"Do you want to make this your backup plans in case you can't convince your father about your marriage?"

Wei Liuying didn't avoid it and say the truth calmly, "Yes."

"In that case, you don't have much time. We're going back to the North in less than a month's time."

Less than a month?

Wei Liuying was a bit taken aback. But thinking about it from another perspective, both the general and strategist have been staying in the capital city for a long time. The situation on the frontline can change anytime during this period of unrest. It would be better for them to return back as soon as possible.

Lowering her gaze, Wei Liuying started to rack her brain to make the plan inside her head. She would never want to get married to someone who was over thrice her age no matter what. If he was only a few years to a decade older, she wouldn't be so hesitant and might accept her father's arrangement. But over thrice her age…

He was even older than her father.

"Strategist Yang!"

The two of them arrived by the mountain foot. There were already several soldiers in the area who greeted Yang Xian the moment he returned. Their respectful attitude made it clear that they completely admired Yang Xian.

"How's the situation?"

"It's as Strategist Yang have expected. They're rushing out from the direction that you have mentioned before," one of the soldiers replied excitedly.

Yang Xian nodded and jumped off from the horse. It was only at this time they realized that Strategist Yang was not alone.

"Strategist Yang, this is?"

Wei Liuying also jumped off the horse and cupped her hand. "Wei Hong Zheng from Wei Family. I got Strategist Yang's help when I ran off. My apologies for intruding your reunion."

The soldiers naturally had heard this surname. it was fairly common in the capital city because Prime Minister Wei was one of the two people who held the highest position below the Emperor in this kingdom. How could they not know the name of the second son of such a famous official.

"Second Young Master Wei sure jest. We're only celebrating our strategist's return."

"There's no need to worry about imposing yourself to us."

"It's our task to protect people like you, Second Young Master Wei."

Wei Liuying cupped her hand once more with a smile on her face. She looked like a youth that was full of vigor rather than a timid young girl that she usually portrayed. "In that case, Wei Hong Zheng is thankful to all of you."

"There's no need to be so respectful to us."

Most of the soldiers were commoners and only some of them were coming from noble families. Besides, those from noble families usually become commander right away and would be in important position at this time to make sure that they did their work.

"I'll be resting first. Many thanks for your hard work."

"It's our duty, Second Young Master Wei."

"Yes, you should rest, Second Young Master Wei."

"Second Young Master Wei…"

In the end, it was Yang Xian who kicked them to make the soldiers back to their respective position. He also arranged some people to check on the other checkpoint that he had arranged.

On the other hand, Wei Liuying sat on top of a tree trunk nearby and watched everything calmly. She acted as if she was tired. This way, no one bothered her. Besides, who didn't know that Wei Hong Zheng was only 13 years old? To be able to survive despite being on his own was already an achievement.

"Are you tired?"

Wei Liuying raised her head and noticed that Yang Xian had come over. She frowned but erased it from her face as soon as it appeared. She didn't want to appear disrespectful to Yang Xian. "It's fine, Strategist Yang."

Yang Xian nodded. He scanned Wei Liuying and aside from her slightly pale face, there was nothing wrong with her. "Do you really need to make sure that your brother had good prospect in the army?"

"If I don't do it, he will not be able to make it."

"Your brother must be very bad to make you say that."

Wei Liuying stayed silent for a moment. It was not that bad, but Wei Hong Zheng was not exactly a bright student. There were some things that he lacked in, but if he were to enter the military, he might be able to achieve better. After all, there were several types of commanders, so his future would not be that bad.

"In terms of martial arts, he's better than me."

Yang Xian arched his eyebrows. "You speak as if your first brother is worse than you when it comes to martial arts."

This time, Wei Liuying didn't answer and only stared back at Yang Xian. Seeing the gaze on the young girl's face, Yang Xian was stumped. It seemed that the gene combination of Wei Hong and that concubine Xiao, eh, Xie something only made him excel in terms of brain. It could be trained, but it didn't seem like Wei Yijun had the interest to train his martial arts more than necessary.

It was more important for him to study and made sure he could pass the examination to be an official in the future.

"Strategist Yang, we can only find two survivors."

Wei Liuying raised her head and noticed that several soldiers returned on top of a horse. The first man who came brought a young man on top of his horse in a position that made him look like a baggage.

Narrowing her eyes, Wei Liuying looked at Yang Xian. "Gao Huang and Ye Su?"

"You recognized them?"

"Yeah."

She had only read their names from the bamboo slip that Huo gave to her not long ago about the names of the people who were captured. Seeing that Strategist Yang purposely fetched them, she had the feeling that this matter might be related to Prince Ji Shu.

Bandits…

Assasssin…

"I see. He wanted to eliminate all eyewitness with borrowed hands," Wei Liuying muttered after a moment.

Yang Xian looked at Wei Liuying and laughed a bit. "If only you're a bit dumber, you would not have caught our attention."

"If I'm dumb, I won't survive this long, Strategist Yang."

"True enough."

Some concubine daughters could survive even without the needs to have high intelligence, but Wei Liuying didn't think that it would be the same for her. Different situation required different people to handle it perfectly.

After the short banter, Yang Xian walked to his men and looked at the two unconscious youngsters. "Did they say anything about the place?"

"They're locked in the room after being beaten up by His Highness the Fourth Prince. When the bandits come, the servants didn't even remember to unlock the door again, so they're trapped," the soldier replied.

Yang Xian furrowed his brows. "He's slippery."

"It's hard to find any evidence about his action, but this should take his attention for a while, right?" the second soldier hopped down from the horse. He looked to be in his early twenties, but his attire showed that he was already a commander. As for how many soldiers under him, Wei Liuying didn't know.

"Yes. Make sure they can return back to the Capital City."

The second soldier smirked. "That'll be done quickly, Strategist Yang."

"Don't get caught in the middle of the way."

"Of course I won't…"

"And don't stop to drink."

This time, the smile turned stiff. The second soldier looked at Yang Xian as if he wished to plead. "Strategist Yang, I won't do it this time…"

"This time?" Yang Xian narrowed his eyes. "If you fail the mission, I'll make sure your cousin won't be able to pay off your debt and you'll work for me for another year without payment."

Groan could be heard from the second soldier. He was crouching on the ground while holding his head. Yang Xian was never joking with his threat, so there was no reason for him to not do what he said should he failed again.

Yang Xian looked at the other soldiers. "You may rest. Make sure to clean these two."

"Yes, Strategist Yang."

"Shi Mo."

"Yes?" the second soldier, Shi Mo, raised his head.

"I'll introduce you to someone."

Yang Xian beckoned for him to follow. Shi Mo was confused, but he followed suit and noticed that there was a youngster who was not wearing an armor. In the dark night, it was hard to tell what the clothes' color would be. However, Shi Mo could see the dark eyes that was staring back at him.

It was black and seemed to be filled with hidden danger.

Shi Mo frowned and studied the young 'man' intently. The face's layout seemed to be leaning to the handsome type, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that it was somewhat feminine.

"This is?"

"This is Shi Mo, Shi Yan's cousin. And Shi Mo, this is Shi Yan's little friend whom he told to you a lot."

"Huh, but that little friend is a…." girl.

Shi Mo couldn't speak out the last word that he was about to say because two pairs of eyes were looking in his direction as if they wished to kill him if he dared to say it. He swallowed the words back to his throat and looked in Wei Liuying's direction. That was to say, this person over here is actually a girl?

A girl dressing up as a boy?

Shi Mo was stumped.