allonlinenovel Chapter 296 Shai Zhen’s Intentions
Chapter 296 Shai Zhen’s Intentions
"The King of Yan is currently only defending. What's the point of building siege equipment?"
"It is to strengthen the defense and deter the villains. In addition, Yanzhou has a dangerous terrain, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. But if we have powerful siege equipment, the defense can be further enhanced, making the enemy deterred." Chen Zigui explained.
"We must ensure that Prince Yan's new army will not be exposed too early?" Chai Zhen added, staring at Chen Zigui sharply.
"That's right," Chen Zigui replied affirmatively. He knew Chai Zhen had always harbored high hopes for the Prince of Yan's new army. This was especially true given that it was equipped with the finest equipment and siege engines of the Great Zhou, meticulously developed by the Zhaoyin Academy. If the Empress Dowager learned of this, it would inevitably spark suspicion, potentially leading to her mobilizing a large army to annihilate them.
"Okay." Chai Zhen's lips curled up into an imperceptible smile, and he placed his hand on Cen Jiexiao's shoulder intentionally or unintentionally.
Chai Zhen toyed with the jade ring in his hand, once, twice, three times... The jade was warm, yet cool to the touch, yet it couldn't cool the elation that surged within him. His gaze swept across the chessboard, where black and white pieces crisscrossed in a fierce battle. He imagined the Prince of Yan and Queen Dowager Li transformed into two pieces on the board, manipulated and controlled at his will. His lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile of determination.
"Prince Yan, this move was right." He said with a firm tone, as if he was sure of victory. Every word he said was full of confidence and control.
He shifted his gaze from the chessboard to Cen Jiexiao, his eyes filled with a hint of inquiry, a hint of amusement, and a subtle hint of aggression.
"Has there been any recent movement from Empress Dowager Li?" He asked casually, but his tone was filled with unquestionable majesty.
Cen Jiexiao's body suddenly stiffened, as if restrained by an invisible force. Chai Zhen's hand remained on her shoulder. It had been warm, but now it felt like a branding iron, burning her skin and sending a shudder through her. The weight was no longer a simple touch; it felt like a heavy burden, choking her breath.
Her heart was beating wildly, once, twice, three times...as if it was about to burst through the confines of her chest. Panic, fear, uneasiness, all kinds of emotions surged into her heart like a tide, making it almost impossible for her to think.
She tried hard to control her expression, not letting even the slightest hint of panic show. She took a deep breath, held it, and tried to calm her frantic heartbeat. Then, she turned slightly, avoiding Shai Zheng's touch without a trace, as if it were just an accident.
At this moment, Chen Zigui's voice broke the suffocating silence.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has been staying indoors recently..." Chen Zigui's voice was low and slow, with a hint of imperceptible worry.
His eyes always stayed on Cen Jiexiao, observing her every move, trying to catch a hint of information from the subtle changes in her expression.
He paused and continued, "It seems... he's planning something in secret."
"Oh? What are you planning?" Chai Zhen raised his eyebrows, with a hint of disdain in his tone, as if any action of Empress Dowager Li was just a futile struggle in his eyes.
He deliberately moved closer to Cen Jiexiao, almost touching her body. An ambiguous atmosphere spread between the two of them, making Cen Jiexiao feel even more uneasy.
"Hmph, what else can she do?" Chai Zhen's tone was full of contempt, as if Empress Dowager Li was just an opponent not to be feared in his eyes.
"With the Prince of Yan's new army and the general's border troops, she will be completely defeated by me sooner or later." Chai Zhen's tone was full of pride, as if he had already seen the dawn of victory. He seemed to be announcing the fate of Empress Dowager Li, and also seemed to be hinting at something to Cen Jiexiao.
He paused, his gaze lingering on Cen Jiexiao's face for a moment, as if trying to probe her inner thoughts. Then, he turned to Chen Zigui, his tone returning to calm.
"Chen Aiqing, you've worked hard. Go down and rest."
Chen Zigui bowed again, then turned and left. His steps were heavy, each one seeming to tread upon his heart. As he reached the door, he couldn't help but glance back, only to see Cen Jiexiao whispering something to Chai Zhen, a faint smile on her face. That smile, to him, was so glaring, so unfamiliar.
Chen Zigui's heart was like a vortex of five flavors: sourness, bitterness, helplessness, and disappointment, all intertwined, making it difficult for him to breathe. He sighed silently, suppressing all his emotions in his heart, then turned and left the imperial study, leaving only the two whispering figures behind him.
He walked through the long palace corridor, his footsteps echoing in the empty palace, as if telling the unspeakable distress in his heart.
He knew he loved Cen Jiexiao deeply, but he could only watch her get close to Chai Zhen. This feeling of powerlessness suffocated him. He wanted to rush back and take Cen Jiexiao away from Chai Zhen, but he knew he couldn't. He could only endure it all silently, burying this love deep in his heart for the time being.
At this moment, Chai Zhen's gaze, like a hunting hawk, was fixed firmly on Cen Jiexiao. He scrutinized her, from her delicate features to her slightly pursed red lips, taking in every detail, as if he were trying to see through her. After a moment, he opened his lips slightly, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing, like a hunter discovering his prey, ready to slowly playfully play with it: "My dear, you seem uninterested in the war we just discussed?"
Cen Jiexiao slowly raised her head, meeting Chai Zhen's inquiring gaze. A perfectly composed smile played on her lips, neither humble nor overbearing, and without revealing a trace of emotion. That smile, like a peach blossom in full bloom in spring, was charming and beautiful, yet tinged with a subtle, distant aloofness.
"I am just a civil official. I don't understand the military affairs of the court, so I dare not comment on it." Her tone was calm and her posture was elegant, without any flaws being revealed, as if she was really just a girl who knew nothing about military affairs.
Chai Zhen raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a half-smile, his eyes flickering with meaning. His slender fingers tapped the tabletop lightly, making a rhythmic sound, as if hinting at something.
"Oh? Really?" His tone was as light as a feather, yet it carried a hint of irresistible temptation.
"Why do I feel that you, my dear, care about my affairs more than anyone else?" His voice was low and magnetic, like an ancient musical instrument, playing an intoxicating melody.
He leaned forward slightly, closer to Cen Jiexiao, and a faint scent of ambergris lingered at the tip of her nose.