Isolated town in northern border region

Xiao Lie returned to his study, spread out three sheets of paper, and picked up his pen.

The first letter was written to Zhou Xun.

"I have other plans within the territory of Jing Kingdom, and I expect to return half a month later."

"Everything in the northern border region is as usual; there is no need to worry."

"Ignore any news that the King of the Northern Frontier is seriously ill in the Jing Kingdom."

"Jiang Min will arrive at the northern border before me. Treat her with the courtesy due to a princess. But remember not to relinquish power. If the third prince of Jing, Jiang Tai, makes any unusual moves, ignore them."

"If this letter wasn't personally delivered to you by Bisu, kill Jiang Tai immediately!"

The second letter was written to Luo Daniu.

"And grant power to your father, ordering him to garrison Yongzhou. After learning of the news that the King of the Northern Frontier is seriously ill on his way back, he is to closely monitor the movements of the various noble families in Yongzhou. If anyone plots any wrongdoing, confiscate their property and imprison them."

"Order the Vanguard to select five hundred elite troops, under your command, to secretly infiltrate the Jing Kingdom. Follow the marks left by Bisu along the way, and you will be able to find me."

"Of the remaining soldiers who fought on the front lines, one thousand will remain to guard Yongzhou, under the command of your father, Tieshan, while the rest will be under the command of Tie Muyun to protect the safety of the Northern Frontier Princess, Jiang Minzhi."

"While I am away, you must ensure Jiang Min's safety and not trust anyone!"

"If this letter wasn't personally handed to you by Bisu, immediately take control of the Jing Kingdom's wedding procession!"

The third letter was written to Xu De.

"Mo Shu may have already gone into hiding in the Jing Kingdom. I intend to use myself as bait to lure him out."

"Upon receiving this letter, you may gather martial arts heroes to gather information. Once you learn that I am seriously ill, you may go to Wenshu City in Jing Kingdom and request an audience with Emperor Jiang Jun of Jing Kingdom in my name."

"After meeting Jiang Jun, tell him that you have cracked the 'Bingyong Powder' and that you have been ordered by me to deliver the medicine."

"After delivering the medicine, immediately flee into the world. Remember that!"

"If this letter is not personally delivered to you by Bisu, flee the Northern Frontier immediately, and we shall meet again in the martial world."

After he finished writing, he folded the letter, put it in an envelope and sealed it with wax, then closed his eyes to review what he might have forgotten.

Bisu stood at the door of the study, looking at him.

Although Bisu didn't know what Xiao Lie was plotting, a sense of worry rose in her heart.

Xiao Lie turned his head and saw her, and was stunned for a moment.

"Bisu, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"We're setting off tomorrow, and the carriage ride will be bumpy, so it won't be good for resting."

Bisu bit her lip.

"This servant cannot sleep."

"Your Highness...have we run into trouble?"

"Can I help you?"

Xiao Lie handed over the three letters.

"I really need your help this time."

"These three letters are of utmost importance. I have already stated in them that they will only comply if you personally deliver them to them."

Bisu looked at the recipient on the letter.

Zhou Xun, the Grand General of the Northern Frontier, must be dealing with something very important for the Prince to give such a solemn instruction!

Luo Daniu, the captain of the Vanguard Camp, is a fierce general who charges into battle, which means that this situation is not safe, and Your Highness needs to deploy troops!

Xu De is a renowned physician and has connections with Mo Shu of the Panlong Guard. Whether the prince wants Xu De to treat his illness or inquires about the Panlong Guard, it indicates that this is a major problem!

Although Bisu didn't have Jiang Min's shrewdness and cunning, she had been by Xiao Lie's side for so long that she had learned a thing or two. With just one glance, she knew that Xiao Lie was about to put himself in danger again.

Bisu lowered her head, tears falling freely onto the envelope.

"Your Highness...are you going to abandon Bisu again?"

Xiao Lie looked helpless and gently tapped Bi Su's head.

"Bisu, we've been together all this time, like siblings. How could I possibly abandon you?"

"I sent you to deliver the message not to get rid of you, but because you are the person I trust most."

"If you don't believe me, open the letter and take a look."

Bisu raised her head, her small mouth pouting, her eyes full of vigilance.

"Hmph! Fine, I'll watch!"

Bisu opened the envelopes and saw that Xiao Lie had written on all three letters that they must be delivered by Bisu herself, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

Bisu repackaged the letter and ran to her desk to reapply the sealing wax.

"Your Highness, why do I have to hand it over to them myself? Can't Sister Jiang Min do it?"

Xiao Lie curled his lip.

"Normally, Jiang Min would be trustworthy, but this time..."

"I'm afraid she'll lose her composure and miss the opportunity if she hesitates even slightly."

"After all, this letter was written in response to her brother, the emperor."

After explaining, Xiao Lie touched his stomach.

"Bisu, is there anything else to eat?"

"The food in Jing Kingdom is either cloyingly sweet or blandly tasteless; I really can't get used to it."

Bisu stuffed the three letters into her bosom.

"Yes! I'll do it right away!"

Bisu skipped away, and Xiao Lie's lips slowly curled into a smile.

"This little girl is so easy to fool."

"Don't you even consider that if the letter is intercepted, wouldn't it be easy to change its contents?"

Xiao Lie's statement in the letter that it must be handed over by Bi Su in person was simply a way to fool that silly girl, Bi Su.

This time it was in the unfamiliar Jing Kingdom, and Xiao Lie was not only plotting against Jiang Tai, but also against Jiang Jun, the emperor of Jing Kingdom!

If something goes wrong, I can just find a mountain forest and slip away by myself. It wouldn't be so convenient to bring Bisu with me.

The next morning, the city gates of Wenshu City were opened wide.

The wedding procession of five hundred people stood in neat rows, with banners fluttering and carriages and horses like a dragon.

Jiang Min's dowry was pulled by a horse-drawn carriage, stretching for two miles. The chests were wrapped in bright red silk, creating a very festive atmosphere.

Jiang Jun personally escorted the group out of the city, and even drove the first mile of carriage for Jiang Min.

He sat on the carriage shaft, put down the whip, and turned to look at the carriage.

"Min'er, when you get to the Northern Frontier, don't hold a grudge against Xiao Lie."

"That guy's a complete scoundrel!"

Jiang Min didn't answer in the carriage, but you could see her shoulder line move through the curtain.

After traveling a while longer, Jiang Jun reined in the carriage, jumped down, and turned to look at Xiao Lie.

"Your Majesty, I can only escort Min'er this far. I hope Your Highness will take care of the rest of the journey."

He took two steps toward Xiao Lie, patted him on the shoulder, and lowered his voice.

"My hidden agents have already been deployed."

"If anyone dares to harm you within the borders of Jing Kingdom... my sword is not just for show."

Xiao Lie looked at him.

"Your Majesty is so generous, aren't you afraid that if I die within Jing's borders, Jing will be unable to explain itself?"

Jiang Jun chuckled.

"You won't die. I'm still waiting to drink your wedding wine."

"but……"

He glanced back at Jiang Min's carriage, his voice softening slightly.

"If anything were to happen to you, I would truly be all alone."

"So you'd better stay alive."

Xiao Lie looked at his expression, his gaze lingered on his face for a moment, and then he smiled.

"Alright! I have purchased a courtyard in Yinzhou City of Jing Kingdom. If any problems arise, Your Majesty may send someone to search for it."

"It's right behind the Yuelai Restaurant in the east of the city."

Jiang Jun narrowed his eyes, stared at Xiao Lie for a long time, and then smiled meaningfully.

"Does Your Highness trust me that much?"

"You can be so honest about something like this?"

Xiao Lie cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Having seen countless snowstorms in the northern frontier, I can see people's hearts clearly with these eyes."

"Same to you."

"I have seen the misty rain of Jiangnan while I was in Wenshu City."

The two men laughed at the same time, and then each mounted their horse.

Xiao Lie cupped his hands to Jiang Jun, gently spurred his horse, and rode to the front of the group.

Jiang Min's carriage rumbled up behind them, its wheels rolling over the dust of the official road, leaving a long rut in the morning light.

Jiang Jun stood outside the city gate watching the procession walk further and further away until the banners turned into a blurry red in the distance, before turning back to the city gate.

His face showed a mixture of relief and worry, making him look just like an older brother seeing his bride off.