Xie Jingchen opened the door and stepped out, hearing the sound of a door closing from next door.

He managed to catch a glimpse of a mysterious black figure.

But he could be sure it wasn’t Dong Chenglang, the Heir of Marquis Changning.

Dong Chenglang’s behavior had been obviously strange these days; Xie Jingchen decided to investigate.

He looked around to make sure no one noticed, poked a hole in the paper window, and saw the scene inside the room.

The man in black had his back to him, his face obscured, while Dong Chenglang spoke, "Although the Changning Marquis Mansion sides with you, he is my uncle after all. I hope you won’t harm him one day."

Soon, another voice came, "I know...."

Upon hearing the voice, Xie Jingchen frowned deeply.

Why is this voice so familiar?

It sounds like...

He pricked up his ears as footsteps approached.

A Hidden Guard in black ascended the stairs, standing guard outside the door.

After a moment, the sound of the door opening came again; hearing footsteps, Xie Jingchen quickly opened his door and walked out.

Unfortunately, his speed, though fast, was only enough time for the man in black to turn around.

Once again, Xie Jingchen didn’t see the front, but he saw the face of the Hidden Guard.

A familiar face.

By the sound, Xie Jingchen already suspected it was Zhao Xu, and the Hidden Guard confirmed his suspicion.

He just didn’t expect to meet his cousin Zhao Xu here.

Moreover, because he came out suddenly, intending to openly see the face, the Hidden Guard’s eyes showed a hint of murderous intent.

Dong Chenglang introduced Xie Jingchen, "Brother Li has saved me three times; he’s trustworthy."

Xie Jingchen used the alias Li Niu.

Only then did the Hidden Guard’s murderous intent dissipate, yet the man in black didn’t turn around; instead, he leapt downstairs.

Feigning ignorance, Xie Jingchen looked at Dong Chenglang and asked, "Who were those two just now...?"

"A long-time friend of mine who doesn’t wish to show his face due to having been disfigured," Dong Chenglang replied casually.

"It’s late at night, you should rest soon; we need to set out early in the morning."

Xie Jingchen yawned, showing no excessive curiosity about the identity of the man in black.

The two sentences he overheard were enough for him to guess a few things.

Zhao Xu is the last surviving bloodline of the Donglin Prince Mansion of Nanliang; the Prince Donglin was wronged and killed by the Nanliang Court, and Zhao Xu harbors a deep-seated hatred against the Emperor of Nanliang.

The Nanliang Court even resorted to digging up ancestral graves, but luckily the Right Minister of Nanliang was prepared, preventing the souls of the Donglin Prince Mansion’s ancestors from being disturbed, allowing them to rest peacefully.

During training at the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, Zhao Xu worked tirelessly, and even during their last parting, Xie Jingchen sensed that Zhao Xu was prepared to gamble everything upon returning to Nanliang.

An irreconcilable feud of extermination.

Such hatred, Xie Jingchen wouldn’t dissuade him, only help, as the Donglin Prince Mansion was not just Zhao Xu’s home, but also the home of his maternal ancestors.

Nanliang destroyed his mother’s appearance, rendering her mute for over a decade!

Seeking justice for the Donglin Prince Mansion was also his mother’s wish.

However, he was currently wearing a disguise, making it inconvenient to acknowledge Zhao Xu.

Now knowing that Zhao Xu was secretly allied with Dong Chenglang, it further confirmed his choice was right.

Xie Jingchen lay in bed, closed his eyes, thought for a while, and then fell asleep.

Early the next morning, Dong Chenglang and Xie Jingchen set out on their journey.

Shedding the previous laziness, they rode swiftly.

Previously, the laziness was harmless, but rushing this way caused trouble; they were ambushed by assassins at a post station.

Dong Chenglang’s arm was "injured" and he "fainted" for two days at the post station.

He rested for another day after waking up before setting off again, but his complexion was pale and he couldn’t hurry.

Xie Jingchen calmly endured, spending time with him.

By now, Xie Jingchen finally understood what Dong Chenglang was trying to do; he wanted to discreetly drag his uncle, General Shi, into trouble.

The military power is something everyone desires; there are many eager to seize it from General Shi’s hands.

Xie Jingchen had been in the Nanliang Military Camp for so long that he had already seen the signs.

The grain and grass in the Nanliang Military Camp were burned, and Daqi took the opportunity to seize a city, severely damaging General Shi’s prestige.

Dong Chenglang returning to the Capital City at this time was certainly related to these two events.

With his dilatory skills, by the time he delivered the letter to the Capital City, everything would be too late.

General Shi is his uncle; to help deliver the letter, he almost lost his life. How could he blame him? Only feel guilty.

It seems, for so long, what he saw in the Heir of Marquis Changning was just a facade. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

But standing on Zhao Xu’s side makes him a friend, not an enemy.

It originally took only seven or eight days to ride swiftly to the Capital City of Nanliang, but in the end, it took half a month.

As Xie Jingchen suspected, Dong Chenglang successfully messed things up; Marchioness Changning was distressed about her son’s near assassination and thankful he returned safely, and also felt heartache for her brother, saying, "Why did he entrust such an important matter to you?"

"A few days ago, the news of the grain and grass being burned and the city being seized reached the Emperor, and the Emperor was furious. The Duke Huguo took the opportunity to volunteer, and the Emperor granted him permission; he’ll be setting off to the border these days."

Dong Chenglang was anxious, "The Duke Huguo has long coveted my uncle’s military power; if he goes to the border, what will happen to my uncle?"

Marchioness Changning was exasperated, "If I knew what to do, it would be good."

Marquis Changning glanced at his son, then advised his wife, "General Shi has faced many storms; if the Duke Huguo could have easily taken his military power, he would have done it already."

Though he said that, today’s situation is different; even she didn’t expect her brother to have the grain and grass burned and the city seized under his nose.

The defeat enraged the Emperor, who quickly forgot the merits of his past achievements.

But as a woman, she couldn’t worry about matters at the border, and Dong Chenglang, knowing he messed things up, said, "I’ll go to the border to help uncle."

Marchioness Changning glared at him, "You dare go?!"

"Aren’t you worried that you’re dragging your uncle down even further? I shouldn’t have let you go in the first place."

"Stay home and get married, and don’t cause trouble for your uncle."

Hearing the word "trouble" made Dong Chenglang feel guilty.

Marquis Changning waved his hand, and he quickly retreated.

Xie Jingchen stood nearby; as Dong Chenglang left, he followed him out.

Only then did Marchioness Changning notice him, and she asked, "Who is this...?"

"Mother, this is my savior, saved me three times," Dong Chenglang introduced.

Marchioness Changning quickly said, "Oh, it’s Langlang’s benefactor. He’s been standing here forever, and you didn’t even ask him to sit down."

Marchioness Changning sized up Xie Jingchen, making him feel quite uncomfortable.

Xie Jingchen glanced at Dong Chenglang, who quickly said, "It’s his first time in the Capital City; I’m taking him out to taste the most famous dishes, so we won’t be back for lunch."

With that, they hurriedly left.

Marchioness Changning called after them, but the more she called, the faster they went.

Marquis Changning looked at his wife and said, "Your gaze just now was frightening."

Marchioness Changning glared at him, "That’s Langlang’s savior. He’s young, but saving Langlang three times shows his martial skills are quite good, and his future is promising. Of course, I want to secure him for Langlang’s support."

After leaving the Changning Marquis Mansion, Xie Jingchen mounted his horse, rode a bit further away, and then looked at him, saying, "You’re staying in the Capital City to marry; I’ll stay a couple more days, then head back to the border."

"Who said anything about marriage?" Dong Chenglang replied.

"No career, no family."

He spurred his horse and rode ahead.

Xie Jingchen followed closely on horseback.

The prosperity of the Nanliang Capital City was equal to Daqi, the border battling furiously while peace reigned under the Emperor’s feet.

Dong Chenglang stopped in front of a restaurant, and just as Xie Jingchen was about to dismount, he saw a soft sedan chair pass by.

A corner of the curtain lifted, and Xie Jingchen saw who was inside—

Aunt Xue.