Li Jin Qing: The one behind it all

Chapter 45

Shang Ye was waiting for them, the fleet of horses waiting impatiently. "How long do we have?" He asked.

"I'm not sure." Yu Qi admitted. "I cannot help you once you leave the palace walls. Head east toward the river boarding the Liang and the Song. I have arranged a fisherman to ferry you across. I trust that you know how to get back to the Wei from there?"

Shang Ye can tell why she chose to send them toward the Liang. Once the Song find out they had escaped, they would assume they would take the quickest path back into the Wei. The Liang is dangerous, but from memory, he can recall a forest that stretched across the Liang, the Song, and the Wei.
"It'll be dangerous and it'll be a detour, but it would be fine."

"The Xue Xian has great faith in your abilities." Yu Qi said truthfully. "Get back safely."

Shang Ye nodded. "I am in no position to ask you this, but keep the Xue xian safe... and get her back into the Wei as soon as possible."

"I'll do my best." Yu Qi patted the horse's side. "Now get going! I don't know how much time you have left. Stay safe!"

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Jin Qing didn't need to be told by Yu Qi or anyone else for her to know that Shang Ye and the others had made it out safely. The moment she saw the people outside racing around with water buckets and shouting, she knew that Shang Ye and his men were on their way home.

Her tense shoulders relaxed and she carefully leaned back against the stone walls with a soft smile on her face. Now that's one thing she didn't have to worry about. It's also one less weapon Shen Feng can use against her.

To her, anything that can give Shen Feng a disadvantage is considered a gift.

Now that one thing was finally off her mind, she can finally start figuring out a way to smuggle herself and Yu Qi out of the city safely.

Was such a thing even going to be possible? Forget even escaping this place, what was going to be the consequences?

She knew that Shen Feng was going to do everything in his ability to stop her from getting back into the Wei. After all, she was the only thing stopping him from conquering the Wei and Liang.

After all... she had something he lacked.

Patience.

His mother had that trait. His mother waited five years to get what she wants. His mother waited three years to use her as a weapon of fear against the world.

But he failed to inherit or learn the one thing that would have made him unstoppable.

Jin qing had learned to use this against him in the past, but she now knew not to underestimate him and finish him off the second she got the chance.

Staring up at the low stone ceiling, she couldn't help but remember something the old General she had called father for many years- the same old man she had grown to respect in the countryside.
He had said that while Shen Feng lacked patience, Jin Qing would let her own emotions and beliefs get in the way of better judgment.

Jin qing knew precisely what he meant but still failed to correct it.

It had been around a week since Tian Xiang had visited her. Shen Feng has stopped seeing her for around three or four days.

This worried her.

For all she knew, they could be attacking the Wei. She knew that of the five generals the Wei has, three of them are seasoned veterans that she deemed competent. The other two are much younger but enthusiastic to follow in their predecessors' footsteps.

But for the time being, Jin qing couldn't do anything but wait. Unlike the Wei palace, she had no idea what the Song palace was like. It would be a challenge for her to even get out of her cell, much less exit the palace and into the city or countryside where it would be more difficult to find them.

All she can do now is enjoy the few days of peace and wait for Yu Qi to update her on what has been going on.

Jin qing picked at the hay that made up her bed and continued to braid a few loose strands. This has become a strange habit for her, making rope out of anything she could find around her.
You never know when you might need it. Besides, it proved quite useful to her when she needed something to cure her boredom.

Can you imagine? Being bored in such a dangerous situation? The irony amused Jin Qing, but it was also very unsettling. Almost like the calm before the storm.

Taking in a deep breath, Jin qing tried to review to herself on the information she had already gathered based on the short amount of times she was dragged from and to this little cell and the outside world.

Guards change every three times a day. Once during sunrise, once more while she is gone, and the last time at midnight.

She could use that to her advantage, but it won't do her any good if she can't get out of the cell in the first place.
Then there is the constant looming threat of her identity getting exposed...

But anything was better than staying in here and being anywhere near that man.

Jin qing desperately ran through the different possibilities of her escape, but none of them possible.
This frustrated her beyond belief.
As someone who was always trusted with the creation of some kind of plan, not having one was so frustrating to her. All she was doing now was wasting her time, sitting around in idleness compared to the productivity she would have if she had a plan.

She needed more information. She needed to know about the advantages and the disadvantages she has. She needs Yu Qi to tell her about the things that are happening outside. But Jin qing didn't want her childhood friend to risk her life by visiting her too often. Information will never be as expensive as human life, no matter how important it is.

What should she do?