A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 99

Going to the Rescue

Three Heads Are Better Than One

When Jiang Chenyu received the news that Shen Hetang had been captured by enemy forces and taken to Liao State, her mind went completely blank and she fainted on the spot. But driven by some inexplicable anxiety, she came to again before the doctor could even reach the manor.

            

She slowly opened her eyes and saw Chuntao watching over her, eyes red and swollen.

“Miss, you’re awake?” Chuntao hurried forward and tucked a cushion behind her back.

“How is Old Madam?” Jiang Chenyu fought through her panic to ask about her mother-in-law. The messenger had blabbed the news of Ah Tang’s capture for all to hear, and she had lost consciousness from the shock. She had no idea how Old Madam was doing.

            

She told herself to be strong. Captured didn’t mean dead. There was still hope. Ah Tang wouldn’t give up on her so easily—she certainly wouldn’t.

Jiang Chenyu leaned weakly against the edge of the bed, unable to stop the moisture welling in her eyes. Her fingers gripped the prayer beads on her wrist tightly, her heart a tangled mess.

“Old Madam has a terrible headache. The Heir’s Wife is keeping her company.” Chuntao spoke as she handed over a handkerchief.

            

“That’s good, that’s good.” Jiang Chenyu stared blankly ahead, devoid of any life.

“Miss, don’t worry too much. The General will be fine. If the enemy wanted to kill him, why would they bother capturing him?” Chuntao tried to steer toward hopeful outcomes, coaxing Jiang Chenyu along, terrified she might do something rash.

“Wuu… wuu… what do we do? What do we do?” It would have been better not to say anything at all. The moment Chuntao spoke, Jiang Chenyu could no longer hold back her emotions.

            

It wasn’t just about capturing a general. Ah Tang was a woman! If that were discovered, a quick death by the sword would be the merciful option. The thought made her heart tremble.

“Miss, don’t panic. Let’s first go to the palace to gather information. After all, he’s a general of Great Qian—the Emperor can’t just sit by and do nothing.” Chuntao gently patted Jiang Chenyu’s back to comfort her.

“How do we get into the palace?” Jiang Chenyu’s mind was mush. She had nothing.

            

“We can’t get in, but Lin Qiubai can come out. Miss, wait right here. I’ll send her a message right away.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for your news.” Jiang Chenyu wiped her tears and spoke haltingly.

Before Chuntao returned, Shen Yunshu entered Jiang Chenyu’s room.

            

“Dimei¹, are you feeling better?” Her tone was cool, her eyes faintly red, with traces of bloodshot.

“I’m fine. Thank you, Jiejie, for your concern.” Jiang Chenyu tried to rise from the bed.

“Don’t get up. I’ll just say a few things.” Shen Yunshu didn’t bother with pleasantries.

            

“Alright.” Jiang Chenyu didn’t insist. She still couldn’t muster any energy.

“This time, the news of Ah Tang being taken to Liao State was likely released intentionally by their side. The terms for negotiation are three cities. The Emperor is very hesitant and puts on a troubled face, but he probably won’t agree. And even if he did, Ah Tang might not accept it.” Shen Yunshu had received the news a step ahead of Shen Manor and had learned Liao State’s terms from the Old Marquis.

She had originally intended not to tell the family, but someone had leaked it.

            

Yet surrendering three cities was nearly impossible. Even if a prince were captured, three cities might not be traded for his return.

Three cities? Jiang Chenyu’s heart turned cold as ice. The silver she had on hand compared to three cities was a drop in the ocean.

“Does Jiejie have any good ideas?” Since the enemy had conditions, Ah Tang could at least stay safe for a few days.

            

“The situation at court is shifting rapidly. We need to prepare on two fronts.” She had originally hoped the Emperor would value talent and dispatch dark guards or death warriors to Liao State to fish someone out, but lately the old Emperor was growing increasingly useless. He had the air of a man who, stumped and out of options, simply threw his hands up and let things slide. He spent his days fixated on his elixir pills, and even for a matter this grave, he only put on a show for two days before trying to brush it aside. Inside and outside the court, everyone was arguing.

“What should we do?” After hearing Shen Yunshu’s words, Jiang Chenyu had calmed down considerably.

“I’ve gathered some jianghu² figures. The plan is to disguise ourselves as a Hu merchant caravan, enter Liao State territory, and find an opportunity to infiltrate their imperial palace and rescue Ah Tang.” Shen Yunshu made it sound simple, but she knew full well how enormous the difficulty was and how slim the odds.

            

But no matter how hard it was, she had to try.

“Can we really go rescue her?” After hearing Shen Yunshu’s words, Jiang Chenyu seemed to come alive again, her eyes bright with hope.

“This trip is very dangerous, and the odds aren’t great. Dimei should stay at the manor and wait for news.” Shen Yunshu had no intention of bringing Jiang Chenyu along.

            

“But Eldest Sister, how can I possibly sit at home and wait for news? I have a merchant team that wouldn’t even need much disguise to pass as the real thing.” She could borrow a few of Jiang Ning’s brothers who had been overseas—at most, they would return on their own once they reached Liao State. It wouldn’t be too much of a risk.

Afraid that Shen Yunshu would leave her behind, Jiang Chenyu quickly insisted that she could contribute something.

Shen Yunshu did want to use Jiang Chenyu’s people. Considering the overall plan, she thought it over and agreed.

            

The main force for this operation hadn’t arrived yet. They would depart in 10 days at the earliest.

The next day, Jiang Chenyu received Concubine Sheng from the Marquis Manor at Shen Manor. Concubine Sheng walked toward her with graceful ease.

“Chenyu-meimei, I heard you’re coming along to Liao State too. But do you know how we plan to infiltrate the palace?” Concubine Sheng looked at Jiang Chenyu with bewitching charm.

            

“Whatever method it takes, I have to try. Thank you for your trouble over Ah Tang’s matter, Jiejie.” Jiang Chenyu bowed.

“We’re all family. Why so polite?” She had already contacted everyone she could reach—not a hundred, but at least eighty. She probably owed the Shen family a debt. The Little General gets into trouble, and the rescue work somehow twists and turns its way to her doorstep. Forget it—if not for one person’s sake, then for another’s. Besides, she was willing.

Concubine Sheng beckoned her with a crooked finger. Jiang Chenyu leaned in, and the two whispered together for a while. Jiang Chenyu nodded firmly.

            

And so the few of them plotted in detail for several days. Personnel from the other side arrived at Shen Manor in steady trickles.

To avoid drawing attention, lodgings were arranged in secret. Shen Manor and the Marquis Manor each took in half.

Shen Manor’s hidden quarters grew rather lively. Brawny, ferocious-looking men. Men in black martial outfits who revealed only a pair of cold, star-bright eyes, their age impossible to determine. Small, wiry figures who could appear behind you without a sound, looking like children but clearly grown men. And women of almost bewitching beauty who walked as though they had no bones, slithering like snakes.

            

They gathered around a table. Those who knew each other played cards, occasionally pausing to spar a few moves.

In the past, these people would have terrified Jiang Chenyu to death. But now, in her eyes, they practically glowed—like family. She hosted them with fine food and wine every day and promised that regardless of success or failure, they would receive generous compensation. If they brought the person back, the pay would double.

But jianghu folk had their own sense of honor. They declared that if they couldn’t rescue General Shen, they wouldn’t take a single coin. Business was slow these days, but they still had their professional standards—especially since the Little Mistress had given the order.

            

For all their extraordinary skills, Great Qian was currently at peace, and these jianghu figures were frequently out of work, unable to land any decent jobs. This Little Mistress was the sole heir the old alliance leader had tracked down before his death, and she had inherited this motley crew of theirs.

Jiang Chenyu thanked everyone earnestly. She had no idea where the Heir’s Wife had found these people, but there was no other option now.

Liao State had given the court a deadline of 50 days. Travel from here to Liao State would take about 30 days at a brisk pace, and with the plan to infiltrate the palace, the timing was just enough.

            

The Heir’s Wife contributed 85 skilled experts. Jiang Chenyu brought 30 well-traveled brothers. And Ye-biaoge³, while lobbying at the imperial palace, dispatched 30 death warriors—his entire fortune.

Ah Tang had been set up. This was clearly aimed at him. With the Shen family toppled, he would lose his right-hand support. Some things he had tried to avoid, it seemed, could not be escaped after all.

Several days later, everything was ready.

            

“Yunjie, we don’t know what we’ll face on this trip. You’re the man of the house. You should stay and look after the manor. I’m leaving everything in your hands.” Shen Yunshu, having visited Madam Shen the day before, was ready to depart in secret.

Madam Shen had been sent to a temple under the guise of praying for blessings.

“Eldest Sister, rest assured. I will take good care of Mother.” He meant Madam Shen. When he had heard about Ah Tang’s capture, he had been just as panicked, and he hadn’t felt any temptation to take advantage of Shen Manor’s situation.

            

Later, when it seemed the court was going to abandon Ah Tang, he had felt indignant. Fortunately, Eldest Sister was someone who could take charge and had a plan. This trip was a matter of life and death. Though he had been eager to go, he knew he was no match for Eldest Sister. Someone had to stay behind at Shen Manor. A mediocre man had his uses too—if guarding Shen Manor was what he could do, he would give it everything he had.

“That’s good.” Shen Yunshu bid him farewell and set out with 40 carriages loaded with goods.

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