Chapter 4: Mantis Catching Cicadas, Yellow Sparrow Behind

"Who is it?!"

In the distance, a woman's voice, cool and calm, drifted slowly towards them. She said, "The Duke of Wenguo's Mansion, Xiao Qi."

The torches suddenly lit up, and the guards, upon seeing the newcomer, knelt down on one knee. "Subordinate Iron Cavalry Guard Ping pays respects to the young master."

The Rongping Army, not respecting the royal family, not kneeling to the emperor, but loyal only to the Wuping Marquis's Mansion. After the Wuping Marquis died in battle, the Rongping Army followed the legitimate daughter of the Wei family, Xiao Jingzi, as their leader. It was because of this that the last descendant of the Wei family was pushed to the forefront.

She took off her veil, her clear and elegant eyes shining like the stars of summer, and said, "Take me to see the ancient general."

"Yes."

It was the time of the rooster when they arrived at the Prince of Jin's Mansion, where there was a lively atmosphere with singing and dancing, and the fragrance of wine lingering in the air. In the main hall, there were occasional soft and gentle laughter of a woman.

The fifth son of the royal family, the Prince of Jin, had always been familiar with the ways of the world and had a reputation for his romantic pursuits.

"Your Highness," the woman's voice was light and pleasant, with a hint of a smile, as she held a golden goblet with a delicate peach blossom wine fragrance, "This peach blossom wine was personally made by me. Does Your Highness like it?"

Feng Yuqing reclined on a soft couch, embracing the delicate beauty in his arms, and took a sip, "Naturally, I like it."

The woman covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "Then let me pour another cup for Your Highness."

Feng Yuqing narrowed his eyes, with a seductive look, his clothes half-open, giving off the air of a charming and debonair man.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, the steward Ling Su suddenly spoke from outside.

"Your Highness."

Seemingly disturbed from his enjoyment, Feng Yuqing frowned, "Beautiful wine and beauty, why do you disturb me?"

The steward approached calmly, "There is a letter for Your Highness."

The pale-colored deer skin-sealed letter was obviously unusual. Feng Yuqing took the letter and asked, "Who delivered this?"

"I do not know, Your Highness. They only left this token." Ling Su handed over a golden token, the quality and weight of which were extraordinary.

Feng Yuqing narrowed his eyes, weighing the token in his hand, and a hint of an enigmatic smile appeared on his lips, "It's someone from the Wei family." His gaze turned distant, as if lost in thought for a long time, he said, "Now, there is only one person left in the Wei family."

The Wuping Marquis had only one daughter, who married into the Duke of Wenguo's Mansion. Now that the Wuping Marquis had passed away, the Wei family only had the legitimate daughter born to the Duke of Wenguo's Mansion, Xiao Qi.

Opening the letter, there was only one line written: "At midnight, the city gate will rebel."

Feng Yuqing chuckled lightly, put on a crimson brocade robe, walked to the candlelight, and set the letter on fire, turning it into ashes. He turned back with a faint smile, "I will drink this wine with my beloved another day."

The woman put down the wine cup, "Let me help you change, Your Highness."

Feng Yuqing opened his hands lazily, allowing the woman to undress him, "Ling Su, go to the palace on my behalf."

Ling Su understood and left the mansion.

The east wind rose, the midnight bell rang, and the rain was about to fall but had not yet. The sky was heavy and dark, without a trace of moonlight, so dark that no shadows could be seen.

Suddenly, a fire lit up on the city wall.

A man's voice shouted, "Your Highness, the beacon tower is lit."

The beacon tower was lit, and the chaos of war began.

The Crown Prince Feng Fuli stood on the south side of the city gate, his voice deep and solemn, "Open the city gate and deploy the troops."

Before he could finish speaking—

"Report!"

"Speak."

The messenger, sweating profusely and panting, said, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"

Without showing any signs of panic, Feng Fuli's eyes showed sharpness and composure befitting a ruler, "What is causing such a panic?"

"Under the city, there is no sign of the Rongping Army." The guard reporting was flustered, his speech somewhat unclear, "We might have fallen into a trap."

Feng Fuli was astonished, "Then who lit the beacon tower?"

Before the scout could respond, the sound of drums suddenly resounded, deafening.

Feng Fuli looked out over the city, "What is happening?"

"Your Highness, it's the arrival of the Prince of Jin."

Feng Fuli was taken aback, realizing that the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. The situation had already become chaotic.

"Brother," the voice came closer, with a hint of mockery and amusement, "Why are you rousing the troops in the dead of night? Shouldn't you be enjoying the company of a beautiful woman at this hour?"

Below the city, Feng Yuqing walked out from the dimness, wearing a crimson brocade robe. Such flamboyant colors were probably only suitable for the Prince of Jin to exude such a charming and elegant demeanor.

Feng Fuli raised his eyes slightly, seemingly indifferent, "What is the reason for this, Brother?"

Behind the Prince of Jin, there were millions of soldiers, fully armed and ready to go, facing off against the troops of the Crown Prince. There was no tension in the air, but the atmosphere was tense.

Feng Yuqing smiled, "Upon hearing about the unusual activity at the city gate, His Majesty specially ordered me to capture the rebels. Little did I expect to find my dear brother stationed here. I wonder what the reason is for your deployment of troops?"

Stationed here with troops, what a bold move!

Feng Fuli snorted coldly, "The beacon tower was lit, so there must be some unusual activity."

"Oh?" Feng Yuqing raised an eyebrow and glanced at the beacon tower that had been lit on the high platform of the city wall, illuminated by the lanterns. He raised his voice and asked, "Who is down there?"

After a moment of silence, a woman's clear and slightly cool voice replied, "The Duke of Wenguo's Mansion, Xiao Jingzi."

The Duke of Wenguo's Mansion, Xiao Jingzi...

Feng Yuqing silently smiled, but the usually gentle and good-tempered Crown Prince's face turned cold, "Did you light the beacon tower?"

Unable to see the woman's appearance below the city, but at a height of fifty meters, how could she have the skill and archery to hit the target in one shot? Even his most outstanding covert guards might not have such ability.

The woman's voice came calmly, "Crown Prince, the night is deep, and the road is slow. I just needed to borrow the fire."

Borrow the fire...

What a convenient borrowing of fire. With her alone, she had played with him and his army of a million.

With no sign of rebel soldiers and troops stationed at the city gate, how could he escape? Feng Fuli was almost furious, and he struck the city wall with his palm.

"Brother, since the rebel soldiers are nowhere to be found, I will take my leave." The Prince of Jin waved his hand and gave the order for the troops to withdraw from the city.

The play had been watched, the cicada had been caught, and it was time for the fisherman to reap the benefits.

"Prince of Jin, please stay."

Feng Yuqing turned back and saw the woman walking from the city gate, "My master has one more thing to say." The woman handed over a sealed letter, "The Crown Prince is framing others and using a borrowed knife to kill. Why not use the same method to warn others?" With that, she turned and boarded the carriage parked a few meters away, driving away.

Her master...

Xiao Jingzi of the Duke of Wenguo's Mansion was indeed not a simple person.

Feng Yuqing opened the letter and suddenly paled. After a moment, he burst into laughter.