Chapter 627 - 630: Illegitimate Son

Chapter 627: Chapter 630: Illegitimate Son

Zheng Fu opened his mouth, but no words came out.

He didn’t want to leave Yuanbao behind, nor did he want to stay behind himself.

But Li Ji’s attitude was unyielding, so Zheng Fu could only choose one of the two.

In the end, Zheng Fu chose to leave Yuanbao behind.

Zheng Fu’s steps were heavy as he left.

He couldn’t possibly ignore Yuanbao’s safety. Therefore, this trip to the county government was strictly for the performance. After the show, he would have to lead the opera troupe back to the inn.

After sending Zheng Fu off, Li Ji closed the door. When he turned around, he saw Hua Manman standing by the window.

Hua Manman was peeking out through a crack in the window and saw two government soldiers leaving the inn.

She pulled her gaze away and turned to Li Ji.

"What kind of important guest could there be in a small place like this?"

Li Ji said, "If you want to know, you can just ask Zheng Fu and his men when they get back tomorrow."

The next day, before dawn, the members of the Cloud Crane Opera Troupe were already up.

They gathered their performance equipment, left the inn, and headed for the county government.

An opera performance wasn’t something that could be finished in a moment. What’s more, every troupe in the city had been invited. If they all took turns performing, it would take at least a day or two to get through everyone.

And that was indeed the case.

Hua Manman and her party waited until nightfall, but the members of the Cloud Crane Opera Troupe still hadn’t returned.

Instead, a messenger arrived from the county government. The message said that the distinguished guest greatly enjoyed the Cloud Crane Opera Troupe’s performance and had specifically requested them by name. They were to stay at the county government and perform for another day. They wouldn’t even be able to return to the inn tonight and would have to spend the night at the county government.

Li Ji sent someone to secretly investigate near the county government, and they actually managed to gather some information.

It turned out that the distinguished guests being hosted by the county government were none other than the Xiliang Delegation.

Having been away from Shangjing for many years, Hua Manman and Li Liao were not very familiar with the capital’s recent political climate.

Both of them turned to Li Ji at the same time.

Li Ji explained the whole situation.

"The Empress Dowager’s birthday is in half a month. Xiliang Country sent a letter in advance, stating their wish to send a delegation to offer birthday congratulations and, while they’re at it, improve relations between our two nations. It’s not a major affair. The Central Secretariat agreed, and I had no objections."

Hua Manman remembered the last time Xiliang sent a delegation to Shangjing. They had left behind Princess Longzhu, the so-called "Desert Pearl," who became one of the Emperor’s concubines. Unfortunately, Princess Longzhu failed to win the Emperor’s favor. It wasn’t long before she was thrown into the Cold Palace for some transgression and was never seen in public again.

Far from improving relations between the two countries, that visit only ended up creating resentment on both sides.

To think that six years later, Xiliang Country would actually send another delegation.

You had to admire their persistence.

Hua Manman was very curious. "Who’s leading the Xiliang Delegation this time?"

Li Ji replied, "They say it’s an illegitimate son of the King of Xiliang Country."

The moment she heard "illegitimate son," Hua Manman’s inner gossip ignited.

"The King of Xiliang has an illegitimate son?"

Li Ji explained, "Rumor has it that while traveling for leisure years ago, the King of Xiliang Country had a secret affair with a dancing girl. She bore him a son, but she was persecuted and died young. Her son was lucky to escape the same fate and barely managed to survive. It wasn’t until four years ago that the King found the boy, brought him back to the palace, and publicly acknowledged him as a Prince."

This was all intelligence gathered by our spies in Xiliang. The broad strokes are reliable, but only those directly involved would know the finer details.

Hua Manman listened, completely engrossed.

"Isn’t this just the male version of ’Princess Dearest’?"

Li Ji frowned. "What ’dearest’?"

’She’s never even met the man, how can she call him ’dearest’ already?’

Hua Manman immediately tried to explain herself.

"Not ’dearest,’ the *Princess*! Ugh, don’t worry about it. The point is, for the King of Xiliang Country to send that Prince on a diplomatic mission to Great Zhou means he must be held in high regard."

Li Ji said, "To have earned the King of Xiliang Country’s trust in just a few short years proves the man is shrewd and capable. If he actually makes it to Tianjing, our young Crown Prince might not be able to handle him."

As he said this, the corner of his lip curled into a smile. He was clearly looking forward to the drama.

Hua Manman noticed that Li Liao had been silent this whole time. She couldn’t help but glance at him a few times, seeing his grave expression. He seemed to be mulling over something important.

She recalled that this was the same Duke Zhen who had been brutally betrayed during a battle with Xiliang years ago, an incident that nearly cost him his life.

With such a major grudge between them, Li Liao certainly held no goodwill toward Xiliang Country.

Li Ji also noticed his father’s unusual demeanor and took the initiative to ask.

"Father, what are your thoughts on this?"

Li Liao averted his gaze and looked away, replying in a low voice.

"That’s all in the past. I’m no longer concerned with the affairs of Xiliang."

It was clearly an evasive answer.

Li Ji knew better than to press the issue, so he let it go for the time being.

They waited until the following afternoon for the Cloud Crane Opera Troupe to finally return.

They thought that would be the end of the matter.

But unexpectedly, Zheng Fu brought back some news—

"The distinguished guest heard we’re also on our way to Tianjing and proposed that we travel together. That way, he can listen to our performances to pass the time when he’s bored on the road."

Hua Manman said quickly, "You should have refused!"

Zheng Fu said with a pained expression.

"I wanted to refuse, believe me, but it wasn’t a request. It was an announcement. And with the County Magistrate right there pressuring me, I couldn’t possibly say no."

Hua Manman immediately looked to Li Ji, her eyes asking, ’What do we do now?’

Although that ’Dearest’ Prince from Xiliang had probably never met Li Ji, there was no guarantee someone else in the Xiliang Delegation wouldn’t recognize him.

If he were recognized, Li Ji would be in a dangerous position.

Li Ji was perfectly calm.

"If we’re to travel together, then let’s travel together."

Seeing him agree so readily without making a fuss, Zheng Fu let out a long sigh of relief.

As soon as he was gone, Hua Manman immediately turned to Li Ji.

"If we travel with the Xiliang Delegation, the risk of our identities being exposed will increase dramatically."

But Li Ji said, "As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is the safest. Not even the Empress Dowager and the Saint would think to look for us hidden within the Xiliang Delegation."

Hua Manman paused.

’He actually has a point.’

’With the Xiliang Delegation as such a huge shield, their journey would surely be smooth sailing.’

’But that came with the risk of being recognized by someone in the delegation.’

Li Ji said, "I know how to disguise myself."

Hua Manman remembered what he had looked like back in Lingxi City. His disguise had been excellent. Unless someone knew him extremely well, they wouldn’t be able to recognize him.

And so, the last of her hesitation vanished.

"Then you should hurry up and put on your disguise. I’ll go tell General Bian to make sure his men are properly arranged so no one blows our cover."

Li Ji nodded. "Mm."