The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

"Sir," Yun Jin walked to the window, looked at the deep night outside, and said in a low voice, "I am not entirely confident about this trip south."

The situation in the South is probably even worse than reported.

My third brother is eyeing the court with predatory intent, and the Northern Barbarians are shrouded in mystery… I don’t know when I will return, or even… whether I will return safely.”

This was the first time she had shown a hint of feminine vulnerability and uncertainty in front of Su Che.

Even if it was only for a moment.

Su Che walked to her side and stood shoulder to shoulder with her, looking out at the starless and moonless night sky.

His voice remained calm, but it had an almost imperceptible... warmth compared to usual.

"Your Highness,"

He said slowly, "Nothing in this world is ever completely certain."

Guarding the northern border, providing disaster relief in the Jianghuai region, and engaging in court intrigue—each of these was fraught with peril.

However, Your Highness has overcome all obstacles. This journey south, though fraught with peril, also holds a glimmer of hope.

Your Highness is the Princess Who Protects the Nation in the court, and is the target of everyone's criticism.

In the south, however, he was an imperial envoy, a representative of the court, and the hope for suppressing the rebellion. The hearts of the people will ultimately prevail.

He paused, then continued.

"As for the suspicions surrounding the Third Prince and the Northern Barbarians... Your Highness need not worry too much."

I am here in the capital. Li Gang is steady and reliable, Pang Xiaopan is resourceful and quick-witted, Yin Wujiu is ruthless and vicious, and the generals left behind by Zhou Bo and Zhao Jianing are no mediocre at all.

The Third Prince's attempt to cause trouble while His Highness is away from the capital will not be so easy.

Yin Wujiu will keep a close eye on the Northern Barbarian line.

"If Bald Wu Gu dares to reach out, I will cut his hand off by the roots and send it back to the grasslands."

His words were plain, yet they contained a cold, reassuring, and powerful confidence.

"Your Highness, you only need to remember,"

Su Che turned his head and his gaze fell on Yun Jin's resolute and beautiful profile, outlined by the lamplight.

"No matter how the war goes in the south, no matter how many upheavals occur in the court, the Princess Zhenguo Mansion will always be Your Highness's foundation."

Su will always be Your Highness's support.

Your Highness is free to act decisively in the south, achieving great things. I will shield the capital from the storms.

This isn't a love confession, but it carries more weight than any promise.

Yun Jin felt a warmth in her heart, and her nose tingled slightly. The slight anxiety caused by the unknown road ahead quietly dissipated.

She turned her head and met Su Che's gaze, a gaze as deep as an ancient well, yet clearly reflecting her own image.

"With you here, Yun Jin feels at ease."

She said softly, her tone more sincere and trusting than ever before, "I entrust all matters concerning the capital to you, sir."

After I leave, sir... please be extra careful.

The Third Prince is ruthless and cunning, and Mr. Jia is full of schemes; the inner court is no safe place either.

Su Che nodded slightly: "Your Highness, rest assured. I know what I'm doing."

He raised his hand and took out a token from his bosom—neither gold nor jade, warm to the touch, and engraved with intricate cloud patterns—and handed it to Yun Jin.

"This is the highest-level command token of 'Di Ting', named 'Xuan Niao Ling'."

"Seeing this order is like seeing me. Your Highness, if you encounter an emergency in the South, or need to mobilize the hidden forces of 'Listening', you may act with this order. Whoever holds this order is at the behest of all 'Listening' forces in the South."

Yun Jin took the token; it felt heavy in her hand, carrying Su Che's body heat.

She knew that Su Che had entrusted one of his most core strengths to her.

This trust is of paramount importance.

"Thank you, sir." She held the token tightly in her palm.

"We will depart in three days. Your Highness, please rest early and conserve your energy."

Su Che cupped his hands in greeting, "I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

"Take care, sir."

Su Che turned and left, his figure in the blue robe quickly disappearing into the shadows of the corridor outside the door.

Yun Jin stood alone by the window, holding the warm "Black Bird Token," gazing at the dark southern sky.

There, the flames of war raged, and danger lurked everywhere.

But she no longer felt any fear.

"Third brother, Bald Wugu, the rebellious king of the south, and those demons and monsters lurking in the shadows..."

She muttered to herself, a cold flame burning in her eyes, "You want my life, you want this empire? Then come on. Let's see if your schemes and tricks are more effective, or if my sword is sharper!"

While Yun Jin and Su Che were plotting in the study, in the Third Prince's residence, the atmosphere in a secret room was as cold as ice.

Mr. Jia stood at the lower end with his hands hanging down, his face appearing obscure in the flickering candlelight.

The Third Prince, Yun Huan, stood with his hands behind his back in front of a huge map of the Jiangqiong region against the wall, remaining silent for a long time.

"She actually dared to go..." Yun Huan's voice was filled with suppressed anger and a hint of disbelief.

"That old man is so biased! 'Imperial Inspector,' 'Military Advisor,' 'Investigator of Irregularities'... he's practically handing her military power in the south!"

"Your Highness, please calm down."

Mr. Jia said in a sinister tone, "The princess's journey south may seem to have gained the emperor's favor, but in reality, it is extremely dangerous."

The situation in the south was complex, with the rebels being powerful and the issue of weapons from the Northern Barbarians looming overhead.

As a woman, unfamiliar with the geography of the south and naval warfare, her rash journey could easily lead to defeat and death.

At that time, not only will the suspicion of "colluding with the enemy" be confirmed, but the charge of "incompetence and harming the country" can also be attached to him!

"Your Highness can seize this opportunity to completely bring him down!"

"Defeated and killed?"

Yun Huan snorted coldly, turned around, and his eyes flashed with a cold light.

"You think that girl is going to her death? If she dares to go, she must have something to rely on!"

That old scoundrel, Marquis Weiyuan, recommended her as a deputy general; Zhou Bo and Zhao Jianing, those two loyal dogs, accompanied her; and that mysterious Su Zhe was scheming in the capital… Making her die in the south? Not so easy!

"What Your Highness says is quite right."

Mr. Jia nodded. "Therefore, we cannot place all our hopes on the rebels. We must... adopt a two-pronged approach, or even a multi-pronged approach."

"Speak." Yun Huan walked to the table and sat down.

"First, take action in the south."

Mr. Jia lowered his voice and said, "We can 'fund' another batch of military equipment for the rebel king Yuntao, and reveal the princess's specific route to the south and the escort force."

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

If the rebels could intercept and kill the imperial envoy halfway, or "accidentally" kill him in front of the two armies... that would be the most ideal outcome.

Even if they cannot, they must be ordered to do everything in their power to block the princess, ensuring she remains on the front lines, bogged down in a bitter battle, unable to attend to anything else, let alone investigate the source of the weapons.

"Continue." A cruel smile appeared in Yun Huan's eyes.