Although the money was extorted by Dong Chenglang and Young Master Shi from the Military Governor, saving the Duke Huguo’s face a little, in the end, it was Nanliang who lost this confrontation.

Duke Huguo was threatened with a hundred thousand taels by Marquis Dongxiang; he tried to use a hostage to get the money back. Not only was it cleverly defused by Marquis Dongxiang, but he also reversed the situation and demanded twenty thousand taels.

Duke Huguo couldn’t think of a better solution and had to pay to redeem the hostage, feeling utterly humiliated.

Of course, as it concerned two Great Generals, no one in the military dared to utter a word, but Duke Huguo couldn’t get past his own pride; he could lose anything but face.

After General Shi returned to the camp, Duke Huguo couldn’t help but vent his anger at General Shi, blaming him for being incompetent.

General Shi’s fiery temper wouldn’t tolerate Duke Huguo’s anger, especially when he agreed with Duke Huguo’s decision to release the hostage. He didn’t want to be labeled as someone who goes back on his word, nor did he want to negotiate in Daqi. The only reason he went was because Duke Huguo forced him to with his authority.

He took a step back, and now they were blaming him after things turned sour?!

Marquis Dongxiang intended to take him as a hostage. Even though he entered the Daqi Camp with dozens of men, he couldn’t escape even if he had wings.

If Marquis Dongxiang were that easy to deal with, would Duke Huguo have lost his territory and been robbed?

In his anger, General Shi spoke harshly. Fearing things might escalate into a fight, both sides’ generals quickly separated them.

Dong Chenglang stood aside, watching with anger on his face and in his heart.

However, amidst his anger, there was also some joy.

He was angry that General Shi was being oppressed, but happy that he was one step closer to being away from the oppression.

With the discord between General Shi and Duke Huguo growing once again, Xie Jingchuan remained unconscious.

Dong Chenglang and Young Master Shi took Xie Jingchuan back to the Daqi Camp to negotiate for the release of General Shi’s men and Xie Jingchen.

Xie Jingchuan stood there with a bruised face, drawing much attention.

Yet with Dong Chenglang and Young Master Shi present, and discussions ongoing between Daqi and Nanliang regarding the release, no one questioned Xie Jingchuan, and he remained silent.

Being a prisoner, it’s good enough not to be killed. As long as he was alive, what’s a little beating?

When Prince NanAn accompanied Dong Chenglang to see General Shi and Xie Jingchen, the prince finally asked Xie Jingchuan.

Xie Jingchuan recounted the events, basically how Dong Chenglang and Young Master Shi had beaten him up.

Hmm.

Xie Jingchuan didn’t mention Xie Jingchen hitting him.

In his eyes, Xie Jingchen was just an insignificant soldier in the Nanliang military, not even qualifying as a junior general, merely a follower of the Heir of Marquis Changning of Nanliang.

How could such a humble person dare to lay a hand on the second young master of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, potentially a future Prince Zhenbei, without regard for his dignity?

The Heir of Marquis Changning and Young Master Shi were different. General Shi was humiliated by being defeated by Daqi, losing his armor and reputation; bullying him to reclaim some dignity was understandable.

Xie Jingchuan didn’t mention Xie Jingchen, and Prince or Marquis Dongxiang wouldn’t bring it up either.

The prince looked at his injuries and instructed him to return to the capital.

Xie Jingchuan was displeased at once. He guessed the prince wouldn’t allow him to stay in the camp, perhaps out of consideration for Dongxiang and Su Jin, or because, after losing one son, he feared losing another on the battlefield, leaving no heir.

But Xie Jingchuan wanted to stay in the camp. His elder brother was gone, and his sister-in-law’s unborn child was his biggest threat.

Only by removing Su Jin’s pregnancy could he feel at ease.

Even if the prince didn’t favor Princess Nanzhang, he wouldn’t let the title of Prince Zhenbei be passed on to someone else’s descendants.

Arriving timely at the camp and confirming neither Marquis Dongxiang nor the prince was around to protect Su Jin was his perfect opportunity.

Ideally, removing both Su Jin and the child, the next best was just the child, and at worst, he could save Su Jin and capture the assassin, earning credit.

This way, he could remain in the camp, and Marquis Dongxiang, in his debt, wouldn’t turn against him.

Who would have thought that in the Daqi Camp, instead of his sister-in-law being saved by the Daqi people, a Nanliang person came and spoiled his scheme?

Captured the moment he entered the camp, he became a hostage to force Marquis Dongxiang to withdraw troops.

Causing such trouble for Marquis Dongxiang, the prince ordered Xie Jingchuan back to the capital.

Xie Jingchuan was unwilling to leave, but had no excuse. He had already angered the soldiers. Fortunately, Marquis Dongxiang had extorted twenty thousand taels so they hadn’t lost out; otherwise, more would have been displeased with Xie Jingchuan.

Unwilling to leave, Xie Jingchuan fainted from the heat upon exiting the camp tent.

With him unconscious, could the prince still have his son leave the camp?

The first thing was to have the military doctor treat him.

Xie Jingchuan remained comatose, and the military doctor’s treatment proved ineffective, so Su Jin had to step in.

After all, he was the second young master of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion. Su Jin’s medical skills were exceptional, having saved the soldiers, it made no sense not to save her husband’s brother.

Su Jin sat by the bed, taking Xie Jingchuan’s pulse.

Xingxing stood beside, her lips pouted as high as could be.

Annoying people are always that annoying.

Her lady was already at the border; yet he came too, not to fight or earn merit, but cause trouble, even trying to kill her lady?!

Not poisoning him was merciful enough; saving him was too much to ask.

Xingxing couldn’t swallow this anger.

Outside the tent, they rode in to see Xueling supporting Qin Hanhan approaching.

Seeing them, Chu Shun asked, "Where are you going?"

Qin Hanhan replied, "The second young master of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion fainted. The Heir’s wife went to treat him, so I’m going to have a look."

Prince NanAn and the others were stupefied.

Though others weren’t aware, they knew Xie Jingchuan had arranged to have Su Jin killed.

Previously, it was only speculation, with only a dagger found on the ground; neither Su Jin nor Xingxing saw who attempted it.

Moreover, with Xie Jingchen now posing as a Nanliang, everyone assumed the dagger was shot by the Nanliang, and the slain assassin was the good guy.

Xie Jingchen had warned Prince NanAn and Chu Shun to be wary of Xie Jingchuan.

Prince NanAn wanted to avenge Su Jin, considering quietly taking out Xie Jingchuan.

Xie Jingchen didn’t agree.

No matter how Xie Jingchuan behaved, unless he committed an unpardonable crime and was caught red-handed, eliminating him covertly wouldn’t fly with the prince.

Xie Jingchen didn’t want Prince NanAn involved in such actions for his sake.

Moreover, Xie Jingchuan’s purpose in visiting the camp wasn’t just to eliminate Su Jin; he must have other missions as well.

The only person who could command him, other than Duke Chong, was no one else.

Xie Jingchen wanted to figure out what Duke Chong intended.

He wanted Xie Jingchuan’s life.

He wanted the prince to execute him personally.

Despite knowing discreetly getting rid of Xie Jingchuan wasn’t the best, Prince NanAn and his group couldn’t stand having Su Jin treat him either.

Prince NanAn and his hotheads were about to roll up their sleeves to beat him right away.

Seeing their indignant expressions, Qin Hanhan asked puzzled, "What’s wrong?"

What’s wrong?

Chu Shun, in anger, told Qin Hanhan what happened.

And then—

There was another person fuming.

Fearing Qin Hanhan had a miscarriage, Xueling quickly advised, "The Heir’s wife always brings misfortune to those who offend her; she won’t be at a loss."

Prince NanAn and the others were slightly stunned, realizing they might be angry in vain?

It had been a while since they saw anyone provoke their sister-in-law; they had forgotten about this.

"Let’s go, see how sister-in-law takes her revenge," suggested Prince NanAn.

Entering the main camp tent, they saw Su Jin thrusting a silver needle into Xie Jingchuan’s finger.

The rough action made viewers twitch at the corners of their eyes.

Xie Jingchuan was forcefully awakened by the pain.

Chu Shun, "...."

Prince NanAn, "...."

Heir of Marquis Beining, "...."

Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo, "...."

Serves him right!

Not learning his lesson back in the Capital, and now sent to the border to be taught by sister-in-law; how much more of a beating could he need?