Chapter 403: Deserves to Die, But Not in the Capital City
"We may look too frail and delicate for martial arts, but never mind that. Peony was truly magnificent today, writing on the Great General of Xi Yan’s face. Wouldn’t you say she did us all proud?"
The aunts were chattering away, their words a flurry of excitement. It was obvious they had gotten wind of the commotion and had been secretly watching from the shadows.
Peony walked into the room. "I could hear you talking all the way from the courtyard gate."
"Pangtuan, Peony, you two were so impressive just now," Shaoyao greeted them.
"Impressive? My palms are still sweating." Peony was still shaken. "I’m already regretting being so bold."
"What’s there to be afraid of? What tricks could those Xi Yan people possibly pull in the Beili Capital City?"
"Exactly. They need to remember whose turf they’re on. You should have used a needle for that ’scum’ character. He’ll just wash the ink off when he gets back."
The aunts all looked vexed as they discussed it.
"It’ll take him at least six months to a year to get that off," Ye Qianning said with a smile.
"Huh?"
The aunts were shocked.
"But I just used regular ink. How could it not wash off?" Peony lowered her head, a look of confusion on her face.
"All the ink in my room is special. Once it soaks in, you can’t wash it off without a specific solvent. To get it off by force, you’d have to take off a layer of skin." Coincidentally, the ink Luo Xuan had taken from her room was a type of invisible ink she had been trying to concoct.
The properly mixed ink would be as clear as water. When used on paper, nothing would seem out of the ordinary; a special solution would be needed to reveal the writing.
But the batch Luo Xuan had taken was one she hadn’t finished preparing, and it was incredibly difficult to wash off skin.
"Really?" Peony’s eyes lit up.
"Mhm. If he just scrubs it with plain water, it’ll take half a year at the very least." It was almost like a tattoo.
"Hahahaha! Can you imagine how humiliating it will be for that Xi Yan General, having to walk around with a character branded on his face?"
"We have to go see them off when they leave the Capital City."
"Maybe we’ll even get to see the big, dumb bear."
Hearing that it wouldn’t wash off, the aunts were absolutely delighted.
Ye Qianning, however, had other thoughts. ’After such a major humiliation, Xiliu Yuan probably won’t let Mo Geluo show his face in public again. The Crown Prince of Xi Yan is the most inscrutable of the group. For someone so young, his martial skill is impressive, and his personal guards are all top-tier masters. In fact, Mo Geluo’s Inner Strength is no match for even one of Xiliu Yuan’s secret Shadow Guards. Why would he care about a mere General? Xi Yan won’t do anything reckless, and Xiliu Yuan won’t start a war over a brainless thug.’
After the aunts left, Ye Qianning found herself with nothing to do. Not feeling sleepy, she walked over to her desk, picked up a brush, and started preparing teaching materials on simplified characters for her master.
Classes at Lou Mountain Academy started the day after tomorrow, and she wanted her master to be able to take the materials with him.
"Young Lady." Luo Wen walked in.
"You did well today. Your skills have improved," Ye Qianning said without looking up, her brush moving across a sheet of paper.
"My sword strike went astray. I await your punishment, Young Lady," Luo Wen said, dropping to one knee.
Ye Qianning looked up. "If it hadn’t gone astray, this matter wouldn’t have been resolved so easily. Killing an envoy is a grave taboo."
No matter how barbaric or disrespectful Mo Geluo was, not even the Beili Emperor would dare to have him killed. If he was to die, it must be at the hands of his own Xi Yan people.
It is a rule among all nations: you do not kill the envoy during diplomatic talks.
"He insulted the General. He deserved to die."
"He does deserve to die, just not in the Capital City. Assign people to watch Mo Geluo. I want every word and action of his monitored. If he steps out of line, arrange for some ’robbers’ to injure him severely." Ye Qianning had seen too many men like Mo Geluo; their hands were never clean.
Xi Yan wouldn’t act rashly, and Xiliu Yuan wouldn’t start a war over a brainless thug.
"Yes."
Luo Wen rose to his feet, his demeanor suddenly turning sharp.
"It’s just a child. Ignore them," Ye Qianning said.
