Departure
Departure
"This looks as if we're departing to war rather than going back," Wei Liuying commented.
Yang Xian laughed. "When we come here, His Highness bring a lot of soldiers with him. This is the one that caused the large number here."
"Are you sure that it's not because you have been recruiting more soldiers during your time here?"
"…Can you be less smart?"
Wei Liuying didn't reply again and moved her gaze back to the soldiers. She had seen the large number of soldiers when they first came to the capital city. Even though the increase was not drastic, she could see that Yang Xian must have already recruited more people than what he said on the surface.
However, he didn't seem to report the matter to the Emperor.
"Are you sure that you won't be hated because of taking their people?"
"It's fine. I'm targeting people like you who no longer had any place anymore. Of course, most of them are only in trial period because we still need to test them," Yang Xian said with a smile.
Wei Liuying arched her eyebrows. "Trial period, huh?"
What Yang Xian wanted to say was the fact that none of these people could compare with Wei Liuying, but he couldn't bring himself to speak those words. He knew that because of his frequent meeting with Wei Liuying, the two of them didn't want to let her off. They would do anything possible to make sure that she became part of their army.
These people were slightly talented, but they still need a long time to groom. On the other hand, he wanted to use Wei Liuying almost right away because her talent was simply too rare.
And slightly horrifying if he had to admit.
"Her Highness Princess Ji Xiaoli is here."
When they heard the voice, they all quickly moved to greet her. Wei Liuying and Yang Xian were not exception as they quickly moved to the front and bowed down.
"Your Highness, please this way," Yang Xian said while bowing his head.
Princess Ji Xiaoli was wearing long brocade dress. There were several maidservants following behind her. They were already tasked by the Emperor to make sure that they would never leave Princess Ji Xiaoli no matter what. They had to accompany her at all time.
"Strategist Yang."
"This subject is here, Your Highness."
"Can you bring me back to the palace?" Princess Ji Xiaoli asked with a cold tone.
Yang Xian didn't even have any change in his expression as he spoke out. "I'm afraid it'll be impossible, Your Highness."
"What if I give an edict?"
"Emperor's Edict was to escort Princess Ji Xiaoli safely to make sure that there was nothing wrong with the arrangement to Xiong Tribe," Yang Xian replied with a deadpan tone. Emperor's Edict was naturally higher than a princess' order. He was looking at the princess with his dark eyes. "Would you please collaborate with us, Your Highness?"
His tone was soothing and calm, yet there was a hint of threat beneath it. Princess Ji Xiaoli could feel that whatever words she was about to say, it was stuck within her throat. She didn't feel like saying anything else.
"You're a rigid man, Strategist Yang."
"Many thanks for your praise, Your Highness. It's a necessary trait I need to have to be able to do my job properly," Yang Xian said unhurriedly.
"I can see that very clearly."
The atmosphere between the two of them seemed to have reached the freezing point. Wei Liuying could hardly bring herself to listen to their words when they were just simply antagonizing each other.
It took some time before Yang Xian arranged Princess Ji Xiaoli into one of the carriages.
"Shi Mo."
"Yes, Strategist Yang."
"You'll be the one to watch over Princess Ji Xiaoli. Make sure that she never disappears from your watch."
"Yes, Strategist Yang."
Shi Mo looked at the carriage with curiosity. This was the first time he was asked to be the one who watched over an important person. He couldn't say that he was happy with this arrangement, but he didn't have a choice too.
"No matter what she said, make sure that you're not too far away from her," Wei Liuying added.
"There's no need to worry, Strategist Apprentice Liu. I'll not disappoint Strategist Yang."
Wei Liuying didn't say anything more and walked to follow Yang Xian. The two of them were to ride horse not far behind Ji Sheng because of Yang Xian's current position. Sometimes, it was hard to believe that someone like him used to be a commoner.
"General, everything is ready." Yang Xian changed his way of addressing Prince Ji Sheng. When they were on the battlefield, he was more used to call Ji Sheng as general or even Master. He only changed his way of addressing because they were in the capital city where there were so many eyes watching over from the shadow.
"Onward!"
They all started to move with Prince Ji Sheng at the front. There were only several soldiers who were staying near him to guard him from each side, including Yang Xian and Wei Liuying who were not far from him.
"Liu Ying."
"Yes, Strategist Yang?" Wei Liuying replied.
"From now on, you won't be able to return back to the capital city for a long period of time," Yang Xian said in leisure tone. His way of talking changed to be more relaxed now that they were no longer in the capital city. "Do you think that you're going to miss the capital city?"
"Miss the capital city?" Wei Liuying repeated the question. Inside her mind, the memory of her suffering back in Wei Family flashed for a split second. There was no way she would forget the days when she had to think hard and worked hard just in order to survive. Her family members basically didn't care whether she was alive or dead.
It was only after she showed that she was useful to her mother that the latter started to make sure that she was fed at least once a day. But even then, it was not really a good treatment.
"I wish from the bottom of my heart that I'll never have to return back to the Capital City again," Wei Liuying replied.
Yang Xian chuckled. "Based on General Sheng's position, there's low chance that he'll be called to the Capital City ever again."
"I see."
Of course, Wei Liuying already knew that. This was the first time ever since Prince Ji Sheng was sent to the frontline nearly a decade ago he returned back to the capital city. The Emperor never summoned him and it was very unlikely for Prince Ji Sheng to be called back to the capital city if there was no emergency.
Yang Xian watched Wei Liuying's expression but didn't say anything else.
The journey was long, and they didn't even stop in the middle. They were all had to be satisfied with only dried meat for their meal as they continued to walk. It felt as if they were heading to war rather than returning back from a trip.
The one who felt the most miserable was Princess Ji Xiaoli. Even though they have already used the best carriage to bring them all back to the north, it was still uncomfortable for her to sit for an entire day in the carriage. She almost threw a fit if not for her maidservants stopped her from doing so.
"Will we stop when it's night time?" Wei Liuying asked.
"Yes. We're going to stop in the valley nearby. There's rock formation that's perfect for protection," Yang Xian was the one who responded.
Wei Liuying nodded. She studied the area when they reached the place that they picked. As Yang Xian arranged some soldiers to keep watch, Wei Liuying realized that the position each soldiers picked was strategic. They would be able to see until it was quite far from their position.
"There are many things that I need to learn."
"At the very least, you have the basic book knowledge," Yang Xian remarked. "Many of us have to learn with experience rather than the academy."
"I never attended the academy. All I studied are from self-study, so if there's any part that I got wrong, I hope that Strategist Yang would be so kind to point it out."
Yang Xian nodded. "Of course. You don't need to worry about that."
"Xian, Ying."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Yes, General?"
Wei Liuying just realized that she had just gotten new nickname from Prince Ji Sheng. He must have wanted to shorten her name to make it easier for him to call her. Since she would be using Liu as her surname to hide her real identity, he picked Ying.
"Come with me."
Without explaining anything, Prince Ji Sheng started walking.