Without Gao Zhao Yue's aid, Xijin would lose its beasts for surprise attacks, and the war would return to a stalemate.
But Ji Qingwu planned to add more weight to Beili's side, to tip the scales of victory decisively in their favor.
*
The Xijin Imperial Palace was exceptionally quiet.
The Old Emperor's death hadn't thrown the palace into chaos.
Crown Prince Yu Wen Tiancheng was in no hurry to ascend the throne. Instead, he was secretly plotting to seize this opportunity, send out his army, and conquer Beili in one fell swoop.
A fierce wind raged that night, kicking up clouds of yellow sand. It blew directly to the southeast—perfect conditions, from Xijin's perspective, to launch a surprise attack.
Within the Imperial Palace, only Yu Wen Tiancheng's hall was dim. He had never liked overly bright places.
Yu Wen Tiancheng said to the maid standing by the door, "Go fetch Lady Yue."
