About the Betrothal

Xiao Yun quickly returned to the room and stood respectfully beside Xiao Zetian.

Xiao Zetian sipped the hot tea, his expression cold and indifferent, completely unlike the usual silly Yuanbao.

"The madam wants to select a group of suitable apprentices. Outsiders are not trusted by this general. You should pick some reliable people from the Xiao family's covert guards, conceal their identities, and have them stay by madam's side as apprentices to protect her safety," Xiao Zetian said.

Xiao Yun was stunned for a moment, thinking that the master was too wasteful. The Xiao family's covert guards were all elite one in ten thousand, and now they were just to become... cooks for the madam?

But this made Xiao Yun understand even more the position Su Li held in Xiao Zetian's heart, so he immediately said, "Understood, I will handle it right away."

"Hmm." Xiao Zetian responded. He still trusted Xiao Yun's work.

"Master, there is one more thing..." Xiao Yun thought for a moment and said, "Prince Ling has been searching for your whereabouts. Our spies reported that they found traces of Prince Ling's spies near Qingmiao City. It seems Prince Ling has already sent people to search around Qingmiao City."

"Prince Ling..." Xiao Zetian showed no surprise upon hearing this. Instead, he lowered his eyes, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment, he said, "We can't let Prince Ling discover this general's whereabouts yet. Find a way to mislead Prince Ling into thinking this general has been killed while being chased."

"B-But why?" Xiao Yun was puzzled. Xiao Zetian had been spreading misinformation to the outside world these days, making all the forces in the court searching for him mistakenly believe he was dead.

"Just do as I say." Xiao Zetian seemed unwilling to explain much, but seeing Xiao Yun's confusion, he added, "The Crown Prince and Prince Ling are rivals in the court. Prince Ling has always had his eye on Princess Mingyu. If Prince Ling thinks I've died, he will surely try to marry Princess Mingyu to gain the support of the forces behind her and compete with the Crown Prince for the throne."

Princess Mingyu is a princess from the neighboring state of Chu, who greatly admires General Xiao Zetian. So when the two countries signed a ceasefire and peace treaty, Princess Mingyu took the initiative to marry into Jin, becoming the wife of the war god General Xiao Zetian.

Originally, marriage was just another woman in Xiao Zetian's harem, and he had little thought about it. But since meeting Su Li, he decided that the woman he married could only be his beloved wife.

But Princess Mingyu, being a princess from a neighboring country coming for a political marriage, made the marriage affair quite troublesome.

If we can use this assassination attempt to fake my death and slip away, letting Prince Ling meddle in the marriage, it would be a perfect strategy.

Once Prince Ling marries Princess Mingyu, the marriage will be a done deal. When the court later finds out that Xiao Zetian is still alive, they will regret it deeply.

Xiao Yun thought about the key point and finally understood why Xiao Zetian had been acting secretly and not rushing back to court after regaining his memory and martial skills. It was all to completely avoid the arranged marriage and political marriage, even giving up the benefits of being a prince, all for Su Li.

Xiao Yun understood but worried about another issue: "Master, do you think the heir apparent might interfere with your plans?"

If Li Yanhao tells Prince Huainan that Xiao Zetian is still alive and hiding in the countryside, wouldn't that ruin their entire plan, especially since Li Yanhao wants Su Li so badly?

"As for him..." Xiao Zetian rubbed his brow, "He won't say anything."

"Oh? Why? If he reveals your whereabouts in court, the emperor would surely order you to return to court for the arranged marriage and to be made prince," Xiao Yun said.

"This general has his own ways to keep Li Yanhao silent," Xiao Zetian said with a confident look.