Cui Hui's response let Shen Tang's hanging heart finally settle.
Thinking it was better to act sooner rather than later, Cui Hui planned to set out to meet Cui Xiao. Her only request was that Qi Shan escort her. The suggestion made Qi Shan bristle like a cat, his every inch radiating resistance. He said nothing, merely gazing at his lord with a forlorn look. Shen Tang chuckled. "Are you worried Cui Kewu will act one way to your face and another behind your back, then join forces with her father to kill you?"
A spy within a spy, a scheme within a scheme?
If Qi Shan were Cui Hui, he really would pull something like that.
Qi Shan had been seen through by Shen Tang. Awkwardly shifting his gaze away, he said without much conviction, "The Northern Desert is not yet settled. I cannot rest easy."
Shen Tang laughed. "What is there to worry about? The Northern Desert suffered heavy losses among its elite in the last battle, and we already laid the groundwork with the grain seeds. If they can't take Kang this year, they'll face a great famine next year. The only difference between resisting to the bitter end and giving up is whether they die now or starve to death next year. The rumors we've been spreading among the tribes have begun to take effect. Even if the Assembly of Gods sells everything they own to support the Northern Desert, how are they supposed to wage war without any people? Put your mind at ease and settle those old scores of yours."
It was fortunate this time that Cui Hui understood the greater good.
If she had laid all the blood debts of that year at Qi Shan's door, this would have been impossible to resolve.