Prince Min Mansion.

Mr. Ning looked at the ordinary-looking man before him, whose eyes were sharp, feeling somewhat emotional, as everyone thought he wouldn’t make it.

"So you hid under Mr. Song’s carriage to enter the city, then used the identity of that night soil collector Old Ding to sneak in?" The attendant Zhang Zhi looked at the companion in front of him, Tong Qian, who was wearing a shabby and patched old garment, as if he could vaguely smell a stench.

Tong Qian glanced at him: "The Prince Mansion is still surrounded, being able to come in and see you is a great fortune."

If not for that man named Song, there would have been countless interrogations.

Zhang Zhi wanted to say something more, but Mr. Ning waved his hand and said, "Now is not the time to dwell on this."

Zhang Zhi immediately straightened his posture solemnly.

"How is the situation outside?" Mr. Ning asked Tong Qian.

Tong Qian replied, "Our people are hiding outside the city, and according to the information you provided, we’ve managed to divert the Emperor’s spies and Xia Yuzi’s information over to Shang’s side. It’s only a matter of time before he’s found, but it’s just Shang’s condition."

Mr. Ning frowned, "What is it?"

"Not very good," Tong Qian said, "If the Accompanying Poison isn’t removed, given his frail body, he probably won’t last past next year."

Mr. Ning rubbed his fingertips and pondered with pursed lips, saying, "Never mind him for now, preserving our own strength is most important. Our lord’s position might be exposed at any moment, and once exposed..."

If exposed, the old forces might be completely eradicated, given Xia Houzhe’s unpredictable nature, no one can guarantee he won’t do something extreme.

Tong Qian furrowed his brows and said, "Before I came, I already made arrangements. Once exposed, they will leave the settlement and hide in the mountains to live in seclusion. I will assist you in leaving first."

Zhang Zhi grumbled with a dark expression: "If not for the lord’s willfulness, how could we end up in such an embarrassing situation."

Like a dog that lost its home.

It’s like our good cards were ruined by our lord’s willfulness, even putting Mr. Ning in danger.

Mr. Ning raised his hand; discussing this now has no meaning.

"I’m old and have lived to this age; if it all fails, it’s fate. If we’re truly at a disadvantage and collapse, remember this: preserve the seeds, don’t aim for revival again." Mr. Ning looked at Tong Qian, his old face somewhat forlorn as if leaving his last words.

Tong Qian was startled: "Sir, why do you say this?"

Mr. Ning shook his head, without mentioning that he had observed the heavens and discovered that the Ziwei Star was strong and Great Xia’s revival was now entirely off the table, especially after the screen incident.

In fact, Xia Houzhe had a point, that screen, if it could successfully harm just one person, it would be a stealthy success; after all, it was merely a stone, colorless, odorless, non-toxic, and no one in the Great Qing knew its function.

Yet, despite this, the Emperor also avoided this danger, showing that this true dragon Emperor is genuinely blessed by the heavens, otherwise, he would have already fallen.

If the Emperor falls, chaos would ensue without a Crown Prince, and they would have a chance.

Unfortunately, fate was not on their side; not only did the Emperor remain undisturbed, but it also exposed them.

This also indicated that their luck was insufficient.

Thus, Mr. Ning conceived retreat and ways for a next move, despite the unwillingness, it was inevitable.

Great Xia cannot be revived, yet he doesn’t wish to see all those who were willing to follow him perish; living peacefully like this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Through generations, perhaps, one day, among them, someone might emerge as a hero like Emperor Qingwu, rising to establish a new nation.

"Sir?"

Mr. Ning returned to his senses, just about to speak, but heard a commotion outside.