Zhao Douan wore a slight smile, unsurprised by her choice.
He had made similar choices twice before; once in the Capital when he gave Young Master Li Yinglong’s captured concubine a chance to decide her fate.
The second ti was with Yun Xi, allowing her to decide whether to work for him.
Now is the third ti, and his purpose in doing so is quite simple.
Nie Yurong, being a mber of the Embroidered Robe Envoy, could play a critical role in the upcoming confrontation with Mu Prince, as long as she’s willing to work for him.
As a strategist, to defeat a strong opponent, he needs to discreetly plant "idle chess pieces," much like Princess Consort Lu Yan’er beside Prince Jing Xu Wen.
And now, what will happen placing an undercover agent under Mu Prince Xu Jingtang? Zhao Douan hasn’t decided yet.
But as a governor, it doesn’t hinder him from doing it from a strategic standpoint.
"Mr. Zhao, I can work for you without sacrificing my sister," Yu Xiu’s expression shifted slightly, stepping forward to try to stop him.
Zhao Douan smiled like a fox:
"Priest, think carefully. What I need you to do must be related to this Royal Family civil war, which will violate the principles of the Heavenly Master Mansion."
Yu Xiu was montarily stunned, took a deep breath, and said seriously, "I understand."
Her words ant that she was willing to break so taboos for Nie Yurong, even though as a disciple of the Heavenly Master, she would have to bear imnse consequences.
Nie Yurong, however, shook her head and smiled, "Sister, my mind is made up. Even if you stop , I will return to the Embroidered Robe Envoy. Not just for you but also for so friends over there. Now that I know you’re doing well, it’s enough, but I have other matters to attend to."
Clearly, as a female assassin who beca an Embroidered Robe Envoy, she is not soone indecisive, even more resolute than Yu Xiu.
She stared at Zhao Douan, saying earnestly, "Can I bring a few trusted friends to surrender to the court together?"
Zhao Douan, with a peculiar look, asked, "You believe Mu Prince will lose? Want to take others away from the fire pit?"
Nie Yurong said, "I don’t know who will win, but I believe Xu Jingtang lacks the deanor of a sovereign."
Hiss... What kind of person is this Mu Prince in private that even his subordinates lack confidence in him? Zhao Douan curiously asked, "Why do you say that?"
Nie Yurong said, "Mu Prince outwardly seems eager for talent but privately is not so, and most importantly, he is very suspicious. He never trusts Zhao Shixiong. I don’t understand much, but at the very least, I know that when subordinates aren’t united, it’s hard to win the world."
Zhao Douan’s eyes glead as he recorded this information and nodded, "Alright, in that case, I will later arrange for Song Jinxi to create an illusion of your escape and disappearance, allowing you to infiltrate back, and then you will connect with Song Jinxi."
The decision regarding the life or death of a female assassin leader was made so casually.
This ti, Nie Yurong looked at him peculiarly, "Just like that? Aren’t you afraid I’ll flip once I leave? Acting right now? Deceiving you? After all, decades with a sister I haven’t seen might not compare to my developnt within the Embroidered Robe Envoy for decades in others’ eyes."
Zhao Douan laughed heartily, waving his hand with strong confidence in his voice, "I am not Mu Prince; I do not doubt those I employ, nor employ those I suspect. If I let you go, then I will. If you betray, I caught you once and can catch you a second ti."
Nie Yurong was taken aback; only then did she truly realize that the Empress’s favorite in front of her was a completely different individual from the one depicted in the docunts.
Even with their brief interaction, she was captivated by Zhao Douan’s charisma and freedom of action.
"I sowhat understand why Your Majesty favors you," Nie Yurong suddenly exclaid, gave Yu Xiu a deep look, bowed slightly, and stepped out of the room.
Yu Xiu opened her mouth, sighed, and sowhat despairingly returned inside.
She didn’t bla Zhao Douan, only realizing that her crying sister from mory had long grown up, even more independent than herself.
...
After seeing off several people, Zhao Douan silently gnawed on an apple when a familiar footstep approached from outside.
Mo Chou burst in with joy on her face, "Xue Shence is back! Su Dan has been captured, a complete victory!"
Finally, he’s back!
Zhao Douan was invigorated, imdiately standing up to go with Mo Chou out of the county governnt, seeing Xue Shence and the other generals triumphant return.
Among the troops, several rebel army leaders were being escorted, the "Scholar General" Su Dan bound, eyes closed, silent, with an attitude indifferent to life and death.
"Commander Zhao! Xue did not disappoint and has shattered the enemy army! The prisoners are in the rear!" Xue Shence threw the Fangtian Halberd aside, dismounted, with a cloud of lancholy dissipating from his brows.
The faces of the generals were full of victorious smiles.
A great weight lifted from Zhao Douan’s heart, as he led everyone into the county governnt house to inquire about the situation.
The process was exceptionally straightforward, the plan failed, and Su Dan, without expert guards, was besieged by the three Capital Camps led by Xue Shence, Shi ng, and Yuan Feng.
They expectedly were defeated, and their retreat path was cut off.
Mo Chou also reported the current situation inside the city, stating that the damage was not severe, and just waiting for the driven-out refugees to return, that seized land could restore order within two or three days.
A great victory filled the entire army with joy.
At this mont, Xue Shence, Shi ng, Yuan Feng, Chen Gui, Tang Jinzhong, Ji Yue, Lang Shiba, and others gathered together.
In an extraordinarily relaxed atmosphere, they exchanged the results of the battle.
As the leading General, Xue Shence solemnly faced Zhao Douan, standing up earnestly, "The trendous victory in this battle is due to Commander Zhao’s great accomplishnts. Without the commander’s decisive actions at the critical mont, Xue would bear lesser responsibilities, and if the two counties beca scorched earth, it would be an unforgivable sin."
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