A life of two souls traveling through time

Chapter 379: Yu Cheng half-concealed, Arnold made wild guesses

"Did Zheng Yunqi escape to Jingsong Kingdom?"

At night, a mansion in Xuancheng of Nanying Prefecture was brightly lit with green bamboos standing tall. Yan Zong, sitting in the hall, couldn't help but frown after hearing Yu Cheng's report.

Although Zheng Yu and his wife both committed suicide in front of the Xiyue army, and their daughter would never return to Xiyue, what Yan Zong never expected was that Zheng Yunqi would actually defect to the Jingsong Kingdom.

Liu Nan once asked Jing Song for help but was rejected. At the critical moment of life and death, Jing Song still watched coldly. With Zheng Yunqi's pride, how could he turn around and be loyal to Jing Song Kingdom?

"Yes, the secret guard reported that just before the border gate of Liunan was broken, Zheng Yunqi appeared in the southern border camp of Jingsong Kingdom. Now she is hiding in the mansion of Xiao Hongzhong, the general of the southern border of Jingsong. And there are rumors that Xiao Hongzhong and Zheng Yu have been friends for many years." Yu Cheng continued to bow and replied.

"Xiao Hongzhong? I heard that there was a conflict between Liunan and Nanjiang three years ago, and it was he who, with just a few words, not only prevented the two countries from fighting, but also made them shake hands and make peace?" Yan Zong thought for a moment before he opened his eyes wide and suddenly realized.

Judging from this incident, Xiao Hongzhong is indeed quite capable, and he and Zheng Yu have been friends for many years. So it can be inferred that he was the one who secretly gave Zheng Yu advice before. Then it makes sense for Zheng Yunqi to escape to Jingsong State.

But Yan Zong had never heard of Xiao Hongzhong's achievements, and the West Moon Army had never fought against Jing Song's Southern Border Army, so he didn't know how strong it was. Judging from the fact that Xiao Hongzhong was familiar with the West Moon Army's combat methods, he had put in a lot of effort.

Thinking of this, Yan Zong couldn't help but sneer. Emperor Jing placed such a far-sighted counselor and general in the southern border, but he could still watch the destruction of Liunan Kingdom. This showed how stupid and incompetent he was.

"Your Highness, it is true." Yu Cheng responded, and then realized, "I think Liu Nanjun's unexpected strategy was from him."

"I heard that Emperor Jing sent an envoy to Shangjing?" Yan Zong thought for a moment and then asked.

"Yes, now that Xiyue is becoming more and more powerful, many countries have come to curry favor with it. As a neighboring country, Jingsong naturally has to pretend to maintain friendly relations with it." Yu Cheng replied with a sneer.

"Whether it's true or false, the fact that Jingsong can take the initiative to repair the relationship will benefit Xiyue for a while." Yan Zong's expression returned to its stern look, and he continued to instruct Yu Cheng: "Send people to find out more about Xiao Hongzhong. I should also know myself and the enemy."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Your Highness!"

As soon as Yu Cheng finished answering, he saw Arnold walking into the hall in high spirits. Perhaps because he had been promoted to a higher rank recently, this bright young man looked even more proud.

"Hey, isn't this Captain Arnold?" Yu Cheng turned around after hearing the voice, and when he saw Arnold, he couldn't help but smile with a smile on his face.

"General Yu, good evening!" Arnold was in a good mood, so he began to pretend to salute Yu Cheng respectfully.

"Oh, it's rare. He is worthy of being promoted to a thousand households. Our Arnold finally becomes well-educated and well-mannered." Seeing Arnold, who has always been naughty and lazy, showing such a well-behaved look for the first time, Yu Cheng smiled even more. He immediately stepped forward to touch his head and joked.

"Your Highness, look, he is mocking me again!" Arnold rolled his eyes, shook off the hand that was pressing on his head, and sat down next to Yan Zong, muttering in a pretended aggrieved manner.

"Boy, I'm clearly praising you." Yu Cheng also smiled helplessly.

Arnold did not speak again. He just secretly made a face at Yu Cheng and then looked at Yan Zong again, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Okay, you can go down now." Yan Zong saw this and sent Yu Cheng away. After he left the hall, he continued to ask, "What's the matter?"

"Your Highness, I heard from Brother Wei that we are going to stay in the southern border for a long time and will not return to the northern border for the time being?"

"Well, what? Are you starting to miss your Master Fan already?" A gentle smile appeared in Yan Zong's cold eyes, and then he handed a cup of hot tea to Arnold.

"I'm almost fourteen years old, and now I'm a thousand households. Your Highness, please don't always treat me like a child." Arnold naturally heard the prince's implication, so even though he was thinking about Master Fan, he still curled his lips, looking unconvinced.

"Even if you are 24 years old, married, have children and become a general, you are still a child in my eyes." Arnold was unconvinced, but Yan Zong didn't care. He continued to smile with a bit of provocation.

The corners of Arnold's mouth twitched slightly and he was immediately speechless. After all, he had been with His Highness since he was six years old, and was raised by him and Master Fan. So, could Arnold really not refute what His Highness said?

"Hmm? When did Your Highness start drinking this Fairy Mist Phoenix Tea? I remember this is Sister Yao's favorite tea." When Arnold took a sip of the hot tea in front of him, he couldn't help but say in surprise.

Yan Zong's eyes flickered slightly, but he did not respond to Arnold, but picked up the teacup beside him and brought it to his mouth. He would never tell Arnold that whenever he missed her, he could not help but brew a pot of Xianwu Fengming.

Four months have passed since he parted with her hastily after the Lantern Festival. He didn't notice it before because he was busy with the war, but now that he has some free time, he finds that his longing for her has spread like wildfire and is irresistible.

"I heard from Brother Yu Cheng that Sister Yao has already gone to Jiangnan of Jingsong Kingdom. Your Highness, since there is no war at the moment, can you allow Arnold to take a leave..." Arnold was used to not waiting for His Highness's response. He put down the teacup in his hand and continued to plead with expectant eyes.

"No." Before he could finish, Yan Zong gave the order without any room for argument.

"But Arnold hasn't seen Sister Yao for a long time, and he misses her very much." Arnold instantly slumped over on the table and muttered to Yan Zong in a low voice.

"You just said that you are not a child anymore. Now that you are an adult and have been promoted to a captain, you can't just think about playing like a child. Although there is no war now, how can we slack off in the daily training of the army? I allowed you to take leave just because you were promoted in the army. What will other promoted soldiers think about this?" Yan Zong still said with a dignified face.

These could be either excuses or military regulations, and it depends on how the prince will make the final decision. After all, Arnold is young and impulsive, and he is proud of his promotion. Yan Zong is naturally worried about letting him go to Jingsong State alone.

Seeing the prince say this, Arnold had to give up his current idea. He was now in charge of thousands of soldiers in the army, and the responsibility was heavy, so he should be more cautious.

As he grows older and has been tempered on the battlefield, Arnold is no longer as naive as he was two years ago, so he can now listen to Yan Zong's words.

"Your Highness, you are not suspicious of Sister Yao again and sent people to follow her, right?" After a moment's silence, Arnold suddenly looked nervous, raised his head and asked Yan Zong.

After all, although Brother Yu Cheng is a general in the army, he is also the personal bodyguard of His Highness. He knows Sister Yao's whereabouts very well. Arnold naturally thought that it must be His Highness who is always paying attention to Sister Yao.

Yan Zong's face suddenly darkened, and he couldn't help but secretly annoyed that Yu Cheng was such a big mouth and kept things secret, which led to Arnold's wild guesses.

Seeing His Highness' gloomy expression, Arnold was so frightened that he dared not stay any longer. He hurriedly took his leave and disappeared into the night outside the hall.