Zhu Meng gave Zhang Liao a thumbs-up. "The General truly has a knack for strategy. Now the two families will be at each other's throats."
As expected, Xiao Jingyun vehemently denied it. "Ge Zhuang, as I told you earlier, I did not send anyone to kill your brother. Do not fall prey to the schemes of evildoers."
Ge Zhuang, the leader of the Lotus Cult, declared, "Last night, he personally admitted that they were the ones who killed him."
"A true man keeps his word. If you did it, you should have the courage to admit it. How laughable, how utterly ridiculous!"
Just as Xiao Jingyun was about to speak, Princess Zhaoning, standing beside him, could no longer contain herself. She urged her warhorse forward and addressed Ge Zhuang. "Halt! Cease your insults. My royal brother did not commit this act. I sent people to assassinate your elder brother, but I only dispatched these three, no one else."
Ge Zhuang looked at Princess Zhaoning, whom he did not recognize. "And who are you? I didn't expect the Crown Prince to have female generals under his command."
Zhou Quan, standing nearby, his expression hardening, stepped forward. "Ge Zhuang, how dare you be so rude! This is Her Highness the Princess."
Upon hearing that it was a princess, Ge Zhuang became even more animated, letting out a loud burst of laughter.
"So what? A princess, a crown prince, a bunch of snakes and rats from the same nest. Born of the same father, yet so different!"
Princess Zhaoning was utterly enraged, her hand already reaching for the hidden needles at her waist.
Xiao Jingyun, understanding the situation, cleared his throat and said in a clear voice, "Jingfeng, withdraw for now."
The Lotus Cult Master observed the princess's movement and understood her intentions, given that she was his disciple. He quickly shouted, "Princess, do not concern yourself with us. We are fine."
One was his brother, the other his master. Both were signaling her. Princess Zhaoning had no choice but to slowly raise her arm, abandoning any further action.
Ge Zhuang pondered for a moment, then a realization dawned upon him.
It seemed this woman by his side held a significant status.
With this thought, he devised a plan. "Xiao Jingyun, if you truly wish to save them, then hand over my elder brother's head. Otherwise, not a single one of these three will survive."
He then waved his hand, signaling for his men to approach. They began to drag the Lotus Cult Master and the others back. Seeing this, Xiao Jingyun became anxious. Just as he was about to speak, Liu Rumei, standing beside him, said softly, "Your Highness, do not be hasty. It is best to plan meticulously."
With this in mind, she spoke, "Ge Zhuang, treat my sisters and brothers well. We will find your elder brother's head for you."
Ge Zhuang paused upon hearing this and turned his head to look at Liu Rumei. "So it is Miss Liu. Had you not spoken, I would not have recognized you. Very well, I shall grant you this favor. We will wait for three days. If, after three days, your elder brother's head is not produced, then these three shall be their burial companions."
With that, Ge Zhuang left without looking back.
On the city walls, Zhang Liao nodded repeatedly. "This Ge Zhuang is indeed a formidable character."
Zhu Meng, however, did not grasp the implication. "What do you mean by that?"
"Marshal, what deep connection could Ge Zhuang possibly have with Liu Rumei? Yet, with a single word from Liu Rumei, three days were granted. This not only provided him with a way out but also sowed seeds of suspicion towards Liu Rumei in the minds of the Crown Prince and the Princess."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Meng finally understood. "Now that you mention it, I see it clearly. The Crown Prince and the Princess did not secure a three-day grace period. Yet, with a casual remark from Liu Rumei, three days were given. If it were me, I would also have my suspicions."
As he spoke, Zhu Meng's gaze turned fierce, fixed intently on Ge Zhuang, who was walking back towards the city.
Zhang Liao clearly understood Zhu Meng's intent. "Marshal, perhaps we should go and welcome General Ge into the city!"
Zhu Meng then snapped back to reality. It was not yet the time for overt actions. He and Zhang Liao quickly descended the city walls.
Ge Zhuang returned with the three. Although his expression remained as mournful as ever, his heart was filled with a quiet joy.
His expedition outside the city had achieved its intended effect. At the very least, the generals under his elder brother's command now respected him.
Upon seeing Ge Zhuang enter, Zhu Meng was the first to greet him, clasping his fist. "General Ge, you are mighty! Unfazed by the pressure from the Crown Prince and the Princess. Admirable, truly admirable."
Ge Zhuang, with a proud look, returned Zhu Meng's salute. "The Marshal flatters me. To find my elder brother's head, I had no choice but to resort to this tactic."
"Alas, this is no flattery. General Ge is a man of integrity. Granting you three days is also a show of respect to Xiao Jingyun. Once the time is up, if he cannot produce the head, then do not blame us for being impolite."
After speaking, Zhu Meng made a gesture. "General Ge, I have already ordered a banquet to be prepared. How about we share a drink?"
Ge Zhuang was not foolish. He sighed and waved his hand. "Marshal, my elder brother's remains are not yet cold. How can I be in the mood for drinking? Please forgive me."
With that, he urged his warhorse and departed with his men. As he watched them ride away, Zhang Liao gave Zhu Meng a thumbs-up.
"Marshal, brilliant maneuvering. If Ge Zhuang had accepted the drink, the little bit of support he had garnered would have dissipated."
"A pity Ge Zhuang did not fall for the bait."
Zhu Meng watched him depart and then smiled faintly. "No hurry. Sooner or later, we will find his weakness."
Meanwhile, Xiao Jingyun returned to his tent with his men, sitting down with a troubled expression.
He then looked up at Princess Zhaoning.
"Jingfeng, tell me the truth. Besides Tang Lianhua and those three, did you send anyone else?"
This time, Princess Zhaoning dared not lie. Her head shook like a rattle drum. "Royal Brother, truly, there was no one else. It was only those three, and they were all captured."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyun's brow furrowed. "If that's the case, then Ge Zhuang was not killed by our people."
Liu Rumei, standing nearby, suddenly raised her eyebrows. "Your Highness, perhaps this was Zhu Meng's doing. He deliberately..."
Xiao Jingyun sighed. "This is merely our speculation, but we have no way to confirm it."
Princess Zhaoning paid no mind to such subtleties. She spoke to Xiao Jingyun from the side. "Royal Brother, quickly think of a way. If, after three days, we cannot find Ge Zhuang's head, then my master..."
Xiao Jingyun's eyes widened. "And whose fault is that? Who told you to act without permission!"
His words caused Princess Zhaoning's face to flush instantly. She bowed and turned to leave.
After Princess Zhaoning departed, Liu Rumei slowly spoke. "Your Highness, we still must find a way. Even if we disregard the lives of Tang Lianhua and that Chu Han, we must consider the little girl."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun sighed. "Indeed. If not for the little girl, I would wish he would hurry and kill this Tang Lianhua. Such incompetent fools, only causing trouble."
At this, Liu Rumei felt a twinge of discomfort. Although she also detested Tang Lianhua's unauthorized actions, in a way, Tang Lianhua had contributed. After all, he had successively killed Wang Long and others in Qingniu County, and then rescued Tian Wen and Ma Han. Although they were all subordinates of the Princess, the Princess's subordinates were still soldiers of the Great Cang Kingdom.
To hear the Crown Prince call them incompetent and only causing trouble was somewhat disheartening.
At this moment, Xiao Jingyun continued, "Rumei, how about you go into the city for a visit?"