I started as a concubine, and I made the crown prince cry with my delicious food.

The capital city, the Eastern Palace.

More than a month has passed since the news of Xiao Jingshi's disappearance was reported.

The atmosphere in the capital gradually shifted from initial shock and fear to an eerie calm. After the emperor swiftly suppressed the unrest of the Fu family and others, no one dared to openly discuss the matter of the crown prince.

But beneath the calm surface, undercurrents still surge.

Ye An'an's life was like walking a tightrope.

She still had to pay her respects to the Empress every day, forcing a smile and reporting that she was doing well and that the baby was healthy, so as not to worry her mother-in-law.

She still had to manage the businesses of "Liren Pavilion" and "Wenxianglai" because she knew that these were the guarantees for her and her children's future livelihood.

But only when the night is quiet and all is still can she let down her guard.

She would hold the clothes Xiao Jingshi had left behind, stroking them over and over again, as if she could feel his presence. She would speak softly to her growing belly, telling the child that his father was a peerless hero and that he would return soon.

She has lost a lot of weight. Her face, which was already small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, is now so thin it's heartbreaking.

That day, Fuyun and Chenzhu helped her take a walk in the garden.

"Your Majesty, please don't worry anymore. The imperial physician said that you are overthinking, which is not good for the fetus," Fuyun said worriedly, looking at her pale face.

"I'm fine." Ye An'an shook her head, her gaze unfocused on a crabapple tree in the courtyard. "I was just wondering...where is he now?"

Could it be that you're hiding in some cold, dark cave, feeling both cold and hungry?

Could it be that he was seriously injured and couldn't even get a sip of hot water?

The thought of these possibilities made her heart clench, and she felt so much pain that she could hardly breathe.

Just then, a guard captain from the Eastern Palace hurried in from outside, his expression a mixture of excitement and complexity.

"Reporting to Your Highness the Crown Princess!" He knelt on one knee, presenting a letter tightly wrapped in oilcloth with both hands. "An urgent letter from the Southern Frontier! It's...it's a letter His Highness sent from Jiangzhou City before his disappearance!"

A letter from home?

Ye An'an's body jolted violently; she could hardly believe her ears.

She rushed over in three strides, her hands trembling, and took the envelope from the guard.

The corners of the envelope were worn, and it was covered with dust and moisture.

It's his letter! It's his handwriting!

Ye An'an's tears welled up instantly.

She carefully tore open the envelope and pulled out the rough, yellowed piece of straw paper inside.

Those familiar, steady, and powerful handwriting instantly broke her down.

"An'an, seeing this letter is like seeing you in person."

"Southern Xinjiang is a damp and rainy place, but I am well, so don't worry."

"The military rations you made have been very successful here... especially the 'Diamond Cudgel,' which can not only fill our stomachs but also kill the enemy... I can't help but smile whenever I think of the ingenuity you put into inventing this thing."

Upon seeing this, Ye An'an burst out laughing and crying at the same time. What kind of time is this man to still be in the mood to tease her?

She continued reading.

"I am doing well here. The barbarian army is at its last gasp... My return may not be far off."

"I just wonder how you are doing in the capital? Is the child in your womb behaving well?"

Every night, I think of you. I think of the food you cooked, your smile, and your lovely scent.

I miss you, I miss you so much.

"Wait for my triumphant return."

"Written by Jing Shi himself."

Ye An'an read those few lines of text more than a dozen times. Every word felt like a branding iron, deeply imprinted on her heart.

He said he missed her.

He said he would wait for his triumphant return.

But this letter was written before his accident. When he wrote it, he had no idea he was about to face a deadly ambush. He was filled with anticipation for a triumphant return, for going home to reunite with his wife and children.

This letter, which transcended life and death, was like the dullest knife, repeatedly torturing her heart.

"Your Highness...you liar..." She pressed the letter tightly to her chest, squatted on the ground, and finally couldn't help but burst into tears.

Fuyun and Chenzhu also silently shed tears.

Ye An'an cried for a very long time, until her voice became hoarse, before she slowly stopped.

She wiped away her tears and stood up again.

Those eyes, washed by tears, not only lacked sadness, but instead shone with an astonishing light.

No, he's not a fraud.

He will definitely come back.

He's just trapped; he must still be alive!

He said that southern Xinjiang is humid and rainy, and that he misses her cooking.

Then she'll send it to him!

A thought began to frantically grow in her mind.

"Fuyun, Chenzhu!" Her voice still had a heavy nasal tone, but her tone was full of unwavering determination. "Prepare the car! We're going to the kitchenette!"

The two maids were stunned for a moment, not understanding what she was going to do.

But seeing the renewed fighting spirit in their mistress's eyes, they didn't hesitate and immediately took action.

In the small kitchen, Ye An'an looked at her proud creation, the self-heating hot pot, which she had just developed recently but hadn't had a chance to show to Xiao Jingshi yet.

A double-layered aluminum lunchbox, a heating pack, a packet of concentrated butter base, and several packets of pre-processed dried side dishes.

With just a cup of cold water, you can enjoy a steaming hot pot meal anywhere.

"Southern Xinjiang is damp and cold, and this is exactly what they need to ward off the cold and dampness." Ye An'an's eyes sparkled. "He will definitely like it."

"Your Highness, but... His Highness is currently missing. Where... where should we send the things?" Chenzhu whispered a reminder.

Ye An'an paused for a moment.

Yes, his whereabouts are unknown.

But... his army is still there.

His 30,000 soldiers are still guarding the borders of Daliang on that muddy land in the south.

"Then send it to the Jiangzhou camp!" Ye An'an said decisively, "To General Zhao, and to all the soldiers still fighting for him on the front lines!"

"I want them to know that the court has not forgotten them, and the Crown Prince has not forgotten them! I want them to be well-fed and clothed so that they have the strength to go and bring our prince back!"

She not only wants to deliver them, but she wants to deliver them in large quantities!

She immediately wrote a letter, stamped it with her personal seal, and sent it to the head manager of "Wenxianglai." She instructed him to immediately mobilize all manpower and resources to cease production of snowflake crisps and popcorn, and to focus all efforts on producing this "self-heating hot pot"!

She wanted to ensure that tens of thousands of soldiers far away in the southern border region could enjoy a hot meal made by her during this cold rainy season, a meal that would warm their hearts!

This was not just a loving act of feeding her, but also a declaration of her determination as the Crown Princess to everyone.

Her man hasn't returned yet, but she will protect his army!

Xiao Jingshi's days in the Black Wolf Tribe passed by uneventfully.

Thanks to his stunning victory in subduing Batu, he gained a transcendent status in the tribe. Ordinary warriors would respectfully address him as "Lord Canglang," and even Batu, who had previously disliked him the most, became his most loyal "follower," following him around every day, calling him "Lord" and diligently leading his horse and handing him water.

Princess Yuezhuo indulged him to the extreme, giving him great freedom the rest of the time, except for the fact that she would come to his tent every night without fail to sit for a while and talk about random things.

Taking advantage of this freedom, Xiao Jingshi thoroughly explored the entire Black Wolf tribe's camp.

He discovered that the tribe was indeed a formidable fighting force. The warriors were all brave, skilled horsemen, and far more disciplined than he had imagined.

More importantly, he discovered that the Black Wolf tribe was not the only barbarian tribe stationed there. To the east and north of the camp, two other equally powerful tribes were also stationed, forming a huge encirclement that trapped the Liang army on the other side of the valley.

His sense of urgency grew stronger.

Liang Jun's situation was more dangerous than he had imagined.

He had to do something.