Xiao Chengyu frowned in thought: "If the Shadow Pavilion has truly continued to this day, what is their purpose? To restore the previous dynasty? Or simply to create chaos?"

“Perhaps it’s both,” Qi Mingxuan said in a deep voice. “Judging from the current signs, they have been colluding with the Northern Barbarians and have been plotting in the court for many years. Their ambitions must be quite significant.”

Just then, a guard rushed in and presented a secret letter: "Princess, Prince Consort, we have just received news that Minister Zhang of the Ministry of War was murdered at home last night."

Another official! This is the third such case in seven days.

"Any clues can be found at the scene?" Xiao Chengyu asked immediately.

“Just like before, that symbol was left behind. But this time it’s different. Before he died, Lord Zhang wrote a character on the ground in his blood—” The guard paused, “‘Grain’.”

Grain? Xiao Chengyu and Qi Mingxuan exchanged a glance, both seeing the doubt in each other's eyes.

"What were the main responsibilities of Lord Zhang during his lifetime?" Qi Mingxuan asked.

"Border food and rations allocation!" Xiao Chengyu suddenly realized, "This is bad! There might be a problem with the border army's food supplies!"

She immediately sent people to investigate the distribution of grain and fodder along the border, and at the same time instructed Qi Mingxuan to retrieve relevant documents from the Ministry of War.

Sure enough, two hours later, bad news arrived: a shipment of grain that was supposed to be delivered to the border three days ago had yet to arrive, and the officials in charge of escorting it could not be contacted.

"This batch of grain is enough to support the border troops for half a month." Qi Mingxuan said with a solemn expression. "If it cannot be delivered in time, I'm afraid my second brother's army will not be able to hold out for long."

Xiao Chengyu made a decisive decision: "Immediately transfer grain from the granaries in the capital region for emergency use, and at the same time send people to search for the missing grain along the original route."

No sooner had the order been issued than another unsettling piece of news arrived: several large granaries in the capital region caught fire simultaneously. Although the fire was extinguished in time, the loss of stored grain was severe.

"What a brilliant tactic of luring the tiger away from the mountain and cutting off the firewood from under the cauldron!" Xiao Chengyu slammed his fist on the table in anger. "First, they cut off the border's grain supplies, then they burned the grain reserves in the capital region. They're trying to force us to have no grain to transfer!"

Qi Mingxuan calmly analyzed: "The granaries in the capital region are heavily guarded. The fact that they were able to set fire to them simultaneously indicates that Shadow Pavilion also had people planted inside the granaries."

The situation suddenly became dire. The border war was raging, but supplies were running low. If the border fell, the northern barbarian cavalry could sweep in unimpeded, with unimaginable consequences.

Xiao Chengyu pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "There is another place with grain."

Qi Mingxuan immediately understood her meaning: "Jiangnan is a granary. But Jiangnan is thousands of miles away from here, and distant water cannot quench a nearby fire."

"We'll take the waterway." Xiao Chengyu's gaze was firm. "With the canal open and fast boats available, we can reach our destination in five days. Meanwhile, have my second brother hold out as long as possible and wait for reinforcements."

With the plan set, it was executed immediately. Xiao Chengyu personally oversaw the grain requisition, while Qi Mingxuan was responsible for security to prevent Shadow Pavilion from sabotaging the area again.

However, on the eve of the grain ships' departure, an unexpected incident occurred: the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner suddenly died at home!

"It's the Shadow Pavilion's doing again!" Xiao Chengyu was furious upon hearing the news. "They're trying to cut off our supply lines completely!"

With the death of the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, the canal transport system immediately descended into chaos. Officials at all levels were in a state of fear and dared not easily issue travel permits, forcing delays in the departure of grain ships.

Time ticked by, and the intelligence from the border grew increasingly urgent. Xiao Chengrui sent a letter written in blood: the army's rations were only enough for three days; if no more supplies arrived, they would have no choice but to retreat to the second line of defense.

Retreating to the second line of defense means abandoning vast swathes of territory, and countless people will fall under the iron heel of the Northern Barbarians. This is absolutely unacceptable!

At this critical moment, Qi Mingxuan made a bold suggestion: "I request permission to personally escort the grain to the border."

"No!" Xiao Chengyu immediately objected. "Your injuries haven't healed yet, and the journey is long and fraught with danger. It's too perilous!"

Qi Mingxuan grasped her hand, his gaze resolute: "It is precisely because of the lurking dangers that I must go. I have already experienced the Shadow Pavilion's methods many times and know how to deal with them. Besides..."

He paused, his voice low: "If the border is lost, the capital will be in grave danger. When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact? I must go."

Looking into his determined eyes, Xiao Chengyu knew that further persuasion was useless, so she could only agree with tears in her eyes: "Okay, but you must promise me that you will come back safely."

"Your subject agrees," Qi Mingxuan said solemnly.

That night, Qi Mingxuan led a troop of elite soldiers, escorting the first batch of urgently mobilized grain supplies, and set off overnight. Xiao Chengyu stood on the city wall, watching the troop depart into the distance, his heart filled with unease.

Over the next few days, Xiao Chengyu worked tirelessly day and night to handle state affairs and coordinate various forces to support the border. She displayed astonishing political talent and decisiveness, even earning the respect of the usually strict Xiao Chengji.

“Yu’er has grown up.” After a political discussion, Xiao Chengji said with emotion, “If it were before, you would never have been so decisive in ordering the execution of those officials who colluded with the enemy.”

Xiao Chengyu smiled bitterly: "It's just a matter of being forced by circumstances. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

She has indeed changed a lot. From a pampered little princess, she has transformed into a capable administrator. Her numerous encounters with the Shadow Pavilion have taught her that being merciful to one's enemies is being cruel to oneself.