Standing under the vast prairie sky, gazing at the endless horizon, Shen Xihe worried about Xiao Huayong while maintaining a clear mind. She knew that while others might not be suspicious of Xiao Huayong feigning illness upon arriving in Jingzhou, how could Xiao Changtai, who had seen his true face, not harbor doubts?

Knowing Xiao Changtai would be suspicious, he still acted this way – intending to make Xiao Changtai suspect that Xiao Juesong was him in disguise, prompting Xiao Changtai to use all his strength to intercept and kill him. This was his plan to catch Xiao Changtai in one sweep, leaving him no chance to escape.

He must have understood that someone as cunning as Xiao Changtai would certainly have a backup plan, and the best backup would be seeking His Majesty’s help.

The only question was how Xiao Changtai would quickly transmit the information to His Majesty. Once His Majesty received the news, unable to act directly from such a distance, he would surely expose all his arrangements in the Northwest, willing to pay any price to eliminate Xiao Juesong.

He was using his strength to thoroughly root out every threat to the Northwest.

But even with his exceptional abilities, martial prowess, and unusual followers, Xiao Changtai’s true strength remained unknown, and now His Majesty’s people were involved as well…

Amid her worries, the Haitan Eagle, hearing her continuous whistle blasts, flew in from the distance. The moment Shen Xihe spotted it, she mounted her horse and turned to instruct Zhenzhu: “Take Lady Ye back and take good care of her.”

Before her words faded, she whipped her horse and shot forward like an arrow leaving its bow. Mo Yu and Mo Yuan followed her, one ahead and one behind. Mo Yuan followed the Haitan Eagle in front while Mo Yu led her guards behind.

At the same time, in the Jingzhou Protectorate, Pei Zhan received His Majesty’s secret order with a location outside Jingzhou, commanding him to intercept and kill Xiao Juesong.

Pei Zhan immediately went to the chambers where the Crown Prince lay ill, addressing Tian Yuan at the door: “Commander Cao, this old official has received an imperial command and must leave the mansion. As for the Crown Prince here…”

“Since you bear an imperial command, Minister Pei should not delay. This is the Jingzhou Protectorate, and His Highness is here. Minister Pei need not worry,” Tian Yuan quickly replied.

Everything was proceeding according to the Crown Prince’s plan. His Majesty, receiving Xiao Changtai’s secret report, would certainly send someone to deal with Xiao Juesong. With no clear leader, Pei Zhan was the best choice to command.

“This old official wishes to see the Crown Prince,” Pei Zhan requested.

“Please wait a moment, Minister Pei.” After this polite response, Tian Yuan turned to enter and seek permission. Moments later, he returned to escort Pei Zhan inside. Through a layer of gauze curtains, Pei Zhan could faintly see the Crown Prince struggling to sit up in his robes.

Tian Yuan lifted the curtain in his presence, and through the gap, before the curtain fell, Pei Zhan caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince’s turned face. Apart from being somewhat pale, with dim and weary eyes, it was indeed him. Satisfied, Pei Zhan performed the proper courtesy and explained the situation, though without specifying the imperial command.

“How dare we neglect His Majesty’s command?” The Crown Prince’s voice conveyed exhaustion and weakness. “Minister Pei should go ahead; I shall remain here awaiting your return. Do not worry about Jingzhou’s safety – I hear the Young Master is already leading troops against the enemy outside the city.”

Pei Zhan had naturally received news that the Tujue had breached the city gates, was trapped at the entrance by the army, and that it was Geng Liangcheng who had led the wolves in. He also knew Shen Yun’an was commanding troops in battle at the city gate, but being responsible for Xiao Huayong’s safety, he couldn’t go see for himself.

They had followed Shen Yun’an’s trail to Jingzhou, so his appearance here raised no suspicions. As for the unrest elsewhere and Shen Yueshan’s appearance, with Shen Yueshan and Xiao Huayong’s careful control, news hadn’t yet reached Jingzhou.

Why Shen Yun’an appeared here and why he had mysteriously disappeared before – these questions would have to wait.

“Your Highness, please take care of your health. This subject takes his leave.” Finding nothing suspicious, Pei Zhan bowed and withdrew.

Tian Yuan escorted Pei Zhan out and stood at the door, watching his figure grow distant until it shrank into a speck in the intense sunlight, then sighed almost inaudibly.

His Majesty sending Pei Zhan was meant to pit Prince Jing against the Crown Prince, to determine their capabilities – whether using the Crown Prince to test Prince Jing, or Prince Jing to test the Crown Prince or some other intention, no one knew.

The Crown Prince turned this plan to his advantage, instead causing Prince Jing to grow distant from His Majesty. This time, Pei Zhan’s imperial mission to capture Xiao Juesong was surely a one-way journey. His Highness’s move would accomplish multiple goals: alienating Prince Jing from His Majesty, eliminating Xiao Changtai, and clearing out all of His Majesty’s remaining agents in the Northwest. It was a dangerous gambit, and Tian Yuan worried whether the Crown Prince could handle it.

Yet he couldn’t leave either; he had to remain here, declaring to everyone that the Crown Prince had been here all along.

After leaving the Protectorate, Pei Zhan quickly joined with the men His Majesty had assigned him. These were spies and underground forces His Majesty had planted over many years – hundreds of them, and none ordinary.

Leading these men, Pei Zhan rushed toward the location Emperor Youning had provided.

This location had naturally been leaked by Xiao Changtai, who had passed it to the imperial desk through his underground network in the capital. When Emperor Youning received it, he was particularly hesitant, fearing it might be Xiao Juesong’s trap. Since Xiao Changtai dared not expose himself and His Majesty wouldn’t trust his word, he had to find an inconspicuous person to reach imperial ears – but such a person lacked credibility, causing Emperor Youning to hesitate.

However, Xiao Huayong helped by having Xiao Changqing take the stage again, using Rong Ce as a pretext to report to His Majesty about discovering traces of Xiao Juesong in the Northwest.

Emperor Youning thoroughly understood Xiao Changqing’s capabilities – he would never personally report without some certainty, and he used Rong Ce’s name. Although Emperor Youning knew that because of the Gu family matter, Xiao Changqing harbored resentment toward him as emperor and father, and might secretly work against him.

However, even if Xiao Changqing didn’t fear being implicated himself, he would never endanger the entire Rong clan. Therefore, Xiao Changqing must have truly discovered Xiao Juesong in the Northwest, in Jingzhou – this wasn’t false intelligence. Xiao Changqing hadn’t given a specific location, only his deductions.

But this secret report had a specific location, and Emperor Youning had also received news of Xiao Changtai in the Tujue camp. He guessed the secret report was most likely from Xiao Changtai, meaning Xiao Juesong had found Xiao Changtai, and either they couldn’t reach an agreement or had conflicting interests. Xiao Changtai wanted to fish in troubled waters, so he had to muddy those waters first.

Though understanding this, Emperor Youning had no choice but to comply with Xiao Changtai’s wishes, because Xiao Juesong was like a bone in his throat. As long as Xiao Juesong lived, he could potentially expose the secret of how he had killed his brother to usurp the throne – something Emperor Youning could not tolerate.

So he immediately sent orders to Pei Zhan, and Xiao Changtai was certain Emperor Youning wouldn’t miss this opportunity.