Chapter 65: Killing Two Birds with One Stone

“Miss, don’t listen to the wild rumors outside. Those are all lies,” Wanyan Chang calmed his emotions and said to Yang Feiyan.

Yang Feiyan, seemingly affected by Wanyan Chang’s earlier agitation, shifted the topic as well. “So, are you planning to meet with the Prince soon?”

Wanyan Chang nodded. “Exactly.” He didn’t wish to dwell on the previous subject and instead asked, “May I know your name, Miss?”

Yang Feiyan was secretly delighted, quickly devising a plan that could kill two birds with one stone. Hearing Wanyan Chang’s inquiry, she softly replied, “I am the ninth child in my family, so my mother calls me Ninth Daughter. You may call me Jiu’er, General.”

“Nine is the supreme number. Judging by your face, Miss Jiu’er, I dare say you are destined for nobility and greatness!” Wanyan Chang said with a serious expression. He was a gallant general, and this was a line he often used to win over women—little did he know that this time, his words would become prophecy, though that’s a story for another time.

“Is that true? Do you mean I’ll marry into a good family one day?” Yang Feiyan cursed him inwardly for his shamelessness, but outwardly, she feigned great delight, as if utterly captivated by his words. “Can you really tell fortunes? Then tell me, what does my future husband do?”

“Well! Let me see…” Wanyan Chang, seeing her expression, was inwardly pleased, thinking his flowery words had won her over. He adopted a mysterious air and said, “Miss, your husband is both far away and right before your eyes!”

Yang Feiyan blinked her bright eyes and suddenly burst out laughing.

“A glance and a smile, and a hundred charms blossom; even the fairest of the palace fade in comparison!” Surely this was the kind of smile that saying described.

Wanyan Chang was momentarily entranced. The woman before him was refined and beautiful, with a hint of clever mischief. Intelligent and lovely women held a fatal allure for men.

“Your smile, Miss, could topple kingdoms!” Wanyan Chang couldn’t help but praise her.

Noticing the undisguised desire in Wanyan Chang’s gaze, Yang Feiyan felt a wave of disgust. She couldn’t help but compare him to Zhao Huan. Though Zhao Huan could be playful at times, his eyes were always clear; perhaps he was right when he said she wasn’t worthy of him yet.

Thinking of this, Yang Feiyan’s expression turned stern. She chided coyly, “Roguish scoundrel! Say another word of nonsense and I won’t speak to you again.”

Wanyan Chang hurriedly apologized. “Don’t be angry, Jiu’er. I meant no frivolity—I was simply smitten at first sight and could not suppress my admiration. If I’ve offended you, I hope you’ll forgive me!”

Yang Feiyan wrinkled her cute little nose and teased, “Who would believe you!” Then she changed the subject, “Can I go with you to see the Prince later? Though I grew up here in Xingqing, I’ve never had the chance to meet him.”

Wanyan Chang, hearing this, couldn’t help but sound a little jealous. “You aren’t fond of Prince Xiao, are you?”

Yang Feiyan rolled her eyes. “Nonsense! I’m just curious. If you won’t take me, I’ll just go home!”

She made as if to leave.

Wanyan Chang quickly stopped her. He couldn’t let a prize slip through his fingers and swore, “It’s just meeting the Prince—what’s so difficult? Stay by my side and you’ll see him for sure!” After a pause, Wanyan Chang added, “But when I speak with His Highness, you’ll have to wait outside.”

Yang Feiyan nodded. “You can talk about your matters. I have no interest in the grand affairs you men discuss.”

By this time, the two had already arrived at the main hall of the prince’s residence. Li Baoji came out to greet them warmly. “General, it’s good to see you in good health.”

Wanyan Chang sneered, “I’m perfectly well—though it seems Your Highness is not.”

In fact, Wanyan Chang had visited Li Baoji several times in recent days, only to be told the prince was unwell and couldn’t see guests. Only yesterday did someone summon him, saying the prince had recovered and inviting him in for a discussion. Wanyan Chang’s words just now were clearly a jab at Li Baoji for feigning illness.

By rights, as a prince of Western Xia, Li Baoji far outranked Wanyan Chang. Such words were disrespectful, but the power of the Jin dynasty was at its peak, and the status of its ministers had risen accordingly, making them much more confident in their speech.

Li Baoji laughed it off. “Ah, age brings ailments. One must get used to discomfort.” Then he gestured, “General, please come inside.”

Wanyan Chang, knowing the situation of Jin, let his complaints go and followed Li Baoji inside.

“General, about the matter you mentioned the other day…” Once inside, Li Baoji was about to discuss peace negotiations between Jin and Western Xia when he noticed an unfamiliar woman by Wanyan Chang’s side. He stopped, glancing questioningly at Wanyan Chang.

Wanyan Chang understood and addressed his subordinates, “Wait outside. I have private matters to discuss with His Highness.”

Then he leaned closer to Yang Feiyan and whispered, “Wait for me outside. Once we’re done, I’ll introduce you to His Highness.” He said this deliberately, mainly to keep Yang Feiyan from slipping away.

Yang Feiyan nodded lightly. Since entering, she had been curiously looking around like a country girl seeing the world for the first time, her wonder fooling Wanyan Chang, who felt secretly pleased. Such women, he thought, were the easiest to win over.

Yang Feiyan made as if to follow Wanyan Chang’s men outside.

As Wanyan Chang and Li Baoji sat down to resume their conversation, neither noticed Yang Feiyan suddenly turn back. From her sleeve, she drew a compact repeating crossbow.

With a rapid “thwip-thwip-thwip,” she fired three bolts straight at Li Baoji’s head. At such close range, even if her aim were poor, she couldn’t miss—let alone with the elite training she’d received from the Flying Feather Guard.

Each arrow struck home, burying halfway into his forehead. Only the fletching quivered, proof of the bolts’ tremendous power.