When the strategist learned that Shang Huai had detained Xiao Chengci, he sighed with worry.

"My lord, you were too impulsive. Now, we have no way out."

“He’s practically delivered himself to my doorstep. If I don’t detain him, I’ll be the one who dies.”

Otherwise, why would the Crown Prince of the Great Xiao Dynasty come to this bitterly cold place?

“After the Sixth Princess incident, I have no way out.”

Shang Huai scoffed, "The Shang family has guarded the border for generations, but aren't we just like the court's lackeys?"

"What's the point of living if you can't even decide your own marriage?"

Shang Huai had no desire to marry that damned Sixth Princess.

He had just lost the woman he loved and was grieving when Emperor Xiao still wanted to bestow a marriage upon him.

Emperor Xiao never thought that much about it, because he was the emperor, and no one could disobey his orders.

The strategist sighed, "I just hope that the Marquis won't regret it later."

"I never do anything I'll regret."

Shang Huai put his hands behind his back and said, "Even if I fail, my father will be fine."

The merchant has an imperial pardon bestowed by the late emperor, so the Zhenbei Army will also be safe.

Because the imperial court still needed the Zhenbei Army to guard the north.

If they really fail, only Shang Huai will die.

Shang Huai wanted to gamble with his life; he wanted to see what it was like to have power in his hands.

Seeing this, the strategist gave up trying to persuade him.

The urgent letter arrived in the capital three days later.

Emperor Xiao announced during the morning court session that Xiao Chengci had been detained by Shang Huai, who was plotting a rebellion.

Even the General Who Guards the North has disappeared without a trace.

Lu Xiuyuan returned home and told Pei Zhi the news, instructing her to prepare more food, as war was likely on the way.

Pei Zhi exclaimed in surprise, "War? This is the capital. Even if the north is restless, isn't there still the Zhenbei Army?"

Lu Xiuyuan lowered his voice and said, "The one we're going to fight is the Zhenbei Army. The Zhenbei Army is going to rebel."

Pei Zhi stared in disbelief: "Really?"

How could this be? She's dead, how could these two still be fighting?

"His Highness the Crown Prince has been detained by the traitor Shang Huai."

When Pei Zhi heard Lu Xiuyuan refer to Shang Huai as a traitor, she subconsciously frowned.

Pei Zhi subconsciously said, "Shang Huai wouldn't be a traitor."

Pei Zhi couldn't believe that Shang Huai, dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, who said in front of her that he wanted to defeat the Xiongnu and make them submit in his lifetime, would become a traitor.

Lu Xiuyuan patiently explained, "His Majesty announced it at the morning court session, and the news has already spread."

"However, Aya, did you know Shang Huai before?"

Pei Zhi shook her head. "I don't know him, but I've heard about him before. Everyone knows that the Shang family has guarded the north for generations."

Lu Xiuyuan nodded knowingly, "But the merchant's good reputation built up over hundreds of years is now going to be completely ruined by Shang Huai."

Rebellion is a serious crime, especially since Shang Huai has also detained the crown prince.

"And another thing," Lu Xiuyuan said in a low voice, "I heard that the whereabouts of the General Who Guards the North are unknown."

"Everyone is now speculating that the General Who Guards the North may have been captured by Shang Huai." Lu Xiuyuan made a throat-slitting gesture.

Pei Zhi firmly stated, "Impossible."

Pei Zhi simply couldn't believe that Shang Huai would commit patricide in order to rebel.

"I heard about this from my colleagues. Anyway, war is definitely going to break out. His Majesty has already ordered the Ministry of Revenue to prepare provisions."

Pei Zhi pursed her lips. Was Shang Huai's rebellion because of her?

But why?

Pei Zhi did not believe that Shang Huai would rebel because of her death.

Otherwise, what else could it be for Shang Huai?

Her relationship with Shang Huai shouldn't have reached the point where Shang Huai would rebel because of her death, right?

The current situation is tense; if a real war breaks out, then it's all over.

The world is on the verge of collapse. What's the point of her surviving here and completing her mission? She's still doomed anyway.

Pei Zhi looked at Lu Xiuyuan, her eyes filled with genuine reluctance.

She finally found such a good man, is she going to give him up?

But given the current situation, if she doesn't give up, isn't she just waiting to die?

After hesitating for a whole night, Pei Zhi made up an excuse the next day.

“I have a relative in the north, and I want to go visit her.”

Lu Xiuyuan naturally disagreed: "You're going alone? No way."

Pei Zhi was prepared. "I'm traveling with people from the escort agency. This relative of mine saved my life, so I want to see them before the fight breaks out."

Lu Xiuyuan was still hesitant. "But what if you don't come back?"

Lu Xiuyuan absolutely refused to agree. "The war might not break out. The General Who Guards the North is definitely still alive. Let's wait and see?"

Pei Zhi was smarter than Lu Xiuyuan. Yesterday, she heard Lu Xiuyuan say that there were rumors outside that the General of the Northern Garrison had died at the hands of Shang Huai.

That made it clear that this war was unlikely to break out.

"I know that once the General Who Guards the North comes out, the war will definitely not break out, but I still want to go to the north, I don't want to leave myself with any regrets."

Whether war breaks out or not, once the charge of rebellion is raised, Shang Huai will find it difficult to escape death.

With Shang Huai dead, will the General of the Northern Garrison truly be able to single-mindedly lead the Northern Garrison Army to defend the court in the future?

Even if Shang Huai dies, who will take over the Zhenbei Army?

Can the new general unite the entire Zhenbei Army?

Internal strife will only allow the Xiongnu to take advantage of the situation.

“Then I’ll go with you.” Lu Xiuyuan hesitated for a moment. “I can take leave. I still have a few days left from my previous family visit leave.”

"No, you've only just taken office. If you take leave now, it will inevitably give others cause for gossip."

"Besides, what will happen to Mother if you come with me? What if something happens to us on the way? Who will Mother rely on for the rest of her life?"

Lu Xiuyuan fell completely silent. If he were alone, he could indeed go to the north with Pei Zhi.

But what will happen to his mother if he leaves?

My mother is getting old and her eyesight is failing. She's finally able to enjoy a couple of years of peace and quiet. What if something happens to them...?

Pei Zhi patted Lu Xiuyuan on the shoulder, "Don't worry, I will definitely come back safe and sound."

Pei Zhi made a knife-wielding motion, "Don't forget, I'm very skilled."

Lu Xiuyuan pursed his lips and remained silent, but suddenly reached out and hugged Pei Zhi tightly.

This was the first time Lu Xiuyuan had taken the initiative to hug Pei Zhi since their marriage.

"I regret it."

Pei Zhi didn't understand: "What?"

Lu Xiuyuan's eyes were red and swollen. "If I had agreed to your request, wouldn't you feel even more reluctant to let me go now?"

Lu Xiuyuan wondered if Pei Zhi's determination to visit her relatives meant she felt a lack of belonging with him.

Pei Zhi hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not tell the truth.

Lu Xiuyuan was already so sad, so she didn't need to say anything hurtful.

Was she going to say that if Lu Xiuyuan had really given in to her, she would have left even more decisively now?

Because once you get your hands on it, it doesn't seem so...precious anymore.