Isolated town in northern border region

Xiao Yu is still unconscious.

The doctors were at a loss, and Xiao Lie's heart sank deeper and deeper.

Jiang Min walked to the bedside, looked at Xiao Yu's face, then flipped his eyelids, and suddenly spoke.

"I have seen a method of acupuncture in the medical books of Jing Kingdom that can revive patients with heart palpitations for a quarter of an hour."

Xiao Lie suddenly stood up.

"really?"

"Indeed. But this method is extremely dangerous; the slightest mistake could hasten death."

"No need for further words, begin the acupuncture!"

Jiang Min took out a set of gold needles from his sleeve and inserted several needles into Xiao Yu's head, chest, and wrist.

The movements were gentle and precise, like embroidery.

A moment later, Xiao Yu's eyelids twitched, and she slowly opened her eyes.

"Xiao... Lie..."

His voice was barely audible.

Xiao Lie leaned over and took his hand.

"Brother! Why do this?"

"I know you don't want to be a pawn, and I can guarantee you lifelong peace!"

A bitter smile appeared on Xiao Yu's lips.

"It's no use... That's my father... I can only die... to repay his kindness in raising me..."

Xiao Lie felt as if a huge boulder was pressing on his chest.

Does the throne truly extinguish humanity?

If it was truly Emperor Chu's scheme, didn't he consider that once Xiao Yu successfully poisoned him, it would be impossible for him to escape the northern border?

With a soft sigh, Xiao Lie forced a smile.

"Brother... is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Xiao Yu took a few breaths, her voice broken and intermittent.

"In my next life... I don't want to be born into... the royal family... my wife and children... I beg you..."

Xiao Lie gripped his hand tightly.

"rest assured."

"I will treat my sister-in-law well, and as for my nephew... I will ensure he lives a happy life."

"They will all be very free."

A tear rolled down Xiao Yu's cheek.

"Thanks……"

Then, his eyes slowly closed.

Her hand slipped from Xiao Lie's grasp.

At midnight that night, Xiao Yu died.

Meanwhile, in the capital city. In the Imperial Study.

Emperor Xiao Mu of Chu sat on the dragon throne, his brows furrowed into the shape of the Chinese character "川" (river).

The fact that the spies sent out did not return indicates that the plan had gone wrong.

He didn't get angry, he didn't even smash the cup, he just calmly reviewed the situation.

"Only Princess Minyue, who is in charge of the Bureau of Folklore, could possess such abilities."

"Choosing Xiao Lie as a husband is nothing more than a ploy to throw our Great Chu into chaos!"

The Chu Emperor murmured softly, having already written three secret edicts in his hand.

The first order was issued to the Ministry of War—commanding all the armies of the prefectures and counties near the northern border to enter a state of combat readiness and be ready to be deployed at any time.

The second route was to supply major granaries in Jiangnan—urgently transporting stored grain to major grain warehouses along the Grand Canal, ready to be sent north immediately in the event of war.

The third order was given to the leader of the secret guards: mobilize the entire force and infiltrate the northern border at all costs... to kill!

The candlelight flickered, and the face of the Chu Emperor flickered in and out of focus in the light and shadow.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the dark night sky to the north.

After a long silence, he said something softly.

"Brother, your son is more promising than you."

"It's a pity... he shouldn't have lived."

Outside the window, the night wind howled, and a storm was brewing.

…………

As soon as Jiang Min entered the inn, Zhang Quan couldn't help but clap and cheer.

"Wonderful! The princess's strategy is brilliant!"

"That Emperor Xiao Mu of Chu is simply the greatest tyrant of all time! Not only did he murder his brother and usurp the throne, but now he's even forced his own son to his death!"

"Now, Xiao Lie has no way out but to form an alliance with our Jing Kingdom!"

Jiang Min didn't reply. She walked to the table, sat down, and poured herself a cup of tea.

Zhang Quan followed, full of interest.

"Princess, is it possible for the Bureau of Folklore to find the personal guards from back then? What are the chances of success?"

Jiang Min held the teacup, her brows furrowed slightly, and shook her head.

"I'm thinking about something else."

"What is it?"

"Since Xiao Lie doesn't believe my word at all, why would he send me to find a personal guard who has been missing for nearly eight years?"

She put down her teacup.

"Even if I do find him, isn't he afraid that I'll coerce or bribe that guard beforehand to make him say something that benefits me?"

Zhang Quan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed.

"Your Highness is overthinking it."

"In my humble opinion, although Xiao Lie has some strategy, he is still a young man with little cunning."

"With his military talent and the full support of our Great Jing, the throne is within his grasp, yet he remains indecisive and clings to family ties."

"In my humble opinion, Xiao Lie has probably lost his mind."

Jiang Min smiled and took a sip of tea.

"How could someone who could single-handedly dominate the grasslands with a remnant army do this?"

She felt something was off, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Fine."

"Send out all the people from the Bureau of Folklore to search for that guard with all their might. We must find him alive or dead."

Zhang Quan cupped his hands in greeting.

"I will arrange it immediately."

After the door closed, Jiang Min sat alone under the lamp, clutching the secret letter she had taken from the Chu Emperor's spy.

The candlelight flickered, and her shadow swayed on the wall.

She suddenly remembered what Xiao Lie had said in the hall—"He is my brother."

That tone of voice can't be faked.

Jiang Min folded the secret letter, put it in her sleeve, and whispered to herself.

"Xiao Lie, what kind of person are you really?"

No one answered her.

…………

Xiao Yu's body was placed in the back hall of the government office, covered with a white cloth, and candles burned continuously.

After arranging everything, Xiao Lie walked out of the back hall alone.

The night breeze was cool, making his temples slightly disheveled.

He walked to the kitchen door and heard clanging sounds coming from inside, along with Bisu's quiet cursing.

"Damn it...damn it...everyone deserves to die..."

Bisu squatted in front of the stove, adding firewood to the firebox, while the water in the pot bubbled and gurgled.

Her eyes were red, and there were still tear stains on her face.

Xiao Lie walked in and patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't bother, I didn't drink much tonight, I don't need any hangover soup."

"It's late, go and get some rest."

Bisu turned her head and saw that it was Xiao Lie, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

"Your Highness... the late Emperor was such a good person... how could the Emperor of Chu even lay a hand on his own brother!"

"Now even the eldest prince... I've only just begun to stop disliking him."

"Once Princess Minyue finds that guard from back then, and the evidence is irrefutable, she will surely make Emperor Chu infamous for eternity!"

Xiao Lie did not respond.

He bent down and took the fire poker from Bisu's hand, then poked the firewood in the stove.

"I am still not certain whether all of this was truly done by my royal uncle."

"After all, the Great Chu is now free from border troubles, and the technology from the northern frontier has been passed back by my brother. In just three to five years, the country's strength will surely increase dramatically."

"At this time, if the State of Jing can incite internal strife in our Great Chu, it would be justifiable to use some means."

Bisu rubbed her eyes.

"Your Highness, please do not worry. I have heard that the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics has unparalleled spies. They will surely be able to find that guard and uncover the truth!"

Xiao Lie turned his head and looked at Bi Su's serious little expression, and couldn't help but reach out and pinch her.

"Actually, it doesn't matter whether the Bureau of Folklore can find that guard or not."

Bisu was taken aback.

"Your Highness, what did you say?"

Xiao Lie put the fire poker aside.

"If Jiang Min is assassinated in the northern frontier and the Chu army besieges the city, that will be enough to prove that... it was all the work of the Chu Emperor."

Bisu racked her brains for a long time before she could figure out the twists and turns in the story.

She widened her eyes.

"Your Highness, then why did you still send that princess to find someone? And why did the Chu Emperor want to assassinate the princess?"

Xiao Lie reached out and patted her head, like soothing a ruffled kitten.

"If all of this was done by the Jing Kingdom, then what the Chu Emperor needs to do now is to downplay the seriousness of the matter and let it go."

"Because his technology has not yet been deployed on a large scale, engaging in a battle alone would inevitably result in mutual destruction!"

"But if all of this was truly done by the Chu Emperor, and his secret guards did not return to report, he would surely be on guard."

"If things are exposed, what he fears most is that Princess Minyue will expose all his crimes, causing him to be unjust."

"Therefore, he will definitely shut Princess Minyue up completely."

"Then, they'll throw dirty water on my head, saying that I killed the princess of Jing to cover up my crimes, thus provoking conflict between me and Jing."

He paused.

"At this time, I ordered Jiang Min to send out all her men to find a personal guard who had disappeared eight years ago, in order to help the Chu Emperor divert the people from the Caifeng Division around her."

"With fewer people, it will be easier for the Chu Emperor's secret guards to make their move."

Bisu covered her mouth and exclaimed in surprise.

"Your Highness, are you trying to use Princess Minyue as bait?"

Xiao Lie nodded.

"In this way, we can not only verify whether the Chu Emperor is the mastermind behind all of this, but also make Jiang Min point the finger at the Chu Emperor."

"At that time, let the Chu Emperor and the Jing Kingdom deal with it, and we in the Northern Frontier can just watch and see what happens."

Bisu became increasingly alarmed as she thought about it.

"But Your Highness, what if the princess really has been killed..."

"Therefore, the only difficulty is that we cannot let Jiang Min die in the northern frontier."

Xiao Lie stood up and walked to the kitchen door.

"If Jiang Min dares to come to the northern frontier and start a war, surely she can hold out until I come to rescue her?"

For the next two days, things seemed calm on the surface in northern Xinjiang.

Xiao Lie held a memorial service for Xiao Yu with the rites due to a prince, and officials of all ranks from the five prefectures of the Northern Frontier, military generals, and representatives from various garrisons came to pay their respects.

Jiang Min also came to offer incense.

She stood before the spirit tablet, gazing at Xiao Yu's memorial, and remained silent for a long time.

Then she turned around and looked at Xiao Lie standing to the side.

"Your Highness, please accept my condolences."

Xiao Lie nodded without saying anything.

Jiang Min hesitated for a moment, but still asked the question.

"Your Highness, all of my Bureau of Folklore has been dispatched."

"However... that guard has been missing for many years, and his fate is unknown."

"Has Your Highness considered what to do if we can't find it?"

Xiao Lie looked at her calmly.

"It can be found."

Jiang Min was taken aback.

"Why is Your Highness so certain?"

Xiao Lie did not answer, and turned to walk out of the mourning hall.

As Jiang Min watched his retreating figure, she suddenly felt that there was a layer of mist surrounding him, and she couldn't see through him no matter what.