Xie Zhaozhao and Zhang Yanyan's friendship dates back to when they were members of a small group of elite ladies in the capital city.

Because Zhang Yanyan's fourth brother was plotted against, Xie Zhaozhao and Zhou Shaoyu intervened and played a clever game that killed many birds with one stone.

Even when Xie Zhaozhao was going through the most difficult time of being divorced, Zhang Yanyan was the only friend who, despite being heavily pregnant and having broken ties with her mother-in-law, came to visit Xie Zhaozhao.

Even during her exile, Zhang Yanyan gave all of her dowry, including her secret guards and assassins, to Xie Zhaozhao's sworn brother.

If it weren't for Zhang Yanyan's loyal followers, Xie Zhaozhao would have died in the fire on her way to exile.

Therefore, despite their high positions, Xie Yu and Zhou Tangtang were still willing to marry their only legitimate daughter to Zhang Yanyan's son.

But would Zhang Yanyan die from carbon monoxide poisoning?

Xie Zhaozhao definitely couldn't stand idly by!

"Jiutian, are you sure she died from charcoal burning?"

"Yes, in a square room, which seemed to be a sleeping place, there was a woman. While she was sleeping, charcoal was burned and she suffocated."

Xie Zhaozhao knew that every winter, some people would suffocate in their rooms due to charcoal poisoning.

Ultimately, it's all because Yulong Kingdom is so developed, and the glass windows in the rooms are so well-sealed.

According to Jiutian, Zhang Yanyan will be burned to death by charcoal next month, but it's really hard to say who it will be.

She felt that writing a letter wouldn't be as effective in explaining the situation, so she immediately called out, "Bei Chen."

Bei Chen immediately appeared, and Jiu Tian exclaimed, "Wow!" and asked, "Uncle Bei Chen, where did you come from?"

Bei Chen respectfully replied, "Your Highness, I am a secret guard, someone who has always been hidden by His Majesty's side."

Xie Zhaozhao instructed, "Bei Chen, immediately ride back to the capital and tell Princess Ning the results of Jiu Tian's calculations. Tell her to be sure to lock the door when she goes to sleep every day and not let anyone near her, especially next month..."

At this point, Xie Zhaozhao asked Jiutian, "Can you calculate which day it is?"

Jiutian said, "Tell me the birth date and time of Princess Ning."

Xie Zhaozhao told Jiutian, who did some calculations and was shocked: "Ah, November 11th! If we manage to avoid it on that day, we'll have to avoid it again. There's another chance on November 18th."

She fidgeted with her little hands and said, "Uncle Beichen, I have a talisman here. Please give it to her."

Jiutian handed Xie Zhaozhao a "Jia Wood Backlash Talisman" and whispered in her ear, "This talisman is a Jia Wood Backlash Talisman. Whoever harms Princess Ning will be reflected back at the perpetrator with the same force."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Xie Zhaozhao.

Xie Zhaozhao picked her up, patted her back, and said, "Nine Heavens, Buddha has two sides; punishing evil is also promoting good."

Jiutian was immediately delighted.

Bei Chen took the talisman, wrote down everything Jiu Tian had said, and rode away.

Zhou Tangtang was both surprised and delighted, and said, "If you can save Princess Ning's life, Jiutian, you have done a great thing."

"Yes, Princess Ning is a very good person."

Xie Xingwan told Jiutian about her experiences and taught her how to weave bracelets. The two sisters had a great time.

Xie Xingye and Yin Jin'an walked outside the carriage, discussing the current situation in Yulong.

Xie Zhaozhao's carriage led the way, and the group traveled for three days. Yin Jin'an hadn't thought much of it at first, assuming this was the road to the Queen's Empire, but the more they traveled, the more familiar it became.

As Yin Jin'an walked along a wide, straight road, watching the endless stream of horse-drawn carriages and oxcarts heading towards a city ahead, she was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

The towering city walls were five or six zhang high and three or four zhang thick. The three large characters at the entrance were so familiar—"Shi'an City." On either side was a couplet: "The fragrant hibiscus of yesteryear had no end, and life's journey has not yet ended, yet we think of Shi'an."

Yin Jin'an was momentarily lost in thought.

No one spoke. The fact that Shian City belonged to Yin Jin'an was not made public before Yin Jin'an died in her previous life.

After his death, Xie Zhaozhao never mentioned him in public again, but ordered the construction of the Temple of Loyalty and Martyrdom in Shian City, which is also the place where his remains were finally buried.

The wilderness is no longer wilderness; it is now a land of beautiful mountains and rivers, with fertile fields everywhere. The cities are grand, and trade is thriving, especially Shian City, which is truly a shining pearl in the wilderness.

Those endless stream of carriages were all coming to Shian City for trade.

This place, along with Baiyue City in the southeast, are the two major trading centers in the south. Baiyue City is the center for trading various jewelry, jade and other goods with other countries, while Shian City is more of a trading center for the wild land and several surrounding countries. It is the center for trading heavy goods such as salt, iron and grain in the entire south.

Xie Zhaozhao and her entourage entered Shian City, and someone had already informed the prefect.

When the prefect hurriedly led a hundred officials to greet him outside the city, Yin Jin'an was shocked once again.

Who else could it be but Fu Yingde and Liang Jianguo!

Fu Yingde was the same age as him back then. He was a talent that Fu Yingde recruited from the Imperial Guard and helped him conquer Shian City.

Liang Jianguo was a naval commander whom he persuaded to defect and follow him in opening up the Maritime Silk Road.

Seeing them again felt like a dream.

Xie Zhaozhao arranged for them to help him guard Shi'an City so that he would know that they had not forgotten him.

Yin Jin'an laughed and said a vulgar word. Even a tough guy like him was forced by the living Guanyin to have hot eyes.

Fortunately, he was wearing a mask.

Whether he wears a mask or not, he cannot easily recognize his friends.

Xie Zhaozhao told Yingde and Liang Jianguo to rise indifferently, and said without any politeness, "Please arrange my accommodation and meals, my two beloved ministers. I will stay here for a few days."

Fu Yingde was overjoyed.

When Emperor An arrived, Fu Yingde and Liang Jianguo accompanied him to the banquet. The two noticed Yin Jin'an from the very beginning, as there was something strange about this person.

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