Isolated town in northern border region

It was late at night when we returned to the inn.

Jiang Min didn't wake up until late at night.

When she woke up, she was completely disoriented, her gaze unfocused, staring blankly at the roof beam, her eyes seemingly unable to move.

Xiao Lie sat on the edge of the bed, holding a glass of warm water in his hand. He didn't urge her to speak, but just waited quietly.

"Your Highness."

Her voice was very soft, as if it were drifting from a very far place.

"Do you think... a person can really pretend for so many years?"

Xiao Lie handed her the water glass.

"Are you asking about Jiang Tai?"

Jiang Min took the water glass; her fingertips were icy cold.

"I'm asking myself!"

"I can't tell the difference anymore..."

"I don't know which words are true and which images are fake."

She looked down at the surface of the water in the glass.

"When I was little, he took me to the Imperial Garden to catch butterflies. I fell into the water, and he jumped in to pull me out, swallowing a lot of water himself in the process."

He was only twelve years old at the time.

She looked up at Xiao Lie.

"How could such a person commit such a heinous crime?"

Xiao Lie did not answer.

He sat on the edge of the bed, reached out and took the water glass from her hand, placing it on the bedside table.

"I don't know how long a person can pretend, but I do know that people change."

"In fact, my third brother's care for you in the past was all from the bottom of his heart... It's just that fate played a trick on us."

Jiang Min choked up, her eyes reddening.

"Was that assassination attempt in Bingzhou really an attempt by my third brother to kill me?"

"I'm his own sister!"

Jiang Min's body trembled slightly.

Xiao Lie gently put his arm around Jiang Min's shoulder, letting him lean on his shoulder.

"Perhaps... it's all a lie by Jiang Jun, who knows?"

"After all, it's only Jiang Jun's side of the story."

Jiang Min closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

A moment later she opened her eyes.

"Don't lie to me... Eunuch Xianji is Father Emperor's most trusted personal eunuch. Over the years, he has protected Father Emperor from countless calamities..."

"Even he personally testified against the Three Emperors... how could it be a lie, my elder brother?"

"I just don't understand why my brother wants to kill me!"

Xiao Lie looked at her and remained silent for a while.

"Because he's afraid."

Jiang Min was stunned.

Xiao Lie continued.

"Haven't you noticed anything amiss during your time back in China?"

Jiang Min looked puzzled.

"What's wrong? Apart from Father's passing, my elder brother's ascension to the throne, and my elder brother's misfortune, nothing else has changed!"

Xiao Lie shook his head and sighed.

"You're just letting your concern cloud your judgment."

"How long have you been teaching the technology of the Northern Frontier to the Third Prince?"

"Can you see even a trace of the northern frontier in Jing Kingdom?"

"Forget about railways and cement, I haven't even seen a single steel mill along the way!"

"This only proves one thing: even though your third brother obtained the technology from you, he still failed to gain your father's attention."

After being reminded by Xiao Lie, Jiang Min suddenly understood!

"So...that's how it is?"

"If I hadn't witnessed the changes in northern Xinjiang with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed these technologies were possible based on just a few words..."

"Therefore, my third brother did not receive Father's favor because of these skills!"

Xiao Lie gently patted Jiang Min's shoulder and picked up the conversation.

"After I recovered the Yongzhou aristocratic families, I had actually completed most of the arrangements in the Great Chu. You must have mentioned this to Jiang Tai in your letters."

"This also means that I will be going to Jing Kingdom to propose marriage soon."

"Do you remember the promise I made to you when I was in northern Xinjiang?"

Jiang Min suddenly turned her head to look at Xiao Lie.

"You mean, using technology from northern Xinjiang as a dowry?"

Xiao Lie nodded.

"When I propose marriage, it cannot be stingy. I will not only offer the technology of the Northern Frontier, but also prepare some little trinkets that will amaze your family."

"Therefore, by then, your father will inevitably have a completely new understanding of the technology in the Northern Frontier!"

"Similarly! Even in Jing Kingdom, Jiang Tai can no longer be the only one to possess these technologies."

Jiang Min was shocked, and tears silently streamed down her face.

"So...my elder brother wants me dead!"

"Only if I die can he monopolize the technology; only if I die in the State of Chu can he hold you accountable in the name of my imperial brother!"

"My third brother will surely pin all this on the Crown Prince, and he can use my life to gain powerful allies from the Northern Frontier!"

Xiao Lie wrapped his arms around Jiang Min and pulled her close to his chest.

"It's okay, it's all in the past. From now on, I'll be here for you."

Jiang Min gripped the corner of the blanket tightly, her eyes filled with even deeper sorrow, her whole being caught in a whirlpool of emotions.

"Now that he's been exiled to the northern frontier... isn't he afraid of my revenge?"

Xiao Lie looked at her.

"He's afraid."

"But he's even more afraid that he won't have the chance."

"His only hope now is that you still cherish your sibling relationship."

He paused.

"Therefore, he will definitely gamble."

"I'm betting that the lingering feelings you have for him are enough to give him the opportunity to take control of the northern frontier."

"That's his only chance to turn things around!"

Jiang Min remained silent for a long time.

"What should I do then?"

"Kill him? He's my brother!"

Xiao Lie leaned forward slightly, his voice low and clear.

"Give him a chance..."

"Give him a choice. If he pulls back from the brink, I, Xiao Lie, will ensure his lifelong safety!"

"If he remains obstinate, then you may decide what to do with him; I will not interfere."

Jiang Min looked up at him.

"What do you mean?"

"I have already discussed it with Jiang Jun."

"I will feign illness, claiming I'm not used to the climate, and refuse to travel with you."

"You will first return to the Northern Frontier as the Princess Consort to take charge of the overall situation."

"If Jiang Tai truly harbors ill intentions, he will definitely not let this opportunity pass him by!"

"Because as long as I remain in the Northern Frontier, he can forget about harboring any wicked intentions!"

He paused.

"You just need to wait and see what he does."

"When he thinks he has everything under control, he will naturally slip up."

"You can decide how to treat him then."

Jiang Min remained silent for a long time, then nodded softly.

"good!"

"I want to see whether my brother's heart is red or black!"

Xiao Lie handed the water glass back to her.

"Then get some rest."

"Tomorrow, we'll set off back to northern Xinjiang."

As he stood up and walked to the door, Jiang Min called out to him from behind.

"Your Highness!"

"For the sake of my wish, you're willing to risk the entire northern frontier, aren't you...?"

Xiao Lie turned around and glanced at her.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Although it has been a bit of a hassle, the northern frontier is definitely not something Jiang Tai can control."

"I still need to write to Zhou Xun and tell him to pretend to be a fool."

A smile finally appeared on Jiang Min's face, but it was an extremely bitter smile.

"Indeed... The Northern Frontier reveres His Highness as a god; how could my Third Brother possibly covet him?"

Xiao Lie pushed open the door, turned around and winked at Jiang Min.

"Rest now, my princess."

"I'll take care of everything, it's alright."

The door closed gently in his hands.

Jiang Min sat on the bed, holding a glass of water that was already half-cold in her hand, tears splashing into the glass.