of the Beiman Sixth Princess and her venomous poisons resurfaced. During her elder sister’s wedding, as she escorted the bride to the ceremony, no one had expected a massacre on such a sunny and tranquil day. If it hadn’t been for the venom, if it hadn’t been for Yuwen Jing’s betrayal and secret alliance with Beiman, that chaos would never have happened.
The Second Young Master was right. Precaution from the beginning is key—strike first to gain the upper hand!
Better to kill in error than to let a threat escape!