When Prime Minister Zhao said this, Mrs. Zhao also believed that Xie Jingchen had such intentions and pretended not to know anything as suggested by the Prime Minister.

Poor Xie Jingchen hadn’t thought so much at all and instead was worried about Zhao Xu because of the rising rumors.

Hmm.

It wasn’t just Xie Jingchen who was worried; Su Jin was as well.

Except Xie Jingchen was concerned about Zhao Xu, while Su Jin worried about Princess Jing Mountain.

The news that Princess Jing Mountain was to marry the Prince of Nanliang reached the Daqi Camp, shaking Su Jin considerably.

Previously forced to Daqi for a marriage alliance by Beimo Cheng King, Princess Jing Mountain couldn’t resist. Then, when Su Jin publicly seized Xie Jingchen, it opened a new world for her. Riding Su Jin’s success, she received King Beimo’s promise to choose her own spouse.

Prince Beimo told Su Jin about this matter.

Because she knew, she sympathized even more with Princess Jing Mountain.

She had just avoided an arranged marriage with Daqi, only to fall into Nanliang’s scheme.

It was obvious Nanliang intended to use her to restrain King Beimo.

Of course, the most worried were King Beimo and the Queen of Beimo.

Beimo sent envoys to Nanliang to bring Princess Jing Mountain back to Beimo. These envoys rushed to Nanliang, but the Princess Consort Mo wouldn’t let them meet her.

Not allowing them to meet was understandable since Princess Jing Mountain didn’t come to Beimo willingly, much less be enamored with the Prince of Nanliang to vow lifelong companionship.

Allowing them to see her would be giving Princess Jing Mountain a chance to seek help.

But not allowing them to see her forever would inevitably lead to suspicions about whether she was actually in Nanliang.

So the Princess Consort Mo gave the envoys a chance to meet a palace maid.

The palace maid always stayed close to Princess Jing Mountain, so if the maid was there, so was the princess.

The Beimo envoys argued that even if Princess Jing Mountain were to be married, it should be from Beimo.

Princess Consort Mo said, when she was married, she did not come from Beimo.

The Beimo envoy retorted, "You were a concubine to the Emperor of Nanliang. Cheng King did not mind, and the Emperor could turn a blind eye. But a princess marrying as a Crown Princess Consort can’t be treated lightly!"

The words were blunt, but true, though a bit harsh.

This was undoubtedly a slap to the face of Princess Consort Mo.

In her anger, Princess Consort Mo expelled the Beimo envoys from the palace and refused to see them again.

With no other options, the envoys had to send a fast rider back to Beimo to report to King Beimo.

King Beimo was burning with anger, while the Queen of Beimo was in tears.

Looking at King Beimo, Prince Beimo said, "It seems I have no choice but to make a trip to Nanliang."

King Beimo, looking at him, said, "The danger is too great in going to Nanliang..."

Prince Beimo knew the risks, but with the Princess Consort Mo annoyed with the envoys and refusing to meet them, would anyone else in Nanliang take the envoys seriously?

Only if he went to Nanliang would Princess Consort Mo have to give him face and allow him to see his Imperial Sister.

"Don’t worry, Father. Before I head to Nanliang, I’ll first make a stop in Daqi. It was with the disguise technique that Daqi deceived Duke Chong, allowing you to return safely to Beimo," Prince Beimo said.

After weighing it, King Beimo said, "Very well."

Eight days later, Prince Beimo appeared in front of the Daqi Camp.

First, to learn the disguise technique, second, to express gratitude.

He thanked Su Jin for sending him the painting, informing him that Cheng King was still alive.

If Prince Beimo had come a few days earlier, Su Jin would have been completely confused about what he was talking about.

But since Xie Jingchen had returned and informed Marquis Dongxiang and the Prince—which naturally included the matter of sending the painting to Prince Beimo—about Beimo Cheng King’s survival, everything became clearer.

Prince Beimo expressed his gratitude, to which Su Jin replied, "The Eldest Prince misunderstood; it was my husband who sent the painting."

The Unity Gu was a gift to Su Jin from Princess Jing Mountain.

The survival of Xie Jingchen could not be hidden from Prince Beimo.

Prince Beimo was momentarily surprised, then smiled and said, "When I meet the Heir of Prince Zhenbei, I’ll thank him then."

Su Chong looked at him and said, "I suppose you didn’t come here just to say thanks?"

Prince Beimo nodded, "Indeed, Princess Jing Mountain has been kidnapped to Nanliang, and I need to go there to save her."

"That’s too dangerous," Marquis Dongxiang said.

If one Princess Jing Mountain wasn’t enough to hold King Beimo hostage, then together with the Eldest Prince, they certainly would be.

Prince Beimo said, "I know, so I’ve come to seek the Marquis’s guidance on the disguise technique."

You can’t abandon your Imperial Sister’s life and death just because Nanliang is dangerous.

Even if it’s through trials of fire and water, dragon’s lair or tiger’s den, he must brave it.

Prince NanAn sighed, "It’s a pity Brother Zhao was ineffective; otherwise, you wouldn’t have to worry so much."

Prince Beimo furrowed his brow, not understanding what Prince NanAn meant.

When he asked, Su Chong explained a bit, "We only learned recently that our brother-in-law discovered the kidnapping of Princess Jing Mountain."

"He entrusted Zhao Xu, son of Prime Minister Zhao of Nanliang, with rescuing Princess Jing Mountain, but unfortunately, he failed."

Prince Beimo indeed did not know of this matter, but whether he knew or not made no difference. Regretfully, he said, "Nanliang clearly conspired to kidnap my Imperial Sister; they must be guarding her strictly. Even if I go to Nanliang, I’m not confident I can rescue her."

Prince Beimo didn’t linger in the Daqi Camp. After learning the disguise technique, he left.

However, Su Chong didn’t expect that a casual remark of regret would be overheard by Prince Beimo as well, and no one paid it much mind.

But while resting at an inn, one of Prince Beimo’s guards overheard someone discussing Zhao Xu, and reported to Prince Beimo, "After the Prime Minister of Nanliang resigned, it seems he settled nearby."

Prince Beimo pondered and said, "Even though Young Master Zhao didn’t manage to rescue my Imperial Sister, now that I know, I should give my thanks."

He was hurrying to Nanliang Capital, but thought that if he indeed rescued Princess Jing Mountain, he would likely ride fast back to Beimo, leaving no time to delay for thanks in Nanliang.

And since Zhao Xu failed to save his sister and might have gotten injured in the process, he felt compelled to express his gratitude.

Prince Beimo instructed his guard to prepare a generous gift and went to the Zhao Family to thank them.

Hmm.

Before seeing Zhao Xu, he first met Princess Jing Mountain.

Their eyes met.

Princess Jing Mountain, "...."

Prince Beimo, "...."

Prince Beimo was genuinely stunned.

Wasn’t it said that Young Master Zhao couldn’t rescue his sister?

Why was his sister near the Zhao Family?

Princess Jing Mountain was troubled about how to send a message to Beimo, but unexpectedly bumped into her own Imperial Brother while out for a stroll, as if dreaming.

Just as Prince Beimo was about to call out, Princess Jing Mountain gestured for silence. As Prince Beimo dismounted, she pulled him aside and said, "Imperial Brother, how did you know I was here?"

"I didn’t know you were here," Prince Beimo replied.

"...."

Princess Jing Mountain looked at Prince Beimo, not believing such a coincidence could happen.

Prince Beimo rubbed his forehead and said, "I heard from Mr. Su that the Heir of Prince Zhenbei had entrusted the son of Prime Minister Zhao in Nanliang to rescue you, but you weren’t rescued. I happened to learn he’s nearby and came to thank him."

"Weren’t you in Nanliang Capital? How did you end up here?"

Princess Jing Mountain realized then it was Xie Jingchen who had asked Zhao Xu to rescue her, and she said, "Young Master Zhao saved me, but the maid is still in Nanliang’s hands."

Being a clever person, Prince Beimo quickly understood what game Nanliang was playing.

Fortunately, his sister was unharmed; she even seemed... a bit chubbier?

Prince Beimo reached out and pinched Princess Jing Mountain’s cheek, indeed feeling more flesh.

In the distance, Zhao Xu rode over just in time to see this scene, his face darkening, "What are you doing?!"

Princess Jing Mountain and Prince Beimo both looked at Zhao Xu.

Zhao Xu, looking at Prince Beimo, asked Princess Jing Mountain, "Who is he?"

"He’s my cousin," Princess Jing Mountain said.