CHAPTER 659: CHAPTER 639: THE BEAUTY TRAP

Zhang Boxi drank the ginger tea to warm up and reported to Xie Xun about the recent movements of Dugu Jing and Han Ziqi. Dugu Jing and Han Ziqi had not made any significant moves in the Capital City, nor had they had much interaction. Aside from the drinking contest on the day of the Emperor and Empress’s wedding, they had little prior engagement.

"Your Majesty, neither I nor the brothers in the Forbidden Army have ever let them leave our sight, and we haven’t discovered any evidence of collusion. After that day’s conflict, Dugu Jing even apologized to Han Ziqi. Lord Han, being magnanimous, did not hold a grudge or pursue the matter. Should we still keep an eye on them?"

"Keep watching. Han Ziqi is not a generous person. After failing to sow discord between my Second Brother and me, he didn’t return to Sannan after the peace negotiations. He must be scheming something. He’s waiting for the martial competition between Dugu Jing and me before he leaves for Sannan. He’s not staying here just for the fun of it. Continue monitoring them, and if there’s any interaction between them, report to me and the Prince immediately." Xie Xun didn’t trust Han Ziqi. While Beiman was a greater threat, Xie Xun’s instincts told him Han Ziqi was even more dangerous!

Back in the West State, Han Ziqi once used a clever ruse that no one saw through. Later, he launched a surprise attack on the West State, catching everyone off guard. If not for the West State originally being a haven for banditry, that attack might have succeeded. Ayu led the citizens of the West State to hold the gates; otherwise, the outcome would have been unimaginably dire. Sannan would have used war to sustain war, advancing from the West State to Lanzhou, coordinating with the Sannan forces inside and out to take control of all twelve states.

The Beiman forces and the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry had fought for so long without resorting to such underhanded tactics. Dugu Jing relied on sheer strength, but Han Ziqi’s scheming made Xie Xun dislike and guard against him even more. The key factor was Xie Jue’s status. If not for that, Xie Xun wouldn’t need to tread so carefully.

"Understood, Your Majesty!" Zhang Boxi laughed, then added, "Your Majesty, I’d like to ask for a reward."

"Speak!" Xie Xun, in good spirits after his recent marriage, was inclined to grant requests as long as they weren’t unreasonable.

Zhang Boxi said, "I will marry next month, and after the wedding, I would like an additional five days off to take the Commandery Princess to Liuzhou."

"That’s not difficult, granted." Since Zhang Boxi wasn’t in the Forbidden Army, allowing his shadow guard Feiying to handle matters was enough. Xie Xun could understand the desire for a honeymoon period after marriage. Liuzhou seemingly held special meaning for Zhang Boxi or Princess Xue Lan. They would marry at the start of the month, and by the time they returned from Liuzhou, preparations for the New Year would be underway.

"I’ve arranged the martial competition between Dugu Jing and myself for the end of the month. Do you really believe I’ll win?" Xie Xun asked leisurely. The matter of Xie Xun facing Dugu Jing in a contest was still a well-kept secret in the Capital City; even members of the inner council were unaware. The ongoing nationwide tournament originally intended to find a contender to face Dugu Jing continued uninterrupted. Xie Xun’s intent was to use it to select a Martial Champion, so he hadn’t stopped it. However, his personal guards already knew he intended to compete with Dugu Jing. Xie Xun planned to announce it openly after the wedding festivities.

"Your Majesty is the destined Son of Heaven; defeat is impossible. The fortune of Beiman has run its course, and their lands will inevitably belong to our Beining country. Dugu Jing is destined to lose; Your Majesty, undefeatable in battle, shall emerge victorious." Zhang Boxi flattered the new Emperor with genuine sincerity. No one wished harder for Xie Xun’s success than this group of newly favored officials in the new dynasty.

Though Zhang Boxi might not be the person Xie Xun trusted most, he was undoubtedly an indispensable ally for now. His position within the Kyoto Capital Guard and the Forbidden Army was unshakeable. Zhang Boxi hoped Xie Xun’s rule would solidify, though he privately wished the Emperor would avoid battle altogether out of concern for his safety.

Everyone enjoys being praised, and Xie Xun was no exception. "All right then, I’ll take your auspicious words," he said with a faint smile.

"I dare not presume!"

After leaving the hall, Zhang Boxi saw to it that Nuanyang and Feiying were summoned indoors by Xie Xun. Once business was settled, night had fallen, and light snow had turned to heavy snow. A thin blanket of snow already covered the palace grounds, making the paths slick. Palace maids and eunuchs scattered salt to prevent them from becoming too treacherous. When Xie Xun braved the snow to return to his chambers, Fengyu was awake, casually reviewing the palace’s expenses since she had little else to occupy her time.

"Going over the accounts again?" Xie Xun entered the chambers, shrugging off his heavy cloak. A maidservant approached with hot water for him to wash his hands. Fengyu ordered another to bring lamb soup. After cleansing his hands, Xie Xun finished the steaming bowl in one go, the warmth spreading through him. Pulling her into his arms, he embraced her. Fengyu, slightly repelled, popped a sour plum into his mouth to tease him.

Xie Xun accepted it without complaint and even deliberately licked her fingers, earning a mixture of laughter and scolding from Fengyu. "What urgent matter with the Forbidden Army kept calling for you? What’s happened now?"

In the palace, the greatest taboo was interference in state affairs by the inner court. Whether palace concubines or the Empress, involvement in political matters was strictly forbidden. If such detailed knowledge of the Emperor’s movements reached the outside world, any other ruler would have been deeply suspicious. But Xie Xun didn’t mind; he had grown accustomed to sharing everything with Fengyu. If she asked his attendants, they would answer truthfully—unless, one day, Xie Xun explicitly instructed them not to.

"Dugu Jing and Han Ziqi—I’ve ordered them to be monitored, in case they stir up trouble."

"Han Ziqi hasn’t left after our wedding?" Fengyu said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "He attended the celebration; what’s he still hanging around for? Is he staying for the New Year?"

Peace negotiations had concluded just before the Emperor and Empress’s grand wedding. As per protocol, Han Ziqi had been invited to the festivities. However, after partaking in the feast, he and the Sannan Envoy were expected to leave. The fact that they lingered bordered on insolence!

"Who knows? Even the Honglu Temple has inquired about Sannan’s departure plans. They won’t leave, and we can hardly force them out." Xie Xun drew Fengyu into his lap, kneading her sore waist as he spoke. "I’m mainly concerned about potential mischief between him and Dugu Jing. The thought of Dugu Jing using venom bugs still weighs on me."

The venomous insects had once nearly claimed Fengyu’s life, leaving both Xie Xun and Xie Jue with lingering fears. Xie Xun had since assigned people to study Beiman’s venom techniques, with Zhang Lingzheng, intrigued by the subject, volunteering to lead the research efforts.

Fengyu understood his concerns. Since Xie Xun’s return, she had avoided all contact with Dugu Jing. Still, a thought had been lingering in her mind that she finally decided to share. "Do you think... a honey trap would work on Dugu Jing?"

Xie Xun frowned. "What?"

A honey trap? Which beauty?

His intense gaze immediately locked onto her, and with just a look, Fengyu realized he had misunderstood. "What are you imagining?" she asked, exasperated.

Xie Xun coughed lightly, skillfully changing the subject with a burst of sweet-talking. "To me, you’re the only beauty worth noticing."