The urgent report from the Northern Barbarians was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves in the imperial court.

Ashina Yun's elder brother was assassinated, and the pro-war faction Kumor seized the opportunity to take control of the royal court, causing the border situation to suddenly become tense.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the lights were blazing, and Xiao Xun and his senior officials held discussions throughout the night. Xiao Chengyu stood guard outside the hall's corridor, watching the drizzling autumn rain, his heart filled with unease.

"Your Highness." A cloak gently fell over her shoulders, carrying a familiar, crisp scent. Qi Mingxuan appeared behind her without her noticing. "The autumn rain is chilly; take care of yourself."

Xiao Chengyu turned around and asked anxiously, "What's the situation inside?"

Qi Mingxuan's expression was solemn: "Kumor has taken control of the royal court, claiming that the death of the eldest prince was the work of the Great Liang, and has gathered troops, vowing to flatten the border."

"Absurd!" Xiao Chengyu was furious. "Sister Yun's brother has always been a proponent of peace. Why would the Great Liang want to harm him!"

"If you want to find fault, you can always find a reason." Qi Mingxuan sighed. "Kumor has long wanted to start a war, he's just looking for an excuse."

The palace doors suddenly opened, and Xiao Chengrui helped a tearful Ashina Yun out. Upon seeing Xiao Chengyu, Ashina Yun threw herself into her arms, choking back tears: "Yu'er... my brother..."

Xiao Chengyu patted her back gently and comforted her softly, "Sister Yun, please accept my condolences... Father will surely seek justice for the Great Hall."

Xiao Chengrui's eyes were bloodshot, and his fists were clenched: "That bastard Kumor! I will kill him with my own hands!"

Qi Mingxuan said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, please calm down. His Majesty has ordered the border troops to be on high alert and has also sent envoys to the Northern Barbarians to investigate the truth. The most urgent task is to stabilize the situation and avoid war."

"Find out the truth?" Xiao Chengrui exclaimed excitedly. "By the time we find out the truth, Kumor will have already attacked!"

"Rui'er." Xiao Xun's voice came from inside the hall, carrying a weary yet undeniable authority, "Come in."

The group hurried into the hall. They saw Xiao Xun sitting at his desk, his face solemn, while Xin Jiuwei stood beside him, her brows furrowed with worry.

"Yun'er," Xiao Xun said gently, "I will give you an explanation regarding your brother's matter. But the situation is critical right now, and I need you to write a letter to contact the loyal men of the Northern Di and expose Kumor's conspiracy."

Ashina Yun wiped away her tears and nodded firmly: "Yun'er understands."

Xiao Xun then looked at Xiao Chengrui: "Rui'er, I order you to go to the northern frontier immediately to take over border defenses. Remember, hold your ground and await orders. Do not move without my permission."

Xiao Chengrui knelt on one knee: "Your subject obeys the decree!"

"Mingxuan." Xiao Xun turned his gaze to Qi Mingxuan. "You will go with Rui'er and be in charge of intelligence support. There should be people within the Northern Di who are worth trying to win over."

Qi Mingxuan bowed: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Xiao Chengyu's heart tightened. The situation in the Northern Barbarians was perilous; this journey...

She subconsciously looked at Qi Mingxuan, only to find him looking at her as well, his gaze calm and firm, as if to say, "Don't worry."

The arrangements were made, and everyone went to prepare. Xiao Chengyu chased after him outside the hall: "Cousin Mingxuan!"

Qi Mingxuan stopped and turned around: "Does Your Highness have any further instructions?"

The autumn rain pattered down, dampening his shoulders. Xiao Chengyu took off his cloak and handed it back to him: "The border is bitterly cold... Take care, cousin."

Qi Mingxuan was slightly taken aback, and their fingertips inadvertently touched as he took the cloak. Both of them trembled.

"Your Highness..." he suddenly lowered his voice, "I am still waiting for the answer to the question I asked by the lotus pond that day."

Xiao Chengyu's heart pounded like a drum. She looked up into his deep eyes and said, "I..."

"Yu'er!" Xiao Chengrui urged from afar, "Mingxuan! It's time to set off!"

Qi Mingxuan gave her a deep look, then turned and strode away. His cloak billowed behind him, carrying a resolute arc.

As Xiao Chengyu watched his retreating figure, the words he hadn't finished choked in his throat, turning into a soft sigh.

Three days later, an urgent report came from the border: Kumor led his troops in a surprise attack on a border town, causing heavy casualties among soldiers and civilians. Xiao Chengrui and Qi Mingxuan had arrived in the northern frontier and were organizing defenses.

The atmosphere in the palace grew increasingly tense. Ashina Yun tirelessly contacted her former Northern Di followers day and night, her eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. Xiao Chengyu stayed by her side, helping her translate secret letters and analyze intelligence.

"Kumor is a madman!" Ashina Yun smashed a teacup. "He actually slaughtered his own people and framed the Great Liang!"

Xiao Chengyu picked up the secret letter and examined it closely. His expression changed drastically: "Sister Yun, look here—there seem to be people from the Central Plains in Kumor's army?"

Ashina Yun took a closer look and his face turned ashen: "A remnant of the Gu family! It's Gu Nianzhi's uncle, Gu Zhili! He's sided with Kumor!"

Xiao Chengyu's heart sank. The Gu family was indeed still plotting against him!

Just then, a palace servant rushed in to report: "Princess! Miss Qin Sang requests an audience, saying she has important business to discuss!"

Qin Sang rushed in, bringing even more shocking news: "I recently conducted a secret investigation in the city and discovered that the Gu family has long been colluding with the Northern Di envoys. Moreover..." she lowered her voice, "they seem to have also planted people in the capital, intending to harm His Majesty!"

Xiao Chengyu abruptly stood up: "Do you know the specific plan?"

Qin Sang shook her head: "Gu Zhili is very cautious. I only found out that they plan to make a move at the Chongyang Palace banquet."

The Double Ninth Festival banquet...only five days left!

Xiao Chengyu immediately went to see Xiao Chengji. Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's expression turned grave: "Father has been overworking recently, and his old illness has relapsed. The Double Ninth Festival banquet has been decided to be simplified. If the traitors really intend to make a move, they will definitely change their plans."

After discussing it for a long time, the brother and sister decided to lure the snake out of its hole.

That night, the Crown Prince's palace announced that His Majesty's condition had worsened and summoned Duke Xin Yunzhou to return to the capital immediately to protect him.

The news sent shockwaves through the capital. Xiao Chengyu, in cooperation with his brother, laid a trap, waiting for the traitor to walk right into it.

However, her greatest worry was for Qi Mingxuan, who was far away in the northern frontier. The border war was intense, and there had been no news from him for several days.

On the eve of the Double Ninth Festival, the autumn rain intensified. Xiao Chengyu tossed and turned, unable to sleep, so he got up and sewed winter clothes for the soldiers at the front.

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