Chapter 55
Book 5 Chap 10 – Going along with the mistake
Xiang Shaolong met Zhao Ya at the quiet inner hall.
It was a sunny day, the sun who has not shown his face for many days shone gently on the silvery white world.
This time Xiang Shaolong did not even see Xiao Zhao and Xiao Mei, it seems that everyone in the whole residence has been changed with Zhao Mu’s men.
Zhao Ya was dressed in yellow and she seemed to be in better spirits but it still could not hide her sad and tired face. There is a kind of heartbreaking, lonesome beauty, which revealed the torture and dilemma in her heart.
But Xiang Shaolong has no pity for her at all. He only thought that she deserves it.
After they were seated and the maid who served tea left, Zhao Ya said quietly, "How are things progressing?"
Xiang Shaolong gave a small smile and replied, "Quite smoothly. Do you have any new information on your side, did Zhao Mu hear of anything at all?"
Zhao Ya shook her head, "Imperial Brother and Zhao Mu’s attention are all placed on the war with the Yans, and has no time to bother about other matters for the moment." She paused and continued, "Instead Empress Jing is urging you to strike quickly and wants me to tell you that Imperial Brother is very unhappy because you submitted the doc.u.ment together with Li Mu and it’s quite possible that he will deal with you and the Wu family after the Farmers’ Festival."
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that they are trying to make him more determined to strike. Zhao Ya, you’re really hardworking.
Zhao Ya saw that he was quiet and asked, "Have you made contact with Lu Buwei and the rest? If there’s no one from Qin to help, how are we going to send Zhu Ji and her son back to Xianyang?"
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be troubled and said, "We’ve made contact long ago. They sent Tu Xian and his men over first but they still do not trust us. They only said that if we can get Zhu Ji and her son out of the city, then we are to meet them at Magu Hill west of the city."
How is Zhao Ya supposed to know this is all nonsense so her pretty eyes brightened and she pressed on, "There’s only 2 days left, is the secret tunnel out of the city ready?"
Xiang Shaolong suddenly had a bright idea and said, "Everything is ready." He continued with an earnest voice, "To me, you and Qian’er are more important that Zhu Ji and her son, so I’ve decided to send you, Qian’er and Xiao Pan out of the city first before I activate the attack on your Imperial Brother and the Hostage Residence. Otherwise I’d rather cancel the whole plan."
Zhao Ya’s delicate body shook as she lowered her head and said, "Are we really that important?"
Xiang Shaolong was secretly laughing to himself as he replied, "What joy do I have left if I lose all of you. According to past experiences, your Imperial Brother’s troops will leave the city the day after at the hour of Chen (between 7am to 9am). I will wait for you at the back door a little earlier, around the hour of Mao (between 5am to 7am). If everything is appropriate, I’ll immediately send someone to send all of you to the west of the city and after I’ve kidnapped Zhu Ji and her son, I will meet up with you and leave the city together via the secret tunnel."
Zhao Ya asked, "Who is in charge of the ambush outside the city?"
Xiang Shaolong replied, "Of course Wu Zhuo will be in charge. When the troops pa.s.s by the tall gra.s.sland, our men who are already in hiding in pre-dug ditches will shoot arrows when they are caught unprepared and they will be unable to react. This plan can be considered flawless."
Zhao Ya’s lips quivered slightly and with a voice as soft as an insect buzzing, said, "All right! At that time I, Third Princess and Xiao Pan will slip out to meet up with you."
Xiang Shaolong saw that he has reached his aim and went to look for Zhao Qian. Zhao Ya used the excuse that she’s returning to the Palace to report to Empress Jing and left the residence. However Xiang Shaolong of course knows that she is going to report the latest situation to the King of Zhao.
Naturally Zhao Qian is overjoyed at seeing him, but also worried that he won’t be able to win against the King of Zhao and Zhao Mu.
Xiang Shaolong hugged her, whispering sweet nothings to her and at the same time telling her about the plan to change Xiao Pan into Ying Zheng.
The expression on Zhao Qian’s pretty face changed, not knowing whether to feel scared or excited as breathed out, "No wonder Xiao Pan has been behaving strangely these few days, talking to himself. I was so worried that he has lost his senses because he missed his mother too much yet I dare not tell you for fear that you will be distracted."
Xiang Shaolong said, "Besides you and Tingfang, no one else knows his real ident.i.ty, so under no circ.u.mstances must you reveal the truth of this matter."
Zhao Qian replied, "I understand!"
To a.s.sure her, Xiang Shaolong told her what he said to Zhao Ya earlier and further discussed how they could help Xiao Pan disguise before he returned to the Wu family’s stockade.
The next day Xiang Shaolong went back to Zhao Ya’s residence to look for her and to test her.
As expected, Ziao Ya has no objections to this arrangement.
Standing from Zhao Mu’s viewpoint, Xiang Shaolong and the Wu family is just toying within his palms, and there’s no way they can escape from his hands. That’s why he will never let go of this opportunity that seems heaven bestowed to totally eliminate Xiang Shaolong and all of the Wu family’s power in one fell swoop.
Xiang Shaolong smiled and said, "Kids are more easily frightened, I’d like to take Xiao Pan away first, does Ya’er have any thoughts about this?"
Why on earth would Zhao Ya bother about an unimportant orphan so she nodded her head in agreement.
Xiang Shaolong stood up and was about to leave.
Zhao Ya called out softly, "Shaolong!"
Xiang Shaolong turned around and Zhao Ya threw herself into his arms, her slender hands encircling his neck as she kissed him, using all her strength to portray the pain in her heart.
Although Xiang Shaolong is not at all interested, he had to pretend to l.u.s.tily savor her tiny mouth.
As their lips parted, Zhao Ya’s tears flowed uncontrollably.
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be surprised and asked, "Do you have any problems?"
Zhao Ya leaned on his shoulder and wailed, only recollecting herself after a long while and said, "I’m just too happy, that’s why I behaved this way."
Xiang Shaolong was secretly cursing.
Zhao Ya stepped away and wiped her tears as she said, "Go and look for Xiao Pan!"
Xiang Shaolong took Xiao Pan away openly and along the way he changed him into some torn and old clothes he prepared earlier and gave him some instructions before bringing him back to the Wu stockade.
Before that he has already told the needed people that Ying Zheng is actually another person. Those in the Wu family were very excited and the happiest is Xiao Yuetan, because this has changed the entire situation.
They have just stepped through the door when Wu Yingyuan and Xiao Yuetan rushed forward and knelt down, calling out Crown Prince.
Xiao Pan pretended to be overwhelmed and hid behind Xiang Shaolong, and kept crying out that he wants to see his real mother.
Xiang Shaolong told them, "He’s still not used to his real ident.i.ty. Let me bring him to Tingfang for her to look after and we’ll talk again after he’s seen the Empress."
They did not suspect a thing at all and happily showed this fake prince into the inner mansion.
Time pa.s.sed, and the day of the Farmers’ Festival finally arrived.
Everyone in the stockade woke up before dawn.
All the ladies and children used the excuse that they are going to the farms to celebrate the Farmers’ Festival to leave the city. Ting Fangs.h.i.+ and the 4 maids were one of the batch who were sent away.
Wu Tingfang threw a tantrum, insisting on staying by Xiang Shaolong’s side. No one could do anything about her so they had to agree.
Inside the stockade, besides the 2000 elite soldiers under Wu Zhuo, there are also 700 odd loyal warriors and 200 odd male and female strong servants, in all about 3000 people. In addition to the high walls and the moat, they are a force not to be reckoned with.
This is also the reason the King of Zhao dare not make any rash moves.