Shang Changge didn't respond, and led Zhuque straight towards the dining hall.

However, as she passed the corner where the leader of the assassins in the manor was hiding, her crimson lips parted and uttered two words that were neither too loud nor too soft:

"waste."

Leader of the Death Squad: ...

You didn't ask us to drive the general away, did you...?

The leader of the assassins felt wronged, but dared not speak out.

Shang Changge had little appetite; she ate only a couple of bites of her simple breakfast before putting down her chopsticks and refusing to eat any more.

Garden, waterside pavilion.

Shang Changge was usually a very idle person; after breakfast, he had nothing to do.

At this moment, I'm lounging lazily in the waterside pavilion, basking in the sun, tossing smooth, pretty pebbles one by one into the lake.

"Thump—" "Snap—" "Thump—" "Snap—"

Pebbles were thrown into the pool, breaking the thin layer of ice that had formed overnight due to the low temperature.

After the thin ice was broken, the brightly colored fish in the pond were startled and swam around in groups.

Some of the bolder ones popped their heads out of the pool, blew a bubble, wagged their tails, and swam away.

"Princess." It was Qingyao.

Shang Changge paused in his play with the pebble, then threw it away and spoke:

"explain."

Qingyao: "Jing Xiuming is requesting an audience outside the mansion gate."

Shang Changge's face showed no emotion, but his tone made no attempt to hide his dislike:

"Tell him to get out."

Feeling down, with an indescribable rage simmering within him, he called out to Qingyao and summoned Zhuque.

"Zhuque, go. Tell him that if he dares to show up in front of me again to seek attention, I will kill him."

Suzaku: "Yes!"

Zhuque went to carry out the order and relay the master's words. Qingyao stepped aside, silently lowered her head, and felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

There were no complaints, because it was her fault...

It's perfectly normal for a princess to find someone to replace her.

The Vermilion Bird returned, bringing back not only a report on completing its mission, but also another matter.

"Princess, the Great General has arrived. He is also at the gate requesting an audience with you. What do you think..."

The waterside pavilion quieted down, and no more pebbles were thrown into the pond to harm the precious fish living in it.

After a long silence, Shang Changge finally spoke: "I won't see you."

Suzaku was not surprised by his master's decision, and continued:

“Princess, the general also instructed me that if you do not see him, I should tell you that he is going to the frontier.”

Shang Changge closed his eyes, and the white, jade-like pebble in his palm was crushed.

After opening his eyes, he resumed his usual indifferent, lazy, and nonchalant demeanor.

"Is that so? Then go again and tell him that I wish him a great victory."

Zhuque accepted the order and went down.

Unlike Qingyao, Zhuque doesn't offer advice or try to reconcile; she only carries out her master's orders, like an emotionless robot.

The Princess's Residence, at the entrance.

Xiao Ji and Jing Xiuming stood on the left and right respectively, forming a completely opposing situation.

Xiao Ji, still dressed in his general's robes, looked at Jing Xiuming as if he were an inanimate object, his voice devoid of any inflection:

"You should know very well that it would be as easy for this general to kill you."

Jing Xiuming smiled, showing no fear, but his words carried a hidden meaning: "Then the general had better kill me before leading his troops out of the capital."

Just then, Zhuque appeared and relayed Shang Changge's words to Xiao Ji verbatim.

Jing Xiuming's smile widened, and he took a step back, bowing respectfully to Xiao Ji.

"Like my sister, I wish the General a resounding victory."

Almost instantly after he finished speaking, Jing Xiuming's neck was grabbed by Xiao Ji's large hand, and he was lifted up by Xiao Ji with one hand.

His slender figure swayed precariously in the biting cold wind, yet the smile on Jing Xiuming's face remained undiminished.

Under the pale golden morning light in front of the Princess's residence, Xiao Ji stood tall and imposing, his entire being exuding a violent and murderous aura.

"It's so lively!"

Just as Xiao Ji was about to break Jing Xiuming's neck right there today, Shang Changge appeared.

Looking at everything before him, he sighed indifferently, as if it were none of his business.