Chapter 156

“Whish!” “Whish!”

Once again, Nangong Qingyi demonstrated her precise archery skills. Though her shoulder lacked strength, she skillfully used her self-made crossbow to shoot an arrow carrying a letter. The arrow brushed through Ai’s flowing hair as she rose into the air and struck firmly against the side frame of Ai’s carriage.

Ai did not dodge or flinch at the incoming arrow. When it embedded itself solidly into the frame, Jiezhi and Sewu both exhaled in relief. Had Ai not instructed them to stay still, they would have rushed forward to pull her aside.

Sewu retrieved the arrow and read the letter aloud to Ai. Following Ai’s instructions, he wrote a reply. Ai then tied the response to another arrow, nocked it, aimed at Nangong Qingyi, paused briefly, then intentionally released the arrow slightly off-target.

Nangong Qingyi likewise did not dodge. She let the arrow brush off the hood of her cloak before it pierced deeply into the wooden beam behind her.

Even a fool could see that Nangong Qingyi and the Turkic woman were engaged in a subtle battle of wits. From the city walls, the onlookers cast sympathetic glances toward Yang Yaozong.

When Yang Yaozong looked at Nangong Qingyi, she averted her gaze with a mix of embarrassment and irritation, refusing to meet his eyes.

Nangong Zhan, witnessing his daughter’s maidenly jealousy for the first time, laughed heartily before giving Yang Yaozong a hearty pat on the shoulder.

The letters carried by the arrows detailed the time, place, and many other matters regarding the negotiations. Thus, through this volley of arrows, it was finally agreed that the talks would take place tomorrow morning at a secret location not far outside Yanmen Pass. Both sides would deploy troops to secure the negotiation site and set up tents in the meantime.

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While Yang Yaozong and Nangong Zhan studied the negotiation details, Ai sat joyfully in her tent, roasting a plump, juicy whole lamb. The sizzling crackle of fat and the rich aroma of roasting meat filled the air.

Ai flipped the lamb on the spit, now golden brown and glistening. “Sewu, do you think Yang Yaozong would like the lamb I roasted myself?”

Sewu added a few more logs to the fire. “Sewu believes anyone who enjoys lamb would be delighted by a whole lamb roasted by the princess herself.”

“Ah Ai! Ah Ai!” Upon hearing her name, Ai furrowed her brow and sighed softly.

A tall, burly man in his twenties burst into the tent. With thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a prominent nose, he was handsome in a rugged Turkic way if not for his untidy beard. This was none other than Ai’s elder brother, Ashina Mocha.

“You’re roasting lamb, little sister!” Mocha entered without looking at Ai, his eyes fixed hungrily on the sizzling lamb.

“I don’t know how you always have such good luck. Every time I prepare something, you just show up. Do you find it by sight or by smell?” Ai sighed, watching her brother’s eyes gleam as he stared unblinkingly at the lamb.

“Hahaha! That’s brother’s fortune!” Mocha chuckled, reaching out to grab the lamb.

Ai slapped his hand away. “Take your dirty hands off! I’ll cut it for you. Go sit over there and wait!”

Mocha scratched his head and laughed sheepishly before settling beside Ai, his eyes still locked on the lamb.

Sewu approached with a wooden tray. Ai used her curved knife to gently slice the lamb at the leg, revealing tender, pale meat steaming in the misty air.

She smiled and nodded, deftly carving off a plump leg of lamb. She made several light cuts to separate the meat from the bone before handing the tray to Mocha.

Mocha smiled at Sewu and eagerly took the tray, grabbing a steaming piece of lamb with his hand. With a satisfied snort, he began devouring it heartily.

Seeing her brother so happy, Ai felt pleased too. She tilted her head, propping her chin on her hand with a gentle smile. “Brother, Father Khan sent you to find me, right? Did he have something to tell you?”

“Hmm… hmm,” Mocha suddenly remembered his purpose. He took the wine pouch from Sewu, drank two hearty gulps, then said, “Father Khan wants me to ask about this Yang Yaozong and the negotiations. The Khan Tuo Lie is currently in Father Khan’s tent. From what I gather, he wants to bring forward your wedding date.”

Sewu looked at Ai’s carefree smile with concern. “Since the princess returned, Khan Tuo Lie has sent multiple invitations for the princess to visit. The princess has repeatedly declined. Just now, the Khan also sent an envoy with a very firm tone. He must have learned about today’s events.”

Ai sliced some more lamb for her brother, watching as he began eating again with gusto. “Brother, do you want me to marry Khan Tuo Lie?”

“No!” Mocha replied bluntly without looking up.

“Why not?” Ai asked with a bright smile, clearly amused.

“He’s old and ugly, and he smells awful. I don’t like men like that!” Mocha sniffed himself shyly and laughed, “And brother doesn’t smell nearly as bad as Khan Tuo Lie.” He shifted away from Ai, as if fearing she might be disgusted.

Ai chuckled at her brother’s adorableness. “When you go back, tell Father Khan it’s all up to me.”

Mocha nodded and continued eating, mumbling, “Sister, who exactly is this Yang Yaozong? I heard you calling him before the troops. Is he the man you fancy? If you like him, I’ll make sure to snatch him up for you, no matter what!”

Ai giggled, “If it’s a man I like, I’ll snatch him myself! You just protect him from getting hurt!”

Mocha nodded. “Then I’ll tell Father Khan you’ve set your sights on Yang Yaozong, a fat sheep ripe for the taking!”

Even Sewu laughed along with Ai.

“Princess!” Jiezhi urgently sought entrance.

“Come in,” Ai replied.

“Princess! The Eastern Tujue has dispatched a large force to attack Yanmen Pass!” Jiezhi said grimly, watching Ai’s frown deepen.

Ai snorted lightly. “Yanmen Pass is frozen solid now. Even with cannons, it’s hard to break through. Eastern Tujue doesn’t even have cannons. If they want to waste men and resources attacking, let them! The more damage they cause themselves, the happier I am!”

“But won’t this affect your negotiations tomorrow, Princess?” Sewu asked.

“I believe Yang Yaozong can guess the attackers are Eastern Tujue. He agreed to negotiate with me tomorrow; I trust he won’t be frightened off by this,” Ai said firmly.

Sewu nodded. “Let’s hope so.”

(To be continued.)