TWENTY THREE

On the day the royal convoy was leaving the capital, Jiang Xi Yu witnessed how glorious the life of the royal families was at that time. The people were standing along the side road hoping to catch a glimpse of any member of the royal family. There was not a single one standing on the second floor of any houses because it was forbidden to stand and look from higher places than The Emperor.

The Emperor shared the main royal carriage with his Empress and was followed behind by the royal carriage for his Gui Fei. Jing Gui Fei shared her royal carriage with Duan Wang Fei, while Shu Gui Fei shared a royal carriage with Rui Wang Fei, and Yan Huang Fei shared her own carriage with the current beloved pín.

The Empress appointed Qu Huang Fei to handle the back of the palace while they all were at the summer palace. Therefore, Qu Huang Fei would stay behind with other numeros members of the royal family who are not invited by The Emperor.

Qu Huang Fei might seem happy to bid them farewell but Jiang Xi Yu sure no one knows for sure what Qu Huang Fei felt in the bottom of her heart. The Emperor invited Yan Huang Fei, whose son was sent to the campaign by The Emperor instead of Qu Huang Fei whom her son was invited to join the summer hunt.

A way of thinking that blew Jiang Xi Yu's mind.

Whenever passing through a village or small town, the royal convoy succeeded in gathering the commoner's interest. When Jiang Xi Yu finally found her comfort on her seat, she leaned more toward the carriage's window to catch the feel of the summer breeze.

The soft wind blew the silk curtain that prevented the commoner from catching a glimpse of her. The softness of the material touched her cheek and she enjoyed the cool air that hit her face.

The sound of a horse that sounded very close to her carriage made her open her eyes and her gaze caught up with Li Qing Feng who was riding his horse too close to her carriage. Both of them were stunned at each other.

Jiang Xi Yu was the one who acted first between them. Awkwardly, she closed the blind again and straightened her back on her seat. Her eyes peeped to her side and found Jing Gui Fei and their trusted servant were still resting. Unaware of what just happened.

The sound of the horse neighing was still close to her carriage. Jiang Xi Yu assumed Li Qing Feng was still riding next to their carriage. She felt awkward everytime she was close to Li Qing Feng. Her fear of him had long been replaced with an awkward feeling. His gaze made Jiang Xi Yu feel intimidated but all their few moments together make it seem as if there is a strange secret that only the two of them have.

"Halt the entourage!" Suddenly, Li Qing Feng gave an order and everyone in the same carriage with Jiang Xi Yu stayed alert.

"Inform Fuhuang that the scenery along the river is simply amazing. The air is also not too hot. If Fuhuang consented, the entourage could stop for a moment and enjoy the view while taking shelter under the tree on the grass in front."

They all were listening to Li Qing Feng's words. Apparently the taijian, he was talking to, quickly conveyed his word to the Royal Carriage in front of Jiang Xi Yu's carriage. No need to wait for so long, the words were out, The Emperor was delighted with Li Qing Feng's suggestion and the entourage stopped at the open field of grass next to the river banks.

Jing Gui Fei opened the blind to see how the taijian prepared the sudden picnic area for the Royal Family. Li Qing Feng jumped off his horse and along with Li Jin Sheng, they stood by the river banks.

Jiang Xi Yu's eyes got caught once again by Li Qing Feng's when Jiang Xi Yu opened the blind to get to see the amazing view they were talking about. Spontaneously, Jiang Xi Yu leaned back and let Jing Gui Fei shift seats with her as Jing Gui Fei was also excited to see the view.

Not long after that, apparently the setting was done. Jiang Xi Yu heard the commotion created as the personal taijian informed their master inside each carriage that everything was ready.

"Niang niang, the setting is ready. Niang niang and Duang Wang Fei can come down and have a rest." He Lu gonggong informed them from the outside of the carriage.

Ding mama opened the door and came out with Ru Qing and Ru Ming first before them. Excitedly, Jing Gui Fei prepared herself to come out from the carriage. He Lu gonggong already positioned himself with one knee on the ground to help carry Jing Gui Fei down from the carriage.

The bustle in front and behind their carriage was very much the same with them. Jiang Xi Yu's ear caught the familiar voice behind her carriage. She turned her head and caught Li Qing Feng walking, approaching to their side. He must be trying to help his wife since Han Yao Ying sounded very motion sickness.

After Jing Gui Fei safely reached the ground, it was her turn to come out. The long journey has made her feet feel like pins and needles. She cannot wait to be outside and feel the fresh air so she grabbed everything she could to give her strength to move.

Jing Gui Fei held Ding mama's hand and both of them left her behind and walked forward. She thought Ru Qing and Ru Ming were ready to help her out but she was too busy grabbing every solid surface to move herself out to notice that both her yahuan were carrying a food basket and their tea set.

"I cannot feel my leg. I think my lower part is too weak. I sat too long." Jiang Xi Yu was babbling to He Lu gonggong who lifted up his left hand even higher for Jiang Xi Yu. Still in his position, his right hand patted his thigh as a sign where Jiang Xi Yu should step.

"Nucai is here for you, Duan Wang Fei." He assured her with full confidence.

"I do not think you can." She was pessimistic that this was a good idea.

Jiang Xi Yu knew how scary the thick sole of her shoes would be if she stepped on He Lu gonggong's back and how tiny the size of her horrible lotus feet would make her lose balance. She believed that she would be swaying and falling. Such a high maintenance life she has at this period of time, she sighed.

Her head turned to look for Ru Qing and Ru Ming, meanwhile her hand held He Lu gonggong's hand tightly. He Lu gonggong was a skinny old man who she believed could not handle her own body weight. She already felt it was horrible to step on his back, some more she still needed to fully trust him to hold her body weight safely to the ground.

The minute she saw Ru Qing and Ru Ming both hands were fully occupied, she felt her body sway. She screamed her heart out as she was scared she would hurt both herself and He Lu gonggong. All the attention focused on her and her scream mixed with Ru Qing and Ru Ming's. Reflexively closing her eyes, Jiang Xi Yu felt a strong arms catch her and held her tightly.

Li Qing Feng held her body with both hands. When Jiang Xi Yu opened her eyes, she found Li Qing Feng looking down on her face with his scary big eyes. She turned her head to check on He Lu gonggong and was relieved that the old taijian was fine and seemed to have fallen on the ground without any major injury.

"Sao sao is basically a disable woman who can no longer stand and walk properly like a normal person." Li Qing Feng harshly commented without letting her off his hands.

He laughed at her and continued to add. "Bear in mind about this condition if someday sao sao carries royal blood in your belly. Sao sao does not want to have to experience losing it again, don't you?!"

The smirk on his face closed the statement painfully in Jiang Xi Yu's heart. Pretty much he said that she was not capable of carrying a baby and she was just a disable person. She hated him ever more.

She was still thinking how to reply to those hurtful words however Ru Qing and Ru Ming already stood next to them and Li Qing Feng made her stand on the ground on her feet. He Lu gonggong kowtow asked for forgiveness towards Jiang Xi Yu while Li Qing Feng left the area.

"Wang fei…" Both Ru Qing and Ru Ming dropped everything on her hands into the ground and held her hands.

Jiang Xi Yu noticed The Emperor and The Empress were watching nearby. The words that were said must have been heard by all of them. The embarrassment hit her badly. She tried her best to not shed any tears and took a deep breath before calmly responding to the situation.

"He Lu gonggong, stand up and help me walk over there. Ru Qing, Ru Ming, you take care of the stuff over there." Jiang Xi Yu let herself off from Ru Qing and Ru Ming. She held He Lu gonggong's hand tightly and tried her best to walk steadily with her chin up high as the other watched her move.

Inside her heart, she cursed Li Qing Feng as harshly as she could.

***

"Wang ye, Huang Shang invited Jing Gui Fei and wang fei to join the summer retreat at the Imperial Summer Palace in Rehe province. The Royal Entourage started right after nu left the capital. According to nu's calculation, The Royal Entourage must have arrived at the Imperial Summer Palace a couple days ago."

As soon as Ming He reached Gaochang, he rushed into Li Fei Long's chamber and gave his report to him. In his hand, he also handed a sealed letter written by Duan Wang Fei.

At that time Li Fei Long was in a bad mood. Western Turkic Khaganate sent their messenger and insisted that Gaochang, Karasahr, and Kucha were part of their territories. The four kings seemed to want to dissociate from Xi Dynasty, considering that basically they actually came from the same khaganate. It was understandable.

The tide could change for the worse for the Xi Dynasty. Gaochang, Karasahr, and Kucha were the main cities for the silk route. If they lose these three cities, the other cities along the route would follow and would weaken their strength.

Li Fei Long got a plan. Before he announced his plan with General Kong Li Jun, General Jiang Zhen Hai, and Commander Bai Liang Jun, he wanted to make sure of something.

He pulled the letter away from Ming He's hand. Opened it in a rush, while he asked. "Who else joined the entourage? Did Master Gao join along?"

"Answering wang ye, beside The Emperor, The Empress, Li Xi Shi Gulun gongzhu, and Lou Che Fuma, The Emperor also invited Shu Gui Fei, Rui Qin Wang, and Rui Wang Fei, Ning Qin Wang, Yan Huang Fei, and also Zhao Yi pin. The Grand Chancellor, The Grand Princess with The Empress Dowager also join the entourage. As for Gao Xian gongzhi, nu had discussed it with wang fei and Gao Xian gongzhi himself and concluded that it was not a wise decision if Gao Xian gongzhi suddenly appear at the Imperial Summer Palace as it could leave wrong assumption of Duan Wang Fu in The Emperor's eyes." Ming He did not ease his posture while he explained in length. After he finished, he still kneeled down as he waited for Li Fei Long to give permission to be at ease.

Li Fei Long gave his back to him as he started to read the writing on the letter. Jiang Xi Yu's way of writing was funny and not elegant. Some words sometimes cannot be understood, like she created herself. Li Fei Long chuckled on some parts until he remembered that Ming He was still waiting for him.

"Go get some rest. After I write my reply, Qian Chang Xin can deliver it to the Imperial Summer Palace." Li Fei Long folded back the letter and kept it safe inside his wooden box on the table to be read fully later that day.

Ming He stood up and bowed before he left.

***

Amidst the hot desert weather, the wind blew sand into their faces as they rode their horses. By monitoring the situation, Li Fei Long gathered General Kong, General Jiang, and Strategist Commander Bai away from others. Li Jin Qiu rode a different way with Han Hong Yuan and King Kan.

"The negotiations between East Turks and West Turks seem to be getting tough. We never find common ground. It seems The western part even feels they have the upper hand, ben wang get the feeling that the four heads of the Khan are starting to weaken. After all, they come from similar tribes." Li Fei Long did not want to waste time and spoke his mind straight away. The Great General who rode before him, turned his head and pulled his horse to stop.

"Benren knows that. Based on the information from the intelligencer we planted, the west turks will attack us in one or two days. We can solve it with war. They are outnumbered." General Kong answered in full confidence.

The four of them gather around outside the camp site. With their horses facing each other, Li Fei Long calmly smiles at The General.

"Even though they are outnumbered, they all are barbarian. We may win one war but how many we could lose in one war? Besides, we still need to be aware of The Four Khan on our side." Li Fei Long disagreed.

General Kong frowned, listening to Li Fei Long. Beside him, the young General Jiang gazed at Commander Bai.

"Does Duan Qin Wang have a plan in mind?" Commander Bai was curious.

Quickly, Li Fei Long nodded.

"Ben wang has a lunatic plan before the war starts." He succeeded in gaining their intention. The trio legends of the wars were focusing on him.

"Tonight we will kidnap Ashina Helu and bring him down here and create a ruckus even before the war begins." Li Fei Long lifted up his chin with full pride.

He knew the trio were shocked by his plan. General Jiang's jaw basically dropped. The Great General Kong scoffed on him. Only Commander Bai who remained calm and pinched his eyes.

"What made Duan Qin Wang have this kind of plan? Kidnaping the leader of their troops and the highest General of Western Turks. It is an impossible plan." Commander Bai argued.

"It is a suicidal plan." General Jiang added.

"It is a cowardly plan." The Great General Kong cleared his throat.

Li Fei Long knew they would react this way. This was his first campaign. He expected no one would welcome him and treat him like he was a master of war campaign. But Li Fei Long wanted to show them all that he was intelligent.

"This is not a cowardly plan. Even though ben Wang does think this is a suicidal plan, my argument is that the plan might be effective to handle this campaign in an efficient way." Li Fei Long answered calmly.

"Please enlighten us, wang ye." Commander Bai said politely.

"West and East Turks are equally barbaric. If we fight The West but The Four Khan turn their back against us. Our empire would be at risk. If we can sneak and steal keys from the beginning, we would not waste our energy." Li Fei Long smirked at his own strategy.

The trio was listening to him carefully. Li Fei Long continued with confidence. "By kidnapping Ashina Helu and bringing him to Gaochang, we burn West Khagante's anger. Anything happening behind our back between West and East Turks would scatter apart because the West side would think the East kidnap their general. We can continue to act like Xi's Imperial support troops for The East Turks to handle The West Turks."

Li Fei Long stopped and waited for General Kong, General Jiang, and Commander Bai to transform the plans he revealed into their calculations. Commander Bai was the one who responded first by nodding and smiling widely.

Li Fei Long turned to check General Kong's response. The old General glanced at him but still stayed quiet.

"Wang ye plans to pit them against each other." General Jiang commented.

"Wang ye wants to use the barbarians to control other barbarians." Commander Bai responded positively.

"And, how to kidnap Ashina Helu and bring him down here before the war starts?" General Jiang asked with doubt.

Li Fei Long smiled. "Their kind is known to enjoy wild feast before starting war. Tonight, General Jiang will accompany ben wang to infiltrate their flock with the help of our intelligencer. Both of us are enough to capture Ashina Helu and bring him out from there."

"Benren thinks wang ye is underestimating their capability. Ashina Helu and his people know the area really well. This is their common ground. How could we let a son of The Heaven do this suicidal mission without full preparation?!" Commander Bai rejected it in full concern.

"Benren is ready for the mission." General Jiang gathered his fists toward General Kong and turned to Commander Bai.

He continued, "Benren will take some of my loyal and capable men. We are all experienced with the field. General Kong, Commander Bai, and Duan Qin Wang can wait for my return at the campsite."

"Just because ben wang has never been to this side of the empire, it does not mean that ben wang is not supposed to do the mission. Ben wang can assure you, if more hands are involved, this plan will only end up failing. Just two of us is enough for the mission." Li Fei Long tried to convince General Kong and Commander Bai.

Commander Bai was obviously against the idea of letting Duan Qin Wang to be directly involved with their special mission. But General Kong kept his silence and only gazed at Li Fei Long. Nobody knew what he was thinking.

"Commander Bai, inform our intelligencer." Finally, after some thoughts, The Great General Kong gave the order and surprised Commander Bai. "Duan Qin Wang and General Jiang can carry out the mission before midnight. While waiting for their return, we prepare for the worst from the campsite."

After The Great General finished with his words, he kicked his horse and led his horse to their original direction. Commander Bai followed him behind and tried to talk it through but The Great General did not want to change his mind.

General Jiang led his horse to come closer to Li Fei Long's side. Both started to ride their horses in harmony.

"Wang ye needs to think thoroughly before phrase a big plan." General Jiang expressed his opinion in a low voice. "Apart from prioritizing the interests of power, there are other responsibilities that must be taken into account."

Without turning his gaze to his side, Li Fei Long tried to catch up with the two seniors in front of them. "Because ben wang took account of other responsibilities, ben wang knew that ben wang had to get General Jiang involved in this task. My part is to herd the prey, your part is to make sure I return safely."

***

Not far in front of the main yurt, Ashina Helu the leader of the troops gathered around the campfire with his subordinates. They were roasting wild animals while sipping their traditional alcoholic drink, raki.

Each of them were accompanied by naked whores. Watching his five brotherlike subordinates enjoying their whores, Ashina Helu felt content. This was his tribe. His home.

He pledged his loyalty to Duolu Qaghan, the ruler of the Western Turkic Khaganate and was awarded with the title shad. Along with his title, he was appointed to govern certain tribes including Chuye, Qarluq, Nushibi. His five subordinates came from these three tribes. He, himself, was a son of the Turkic prince and general. Same as his father, he fought and led his tribes like a wolf.

His responsibility included fulfilling Duolu Qaghan's ambition to expand their borders and to unify Turkic land. He conquered lands and resources and his next target was always greater than previous.

"Brothers…." Ashina Helu lifted up his drink.

The five brothers by his side turned their sight towards Ashina Helu, the leader they very much respect.

Ashina Helu laughed loudly. "Let's savor the night like this is our last night breathing. Tomorrow we fight together, we die as brothers."

A loud shout replied to his yell. All of his sworn brothers lifted up their drinks and shouted at him in a respectful manner. All of them gulped down their drinks full of spirit.

Ashina Helu was the first one to finish his drinks. He laughed happily watching his brothers feel the same way as he did. His eyes turned to the whore next to him. His hand grabbed her breast and harshly pulled her breast. He made the whore come closer to him.

As the whore already right in front of his face, he crushed his lips on hers. He stood up and brought her up with him easily. His posture was big. Lifting her up and making her legs wrapped around his waist was an easy task for him. He left his group and walked steadily into his yurt.

No one cared. His subordinates were all busy with their own whores. Whores and drinks were number one necessities that they brought to the front lines.

Ashina Helu got his hands ravishing the naked whore who glued on him. They were kissing wildly when they were entering his yurt. He opened thick skin that covered the entrance with one hand while the other hand held the back of the whore.

He was not ready when light reflection from a sword just suddenly appeared. The sharp longsword slashed the head of the prostitute in his arms and stopped right in front of his adam's apple.

The woman's head rolled onto the ground. Both of his hands were still holding the woman's body. Fresh blood splashed across his face and body, obscuring his range of sight of who was attacking him. He was ready to pull off the part of the woman's body that was still wrapped around him. But the unexpected movement from the back of his head darkened his vision.

He fell without realizing it. In a state of unconsciousness, the two mysterious men quickly stripped him of his clothes.