Perhaps Yao Zhi could use that jade to win over people’s hearts. Without comparison, there wouldn’t be harm.

People had already experienced the Emperor’s tyrannical reign and witnessed how foolish and muddled he was.

If there was someone who was not only wise but also brave and cared about the commoners, it was only a matter of time before they demanded a new Emperor.

The first step was to obtain the Northeast City. Maybe in the future, this city will become the new capital.

With this thought, she wrote down more things on her to-do list.

After Ling Ershi set up the fire, Yao Zhi took out some pots and ingredients and prepared their dinner. At the same time, Ling Ershi set up the tents.

Unlike last night, after dinner, Ling Ershi took the initiative to keep watch. Yao Zhi was tired and agreed readily. With the sound of the breeze and the rustling leaves, she slowly drifted into sleep.

Early the next morning, Yao Zhi and Ling Ershi descended the mountain. Compared to when they climbed, their traveling speed was faster.

When they reached the mountain foothills, it was already 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Feeling travel-worn, Yao Zhi rode her horse and returned to the General’s temporary residence.

As before, they didn’t go to visit Xue Ya’er and returned to the guest courtyard directly. While the servants thought that she was arrogant, no one dared to say a word about her rudeness.

Before she entered her room, she turned to Ling Ershi and said, "Ershi, keep everything that happened on the mountain to yourself."

"Understood."

The moment she locked the door, Yao Zhi entered the shared manor. This time, her husband was inside.

Seeing that she had finally appeared, Fu Chen’an said, "Wife, you are back."

Yao Zhi nodded and replied, "Husband, I will take a shower first."

"Go ahead."

While she was taking her shower, Fu Chen’an set up the dining table. Judging from his wife’s sluggish movements, she must be exhausted.

Fearing that she had no appetite, he chose plain porridge and added some side dishes such as century egg, salted egg, smashed cucumber, steamed tofu with soy sauce, and mushroom salad.

The dishes were light in taste and wouldn’t upset her stomach.

Half an hour later, Yao Zhi walked to the dining room feeling refreshed. She had rushed back and skipped lunch. Now, she was famished.

Looking at the food, she smiled and asked, "Husband, have you eaten?"

"I have eaten, but I will accompany you while you eat," Fu Chen’an said as he poured a glass of fruit juice for her.

He knew that his wife disliked having a meal alone. Although he had eaten in the military camp, he had a big appetite and could eat two or three bowls of porridge right now.

After they took their seats, Yao Zhi started eating.

Fu Chen’an continued adding side dishes to her bowl as she ate. Seeing how fast she was eating, he reminded her, "Eat slowly, don’t choke."

Yao Zhi nodded but didn’t slow down. It wasn’t until she finished her second bowl of porridge that she finally put down her bowl and chopsticks.

Patting her slightly bulging stomach, she sighed. "I finally feel alive."

Looking at her, Fu Chen’an smiled and cleaned up the table. While he was washing the dishes, he asked, "Wife, you said that you went to the mountain to check on something. Did you finish your matter?"

Yao Zhi nodded and told him everything that had happened during her trip to the mountain. She also told him about the mark left on the salt deposit and her deal with the system.

After she was done retelling everything, she asked, "Husband, if the General is forced to rebel by the situation, what will you do?"

Fu Chen’an wiped his hands dry and took a seat beside her. Reaching out, he held her hands and replied, "Wife, you must have noticed that I’m now tied to the General’s faction."

Hearing this, Yao Zhi nodded.

"Even if I want to extricate myself from this connection, it will be impossible. Not to mention the Emperor, even those high-ranking ministers won’t trust me."

"Rather than taking a gamble by switching sides to the Emperor, isn’t it better to stay with the General?" he asked with a smile.

"Husband, you seem to like the General a lot," Yao Zhi said, raising her eyebrows.

The moment he heard this, Fu Chen’an let out a chuckle and pinched his wife’s nose gently. "It’s not that I like the General. He is worthy of my respect and trust."

"Wife, you have already seen how the people are living under the reign of the Imperial family. The people are suffering, and the Emperor is ruthless and foolish. To save himself, he could abandon a city easily."

"I was born as a farmer’s son, and I don’t have high aspirations. All I want is for my family to be able to live a peaceful life. I don’t want to see my family die from starvation anymore."

Noticing the sadness flashing in her husband’s eyes, Yao Zhi hugged him tightly.

She didn’t offer him any comforting words since she didn’t experience his pain and knew nothing about his past. No words could ease the pain of losing loved ones. All she could do was stay by his side.

Fu Chen’an patted his wife’s back gently and smiled. "Don’t worry. I’m fine."

"You still have me."

"I know."

The two of them hugged for a while before Yao Zhi broke the silence. "Husband, since you have made up your mind, then we should prepare for the worst-case situation."

Fu Chen’an thought for a moment and said, "The General put the Imperial Envoy under house arrest. I think he already knows that when the Imperial Court learns about this victory, the Emperor won’t let him live for much longer."

"Husband, do you have any information about the General’s next move?" Yao Zhi asked.