So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

Upon hearing this title, Ning Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she stared in shock at the man dressed as a woman.

The man's name was Yun Shu. He was a pawn that the Crown Prince had planted in the palace years ago, but he had never used it. A couple of days ago, he received a message that he needed to find an opportunity to get close to the lady living in Changxin Palace, so he managed to sneak in.

Because it was easier for a woman to get close to her, he had to dress up as a woman to cultivate relationships in order to be transferred to Changxin Palace.

After hearing his whisper, Ning Yu asked, "Where is the Crown Prince?"

"I don't know. I haven't heard any news of the Crown Prince's return to the capital. I was just following orders. I'm sure the Crown Prince will have made arrangements."

Xie Yan really did send someone to help her. Ning Yu didn't know whether to cry or laugh; her emotions were so complex that she couldn't distinguish them. Yun Shu's voice came to her ears again, and she nodded, handing the fox cat over.

Yun Shu was an obedient follower and didn't know how the lady in the palace could be the crown prince's wife and have gotten involved with the master. He took the fox cat, glanced at the lady whose face had turned pale, and continued to give her a few more instructions.

Ning Yu shook her head. "You should just stay and be a maid who does cleaning and sweeping. Don't show your face in front of Xie Xun. He'll recognize you the moment he sees you."

"Understood."

"The Donghu envoys are leaving the capital in two days. Can I sneak out with them?"

Yun Shu said, "I must follow the arrangements of my superiors. Princess Consort, rest assured, we will take you out of the palace as soon as possible."

Ning Yu asked him worriedly, "I'm under house arrest now. I can't go out, and I can't even leave the gate of Changxin Palace."

Yun Shu thought for a moment, "I have observed carefully. There are at least three groups of skilled sentries taking turns to keep watch inside the Changxin Palace Garden, and the guards at the east and west gates are also visible."

"There are imperial guards patrolling the two palace gates outside the Changxin Palace. It would be much easier if you could stay separately from His Majesty."

The emperor's palace is full of skilled guards. Even forcibly breaking through the gates of Changxin Palace wouldn't get you out. Yunshu didn't know how the higher-ups would deal with this crown princess, so she briefly explained the situation to her first.

"I can only sneak out of the palace if I leave Changxin Hall."

The murmured words did not escape Yun Shu's ears. He watched as the person's eyes gradually became resolute. Just as he was about to ask something, he heard her say something.

"You should go back first, to avoid arousing suspicion." He paused, then continued, "By the way, what are you best at?"

Yun Shu, carrying the fox cat, walked to the door with a chuckle, "This subordinate is most skilled in light-body techniques."

Ning Yu smiled too, "Your lightness skill is impressive."

Ning Yu slept soundly that night and woke up early the next morning.

She was confined to this bedchamber and not allowed to leave. Apart from the head maid bringing palace servants to serve her and make sure she drank her medicine, she was basically all alone all day.

Ning Yu was very well-behaved and never offered to go out; he simply stayed inside the hall without moving.

Since Xie Xun ordered her to be confined in Changxin Palace, he has not returned to sleep, and the two have not seen each other for several days.

After the New Year, the Southwest Army, under the banner of Crown Prince Xie Jingchen, stormed into Moon City, claiming that the new Emperor Xie Xun was a traitorous and tyrannical ruler, and that they were the righteous army of the empire, vowing to fight to the death to purge the emperor's inner circle.

When the news reached Kyoto, it was during the morning court session. The court and the public were shocked and in uproar. The situation was already settled. The former crown prince was dead, so how could he appear at Moon Pass? The elders overruled the objections and demanded that the new emperor send troops to the southwest to wipe out these treacherous officials.

At the end of February, the new emperor Xie Xun secretly ordered 50,000 cavalry to rush to Yanmen Pass. The forces of the previous dynasty were engaged in open and covert struggles, and there was a great upheaval. Four or five urgent dispatches of 800 li each were sent to the palace.

The evidence of the Southwest Commander's collusion with the Crown Prince of Shangliang was quickly presented to the Emperor. Everything unfolded like a huge tornado, marking the beginning of the second major case in which the Duke of Zheng was dealt with.

The allied forces of Nanqiu, Xiliang, and Beiyan responded to the imperial edict of the capital and besieged the southwestern Moon City. They then used Yanmen Pass as a passage to attack Shangliang and recover the southwestern territory.

With a powerful enemy entrenched in the north, the Liaodong desert eyeing them covetously, and war breaking out again in the southwest of the Great Xia, the lights in the imperial study never went out, day and night.

"So that's why the young master went to the southwest; it turns out he had already received the news."

Xiao Zhiliu's voice carried a hint of amusement, which caused a shadow to flash across Xie Xun's eyes as he sat on the dragon throne. He propped his forehead with one hand, his narrow phoenix eyes scanning the various memorials on the imperial table.

"Tsk, what's wrong now? Looks like you're in a bad mood."

The whispers of gossip rang in his ears. Wei Rongxuan turned his gaze away from the official reporting on palace affairs and pried the head covering his ear away with one hand.

"Go ask him yourself."

Xiao Zhiliu wasn't about to get a cold shoulder and couldn't be bothered to listen to the grumbling of those civil officials. Instead, she sat down next to him and continued gossiping.

"Did your mother give you another ultimatum? If you ask me, you're just a repressed pervert. Women are so great, soft and obedient, it's so nice to hold them while sleeping."

Wei Rongxuan ignored him and slowly picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"Like His Majesty, he's secretly quite passionate."

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Zhiliu felt a chill rush over her head. When she looked up, she met a pair of dark eyes on the high seat.

He touched his nose, quickly averted his gaze, and when he realized the person wasn't looking at him anymore, he continued speaking to Wei Rongxuan, "You don't touch women, is there something wrong with you? Should I get a doctor to take a look at you?"

"You're always hanging out with women, go check on things first, lest you get pregnant."

"The more women the better, of course. I love sleeping with women."

Wei Rongxuan put down his teacup, raised an eyebrow and looked at him, "Isn't that Miss Shen you keep in the house jealous?"

Xiao Zhiliu smiled smugly, "She's very obedient."

Wei Rongxuan's mind flashed back to the scene of his first meeting with Shen Qingge a few years ago, a dark look crossed his eyes, but he did not respond.

Actually, he had never slept with any other women. Ever since he brought Shen Qingge back to the manor, he had been indulging in her tenderness all day long. He had no interest in finding other women. He was just teasing his brother, otherwise he would soon become a monk.