Chapter 833, Attending
"Almost human—where did you even hear all that?"
"Oh oh!" The Princess still smiled. "My lord, you really should think about settling down."
"No rush. I'll wait till I hit level 20."
Hearing him calmly mention level 20, the Princess looked puzzled but didn't say anything.
She pointed to a few dishes and explained how they were made.
After dinner—
The two sat in the living room and chatted for a bit.
Then each returned to their rooms.
It was clear the Princess had become more talkative.
No longer cautious and cold like in the beginning—now a little playful and gossipy.
After all, she wasn't that old.
In modern times, she'd still be in college.
......
Back in the bedroom—
Glenda was reading; Beni was watching her tablet.
Before Wu Heng could ask, Glenda spoke up. "Xiaoxiao went out to play. Wen Mansa tried to contact you over the radio. You looked like you were having a nice chat with that Princess, so we waited."
Wu Heng nodded. "Did Wen Mansa say anything urgent?"
"We can't talk through the radio, so we didn't ask."
"Right." Wu Heng sat by the radio, retracted the solar panel outside the window, and turned it on. "Wen Mansa, you called?"
Wen Mansa's voice came through, "Master, earlier today Hartel contacted me using a radio artifact and said the negotiation is done."
"How did it go?"
"Hartel conveyed everything you instructed. That minister said he would write to the Second Prince for confirmation. You should receive a letter in a few days."
Just as Wen Mansa finished, Hartel's voice came in too. "Master, my lady!"
Hartel had one of the portable radios Wu Heng provided and had clearly been on the same frequency, listening in.
Wen Mansa said, "Since Hartel's here, let her explain."
"Yes, my lady." Hartel then recounted everything and added, "From their attitude, they've accepted joint governance over the occupied city. The only issue is the Second Prince settling in Rentam City."
Wu Heng said, "That minister was the Second Prince's teacher. There's some emotional bond there—he clearly doesn't want the Prince sent over as a hostage. I'll take care of it. Once the conditions are finalized, I'll appear as the Prince and sign the truce."
Wen Mansa asked, "Should I attend the final signing? It might add weight."
Wu Heng thought for a moment. "Let's see how things go. Ideally, you shouldn't need to show up."
"Alright. Then we'll wait for your good news, Master," Wen Mansa said with a smile.
The open and covert struggle between Rentam City and the Second Prince had gone on for a while.
Even though they'd held the upper hand, it was mentally draining.
It had also affected Rentam City's overall development.
Now that the Second Prince was dead, once the final stages of the plan were done, this whole matter would be resolved.
"Let's leave it at that for now. Hartel, stay alert. The First Prince's people might try to sabotage the negotiations," Wu Heng warned.
"Yes, Master. I'll be careful."
Wen Mansa chuckled, "Hartel speaks so softly to you, Master."
Hartel didn't argue—just stayed silent.
Wu Heng said, "That's it for now. Let me know if anything comes up."
"Understood, Master."
Ending the call, Wu Heng put the receiver down.
......
Glenda floated over. "Looks like the negotiations are going as planned."
"From the Second Prince's side, there's no other way but to work with Rentam City," Wu Heng leaned back and stretched.
Beni added, "What about the Secret Cult? Didn't the Second Prince work with them?"
Glenda explained, "Yes, but it was a covert alliance. The Cult keeps their identity secret. Those ministers may know merchants funded them but not that it was the Secret Cult."
Wu Heng added, "The Second Prince wouldn't want the ministers to know. The Secret Cult's Kirin Path plan isn't exactly low-profile—people would figure it out."
"You know about that too, Wu Heng?"
"What? My Intelligence is nearly 40," Wu Heng shot her a look.
"Of course, you're smart," Beni said with a ghostly smile and wave.
Whoosh~
Xiaoxiao flew in and, seeing the three chatting, asked, "Uncle, Aunties, what are you talking about?"
"Your uncle's Intelligence stat."
Xiaoxiao put her hands on her hips. "You Aunties are terrible—teasing him when you know he's slow."
Glenda and Beni burst out laughing and returned to their places.
Wu Heng looked at the little girl blocking his view, hands on her hips, wanting to argue but unsure what to say.
"Thanks, Xiaoxiao."
"No problem!" Xiaoxiao turned and gave him a thumbs-up.
Wu Heng didn't want to keep goofing off with the three ghosts. He stood up. "Alright, I'm going to rest. Let me know if there's any danger."
"Bye, Uncle!"
"Good night!"
Wu Heng waved and left the study, returning to his bedroom to sleep.
......
Two days later, a courier arrived in Sidi City after riding day and night.
The High Commander, clad in iron armor, didn't dare delay.
He went straight to the council chamber by carriage.
Meanwhile, the ghost had already spotted the courier entering the city and reported back to Wu Heng in advance.
Wearing a mask, Wu Heng appeared in the council chamber.
"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from Nilari City," the High Commander said, handing it over.
Wu Heng tore it open and read the contents carefully.
It matched everything Hartel had mentioned.
Besides repeating the negotiation details, it included the minister's views and the officials' attitudes.
Based on what the minister wrote—
If the deal fell through, the other officials would take action, and the situation would likely collapse quickly.
Wu Heng frowned.
The High Commander looked anxious and asked as soon as Wu Heng finished, "Your Highness, what does the letter say?"
Wu Heng handed it to him. "See for yourself."
The man read it, and his expression darkened.
He growled, "They really dare make demands like this."
Wu Heng sat back down. "I plan to accept their terms."
"Your Highness, how can you?" The High Commander stepped forward.
"For our future—and everyone's safety—I must speak with Rentam City's Lord myself," Wu Heng said plainly.
"What if they make a move when you arrive?"
"Unlikely. We have no better option. If we delay further, things will only get worse." Wu Heng sighed.
"Then..." The High Commander hesitated, then asked, "What do you plan to do?"
"I'll write a letter. Send someone ahead to deliver it to Teacher Edwin. Tell the people in Rentam City that I will sign the agreement in person. I hope they'll honor it."
The High Commander sighed. "Very well. If anything happens to you, I will lead our troops and fight them to the death."
"Don't worry. It won't come to that." Wu Heng sealed the letter and handed it over.
The High Commander took it, saluted, and left quickly.
Just then, Beni flew in. "The letter's been sent."
"Alright, let's start packing. We're heading back in a couple of days," Wu Heng said as he walked to the back.
......
Back at the Royal Consort's estate—
The Princess was tending the garden.
Wu Heng asked, "How many of these people are you planning to take with you?"
The Princess paused, a little confused. "We're leaving?"
"In the next couple of days. Bring your people. For those you don't need, just give them some money and dismiss them." Wu Heng walked toward the house.
The Princess followed. "I don't have money. Can you lend me some? I'll pay you back."
"You're a princess and you're broke?"
"I said I'll pay you back."
Wu Heng handed her some silver coins. "What kind of princess doesn't even get a salary?"
The Princess pouted and went off to dismiss the staff.
Wu Heng headed inside.
He sent word to Wen Mansa and Hartel about the upcoming move.
......
Two more days passed.
Autumn had arrived.
A train departing from Sidi City rumbled down the tracks.
Wu Heng and the Princess sat in a carriage under guard, the roar of the train echoing around them.
The Princess knelt on her seat, looking out the window, eyes full of joy.
Wu Heng was lost in thought about what came next.
Once they reached Nilari City, he would sign the agreement as the Second Prince.
The fighting between both sides would officially end.
And the Second Prince would slowly fade from everyone's memory.