Xie Ling'er requested an audience late at night, presenting an ancient book with a solemn expression: "I discovered a record in my family's medical book that the Northern Barbarians have a secret technique that can change a person's appearance and voice, but the recipient must take a special antidote regularly, otherwise they will die in agony."

Xiao Chengyu asked anxiously, "What does this have to do with saving Mingxuan?"

“Since the imposter who impersonated the prince consort has died from the poison, it means he didn’t take his medicine on time,” Xie Ling’er analyzed. “This means there may have been a change within the Northern Di, or they may have abandoned this pawn. Now is the perfect time to save him.”

Xiao Chengyu's hope was rekindled, but he remained cautious: "Even if there is an opportunity, where can we look for it?"

Xie Ling'er pointed to a symbol on the ancient book: "I have seen this mark on the medicinal materials presented as tribute by the Northern Di delegation. According to research, it comes from the area of ​​the Northern Di Sacred Mountain."

Just as the two were discussing, an urgent report came from the border: a sudden civil war had broken out in the Northern Di royal court. Kumor's brother, Ashina Khan, launched a coup, imprisoned Kumor, and proclaimed himself the new Khan.

“Ashina Khan…” Xiao Chengyu recalled that Ashina Yun had mentioned this uncle before, “Sister Yun said that he had always advocated making peace with the Central Plains.”

She immediately summoned Ashina Yun.

Ashina Yun confirmed this: "My uncle does not approve of my brother's radical policies. If he were to take power, it might be a turning point."

Xiao Chengyu acted decisively, writing a letter to congratulate Ashina Khan on his ascension to the throne as a princess of Liang, and hinting at her willingness to send envoys to discuss peace matters. At the same time, she dispatched an elite force of secret guards to infiltrate the Northern Barbarians and search for Qi Mingxuan's whereabouts.

Three months later, the envoy brought back good news: Ashina Khan was willing to negotiate and revealed a shocking piece of information—Qi Mingxuan was indeed still alive and was imprisoned in a secret cave in the sacred mountain of the Northern Di!

"But his injuries are serious and his condition is poor," the envoy added. "Ashina Khan promised to release him immediately if the peace talks succeed."

The peace talks went very smoothly. Ashina Khan seemed to genuinely want peace, not only agreeing to release Qi Mingxuan but also agreeing to return some of the occupied territory.

On the eve of the signing of the treaty, Xiao Chengyu had a strange dream. In the dream, Qi Mingxuan was covered in blood and cried out to her, "Yu'er, don't trust them! This is a trap!"

She was startled awake and felt uneasy, so she immediately sent more people to help her.

As expected, an unexpected incident occurred during the handover of Qi Mingxuan. The Northern Di suddenly turned hostile, and the ambushing soldiers swarmed out. Fortunately, Xiao Chengyu was prepared, and the support team fought their way out, finally rescuing Qi Mingxuan.

When Xiao Chengyu saw the figure, tortured beyond recognition, she could hardly believe it was her beloved husband. He was covered in wounds and emaciated, only his eyes still retained a trace of their former sparkle.

“Mingxuan…” She reached out her hand, trembling, and gently stroked his cheek.

He struggled to open his eyes, a faint smile appearing on his face: "Yu'er... I've finally... seen you again..."

Back in the capital, the imperial physicians did their best to treat him, but Qi Mingxuan's condition was worrying. Not only was his body severely damaged, but his memory was also confused, and he often couldn't distinguish between reality and hallucinations.

What's even more heartbreaking is that he would sometimes suddenly become irritable and suspicious, even verbally abusing Xiao Chengyu. The imperial physician said this was a post-traumatic stress disorder caused by long-term abuse.

Xiao Chengyu was heartbroken, but she still patiently stayed by his side. She believed that with enough time and care, he would surely recover completely.

However, reality is often disappointing. One night, Qi Mingxuan suddenly had a fit, injured a palace servant, and rushed out of his bedchamber, shouting that he was going to find "the real Yu'er".

When Xiao Chengyu and his men found him in the Imperial Garden, he was muttering to himself while looking at his reflection in the pond: "You are not her...you are not my Yu'er..."

"Mingxuan, it's me." Xiao Chengyu approached slowly, his voice gentle.

He turned around abruptly, his eyes filled with madness: "Liars! You're all liars! My Yu'er died long ago! In that fire..."

Xiao Chengyu was stunned. She suddenly remembered that a small fire had indeed occurred in the palace a year ago, but she was not nearby at the time.

The imperial physician explained in a low voice: This may be a false memory caused by trauma, projecting other people's experiences onto oneself.

Following this incident, discussions began in the court that Qi Mingxuan was mentally unstable and no longer fit to shoulder important responsibilities. Some even suggested that a different consort should be chosen.

Xiao Chengyu was furious and declared in court: "Qi Mingxuan has rendered great service to our dynasty, and now he is severely injured. This is precisely the time when he needs our support. Anyone who dares to discuss this matter again will be punished for disloyalty!"

From then on, no one dared to discuss it openly anymore, but undercurrents continued to flow.

Just then, trouble arose again on the border. Although Ashina Khan advocated peace, the pro-war faction within the Northern Di tribes remained strong. Some tribal leaders were dissatisfied with the peace treaty and frequently harassed the border.

Xiao Chengyu had no choice but to throw herself back into politics. She shuttled between the court and her palace every day, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted.

That day, she was discussing border defense with her ministers when a palace servant rushed in to report: Qi Mingxuan had flared up again and this time he had injured the imperial physician.

She rushed back and saw Qi Mingxuan being subdued on the ground by the guards, his eyes bloodshot, and shouting incomprehensible nonsense.

"Let him go!" Xiao Chengyu commanded. She slowly approached and softly called out, "Mingxuan, it's me, Yu'er."

Miraculously, Qi Mingxuan gradually calmed down. He looked at her blankly, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes: "Yu'er... I think... I had another nightmare..."

Xiao Chengyu felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She stepped forward and hugged him tightly, saying, "It's alright now, it's all over."

"Mingxuan..." she called softly, her voice trembling uncontrollably.

Qi Mingxuan raised his eyes, a hint of confusion flashing in them, which then turned into gentle ripples: "Yu'er."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!