Chapter 99: The Northern Alliance

She actually called herself "Her Highness"? Could it be...?

The young mistress of the pavilion was even more shocked.

The master remained silent, but the young girl couldn’t help but speak.

"Esteemed lady, is what you say true? Could it be the Northern King or...?"

Glancing at the elder brother holding the child, the Snow Maiden dared not continue.

"Rest assured, the Great King is a man of principles; he would never act recklessly," Jing Ni immediately assured them.

"If the Empire appreciates our music and dance, the Feixue Pavilion will naturally comply."

The young mistress hesitated no longer—perhaps it was better to leave! This mysterious imperial prince or king didn’t appear to be a villain.

After a moment’s contemplation, Lin Shu stood, holding the little Yan’er in his arms.

"Jianli, you will be responsible for relocating and settling the Feixue Pavilion. The expenses shall be borne by the Ministry of Finance."

What! Gao Jianli was elated! He had thought the Great King would seize the Snow Maiden again!

"Your command is respected!"

For the first time, Gao Jianli spoke with such sincerity, and Lin Shu was pleased.

"Furthermore, the Empire needs to establish a Martial Arts and Music Department to oversee the entertainment and martial skills of the people. Jianli, would you be willing to return to the royal city to form this department?"

Jing Ni was right—the Empire truly lacked a vibrant entertainment atmosphere.

Seeing the Snow Maiden stunned, Gao Jianli did not hesitate and bowed again to accept the task.

With the small sofa folded away, Lin Shu and the others mounted their carriage and departed.

Watching the carriage truly float away, the young mistress of the pavilion was as if she had seen a ghost.

"Minister Gao—no, Minister Gao, I look forward to working with you!"

This handsome and elegant Minister Gao might well be a blessing in the future.

Though the young mistress was also beautiful and charming, Gao Jianli was no Cao Cao; he did not fancy successors.

He was indifferent to ordinary beauties, let alone these withered flowers.

"Madam, you flatter me. This is my duty."

"The Empire’s laws are strict and clear. Apart from the royal family, no one dares to trouble the Feixue Pavilion, and the royal family would not break the law. Madam Snow Maiden, you may now focus on your dance studies with peace of mind."

The young mistress nodded in satisfaction; she had read many imperial decrees and was reassured.

Knowing Gao Jianli’s heart was wholly with the Snow Maiden, she took her leave first.

The Snow Maiden also wished to depart, but Gao Jianli’s gaze was sharp.

"Minister Gao, I bid you farewell for now. I look forward to your future assistance."

Indeed, the Snow Maiden’s attitude had softened somewhat, yet Gao Jianli sensed her distance.

But he was not hurried; if she were too easily won, he would hold her in less regard.

"Snow Maiden may simply call me Brother Jianli. With that, I take my leave."

With a salute, the man in flowing white robes leapt dozens of meters in two strides, then drifted down like a sword immortal.

White robes billowed, black hair scattered—this sight compelled even the Snow Maiden to gaze.

To be honest, Gao Jianli was the first handsome man she had ever met. Yet she held a poor impression of handsome men! The more handsome, the more deceitful! Better were that king or prince—not striking, but intriguing and enduringly attractive.

Far away, the streetlights glimmered softly, and the family from the carriage dismounted to walk.

The adorable little girl sat atop the elder brother’s shoulders, two beautiful sisters, faces partially hidden, each linked arm in arm with the man between them.

All three were about the same height, with no distinction in status.

“Who exactly is he—the imperial prince? Or...?”

The Snow Maiden was bewildered. Which sister claimed to be Her Highness?

Which prince could directly establish and appoint the head of a department?

Marrying into nobility was not the Snow Maiden’s wish.

But this man, so calm and detached, stirred her curiosity greatly.

At first, he was like other men, scrutinizing her skin and body ceaselessly, but unlike others!

Gao Jianli only stole glances, thinking he could conceal it, while this man examined openly and thoroughly. One thing most irked the Snow Maiden.

He looked so intently, as if he had absorbed her very being into his heart and lungs! Yet after looking, he immediately turned cold and left—just as if he only wanted to look, and having looked enough, desired no further contact...

Slowly, sadness grew heavier.

“Sister! It’s all Snow Maiden’s fault for misjudging him!”

Watching the family fade into the distance, the Snow Maiden’s sorrow deepened.

Once, she was like that wide-eyed little girl—innocent, lively, and lovely, with hair not yet white.

The two sisters had lived a drifting life of begging until a handsome elder brother appeared. Naïve, she believed he was the best person in the world! Later, her sister also slowly trusted him.

But—

Wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, the Snow Maiden forced a faint smile and closed her eyes, then leapt down.

...

Joyful Gao Jianli returned to the embassy residence, where he encountered Jing Ke just awakening.

Gao Jianli’s face glowed red, as if he had been visiting his junior sister.

"Jianli, you went to the Feixue Pavilion again, didn’t you? But the girls there aren’t exactly innocent!"

Jing Ke did not mean to belittle, but knew well the complicated pasts of women fallen into hardship.

Gao Jianli was startled and quickly explained, "Brother, no need to worry."

"By the way, the Great King was watching the dance earlier and even chased away that playboy Yan Le."

Thinking of Yan Le and Yan Dan’s flustered retreat, Gao Jianli chuckled quietly.

Ah! Crown Prince Dan! Your humble servant feels ashamed!

After hearing this, Jing Ke shook his head with a wry smile.

"They had bad luck this time."

"But soon, Jianli, you will be leaving Ji City, right?"

Gao Jianli sighed and nodded. "The Empire lacks martial arts and music among the people; Jianli can no longer stand idly by."

Now, the talented Gao Jianli was eager to bring the Feixue Pavilion back to the royal city, so as never to feel powerless again.

"Good! Jianli can finally display his talents!"

The Martial Arts and Music Department was on par with his Department of National Affairs, a practical branch of the Empire.

Above the minister was the cabinet minister himself.

When Lin Shu toured Yan State, the letters of credence from Yan and Zhao to the Empire were delivered separately to King Wei and King Han.

Now, Wei Kingdom had just lost vast territories, and King Wei Jing dared not neglect the northern tripartite alliance.

Inside the royal palace’s inner hall, only three knelt—no attendants present.

Besides King Wei, there was the newly appointed Prime Minister Wei Yong and General Hou Ying.

Wei Kingdom had been defeated; the former prime minister was dismissed, and the general who led the decisive battle—who was Dian Qing’s master—had fallen on the battlefield.

"Your Majesty, Yan and Zhao have indeed become vassals of the Northern Kingdom!" After reading the three letters, Wei Yong grew anxious.

The northern alliance was a force even the mighty Qin feared.

"Hmph! A mere Northern prince dares to represent the three kings? What does this Northern Kingdom intend?"

King Wei Jing refused to submit to anyone and harbored ill feelings toward the approaching Lin Shu.

"The Northern Kingdom is powerful and has Yan and Zhao as its claws. As for us, Wei Kingdom..." Hou Ying sighed and fell silent.

King Wei’s expression did not change, but he understood well: offending Lin Shu was unthinkable.

"Ensure every city receives them properly; no negligence allowed!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wei Yong immediately obeyed, curious about the mysterious Northern Kingdom.

...

Currently, Han Kingdom still had considerable troops and population, but its territory was only one and a half commanderies.

Upon receiving the letters from the northern tripartite alliance, middle-aged King Han An summoned his ministers and generals.

This matter was significant; King Han only invited Zhang Gaodi and Ji Wuye.

After the old king’s death, Ji Wuye’s power soared, yet he dared not underestimate King Han and Chancellor Zhang.

"Your Majesty, although the northern alliance is powerful, they cannot interfere with Han!"

Having lost territory and surrounded on three sides by Qin, Han Kingdom’s only threat was the Wei Kingdom behind it.

Of course, Qin could annihilate them outright, and Yan and Zhao had no way to invade Han.

Chancellor Zhang shook his head. "Your Majesty, Qin’s strength is hard to eliminate. The northern alliance is the external support Han can seek."

King Han nodded, a pleased expression on his round face.

"Chancellor Zhang! Do you suggest making Han submit to the North? That would be inviting the wolf inside!" Ji Wuye, already harboring ambitions to become king, would never let Han align with the North unless he personally made the contact.

This! King Han frowned deeply—truly caught between a rock and a hard place!