roccoschili Chapter 311 United with Xixiang
Chapter 311 United with Xixiang
"Your Majesty..." Cen Jiexiao's mind flashed to Chai Zhen, the gentle yet responsible man. She vowed to do her best to protect the Emperor.
"I hope Miss Cen can secretly pay attention to Xia Chenghao's actions. If there is any unusual movement, please inform me in time." He Yunshu held Cen Jiexiao's hand, his tone sincere, his eyes full of trust.
"The safety of the Great Zhou and the life of the Emperor are in your care, Jiexiao." He Yunshu's voice trembled slightly as he placed the burden of the country and the life of the Emperor on Cen Jiexiao.
Cen Jiexiao felt the burden on her shoulders weigh a thousand pounds. She took a deep breath and nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will live up to your trust." This was not just a promise; it was her loyalty to the country and the emperor.
After leaving Fengyi Palace, Cen Jiexiao's head was buzzing. Xia Chenghao, Empress Dowager Li, the Northern Di people—these names intertwined, forming a vast web that enveloped her tightly. She felt like she'd fallen into a vast vortex, swept into an unpredictable storm.
Upon returning to the academy, Sister Cen immediately summoned Yu Lan and Xiao Man and told them the Queen's words. Yu Lan frowned, "The Queen Mother and her group are colluding with the Northern Di. This is no small matter! Dean, we need to prepare for this."
Xiaoman was very excited: "Wow! This is too exciting, teacher. I was thinking, if the Queen Mother can collude with Beidi, why can't we win over Xixiang? The Xixiang prince is so obsessed with you, why not..."
Cen Jiexiao glared at her unhappily: "It's already this hour, and you're still joking!"
"Oh, teacher, don't be nervous! I just said that casually, don't be nervous!" Xiaoman stuck out her tongue, looking indifferent.
Yu Lan also smiled and said, "Actually, Xiao Man is right, Dean, this is definitely a good idea, and it will greatly increase the success rate of resolving this crisis."
Cen Jiexiao knew this too, but when she thought of Chen Zigui again, his pale face and helpless eyes, her heart ached again. She didn't know how she and Chen Zigui would cope in this impending storm.
In the evening, Cen Jiexiao received a letter from Chen Zigui. The letter contained only a few words: "Unite with Xia Chenghao."
Chen Zigui's letter was as light as a feather, yet as heavy as a thousand pounds. When it fell into Cen Jiexiao's hands, it seemed to carry an invisible force, stirring up waves in her originally calm heart.
The letter, written in penetrating handwriting, contained only four words: "Unite with Xia Chenghao." These four words resonated like thunder in Cen Jiexiao's ears, sending her thoughts swirling and unable to calm down for a long time. Unite with Xia Chenghao? Join forces with Xi Xiang? The moment the thought emerged, it grew like wild weeds, dominating her entire mind.
She chewed over these four words, her brow furrowed, her mind in a state of internal struggle. This plan sounded truly bold, even a little crazy. The relationship between Xixiang and the Great Zhou was delicate, always a check and balance. To join forces with Xixiang now would be tantamount to courting disaster. Any carelessness would backfire, potentially plunging the Great Zhou into an abyss of no return.
But what else could they do if they didn't ally with Xia Chenghao? Empress Dowager Li's collusion with the Northern Di puts Shai Zhen's throne in jeopardy, and the entire Zhou dynasty in jeopardy. Amidst internal and external troubles, the Zhou dynasty is like a lone boat in a storm, perilous at any moment.
Cen Jiexiao's mind flashed to Chai Zhen's face, the expectant eyes of the common people, and the magnificent scenery of the Great Zhou. She took a deep breath, suppressing her hesitation and fear. For the Great Zhou, for the common people, she had to give it a try!
Perhaps, joining forces with Xia Chenghao and leveraging Xi Xiang's power to contain Bei Di was the only way out. Even if it was a thorny road, she had to forge ahead without hesitation.
After much deliberation, Cen Jiexiao decided to take a chance. She dipped her pen in ink and scribbled a short note on a piece of plain paper, inviting Xia Chenghao to meet. The letter was tactful, hinting at a friendly gesture without specifying the details, which whetted Xia Chenghao's appetite.
She folded the letter and handed it to her confidant, Xiaoman, instructing her to make sure it was delivered to Xia Chenghao. Xiaoman took the order and left, but Cen Jiexiao's heart was still hanging, like a prisoner awaiting trial.
After receiving Cen Jiexiao's letter, Xia Chenghao was filled with confusion. Why had Cen Jiexiao suddenly asked him out of the blue? Had she sensed something? Was she simply missing him too much?
A series of questions swirled in Xia Chenghao's mind, leaving him feeling utterly bewildered. He repeatedly pondered every word in the letter, trying to find some clue. However, Cen Jiexiao's letter was written with impeccable precision, revealing nothing of substance. This only intensified his curiosity and his urge to understand Cen Jiexiao's intentions.
After much deliberation, he decided to go. Firstly, he couldn't let go of his friendship with Cen Jiexiao, and secondly, he wanted to test Cen Jiexiao's opinion and see what the Great Zhou's attitude was towards the Xixiang, especially towards the Xixiang and the Northern Di.
In the evening, Xia Chenghao arrived at the villa on the outskirts of the city as promised. In the pavilion of the villa, Cen Jiexiao had already prepared wine and food and was quietly waiting for his arrival.
Seeing Xia Chenghao appear at the gate, Cen Jiexiao stood up to greet him with a perfectly balanced smile on her face. "Your Highness, you have come a long way. Thank you for your hard work."
Xia Chenghao looked at Cen Jiexiao with mixed feelings. He had expected Cen Jiexiao to treat him coldly, but he hadn't expected her to be so enthusiastic. This made him even more confused about Cen Jiexiao's intentions.
"Dean Cen, you are too polite. I wonder what important matter is that you asked me to come here today?" Xia Chenghao sat down opposite Cen Jiexiao, his eyes lingering on her face for a moment before he spoke slowly.
Cen Jiexiao gracefully lifted the wine jug and filled Xia Chenghao's glass, then poured herself another. She raised the glass and took a sip. After setting it down, she looked at Xia Chenghao with a piercing gaze. Her tone was no longer as polite as before, but rather a hint of probing: "Your Highness, what brings you to the Great Zhou this time? Could it be... related to the Northern Di?"
Xia Chenghao was startled. Cen Jiexiao's direct question caught him off guard. He feigned composure and smiled, then asked, "Why does Dean Cen think so?"
Cen Jiexiao chuckled and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to feign ignorance. I'm sure you're familiar with the current situation in the Great Zhou. The Northern Di are eyeing us covetously, and the Xixiang and Northern Di are constantly at odds. I'm fully aware of all this."
She paused, then added, "In this world today, I'm afraid only His Highness can stop this war."