Chapter 2734: Blackhearted

Gao You handed Bai Shan a jade pendant, the size of a child’s palm. He said, “This is an item from our Wang Ting. Our father had the craftsmen make them for us when we were born. My name is inscribed on the inside of the pendant. Deliver it to His Majesty, and he will understand my sincerity.”

Bai Shan held it carefully and nodded to Gao You, “Alright, Fifth Prince. Rest assured.”

Gao You nodded seriously in return.

Lou Mian, who had been silently standing nearby, watched their exchange with open eyes.

Bai Shan turned his head and saw him, offering a slight smile. He noticed Lou Mian’s sleeve had been rolled up while brewing medicine, revealing bruised forearms.

Bai Shan’s gaze became serious, but his smile did not change. Turning to Gao You, he said, “Fifth Prince, His Majesty appreciates benevolence. Remember to be generous when you meet him, win his favor, and perhaps he might directly appoint you to an official position and bestow a noble rank.”

Gao You’s eyes brightened, asking, “Can I marry a princess?”

Bai Shan remained composed and responded with a smile, “If His Majesty is pleased, you might have a chance to try.”

See if the Emperor won’t cut you down.

Do you really think anyone can marry a princess?

Ashina could marry into the royal family at such a young age because he was already a renowned warrior and strategist across the grasslands before his surrender. He had talents in governance, and if not for the circumstances against him, he wouldn’t have been forced to seek refuge with Great Jin.

Even when he sought refuge with Great Jin, he brought along his tribesmen and troops, bearing political resources.

The Emperor married his sister to him both to appease the Turkic military and people who had joined and because he admired Ashina’s talents.

What does Gao You have?

If the Second Prince on the other side were willing to surrender, there might be a slim chance. After all, unlike Gao You, Second Prince Gao holds military power and has more influence within the Goguryeo Kingdom.

Bai Shan pondered whether he could use the allure of marrying a princess to entice Second Prince Gao into defecting.

Bai Shan quickly dismissed the thought. Forget it, Second Prince Gao is not like Gao You. He surely wouldn’t believe a verbal promise; forcing a written agreement, he wouldn’t be able to conjure a princess for the Emperor.

Besides, the Emperor might not favor such a conveniently acquired son-in-law.

Bai Shan took the jade pendant and bade farewell. Before leaving, he spoke softly to the Imperial Guards outside, “Watch them closely. If necessary, separate them and imprison them individually.”

His expression was stern as he said, “They’re already captives; where is the distinction between noble and commoner? Although the main tent is quite far, His Majesty could pass by anytime, and hearing sounds of abuse is indeed inappropriate.”

The two Imperial Guards exchanged glances and bowed in agreement.

Only then did Bai Shan take his leave.

After walking a short distance, he encountered Zhang Hui.

At the sight of him, Bai Shan felt a startle, hurriedly shoved the jade pendant into his sleeve, and feigned a smile as he greeted Zhang Hui, “Lord Zhang.”

After the greeting, he attempted to leave.

Zhang Hui felt a pang of concern when he saw Bai Shan. Observing his urge to leave, he quickly stepped to block him and glanced in the direction Bai Shan had come from, feeling a stronger sense of foreboding.

He fixed his gaze on Bai Shan’s sleeve and inquired, “Lord Bai, where have you come from?”

Bai Shan replied, “Just took a casual walk. Lord Zhang, I have matters to prepare for the diplomatic mission. I won’t disturb you further.”

Saying that, he tried to bypass Zhang Hui and leave.

Zhang Hui grabbed him, his expression shifting, and he managed to feign a smile, “Lord Bai, we are both embarking on a risky diplomatic mission. Why don’t we sit down and exchange ideas?”

Bai Shan forcefully tried to retrieve his sleeve, saying, “I’ll consult with you later, my lord. For now, I must visit my wife. You understand, as I’m about to take on this risky mission, I must inform my spouse.”

“Lord Zhou is understanding; he will surely comprehend, and this matter is not urgent,” Zhang Hui said as he pulled the sleeve toward him.

Bai Shan pulled his sleeve back again, saying, “It’s very urgent.”

Knowing well he shouldn’t have dressed so elegantly with wide sleeves to impress Gao You, how regrettable.

Zhang Hui held him again, glanced in the direction Bai Shan had come from, and, convinced, put an arm around his shoulder, leading him toward his tent, “What’s the rush? Your wife, Lord Zhou, is not going anywhere. Come, come, we are about to become brothers in adversity. I have good wine in my tent; let’s drink to bolster our courage.”

Bai Shan thought: …he doesn’t like drinking wine.

Yet Zhang Hui dragged him to the camp. As soon as they entered, Zhang Hui ordered his attendant to fetch wine.

The attendant thought: …the wine has long been consumed; where was he supposed to find any for his master?

Nonetheless, he hesitated a moment before turning and leaving.

Bai Shan struggled to pull his sleeve back, but realizing he couldn’t, conceded to sit on the chair. “Lord Zhang, please speak your mind.”

“Since you put it that way, I won’t hold back,” said Zhang Hui, fixing his eyes on Bai Shan’s sleeve, “Lord Bai, you’ve just come from Fifth Prince Gao’s quarters, haven’t you?”

Bai Shan thought for a moment, realizing it couldn’t be hidden, so he nodded.

Zhang Hui said, “What good thing did you get? Share half with me.”

Bai Shan said, “… Just a jade pendant; how can it be split?”

He added, “If Lord Zhang wants one, you’ll have to ask Gao You for another.”

Zhang Hui said, “He’s no fool. Having learned from you, how would he fall for my trick now?”

Zhang Hui was deeply regretful. If only he hadn’t thought of this a moment too late; if he had realized sooner that there was a prince in the camp…

Bai Shan straightforwardly spread his hands, “There’s nothing I can do. This should follow a first come, first served principle, right?”

Zhang Hui shamelessly said, “If you don’t split it, I’ll go to His Majesty. Should Naju wish to surrender, an order could be issued for Second Prince Gao to comply, resolving the siege at Anshi City. In front of His Majesty, as well, what’s of greater importance is the overall situation.”

Bai Shan said, “… Gao You is still a prince, and surely possesses much. Why be so persistent over just a jade pendant with me?”

He advised, “With your efforts, you might as well go obtain another item from Gao You now.”

“But the one you possess is surely the artifact that best proves his identity,” Zhang Hui argued. “I’ll go and obtain another, and you can swap with me.”

Bai Shan obviously disagreed; Gao You had mentioned the jade pendant was unique to the prince.

He said, “If we’re talking about what best proves his identity, shouldn’t it be the prince himself?”

Bai Shan remarked, “You might as well take Gao You to Naju as an emissary to convince Goguryeo’s royal family.”

Zhang Hui gave Bai Shan a look as if he were an idiot, “Then why don’t you have him go to persuade Second Prince Gao?”

“Because Second Prince Gao is merely his brother; I don’t know the nature of their relationship,” Bai Shan explained. “Moreover, Second Prince Gao would unquestionably be unwilling to exchange even half an Anshi City for him.” He continued, “However, at Naju, there lies Fifth Prince Gao’s father, mother, uncle’s family, as well as his faction. If he can convince them to agree to surrender…”

Zhang Hui pondered and loosened his grip on the sleeve.

Bai Shan immediately retrieved his sleeve, using his injured right hand to touch it gently, exhaling as he said, “Lord Zhang, do consider carefully.”