Everyone regrouped to hold a meeting in the main hall subsequent to driving off Baimu.
“Brother Beussent is this loyal, upright gentleman here. Brother Bodhi and Princess A-Lan can be trusted. Although the finer minutiae need to be discussed, I have granted you permission to restore Morcher. I will leave the matter in Lyu’er’s hands, so you don’t need to tell me about it.”
Slower thinkers and those not politics-savvy, such as Tie Hanyi and Ye Luo, didn’t see the risks involved. Those who were quick, such as Long Zaitian and Dugu, comprehended Emperor Yuansheng’s intent to create peace at the border without much thought. Aside from the treaty bringing peace, security and opening the doors to more business prospects, Qilin Guards and Emperor’s Entourage saw benefits. Shen Yiren was the only one to grasp the full depth and beauty of Emperor Yuansheng’s strategy.
True, the border between Nanjiang and the Central Plain wasn’t peaceful, but it was only a potential problem. In contrast, the forces in the North cost the imperial court the most because they needed equipment to compete against Beijiang’s iron cavalry, and the financial demand was draining.
A-Lan would become Queen of Morcher once it was restored. Abels, as her man, would become Prince Consort of Morcher. At the same time, he was still the uncle of Tiezhen’s King. Recently, Emperor Yuansheng had been getting friendly with Abels. The rest was self-explanatory.
Emperor Yuansheng wasn’t blessed with stellar gifts at anything; however, he always put his nation first. Ever since knowing Abels, Emperor Yuansheng considered Abels a concern for military affairs. As he kept thinking along that line, he came up with the strategic alliance.
Because silence permeated the air, Ming Suwen coughed.
Shen Yiren, realising Ming Suwen was trying to help, introduced, “This is Miss Ming, Ming Suwen. She is known as ‘The Demoness’ in the pugilistic world, one of the top martial artists in the north.”
“Ah, yes, I have heard the name.” Obviously, Emperor Yuansheng met Ming Suwen a while ago, but he was too shy to speak to her until Shen Yiren helped out. “Hahaha, so you are here to deliver a message on behalf of Ming Feizhen. Why hasn’t anyone offered her a seat? Bring Miss Ming a seat.”
Ming Suwen let a smile bloom: “You need not stand on ceremony. I am not an outsider, after all. Feizhen and I are not outsiders, are we?”
“Huh?” Emperor Yuansheng stopped to mull on Ming Suwen’s tone, eyes drifting toward Shen Yiren. “Not outsiders meaning…?”
“Come on. That’s an easy riddle.” Tianfeng Xuanyuan thumped his chest and saluted Ming Suwen. “She is my grandaunt.”
Sima Huai joined in: “She is my shifu’s aunt.”
Ming Xiaolou gave Ming Suwen a big hug: “She is my grandmaster’s cousin.”
“Ah, so a member of Mount Daluo.” Emperor Yuansheng’s happy metre, as well as Ming Feizhen’s reputation, climbed each time another member of Mount Daluo joined. There was no place to be impolite with Hero Shenzhou’s cousin, so he got out of his seat. “Please pardon my ignorance.”
Shen Yiren wagged her hand at Emperor Yuansheng for him not to go their formal route, but he smiled back, hinting, “You’re too lax. Watch and learn from me.”
Ming Suwen dimpled: “Your Majesty, you speak in jest. The imperial family has its own rules. We are but martial artists. We cannot treat you as someone as lowly as us.”
“Hahaha, my family is a family of martial artists every generation; we have always been part of the martial arts community. All of our men wield swords, learn to shoot and ride… besides Lyu’er. Ahem. Let’s see. Hero Shenzhou…”
Shen Yiren covered her eyes.
Hero Shenzhou is from my grandfather’s generation, which means she’s six generations older than me, at the very least… Miss Ming is my grandaunt?!
Aware of the mire Emperor Yuansheng just dug himself, Ming Suwen bowed down before he could stop her: “Liu Shan Men’s Constable Ming Suwen pays her respects to Your Majesty.”
“Hmm? Uh…”
Shen Yiren quickly expounded, “I recruited Sister Ming and Ming Feizhen into Liu Shan Men. One of them is a male constable and the other is a female constable. Sister Ming has been taking care of Liu Shan Men during my recent absence and has cracked a series of cases.”
Emperor Yuansheng recalled reading about Liu Shan Men going on a case-cracking spree in his recent reports. “Ah, so you were the one credited with resolving the cases. You are an exemplary example for the young generation to follow. Now I understand why Ming Feizhen suddenly requested I send a pigeon to the capital for him.”
Though Ming Suwen didn’t respond, she did notice Shen Yiren’s subtle stunned moment. She analysed Shen Yiren’s reaction from a semantic and emotional perspective, then said, “This one is grateful you have given Feizhen the opportunity to contribute, Your Majesty.”
“Not at all. He is young and competent. I was just doing my part to ensure he had a slice of meat at every meal.”
Sometimes, no reaction provides more information than a reaction. The fact that Shen Yiren didn’t budge when Ming Suwen referred to Ming Feizhen as “Feizhen” didn’t slip Ming Suwen’s eyes. Nonetheless, Ming Suwen chose not to pry any further.
“Seeing as Miss Ming brings news from Ming Feizhen, let us get down to business.” Emperor Yuansheng placed Ming Feizhen’s folded letter onto the table. “Miss Ming, for the sake of the mission, we need to provide you with a new identity. We request your cooperation.”
Ming Suwen squinted: “You insist on calling me ‘Grandaunt’?”
