Lin Dingyao shook his head and said:

"Originally, the Emperor was discussing with me the plan to have your second brother evacuate, but just now, the spy I planted in the capital received a letter saying that your second brother had led people to investigate the Beirong Palace at night a few days ago and had not contacted them since.

They originally thought that your second brother and his companions had returned to Da Qi safely, but the next day, Bei Rong began to increase their investigation of spies within the territory, so they speculated that something might have happened to them in the palace.

However, because Helian Rongxia suddenly ordered a strict inspection of every checkpoint leading to the border in the past two days, it took a lot of time for them to send the letter out, so I am afraid that your second brother and the others are now in great danger."

Lin Qingtang didn't believe it.

"No, my second brother is very skilled in martial arts. Even if he encountered danger in the Beirong Palace, he would definitely be able to escape. He just hasn't come back yet. I believe he will be fine."

Lin Dingyao looked at his daughter and sighed:

"I hope so. However, Your Majesty, there is one thing I am not clear about. Since Helian Rongxia had been planning to return the Empress from the beginning, why didn't he just let them take the person away after knowing that it was a spy from the Great Qi who infiltrated his palace? Instead, he personally sent the Empress to Luocheng for exchange. Was it just to get a truce agreement from you?

Judging from my dealings with Helian Rongxia in the past two years in the northern border, he is not the kind of person who gives in easily. It is impossible for him to accept the armistice agreement between the two countries after the city was captured so easily.

Now, he simply lacks enough food and fodder to support his army's counterattack due to last year's famine. But if he refuses to accept the armistice, he can wait until the situation in the Northern Rong country improves and then make a comeback."

Hearing this, Mo Qiyuan also fell into deep thought.