Chapter 452 - 450: Waiting for an Outcome (Second Update)

Chapter 452: Chapter 450: Waiting for an Outcome (Second Update)

After that, Governor Zhang arranged for them to stay at a nearby inn called Shuiyunjian. Although the name sounds grand, it was actually just a small inn relatively better than average in all aspects.

Mainly because of their presence, they had already burned down a Full Moon Building. No other inn owner dared to accommodate these formidable figures. After much persuasion, only Shuiyunjian agreed to take them in.

In the following days, Xu Jing and the others stayed at Shuiyunjian. Whenever they had free time, they would stroll around Xinzhou, but most of the time, they stayed at the inn doing their own things.

The medicines they prepared had long since begun to be transported to the front lines. Over these days, Xu Jing also received messages from the front lines, saying that the imperial army and the enemy forces had several small skirmishes, but the two armies had yet to face each other directly.

The main reason being that the enemy forces maintained a defensive posture, not taking the initiative to attack. In such a situation, the imperial army could only take the initiative to besiege, and besieging was naturally more difficult than defending.

Often, the party that defeats a defending side is not their opponent, but the inadequacy of supplies within the city, or a drop in morale on the defending side.

But Xu Jing looked at the map of Great Chu. The Jiang Family’s base in Yizhou was next to the Chu borders, adjacent to the Dadan Tribe’s territory. The Dadan Tribe was one of the tribes they persuaded to join forces against Chu. As long as the Dadan Tribe continued to support them by supplying resources, they wouldn’t face shortages in the short term.

Hoping they’d run out of supplies was less promising than finding a way to decrease their morale.

Apart from this, their days in Xinzhou were exceptionally calm, as if those tragic murders from not long ago never happened.

After relocating to the new inn, Princess Consort Ling and Consort Fang kept themselves locked in, hardly stepping out.

It wasn’t until the third morning, as Xu Jing was having breakfast with Song Qingyun in the main hall, that Consort Fang, accompanied by Sanye, walked down slowly.

The feigned pregnancy was no longer necessary for her. Her previously protruding belly was now flat, making her clothes appear somewhat loose on her.

Xu Jing glanced up at her and offered a faint smile. "It’s rare to see Consort in the main hall."

Consort Fang forced a smile, walked straight to Xu Jing, and said softly, "May I speak with Miss Xu for a moment?"

Xu Jing raised her brow slightly, nodding, "Please, have a seat, Consort."

Consort Fang gave a bitter smile, sat opposite Xu Jing, and said, "Listening to people call me Consort now feels incredibly ironic. Miss Xu, I only want to ask you one thing — how will my previous actions be sentenced? Will I ever return to Qi State?"

As she spoke, her eyes quietly reddened.

She sought nothing more now than to return home and be with her family.

And her newborn unfortunate child, whom she hadn’t even held properly.

Xu Jing was momentarily stunned, setting down her chopsticks. "I am only responsible for the investigation, not for sentencing. But Consort’s previous actions were under duress, and the authorities should be lenient in their judgment."

"Really?"

Consort Fang couldn’t help but ask, "Isn’t sentencing only done in the Western Capital? How long do we have to stay here? When will we set out for the Western Capital?"

Xu Jing smiled lightly, "It shouldn’t be too long."

Consort Fang looked at her skeptically.

How long is "not too long"?

They had been in Xinzhou for these few days, and Miss Xu hadn’t seemed to conduct any investigations.

Governor Zhang only visited the inn once or twice a day, and there hadn’t been any progress reported in the case.

Unhurried, Xu Jing pushed a plate of pastries toward Consort Fang and said, "Consort should not overthink. It’s still early; you probably haven’t had breakfast yet. Would you like some?"

As soon as Xu Jing finished speaking, several soldiers suddenly rushed in from outside. The leading soldier, wielding a large sword, announced urgently, "Everyone listen up! Close all the doors of Shuiyunjian immediately and prepare for defense! The enemy is attacking! Not even a fly must enter the inn!"

The soldiers stationed in the inn instantly turned tense, responding in unison, and quickly got to work, closing all the inn’s doors and drawing their weapons, ready for confrontation.

Xu Jing and the others were taken aback and listened carefully, soon hearing faint sounds of fighting approaching from a distance.

Though faint, the sounds of fighting were chaotic and fierce, merely distant enough not to be deafening yet.

Consort Fang’s complexion turned pale with uncontrollable panic as she looked at Xu Jing. "Miss Xu, what... what’s happening?!"

Xu Jing turned toward the tightly closed doors, unperturbed, and calmly said, "Finally, they’ve come."

Song Qingyun, though also a bit overwhelmed, had grown more accustomed to such situations having been with Xu Jing. "Is it... the Jiang Family?"

Consort Fang was stunned.

The Jiang Family? But weren’t they after Prince Ling?

Even if Prince Ling wasn’t truly dead, he wasn’t with them!

Suddenly, Xu Jing looked toward Chen Hu. "Chen Hu, the main guest has arrived. Would you kindly invite the Imperial Concubine..."

Before she finished speaking, a familiar graceful figure appeared at the top of the stairs on the second floor.

Having not shown herself for days, Princess Consort Ling was wearing a simple long dress. Her complexion was poor as she was slowly helped down by Nanny Lu and Dongyang, and coldly she spoke, "What’s going on? Why is it so noisy outside?!"

Xu Jing looked up at her. The once composed expression she had when accused of being the mastermind was now slipping.

A slight, ambiguous smile played on Xu Jing’s lips. "You should know better than anyone, Imperial Concubine. The Jiang Family would not act so extravagantly unless it was for one person."

Princess Consort Ling’s body stiffened as her face instantly turned pale.

Nanny Lu couldn’t help but interject, "Impossible, how could you... how could you..."

"How could we possibly find Prince Ling, is that it?"

Xu Jing stood and said calmly, "In reality, there’s no need for us to seek him out; he will willingly show himself."

Finishing her words, she turned to the still-stationed Princess Consort Ling on the staircase with an indifferent smile, "Since you’re already here, would the Imperial Concubine care to wait with us for the outcome?"

Finally, Princess Consort Ling could no longer contain herself and glared at Xu Jing with hatred, her jaw clenched tightly in silence.

But ultimately, she said nothing, slowly descending and taking a random seat.

Until she saw that person for herself, she refused to believe anything.

That child had always been obedient to her; he couldn’t possibly defy her wishes.

They sat silently in the main hall, the increasing proximity and intensity of the fighting outside creating an unspeakably eerie atmosphere.

Finally, the inn door was forcefully flung open, and just as everyone’s heart climbed into their throats, they saw it was their own soldiers who opened it.

And a man, disheveled in simple robes and a grass hat tilted askew, escorted by bloodstained soldiers. It was none other than the supposedly "dead" Prince Ling from a few days ago!

Princess Consort Ling’s eyes widened in shock, and she abruptly stood, shouting mournfully, "Why did you come back! I’ve done so much for you, prepared everything, yet you came back!"