Chapter 130: Bai Tingting

Li Yuanying held control over the Imperial City Division, the elite intelligence and special operations force of the Southern Liang. Because this force was exceptionally powerful, Li Yuanying’s status in the Southern Liang was second only to the Crown Prince, Li Chengtong.

Just moments ago, Li Chengdao had promised him a great reward for his service, and Li Yuanying was already calculating whether he could use this opportunity to seize the position of Crown Prince for himself. He hurried back to his residence to mobilize the elite of the Imperial City Division and set off for Qianjiang Commandery.

After Li Yuanying left, Yu Fuguo whispered, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Long Chengen and Jing Tianlie have been locked in a fierce struggle, and that he, too, has left the capital and is heading for Jade Buddha Pass."

"I was thinking, perhaps we could send someone to make contact with Jing Tianlie."

Li Chengdao looked at Yu Fuguo and smiled faintly. "You are becoming increasingly clever. Reward him with one hundred taels of silver."

Overjoyed, Yu Fuguo bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Chengdao rose happily and headed toward the chambers of Consort Wei Hui. He had long since sent men to contact Jing Tianlie; there was no need to wait for Yu Fuguo’s reminder.

At the Crown Prince’s residence, a eunuch hurried into Li Chengtong’s room and shut the door behind him.

"Your Highness, news has just arrived. The Third Prince is dispatching men from the Imperial City Division to Qianjiang Commandery to assassinate Long Chengen. The Emperor has promised a grand reward if the mission succeeds."

Li Chengtong’s expression turned grim. Although he was the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, Li Yuanying, had always been his rival, and he felt a deep sense of crisis. Throughout history, Crown Princes often became mere NPCs, serving as stepping stones for other princes to gain experience; Li Chengtong feared he would suffer the same fate.

"If the Third Prince truly manages to kill Long Chengen, it will surely be disadvantageous to Your Highness," the eunuch said in a hushed tone.

Li Chengtong leaned back in his chair, gazing at the map on his desk with a troubled look. Li Chengdao had ordered him to train troops and prepare to retake Caishi City, but the city’s defenses were already formidable, and with Linjiang City acting as a rear guard, the difficulty of retaking it was immense.

"If the Third Brother succeeds, it will be a great merit," Li Chengtong muttered to himself. "But what if he fails..."

Li Chengtong glanced at the eunuch, who understood immediately and exited the room.

***

Long Chen and Zhang Qian, disguised as a hunter couple, rode on horseback. They carried blades at their waists, bows and arrows slung across their mounts, and the horses were laden with animal hides and mountain goods.

"You really do look like a hunter," Long Chen said with a laugh as he looked at Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian examined her attire and replied, "It’s not bad, is it?"

Long Chen chuckled, "Eating meat provides good nutrition; that’s why you’ve grown so well."

Only then did Zhang Qian realize Long Chen was commenting on the size of her chest. "I’ve already used a chest binder. There’s nothing more I can do about it."

Zhang Qian wasn't wearing a breastplate, opting instead for a binding cloth to make herself appear smaller, but her figure remained prominent.

"Ahead is Shangjiang County. Once we pass through, we’ll be in Qianjiang Commandery. Let’s rest in the city for the night." They definitely couldn't reach their destination today, so they decided to find lodging before dark.

"Fine."

The two dismounted at the city gate. The guards, seeing their fine horses, reached out and asked, "What is your business?"

Long Chen fished ten copper coins from his sleeve, pressed them into the soldier’s hand, and smiled, "Officer, we are just hunters from the mountains. Please be accommodating."

The soldier, dissatisfied with the small sum, stepped forward to rummage through the furs, asking, "You aren't sea pirates, are you?"

Long Chen laughed, "They are from the sea; we are from the mountains. Certainly not." As he spoke, he slipped a small piece of silver into the soldier’s hand.

Only then did the soldier happily wave them through. "I suppose you’re right. How could mountain folks be sea pirates? Go on then."

Once inside the city, Zhang Qian grumbled quietly, "Why does one have to pay to enter the city?"

Long Chen smiled, "You got used to being held in high regard while following the Princess. People at the bottom are just like this; you’ll get used to it. Let’s find an inn. It’s getting late."

The best inn in the city was located next to the county government office and was called the Fuyuan Inn. In ancient times, the center of any city was the official government office.

Upon entering the inn, Zhang Qian said, "Waiter, we need a room."

The waiter, seeing their hunter attire, looked down on them and said, "Travelers, this is a high-class establishment and it is quite expensive. You should try the place next door."

Zhang Qian tossed a silver ingot onto the counter and said, "We want a superior room. Unload my furs, and make sure the horses get premium feed."

The waiter was stunned, not expecting such wealthy hunters. "No problem! A superior room, and your horses will be well-fed."

The waiter efficiently arranged the room, moved the furs inside, and led the horses to the stables to be fed. As Long Chen and Zhang Qian sat down, the waiter asked for their order, and Long Chen requested noodles and sliced mutton. Soon, the food arrived.

"Having money is a good thing," Long Chen said with a faint smile.

In this world, life revolves around money and power. With them, others treat you with respect; without them, anyone can trample on you.

"Husband, I fear the table next to us is looking for trouble," Zhang Qian said, eating her noodles while glancing sideways.

Sitting there was a young man in embroidered silks; he was decent-looking, but his face held a wicked expression, and his eyes were raking over Zhang Qian up and down. Beside him were five disreputable-looking thugs in commoner clothes, their faces scarred—clearly not good people.

"Ignore them. Finish eating and we’ll go up to rest," Long Chen said, not wanting to invite unnecessary trouble.

Zhang Qian kept her head down, ignoring them as well. Just as they finished and Long Chen stood to return to their room, the five thugs surrounded them, blocking their path. The embroidered-silk young man walked over with a lewd grin, one hand pressing onto the furs and the other onto Zhang Qian’s shoulder.

"Little lady, you’re quite a beauty. How much for these furs?"

Long Chen’s expression shifted slightly. He wanted to kill the man on the spot but feared complicating their mission. Seeing Long Chen’s reaction, the thugs immediately closed in, two of them pinning Long Chen’s shoulders to prevent him from rising.

Long Chen was now at the peak of the King realm; if he moved, he could kill them all in an instant. Zhang Qian, however, was furious. Never having suffered such humiliation, she prepared to draw her blade.

Suddenly, a slender figure walked through the door: dressed in white with a black cloak, wearing an elegant silk hat, with a short sword at the waist and leather boots on their feet.

The newcomer walked in and sneered, "In broad daylight, to harass a decent woman—what immense audacity!"

Long Chen looked at the person in white and thought to himself: *A fine-looking one indeed!*

When Zhang Qian turned to look, she immediately recognized that the man was actually White Tingting disguised as a male. Zhang Qian was stunned. Why was White Tingting here? To seek revenge on Long Chen? That didn't seem right...

The embroidered-silk young man turned to see White Tingting. He withdrew his hand, his eyes glinting with greed, and he leered, "Oh? Where did this little brother come from? Not from around here, are you? Such a handsome lad, the first time I’ve seen one."

"Sit! Please, sit!"

Clearly, the young man preferred the masculine-looking White Tingting. Long Chen mused to himself: *So, he swings both ways.*

With the young man’s attention shifted, the thugs followed suit, surrounding White Tingting. Long Chen, not recognizing White Tingting, picked up the furs and headed upstairs. Zhang Qian, unable to discern the situation, decided not to get involved and followed him.

Once inside their room, Zhang Qian whispered, "My Lord, that person is White Tingting."

Long Chen didn't know her, but he recognized the name. "White Tingting? White Qiulian’s daughter? Is she here for revenge?"

Zhang Qian shook her head. "I’m not sure. But I’ve heard White Tingting and White Qiulian don't get along. She likes to dress as a man and act as a wandering knight."

Long Chen sat down, contemplating, "Our movements have been exposed. It’s too much of a coincidence for White Tingting to be here."