Rong Yang, as the eldest daughter of the Prince's Mansion, frequently entered and exited the palace. The late Emperor indulged in pleasure and beauty, and there were many women in the harem. The Empress was a shrewd woman who firmly held onto real power, watching her subordinates fight to the death.

It seems that the fiercer the women fight, the more at ease the empress feels, as she can witness some unsavory things every time she enters the palace.

The thought alone is terrifying.

As Rong Yang pondered these thoughts, the smile on her face gradually faded, and she looked dejected. Rong Ning noticed the change in her mood, held her hand tightly, and comforted her, "Sister, don't think about it anymore. Thinking about these things now will only add to your troubles."

“That’s true…” Rong Yang lowered his head and rubbed her forehead. “No matter if the Emperor of Dajing’s harem is a den of wolves, I will do everything I can to survive.”

Living without dignity is still living.

Only when people are alive can they have hope.

After all… she also fantasized that one day her father and brothers would bring her back.

This will be her lifelong hope.

Rong Ning closed her eyes, concealing the myriad emotions within, and replied, "Yes... I believe in my elder sister!"

After that, the two remained silent.

Both of them got up very early today. After going through all the procedures at the Ministry of Rites, they were exhausted. Now the two sisters were leaning on each other, and sleepiness was washing over them.

I drifted off to sleep in a daze.

Ah Ye, who was serving them, adjusted them into comfortable sleeping positions and covered them with blankets, as it gets colder the further north they go, and they didn't want them to get sick.

I slept soundly, and when I woke up again, it was already dark.

After walking for another half an hour, they finally arrived at the rest stop.

The procession for the marriage alliance was large and involved important matters between the two countries, so no mistakes could be tolerated. Therefore, the post stations had been cleared out beforehand, and by the time everyone was settled in, it was already very late.

Rong Ning ate something with Rong Yang, then had A Ye help Rong Yang wash up and get ready for bed, while she slipped away to find A Ying.

The wedding procession was so large that the post stations couldn't accommodate everyone, so the imperial guards escorting the procession north and a large number of the dowry women camped outside the post stations.

Ah Ying mingled among the palace maids who accompanied her in her dowry, also disguised, but not as exaggeratedly as Rong Ning; a closer look would reveal her true identity.

When Rong Ning called her, she was chatting enthusiastically with the palace maids who were with her. When she heard someone calling her, she turned around and didn't react for a moment.

"Come here for a second!" Rong Ning called out again with a stern face.

"Okay...okay...coming right away!"

Although I couldn't recognize his face, I could still recognize his voice.

Aying quickly got up and followed Rong Ning. They stopped in the shadows and observed their surroundings. Finding nothing amiss, Aying leaned close to Rong Ning's ear and reported, "Our people have already headed north ahead of us and will arrive in Kangye City a few days earlier."

"Um…"

Aying clicked her tongue, looked at the guards not far away, and continued, "Master, the Imperial Guard escort this time is huge. If you want to do anything, it might be a bit difficult with just our small force."

"Don't worry... I'm not doing anything..." Rong Ning said calmly. "I had you mingle among the dowry maids so you could observe whether there were any treacherous people among them, and eliminate them as soon as possible."

In the past few days, her intelligence network has received some information that someone wants to sabotage this marriage alliance.

Although the Southern Dynasty appears to be at peace, her father still usurped the throne by murdering the emperor. Furthermore, to demonstrate the new emperor's benevolence, the previous emperor's lineage was not exterminated and was instead imprisoned in the imperial mausoleum.

Many malicious people are waiting for an opportunity to sabotage this important marriage alliance between the two countries, and then take advantage of the chaos to stir up trouble and cause trouble for the Emperor and the court.

The most direct way Rong Ning could think of to sabotage the marriage alliance was to cause something to go wrong with the people involved.

Rong Ning didn't want her elder sister to go on a political marriage, but she also couldn't let her elder sister suffer any harm.

Even if she didn't consider this issue, she still needed to thoroughly investigate the backgrounds of these palace maids. After all, once she arrived in Dajing, they would be her own people. If there were poisonous people mixed among her own people, it would be catastrophic for her.

After explaining things to Aying, Rong Ning quickly returned to Rong Yang's place.

I thought he was already asleep, but he was still propped up on his head and reading.

She removed her makeup, and her long, flowing hair cascaded down, the candlelight casting a warm yellow glow on her features. Her face in the shadows seemed less breathtaking than it had been during the day, yet incredibly gentle.

"You're back?" Rong Yang looked up from his book at her. "Where did you go? Did you do something bad?"

"What are you saying, sister!"

Rong Ning feigned anger, "I just couldn't stand it, so I went out for a stroll and chatted with A Ying for a bit. I was afraid that if she didn't see me for a long time, she would think that her master didn't want her anymore."

This is half true and half false; that's how you deceive people.

She walked over and sat down next to Rong Yang, glanced at the books on the table, and said unhappily, "Sister, please rest. We have to travel tomorrow, so don't tire yourself out."

"I can't sleep... I'm waiting for you to come back!"

Rong Yang pulled Rong Ning's hand, looked at her, and said very seriously, "A Ning... I'm really happy that you can accompany me north. At least it can soothe my anxiety along the way."

But a marriage alliance between the two countries is a major event, and you mustn't interfere, okay?

"Sister, what are you saying!"

Rong Ning would never admit it...

"I was immature before, but I can still be clear-headed when it comes to important matters. Don't worry, I will definitely not cause trouble."

She spoke very sincerely, but Rong Yang's face still showed lingering doubt.

He gritted his teeth and continued, "I swear... if I ruin this important matter of marriage between our two countries, I will never..."

Upon hearing this, Rong Yang quickly covered her mouth, silencing the last two words, "Alright! Alright! I believe you."

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