Xiao Huayong decisively handed over all his arrangements and personnel along the Min River to Shen Xihe, and she took complete control without hesitation.

After understanding Xiao Huayong’s schemes, Shen Xihe remained silent for a moment before sending a letter to Shen Yun’an.

Upon receiving the letter, Shen Yun’an couldn’t help but smile bitterly and said to Qi Pei: “The Crown Princess has truly given me a difficult task.”

When facing those who weren’t close relatives, Shen Yun’an never called Shen Xihe by her childhood name. That day in front of Xiao Huayong, it wasn’t that he let his guard down, but rather after knowing his sister’s choice, he deliberately showed off their close sibling relationship.

Instead, this led to Xiao Huayong learning Shen Xihe’s intimate name, and even making up one of his own to match.

“What are the Crown Princess’s orders?” Qi Pei asked.

Whether it was the Jiannan Military Commander, Yu Xiang, or the lately arrived Xiao Changyan, they had all deployed troops along the Min River, surrounding it from left and right, as well as downstream near the Prince of Shunan’s mansion, making it watertight.

However, they had hidden themselves extremely well, and there hadn’t been any confrontation yet. Xiao Changyan and others were expanding their search under the pretext of hunting bandits. Sooner or later, they would be found, as they couldn’t hide for much longer.

Neither the Crown Prince nor the Crown Princess had given them orders, and they were becoming somewhat restless.

“The Crown Princess wants me to turn Yu Xiang to our side,” Shen Yun’an revealed something he hadn’t dared to even think about.

Who was Yu Xiang? The former Marquis of Pingyao. He wasn’t like the King of the Northwest who had protected His Majesty multiple times during his early days, nor was he like Liu Sanzhi who had risked death for His Majesty several times, and unlike the old Prince Xun who had established great merit by pacifying the northeast for His Majesty!

However, when Prince Qian was at his peak and sweeping through with overwhelming force, Yu Xiang had shown keen insight by turning to His Majesty. He later followed His Majesty in campaigns north and south, establishing His Majesty’s military guard. It could be said that without Yu Xiang, His Majesty wouldn’t have had the confidence to assassinate Prince Qian before attacking the imperial city!

However, due to Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong’s repeated interventions, Yu Xiang was repeatedly reprimanded by His Majesty and finally lost his marquis title, causing a rift between ruler and subject.

However, the relationship between this ruler and the subject was no longer just about loyalty. The intricate web of interests meant that Yu Xiang could never rebel against His Majesty!

It was precisely because of this that neither Xiao Huayong nor Shen Yun’an had considered taking this path. It was an impassable road, yet Shen Xihe insisted on creating a path where there was none, causing Shen Yun’an great alarm.

Qi Pei was also startled. These days, he had been with Shen Yun’an, who had often discussed their four upcoming opponents: the openly positioned Jiannan Military Commander, Yu Xiang, Prince Jing Xiao Changyan, and His Majesty hidden behind them all!

He shared almost the same thought as Shen Yun’an – trying to turn Yu Xiang was nothing short of a wild fantasy!

However, since these were the Crown Princess’s orders, Qi Pei, who deeply respected and admired the Crown Princess, dared not question it and could only ask: “What does the Crown Prince say?”

“The Crown Prince’s letter arrived earlier than the Crown Princess’s, containing only one sentence: follow the Crown Princess’s orders,” Shen Yun’an had received Xiao Huayong’s message yesterday and was puzzled, but now he understood.

His brother-in-law had relinquished his authority as husband, and the commanding general of this battle had become his sister. Fortunately, only he knew who the real commander was. Since he was here as the backbone, it wouldn’t affect the people below. Otherwise, with such a playful change of command amid battle, Shen Yun’an would truly have had to sharpen his knife and refuse orders!

“Since even the Crown Prince trusts in the Crown Princess, her strategy must surely succeed.” As if having taken a reassuring pill, Qi Pei no longer worried whether it was a fantasy – at this moment, he felt that turning Yu Xiang was not such an impossible task!

Shen Yun’an couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He took the brocade pouch that came with the letter and walked aside to carefully study Shen Xihe’s method for turning Yu Xiang.

His slightly furrowed brow gradually smoothed out, and his eyes grew increasingly bright. After finishing the letter, he excitedly stood up and struck his palm with his fist: “It can be done!”

“The Crown Princess’s strategy must be the best strategy!” Though Qi Pei hadn’t seen Shen Xihe’s plan, he sincerely trusted both Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong!

“Indeed, it is the best strategy.” Shen Yun’an’s features showed pride as if sharing in the glory. “Tonight we’ll head downstream, leave traces, and wait for Yu Xiang to seek us out.”

“Young Master, rest assured, I will arrange everything properly!” Without asking why Yu Xiang would seek them out, Qi Pei agreed and pushed his wheelchair out through the secret door.

Yu Sangning had long since sent Shen Xihe’s threat, along with that letter, to Yu Xiang through her brother. The letter naturally used sincere words, explained the dangers, and hoped that their father would make a wise choice for self-preservation.

This letter did indeed cause ripples in Yu Xiang’s heart, but not because he was moved by Yu Sangning. Yu Sangning was clever, and she had grasped the advantages and disadvantages, but she didn’t know that her birth father was already bound together with His Majesty on the same boat. Yu Xiang could never trust Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong.

Instead, if he could eliminate the Shen siblings this time, it would surely be a great achievement, and the title of Marquis of Pingyao might not be impossible to regain!

He had been waiting for Shen Yun’an to seek him out, but Shen Yun’an seemed extremely cautious and delayed making contact. After waiting for several days, when Yu Xiang was almost losing patience, Shen Yun’an finally gave him a hint!

Yu Xiang abandoned all his men and went alone to seek them out. Naturally, the first person he met wasn’t Shen Yun’an, but rather his trusted subordinate Mo Yao.

Mo Yao was dressed in tight-fitting clothes, clearly having waited for Yu Xiang for a long time. He took out a black cloth: “General Yu, please pardon the offense.”

Yu Xiang had no objection and allowed Mo Yao to blindfold him. He was led onto a carriage, and after a bumpy journey, they arrived in a deep mountain forest. Trees surrounded and converged overhead, making it impossible to distinguish east from west or north from south. Shen Yun’an stood ahead.

“General Yu shows great courage, daring to come alone to meet me,” Shen Yun’an praised.

“Not comparable to Young Master, who entered Min River alone,” Yu Xiang said with a stern face.

“General Yu overpraises me.” Shen Yun’an took the sarcastic words entirely as praise. “Since the General has come, it seems we can still reach an agreement.”

“How dare I make agreements with Young Master?” Yu Xiang said coolly. “Young Master is young and inexperienced, too presumptuous. If it were the King of the Northwest, he would never harbor thoughts of making me betray His Majesty.”

In the night, Shen Yun’an’s wheat-colored skin gleamed with a lustrous sheen. He carelessly pulled up the corner of his mouth: “If the General has no sincerity, then leave freely. I won’t stop you.”

Yu Xiang coldly stared at Shen Yun’an for a long while before decisively turning around. However, just as he had taken two steps before his foot could touch the ground, Shen Yun’an’s lazy voice came from behind.

“It’s just that my sister never leaves evidence in others’ hands. General, since you already know how the Prince of Kang’s mansion turned to dust, you should be prepared.

Let me see whether His Majesty, who couldn’t protect the loyal Prince of Kang back then, can now protect the devoted General Yu who has given his heart and liver.”