Murong Min and Huo Wei were sitting opposite each other on the warm couch, playing the military chess. Out of ten games, the emperor won nine.
The emperor played extremely seriously, while Huo Wei played extremely casually.
Murong Min's eyes were fixed on the chessboard as he calmly said,
"You also know why I agreed to the marriage alliance with Southern Chu. It's because Northern Yan has just conquered Western Liao and needs to recuperate. Dongning has always had an unclear attitude, so we took the initiative to win over Southern Chu."
Huo Wei's black eyes were deep.
"I know, Father. Now is the most suitable time for Northern Yan to form a marriage alliance with Southern Chu. When Northern Yan recovers its strength, I'm willing to lead the troops south personally."
Murong Min nodded, then looked at him seriously.
"So, for the matter of escorting the queen out of the city this time, Prince Yuzhang still needs to be cautious. I'll entrust the safety of the queen to you entirely.
The beloved daughter of Southern Chu must not have an accident in my hands just one month after she got married here."
Huo Wei had a cold and handsome face. His sharp and prominent eyebrows twitched slightly. This was such a perfect opportunity to get rid of Dugulanyue.
Anyway, he had to come up with a foolproof plan that would allow him to get away cleanly and achieve his goal.
He had thought of many ways to kill Dugulanyue before, but the queen was extremely vigilant. All the guards in the Zhaoyang Palace were her confidants brought from Southern Chu.
From the palace steward to the maids and eunuchs, he had never managed to infiltrate any of them.
He had missed a perfect opportunity in the side hall during the palace banquet last time.
Judging from Emperor Wenhui's current regard for her, if anything happened to the queen in the palace, it would be difficult for him to get away. The emperor would surely push him out to atone for the sin to Southern Chu.
Just as he was deep in thought, Dugulanyue walked in with a charming smile, like a beautiful and scheming red fox.
She took off her cloak, revealing a bright red phoenix robe. The vivid red was reflected in Huo Wei's black eyes. He gave her a malicious smile and said, "I pay my respects to the queen mother."
Murong Min looked back. "Why did you come, Queen? You didn't even send someone to announce your arrival. Come here quickly."
Dugulanyue walked up with a smile and hugged Murong Min's arm. "I missed Your Majesty, so I couldn't wait to come."
Murong Min smiled and stroked her head. "Wait a moment. I'll finish this game of chess with Prince Yuzhang and then accompany you, okay?"
Dugulanyue glanced at Huo Wei and then said, "It's not urgent, Your Majesty. I like watching Your Majesty play chess. Your Majesty's chess skills are much better than Prince Yuzhang's."
Huo Wei sneered inwardly, knowing that she was getting impatient and started flattering the emperor.
Murong Min gently instructed, "The queen will go out tomorrow. I've assigned Prince Yuzhang to you, but you still need to pay attention to safety."
Dugulanyue nodded.
"Yes, I know. But Prince Yuzhang has made great contributions throughout his life. It's inappropriate for him, a person of such high status, to be a mere escort general tomorrow.
I'm afraid someone will say behind my back that I'm arrogant and use our great hero, Prince Yuzhang, as a servant."
Huo Wei calmly picked up the tea cup. As he moved the tea lid to skim the foam, his sinister black eyes looked up and he gave Dugulanyue a meaningful look.
Murong Min's hand playing chess paused.
"Now that you mention it, I do think my consideration was a bit inadequate. After all, Prince Yuzhang is a prince. It seems inappropriate for him to do the work of the imperial guards." The emperor began to hesitate.
Dugulanyue immediately echoed,
"Yes, Your Majesty. Prince Yuzhang is the sharp blade of our Northern Yan. Since he is a sharp blade, he should be used for important things."
Murong Min nodded. "Well, then let the Second Prince go. Let this child gain some experience."
Dugulanyue picked up a piece of orange with a smile and fed it into Murong Min's mouth.
"Your Majesty is wise. I think the Second Prince is a child who can be tempered."
At this time, Huo Wei stood up and said seriously,
"Father and the queen mother have just got married. Sending the Second Prince would be a sign of disrespect to our queen of Northern Yan."
Dugulanyue interrupted him repeatedly. Looking at him half provocatively and half sowing discord, she said,
"What? Does Prince Yuzhang look down on the Second Prince? Is he saying that he is unworthy?"
Huo Wei's smile didn't reach his eyes as he slowly said,
"The queen mother is the queen of Northern Yan. Her status is naturally a hundred times more noble than mine. Moreover, the queen mother is the eldest princess of Southern Chu. As a person of such high status from both the north and the south, she should be treated with more respect.
Seeing off the Southern Chu mission may seem like a simple task, but in fact, it reflects Northern Yan's attitude towards the queen mother.
Father, I think I must go on this trip to show Your Majesty's respect for the queen mother and to reassure the emperor and queen of Southern Chu that their daughter is living a decent life in Northern Yan."
Hearing this, Murong Min took back the chess piece and rubbed it between his fingers.
"It seems to make some sense. The queen married me at such a young age. I should give her more dignity and respect."
The smile in Dugulanyue's jade eyes faded. She continued,
"I've already received a lot of dignity. For this escort, let the Second Prince go. Prince Yuzhang is excellent enough. He doesn't need this opportunity for training."
Feeling that her words were not forceful enough, she added,
"What? Does Prince Yuzhang not even want to leave this little opportunity for the Second Prince to gain experience? You are very excellent, but don't forget your brothers."
Huo Wei's expression turned cold. He was very clear that Dugulanyue was sowing discord and nitpicking with every word.
He got off the warm couch and bowed seriously to the emperor and the queen.
"What the queen mother said. Both I and Father attach great importance to Southern Chu, but you make it sound like we've ignored our brothers.
How about this? Let the Second Prince go along, and I'll lead the team personally.
I'm always skilled in the responsibility of leading troops for protection, and I can also guide the Second Prince.
In this way, the prince can gain experience, and the queen mother's dignity can be maintained. In terms of the north and the south, they will think Father has handled it properly."
Murong Min stood up and patted Huo Wei on the shoulder.
"Good. You truly live up to being my most valued adopted son. You always think so comprehensively about matters big and small.
Tomorrow, you will lead the team, and the Second Prince will go along to escort the queen and the mission out of the city."
Huo Wei looked at the stunned Dugulanyue with a sinister smile over Murong Min's shoulder,
as if saying, Go back and write your will.
Dugulanyue also smiled at him with curved eyebrows.
"Prince Yuzhang, His Majesty has personally entrusted me to you. You must be careful. If anything happens to me outside the palace, you'll be fully responsible."
Huo Wei said calmly, "The queen mother is overthinking. You have great fortune, and there will be more good luck in the future."
Each of them was smiling while having their own calculations. Tomorrow when they left the city, it would be a battle of life and death.
After Huo Wei left the palace, Dugulanyue stayed to have dinner with Murong Min.
"Your Majesty, it seems that Prince Yuzhang is a bit greedy for merit."
While serving soup for Murong Min, she began to sow discord between them.
Maybe when Huo Wei fell out of the emperor's favor and was neglected, he would be more obedient and restrain himself.
Murong Min took the porcelain bowl from her and smiled. "He has already been enfeoffed as a prince. He has reached the highest position among the ministers. What more merit does he need to be greedy for?"
Dugulanyue said, "Prince Yuzhang just conquered Western Liao. He thinks highly of himself because of his great achievements.
Your Majesty, look at his fierce appearance. Maybe he looks down on me. I also don't like Prince Yuzhang's appearance. Your Majesty, please replace him with someone else for me."
Murong Min comforted her. "Don't worry, Queen. I've warned him. He will surely send you back safely.
Moreover, among all the civil and military officials in the court, who is better at leading troops than him?"
Dugulanyue talked for a long time but it was of no use. She gritted her teeth and accepted it. Whether she could return to the palace alive would depend on her luck.
It snowed all night, and it was almost time to leave the palace.