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

The water level on the ferry river has risen sharply in the past few days, and the number of refugees inside the pass is decreasing, which means that the imperial army will soon arrive at the North Sea.

Xie Jingchen took advantage of the situation to send troops to Shangliang and made a deal with Murong Huang to open the southwestern ferry crossing and let Shangliang troops into the city, which led to frequent disasters in the southwest. After entering Beihai, Xie Jingchen unilaterally tore up the alliance and forced Murong Huang to withdraw from beyond the pass.

But Murong Huang was cautious and hid in the Mingxi Valley. When he heard that Xie Xun had come to the southwest, he laughed so hard he almost fell over.

"This scoundrel has prevented Shangliang from launching a southern campaign for the next few years, leaving the national treasury empty and civil wars breaking out frequently. I really want to see the internal strife in the Great Xia."

"Your Highness, news has just arrived that the ferry crossing to the north has opened, and we have spotted a troop of soldiers."

"Oh?" Murong Huang's hand, holding the clairvoyant device, trembled violently as he smiled and touched the woman's face. "So suddenly, who is it?"

The woman, with her hair tied high in a ponytail and wearing armor, was a female general who had followed Crown Prince Murong Huang in many battles. As the Crown Prince stroked her cheek, a chill ran down her spine, but she dared not be negligent in her reply.

"The investigation is not yet complete, but our scouts have reported that they have discovered a general serving Prince Xie Yan."

Murong Huang wasn't interested in Xie Yan's affairs. He listlessly withdrew his hand, shook his head, and said, "Boring."

"When does the Crown Prince plan to leave Great Xia? The Prince is whispering in the Empress Dowager's ear again."

"With the country in chaos for so long, I really can't bear not to see this great show in the Great Xia."

The loss of Yanmen Pass, the most important pass in Shangliang, angered the entire court and led to the impeachment of the commander-in-chief, Crown Prince Murong Huang, in court. He was escorted back to the capital of Shangliang from the border of Daxia and was criticized by the court officials.

It was the Empress Dowager's strong protection of Crown Prince Murong Huang that saved him from being exiled to a harsh and cold place.

"Does the Crown Prince recognize this woman?"

A portrait was placed in front of his face. Murong Huang glanced at it casually, and when he saw the face in it, a smile of excitement appeared on his lips.

"It's her!"

The female general immediately asked, "Has the Crown Prince seen this woman?"

"Yeah, what happened to her?"

"Our scouts discovered that their men headed north from the ferry crossing, and the woman protecting them was this person. We were unable to find out her background."

They couldn't find anything, but Murong Huang had seen Ning Yu before. A wicked smile flashed in his narrowed eyes. How could she be here?

"The Crown Prince wants to attack Great Xia. Now might be a good time. Our troops have already reached the border. There is currently internal strife breaking out in the southwest of Great Xia. Xie Jingchen is about to raise troops to return to the capital and open Hanchuan Pass. This is a good opportunity."

After receiving the letter from General Zhang, Xie Yan rode out of the camp and sent a signal.

He wanted all the rebels to see Ning Yu die with their own eyes, and to force Xie Xun to accept the news of his death. He would feel extremely happy to see his younger brother in such agony.

The north wind howled, and a battle involving hundreds of people broke out at the river crossing. Ferocious beasts tore at the gradually rotting corpses on the bank. Ning Yu sat on the ship, listening to the fierce pursuit behind him, and watched the advancing ship with a solemn expression.

Even though the rebels in the southwest had already entered the ferry crossing, they were still able to find their tracks and pursue them overnight.

It should be noted that the army of the Great Xia Empire had already pressed on the border. This sudden war was completely unexpected. Someone must have leaked the news, which is why the troops of the southwestern clans disregarded military orders and came to pursue them.

But she's useless, so why would they send troops to hunt her down? Is the information wrong, making people mistakenly believe that the person on this ship is the commander-in-chief of the Great Xia?!

Ning Yu's mind was filled with many thoughts. The tumultuous sounds of battle kept her body tense. The icy river water splashed onto her face, and she wiped it away, letting out a soft sigh.

"Princess Consort, rest assured, the Prince has already led troops to meet you downstream across the river. We will definitely escort you safely back to the pass."

Before the expedition, the Crown Prince repeatedly instructed that her safety must be guaranteed. She was already waiting with the army at the port inside the pass. This wave of rebels was just to draw the firepower of the imperial army.

"Why did the Crown Prince do this?" Ning Yu coldly looked at the generals behind him. "What exactly is he trying to do?"

General Zhang's voice was rough and deep, "The Crown Prince wishes to send you to Ximisha. Princess Consort, rest assured, I will ensure your safety."

Ning Yu's cold gaze swept over the people on the ship inch by inch, his hand gripping the ship's ridge tightened and turned white.

News of the fight that lasted all night quickly reached Xie Xun's ears. Upon hearing that Ning Yu had been ambushed by rebels at the ferry crossing on his way north, he paused slightly in his chair in the conference room.

This place is very close to the North Sea, but we don't know Ning Yu's exact location. Xie Xun originally planned to go directly to the main camp and kill those two.

"The rebels fought fiercely at the ferry all night, but there's still no news of the lady."

The sound of a gentle breeze entered his ears. Xie Xun was silent for a moment, then coldly curled his lips, "Since she is willing to follow Xie Yan and has chosen him, then let her taste this bitterness with him."

The eerie voice sent a chill down Xie Heming's spine. He looked at Qingfeng and asked, "Wasn't Big Brother supposed to be at the ferry to pick someone up? How did he run into the rebels?"

"The Dragon Scale Guards reported that they saw the young master going to meet them at the ferry, but there is still no news of the lady. I wonder if the troops were separated in the chaos of battle."

"What the hell is going on?" Xie Hemian cursed as he went out to investigate.

After everyone left, Qingfeng hesitated for a moment before saying, "The river level has risen sharply in the past two days. Scouts have come to investigate, and Balin and his family's personal guards have practiced two battles downstream. Traces of the Liang people have been discovered in the Mingxi Valley."

idiot!

Xie Xun held the jade thumb ring in his hand, his face gloomy and silent for a long while before saying, "Summon Elder Xu over."

"His Majesty."

Soon, an old but powerful voice came from outside. The curtain was lifted, and the old general, who was nearly fifty years old, strode in.

"This old minister greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years."

Xie Xun's expression had returned to normal. "Please dispense with the formalities and take a seat."

"What is the purpose of His Majesty's summons to this old minister overnight?"

"The army will set off tonight, and I wish to have the old general stay behind to escort the supplies."

General Xu instantly understood the new emperor's meaning.

This time, His Majesty personally led an expedition involving many scions of powerful families. The elders wanted to seize military power, and His Majesty needed someone to suppress them in the rear. However, why did he suddenly break camp and leave first? Has the war in the southwest become so tense?

"Your humble servant obeys the imperial decree."

The small candlelight illuminated half of Xie Xun's face. He tapped the table lightly, his voice gentle, "The waterway north of Yanmen Pass has been opened. General Xu, who do you think is capable of leading the troops there?"

Upon hearing this, the old general's aged eyes flashed with a sharp light. His Majesty hadn't come to ask for his opinion, but rather wanted him to play the villain.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, the power of the Elders Council was approaching its peak. His Majesty was not like the late emperor, who could tolerate those old fogies in the Elders Council. It seems that this personal expedition was also intended to get rid of some people.

He thought for a moment, then said calmly, "This old minister believes that General Xie, with his many years of military experience, is qualified for this position."

"As you say, issue the decree."

In the dead of night, the army set off. The vanguard, a dark mass stretching as far as the eye could see, followed the new emperor with a thunderous roar, their banners fluttering like a forest. Crows flew overhead, emitting a desolate, mournful cry.