After receiving the news, Yinshan led his men out of the city first, camping in the wilderness at night. Neither Shen Xihe nor Bu Shulin wanted these bloody battles to be visible to the public, fearing it would cause panic among the civilians.

To prevent innocent casualties during the confrontation and to avoid drawing attention that might expose Bu Shulin’s whereabouts, and considering the layers of people following them, Bu Shulin worried about undetected pursuers. As a precaution, regarding Yinshan and Jinshan’s conspiracy, she only sent secret guards to follow while she stayed at an inn within the city, quietly awaiting news.

On this night perfect for killing, they couldn’t make too much commotion to conceal their movements. Even after the killing, they needed to clean up, hoping to avoid drawing official attention before safely returning to Shunan, which would expose their route.

Defeating enemies discreetly wasn’t easy, especially when they were numerous and powerful. Fortunately, Bu Shulin had treasures given by Shen Xihe before departure, which she had been carefully examining along the way.

Yinshan built a campfire with several wax balls buried underneath. As the fire grew stronger, the wax melted, releasing a faint fragrance. Their men had already used nose plugs soaked in medicinal herbs and dried.

The group sat silently around the fire. The pursuers hiding in the dense forest nearby, not seeing Bu Shulin, dared not act rashly, fearing to alert their targets. Gradually, they felt their limbs growing numb and weak. When they finally noticed something wrong and tried to circulate their internal energy, it only accelerated the spread of the inhaled smoke. Several collapsed with a thud.

Such sounds couldn’t escape Yinshan’s group’s notice. Sensing the right moment, they drew their gleaming swords and pursued, encountering trackers who could barely defend themselves.

As Yinshan’s group moved, Jinshan’s group also acted. However, their movement alerted their pursuers, who rushed forward first, blocking the path between Jinshan and Yinshan’s groups.

These pursuers were highly skilled, striking fast and fierce. As their men gradually fell, Jinshan’s expression tightened. Being an elite from Shunan’s army, he was too familiar with how these iron-like powerful bodies were forged.

They were military men! These disguised soldiers pursuing them at this time could only be the Emperor’s men in Jinshan’s mind – they had been discovered by His Majesty.

This realization made him deeply worried about Bu Shulin who remained in the city. Desperately wanting to shake off these pursuers and rush back, however, his men’s skills and combat experience were far inferior to their attackers.

The situation quickly turned dire. He was surrounded by three warriors whose skills matched his own. Just as he had nowhere to dodge, a red shadow leaped in.

With an agile figure, lightning-fast swordplay, and swallow-like speed, this single person swiftly turned the tide for them.

The people following Jinshan weren’t the Emperor’s men, but Prince Jing Xiao Changyan’s men. Like Xiao Huayong, Xiao Changyan found Xiao Changmin’s behavior suspicious and sent men to watch him, which led to this small team tracking them all the way here.

The person helping Jinshan was none other than Xiao Changying, who had lost Bu Shulin’s trail outside the capital. He had known from the start that the Jialing River was a trap, so he hadn’t pursued there. Though he too had initially gone in the wrong direction, he had a brother helping him in the capital.

If Xiao Huayong and Xiao Changyan could suspect Xiao Changmin, naturally Emperor Youning and Xiao Changqin could too. However, the Emperor’s men had been led in another direction by Xiao Changqin, who had informed Xiao Changying in time, leading to this dramatic rescue.

Seeing the situation turn against them, Xiao Changyan’s men immediately tried to retreat, but Xiao Changying had no intention of letting them leave. If these men escaped, they would completely expose Bu Shulin’s route. He hadn’t come alone.

Though Xiao Changying hadn’t raised private troops, Xiao Changqin had quite a few. In a real fight, they were no weaker than Xiao Changyan’s forces.

Moreover, Xiao Changyan’s men had been worn down by Jinshan’s group. With Xiao Changying personally leading and taking them by surprise, not a single enemy survived.

After killing everyone and disposing of Xiao Changmin’s men’s bodies, Yinshan finally came to join them. The two brothers, facing the openly present Xiao Changying, remained wary despite his help.

Xiao Changying ordered his men to clean up Xiao Changyan’s men’s bodies, then turned to the brothers and pulled down his face covering: “Take me to see your master.”

The brothers bowed respectfully. Jinshan said: “This humble one thanks Prince Lie for the rescue. The Young Master and I didn’t travel the same route. Once we find the Young Master, we will surely report your grace, and the Young Master will reward you generously.”

At this moment, for Jinshan and Yinshan, apart from the Crown Prince, no royal family member could be trusted.

Xiao Changying crossed his arms and studied the two: “Do you know those men just now were sent by Prince Jing, and those fighting your brother were sent by Prince Zhao? There were also His Majesty’s men who were led away by my brother. Otherwise, your master would already be surrounded. If I meant your master harm, one signal now would bring all forces here. I’m certain Bu Shizi is within ten li of here. Or do you want to wait until all my brothers confirm Bu Shizi escaped this way before letting me see him?”

Jinshan was Bu Shulin’s right-hand man and not foolish. He had already judged that Xiao Changying truly meant no harm to the Young Master, or perhaps wanted to curry favor to the ally…

Seeming to read Jinshan’s thoughts, Xiao Changying said gravely: “Your Young Master has my help solely because she chose the right person to align with.”

Had Bu Shulin not been with Shen Xihe, even if she had allied with the Eastern Palace or Xiao Huayong, he wouldn’t have protected her like this.

All these years, he had never opposed any of his brothers or openly defied his royal father.

This time, it was an all-out war.

Jinshan hesitated: “This humble one dares not doubt Your Highness’s words, but the Young Master is currently not convenient to…”

Bu Shulin was currently in her female form, and even pregnant.

Not understanding the inconvenience, Xiao Changying just said: “Go ask Bu Shizi. If she’s willing to see me, tomorrow at Lord Nine’s mansion in the town ahead.”

Leaving these words, Xiao Changying leaped onto his horse and galloped away.

Jinshan and Yinshan cautiously returned to find Bu Shulin, staying alert for any followers the whole way.

Even after returning to Bu Shulin’s side, they detected no abnormalities and naturally reported everything that had happened.

After hearing it, Bu Shulin laughed carelessly: “The royal family’s romantic nature – who would have thought our Emperor would produce so many passionate sons? I wonder what His Majesty’s expression would be when he learns of this?”