Yun Mohan argued that he and Yun Beiye had grown up together since childhood, and if he made a mistake, he could just lie to cover it up. It wasn't a big deal, after all, that's how he had always gotten away with it before.

"Your Majesty's heart is as clear as the moon, heaven and earth can bear witness. It's pitiful that Your Majesty asks for nothing more than to stay in the capital and share your burdens, Your Majesty!"

Yun Mohan, tears streaming down his face, raised one arm, held up three fingers, and solemnly and sincerely swore an oath. His loyal and sincere appearance moved even Eunuch Zhao, who was standing to the side.

Eunuch Zhao withdrew his gaze from Yun Mohan, instead pouring Yun Beiye a cup of tea while keeping an eye on Yun Beiye's expression. He dared not presume to fathom the Emperor's intentions, but he also needed to be perceptive and understand Yun Beiye's attitude in order to act accordingly.

"I remember, my decree only said that your whole family should get out of the capital, but it didn't say why." Yun Beiye looked coldly at Yun Mohan.

Over the past few years, Yun Mohan had always been subservient to him, and he thought he was an honest and upright person. He never expected that he was such a ruthless and cunning person who would not even spare a weak and helpless baby!

Yun Mohan is a master of deception. After so many years of brotherhood, he had considered Yun Mohan's intentions and suspected his stance and ulterior motives, but he simply refused to believe it. Yun Mohan truly lived up to his name, chilling him to the bone.

However, considering he's been putting on an act in front of me for so many years, his character is quite resilient.

Unfortunately, his resilience and intelligence were misplaced; neither his queen nor his daughter were good people!

Hmph, how dare they harm her precious little daughter?! If it weren't for our brotherhood, he would have taken their entire family's heads!

Upon hearing Yun Beiye's words, Yun Mohan stiffened for a moment. "Your Majesty, I only heard, I heard, uh, that Your Majesty drove me out of the capital because a villain falsely accused my Princess Consort of trying to harm the little princess!"

"The princess loves children very much, how could she be so cruel as to have someone throw the little princess into the well?!" Yun Mohan hurriedly explained.

"That's absolutely impossible!" Yun Mohan tried his best to argue, hoping that Yun Beiye would agree not to let him leave the capital.

If we leave the capital, all these years of hard work will be wasted; all our foundation and connections are in the capital.

"Oh? How did you know, my brother, that the little princess was almost thrown into a well?" Yun Beiye looked at Yun Mohan coldly.

Yun Mohan paused for a moment, realizing that he had spoken rashly in his panic, and that he had said the wrong thing in his haste. "Uh, Your Highness, Your Highness is just guessing, uh, Your Highness is just hearing about it."

Eunuch Zhao remained expressionless, inwardly sighing. Although Yun Mohan was ambitious, skillful, and ruthless as a leader, he was no match for Yun Beiye in terms of intelligence.

"Oh? Is my brother trying to figure out what I'm thinking, or have you planted spies from your Prince Jin's mansion in the palace?!" Yun Beiye was very displeased and looked coldly at Yun Mohan kneeling on the ground.

Yun Mohan stared blankly, unsure of what to say. When did his elder brother become so discerning?

In the past, he never cared about the affairs of the harem. Whether a concubine died or a prince was missing, it was all handled by that stupid old woman, the Empress. That's why he dared to send someone to throw the princess into the well.

Looking back now, we were careless! Luo Xue was also immature; how could she have acted so recklessly without planning?

Having made two wrong moves, Yun Mohan inwardly groaned, regretting his hasty actions. The time was not right; he shouldn't have acted rashly.

"Mo Han, do you think I'm still like I was when I was a child, only listening to your side of the story?" Yun Beiye looked at Yun Mo Han, feeling a chill run down his spine.

The earnestness and sincerity in Yun Mohan's eyes gradually disappeared. He looked at Yun Beiye, his face devoid of any pleading expression. He knew that at this point, no amount of loyalty or pleas would be of any use.

"You've changed, and so have I," Yun Beiye said calmly.

"Oh, I suddenly remembered that General Jin, who has been stationed in the northern frontier for many years, should return to the court."

"Mo Han, since you keep saying you want to share my burdens, then go to the northern frontier and help me guard the border!"

Yun Mohan slumped to the ground. The Northern Frontier was a harsh and cold place. His princess and daughter were pampered and spoiled. How could they endure the harsh environment there?

"Your Majesty, please forgive me! For the sake of our past relationship, I will never dare to do it again!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, get out of the capital right now!" Yun Mohan knelt on the ground and hugged Yun Beiye's leg, no longer referring to himself as the Emperor's brother, but humbly calling himself "Your Majesty."

Yun Beiye remained silent.

Zhao Zhongquan glanced helplessly at Yun Mohan, then gave a signal to have the Prince of Jin dragged out.

Originally, the emperor only asked them to leave the capital, but now, he has exiled them to the northern frontier.

Northern Xinjiang is a bitterly cold place. Once you arrive there, you can only face the yellow sand and hide in a tent day and night, facing the ever-present threat of endless yellow sand and poisonous creatures such as scorpions and snakes.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me!" Yun Mohan pleaded all the way as the guards dragged him out of the palace.

After Yun Mohan left, Yun Beiye rubbed his sore eyes and asked Zhao Zhongquan, "How is the Empress Dowager? Have you sent anyone over?"

The Empress Dowager prefers quiet, and apart from a few palace maids serving outside the palace, there are only the Empress Dowager and Granny Zhang in Shouchang Palace. Now that the little princess is also living in Shouchang Palace, the two old ladies simply do not have enough energy to take care of the little princess.

"Your Majesty, this old servant has already arranged for people, but the Empress Dowager has placed them in the outer courtyard, not allowing them to serve you closely." Eunuch Zhao knew that the Emperor was in a bad mood at the moment, so he answered cautiously.

"Hmm, perhaps the Empress Dowager is worried. You should keep an eye on the people in the palace and send a few suitable ones to her."

"If anyone is found to have impure intentions, send them directly to the Department of Cautious Punishment."

"Yes, this old servant remembers."

"I heard today that the Empress Dowager brought out some red flowers, saying it's for the little princess to eat with honey," Eunuch Zhao changed the subject.

"oh?"

Yun Beiye pondered for a moment, then revealed a faint smile. Just thinking about his daughter seemed to make all his troubles disappear. That soft and cuddly little dumpling always brought him joy and comfort. "As expected of my daughter, even her tastes are so unique."

"By imperial decree, search for seasonal flowers in Nanyang. Any flowers with nectar should be brought to the palace and richly rewarded!" Yun Beiye walked to the window, looking at the desolate winter scenery and bare tree branches outside.

"Yes, this old servant will take care of it immediately." Eunuch Zhao bowed and left the Zichen Palace.

...

In northern Xinjiang, yellow sand fills the sky, jagged rocks abound, and steep cliffs rise, while the round, red sun bakes the earth until it cracks.

Inside the Zhenbei military camp, Jin Jinzhi sat on a hill overlooking the boundless desert. He had lived on this land for a long time.

The desert stretches as far as the eye can see, with the horizon seemingly out of reach, making one feel incredibly small, as if one could be swallowed up at any moment.

He wore a black hood, dressed in black, and his face was veiled, revealing only his black eyes.