Chapter 916: Chapter 534: Capital Lockdown

Zhao Douan wore a slight smile, unsurprised by her choice.

He had made similar choices twice before; once in the Capital when he gave Young Master Li Yinglong’s captured concubine a chance to decide her fate.

The second time was with Yun Xi, allowing her to decide whether to work for him.

Now is the third time, and his purpose in doing so is quite simple.

Nie Yurong, being a member of the Embroidered Robe Envoy, could play a critical role in the upcoming confrontation with Mu Prince, as long as she’s willing to work for him.

As a strategist, to defeat a strong opponent, he needs to discreetly plant "idle chess pieces," much like Princess Consort Lu Yan’er beside Prince Jing Xu Wen.

And now, what will happen placing an undercover agent under Mu Prince Xu Jingtang? Zhao Douan hasn’t decided yet.

But as a governor, it doesn’t hinder him from doing it from a strategic standpoint.

"Mr. Zhao, I can work for you without sacrificing my sister," Yu Xiu’s expression shifted slightly, stepping forward to try to stop him.

Zhao Douan smiled like a fox:

"Priest, think carefully. What I need you to do must be related to this Royal Family civil war, which will violate the principles of the Heavenly Master Mansion."

Yu Xiu was momentarily stunned, took a deep breath, and said seriously, "I understand."

Her words meant that she was willing to break some taboos for Nie Yurong, even though as a disciple of the Heavenly Master, she would have to bear immense consequences.

Nie Yurong, however, shook her head and smiled, "Sister, my mind is made up. Even if you stop me, I will return to the Embroidered Robe Envoy. Not just for you but also for some friends over there. Now that I know you’re doing well, it’s enough, but I have other matters to attend to."

Clearly, as a female assassin who became an Embroidered Robe Envoy, she is not someone indecisive, even more resolute than Yu Xiu.

She stared at Zhao Douan, saying earnestly, "Can I bring a few trusted friends to surrender to the court together?"

Zhao Douan, with a peculiar look, asked, "You believe Mu Prince will lose? Want to take others away from the fire pit?"

Nie Yurong said, "I don’t know who will win, but I believe Xu Jingtang lacks the demeanor of a sovereign."

Hiss... What kind of person is this Mu Prince in private that even his subordinates lack confidence in him? Zhao Douan curiously asked, "Why do you say that?"

Nie Yurong said, "Mu Prince outwardly seems eager for talent but privately is not so, and most importantly, he is very suspicious. He never trusts Zhao Shixiong. I don’t understand much, but at the very least, I know that when subordinates aren’t united, it’s hard to win the world."

Zhao Douan’s eyes gleamed as he recorded this information and nodded, "Alright, in that case, I will later arrange for Song Jinxi to create an illusion of your escape and disappearance, allowing you to infiltrate back, and then you will connect with Song Jinxi."

The decision regarding the life or death of a female assassin leader was made so casually.

This time, Nie Yurong looked at him peculiarly, "Just like that? Aren’t you afraid I’ll flip once I leave? Acting right now? Deceiving you? After all, decades with a sister I haven’t seen might not compare to my development within the Embroidered Robe Envoy for decades in others’ eyes."

Zhao Douan laughed heartily, waving his hand with strong confidence in his voice, "I am not Mu Prince; I do not doubt those I employ, nor employ those I suspect. If I let you go, then I will. If you betray, I caught you once and can catch you a second time."

Nie Yurong was taken aback; only then did she truly realize that the Empress’s favorite in front of her was a completely different individual from the one depicted in the documents.

Even with their brief interaction, she was captivated by Zhao Douan’s charisma and freedom of action.

"I somewhat understand why Your Majesty favors you," Nie Yurong suddenly exclaimed, gave Yu Xiu a deep look, bowed slightly, and stepped out of the room.

Yu Xiu opened her mouth, sighed, and somewhat despairingly returned inside.

She didn’t blame Zhao Douan, only realizing that her crying sister from memory had long grown up, even more independent than herself.

...

After seeing off several people, Zhao Douan silently gnawed on an apple when a familiar footstep approached from outside.

Mo Chou burst in with joy on her face, "Xue Shence is back! Su Dan has been captured, a complete victory!"

Finally, he’s back!

Zhao Douan was invigorated, immediately standing up to go with Mo Chou out of the county government, seeing Xue Shence and the other generals triumphant return.

Among the troops, several rebel army leaders were being escorted, the "Scholar General" Su Dan bound, eyes closed, silent, with an attitude indifferent to life and death.

"Commander Zhao! Xue did not disappoint and has shattered the enemy army! The prisoners are in the rear!" Xue Shence threw the Fangtian Halberd aside, dismounted, with a cloud of melancholy dissipating from his brows.

The faces of the generals were full of victorious smiles.

A great weight lifted from Zhao Douan’s heart, as he led everyone into the county government house to inquire about the situation.

The process was exceptionally straightforward, the plan failed, and Su Dan, without expert guards, was besieged by the three Capital Camps led by Xue Shence, Shi Meng, and Yuan Feng.

They expectedly were defeated, and their retreat path was cut off.

Mo Chou also reported the current situation inside the city, stating that the damage was not severe, and just waiting for the driven-out refugees to return, that seized land could restore order within two or three days.

A great victory filled the entire army with joy.

At this moment, Xue Shence, Shi Meng, Yuan Feng, Chen Gui, Tang Jinzhong, Ji Yue, Lang Shiba, and others gathered together.

In an extraordinarily relaxed atmosphere, they exchanged the results of the battle.

As the leading General, Xue Shence solemnly faced Zhao Douan, standing up earnestly, "The tremendous victory in this battle is due to Commander Zhao’s great accomplishments. Without the commander’s decisive actions at the critical moment, Xue would bear lesser responsibilities, and if the two counties became scorched earth, it would be an unforgivable sin."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com