"No need to be so tense, I wouldn't have called you here just to threaten you." Qi Longhai's mouth lifted as he noticed the grim expression beginning to appear on Tang Qingshan's face. With a smirk on his face, he turned to look at Lu Fengmian, gray eyes marred with mirth. "This must be your new subordinate, Lu Fengmian."
Tang Qingshan's eyes widened. No one should know about Lu Fengmian's identity, he had been sure to keep it as secretive as possible.
Lu Fengmian's delicate brows suddenly furrowed. Whoever this man was, it seemed like he had all the advantages possible. Lu Fengmian suddenly realized that now that he had been limited in his power, situations like this were now a threat to him.
Having caught both of these two in surprise, Qi Longhai watched on as if he was a cat playing with a mouse. Glancing at Wu Fan, Qi Longhai said, "Go stand guard outside the door. If anything happens, do as you see fit."
Wu Fan nodded his head at once, "Wu Fan understands." Setting down the wine bottle, Wu Fan exited, closing the door gently and stood outside.
Staring back at the two men, Qi Longhai could feel the tense atmosphere. Even so, he merely continued on with a smile. "You act too surprised. Having grown up when I was in power, you should know that I have always gotten these information. I also know that you took in his sister, Lu Yingyue."
Hearing this, Tang Qingshan's hand formed a fist underneath the table, hidden from view. "No, that is my fault. You have always been like this, a being that held the world within your hand."
Hearing this, Qi Longhai chuckled while shaking his head. His eyes glowered ever so lightly, an aura comparable to an emperor's. "Ever since I left my power and my fame behind, I have been wandering across the five nations. Today, I finally meet you in person, the man who many have said to be able to rival me. It seems that their words fall short, you are not comparable to your title."
Hearing this, even though Tang Qingshan was a bit angry, he knew it was true. Qi Longhai was too powerful, his strategies ran deep, and his military power was unrivaled. In front of Qi Longhai, Tang Qingshan couldn't say anything to refute.
"The General may not be unrivaled under the heaven, but his fame is still able to bring upon peacefulness to the citizens of Mo Nation." Opening his mouth, gentle words spewed from Lu Fengmian. There was a soft light in his eyes as he glanced at Qi Longhai.
Having heard Lu Fengmian talk for the first time, Qi Longhai's eyes flew towards Lu Fengmian in an instant. Calculations ran through his mind as he scanned Lu Fengmian's eyes before he leaned back into his chair with a wide grin on his face. "I admire you. If it was anyone else, they wouldn't dare to say those words to my face."
Qi Longhai paused as he grabbed the wine bottle, refiling their cups as he finally said, "If my presence alerted you then I will apologize for that. While it was interesting to see your reactions, I wanted to meet with the General to speak of this ongoing war with Li Nation."
Lu Fengmian let down his guard as soon as he heard this. Qi Longhai wasn't the enemy, he was a subordinate, and he was willing to help Tang Qingshan.
Tang Qingshan's brows knitted in confusion.
Qi Longhai who saw this, merely replied, "I am not going to return back yet. For now, I intend to wait for the right time before I will return back to reclaim my position. So, while I wait, I will give you the answer to defeating the Li Nation by tearing them apart from the inside." Qi Longhai drunk a cup of wine, waiting to see how Tang Qingshan would react.
"I see, then please continue as you will." Tang Qingshan knew that no matter how dangerous Qi Longhai was, the man was still loyal to his nation. Even though he wasn't willing to return back just yet, just by helping them win this war would be more than enough.
Getting this answer, Qi Longhai's eyes narrowed, a hint of darkness passing by as he began, "'I have been collecting information on the nations of Wu, Li, Bai, and Hui over these years. With the Li Nation, there is much more going on. The Li Nation has only two princes, Prince Xue, Li Huang, the eldest son born from Empress Ru Yin, and Prince Tian, Li Wang, the second son born from Noble Consort Fan Fei. These two princes are both leading their own cavalry in this war."
"While it is displayed that they are good brothers, the rivalry inside the palace is different. With the position of Crown Prince still undecided, the fight for this seat is still strong." Finishing with this, Qi Longhai looked up at Tang Qingshan to see if the man understood what to do.
"You want me to try and break what little trust they have of one another." Tang Qingshan could see where Qi Longhai was heading, but doing things this way wasn't something he liked.
Qi Longhai shook his head, "While it is true that you will be breaking their bond, I want you to seek out Prince Xue. I had been able to get information about Prince Tian, that he is currently planning to rebel against his father and forcefully claim the throne."
Hearing this, Tang Qingshan's eye widened.
Seeing this, Qi Longhai sneered as he continued to speak. Tang Qingshan was too righteous, but Qi Longhai had done his fair share of using underhanded methods. "If you are able to contact Prince Xue about this, you will be able to break apart the Li Army easily. From what I have calculated, now that Prince Xue is already leading his cavalry towards Mo Nation, Prince Tian will be able to strike easily. In a matter of one week, all the Generals under Prince Tian's control has already begun to retreat. His rebellion has already begun."
Tang Qingshan thought about this. Qi Longhai was correct, the man was always correct. Everything that he said was true, else he would make it true.
Qi Longhai leaned towards them, eyes gleaming with a grin as he said, "General, you don't have to play so fair. Through these struggles, no one can play fairly. After all, this is a war."
-
Within Tang Qingshan's hand, he held a bamboo scroll. Leaving the diner, Qi Longhai had bid them goodbye with a simple scroll, telling him to give it to Mo Chou.
Tang Qingshan could still remember the heavy emotions within Qi Longhai's eyes as he did so.
"Give this to Mo Chou when you meet him. If he asks who you you got this from, simply say that it was an old friend from the past."
It was just this, but Tang Qingshan could feel how the man's demeanor had changed in that split second. Looking around, Tang Qingshan focused on Lu Fengmian who elegantly sat on Bai. Focusing, Tang Qingshan slipped the scroll back into a small pouch that was tied to his waist, his hand grasping tightly onto the black warhorse's reins. His stead that had been by his side for five years now was named Lei, thunder. Lei was a beautiful black warhorse, comparable to the darkest night, with a body even stronger and taller than most warhorses.
Feeling that his owner was finally paying attention to him, Lei let out a neigh while snorting, his steps getting faster.
Tang Qingshan was able to feel Lei change and merely smiled as he lightly petted the horse.
Lu Fengmian watched this with a smile on his face. For some reason, Lu Fengmian had a feeling that Tang Qingshan really loved children, that he was someone who was a good father. Well, the man had been the same in their past lives too. Even if the child wasn't his own blood, he cared for them all as if they were, even surpassing that with the way he spoiled them yet also held his lines as a father and disciplined them when needed. It was how they didn't have children running wildly inside a store, causing a commotion while throwing a tantrum.
Bai snorted as he turned his head away from the silly display Lei was showing, looking away from the black horse as Lu Fengmian chuckled a bit and combed his soft mane.
It was then that Lu Fengmian said, "If we do as the Young Master had said, would everything end faster?"
With Lu Fengmian bringing up Qi Longhai, Tang Qingshan could only nod his head as he muttered, "Yes, definitely. That man, even though he has been gone for quite some time now, he was always too much of a genius. Every strategy that he proposed was able to defeat the enemy by a landslide, every action of his had the nations shaking in terror. After he became the Conquerer of the Seven Nations, he disappeared. With the Emperor taking his first consort and becoming the current Emperor, although the nation rejoiced, they also lamented about how Longhai had disappeared."
Lu Fengmian watched Tang Qingshan's expression quietly. There was something that Tang Qingshan seemed to be missing, but Lu Fengmian also wasn't sure. There was something about the way Qi Longhai had looked when he mentioned Mo Chou, reminisce and a very subtle sorrow. It was something that the Qi Longhai mentioned shouldn't have, and yet the man did.
"Qingshan, aren't you ever afraid that you may never live to witness the birth of a new era? The future lies so far, yet the present is so troubling and hard." Without knowing why, Lu Fengmian felt pain while saying this. It came from the depths of his heart, it wasn't just something he was acting. It was what he wanted to ask. Why did you sacrifice so much for me, when I had given you every reason to turn your back on me?
Hearing this question, Tang Qingshan opened his eyes with surprise. He knew that Lu Fengmian wanted an answer, but he didn't understand why the man had such conflicting emotions within his eyes as he said this. Smiling to himself, Tang Qingshan replied in a soft tone, "I have someone I want to protect. If the nation is at peace, then everything will be well. I'm actually a selfish person. For one person to be at peace, I am willing to do anything for that."
Lu Fengmian watched at Tang Qingshan's eyes turned soft and he smiled gently himself. Yes, the man was always like this. Suddenly, smiling brightly, Lu Fengmian's hand tightened on his reins as he quickly patted Bai. "Qingshan, let's have a race." Saying this, he didn't wait for an answer as Bai shot forward, as if he understood Lu Fengmian's intention.
Tang Qingshan watched as the man on the horse quickly shot forward before he also smiled. Gripping the reins tighter in his hands, Lei also began galloping at a staggering fast pace.
-
"Mother..."
Within a beautiful and exquisite palace, the scene of a man walking with a still youthful woman was seen.
The woman was dressed fully in red, her face beautiful and mature, without a wrinkle in sight. Her eyes were clear and bright, lips vibrant and red. Her brown hair hugged her face, elegant and slender brows that sculpted the shape of her eyes. She was a rare beauty within the palace, a type of beauty rare in Mo Nation. She was mature, an air of power that flew from her, unable to be disguised. Her name was Bai Suixin, the mother of the current Emperor, and the past Empress of the former Emperor.
(Empress Dowager, Bai Suixin (To Follow One's Heart), 39 years old)
The man was dressed in fancy clothing, a golden crown on his head that wasn't too big but neither too small. His eyes were a vibrant blue, a color that only appeared for the royal family of the Mo Nation. His black hair fell on his shoulder. His sword-like eyebrows perfectly illuminated his eyes. He stood tall and heroic, powerful and regal. Handsome he was, yet there was something about him that made him stood out. It was the amount of power he held with his every movement. His name was Mo Chou, full name, Mo Chouyi, the current Emperor of Mo Nation.
(Emperor, Mo Chouyi or Mo Chou (Free of Sadness), 22 years old)
Walking side by side, there was a long trail of maids and eunuchs following a bit further behind them.
Bai Suixin walked with gentle steps within the garden filled with peonies and blossoms. Her face serene and calm, regal and beautiful.
Mo Chou watched his mother who still continued to walk slowly ahead as they crossed the small bridge. His blue eyes gazed at Bai Suixin carefully before he said once more, "Mother..."
With her name being called once more, Bai Suixin looked at her son and asked, "Hmm, what is it?" Her calm gaze looked back at Mo Chou as they stopped in front of a small koi pond. Bai Suixin paused to admire the beautiful fishes of all colors and sizes swimming in the delicately decorated pond.
Mo Chou gazed at all the servants surrounding them before he issued an order, "Leave, We wish to speak with the Empress Dowager alone."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" With that order, the servants quickly walked away, dispersing and leaving behind nothing.
Only two servants remained. One was Bai Suixin's trusted maid, Mei Xi, and the other was Mo Chou's own trusted subordinate, the head eunuch, Li Yu.
"Your Majesty, this servant shall stand guard with Mei Xi." Li Yu bowed, taking a quick glance at Mei Xi and they both moved right away. They knew what they needed to do.
Once everyone was in their rightful position, Mo Chou looked at Bai Suixin as he asked, "Mother, how long do we have to wait before making a move?"
Hearing this, Bai Suixin looked at the fishes that continued to chase one another. In a voice deeper than a typical woman, a voice soothing, she replied with ease, "Chouyi, one should never be too hasty. To make the enemy suffer the worst defeat possible, one must strike when they least expect it. When the enemy thinks that they have total control, when success is right before their very eyes, steal it just a step faster than them."
Hearing this, Mo Chou could only sigh as he asked, "Then what of Concubine Mian?"
With this name, Bai Suixin's eyes glistened. Mian Huaran had lied to her son, going as far as having a relationship and being pregnant with the Prince of Yue, Mo Shen's child, Mo Chou's second brother. One could offend her, but never her son.
"Let her face the most glory she can be given. Let her take pride in her position, shower love upon her. When she has grown too used to this honor, take it away from her. Strip this power away from her, and she will fall from the highest of heaven to the lowest of hell."
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