A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1126: The Crown Prince Arrives!

Yinshan City, a battlefield that was historically a fortress, easy to secure but formidable to breach, stood firm.

The veteran strategist, Captain Liu Shouwei, was the linchpin of its defense.

For five grueling days, Xia Tingfeng and Zhao Qichen found their assaults repelled, unable to penetrate the city's defenses.

It was evident that Hai Geli alone could not maintain such an impenetrable defense, showing no sign of weakness.

Xia Tingfeng reached a swift conclusion almost immediately.

"There's a spy within the city walls, and their cunning surpasses even that of a fox!"

Zhao Qichen, sensing the irregularity, knitted his brows and stated decisively.

"If that is the case, we must cease our direct engagement!"

"It is time to cut our losses and retreat!"

Xia Tingfeng had no other recourse but to make this difficult decision.

That very day, orders were issued for the troops to withdraw five miles from the city.

"From this day forth, we shall hold our ground and defend, not attack. I refuse to believe they possess an endless supply of food within Yinshan City, nor can they remain besieged indefinitely without venturing out!"

"Indeed! The General's strategy is most wise!" A collective sigh of relief swept through the ranks of the soldiers.

The casualties among their own troops had not been substantial.

While the number of fatalities was limited, the wounded were considerable, offering a much-needed respite for the weary army.

And so it was.

One side could not advance, while the other refused to emerge, resulting in a stalemate between the two armies, poised on either side of the city walls.

...

Beyond the Western Xia borders, near Yinshan City.

Hai Xiangjin, at the head of eighty thousand veteran soldiers, maintained a vigilant watch over the frontier.

Their warhorses, sturdy and of a deep, rich brown hue, were shod with black iron hooves, matched by the pure black armor that encased the soldiers. These cavalrymen exuded an aura of potent vigor and strength.

They advanced like an enormous, obsidian serpent, its tongue flicking out, slowly encircling its quarry, gradually binding it within their formidable presence.

They lay in wait for the opportune moment to strike.

Within the opulent confines of a golden brocade tent.

Hai Xiangjin stood before a gathering of his generals, his spirit brimming with enthusiasm.

"We stand on the precipice of feasting upon this bountiful prize from the Great Chu Dynasty!"

"An abundance of gold, silver, and precious treasures, countless women, and vast, fertile lands—all shall be ours!"

"No longer shall we be compelled to traverse the steppes on horseback, enduring gnawing hunger, subsisting on mere grass and roots!"

"We shall reside in magnificent structures, indulge in the finest meats and wines, and be surrounded by ravishing beauties!"

"At that time, I shall personally select a hundred exquisite maidens for each of you! Does that not sound appealing?"

The deputy generals, their innermost desires stirred, were captivated. Their eyes gleamed with avarice, and their very beings seemed to ignite with fervor.

This was a vision of a divine existence, far beyond their wildest dreams!

"Yes!"

"Long live His Majesty, the Emperor reigns with unparalleled wisdom!"

"This is the true spirit of Western Xia men!"

"We pledge our lives to the Emperor's cause until our dying breath!"

Prince Jin regarded them with immense satisfaction.

"Very well, you are dismissed. Proceed with your preparations!"

"In the coming days, let us meticulously survey the surrounding terrain and await the crucial intelligence from Geli!"

"We must seize Yinshan City without delay!"

"Once Yinshan City succumbs, the subjugation of the lands beyond will become significantly more straightforward!"

"Indeed!"

The generals received their orders and departed to make the necessary arrangements.

Other soldiers within the tent came and went, each one radiating an almost palpable excitement.

The Great Chu Dynasty, so rich and prosperous—would they too become similarly drenched in wealth?!

...

That very night.

Approximately a hundred meters from the Western Xia encampment, a solitary, spectral figure materialized.

This figure evoked the image of the chilling moon in the night sky, the pristine snow atop a remote mountain peak, the majestic eagle soaring through the heavens, or the solitary wisp of smoke against the desert night.

Cold, isolated, unyielding, and alone.

These descriptors combined to paint an atmosphere of profound bleakness surrounding her.

Her gaze swept sharply across the array of tents, observing the flickering flames within, the figures moving to and fro.

Her eyes followed the tendrils of smoke rising from the cooking fires and torches within.

A surge of profound desolation washed over her heart.

Those generals who were once supposedly devoted, so fiercely loyal to Father Emperor.

And now...

They found themselves beneath another's banner, feigning the same allegiance, uttering the same vows of loyalty, toasting with the same hearty wines.

Huh... Must one's life inevitably traverse such a tortuous path?

She was uncertain if others shared this sentiment.

But she knew, for herself, this was undeniably true!

Turning her face towards the brilliant moonlight, she gazed upon it intently for a time, her heart gradually finding solace and calm.

The pure white moonlight, so breathtakingly beautiful, offered a fleeting moment of warmth to her soul with just a single glance.

She used to gaze at the moon whenever she yearned for Father.

Now... when reminiscing about Father Emperor and Brother, she would look to the moon once more.

She drew a deep, steadying breath.

A faint smile touched her lips as she reached into the depths of her bosom, retrieving a small cloth pouch.

She opened it slowly, and as it caught the moonlight, a clear... human skin mask was revealed within.

Hai Tang smiled with a sense of quiet contentment.

"Fortuitously, it remains undamaged!"

She had labored for several days, rushing to complete its creation!

Enduring a long and arduous journey to the border, arriving miraculously intact, it felt as though the very heavens were aiding her!

She discovered a nearby spring.

Using the cool spring water, she cleansed her face, and then proceeded to wash the human skin mask, so delicate it resembled the wings of a cicada.

Then, with measured movements, she began to affix the mask to her face.

With meticulous adjustments to the angles and careful smoothing of the edges, she gradually pressed out the air bubbles trapped between the skin and the mask.

After half an hour of careful manipulation, she finally, with utmost delicacy, secured the human skin mask onto her face.

Perfect!

Gazing at her reflection in the clear spring water, her transformed visage presented no discernible flaws, and a satisfied smile curved her lips.

"I'm so glad I had the opportunity to learn this skill from a master in Guangnan!"

"I never imagined it would prove so useful in this situation!"

Although the quality of this human skin mask wasn't quite on par with those created by the master, her own skill in applying it also wasn't as refined.

Yet, its nearly flawless craftsmanship was more than enough; those brute soldiers certainly wouldn't be able to detect anything amiss.

Once these preparations were complete,

Hai Tang retrieved a set of clothing from her travel bundle.

These were the garments belonging to Prince Jin's eldest son, Hai Chi.

She had pilfered them from Prince Jin's Mansion shortly after the army had departed the capital.

Now that she had adopted Hai Chi's face, it was naturally imperative to change her attire as well; otherwise, the army's trackers would immediately sense something was wrong.

By wearing Hai Chi's clothes, imbued with his familiar scent, the hounds wouldn't mistake her for an enemy.

This ensured an infallible plan!

With a changed face and appropriate attire,

Hai Tang strode purposefully towards the army's encampment.

Under the shroud of the dark night,

she moved like a sinuous black cobra, silently and resolutely advancing towards her objective.

She would infiltrate the enemy's midst, patiently await the opportune moment, and reclaim all that rightfully belonged to Father Emperor!

...

"The Crown Prince has arrived!"

Prince Jin, who had just finished reprimanding the deputy generals, was brimming with a heroic aura.

Just as he was contemplating ordering some food and wine to celebrate and boost morale,

the Crown Prince made his appearance. Delighted, he waved expansively.

"Enter!"

The Crown Prince, Hai Chi, lifted the tent flap and stepped inside.

"Father!" he exclaimed, clasping his fist in a customary greeting.

Hai Xiangjin, in high spirits, found his seemingly idle son particularly pleasing and quickly waved him off.

"No need for such formalities, my son!"

"Come, come, as today is a joyous occasion, join your Father for a few celebratory drinks!"

"Yes!"

Hai Chi respectfully took a seat at the other side of the table.

Just as the servants began serving the wine and food, the father and son prepared to dine separately.

Western Xia possessed a culture marked by fierce folk customs and rather crude social norms, lacking many of the established etiquettes, filial piety practices, and clan restraints found elsewhere.

Within typical families, for the sake of personal gain, fathers and sons, and even brothers, frequently engaged in ruthless power struggles. This was only amplified within the intricacies of the Royal Family.