Yongrong drowsily opened his eyes and called out, “Elder Sister…”
Princess Mingcheng immediately stuffed the cloth bundle into her robes and forced a smile. “Yongrong, you’re awake?”
Still groggy, Yongrong rubbed his eyes and looked around. His expression suddenly changed. “Where’s Furong?”
Princess Mingcheng’s face instantly stiffened.
Meanwhile, Yongrong was already trying to climb out of bed to look for Furong.
Princess Mingcheng hurriedly grabbed his arm and said softly, “Yongrong, Furong is like Royal Mother now. She has to stay with Royal Father. Do you understand?”
Yongrong really did not understand.
He stammered, “But… didn’t you say Furong isn’t Royal Mother?”
If she wasn’t Royal Mother, how could she stay with Royal Father?
Princess Mingcheng’s heart ached with bitterness. She didn’t know how to explain it.
But in the end, she forced a smile. “I was wrong. Furong is Royal Mother now. Royal Mother has returned as Furong to find you, to find us. So you can’t cling to Furong all the time anymore. Furong also has to stay with Royal Father. Do you understand?”
Hearing it explained that way, Yongrong understood. He cheered happily.
After he ran out, however, Princess Mingcheng’s face immediately darkened.
The storms brewing within the palace had not yet spread to the roads outside.
After sending Feng Nanmu away, Xiao Yunting traveled toward Xuanfu together with the Third Prince of the Oirat, Zhar Tuobuhua.
The commander of Xuanfu was currently drilling troops. Recently, the Oirat had been restless, and he did not dare relax his vigilance in the slightest.
When he heard that Xiao Yunting, the little ancestor himself, had arrived, Commander Kang Tongqu almost failed to react.
He had indeed heard rumors that His Highness was coming to investigate a case.
But no one had told him that the prince traveled this quickly!
How had he reached Xuanfu in such a short time?!
Panicking, Kang Tongqu was just about to notify all the local offices to prepare a reception when Xiao Yunting had already entered his command tent.
Kang Tongqu’s heart immediately sank.
He knew very well that if this had been a battlefield and an enemy could locate his tent as easily as Xiao Yunting had and walk right in, he would already be dead, with not even bones left behind.
He immediately dropped to his knees and apologized.
Xiao Yunting smiled and helped him up. “What crime has Commander Kang committed? I have plenty of Embroidered Uniform Guards and Imperial Guards with me. They’re masters at gathering intelligence and scouting. Besides, I carry the Imperial Golden Command Token. Who would dare stop me?”
As he spoke, he followed Kang Tongqu’s guidance and sat at the seat of honor.
Kang Tongqu still looked deeply alarmed. “Your Highness, you possess a body worth ten thousand pieces of gold. No matter what the matter is, you shouldn’t take such risks. If anything happened to you…”
If anything happened to Xiao Yunting in his jurisdiction,
Emperor Yongchang would probably dig up his family’s ancestral graves.
Xiao Yunting chuckled. “Commander Kang, don’t be so frightened. I truly have an extremely important matter to discuss with you.”
Long ago, Xiao Yunting had already investigated Kang Tongqu’s background.
He and Yang Qingshan had never gotten along.
The two had fought openly and secretly for years. Several years ago, one of Kang Tongqu’s sons had even been beaten to death by Yang Qingshan’s son.
The two families had become mortal enemies from that day forward.
Now, that old grudge could finally be put to use.
Kang Tongqu immediately straightened and replied seriously, “Please give your orders, Your Highness! This subordinate would never dare disobey!”
Xiao Yunting nodded. “You are probably aware that my original purpose in coming northwest was to investigate the Lu family’s case.”
No one in the northwest was ignorant of that fact.
But after thinking it over, Kang Tongqu chose not to say much.
He merely smiled and agreed.
Xiao Yunting raised an eyebrow but ignored his small calculations. “Halfway through my journey, a major incident occurred. A traitor within the court colluded with the Oirat and attempted to assassinate me on the road.”
Kang Tongqu was startled.
That completely changed the nature of the matter.
He immediately became indignant. “Your Highness, who dares be so bold?! Let me lead troops and wipe them out!”
“No need to get so excited.” Xiao Yunting laughed. “That matter has already been resolved. There was also an unexpected bonus, I captured the Oirat’s Third Prince, Zhar Tuobuhua.”
What?!
Kang Tongqu stared in shock.
Had he heard correctly?
Of course he knew who Zhar Tuobuhua was.
The man was known as the fiercest wolf in the Oirat royal court, notorious for violence and aggression, acknowledging no authority.
He roamed the grasslands freely.
It was said that merely mentioning his name could stop children from crying at night.
And this terrifying figure had been captured by their prince?
Unbelievable…
After a long moment, Kang Tongqu managed to ask,
“Then what are Your Highness’s plans now?”
“Spread the news that I have already learned my maternal grandfather’s possible hiding place from Zhar Tuobuhua. Therefore, I will soon be heading to Zijing Pass.”
Xiao Yunting looked calmly at Kang Tongqu.
Kang Tongqu sucked in a sharp breath.
Heavens above!
Zijing Pass!
The very pass that had recently been breached by the Oirat, where countless civilians had been captured and carried away!
And now Xiao Yunting intended to go there?!
Kang Tongqu felt as though his head might soon part company with his neck.
Horrified, he immediately protested. “Your Highness, absolutely not! Zijing Pass has already fallen and has not yet been retaken. The forces there are tangled and complicated! Furthermore, if word spreads that you are going there…”
Whether it was the Oirat or the true traitors behind the scenes, they would certainly seize the opportunity to eliminate Xiao Yunting.
Xiao Yunting merely raised an eyebrow. “That is precisely why I came to see you. Commander Kang, I must go to this place. And you must help me.”
Help?
Of course he had to help.
If Xiao Yunting died here, would his own fate be any better?
What Kang Tongqu couldn’t understand was why a perfectly good imperial grandson was so determined to throw himself into danger.
Xiao Yunting said calmly, “I’ve heard that there is a resistance force in Zijing Pass fighting against the Oirat invasion. If my guess is correct, my grandfather should be among them.”
Zhar Tuobuhua had personally admitted that Yang Qingshan repeatedly instructed them to break through Zijing Pass and slaughter everyone inside without exception.
That detail was highly suspicious.
Now Xiao Yunting was even more convinced that Lu Ting was hiding in Zijing Pass.
Therefore, he intended to release news that he would travel there while escorting the Oirat Third Prince.
In that case, whether it was the Oirat, or Yang Qingshan, or Lu Ting, all three sides would certainly make a move after hearing the news.
And when they did, he would finally be able to find his grandfather.
He would also be able to capture Yang Qingshan.
Of course, all of this required the assistance of the man before him.
Kang Tongqu was speechless.
What could he possibly say?
His Highness had already said everything.
Looking miserable, he asked, “But if the Oirat launch a large-scale invasion, then…”
Then no one would be able to stop them!
Wouldn’t that truly risk igniting a war between the two nations?
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