Xie Jingchen was not surprised to encounter Zhao Xu in Nanliang, but he didn’t expect to see Aunt Xue on his first day in the Nanliang Capital.

Aunt Xue had been lying low in the Prince Zhenbei Mansion for so long, disguising herself as him and Su Jin, and stealing the Border Defense Map.

After succeeding, she burned bridges and disposed of the Third Master.

The Border Defense Map had long fallen into Nanliang’s hands, but despite the long-standing war between Nanliang and Daqi, it seemed that the map hadn’t been used yet.

Thinking further about the power struggle between General Shi and the Duke of Guardian, it was clear Aunt Xue wasn’t aligned with General Shi.

Xie Jingchen planned to chase after Aunt Xue to see whose side she was truly on, when Dong Chenglang called out, "What are you looking at?"

Xie Jingchen was looking at a soft palanquin, which from the color, was obviously occupied by a young lady. Dong Chenglang patted Xie Jingchen’s shoulder and said, "Is there a lady you’re interested in?"

Xie Jingchen looked into the distance and said, "I’m looking at those two little beggars."

Dong Chenglang’s mouth twitched, "What’s interesting about little beggars? If it were a lady you liked, I could inquire for you, but forget about those two beggars."

I am already married...

This thought lingered in Xie Jingchen’s throat but ultimately he didn’t voice it.

When he was conscripted into the military, his files recorded that he was unmarried.

That night, when he led soldiers in a surprise attack on the enemy camp, they were caught in an avalanche. If not for his decent Qinggong skills, he might not have survived.

He raced against the collapsing snow and was swept over a cliff, plunging into an icy pool, carried downstream.

Shivering, he managed to climb out of the water, collapsing by the riverbank, and awoke in a farmer’s home.

The man who saved him was named Li Hu.

The Li Family had offended someone, and their sole heir, Li Hu, was included in the conscription list.

Even spending money couldn’t change it.

At that time, Xie Jingchen was getting ready to leave but suddenly saw a good opportunity; he could use this chance to infiltrate the Nanliang Military Camp, secretly investigating the truth about the Flying Tiger Army’s annihilation.

Coincidentally, the Li Family was reluctant to part with their heir, and since Xie Jingchen knew the Disguise Technique, he altered his appearance to be similar to Li Hu, renaming himself Li Niu, claiming to be the illegitimate son of Li’s master.

The court conscripted one male from each household; it didn’t matter who went.

Just like that—

Xie Jingchen entered the Nanliang Military Camp.

Living in enemy territory, he had to be extremely cautious with every move, even though he knew Dong Chenglang and Zhao Xu were in cahoots, he couldn’t let down his guard.

Dong Chenglang walked in front, Xie Jingchen behind.

Just as they were about to ascend the stairs, someone descended from above.

Coincidentally, it was someone Dong Chenglang held a grudge against.

"Oh, isn’t this the Heir of Marquis Changning?" The man shook his jade fan, his tone meandering.

"Weren’t you supposed to go to the border to help your uncle, General Shi, fight? How come you’re back in the Capital?"

Dong Chenglang glared at the man, "Could you let us pass, Heir of the Duke of Guardian?"

He moved left, the man blocked left.

He moved right, the man blocked right.

Clearly looking for trouble.

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian shook his jade fan and said, "I heard you led troops to seize Daqi’s grain and grass, nearly losing your life. Is it true?"

The diners downstairs all turned to look.

Dong Chenglang clenched his fists in anger, the bones creaking audibly.

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian looked down at him, tutted, "General Shi had the grain and grass burned, the city seized, and you, the nephew, almost captured. Truly a fine uncle and nephew."

"You!" Dong Chenglang gritted his teeth in rage.

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian looked at him with disdain.

Dong Chenglang felt about to explode, but Xie Jingchen held him back, facing the Heir of the Duke of Guardian and said, "Who hasn’t faced defeat?"

"The Daqi Flying Tiger Army was renowned, undefeated in battle, yet wasn’t it wiped out?"

Xie Jingchen’s words drew uproarious laughter.

Dong Chenglang felt mortified.

The Heir of the Duke of Guardian descended a few steps, looking at Xie Jingchen and said, "You have a way with words."

Xie Jingchen glanced at him and then at Dong Chenglang.

Dong Chenglang glared at Xie Jingchen before stepping up the stairs.

Xie Jingchen followed.

Upon entering the upstairs private room, Dong Chenglang sat, poured himself tea, drank two cups, then heavily clashed the cup onto the table.

Xie Jingchen looked at a servant, "Did I say something wrong?"

Was it really saying the wrong thing?

He was helping with good intentions, only to push Dong Chenglang into the fire pit, unaware of having done a disservice.

The servant whispered, "Ten years ago, it was the grandfather and father of the Heir of the Duke of Guardian who annihilated the Daqi Flying Tiger Army."

The old Duke had passed away, but the Duke was still around.

Moreover, he was set to head to the border in a couple of days.

His well-intentioned help for the Heir of Marquis Changning ended up with the Heir of the Duke of Guardian stomping all over him, making it hard not to laugh several times just now.

The Heir of Marquis Changning didn’t even lash out in anger, indicating they were genuinely tight-knit.

Seeing Dong Chenglang’s ire, Xie Jingchen did feel sorry for him.

Yet his goal was achieved; the Heir of the Duke of Guardian certainly wouldn’t treat him as an adversary and might even aim to recruit him.

The servant withdrew, and Xie Jingchen gazed at Dong Chenglang, looking apologetic and hesitant.

Dong Chenglang said to him, "Sit down, I know it wasn’t intentional...".

Being able to hold him back, actively confront the Heir of the Duke of Guardian, clearly showed he saw him as a brother.

Just a rather troublesome brother.

Even now, his face still hurt badly.

The servant stepped forward, "What dishes would the Heir of Marquis Changning like?"

"Bring ten signature dishes, and two jars of fine wine," Dong Chenglang drew a gold ingot from his chest and tossed it to the servant.

The servant caught the gold steadily, saying, "Please enjoy some tea first, the dishes will soon be served."

After they were well fed and watered, Dong Chenglang intended to take Xie Jingchen back to Changning Marquis Mansion.

If Xie Jingchen hadn’t seen Aunt Xue, he might have accepted the arrangement.

But now, he refused, "I seldom come to the Capital City, I’d like to wander around a bit, so I won’t stay at the Marquis Mansion."

"This isn’t about the incident just now, is it?" Dong Chenglang asked.

"The Heir of the Duke of Guardian is too arrogant; he’ll trip up eventually."

This comment, Dong Chenglang agreed with wholeheartedly, fetching three hundred taels of silver notes from his chest for Xie Jingchen, saying, "Buy whatever you want; if it’s not enough, put it on my tab."

Xie Jingchen naturally wouldn’t accept, saying, "My life is worth a lot; you’ve saved me thrice, so rejecting my offer means you don’t treat me as a brother."

What could Xie Jingchen do but accept his money?

Dong Chenglang recalled the thick stack of silver notes Xie Jingchen had handed him.

He hadn’t even warmed his chest with them before they were snatched back, along with the silver notes on his person.

Only three hundred taels left now.

Xie Jingchen chose a guesthouse to stay in and was about to go out and investigate Aunt Xue’s identity when a servant approached and politely said, "My young master requests your presence."

He really came quickly.

Xie Jingchen’s lips curved into a brief smile, disappearing in an instant.