A secret letter from the Northern Territory's king made Yi Prefecture the decisive move in the game of the realm

Half a moment later, Tuoba Mang suddenly slapped the copper plate protecting his heart.

"Found it!"

He unbuttoned his coat and pulled a crumpled letter from behind the brass breastplate on his chest.

The letter was curled at the corner, the wax seal was intact, and it bore the personal seal of the Prince Murong of the Northern Territory.

Murong Xue snatched it away, and only after confirming the seal was sealed did she hand it to Gu Moran.

Gu Moran did not open it immediately.

He looked at Murong Xue: "Madam, please take a look first."

Murong Xue's Adam's apple bobbed, and her fingers tightened as she opened the letter.

The letter was unfolded.

The first few lines are fairly ordinary.

Ask her if she's used to the food, and if she's been bullied in the capital. If so, write down her name and settle the score when you return to the Northern Territory.

As Murong Xue watched, her eyes welled up with tears, but she held them back.

As she continued, her expression changed.

Gu Moran took the letter.

After the great victory in the Northern Territory, the imperial court will surely allocate more grain, horses, and rewards for military merit.

Yi Prefecture was a rear granary, and military supplies such as Shu brocade, salt, iron, and waterways could be transported there.

If Prince Yi can establish a foothold in Yi Prefecture, an invisible supply line can be formed between the Northern Territory and Yi Prefecture through the use of the imperial court's military supplies.

There are very few words.

The letter paper was creased under Gu Moran.

The map of the world in his mind was unfolded.

The Northern Territory in the north.

Yi Prefecture is located in the southwest.

It is separated by the Guanzhong, the Han River, and the Yellow River.

Normally, the two sides cannot directly join forces or exchange money.

However, military supplies are different.

The Northern Territory was won, and the imperial court wanted to reward the military merits, replenish warhorses, transport grain, pay salaries, and repair weapons.

Yi Prefecture has grain, money, waterways, and salt and iron.

The emperor banished him to Yi Prefecture, intending to Gaegyeong.

Unfortunately, this victory in the Northern Territory pushed Yi Prefecture into the position of military supply depot.

Gu Moran flattened the letter.

Prince Murong didn't write a single word about forming an alliance.

Every word was a reminder to him.

Road, grain, account, horse.

Whoever can grasp these will be able to stand firm in the game.

After reading the letter, Su Yao put her pen to paper.

"Military supplies transportation cannot be handled privately; it can only go through official channels. But within official channels, accounts can be blocked or circumvented."

Xie Wanqing continued, "Among the students of the Imperial Academy, two work at the post stations, and one at the water conservancy department. If grain needs to be transported, the route should be considered first."

Shen Ling'er asked in a low voice, "Should we prepare more medicine for bruises and sprains along the way?"

Murong Xue looked up. "Just in case, someone like Tuoba Mang can trip and hurt himself while walking."

Tuoba Mang scratched his head. "Princess, I don't understand. Is there a battle going on in Yi Prefecture?"

Gu Moran folded the letter neatly. "Not for now."

Tuoba Mang's shoulders slumped. "Then I've come all this way for nothing?"

Gu Moran looked at him. "There might be bandits."

Tuoba Mang's eyes lit up, and he sat up straight.

"Bandit raiding! Count me in! Take me to Yi Prefecture, I'm an expert at bandit suppression!"

Gu Moran tensed up when she saw his excited expression.

They can fight.

It can also cause trouble.

Just then, a servant boy ran in from outside the door, his voice tense.

"Your Highness, someone from the Imperial Clan Court has arrived. They want to verify the roster of your entourage."

Gu Moran stopped writing the letter in her hand.

The aroma of tea still lingered in the study.

Footsteps were approaching outside the door.

The Imperial Clan Court arrived too quickly.

It's too fast, not at all.

The officials from the Imperial Clan Court were waiting in the front hall.

When Gu Moran came out of the study, his cloak was still draped over his shoulders, and his face, which had been covered in medicine powder under Shen Ling'er's watchful gaze, looked even more pale.

Uncle Fu helped him walk slowly.

Two clerks stood in the front hall.

One of them was older, holding a book in his hands.

Another young man, with a Imperial Clan Court wooden plaque hanging from his waist, kept glancing towards the inner courtyard.

Gu Moran glanced at the wooden plaque and memorized the name first.

Du Heng).

Upon seeing him enter, the senior official immediately bowed and said, "This humble official, Cao Yuan, Registrar of the Imperial Clan Court, greets Your Prince Yi."

Gu Moran coughed twice before sitting down, placed his hand on his chest, and hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Recorder Cao arrived quickly. I thought the Court of Imperial Clan Court wouldn't urge us until at least tomorrow."

Cao Yuan smiled obsequiously, "Your Highness is about to depart. The roster, carriages, ceremonial guard, accompanying women, and the number of soldiers all need to be verified in advance. I am merely following orders."

"On whose orders?"

Cao Yuan's Adam's apple bobbed, and his smile froze on his face.

The young clerk Du Heng, kept his head down, looking at the register, and remained silent.

Uncle Fu took half a step forward, his sleeve twitching slightly.

Gu Moran pushed the teacup away, his face still showing signs of illness. "Don't be nervous. I was just asking casually. You errand runners, what right do you have to know who's in a hurry up above?"

Cao Yuan's forehead was beaded with sweat. "Your Highness is so considerate."

"Consideration is one thing," Gu Moran leaned back in his chair. "The roster isn't finalized yet. The dowries, maids, guards, and carriages for each of the six ladies still need to be arranged. We can't provide them today."

Cao Yuan hurriedly said, "Your Highness misunderstands. We are only taking the first volume today; the rest can be completed later."

Gu Moran's eyes flickered.

Do you need the first volume too?

Was the Imperial Clan Court worried that he brought too many people, or that he would bring people he shouldn't have?

Gu Moran coughed lightly, his voice low and weak. " Uncle Fu, bring me the blank booklet that was originally prepared."

Uncle Fu understood his look and turned to leave.

Cao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Du Heng looked up and glanced behind the screen.

Behind the screen is a side door leading to the inner courtyard.

Over in the study.

Tuoba Mang couldn't sit still; his knees trembled. "What's the Imperial Clan Court? Are you all afraid of them? Can I go and beat them up?"

Murong Xue rubbed her temples. "No."

"Then what are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of you."

Tuoba Mang retorted, "I didn't cause any trouble."

Su Yao slammed the ledger shut. "You were shouting nonsense at the door just now; half the street could hear you."

Tuoba Mang shrank back. "Keep your voice down, I'm afraid you won't hear me."

Xie Wanqing raised her eyes. "You'd better shut up."

Tuoba Mang looked at Murong Xue: "Then I should hide?"

Liu Ruyan gently shook her head. "With your size, you'll be conspicuous no matter where you hide."

Shen Ling'er couldn't help but say, looking at the powder on his face, "Why don't you wash your makeup off first?"

Tuoba Mang wiped his face, his palm covered in white and black patches.

Murong Xue gritted her teeth again. "I really don't know why you thought of dressing up as a woman, it's so ugly."

Tuoba Mang lowered his head in grievance.

" The Northern Territory Disguise Technique? Why can't I learn it?"

Lin Qingdai stood to the side with her arms crossed. "Now the Imperial Clan Court needs a roster. If he stays in the manor, how will his identity be recorded?"

The room fell silent.

Tuoba Mang looked up. "Write about Tuoba Mang, the fierce general of the Northern Territory."

Murong Xue slammed the handle of her whip on the table. "Don't you think the Prince is conspicuous enough already?"

Tuoba Mang immediately changed his tune. "That's the young general from the Northern Territory."

Su Yao pursed her lips into a thin line. "Shut up."

Xie Wanqing spread out the blank paper, her pen pausing. "You can't write your real identity. You also can't write that you're a member of the Prince Murong's personal guards. The number of accompanying guards will be checked."

Liu Ruyan looked at Murong Xue: "Do you have a list of former brides from the Northern Territory with you?"

Murong Xue nodded. "There are a few spots for female riders. My father originally wanted to send people with him when I got married, but I didn't let too many come."

Shen Ling'er pursed her lips. "Let him pretend to be a female rider?"

The room fell silent again.

Tuoba Mang's eyes lit up. "I can!"

Murong Xue nearly snapped the riding whip in two, "You can't!"

Tuoba Mang panicked. "I already packed them along the way."

Su Yao coldly added, "You're very good at pretending. Don't pretend next time."

Lin Qingdai suddenly spoke up, "What if we write about carriages and servants?"

Murong Xue looked up. "Guan Ma is capable. He really knows how."

Tuoba Mang puffed out his chest. "I can even deliver horses."

Gu Moran happened to hear this sentence when she came in.

He paused at the doorway, took a couple of breaths, and then went inside. " The Imperial Clan Court needs the initial registration. If Tuoba Mang wants to come along, he must change his identity."

Tuoba Mang said with an upright expression, "Young master, I will not change my name or surname."

Murong Xue said expressionlessly, "You were just pretending to be a woman."

Tuoba Mang got stuck.

Gu Moran sat down and first looked at Murong Xue: "Among the dowry members from the Northern Territory, are there any who have been registered but haven't entered the capital?"

Murong Xue flipped through the dowry register, pointing to a spot. "There was a stable boy named Tuoba Qing. He fell ill halfway through the journey, stayed at the post station, and later returned to the Northern Territory."

Is he dead?

"Alive."

Gu Moran his head. "Living people can't be used; it's easy to be detected."

Xie Wanqing turned to another page. "There's a spot here, for a stable job outside the Murong residence, it's just marked as pending."

Su Yao immediately replied, "The spot available can be filled. Write 'Tuo Qing,' one character is missing."

Tuoba Mang frowned... He was about to make an expression when Murong Xue's gaze silenced him.

" Tuo Qing?" he said with a reluctant expression, "You're so effeminate."

Murong Xue looked at him. "Don't you just like pretending to be a woman? Then how about writing about manure? Today you walked in right after the manure cart, quite fitting."

Tuoba Mang's face turned green. "On second thought, Tuo Qing is quite good."