No one had expected that Qin Huailian would know so much and in such detail.
Sikong Ting and Dou Yuan stood there stiffly. Sikong Ting even covered his head with both hands. This sudden revelation left him at a loss, and he was more tormented by the confusion and pain.
Half a year ago, on the day of Sikong Ting's grand wedding, as one of Sikong Ting's concubines, Qin Huailian would first go to the palace for a physical examination. During the examination, by some strange coincidence, she wandered into the imperial library in the palace.
By chance, she opened the book that recorded the events of that year and Sikong Ting's hidden illness.
After that, she broke into the imperial study to verify the information. As expected, Sikong Ting flew into a rage and wanted to execute her on the spot. However, the empress dowager arrived in time and stopped him.
Dou Yuan frowned.
"She broke into the imperial library back then?" Dou Yuan asked in confusion. "Although the imperial library is not the most important place in the palace, it is located deep within the palace. How could someone who had never been in the palace before happen to walk there so coincidentally?"
Sikong Ting took a deep breath and slowly calmed himself down. "I've also been thinking about this. It's impossible for her to find the imperial library so accurately. Moreover, the eunuch who was examining her didn't even notice that she had escaped. That means the time she had to act was very short, and she was moving with a purpose."
"Someone must have instigated her," Dou Yuan said. He glanced at Sikong Ting, and their eyes met. They understood each other without saying a word. They both knew who had instigated her.
Yes, besides Loulan, which other country would be so eager to oppose Dacheng and later become Qin Huailian's protector?
"Half a year ago, around the time when the wedding was just held, there were traces of Yaze Bu and his men in the capital," Dou Yuan recalled and said.
"It seems that she had planned all this before entering the palace," Sikong Ting slumped to the ground, bending his legs and crossing his hands on his knees. "So after she learned about these things, she went back to Loulan with the people from Loulan."
Dou Yuan scratched his head irritably. "Anyway, she's General Qin Feng's daughter! General Qin Feng has spent his whole life on the battlefield, and the Qin family are all loyal and good generals. She..."
Dou Yuan couldn't help but sigh heavily halfway through his words. He punched the ground and said, "How stupid!"
"What's there to be stupid about?" Sikong Ting said with a bitter smile. "After hearing that her mother died because of me, she was probably willing to be used by them."
Dou Yuan was stunned for a moment and turned to look at Sikong Ting, his eyes full of confusion.
Sikong Ting also looked at him, wiped his face with his hand, and said, "Qiu told me about his younger sister, Qin Huailian. He praised her for being very smart. Moreover, as a woman, she also had a relatively deep understanding of military strategies."
"How deep is'relatively deep'?" Dou Yuan asked.
Sikong Ting sighed. "It's more difficult for a woman to fight than a man. Moreover, because of the death of his first wife, Gu Hanfang, on the battlefield, Qin Feng didn't seem to want Qin Huailian to continue to be involved in these things. So Qiu's understanding of his younger sister was also very one - sided. Qiu only told me that although she had the talent for leading troops, it was all theory. If she really went back to the battlefield, she might need some time to train."
"That's right. The previous enemy troops were all beaten back by General Qin. So now Qin Huailian is helping the Loulan army to simulate the battlefield," Dou Yuan said with a solemn expression. "Hiss, no, judging from the meaning of this letter, it seems that she is commanding the battles of Loulan and the Xiongnu?"
Sikong Ting nodded. "I'm afraid so. Qin Huailian is doing this just to avenge her mother."
"Stupid!" Dou Yuan gritted his teeth and scolded. "Even if General Gu Hanfang died while picking snow lotuses to save you, can't she tell the difference between national hatred and family feud? Moreover, what she's doing is almost making an enemy of the whole Dacheng. If the enemy troops penetrate deep into Dacheng, the impact on Dacheng won't be covered by a simple family feud. By then, there will be chaos and the people will be in dire straits. All because of her own selfishness? I really don't know what General Gu Hanfang would think if she were still alive. It's really absurd!"
"A young girl in the boudoir is naturally more emotional. If the enemy keeps brainwashing and inciting her, it's not surprising that she would do such a thing," Sikong Ting covered his mouth and frowned. "Anyway, we can't let her meet Qiu at this time."
Dou Yuan looked at Sikong Ting. "Your Majesty, this is such an obvious provocation. She told you her next move so arrogantly. There must be some deception."
Sikong Ting thought for a while. "Who is the current governor of Gengnan City?"
Dou Yuan thought for a while. "Qian Shuyu."
"Qian Shuyu doesn't have enough experience. He can't hold out," Sikong Ting said. "I'm thinking of sending Feng Zuo to lead troops to reinforce Gengnan City, and Qiu will continue to defend the Protector - General's Office firmly."
Sikong Ting looked at him. "As you said, this may be a ruse by the enemy. Compared with Gengnan City, the Protector - General's Office is more important."
"But if Gengnan City falls, the areas of Yunnan and Sichuan will be in danger. It's like they've opened a gap directly!" Dou Yuan objected.
"Then look at the location of Gengnan City!" Sikong Ting raised his voice. "It's in the southernmost part of the entire Protector - General's Office jurisdiction, so far away from the enemy's camp. They give up the north and travel a long distance to attack the south? I think the possibility is very small."
"But they're up against General Qin. They couldn't even capture Yutian and Kucha," Dou Yuan suddenly sighed. "Your Majesty, I know you don't want the people from the Qin family to meet Qin Huailian, but they're already on the battlefield against each other. They'll find out sooner or later."
Sikong Ting's face darkened, and he pursed his lips without saying a word.
"Even if you don't let Concubine De go, at least let General Qin Feng go to support," Dou Yuan paused and said.
Sikong Ting reached out and scratched his hair irritably. "Dou Yuan, things are not as simple as you think. The Qin family are all loyal and heroic. If they knew about Qin Huailian's situation, do you know how much of a blow it would be to them? This matter is no longer just a military issue."
Dou Yuan opened his mouth. "But Feng Zuo..."
Sikong Ting gritted his teeth. "Feng Zuo is a soldier trained by Wu Qiuyang. I believe in him. I know what you're worried about. I'll let Qin Feng continue to guard Yutian. As long as the enemy troops attack Gengnan City, if the worst - case scenario happens and Feng Zuo is defeated, Qin Feng can send troops to support at any time."
Dou Yuan thought for a while. "Okay, this is fine."
Sikong Ting patted his robe and slowly stood up. He looked at the ground. Countless bamboo slips and books were either spread out or closed, lying in a mess. Sikong Ting's eyes darkened, and he said in a deep voice, "Since things have come to this, go quickly and deliver my imperial edict."
Dou Yuan also stood up, bowed to Sikong Ting, and said, "Your servant obeys the order!"
"There's one more thing," Sikong Ting blinked his eyes. "Help me prepare. I'm going to lead the expedition in person."