Emperor Xuanwu pressed a hand to his brow.
He was coming to terms with a baffling truth: the future Emperor of Tian Sheng, destined to achieve a feat unparalleled in history by unifying the realm, might have been driven to such heights for the most absurd reason imaginable—because she simply could not endure even the slightest grievance.
It was logical, yet utterly preposterous. He almost laughed aloud.
"So…"
Suppressing that nagging sense of absurdity, Emperor Xuanwu slowly spoke.
"What you are saying is, should the Bei Xiang delegation insist on pressing this matter further, you intend to go to war?"
"Why not?" Yun Shu tilted her head slightly, her expression utterly earnest.
"As the saying goes, if a problem cannot be solved, then solve the person who caused it. Bei Xiang is already in chaos. If we strike now, would it not be the perfect time to take a sip from that boiling pot?"
Emperor Xuanwu: "???"
Strange as the phrasing was, it somehow made sense.
He nearly found himself persuaded, already mulling over which general to assign to the task.
But then another thought struck him.
Bei Xiang… was it not given to Huyan Mingchuan, who then passed it to Xiao Wu?
It had already fallen into their hands. Why expend military resources to seize what was already theirs?
Even with a replenished treasury, such wastefulness was unnecessary.
"Even so, war—"
Just as Emperor Xuanwu was preparing to talk her out of it, Yun Shu spoke again.
"However, Your Daughter has given it further thought. Even if we are certain of victory, once battle begins, lives will be lost. The people of Tian Sheng ought not shed blood over something so trivial."
"You speak wisely."
Emperor Xuanwu felt a quiet satisfaction. At least he was spared the effort of persuasion.
"For a matter such as this—"
"I believe we should simply let Huyan Mingchuan handle it," Yun Shu declared, striking her palm against the armrest.
"After all, the Seventh Prince is his sworn enemy."
"...Well reasoned."
The disappearance of the Seventh Prince of Bei Xiang in the capital of Tian Sheng was no minor affair.
Especially since the Bei Xiang delegation had come knocking, demanding an explanation from Emperor Xuanwu and the Crown Princess.
Naturally, Huyan Mingchuan was already aware of the situation.
Before Yun Shu could even summon him, he had already sent a message of his own.
He would handle the matter of the Seventh Prince. In exchange, he requested the next volume of mathematics in advance.
Yun Shu agreed without hesitation and promptly had a copy of linear algebra delivered to him.
Huyan Mingchuan did not disappoint.
While Yun Shu remained in the imperial study, quietly assisting Emperor Xuanwu with court affairs, news arrived before sunset.
A servant rushed in, breathless with urgency.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, something has occurred at the relay station housing the Bei Xiang delegation!"
"Again?" Emperor Xuanwu raised a brow. "Who is it this time?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, it was the Ninth Prince of Bei Xiang, Huyan Mingchuan. He was ambushed. The attackers, it is said, were his own countrymen—members of the Bei Xiang mission."
The guard hesitated, then added,
"Prince Huyan flew into a rage and… personally executed every last member of the Bei Xiang delegation."
Emperor Xuanwu: "...?"
He turned toward Yun Shu, giving her a long, silent look.
"This is what you meant by leaving it to Huyan Mingchuan?"
Yun Shu: "..."
She had no idea he would handle it like that.
Huyan Mingchuan never mentioned his method would be quite so… direct.
"Truly worthy of someone who was the final boss in the original plotline."
Yun Shu rubbed her nose, feigning innocence.
"Father Emperor, would this be considered an internal matter of another state? How should we respond?"
"What else can We do?" Emperor Xuanwu's voice turned cold, regal.
"Regardless of the cause, the Ninth Prince of Bei Xiang has drawn blood in Tian Sheng's capital on the eve of the New Year.
It is a blatant display of disrespect. We shall send a formal letter to the King of Bei Xiang and ask just what, precisely, his kingdom intends to do."
So that was the plan—demand compensation from Bei Xiang under the guise of diplomatic outrage.
But knowing the nature of the King of Bei Xiang, he would likely respond with an absurd request, perhaps insisting that Huyan Mingchuan be handed over to show good faith.
Yun Shu blinked.
"Then what of Huyan Mingchuan? Shall we repatriate him?"
Repatriate?
An interesting idea, and perhaps a very shrewd one.
If they arranged for Huyan Mingchuan to return to Bei Xiang ahead of time, the King would no longer be able to claim him with ease. Even if they wished to exact punishment, it would not be simple.
An enraged dragon returning to its den—Bei Xiang would fall into further disarray.
That would only hasten the day when it became Tian Sheng's Bei Xiang Province.
Repatriation… an excellent suggestion. Adopted at once.
Emperor Xuanwu gave a thoughtful nod, then reminded Yun Shu,
"But the Seventh Prince remains missing."
"If he is gone, then let him stay gone."
Yun Shu gave a slight shrug.
"There are only three possibilities.
First, he may have secretly returned to Bei Xiang, hoping to continue his struggle for the throne from the shadows. If so, he is no longer our concern.
Second, he might have realized that returning to Bei Xiang would end in certain defeat. In that case, he may have fled, chosen anonymity, and sought only to survive.
Even less reason for us to intervene."
"Hmm." A faint smile flickered at the edge of Emperor Xuanwu's mouth. After dismissing the reporting guard with a wave, he continued, "And the third possibility?"
"The third… is that he intends to ally with the lesser nations."
Yun Shu twirled the feather quill in her hand, brushing it lightly over an unfinished memorial. Her voice was relaxed, but her gaze was clear.
"Our current military expedition against the Wa Kingdom will have shaken the smaller states.
Should the Seventh Prince seize this chance, it is not impossible that he could rally them to his cause.
Of all the states, only Bei Xiang has the strength to challenge Tian Sheng. If he promises these nations that once he seizes power, they may join him in resisting Tian Sheng, presenting a united front, then his chances are not insignificant.
Your Daughter believes this is the most likely outcome."
"You believe that is the likeliest?"
Emperor Xuanwu raised his brows, surprised—but not by her insight.
He had personally mentored Yun Shu for more than a year. That she could foresee such moves was only natural.
What surprised him was her composure.
She saw it all clearly. Yet she remained utterly unconcerned.
===
Repatriation means returning someone or something to their place of origin or citizenship.