Jin qing approached the main hall where she knew Tian Xiang would be.

If she wants better access to the palace and the city- therefore giving her all the resources she needed to bring this mighty city to its knees,  she knew where she must start.

She must start with the emperor himself.

She had asked Yu Qi for more weaknesses in the Song as she knew one wouldn't be enough. She already knew that the military was rather disorganized from the time she was captured with Xue Hua.

The men only behaved because they feared their commanders. If Jin qing gave them a reason to overcome their fear with an even stronger emotion... Like for example, anger...

Jin qing had to stop herself from smiling too much.

The irony, She thought, All the things that went wrong in the Liang that eventually caused its downfall will be repeating itself here... How nice.

They should really be calling me the destroyer of kingdoms since this will be the second kingdom to ever fall by my hands.

Jin qing walked in, putting on an act of easy fearlessness as she did so.

Tian Xiang looked up as soon as she walked in, and rose an eyebrow "here so soon?"

"Listen, I want to get out of here as fast as possible," Jin qing answered, "so I want to get my side of the agreement done just as fast so I can leave."

"It hasn't even been a day since you left your cell. I don't assume you have gotten anything?"

Jin qing rolled her eyes "no, of course not. What do you think? I've barely managed to find my way around here. Goodness, this place is huge." She didn't stop walking, and freely walked up to his table and glanced over at what was on it. "Military campaigns?" She guessed "It seems like you're stuck in quite the stalemate."

"As much as I hate to admit it, you've chosen good generals and commanders to lead the Wei in your absence."

"I know. Did you really think I would charge out and let myself be captured without a backup plan?" She chuckled "Who do you think I am? How can I help the emperor of Wei if I can't even think for myself?"

Tian Xiang let out a heavy sigh and looked up at her "I may be in no position to ask you this, but would you mind helping me?"

Jin qing smirked "and how would you know the things I'm helping you do will eventually help the Wei? I am still loyal to the country I have called home for so many years."

"But would it really be worth sacrificing so many lives to fight long and drawn out battles? With your help, this war can be won rather quickly."

"With the Song victorious?" Jin qing crossed her arms but remained smiling "terribly sorry, but I'm afraid not."

Tian Xiang chuckled "I really shouldn't have expected anything more than that. Alright then."

Jin qing was staring at the map below her, scanning over at the arrangements of the different troops.

The sudden bulge in the Song borders must be the places where Shen Feng was, and from the looks of it, he's going in the general direction of the capital.

Judging from the utter speed of the conquest he had done, he was trying to get back to the Wei capital as soon as he could before his forces wore out. He had chosen to capture a smaller city near the river and was possibly getting supplies and reinforcements from there.

It was quite the smart choice, and it was something Shen Feng would most definitely do. He had never been the type of person to sit back and bide his time.

For him, a victory must be won quickly.

And Jin qing had learned to exploit that as much as possible.

Tian Xiang noticed Jin Qing's thoughtful expression, and raised his eyebrows "You see anything interesting? Impressed at your half brother?"

"No," Jin qing answered "He's always been like this. This just tells me how quickly I need to get my side of the deal done, that's all."

"Why are you such a hurry to leave?"

"Hm. I don't know. Perhaps its because I can't stand being anywhere near Gui Fei and her son, and I need to get back to the Wei so I can help them drive back Shen Feng's forces."

"Would they even accept you back?"

Jin qing paused. "What do you mean?"

"I'm not the type of person to expose someone's secrets, but I'm sure your half brother would threaten to shout to the world who you really are. After all, he went through all that trouble to capture you."

Jin Qing hadn't thought about that enough.

Tian Xiang sighed and rolled up the map, typing it with a thin red cord. "I don't need to be Sheng Feng to know he'll try and keep you here no matter what. Considering the bad reputation you have in the Wei for the murders and assassinations you supposedly didn't commit, would they even accept you back?"

Jin qing shook herself out of her confusion with a fake smile "I know the people there well enough. They know they can't win the war without me." She said confidently "Especially not against Shen Feng."

"Are you sure that they can't win without you?" Tian Xiang smirked and opened the map again. "I'd like you to look again." He gestured over to an area Jin qing had overlooked because of how distracted she was at Shen Feng's progress.

To her surprise, there were two large chunks of land were carved out from the Song's original borders, the combined force seemed to make even more progress than Shen Feng.

Jin Qing's eyes widened "What...?"

"That bothersome prince that escaped a week or two ago, and another general by the name of Li Kai Feng." Tian Xiang looked up from the map "They're giving us quite the trouble, and they are making progress even faster than Shen Feng ever did. Say if you don't return to the Wei, do you really think it will crumble?"

Jin qing wasn't paying attention to his words, but she was rather focused on the map. She could tell Kai Feng and Shang Ye was taking and cutting off important trade routes into the Song, taking a few cities along the Wei.
But what else? They moved in such an irregular pattern, with their forces so spread out. What were they planning? Were they not afraid of an ambush?

Jin Qing straightened "Well, I'm not surprised that those two, in particular, are doing well. they do have a natural talent in this field after all" She finally said after a short pause, "But if you're hoping to convince me not to go back to the Wei, you're not doing very well."

He shrugged "I was just thinking for the better of you and pointing out the facts you may not have thought about."

Jin qing fell silent.

"Now, you must have come for a reason. What is it?"

"Just came to see how the Wei was doing since I figured you'd be mulling over a map or some sort."

"Well, now you have your answer. When do you plan to start your investigation?" He asked, "I do hope that you will uphold your side of the deal."

"Oh don't worry..." Jin qing smiled "I intend to start my investigation, now."

<><><>

Carrying the same basket she was holding when she went to Yu Qi, Jin qing can easily walk around pretending to be a servant girl.

She couldn't do anything more until Yu Qi gave her more clothes to choose from. Aside from messing around with the military, Jin qing also wanted to see how the people of the Song was faring.
After all, if the people of a kingdom wasn't happy, nothing can be done.

In the palace, everything will be quite lip-tight, but what about in the poorer parts of the city? Surely there is some gossip or complaints about the city. Jin Qing suspected that no one really knows what the legendary Xue Xian looks like since the guard from before didn't recognize her,  which only made her job easier.

She had to walk slowly so her steps don't irritate the still-healing wounds on her body, but at least the material of her clothes was better and didn't stick. 

"Why... Why are you here?!"

A smug smirk played on Jin qing's lips as she turned around. She dipped into a mock curtsy as a servant would, but her expression showed anything but submission. "Lady Huan Le." She said in a sickeningly sweet tone. "How may I help you?"

"Why are you out here?" Huan le demanded, "Why aren't you in your cell?"

"Why are you so surprised?" Jin qing asked, still keeping her composure. "Surely you didn't think I would actually stay in that filthy place without a plan, did you?"

"What did you do-"

"I made a deal with the emperor." Jin qing smiled and tilted her head "Do you think you're the only one that has a talent of making deals or sweet-talking? My dear, the candy in your mouth is starting to rot."

Huan le's cheeks were a little pink, most likely from frustration. "Why," She asked, her voice shaking "why must you always be here to ruin everything for me-"

"How about this." Jin qing interrupted her "How about you leave me alone and I'll do the same to you? I don't want to see you and I'm sure you don't either."

"I don't want you here."

"And I don't want to be here either." Jin qing smiled "So stay out of what I'm doing so I can leave and get out of your hair as soon as possible."

Huan le narrowed her eyes "You're planning something, aren't you? things are never so easy with you."

Jin Qing's smile never left her face "Or am I? You are going to have to figure out if I'm planning anything or not... and if I am," Jin qing started walking, and stopped when she was right next to Huan le. "You're going to try to make a plan and stop me, and I right? Oh, not planning..." Jin qing's smile morphed into a smirk "You're going to have to do some heavy scheming to try and stop me. good luck."

Huan le turned her head to look at Jin qing "I don't know what you're planning, but I will stop you."

"Like I said earlier, good luck." Jin qing said and walked away.

My, does it feel nice to have the last word over her. 

I wonder if there will ever be a time where she finally shuts up? Probably the day I'll hear the last from her is the day her head is cut from the executioner block. Or should I have her tongue cut out first?

Jin qing chuckled to herself.

How did mother use to warn you? Don't count your chickens before they hatch? But mother, what if I'm just counting the benefits I know I can reap? Or shall I say, the benefits I know I will reap?

I swear, Shen Feng, Gui Fei, the song will fall, and your life will fall along with it.

Just you wait. And it won't take too long either.

A little late, but happy 2020!