Marrying a Disabled General and be His Wife

The winter in the Jing Kingdom was growing colder, and the shortage of charcoal was becoming a significant concern. With the logging ban, even the palace relied solely on white charcoal.

Ordered by Baili Ronghua to search for red rosy charcoal throughout the city, Xu Youquan spent more than half a month searching but found little information and no sign of red rosy charcoal. The only led was a place in the city with the red rosy charcoal was the general’s mansion.

However, Xu Youquan wouldn’t dare to go there, even if he had a hundred courage. He would prefer facing Baili Ronghua with his head held high.

“Did you find the red rosy charcoal?” Baili Ronghua inquired, enjoying a lychee from the capital of Dayong.

“I’ve obtained some information.” Xu Youquan replied, bowing on the ground.

Baili Ronghua glanced at him, “Now that there’s information, what about the charcoal? Did you swallow it yourself?”

“I don’t dare!” Xu Youquan’s voice trembled. “My lady, I’ve learned that the only red rosy charcoal in Tianyou City, is in the general’s mansion. But you know the general’s temperament. He refuses to accept guests.”

Everyone knows Feng Chilie didn’t like dealing with palace matters.

A few years ago, when Chu Yiling tried to visit Feng Chilie, he rejected him multiple times even if he brought beauties.

Then, Feng Chilie broke his legs, making it clear that the General’s Mansion would not entertain any visitors.

Baili Ronghua flicked her well-groomed nails: “Where did the general’s mansion get the red rosy charcoal from?”

“Back to the queen, it was the leftover sunken charcoal from previous years,” Xu Youquan explained. “The general’s mansion received annual carbon deliveries, but with him often garrisoned at the border, the mansion had few occupants, and the carbon accumulated.”

“Isn’t it available elsewhere?” Baili Ronghua inquired.

Xu Youquan shook his head: “Nowhere else; I may have to buy it from Qi Kingdom. Zhao Kingdom and Great Yong, located south of the Yangtze River, lack charcoal.”

Baili Ronghua suggested, “Then go to Qi Kingdom to buy it.”

“My Lady!” Xu Youquan exclaimed anxiously. “Trading with other countries privately carries severe punishments, from penalties to beheading. Slaves dare not risk it!”

“Dare not?” Baili Ronghua mused.

Baili Ronghua tossed a piece of fine jade in front of Xu Youquan, saying, “Xu Youquan, do you truly believe no one knows about your secret attempt to buy jade from Zhao Kingdom?”

“The slave, I…” Xu Youquan stammered, nearly lying on the ground.

“Go and purchase charcoal for me, or I’ll genuinely remove your head and toss it into the charcoal basin, along with the little palace maid you befriended,” Baili Ronghua declared, raising her voice. “Xu Youquan, don’t play tricks under my nose, when the entire palace has my eyes.”

“Yes, yes! I’ll find a way to buy charcoal for the queen,” Xu Youquan, soaked in sweat, responded. “Does the queen have any other instructions?”

“No more,” Baili Ronghua dismissed him without a glance. “Get out of here.”

.

As Xu Youquan retreated, Baili Ronghua dismissed everyone, leaving only Li Deyu, who inquired, “Do you think you can use Xu Youquan to eliminate Tan Chuyan, Young Master Yan, and Tuoba Rou?”

More than half a month had passed, and Baili Ronghua grew impatient.

Li Deyu flattered, “Her Majesty’s idea is excellent; this troublesome matter should be resolved together.”

Baili Ronghua agreed, “Then go ahead and arrange it. Do it flawlessly, and don’t let anyone be caught. By the way, I called you to discuss how you proceeded with finding someone to assassinate Young Master Yan.”

Li Deyu contemplated, “It’s strange; the man had disappeared.”

“Disappeared?” Baili Ronghua’s eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“We followed Young Master Yan to the outside of Tianyou City before acting,” Li Deyu explained. “But Young Master Yan wasn’t among the dead. Later, they searched Tianyou City, but he seemed to vanish into thin air.”

“Vanished into thin air?” Baili Ronghua doubted. “Impossible. Humans always leave traces. Didn’t he leave the kingdom unless he used a cover-up, or he never left Jing Kingdom at all?”

“Is there any place in Tianyou City not searched?” she asked.

“Yes, the Princess’s Mansion, the General’s Mansion, and the Purity Sect,” Li Deyu said. “We dare not go to these places.”

Baili Ronghua considered, “Go ask them to explore the Purity Secr, the Princess’s Mansion, and the General’s Mansion. It doesn’t matter the cost.”

“Yes,” Li Deyu agreed and handed her a letter. “My Lady, the Queen Mother inquired about the Fifth Highness and urged quick action to cause chaos in Jing Kingdom.”

“Didn’t I arrange it just now?”

Baili Ronghua impatiently instructed, “That’s it. Ghostwrite it and inform Mother that once the new year arrives, chaos will engulf Jing Kingdom, and Tan Chuyan and Tuoba Rou will meet their end.”

Clenching the envelope, Li Deyu asked, “What if the plan fails…or someone causes trouble?”

“I’ve already missed it once. This time—” Baili Ronghua’s eyes flashed sternly. “Only success is allowed, no failure!”

The last time Tuoba Rou came to Jing Kingdom, Baili Ronghua sent assassins upon receiving the news, but they never returned. Instead, Tuoba Rou ended up back in the princess mansion with Chu Qingyi.

Baili Ronghua didn’t know who disrupted her plans, but anyone hindering Great Yong’s reunification would face death.

“Identify the troublemakers and eliminate them!”

.

Tianlu Mountain, the highest range in Jing Kingdom, lacked farmers due to frequent wild beast infestations. Yet, a lonely hut stood incongruously, surrounded by dozens of masked individuals.

Inside the warm hut, a bound and blindfolded woman sat on a straw mat. She complained, “I’m hungry! I want to eat!”

The hut’s door opened, and an old woman brought in delicious food, feeding the woman slowly.

The woman asked, “How long will you keep me locked up?”

The old woman’s eyes were cold. “I don’t know. I’ll release the princess at the right time.”

“Do you know who I am?” The woman swallowed and said, “My father is the Khan of Xibo, and my aunt is the wife of the Old General Feng. My future husband is Feng Chilie. If you don’t release me, you’ll be doomed when they find me!”

“Princess Changle doesn’t need to emphasize these words daily,” the old woman replied. “We are aware of that.”

Tuoba Rou complained, “You still won’t let me go.”

“I can’t,” the old woman cleaned up. “You are crucial in this game. Don’t worry; if all goes well, you’ll meet your end soon. If everyone dies, we’ll release you. If things go south—”

Tuoba Rou shivered, “What happens if things go wrong?”

“If things go wrong, there’s nothing we can do,” the old woman said.

“The old slave will have to personally send you on your way to conclude the chess game. Don’t worry, you won’t be lonely on your journey. The old slave will descend and accompany you. Now, it’s time to rest, Princess.” Without another word, the old woman knocked Tuoba Rou unconscious.