Xie Jingchen frowned, thinking he had been exposed.

Sounds of fighting came from the other side—

Xie Jingchen then realized that not only he had come in, but someone else had too, and was discovered.

Originally, he didn’t want to intervene to avoid exposing himself, but he happened to recognize Dong Chenglang.

Even though his face was covered, his figure and the brocade robe he wore were identical to those during the day.

He could turn a blind eye to others, but he couldn’t ignore Dong Chenglang.

Even if just for Zhao Xu’s sake, he had to save him.

Dong Chenglang was fighting while escaping from the other courtyard. Once he was a bit farther away, Xie Jingchen stepped in to help him.

The Hidden Guards were skilled in martial arts, but Xie Jingchen was even more skilled.

However, there were many Hidden Guards, and they had to move quickly; otherwise, more people would come upon hearing the commotion, making it difficult to escape.

Xie Jingchen took out a piece of paper from his pocket and discreetly dropped it to the ground during the fight.

He was about to pick it up when a Hidden Guard’s sword came stabbing towards him.

Xie Jingchen quickly fled.

The Hidden Guard picked up the paper from the ground and casually unfolded it.

On the paper was an image of Aunt Xue.

"There’s no need to pursue," said the Hidden Guard.

The other three Hidden Guards preparing to give chase came over, saw the portrait, and furrowed their brows.

So it was targeting Princess Consort Xue...

Indeed, Aunt Xue was now the favored concubine of the Prince of Nanliang, though she hadn’t entered the palace, instead living in the other courtyard.

Perhaps it was to avoid the Crown Princess Consort’s jealousy, or maybe it was to cover for Beimo Cheng King while staying in the other courtyard.

The exact reasons were unknown to outsiders.

A bit farther away, Xie Jingchen said, "There’s no need to run anymore, they haven’t caught up."

Dong Chenglang looked at Xie Jingchen and said, "I didn’t expect your martial arts to be so advanced."

He followed behind him, chasing.

He had been discovered by the Hidden Guards at the other courtyard and needed Brother Li to save him.

Dong Chenglang was somewhat ashamed but more curious.

About the paper thrown to the ground earlier, he disliked guessing, so he asked directly, "What was the paper you dropped?"

Xie Jingchen didn’t hide it from him, "It’s a portrait of a woman, the woman I saw in the sedan chair that day."

Indeed, that day he hadn’t mistaken, Brother Li was looking into the sedan chair.

Fearing he would tease him, he used two little beggars to brush him off.

"This is the Crown Prince’s other courtyard, so that woman must belong to the Crown Prince," said Dong Chenglang.

Uncertain of what kind of woman it was, she was living in the Crown Prince’s other courtyard, guarded by so many.

Close to the pavilion, Xie Jingchen vaguely identified the Beimo Cheng King by silhouette and words; fearing Xie Jingchen’s discovery, Dong Chenglang stayed farther away, thus knowing even less.

Because the discovery was far from the pavilion, it was certain Dong Chenglang didn’t know the Beimo Cheng King was in the other courtyard; coupled with Xie Jingchen’s portrait as proof, the Hidden Guards didn’t pursue further, otherwise they would have surely killed them.

Dong Chenglang’s arm was injured, Xie Jingchen said, "Let’s return to the mansion for bandaging."

Dong Chenglang looked at him, his eyes scrutinizing, "Why are you looking for the Crown Prince’s woman?"

"She holds the Daqi Border Defense Map," Xie Jingchen said.

"...!!!"

Dong Chenglang was shocked, "How did you come to know about this?"

Xie Jingchen looked at him and said, "She used the identity of a concubine of Prince Zhenbei Mansion’s Third Master to infiltrate Prince Zhenbei Mansion, deceiving Prince Zhenbei Mansion’s Third Master to help her steal the defense map, then ruined the Third Master of Prince Zhenbei Mansion. You didn’t know about this?"

Xie Jingchen’s voice was very ordinary, without a hint of fluctuation.

Dong Chenglang was baffled by his questioning.

Should he know about this?

It sounded as if he were ignorant...

But the question was, how did Xie Jingchen know such a secret?

Dong Chenglang pressed further, Xie Jingchen said, "I knew before joining the army."

"Since she belongs to the Crown Prince, the defense map must already be in the Crown Prince’s hands."

Dong Chenglang didn’t know if Xie Jingchen’s claims were true, but he had tracked Xie Jingchen, was discovered, yet Xie Jingchen saved him.

Counting this time, considering his cousin, he owed him five lives.

Even if hiding something, he should trust him; he had never harmed him.

His arm was still bleeding; the two climbed over the wall back to Changning Marquis Mansion.

Originally planning to depart for the border the next day, Xie Jingchen changed his mind after waking from a nap.

He wanted to stay in Capital City for a few more days.

Dong Chenglang looked at him and said, "Are you sure you won’t go to the border with me?"

"You guys go first," Xie Jingchen said seriously.

"...."

Dong Chenglang looked at him and said, "I brought you into the Capital, if I leave and you don’t, it doesn’t make sense."

"I’ll stay with you as long as you need."

"Help me think of a way to meet the Crown Prince."

"...."

On this side, Xie Jingchen was working hard to meet Prince of Nanliang, while over at Daqi Camp, Su Jin was busy preparing ointments, living a peaceful life.

After seizing grain and gold from Beimo intended for Nanliang, and capturing a city.

Nanliang hadn’t attacked the city again, nor had Daqi attacked Nanliang; after so many days of fighting, the soldiers needed rest and adjustment.

The border situation temporarily stabilized.

Marquis Dongxiang and the Prince discussed and decided to send Su Chong and Prince NanAn to assist Old Duke Chong.

They had departed a few days ago.

Accompanied by a 20,000-strong army to join Old Duke Chong; the army moved slowly.

Luckily, where Old Duke Chong was located wasn’t far from Yinzhou; when Prince NanAn set out, Su Jin asked him to detour to Yinzhou and have a look.

Given the timing, Nie Yao’s illness should be cured.

Prince NanAn decided to visit Yinzhou to assess the situation, accompanied by Chu Shun and the Heir of Marquis Beining.

With Su Chong leading an army, they were at ease.

The four rode swiftly to Yinzhou.

Yinzhou hadn’t been much affected by the war, unlike Prince NanAn’s previous visit.

But previously, circling Marquis Yangnan Mansion’s front twice on horseback hadn’t drawn attention.

This time, Prince NanAn was even more surprised.

Marquis Yangnan Mansion was unusually bustling, guests were swarming.

Chu Shun observed, "Marquis Yangnan Mansion is incredibly lively?"

Guests entering and exiting were carrying gifts.

Marquis Yangnan Mansion had few family members; Marquis Yangnan was now with Old Duke Chong fighting, leaving only Nie Yao in charge.

Moreover, today wasn’t Nie Yao’s birthday.

"Could it be celebrating her recovery from illness?" guessed the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion.

Prince NanAn sharply spotted a servant from Prince NanAn Mansion in front of Marquis Yangnan Mansion.

It was a servant from Prince NanAn Mansion.

But before he could call out, the servant disappeared.

Prince NanAn dismounted, just as a man came by; Prince NanAn asked him, "Why is Marquis Yangnan Mansion so lively today?"

The man looked at him and said, "Sir, aren’t you here for the banquet celebrating the birth of Marquis Yangnan’s grandson, Young Prince of NanAn Mansion?"

"Marquis Yangnan’s grandson?" the Heir of Marquis Beining exclaimed.

"Young Prince of NanAn Mansion?" The Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion’s voice floated.

"Banquet?" Chu Shun queried again.

The three looked at Prince NanAn for an explanation.

Prince NanAn was more dumbfounded than they were.

He said to the man, "What banquet?"

The man was slightly puzzled.

These people were well-dressed and stopped at Marquis Yangnan Mansion; weren’t they here to give gifts?

"Princess Consort NanAn gave birth to Young Prince of NanAn Mansion for Prince NanAn; today is the day of the banquet," the man said.

With that, he said, "I’ll go in to congratulate now."

Prince NanAn stood there in bewilderment, unable to grasp the situation.

Neither could Chu Shun and the others believe it.

Prince NanAn had a son?

How was this possible?!

But with such fanfare at Marquis Yangnan Mansion, it’s unlikely to be fake.

Prince NanAn hurried to enter Marquis Yangnan Mansion, but the servant stopped him, claiming he had no invitation.

Prince NanAn, "...."