#667 - On the eve of peace talks

And so, on the sixth day after the "Immortal Pond Surprise Attack", the situation in Liangzhou finally saw significant progress.

After receiving Wei Changtian's reply, Yan Huaiqing, through the envoy of the Zhan Shifu, sent more details about the peace talks the next morning.

The time was noon on February 17th, three days later, and the location was the Zishan Hall.

Yan Huaiqing guaranteed that there would not be a single Dajue soldier in the entire Zishan Hall at that time, and whether the negotiations were successful or not, Wei Changtian and his party could safely return to Daning.

Of course, no matter how nicely he put it, Wei Changtian would definitely not be foolish enough to believe it.

Since he was going to the enemy's territory to negotiate, he had to be extremely cautious to prevent the other party from suddenly launching a "capture the king before capturing the bandits" scheme.

I won’t go into details here, but in short, Wei Changtian only did two things in these three days.

First, discuss negotiation strategies with Chu Xianping.

Second, prepare in advance to ensure that he can "go and return safely."

While Wei Changtian and Yan Huaiqing were each preparing for the negotiations, the opposing armies naturally did not engage in major conflicts. At most, the scouts on both sides would occasionally clash and kill each other, with limited casualties on each side.

Thus, the situation fell into a strange stalemate.

Han Zhao understood the reason behind this.

However, the generals of the Jue-Ji allied forces were somewhat clueless, wondering why the army "came but did not fight". Most people assumed that Yan Huaiqing was being cautious and remained stationed.

But in fact, some people had already vaguely guessed something.

Especially the Ji Kingdom, which repeatedly sent envoys to the palace to inquire about Yan Huaiqing.

And the answer they received each time was:

"The father emperor has been captured, the court is unstable, and the enemy has gunpowder with great power, so we must act after careful consideration."

Act after careful consideration.

The meaning implied by the word "consideration" was very vague, and the Ji Kingdom was naturally very dissatisfied.

But no matter what, Dajue took the lead in this campaign, they had no say, and it was impossible for them to launch an attack on their own, so they had to swallow their anger and stop making trouble for themselves.

February 16th, Xu Hour (7-9 PM).

The moon is rounder on the sixteenth day than on the fifteenth day of the lunar month. Tonight, the moonlight is even brighter than during the Mid-Autumn Festival, with clear light like gauze. A winding Milky Way meanders across the sky, as soft as silk brocade.

At night, Wei Changtian finally finished rehearsing the last detail of tomorrow's negotiations with Chu Xianping, and then took a carriage back to the small courtyard where he was temporarily staying.

Liang Qin was sitting at the gate of the courtyard, propping her chin up and waiting for him. Hearing the sound of the carriage, she quickly got up and trotted over, her long hair swaying in the night breeze.

"Huh? Why are you here?"

Wei Changtian saw her as soon as he got out of the carriage, and couldn't help but ask in confusion: "Did you just come back from the Shu army?"

"No, I've been back for a long time."

Liang Qin shook her head and walked into the courtyard with Wei Changtian: "It's stuffy in the house, so I came out to get some air. Have the arrangements for tomorrow's peace talks been made?"

"Yes, everything is ready."

Wei Changtian smiled and said, "Remember to wake me up early tomorrow. I will leave for the Mountain God Temple at Chen Hour (7-9 AM)."

"Got it."

Liang Qin responded, hesitated for a moment, and then asked softly: "Who is going with you?"

"Chu Xianping and Li Zimu."

"Ah? Aren't General Han and Father going?"

"Well, they and Du Chang are not going. After all, if the negotiations fail this time, fighting will probably break out immediately, and they have to stay and lead the troops."

"Oh..."

As they spoke, the two had already passed through the small courtyard and entered the bedroom.

Liang Qin helped Wei Changtian hang up his coat and instructed someone to heat water for a bath.

After the servant bowed his head and went out, she looked at Wei Changtian with a worried expression and whispered her unease.

"Changtian Gege, Chu Gongzi is only at the sixth rank, and Li Guniang has never cultivated."

"If Yan Huaiqing has any bad intentions, can the three of you handle it?"

"This is not a big deal."

Wei Changtian smiled and didn't explain much: "Just rest assured."

"But I can't rest assured..."

Sitting slowly beside Wei Changtian, Liang Qin sighed softly.

"Alas, the last time you went to save Sister Liu Shi, you brought four second-rank experts with you."

"How about postponing it for a few days this time and troubling Zengzu and the others to come again?"

"Hahaha, wouldn't that make it seem like I'm afraid of Yan Huaiqing?"

Wei Changtian smiled and said, "Don't worry, this time we're going to negotiate, not to fight."

"Besides, Yan Huanwen is still in our hands. Yan Huaiqing wouldn't dare to mess around."

"But..."

Her mouth opened slightly, Liang Qin seemed to want to say something more.

However, Wei Changtian interrupted with a smile:

"Okay, let's not talk about this."

"By the way, what has Liu Shi been doing these past few days? Why haven't I seen her much?"

"I go to the Shu army during the day, I don't know."

Liang Qin was indeed led astray, first shaking her head, and then recalling seriously: "But the maid said that she stays in the house all day reading books."

"Reading books?"

Wei Changtian was stunned: "What kind of books?"

"Um... it seems to be military books or something."

Liang Qin explained, "I asked Sister Liu Shi once when I was eating the other day, and she said that."

"Oh."

Nodding, Wei Changtian didn't think much about it.

However, Liang Qin hesitated for a moment, and then tentatively asked in a low voice:

"Changtian Gege, have you been at odds with Sister Liu Shi recently?"

"I feel like the two of you have been acting strangely since you came back from Bailing Mountain..."

"Really?"

Of course, it was impossible for Wei Changtian to tell Liang Qin that Yang Liushi was a demon, and that they had some problems because of childbirth.

He just pretended to be relaxed and said:

"Maybe I've been too busy these past few days and haven't had time to look for her."

"Well, then I'm just overthinking it."

Liang Qin was indeed the most innocent of all of Wei Changtian's women. She immediately stopped suspecting him and just persuaded him in a low voice:

"Changtian Gege, Liu Shi Jiejie probably hasn't slept yet. Why don't you go see her?"

"..."

"Alright."

After hesitating for a moment, Wei Changtian immediately stood up.

It had been more than ten days since he returned from Bailing Mountain. He and Yang Liushi had not mentioned that matter, pretending that nothing had happened.

But now it seemed that it was meaningless to deceive himself in this way. It would be better to talk things out.

"Then I'll go now. If I come back late, you don't have to wait for me. Go to sleep early."

"Okay, go ahead."

Liang Qin responded, sent Wei Changtian to the door, and returned to the table to sit down after watching the latter's back gradually disappear into the night.

She poured a cup of cold tea and drank half of it.

Suddenly, Liang Qin's eyes froze, and her expression became a little strange.

She subconsciously rubbed her lower abdomen and muttered to herself:

"It should be these few days..."

ps: I had a cold yesterday, and I don’t know why the leave note was not sent out. I only found out this morning. Sorry, sorry.