CHAPTER 400: CHAPTER 400: WE HAVE NO WAY OUT

"I always feel that Ji Youzhi seems to know our plan!"

The Nanjiang guard walked to Princess Ata’s bedside, slowly sat down, and spoke softly.

"Ah Jia, we have come this far; there is no way back now," Princess Ata said.

Ah Jia was Princess Ata’s younger brother. They were biological siblings, both heirs to the Nanjiang royal court.

Unlike the Central Plains, the succession mechanism of the Nanjiang royal court did not discriminate by gender. Whether male or female, as long as one possessed the ability to govern the state, defend their homeland, gain the support of the Courtiers, and have their capabilities recognized by the Great Wizard, they could inherit the throne.

"Sister, we are safe for now. I personally heard Ji Youzhi tell the guards at the entrance that no one is allowed inside the posthouse without the Emperor of Da Han’s permission."

Ah Jia looked at his royal sister, a glimmer of light in his eyes, unlike Princess Ata, whose eyes were filled with despair.

"I originally intended to provoke Xie Si," Princess Ata said, "hoping he would be disrespectful, or perhaps even attack me. I could then have taken him into custody, drawn out the Great Han’s eldest Princess, and then slowly proceeded with our plan. But I didn’t expect him to nearly take my life... COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."

Due to her injuries, Princess Ata couldn’t help but cough.

Ah Jia quickly leaned over to help her catch her breath. "Sister, are you alright?"

"I’m fine! That was a close call, truly perilous, but fortunately, I survived!"

Princess Ata managed a faint smile, silently offering it to Ah Jia.

"It’s my fault I couldn’t even keep the eldest Princess here!" Ah Jia said, frustrated.

"Don’t blame yourself," Princess Ata replied. "You just said that Ji Youzhi has already stated that without the Emperor of Da Han’s command, the guards at the posthouse won’t let anyone in. This means we are temporarily safe."

A maidservant brought Princess Ata her medicinal soup.

Ah Jia was about to take it, but Princess Ata gestured for the maidservant to take it away.

"The eldest Princess gave me a Rejuvenation Pill. Drinking this medicinal soup will interfere with its effects."

The maidservant carried the soup away.

"Go and continue writing a memorial to request an audience with His Majesty, the Emperor of Da Han!"

Hearing this, Ah Jia looked hesitant. "But Sister, you’re still injured!"

"It doesn’t matter. I won’t die."

Ah Jia obediently went to do as she asked.

Ji Youzhi entered the Palace, where the young Emperor was already waiting for him.

"Well?" the Emperor asked.

The young Emperor gestured for Ji Youzhi to dispense with formalities. Ji Youzhi was exhausted; he had been running ragged these past few days tracing Mr. Wu’s whereabouts, which had already left him fatigued. Now, after visiting the Celestial Prison and the posthouse, he was even more drained.

"It’s not simple," Ji Youzhi reported. "The Nanjiang Princess was hanging by a thread. The Imperial Physicians didn’t dare remove the blade. In the end, it was Xiaosuisui who intervened and used a Rejuvenation Pill."

As soon as Ji Youzhi finished speaking, he plopped down onto the small stool Ling Gonggong had brought over.

Seeing Ji Youzhi’s state, the young Emperor finally grasped the gravity of the situation. Ji Youzhi and Ji Youze had accompanied him since childhood. Although they sometimes disregarded etiquette, Ji Youzhi was always meticulous about his manners. This was the first time he had ever sat so unceremoniously on a stool while speaking to him; it clearly showed how truly exhausted he was.

"Is the situation that troublesome?" the Emperor asked.

Ji Youzhi nodded. "A war between Nanjiang and Great Han seems almost inevitable!"

The young Emperor rubbed his palms together eagerly. "Really?"

He was visibly excited.

Ji Youzhi sighed helplessly. "Your Majesty, would you dare show such an excited expression in front of my younger brother?"

The young Emperor visibly deflated. If he actually displayed such a warlike demeanor before Ji Youze, he knew his minister would immediately launch into a lecture about how disastrous reigns often begin with a penchant for grandiosity and reckless ambition.

"Alright, alright! We won’t go to war," the Emperor conceded. "First, tell me, what exactly happened with this assassination attempt on the Nanjiang Princess? Is there really something wrong with that Xie Si?"