"Your Highness—"
In Chaoyang County, at the Princess's residence, Du Heng returned from outside, shouting loudly.
Shen Hanshan hurled his longsword forward, the tip embedding itself deeply in the ground a zhang away from Du Heng, producing a buzzing sound.
Du Heng suddenly stopped in his tracks, then heard the other person curse, "Are you in such a hurry?!"
Shen Hanshan strode over, drew his sword, patted Du Heng on the shoulder, and said with his chin raised, "What happened? Tell me slowly."
"Fire! There's a fire on Chaoyu Mountain! His Highness and the others..." Du Heng stammered, unsure how to express the gravity of the situation.
"Where did you hear that from?" Shen Hanshan sheathed his sword, put his hands behind his back, and slowly walked towards the palace.
Du Heng hurriedly followed and replied, "An hour ago, I was ordered by Your Highness to go to the Chaoyang Garrison to check on the exile of Li Zan and his son, as well as the Qin family. On the way back, I heard from a woodcutter in Chunsheng County that a wooden house on Chaoyu Mountain had caught fire."
"Your Highness!" Seeing that Shen Hanshan's reaction remained indifferent, Du Heng couldn't help but raise his voice, "Aren't you worried at all?"
Shen Hanshan continued walking slowly ahead with his hands behind his back, and asked in return, "What are you worried about? They'll be fine. It's just a smokescreen."
Hearing this, Du Heng's anxiety, which had been building all the way, gradually subsided. "Whom is Your Highness wary of?"
Shen Hanshan thought to himself: Who can she be wary of? She's only wary of me. "Tell me about the situation of Li Zan and his son, and the Qin family in the garrison camp," he changed the subject.
Seeing that Shen Hanshan was no longer asking about Chaoyu Mountain, Du Heng began to recount in detail what he had seen and heard at the Chaoyang Garrison.
"Your Highness, Li Zan and his son, along with the Qin family, are relatively well-behaved in the garrison camp. However, the young master of the Qin family seems somewhat resentful, and his words are quite provocative," Du Heng said as he walked, a hint of worry in his eyes.
Shen Hanshan smiled slightly, seemingly unconcerned about Du Heng's worries.
"Qin Yu, the young master of the Qin family, is nothing but a greenhorn and not worth worrying about. The key is Li Zan and his son; their every move must be closely monitored."
"Yes, Your Highness." Du Heng nodded in agreement, then added, "However, I've also heard some rumors in the garrison camp. It's said that Zhao Gong's third daughter—that Zhao concubine Li Huai'an previously took—frequently visits him at the garrison camp, but Li Huai'an always avoids her. I've also heard that Li Huai'an and his son Li Zan often clash. Yesterday, they were both flogged for fighting without permission!"
Shen Hanshan paused slightly, then resumed his normal pace. "This is interesting. Zhao Yun, the legal wife, doesn't visit, but Zhao Rou, the concubine, seems more affectionate. The Li family was exiled because of Li Zan, so it's natural for Li Huai'an to resent his father. If necessary, we must protect Li Huai'an's life."
Du Heng was somewhat puzzled by his master's actions.
“Your Highness, this Li Huai’an used to compete with you for your fiancée, and you are still so magnanimous in taking care of your exiled rival?”
Du Heng didn't have the courage to say what came next.
“Du Heng,” Shen Hanshan called his name.
Du Heng hummed in response, looking at his lord with a puzzled expression.
"Think bigger. Li Huai'an came to Chaoyang County in a fit of anger as soon as he received Li Zan's letter of divorce from Bai Wei, but the Bai family in Chaoyang County has not received any news from Li Huai'an. Have you thought about the reason for this?"
Li Huai'an must have been stopped halfway.
Du Heng shook his head.
“Although I can’t guess what that person is thinking,” Shen Hanshan said, looking in the direction of Lingyang City. After a moment of silence, he continued, “based on my understanding of him over the years, he probably wants to keep Li Huai’an alive for future use.”
"But Li Huai'an only goes to his mother when he gets into trouble, ignoring his wives and concubines at home. Can such an irresponsible man be entrusted with important tasks?"
Shen Hanshan smiled slightly, a profound light flashing in his eyes. "Du Heng, you only see the surface. Although Li Huai'an seems weak, the fact that the person in Lingyang City has kept his position shows that he is still useful."
After listening, Du Heng nodded thoughtfully. "Your Highness, now that you mention it, I understand. Li Huai'an may not be as useless as we thought."
Shen Hanshan nodded and continued, "Du Heng, you must remember that there are no absolute enemies or absolute friends in this world. Although Li Huai'an was once my rival in love, we can still work together when it comes to matters of principle."
"Yes, Your Highness," Du Heng replied respectfully.
Shen Hanshan turned around, gazing into the distance as if deep in thought. "Du Heng, make the arrangements. I will personally go to the Chaoyang Garrison tomorrow. At the same time, send someone to Chaoyu Mountain to investigate and find out what exactly happened with that fire."
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