Du Jianghong then led his trusted guards back into the tent.

Xiao Jinxing naturally followed back as well.

The two met again.

This time, they could afford to let loose a little.

"Madam, how is His Highness?" Du Jianghong asked urgently, no longer hiding his concern.

"Rest assured, sir, His Highness is fine. However, his body is somewhat weak and needs two days of recuperation," An Ning replied.

Du Jianghong breathed a sigh of relief.

In the past two days, he had been restless.

If something had indeed happened to the Crown Prince, should he secretly send the Emperor Daxuan back, or should he atone for it with his life?!

But in the end, he might still choose to release Emperor Daxuan, because only then could Cang Kingdom hope for a sliver of mercy from Daxuan, preventing it from being plunged into a complete hell. Moreover, he did not want to violate the agreement with the Daxuan Empress.

Fortunately.

The Crown Prince was fine.

No issues, and everything could proceed smoothly as planned.

Du Jianghong hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I will immediately have swift horses prepared and arrange for people to escort Your Majesty away. The day after tomorrow, I will surely send the Empress back to the Daxuan Camp unharmed."

Xiao Jinxing’s eyes moved slightly.

He turned and looked at An Ning.

An Ning also met his gaze.

Their eyes locked.

Xiao Jinxing asked, "Is Gao Ziyue really okay?"

"He’s fine now," An Ning confirmed, "By the way, I killed Feng Xiyun."

Xiao Jinxing’s eyes flickered.

He clearly knew that Feng Xiyun was the culprit behind the incident.

He had kept her around, hoping she might produce an antidote, although the hope was slim.

Now she’s dead, so be it.

He naturally wouldn’t be emotionally affected.

"Hurry and leave," An Ning urged.

Every extra moment here posed a danger.

Xiao Jinxing’s fingers twitched slightly.

An Ning smiled gently, "Once the talks are concluded the day after tomorrow, everything will be fine."

Xiao Jinxing pressed his lips together.

He naturally didn’t want An Ning to stay here alone.

But given the current situation, he had no other choice.

Moreover, after interacting for two days, he had come to somewhat trust Du Jianghong’s character.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly protect the Empress," Du Jianghong promised again.

Xiao Jinxing nodded slightly.

He took a deep look at An Ning, then, without further hesitation or delay, turned and left.

An Ning watched his retreating figure.

Her heart felt a tinge of reluctance.

Having known Xiao Jinxing for so many years, from their initial meeting until now, it seemed like they were always together, yet often apart.

Even during the times when their relationship was good, they hadn’t spent a whole day quietly by each other’s side.

However, soon everything will be alright.

Soon.

They could finally be together, never parting.

...

Outside the tent.

Xiao Jinxing spurred his horse forward, racing with Du Jianghong’s trusted guards towards the outer camp of Cang Kingdom.

Just as they reached the camp gate.

A group of soldiers stopped them.

Xiao Jinxing’s eyes narrowed.

The guards beside him promptly stepped forward, "The Think Tank has issued orders for us to go out on a mission. Step aside quickly!"

As he spoke.

The trusted aide took out a Token.

"The General has ordered that no one is to leave the camp!" the soldier responded, not recognizing the Token at all.

"Are you rebelling?!"

"You’re the ones rebelling! Get back!" commanded the soldier.

"Move!" The trusted aide’s face darkened, "Or don’t blame us for being ruthless!"

"If you dare act rashly, we won’t be polite either!" a soldier retorted, drawing his Treasure Sword.

Simultaneously, everyone else drew their swords as well.

The two factions stood at a standoff.

"Without His Highness, the camp is under General Yuan’s command, and even the Think Tank cannot defy the General’s orders!" the soldier pointed his sword at the trusted aide, "Those who defy orders, kill without mercy!"

"You!" The trusted aide was so furious his face turned livid.

Xiao Jinxing remained calm, instructing, "Quickly call the Think Tank."

"Yes."

"Wait." Xiao Jinxing stopped the trusted aide again.

The trusted aide was respectful.

"Have the Think Tank make all preparations and, at any moment, first ensure she leaves safely," Xiao Jinxing instructed.

The trusted aide was slightly surprised.

Her?

"Just deliver the message."

"Yes."

The trusted aide did not hesitate and quickly rode back at full speed.

Meanwhile.

Inside the General’s tent.

"General, right now the Emperor Daxuan is about to be escorted back by the Think Tank’s men, but our people have stopped them," a guard reported.

Yuan Kai wore a cold expression.

What exactly was Du Jianghong trying to do?!

Today of all days, returning the Emperor Daxuan?!

Once sent back, how can the safety of the Crown Prince be guaranteed?!

Utterly reckless!

"General, I worry that the Think Tank might go to the gate personally to release the Emperor Daxuan. Should the General go over there?"

"Go!" Yuan Kai wasted no time and led his troops toward the gate.

...

Inside the Think Tank’s tent.

"What?!" Du Jianghong’s face turned grim, "Yuan Kai ordered that no one is allowed to leave?!"

"Yes, Think Tank," the trusted aide said respectfully, "Now the Emperor Daxuan is stopped at the gate and can’t leave."

Du Jianghong remained calm.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

Could it be that Yuan Kai discovered the identity of the Emperor Daxuan?!

No!

Yuan Kai has always been impulsive; if he really harms the Emperor Daxuan...

Du Jianghong immediately prepared to go to the camp gate.

"Think Tank, the Emperor Daxuan also asked me to pass on a message to you." The trusted aide approached and whispered in Du Jianghong’s ear.

Du Jianghong’s expression changed slightly.

The Emperor Daxuan clearly sensed the danger as well.

He pondered, "Listen to my command; if I do not return within an hour, follow my subsequent arrangements and ensure Alie leaves the camp safely without harm."

Saying this, Du Jianghong secretly shared his plans with his confidant.

"Understood!"

Du Jianghong, having given his orders, quickly took his men with him.

At the gate of the Cang Kingdom camp.

The two factions were still at a standoff. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Neither side giving way.

Just then, the sound of urgent horse hooves came from behind.

Du Jianghong was the first to arrive, issuing a command to the guards, "Let them pass!"

"Think Tank, under the General’s order, at this critical time, no one is allowed to leave," the guards replied firmly.

"Impudent!" Du Jianghong declared authoritatively, "I am here under His Majesty’s command to accompany the Crown Prince in battle. To defy me is to defy His Majesty. Are you intending to defy the Imperial edict?!"

The guards were momentarily intimidated by Du Jianghong’s aura.

Du Jianghong, being a court official and one of the most trusted ministers of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, naturally had an extraordinary status.

But the order of the General, they also dared not disobey.

The stalemate continued for a moment.

Du Jianghong ordered sternly again, "Allow the Think Tank to pass!"

The guards hesitated, fearing to act rashly.

Du Jianghong wasted no more time, dismounting from his horse and walking directly towards the guards who blocked the way, attempting to open the camp gate himself.

The guards looked at each other in confusion, not daring to truly offend the Think Tank.

If they really harmed the Think Tank, they would also face severe consequences.

Just as Du Jianghong opened the gate and was about to let Xiao Jinxing leave.

"Whoosh!"

A cold arrow suddenly shot onto the gate, passing right by Du Jianghong’s ear.

If it had deviated just a little, Du Jianghong’s head would have been pierced!

Du Jianghong clenched his fist.

"Where do you think you’re going, Think Tank Du?"

From behind, Yuan Kai’s casual voice rang out.

Du Jianghong’s expression turned extremely grim.

Yuan Kai, this bumbling fool!

He turned to look at Yuan Kai.

Seeing his complacent expression, "Do you really think you’re smart enough to hide everything from me?! Let me tell you Du Jianghong, in the court, I can’t beat you, but in the camp, this is my territory. I’m not afraid of you!"