vrcanaries Chapter 198 Undercurrent
Chapter 198 Undercurrent
"Report! Urgent news from the North!"
During the early morning court session, a messenger hurried into the hall. Crown Prince Mo Yunchen, who was attending to state affairs, frowned slightly upon hearing this.
"What's the matter?"
"The alien races in the north are gathering heavy troops, and they seem to be planning something big!"
The courtiers in the hall immediately began to discuss the situation. The Third Young Lady, standing among the courtiers, met the Crown Prince's gaze, and both of them sensed something was amiss.
"Pass my order," Mo Yunchen said solemnly, "the Ministry of War shall immediately formulate a countermeasure and send it to the Imperial Study before noon."
"Yes!"
After the ministers left, Miss Three was about to leave when she heard the Crown Prince say, "My dear Su, please stay."
The other ministers all cast meaningful glances at him. The Crown Prince's fondness for the General's daughter had long been no secret.
"Your servant is here." The third lady turned around and saluted.
"What do you think about the things happening in the northern border?" Mo Yunchen spoke only after everyone had left.
The Third Miss pondered for a moment and said, "This servant thinks this is strange."
"Oh? Tell me about it."
"According to secret reports, although there have been small-scale gatherings of alien tribes in the northern border recently, there have been no major movements. Why is there suddenly news of a large-scale troop concentration?" The third lady analyzed, "and the timing is also very delicate."
"You mean..." Mo Yunchen thought thoughtfully.
"Exactly. Just yesterday, the floods in the south eased, and trade routes to the Western Regions reopened. Logically, this is when the situation at court stabilizes."
“So something unexpected happened at this time…”
"It's very likely that someone is pushing this from behind." The third young lady expressed her own judgment.
Mo Yunchen nodded: "I think so too." He stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, "But who is causing trouble?"
"This..." The third young lady was about to speak when a report suddenly came from outside.
"The Minister of War requests an audience!"
“Xuan.”
The Minister of War walked in quickly, holding a memorial in his hand: "Your Highness, I have prepared a response plan. Please review it."
Mo Yunchen took the memorial and looked through it carefully. The Third Miss stood aside and could tell from the Crown Prince's expression that there might be something wrong with the memorial.
Sure enough, Mo Yunchen quickly put the memorial down and asked, "My dear minister, do you mean to mobilize the southern army to reinforce the northern border?"
"That's right," the Minister of War explained. "The northern border currently lacks sufficient troops. If a foreign invader were to attack, it would be difficult to resist."
"But..." Miss San couldn't help but ask, "If the southern army is transferred north, who will guard the flood-stricken areas?"
The Minister of War seemed to have been prepared: "We can recruit civilians to maintain the dike."
"Conscripts?" The Third Miss sneered, "Do you know that it's the busy farming season now? Wouldn't it be a waste of time to recruit conscripts?"
"For the sake of border security, this sacrifice is inevitable."
"Oh?" The Third Miss pressed on. "Then, sir, have you ever thought about where the food will come from next year if we miss the farming season? And how will the border troops be supplied?"
The Minister of War was speechless.
Mo Yunchen nodded secretly as he listened. This girl said it well, she hit the nail on the head!
"Besides," the Third Young Lady continued, "is the Northern Territory's military strength really insufficient? As far as I know, since the last defense adjustment, the Northern Territory's military strength has increased by 30%. These troops are sufficient to deal with ordinary threats."
"This..." Cold sweat broke out on the Minister of War's forehead.
"So," the Third Miss concluded, "instead of mobilizing the southern army, it's better to first find out if the aliens are really making any major moves. If we rashly mobilize troops, it will only disrupt the established deployment."
Mo Yunchen picked up the memorial and said, "My dear, we can discuss this matter later. It is more important to send someone to investigate first."
"Yes..." The Minister of War retreated with a grim look on his face.
After he left, the Third Miss said, "Your Highness, I'm afraid this gentleman has ulterior motives."
"Yes," Mo Yunchen nodded, "He wants to transfer the southern troops to cause chaos in the flood-stricken areas."
"More than that," the Third Miss added, "Moving troops north will definitely require a large amount of food and fodder. By then..."
"Then he can take the opportunity to enrich himself." Mo Yunchen took over the conversation.
The two smiled at each other, both appreciating each other's sharpness.
At this moment, another announcement came from outside: "The Minister of Rites wants to see you!"
"What's going on again?" Mo Yunchen frowned, "Announcement."
The Minister of Rites walked in and said something surprising: "Your Highness, I have a memorial to the emperor. It's about marriage."
The third young lady's heart skipped a beat: What does this mean?
"Speak." Mo Yunchen had no expression on his face.
"It's like this," the Minister of Rites glanced at the Third Young Lady, "The Empress Dowager has suggested that it's time to choose a principal wife for His Highness?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became subtle.
The Third Miss forced herself to remain calm, but her heartbeat involuntarily quickened. She knew this was directed at her.
"Oh?" Mo Yunchen said indifferently, "When did the Queen Mother mention it?"
"Just this morning," the Minister of Rites said, "the Queen Mother said that Your Highness has reached marriageable age. If you don't get married soon, I'm afraid it will cause criticism from the court and the public."
"Really?" Mo Yunchen stood up. "Then according to your opinion, how should we choose a concubine?"
"This..." The Minister of Rites seemed to have been prepared. "I think we should choose a woman with a suitable family background and good manners. For example, the niece of the imperial concubine..."
The Third Miss's heart sank: As expected! This is the Imperial Concubine taking action.
But Mo Yunchen just smiled faintly: "My dear minister, what you said makes sense. However, for such a big matter, it is better to take a long-term view."
"This..." The Minister of Rites wanted to say something.
"Alright," Mo Yunchen waved his hand, "We'll discuss this later. You can leave first."
After the Minister of Rites left, the hall fell into silence for a moment.
The Third Miss lowered her head, unsure of what to say. Although she and the Crown Prince had secretly harbored feelings for each other, they had never spoken openly. Now that it had been suddenly exposed, it was rather embarrassing.
"What are you thinking about?" Mo Yunchen asked suddenly.
"Nothing...nothing." The third young lady tried to remain calm.
"Are you thinking about the Queen Mother's proposal?"
"I dare not."
Mo Yunchen chuckled: "When did you become so reserved?"
The Third Miss raised her head and met the Crown Prince's gentle gaze. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Actually..." Mo Yunchen said slowly, "I have already thought about it."
“What do you want to think about?”
"I've decided who I'm going to marry."
The third lady's heart beat faster: "Your Highness..."
"But now is not the time," Mo Yunchen changed the subject, "the border issue is more important."
The Third Miss breathed a sigh of relief, yet also felt a little disappointed. But she quickly adjusted her attitude: "Your Highness is right. State affairs are more important."
Mo Yunchen looked at her sensible appearance and felt warm in his heart: "First, go check the details of the Minister of War and the Minister of Rites. I always feel that there is a connection between these two things."
"I understand." The Third Miss was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Your Highness, will you still be meeting tonight?"
"Well," Mo Yunchen nodded, "When you come, bring the blueprint of your new formation. I have some ideas to discuss with you."
"Okay." The third young lady turned and left with an unconcealable smile on her face.
After leaving the hall, she immediately went to consult with her niece and cousin. Such a big matter requires collective wisdom.
"What? The Queen Mother proposed to choose a concubine?" The niece couldn't sit still after hearing this. "Isn't it obvious..."
"Shh," my cousin gestured to silence me, "walls have ears."
The three of them moved deeper into the garden and continued their discussion.
"So," the niece lowered her voice, "Is the imperial concubine getting restless?"
"That's probably the case," the Third Miss analyzed. "The Crown Prince and I have been getting close recently, so they must be worried."
"Not only that," my cousin added, "Did you notice that this incident appeared on the same day as the memorial from the Minister of War? Could it be..."
The third young lady's eyes lit up: "You mean, they are in the same group?"
"It's very likely," the niece nodded. "Isn't the imperial concubine's family related to the Minister of War by marriage?"
"So that's it!" Miss San suddenly realized, "They're trying to muddy the waters."
"Yes," said my cousin, "while creating a border crisis, they took the opportunity to propose the selection of a concubine. When the government and the country are in turmoil, they will take advantage of the opportunity..."
"Get some benefits!" the three of them said in unison.
After figuring this out, the Third Miss calmed down and said, "It seems I need to investigate their network of connections."
"Leave it to me," the niece patted her chest, "I'm the best at getting information."
"I'll go and ask around," said my cousin. "News on the trade route is the easiest to leak."
The third lady looked at the two of them gratefully: "It's great to have you."
"Don't say such cheesy things," the niece said with a smile. "But you, when you go to the 'meeting' tonight, you must seize the opportunity!"
The third young lady blushed: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
"Oh, everyone knows it," my cousin also joked, "so don't pretend."
Third Miss: ... "If you say that again, I'll send you to the border to observe the people's sentiments!"
"Okay, okay, I won't say any more," the niece smiled and stepped back. "You go do your thing. We'll go check the news."
Looking at the backs of the two people leaving, the third lady sighed: These two funny guys only know how to tease me.
But it is indeed a very happy thing to have them around.
Returning to her room, she took out the formation blueprint and began to revise it carefully. Although she knew it was an excuse made by the prince, she still wanted to do the job well.
Because she knew that what the prince admired most was her lively and cute personality, as well as her serious and responsible attitude.
The thought of being alone with the prince again at night filled her heart with anticipation.
Outside the window, the sun sets, and another fulfilling day is coming to an end. But she knows that the best time is still to come.