NOVEL NEXT Chapter 678 - 676: Qiyan Tribe, Inviting a Wolf into the House_1
Chapter 678: Chapter 676: Qiyan Tribe, Inviting a Wolf into the House_1
The reason was simple. After unifying the grasslands, he rewarded the most fertile grasslands to his own confidants.
He allocated the most desolate land and the poorest mountainous areas to the tribes that were conquered by force.
Those who were not distributed fertile pastures led difficult lives as herdsmen, grievances were widespread. Tribes were internally divided, hostile to each other, and conflicts arose.
In order to divert the anger of the herdsmen, Danta targeted neighboring countries, frequently harassing the borderlines and looting property with his troops.
Xichu Kingdom shared the longest border with the grasslands.
Fours parts of its borderlines out of three quarters adjoined the grassland. Every year, it faced harassment from the Qiyan Light Cavalry, causing border villagers to suffer.
Fengqi also had a one-sixth border with the grasslands.
There was strong wind and sand in the border areas, with impoverished land. The border villagers struggled to make a living, fearing the fierceness of the Qiyan Light Cavalry. They had no choice but to abandon their homes and migrate south year after year.
Within a hundred-mile range on the borderlines, apart from the scarce border forces, all other villages were deserted crumbling walls, almost turning into uninhabited zones.
The Second Imperial Princess had a wicked nature. Realizing that she had lost her influence in court and had no hope of contending for the title of Crown Princess, she devised sinister schemes.
She secretly contacted Danta, offering to cede three border towns in the northwest in exchange for the Qiyan Light Cavalry to help her rebel.
Danta was determined to resolve internal tribal conflicts, and being a skilled general, he immediately formed an alliance with the Second Imperial Princess.
There were a hundred thousand defense troops in the northwest border, led by Chen Xun, who used to be the Empress’s confidant but later switched allegiance to the Second Imperial Princess.
The Second Imperial Princess also promised him great benefits. She allowed him to become a local king, free from the court’s control, with hereditary titles and blessings for his descendants.
With Chen Xun’s surrender and Danta’s assistance, the Second Imperial Princess thought she had the winning ticket. She secretly purchased large quantities of weapons, brought in Barbarian Warriors, and flexed her muscles to the Third Imperial Princess.
**
Lin Xiaoyang sent people to gather evidence, but they were slower than the birds. On the third day after the martial arts contest, Little Kingfisher had informed his master of all the news he gathered.
The Second Imperial Princess, Lin Yirong.
She dared to betray Fengqi, introducing the wolf into the fold.
Lin Qingluo’s right fist tightened upon hearing Little Kingfisher’s report. Her knuckles turned white, and the murderous aura erupted which could not be described by anger alone.
“Master, there’s more bad news for you.”
Little Kingfisher couldn’t help but say, “The person in the Second Imperial Princess’s house is a fake. She is actually the Second Imperial Princess’s confidant and Shadow Guard in disguise. The real Second Imperial Princess, disguised with a changed appearance, has already secretly crossed the border a month ago and hidden in the Qiyan Tribe.”
Lin Qingluo’s breath halted, “Does Noble Lord know about this?”
“He probably doesn’t.”
Little Kingfisher guessed: “With his nature, if he knew that the Second Imperial Princess was fake, he would’ve made a big fuss long ago. How could he let a fake princess wander around under his nose daily, making him feel annoyed?”
“Tell him about it.”
Lin Qingluo’s eyebrows furrowed, “Let him find an opportunity to reveal the true identity of the fake princess.”
“Alright.”
Little Kingfisher agreed very happily, his eyes rolled around and asked again: “What about the real Second Imperial Princess? How do we deal with her?”
“Lin Yirong…”
Lin Qingluo spoke word by word, gritting her teeth with hatred.
“Master, why don’t we go to the grassland?”
Little Kingfisher’s small eyes were gleaming, “Simply annihilate her, once and for all.”
“Go to the grassland?”
Lin Qingluo pondered with furrowed brows.
“If Master doesn’t want the innocent people to suffer from war and strife, the most direct method is to assassinate the Second Imperial Princess.”