Chapter 136 Probably not just targeting Tuo Baxiao,…

Chapter 136: This likely isn’t just about Tuoba Xiao...

"Sister Ah Yan." Lan Zhu rushed to steady her, her face full of concern.

Those gathered were just as shaken upon hearing that Tuoba Xiao had been ambushed on the way. They looked at one another, stunned, and began whispering among themselves.

"Sister Ah Yan, the king is so brave, he’ll surely be fine," Lan Zhu said, trying her best to offer words of comfort.

After the initial shock wore off, Jiang Congyan slowly regained her composure. Her eyes refocused, first landing on Lan Zhu’s concerned face, then shifting to the murmuring crowd below.

"Yes, he’ll be fine," Jiang Congyan replied, gripping Lan Zhu’s hand in return.

Only an ambush was reported—no details on the battle’s progress, nor any mention of injuries. He had led twenty thousand elite soldiers, a force capable of crushing any Xianbei clan. Even if ambushed, they wouldn’t be easily wiped out.

The Xianbei population was limited. With their people so spread out, even if someone within wanted him dead, the forces they could muster would be limited. Dragging every able-bodied man nearby into battle wouldn’t exceed fifty thousand, and their equipment would be far inferior to Tuoba Xiao’s well-equipped army.

She couldn’t afford to panic over one report, especially not in front of so many people.

Jiang Congyan steadied her mind, clenched her fingers hidden in her sleeves, straightened her back, and regained her usual calm demeanor. Her eyes raked over them, icy and piercing.

"Silence!" she commanded sharply.

Her voice sliced through the room like a frost-laden gust, carrying an undercurrent of authority. The room went dead quiet, their eyes fixed on her.

Their kind-hearted Khatun met their gazes unflinchingly, her dark eyes unwavering. "It’s just an encounter with the enemy on the road—a common occurrence in war. The king is unmatched in courage. Once, he led thirty thousand Xianbei troops to repel Wudati Hou’s hundred thousand cavalry. What’s a petty ambush to him now? The news we’ve heard is already two days old. It’s possible the king has already seen through the enemy’s scheme and broken free."

Was that true?

Jiang Congyan clung to that hope. With Tuoba Xiao absent, her status as Khatun alone wasn’t enough to command everyone. She needed to command total respect.

"Regardless, we should send someone to investigate," someone suggested.

"You’re right. I’ll dispatch scouts to gather news of the king shortly," Jiang Congyan replied before shifting her tone to something colder. "The king’s safety concerns the survival of the entire Xianbei. The Xiongnu are watching us closely. Disobey, and it’s your head. Not a single word of what you’ve heard today leaves this tent."

The weight of her stare crushed them.

Not the king’s thunderous might, but lethal all the same. Their kind-hearted Khatun was revealing a sharp, formidable presence for the first time. Though less overwhelming than the king’s, it was dangerous enough to make them realize she wasn’t bluffing—she would act.

"We will obey the Khatun’s orders," the crowd replied.

Someone else ventured, "Shouldn’t we send reinforcements? Just in case—I mean, just in case the king is truly trapped and waiting for our aid?"

Heads bobbed in approval.

A thought struck her—But who was left to send? Tuoba Xiao and Modolou had taken nearly everyone, leaving only newly recruited soldiers this year and those under Lan Zhu’s command.

"Agreed. We’ll muster reinforcements for the king, but the royal court’s forces are too few. We’ll need to mobilize troops from the surrounding areas. I’ll arrange it as soon as possible," Jiang Congyan said.

Once plans were set, Jiang Congyan repeatedly stressed the importance of secrecy before dismissing the crowd. Alone at last, she collapsed into her chair.

Lan Zhu remained by her side. "Sister Ah Yan..."

"I’m fine," Jiang Congyan said, cupping Lan Zhu’s face with a reassuring look.

She’d meant every word. She truly believed Tuoba Xiao wouldn’t fall here. If a damn ambush could take him down, he wouldn’t be the same Tuoba Xiao who, at just sixteen, defeated his rivals and ascended the throne.

Lan Zhu relaxed slightly.

Jiang Congyan pressed the messenger for details about the specifics. He only said that the king had led his troops on a rapid march to support Chigan Balie but was ambushed from behind while passing through Dushikou. Beyond that, he knew nothing more.

"Did the king not order you to bring me any message?" she asked, her bright gaze seeming to see right through someone's heart.

"N-no, my lady. I barely escaped because I happened to be on the outskirts of the battle. I rushed back immediately to report, so I don’t know the current situation with the king."

"Which tribe’s forces were behind the ambush? Was it the Murong Tribe?"

"I don’t know. It was too chaotic at the time—I couldn’t see clearly." The messenger hung his head in shame.

"I see," Jiang Congyan said, lowering her eyes slightly.

After having the guards take the man away, she ordered, "Keep a close watch on him. See if he meets with anyone else."

Lan Zhu, hearing this, frowned in realization. "Sister Ah Yan, do you suspect the message is unreliable?"

Jiang Congyan shook her head. "I don’t know. His story holds up for now, but it’s always better to be cautious."

Back in her tent, she summoned He Zhou and Qiumu Lingju.

Qiumu Lingju was the Xianbei Imperial Guard captain assigned to her by Tuo Baxiao. After joining her, he continued to command the guards, answering to He Zhou.

"I don’t know what’s really behind this ambush on the king, but I’m certain there are traitors within the Xianbei plotting rebellion. The royal court lacks sufficient forces, so I plan to mobilize troops from Tumochuan under the guise of reinforcing the king. He Zhou, you will take charge of this. Additionally, I must send word to General Modolou to send reinforcements back to the royal court for support."

"The royal court must also strengthen its defenses. Qiumu Lingju, I put you in command of the royal forces. Increase patrols, and if you encounter any suspicious individuals, detain them on sight. Also, send scouts to monitor the movements of the various tribes."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

...

Ordinary folks had no idea what had transpired in that single day, but they sensed the tense atmosphere in the royal court. They saw large groups of soldiers constantly on the move, patrols increasing in number, and their frequency tripling overnight.

"What’s happening?"

"Is something major going on?"

Jiang Congyan had immediately suppressed news of Tuo Baxiao’s ambush, yet by the next day, it had already spread throughout the royal court.

"The king was ambushed—no one knows if he’s alive or dead."

"Yesterday, I saw a man drenched in blood rush into the king’s tent. It must be about this."

"Will the Xianbei be thrown into chaos again like five years ago? If the Xiongnu learn the king is in trouble, they’ll surely attack us."

"What should we do?"

"Should we elect a new king? Only then can we lead the Xianbei against our enemies."

...

The entire royal court exploded like a powder keg—fear took hold, and even riots broke out.

What had started as a simple report of an ambush had now escalated into rumors that Tuo Baxiao was at death’s door.

By now, Jiang Congyan was now convinced this was a conspiracy.

And likely, it wasn’t just targeting Tuo Baxiao—but her as well.

Other than the Murong Tribe, just how many in the royal court were part of this?

—

Night was closing in again.

In the same tent, where the lights had been out last time, several bright oil lamps now illuminated the space, revealing the faces of everyone present.

Radiating the air of a leader and standing at the center was none other than Kediyan.

He lifted his eyelids, his deep, calculating gaze sweeping over them, thick with ambition, like a beast lurking in the darkness.

"That Han woman’s onto us," Kediyan said. "She’s already on guard, tightening security lately, and might even be reaching out to Modolou and Duan Muqi. We have to move before she does."

Kediyan's voice dripped with bloodlust.

Since this Han woman arrived among the Xianbei, in less than a year, he’d gone from being the mighty Chancellor to this—forced to watch as she took his place. How could he not hate her guts?

"If Tuo Baxiao comes back swinging?" A Shi Na Wu Jiu asked. "We can’t take him."

"The sooner we act, the less chance he has to come back."

"Why?"

"Right now, the Murong and Qifu have Tuo Baxiao pinned down, and he won't be back anytime soon. We must seize this opportunity to take control of the royal court, secure the allegiance of the tribes, cut off his supplies, and rally forces to besiege him. No matter how tough he is, it won’t save him. If we delay, our chances of victory will only shrink."

The others nodded—his logic was solid.

Seeing that he'd convinced them, Kediyan poured fuel on the fire. "Tuo Baxiao already has half Han blood. Not only is he wrapped around a Han woman's finger, making her Khatun, but he's openly promoting Han script among our people. He’s trying to wipe out Xianbei traditions and pride. Let the Han dominate us? As noble, pure-blooded Xianbei warriors, can you stomach that?"

"Never!" They clenched their fists, fire in their veins.

Kediyan had hit a nerve—blood was everything to them.

Though Tuo Baxiao had a Han mother, he was still the son of Tuo Bata. The Xianbei traditionally traced lineage through the father’s side, so they could stomach his claim. But they couldn’t tolerate a king with half Han blood taking a Han woman as Khatun.

Not only was he wrapped around her finger, granting her unprecedented power and letting her expand her influence across the Xianbei, but he’d also fallen for her tricks and decided to promote Han script within the tribe.

If this kept up, she’d be the end of the Xianbei.

Indeed, their earlier attempts to dissuade Tuo Baxiao from going to Liang State had been right—it was just a pity they failed.

They all feared Tuo Baxiao, yet increasingly resented his rule. Their tribes’ power had dwindled; they were forced to obey his every command, fueling their desire to rebel.

Now, the chance was right there. If they succeeded, they could restore the old ways. How could they resist?

"When do we act?"

"Tomorrow night."

"What about the Sixth Prince? Has he agreed?"

Kediyan smirked. "Of course. It was Tuo Baxiao who stole the throne from him. Now that he has a chance to take it back, why wouldn’t he agree? Not to mention Tuo Baxiao once tried to kill him—he’s itching to kill him himself."

With the Sixth Prince joining them, along with the support of the Helan Tribe—a major clan no less powerful than the Murong—they were fired up.

The following night, under the cover of darkness, forces gathered around the royal court from all directions.

A patrol of about a dozen men, carrying torches, circled the outskirts of the court. At last, they noticed a vast shadow in the distance—something unusual. As they approached, they realized it was an army lying in ambush. "We’ve got trouble!"

The captain was about to blow the whistle to sound the alarm, but before he could, he was riddled with arrows.

After dealing with the patrol, the large force infiltrated the king's encampment.

Jiang Congyan's sleeping tent stood tall and conspicuous beside the king's tent, illuminated by bright candlelight. Warm light spilled through every crack and window, like a lone star in the sky, but in the pitch-black night, it became the most visible target.

"Loose the arrows!"

"Charge!"