"Report—"

Outside the tent, a hurried and slightly trembling shout broke the silence of the night. The voice was filled with anxiety and defiance, as if it were searching for a glimmer of light in the boundless darkness.

"Come in!" Shen Hanshan's voice was steady and powerful, echoing from the depths of the camp, as unshakable as a mountain.

A young soldier hurried in, wearing slightly worn armor, the mottled marks on it bearing the marks of past battles and hardships. Though his face had lost its youthful innocence, the passage of time hadn't completely erased his former superiority and nobility; the spiritedness and untamed nature of his youth were still faintly visible between his brows. However, the long years of military service and the trials of life had added a few barely perceptible lines to the corners of his eyes, lending him a touch of vicissitude and fortitude.

His eyes flickered with complex emotions, a mixture of awe for the order and determination to deliver the message. He stood there, his posture stiff, yet like a pine tree in the mountains, he would not easily bend even in the face of wind and rain.

"Your Highness, Prefect, someone outside the camp requests an audience!" The soldier's voice was slightly hoarse from nervousness, but every word was clearly audible, revealing his inner determination.

Upon hearing this, Shen Hanshan didn't even raise his head, but focused intently on examining the sand table before him. His fingers lightly traced the section of the Chunzhao River, as if he could discern the river's flow and undercurrents. He turned to Xu Hui beside him and whispered, "Has anyone been swimming here recently?"

Xu Hui shook his head slightly, his brows revealing a deep contemplation of the situation.

Shen Hanshan's finger then slid towards the trade market at the border of Chaoyang County and Chunsheng County. A glint of light flashed in his eyes as he slowly revealed his guess: "They are most likely disguised as merchants and sneaked in."

After speaking, he finally raised his head, his gaze sharp as a torch, and fell upon the soldier who still stood as steadfast as a pine tree. His eyes held both scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible approval.

"Why aren't you backing down yet? Are you waiting to be flogged?" Shen Hanshan's tone was stern, but it also carried a hint of testing.

Upon hearing this, the soldier's body trembled slightly, but he immediately straightened his back, his gaze becoming even more resolute. He took a deep breath, as if making up his mind, and stubbornly pressed for confirmation again: "Your Highness, the other party is the former Grand Secretary, Lord Zhao Shouzhen. You... really won't see him?"

His voice was soft, yet each word was powerful and resonant, as if bursting forth from the depths of his heart, carrying an undeniable strength. Shen Hanshan looked at him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, then a faint smile appeared on his lips, as if he saw some long-lost quality in this soldier.

“This person,” Shen Hanshan thought to himself, “has a stubborn streak in his eyes, and even after experiencing the hardships of life, the youthful naiveté is still hard to conceal.”

He then raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you think I should meet him?"

The soldier lowered his head and replied in a low voice, "This humble servant dares not interfere with Your Highness's opinion."

"May I have your name?"

"I am Qin Yu."

"A nice name." Shen Hanshan rarely praised someone.

Xu Hui couldn't help but glance curiously at the soldier with his head down. The more he looked, the more familiar the man seemed. Yes, it was the young master of the Qin family, exiled here because his illegitimate daughter had murdered the imperial heir, causing the deaths of the empress and the prince!

Seeing that Shen Hanshan seemed interested in him, Xu Hui asked, "Qin Yu, would you be willing to follow the Prince?"

"Huh?" Qin Yu was a little confused for a moment, but when he realized that he might have a chance to turn his life around and get rid of his criminal status, he was overjoyed and replied repeatedly, "I'm willing! I'm willing!"

Shen Hanshan did not refute Xu Hui's words, but only said, "Don't be so happy yet. Convey my message: tell that person outside to go back to where he came from! Remember, when you're relaying a message, don't change the tone or the words, not even slightly. Go!"

Qin Yu felt that Shen Hanshan's words were somewhat insulting. After all, although his father and this Lord Zhao were at odds, the man was already over sixty years old and could be considered Shen Hanshan's former colleague. To say such a thing... sigh...

But if he doesn't speak up, he might miss this one and only chance to turn his life around.

Qin Yu gritted his teeth and finally decided to bite the bullet and walk to the gate of the garrison camp.

He took a deep breath and imitated Shen Hanshan's arrogant tone, repeating the words the other person had said, word by word.

Zhao Shouzhen listened quietly, his expression growing increasingly gloomy, until finally his beard began to tremble with anger.

His eyes widened, and he pointed at the tent, angrily cursing, "Shen Hanshan, you bastard!"

After cursing, he still seemed unsatisfied, so he spat on the ground again. Then, he mounted his chestnut horse and, dejected, turned back the way he came.

But as they walked, Zhao Shouzhen seemed to suddenly think of something. He first chuckled softly, and then burst into laughter while lying on the horse's back.