Princess Liyang was not one for pretensions.

She took off a jade ring from her wrist and firmly placed it on Zhang Xia's index finger: "I felt a strong connection with my younger sister at our first meeting. On this journey south, I hope my sister will take good care of me.

Zhang Xia returned the ring to Princess Liyang: "We were ordered to welcome the envoy; it's our duty, Your Highness does not need to be so polite."

At this point, she shifted her tone: "Your Highness should not assume that just because I am a woman, I am soft-hearted. I hope Your Highness will cooperate along the journey and not cause any more trouble."

Princess Liyang turned to flatter Zhang Xia, believing that women have softer hearts and would certainly not be as unyielding as Chen Ji, making it easier for her on the road.

When Zhang Xia saw through her intentions, she wasn't embarrassed but smiled and said: "Miss, I have no other intention in giving the ring. I just feel that you and your husband are a perfect match. It's a regret that we didn't know each other at your wedding, so consider this my belated gift."

Zhang Xia replied with a smile: "Actually, the two of us are not married. Previously, we just pretended to be married to infiltrate Baidadan City."

Princess Liyang was visibly taken aback: "Really? I thought you two were a match made in heaven... One broke into the White Tiger Festival Hall for the other, and the other held an envoy at knifepoint for them. If that's not love, what is? Accept it, your marriage is only a matter of time."

Zhang Xia smiled and eventually returned the ring.

Xiao Man, who was standing nearby, pouted: "This morning, you insisted on breaking up a couple. Now you're pretending to be a saint."

Princess Liyang sincerely said: "I was wrong."

Xiao Man's eyes widened, her sarcastic words catching in her throat.

She pouted again, unwilling to relent: "Why didn't you think so earlier? With all the trouble, weren't you ultimately caught and brought to the Ning Dynasty by him?"

Princess Liyang smiled: "That shows your master is quite capable."

Xiao Man felt like she'd punched a cotton ball; she opened her mouth, and after a while, squeezed out: "As long as you know..."

Chen Ji stood outside the carriage, glancing back. As Princess Liyang had said herself, she was a competent opportunist, never making decisions based on emotions or past events, always doing the right thing.

He couldn't recall how many strategies and tricks the princess had used to avoid traveling to the Ning Dynasty for a political marriage. If he hadn't appeared on that mountain road, perhaps she would have been rescued by Longyou Road's elites long ago.

At this moment, Chen Ji turned his gaze outside the carriage.

In front of Baidadan City's gate, Hong Zuer, Zhang Baishi, and Ah Sheng had yet to board the carriage; they were exchanging glances.

After Hong Zuer and Zhang Baishi nodded slightly to each other, they approached the carriage together.

Just as they were about to board, they saw Chen Ji standing atop the carriage, blocking their way.

Hong Zuer looked up at Chen Ji, squinting his eyes: "What is the meaning of this?"

Chen Ji was silent for a moment and said: "Mr. Hong, Jiang Xiansheng is dead, and what I promised you has been fulfilled. Let's part ways now."

Hong Zuer sneered: "You've got it all figured out. Now that Princess Liyang has killed Jiang Xiansheng and turned herself into an envoy, whether Jiang Xiansheng is alive or dead, does it matter? Are you worried that I'll find a way to kill Princess Liyang en route?"

Chen Ji nodded: "Precisely. Mr. Hong, give it up. Even if you team up with Uncle Baisi, you're not a match for me."

Hong Zuer said gravely: "Young man, you've calculated every move and used every means. How could Mr. Wang have a disciple like you?"

Chen Ji was silent for a moment: "I'm sorry, it's my duty, apologies."

Zhang Baishi was about to rush forward and confront Chen Ji, but Hong Zuer grabbed his arm, preventing him.

Standing in the shadow of Baidadan City, Hong Zuer calmly said: "Mr. Chen, think clearly. Yuan Cheng carries the blood vengeance of tens of thousands of our Ning Dynasty soldiers, not just from Chongli Pass, but also from the Longevity Army, the Five Armies Camp, and the Divine Machine Camp. Mr. Chen, residing far away in the Imperial Capital, you might not know what Yuan Cheng has done."

Chen Ji remained silent.

Hong Zuer continued: "Yuan Cheng flayed the scalps of twelve Night Patrol brothers from the Longevity Army's Gao Yuan to make saddles; stripped the skin with words inscribed from Zhou Chang of the Five Armies Camp and made handcuffs; took the skull of Yang Xi from the Divine Machine Camp and made a wine cup. Mr. Chen, the enmity with Yuan Cheng is not just about life and death. If you proceed this way, you won't get far in the court. Don't covet momentary achievements."

Chen Ji shook his head: "Mr. Hong, this has nothing to do with achievements."

Hong Zuer bent over and cupped his fists: "Since Mr. Chen is determined, then I have no more words. Next time Mr. Chen comes to Chongli Pass, there will be no good wine to entertain."

Chen Ji cupped his fists in return: "Farewell."

He sat on the carriage, gently flicked the reins, and drove south, leaving the three Night Patrol members at Baidadan City's gate.

Hong Zuer looked back towards the city wall, watching Jiang Xianzong standing in armor, silently observing the carriage as it disappeared into the distance.

Zhang Baishi asked: "What should we do?"

Hong Zuer quietly calculated for a moment: "The Life-catcher General is inclined towards Lu Jin. They won't let it go easily. Chen Ji and the others are traveling by the official road, surely to be blocked by the Life-catcher General. If we take shortcuts back, we might not be slower than them."

Ah Sheng asked: "What about when we return?"

Hong Zuer said gravely: "When we return, we'll persuade all Night Patrol in the Imperial Three Camps. I don't believe they don't want revenge!"

"Let's go!"

The three of them sprinted southward, disappearing into the night.

On the walls of Baidadan City, Jiang Xianzong leaned against the parapet, silently watching as the wind whipped his cloak behind him.

He calmly said: "What did Princess Liyang say on the road?"

Jiang Que, slightly behind him, replied in a low voice: "To report to Commander, she said we shouldn't have used Yuan Cheng for exchange with the Imperial Capital, even if returned it would be useless, and suggested calling you to the Imperial Capital to serve as Council Chief Executive Officer to pin down Yuan Xiang. No one else is capable."

Jiang Xianzong's face betrayed no emotion: "And what else did she say?"

Jiang Que continued, "She always said that at this time, the Jiang Family should not rely on Yuan Cheng any longer. Even if you can't become the Council Chief Executive Officer, you should push for Lu Jin to take on the role. The Jiang Family should change its allegiance and support Lu Jin from behind."

Jiang Xianzong responded with a hum, "What good would it do?"

Jiang Que recalled, "She said that Lu Jin is extremely ambitious, and his goal is far more than just the position of the Council Chief Executive Officer; he aims for the office of the Minister of the Secretariat, which will certainly put him at odds with Yuan Xiang. Everyone is waiting to see whether the Jiang Family will support Yuan Cheng or Yuan Xiang. Regardless of supporting Yuan Cheng or Yuan Xiang, it would only be adding flowers to brocade, but supporting Lu Jin would be like sending charcoal in snowy weather."

"She said that there's a way to gain the world, and that is by winning the people, thus gaining the world. Lu Jin has lived a life of hardship and thrift for over ten years, earning the people's deep admiration, and his prestige in the army is also extremely high. Although Yuan Xiang is a righteous person, his relatives have been overbearing for more than twenty years and lost the people's hearts. Those who support Yuan Xiang might not really support Yuan Xiang, but rather support Lu Jin through Yuan Xiang... Yuan Xiang already shows signs of decline."

Jiang Xianzong seemed contemplative.

Jiang Que probed, "Does the Commander trust her?"

Jiang Xianzong calmly said, "She previously had the Jiang Family kill Lu Jin, saying that Lu Jin was the true formidable threat. The Jiang Family didn't listen, thinking that Lu Jin was merely a minor Military Strategist Envoy unworthy of concern. Now, everything she said has been proven one by one."

At this moment, the sound of hoofbeats echoed in Baidadan City, and a confidant whispered in his ear, "Commander, thirty-six Life-catcher Generals are donning armor overnight, as if they intend to leave the city."

Jiang Xianzong, however, ignored the Life-catcher Generals and instead inquired, "Lu Jin's messenger has also arrived, haven't they? Where are they?"

"Just arrived, at the station."

"Who came?"

"Jiang Liuxian."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xianzong's expression shifted, "Her? What does Lu Jin want?"

The confidant Assistant General whispered in Jiang Xianzong's ear, "Lu Jin wants you to do nothing, the position of Council Chief Executive Officer will be yours sooner or later."

Jiang Xianzong turned and walked into the city, "Then do nothing."

The confidant was puzzled, "But Princess Liyang..."

Jiang Xianzong, not turning back, said, "Her ambition is even greater than Lu Jin's. The Jiang Family is in turmoil and cannot support two ambitious people. Let her be at the mercy of fate. Moreover, haven't I done as she suggested? I've chosen Lu Jin."

The next moment, the Loyal Brave Gate rumbled open.

Thirty-six Life-catcher Generals rode out one by one, heading south in pursuit.

...

...

The carriage swayed under the moonlight as it traveled south.

Chen Ji leaned against the carriage body, silently watching the distant mountains.

The curtain was lifted, and when he turned his head, he saw Zhang Xia bending down to enter from the carriage, sitting beside him. The wind blew past the two of them, causing their hair to flutter back.

Zhang Xia curiously asked, "Were you thinking about what Mr. Hong just said? You didn't let Mr. Hong and the others get in the carriage, probably because you were worried there would be danger on the way back, right?"

"Not thinking that much," Chen Ji said softly, "I was thinking, after bringing the envoy back to the Imperial Capital this time, I'm afraid I'll be despised, and even implicate Li Xuan and Qi Zhenzhuo with me."

Zhang Xia leaned against the carriage body, "Being misunderstood doesn't feel good."

Chen Ji, not wishing to discuss the matter further, changed the topic, "I heard you broke into Jiang Xianzong's White Tiger Festival Hall?"

Zhang Xia looked into the distance, lifting her hand to sweep back her windblown hair and reinsert her hairpin.

When Chen Ji saw her raise her hand, the lamb-fat jade cloud bracelet was still adorning her wrist.

Zhang Xia put her hand down and said, "When breaking into the White Tiger Festival Hall, being chased by hundreds of Marquis warriors, I really thought I might die there, but luckily Third Master Hu appeared, helping me and the little monk out of trouble. At that time, I was thinking..."

"Thinking what?"

Zhang Xia said softly, "I was thinking that you had been in such desperate situations several times before. Like when you calmed the disaster victims outside Luocheng City, lured away the private soldiers of the Liu Family and Mr. Feng at Dragon King Village, broke into the camp of the Thousand-year Army, and faced the Heavenly Strategy Army at Dragon Gate Inn in Guyuan..."

Chen Ji chuckled, "You remember so clearly."

Zhang Xia pointed at her head, "Eidetic memory, you see."

Chen Ji suddenly said, "Don't do this anymore in the future, and don't follow me anymore. You, as a woman, should just stay at home to learn needlework and read the Women's Precepts. Why bother exposing yourself? This isn't something women should meddle with."

Zhang Xia calmly responded, "Is that what you think?"

Chen Ji affirmed, "Yes."

At this moment, the curtain behind them was suddenly lifted by Xiao Man, "Young Master, how can you say that? If you say that, I won't talk to you anymore, I won't fold your quilt, won't wash your clothes..."

Chen Ji said impatiently, "When have I ever asked you to fold my quilt, wash my clothes? Didn't I always fold and wash them myself?"

Xiao Man fumbled, "Then no more scallion pancakes for you."

Zhang Xia laughed, "Your young master has always been honest in front of those close to him; he has to say a lot when lying. He's just afraid this journey will be very dangerous, or perhaps he doesn't want me to return to the Imperial Capital and share his notoriety, so he wants me to leave in anger... That might work for others, but not for me."

She stood up, patted Chen Ji on the shoulder, and said assertively, "I'll take a nap, and relieve you at midnight... By the way, when you spoke earlier, you looked quite upset."

Chen Ji was taken aback.

The curtain fell, leaving him alone to drive the carriage.

Moments later, he rubbed his cheeks with both hands, unconsciously smiling.