Chapter 151

Chapter 151: His Hidden Ally

Inside the tent.

Sheng Zhi Wan sat leisurely sipping her tea. Occasionally, a Madam or Young Lady from another family would approach to chat, and she responded calmly.

Duke Qi and Meng Yang frequently went forward to check for any reports from scouts. After going three times, there was still no news.

Meng Yang rested her hand on her belly and glanced toward Sheng Zhi Wan, seeing her relaxed enough to drink tea at such a moment. Unable to hold back, she remarked, “Princess doesn’t seem worried about the Heir Apparent at all. This hunt is one where everyone must bear their own risks!”

Duke Qi turned his gaze towards them.

Sheng Zhi Wan replied evenly, “I simply have great confidence in him. Could it be that Concubine Meng doesn’t trust the Heir Apparent’s abilities?”

“…Of course not!” Meng Yang choked on her words and quietly sat down, no longer looking for trouble.

Just then, there was a commotion at the front.

Sheng Zhi Wan raised an eyebrow and stood up.

On the simple sand table, black and white markers represented the opposing forces. At this moment, a scout delivered the first report from the dense forest.

“Heir Apparent Qi is commanding our forces, with the Second Prince as his deputy. They have established camp on the southern mountain, intending to use the terrain and wild beasts to weaken Northern Di’s strength. Northern Di, skilled in mounted warfare, split into two groups led by Generals Hu Shu Xie and Jin Ri Xu. Their strategy is to attack proactively instead of defending.”

The Eunuch Attendant placed markers and figurines accordingly.

“Heir Apparent Qi excels in using terrain; his cunning tactics will surely lead to victory!” someone flattered Duke Qi.

Sheng Zhi Wan pursed her lips, then asked just as the attendant was about to leave, “What about the commoner team?”

The Eunuch Attendant paused.

Only now did everyone remember there was another group. Even Minister Ye felt embarrassed mentioning his son. Those boys, weak as they were, could at best protect themselves—how could they impact the greater situation?

“This…” The Eunuch Attendant hesitated.

Suddenly, another carrier pigeon landed, bringing a third message.

The Eunuch Attendant read it, his eyes blinking rapidly. “The commoner team, led by Second Young Master Shang, has moved toward the northern mountain.”

Everyone was stunned. Those carefree youths would have been safer hiding in the south mountain; why run north where they’d surely meet their doom?

Unpleasant gazes immediately fell upon General Shang Tian Hao.

Madam Liu, alongside Liu Yan, especially bore a deep resentment due to past conflicts with the Shang family. Hearing this, Madam Liu sneered, “I thought he was something special—turns out he’s just arrogant and foolish. General Shang, you’d better discipline your son when you get the chance.”

She coldly added, “Though perhaps you won’t have that chance after today.”

Madam Liu truly hoped Shang Hang Yu would perish so she could save her fifty thousand taels of silver.

Shang Tian Hao’s expression darkened. He opened his mouth but, unwilling to argue publicly with a woman over his unruly son, he simply flicked his sleeve and stormed away.

Inside the main tent, Emperor Chong Sheng, the Empress, Consort Qi, the First Prince, and the Third Prince gathered.

Before them lay an even larger sand table. Commander Xie An of the Feather Forest Guards explained the battle situation. Hearing that Shang Hang Yu’s group headed north, the Emperor’s brows knitted tightly.

The Third Prince said coldly, “Perhaps they thought defeating a few bandits made them invincible against Northern Di warriors. Utter foolishness.”

“Indeed,” Emperor Chong Sheng nodded grimly.

Seeing his father’s approval, the Crown Prince quickly chimed in, “Exactly! Northern Di soldiers are fierce fighters, completely unlike ordinary bandits!”

The Emperor shot him a chilling glance. The Crown Prince immediately lowered his head nervously.

Sheng Yuan Hao curled his lips slightly, thinking privately, [This foolish Crown Prince brother truly never learns.]

Meanwhile, another message arrived from the scouts.

Wherever Shang Hang Yu and his group passed, there were peculiar claw marks left on tree trunks, fallen logs, and slopes. These markings were shown to the gathering.

No one understood their meaning. Sheng Zhi Wan glanced briefly and couldn’t help smiling.

Meng Yang saw her smile and asked skeptically, “Princess, do you know what these marks mean?” She doubted Sheng Zhi Wan, a sheltered lady, truly understood such matters.

Sheng Zhi Wan calmly met her eyes, “Indeed, I do.”

Meng Yang was stunned, believing Sheng Zhi Wan was bluffing. “Then please, Princess, enlighten us.”

Everyone turned curiously toward her. Sheng Zhi Wan didn’t hesitate. “These are claw marks of the Red Fox. Second Young Master Shang and his friends are creating fake trails.”

“Fake trails? What use is that?” everyone wondered.

Sheng Zhi Wan explained softly, “Northern Di warriors, confident but divided, have separated into groups to hunt independently, all coveting the Emperor’s great reward. Imagine seeing these signs—would they alert each other?”

The crowd slowly understood. By luring Northern Di soldiers apart, Shang Hang Yu’s group planned to defeat them individually.

Sheng Zhi Wan gazed at the sand table, impressed yet puzzled. [How did he know about the Red Fox beforehand? Could someone near Imperial Father be his spy?]

The thought alarmed her, yet her face showed nothing.

Meng Yang, shocked that Sheng Zhi Wan had actually known, bit her lip and stayed silent.

Minister Ye and Pei Ling Yuan eagerly discussed their sons’ apparent brilliance, quietly overlooking Shang Hang Yu’s role entirely.

Madam Liu scoffed inwardly, believing Sheng Zhi Wan greatly overestimated those idle youths. [Perhaps these were just marks to prevent getting lost,] she thought dismissively.

Hours later, after a simple lunch, more reports arrived swiftly.

The scouts following Heir Apparent Qi brought news of successful hunting and two tigers driven northward as planned.

Then another scout returned from Shang Hang Yu’s group, handing the Eunuch Attendant a note.

“Oh…” The attendant read it incredulously, turning the paper around repeatedly, but there was only one brief line.