"Guard the Crown Prince of Cang Kingdom well, do not let there be any more mistakes!" An Ning instructed.

"It was my oversight, I willingly accept punishment!" Yuan Wenkang suddenly knelt on the ground.

"Let’s talk about it when His Majesty returns." An Ning didn’t say it was over just like that.

Yuan Wenkang, as the direct person in charge of guarding the Crown Prince of Cang Kingdom, naturally had related responsibilities for such an incident.

"Yes," Yuan Wenkang said respectfully, but couldn’t help but ask, "Madam, is His Majesty in Cang Kingdom..."

"The fewer people know about many things, the better." An Ning interrupted Yuan Wenkang directly.

Yuan Wenkang quickly shut his mouth.

Moreover, the Empress had already given him a clear answer.

"You may leave."

"As you command."

Yuan Wenkang respectfully departed.

An Ning, taking Xie Ruotong along, walked through the temporary encampment of the Daxuan Camp.

"Madam, you’ve been at it for a whole day and night, do you want to sleep for a while?" Xie Ruotong asked.

"No need. Taking a walk helps to clear my head a bit." An Ning shook her head.

She also had the guards and trusted aides following them retreat several meters away, out of earshot of their conversation.

"In a while, I need to go to Cang Kingdom to exchange for Xiao Jinxing." An Ning didn’t hide this from Xie Ruotong.

"You really need to go?" Xie Ruotong was a bit worried.

Going to Cang Kingdom just like that seemed extremely dangerous.

If anything happened... it would truly be a one-way trip!

"I have to go." An Ning was firm, "In a few days, when Cang Kingdom sends ministers to present the surrender letter, it must be Xiao Jinxing handling it. If he’s not there, it will raise suspicions or make it seem our kingdom lacks sincerity. Now, I’m having Gao Ziyue rest a few more days at the Daxuan Camp, just to delay the timing for the exchange with Xiao Jinxing."

Xie Ruotong nodded, she understood this logic too.

But the frequent visits of the most esteemed Emperor and Empress of Daxuan Kingdom into Cang Kingdom’s camp were ultimately too risky.

"But I still feel, it’s too dangerous!" Xie Ruotong still couldn’t rest easy.

"Don’t worry, I have a partner on Cang Kingdom’s side whom I trust." An Ning comforted Xie Ruotong.

Xie Ruotong pursed her lips.

Ultimately, she felt An Ning was taking too big a risk.

This was placing herself directly into the lion’s den.

"Alright, stop worrying." An Ning stopped speaking further.

The decision was made, and no amount of words would change that.

She directly shifted the topic, "Why did you come? Didn’t you send the war report back to the capital? The war is basically over, why aren’t you staying home with your daughter, running here? Song Yanqing didn’t object?!"

"Even if he objected, what could he do? He can’t beat me." Xie Ruotong spoke candidly.

An Ning laughed.

Finding Xie Ruotong’s words quite justified.

"As for my daughter, with Song Yanqing there, the nanny, and even Song Yanqing’s mother..." Xie Ruotong paused.

"Have you reconciled with Ming Yufang?" An Ning asked.

"Let’s say I’ve put it behind me," Xie Ruotong nodded, not hiding anything, "After all, she’s Song Yanqing’s mother. I don’t want to make things difficult for him."

"That’s good." An Ning smiled, "Sometimes letting go brings vast possibilities."

"Mm."

An Ning yawned, clearly tired.

"Madam, why don’t you really take a nap?" Xie Ruotong looked at An Ning’s weary face and urged, "Since you’ve said Gao Ziyue should rest for a few days, a short rest won’t matter, sleep before heading to Cang Kingdom. Otherwise, in Cang Kingdom, it would be hard to even sleep soundly."

An Ning shook her head, refusing.

She didn’t want Xiao Jinxing to stay too long in Cang Kingdom.

No matter the situation, Daxuan was safer.

Being able to rest a bit was her limit of patience.

"I’ll go change clothes." An Ning took a deep breath.

She needed to change into Daxuan’s messenger uniform.

"I’ll see you off." Xie Ruotong said firmly.

No matter what, she wanted to ensure her safe departure.

And then safely wait for her return.

"Alright."

...

Cang Kingdom Camp.

Yuan Kai sat on the chair in his tent, listening to his trusted aide report, "General, it is confirmed that the one by the Think Tank’s side is indeed the Emperor of Daxuan."

"That damn bastard!" Yuan Kai suddenly roared.

If it weren’t for his chance encounter with the messenger yesterday, seeing his puzzled and sneaky demeanor, questioning him to learn everything, he would have been completely in the dark by Du Jianghong, that old fox!

"What do we do now?" the trusted aide asked.

Yuan Kai stood up from the chair, somewhat unsure.

Normally, any major military matters were voiced by Du Jianghong, and he, a mere military general, wasn’t capable of thinking so much!

His eyes suddenly tightened, "Summon Yu Ke for me."

"Yes."

The trusted aide hurried away.

Before long, Yu Ke entered the tent, "Greetings, General."

Yu Ke was Yuan Kai’s commander. This time, because the Crown Prince personally led the troops, he brought Du Jianghong, a court minister, to act as the Think Tank. Consequently, most matters were handled and decided by Du Jianghong and the Crown Prince, leaving Yu Ke with little to do.

At this moment, he couldn’t ask Du Jianghong, hence he could only consult his own advisor.

"There are many things I can’t figure out, help me sort them out," Yuan Kai said bluntly.

He truly couldn’t comprehend why the Emperor of Daxuan would come alone to Cang Kingdom’s camp.

It seemed utterly unbelievable!

But after investigation, it was confirmed to be Emperor Xiao Jinxing of Daxuan.

Thinking back to how he had cursed at the emperor right to his face yesterday...

Damn, if he were caught by the emperor, wouldn’t he be torn to shreds?!

The more Yuan Kai thought about it, the more agitated he became.

He barely calmed down and relayed the information he had to Yu Ke.

Yu Ke pondered for a moment, then replied, "I have always felt that His Highness’s move to lead the troops to lure Emperor Daxuan was not a feasible plan, but the Think Tank insisted on having His Highness take the risk. I suspected at the time that the Think Tank might have another scheme."

"What do you mean?"

"The Think Tank has always wanted to cease fire and surrender, but His Highness insisted on fighting to the end with Daxuan. So the Think Tank had to use a scheme to have Emperor Daxuan capture His Highness alive. Once His Highness is captured, our Cang Kingdom would fall without a fight, fulfilling the Think Tank’s goal."

"Damn, Du Jianghong really is devious, daring to even scheme against His Highness," Yuan Kai cursed angrily.

"I also believe that the Think Tank must have colluded with Daxuan’s people," Yu Ke affirmed, "Otherwise, why would Emperor Daxuan come to our camp?"

"Du Jianghong, that traitor!" Yuan Kai was so furious he felt like killing Du Jianghong to vent his anger.

"But I still can’t figure out why Emperor Daxuan personally came to our camp. No matter what, he wouldn’t take such a risk?" Yu Ke was also baffled.

It seemed utterly unbelievable.

Yuan Kai, naturally, was even more puzzled.

He offhandedly said, "Could it be that Du Jianghong and the emperor from Daxuan plan to collaborate inside and out, catching us off guard?!"

"Even for collaboration, it doesn’t require Emperor Daxuan to come here personally!" Yu Ke shook his head, finding the logic flawed.

Yuan Kai was also a bit agitated.

Clenching his teeth, he suddenly made a decision, "I can’t figure it out, and I won’t try anymore!"

Yu Ke looked at the general.

"I’ll just arrest Du Jianghong and that damn emperor from Daxuan, and interrogate them harshly."

"General," Yu Ke was agitated, clearly feeling it unwise, "Offending the Think Tank is one thing, as his status is not enough to do anything to you, but if you truly offend Emperor Daxuan, and it affects the peace talks, you will be guilty beyond doubt!"