Chapter 408 Aning, You Owe Me an Explanation

"What about my sister and His Royal Highness Prince Xuan?" Wen Yan asked.

"He has returned to the capital." Yang Lie said in a low voice, "His Royal Highness Prince Xuan has not appeared in public for a long time, and people are beginning to be suspicious. According to the secret report from Feiyun Guard, several people have already sent people to Prince Xuan's mansion to test him."

If I don't go back, I'm afraid I'll be in trouble.

Although he was mentally prepared, Wen Yan couldn't help feeling a little disappointed when he heard the news.

He didn't even have the time to say goodbye to his sister properly.

Yang Lie saw that he was in a bad mood, so he patted his shoulder and said, "Cheer up, the memorial requesting merit has been submitted. You sneaked into the Green Forest Alliance as an undercover agent, and helped me defeat the Green Forest Alliance and the Xichuan Army. This is your first merit, and the reward will definitely not be less. From now on, you and your mother will never be bullied again."

Wen Yan was not happy, "But the ones who did all this were Prince Xuan and my sister..."

How could he take credit for their work?

"Why are you still so stubborn?" Yang Lie glared at him. "They have given us a great achievement, and they want us to take it and become their strongest helper in the future. You don't want to be just a small commander forever, without even the qualifications to help them, right?"

Wen Yan immediately shook his head desperately, "I don't want to."

"That's right." Yang Lie raised his eyebrows, "When the imperial decree of reward comes, no matter what reward it is, you should accept it with peace of mind. Otherwise, Prince Xuan and your elder sister will have worked in vain!"

Wen Yan nodded, "I understand."

After a pause, he asked, "But my sister is now considered dead by everyone in the capital, so what identity can she use to return to the capital?"

Yang Lie: "Uh... I heard, a substitute lover?"

Wen Yan's jaw dropped in shock, "Huh?"

Is she doing it for herself?

…

On the official road from Xichuan to the capital, a horse-drawn carriage moved slowly.

Inside the car, a woman picked up a piece of cake with her slender fingers, and clung to the man next to her as if she had no bones.

Her voice was so charming that it could drip water, "Master, come and try a piece~ This is made by me~"

The veins on Xiao Jinxuan's forehead throbbed violently, and he endured for a long time before speaking, "Are you sure you want to do this after returning to Beijing?"

Xie Zhuoning blinked and asked, "What's wrong? Didn't I act well?"

"……good."

"That's all."

"But I think it would be better if we could be a little more normal." Xiao Jinxuan made the suggestion sincerely.

Xie Zhuoning pinched his chin and thought for a while, "How about I follow Xia Ju's aloof style, the kind that speaks out words one by one?"

Xiao Jinxuan paused, "Then let's go with this one."

"I think this is great too~" Xie Zhuoning smiled softly with her hands covering her lips, her eyes sparkling and her expression incredibly bright.

This doesn't look like a coquettish concubine at all, but rather a spirit that walked out of a painting.

Xiao Jinxuan couldn't help but think of the past, when she was sometimes coquettish and nagging, sometimes pitiful and delicate, and she was used to acting.

Otherwise, how could he be so willing to be tricked by her step by step?

As they were talking, Ling Xiao's voice came from outside the carriage, "Master, Princess, there is a pigeon message from the Marquis of Changxing."

A corner of the car curtain was opened, and a secret letter was handed in.

After taking a quick look, Xiao Jinxuan raised his eyes and looked at Xie Zhuoning thoughtfully, "You really guessed it right. The capital sent Duke Xin to take over the Xichuan Army, and it was much earlier than expected."

Judging from the time, Duke Xin would have followed closely behind Yang Lie as soon as he left the capital.

He would just wait until Yang Lie reorganized the Xichuan Army so that he could take over as soon as possible.

If they had not withdrawn overnight, they would have been confronted by Duke Xin and his men by now.

Xie Zhuoning narrowed his eyes slightly, "It really is him."

Seeing her unsurprised expression, Xiao Jinxuan's eyes deepened, "Does An Ning still owe me an explanation?"

Just because he doesn't want to delve into some things doesn't mean he knows nothing.

He just didn't want to force her, and wanted to wait until she wanted to say it and then say it on her own initiative.

In fact, Xie Zhuoning had planned to confess to Xiao Jinxuan a long time ago, but the story was too long and she didn't know where to start.

"Xiao Jinxuan, do you believe in this life or the afterlife?"

She opened her mouth slowly and leisurely, as if she was telling some strange story, and told him about her own rebirth.

"Are you curious about why I guessed Duke Xin? Because in the previous life, after Shen Shuyu married Xiao Bicheng, he began to focus on supporting Duke Xin's family."

After my father died in the previous life, Duke Xin took over the Zhenbei Army.

But in this life, the situation is a little different.

My father was not dead, and the first army to be taken back was the Xichuan Army.

If it were Emperor Zhaowen, he would definitely send one of the generals that he and Yang Lie had guessed.

Because the current Xichuan Army is a mess, and it cannot be controlled without someone with some courage.

But what if Emperor Zhaowen is no longer able to survive?

According to Ayu's speculation, Emperor Zhaowen's life span has come to an end, and the death of the country is estimated to be a matter of time.

And if Xiao Bicheng were to be the regent, he would definitely not send another powerful general to take over the Xichuan army, because he was afraid of raising a tiger to harm him again and threatening himself.

Coincidentally, at this time, a very suitable person appeared, that is, Duke Xin.

Duke Xin was not a man of great ability. He was only lucky enough to be crowned Duke because he saved the life of the previous emperor. He also knew his own worth, so he retired with the help of his injuries and became a wealthy man.

However, in recent years, the Xin Guogong Mansion has not produced many promising descendants. After three generations of succession, the Xin Guogong family may even fade out of the court. Therefore, Xin Guogong was a little anxious, so much so that he not only sent his granddaughter to the palace, but also led the army when he was over 70 years old, just to gain some glory and wealth for his useless descendants.

He is old and poses no threat. He has a granddaughter at his disposal and the whole family relies on him. He also holds a very high position. For Xiao Bicheng, this Duke Xin is simply a chess piece that cannot be easily controlled.

"So when I saw Shen Shuyu become the Crown Prince's consort, I boldly speculated that Xiao Bicheng would send Duke Xin. Duke Xin is eager to show his loyalty, and he will definitely not miss such a good opportunity to wipe out the Green Forest Alliance."

She didn't explain these things clearly at the time. Firstly, she was afraid that her guess was wrong and would mislead Xiao Jinxuan and Yang Lie. Secondly, she was afraid that it was too shocking and they would have trouble accepting it.

"Okay, I'm done." Xie Zhuoning let out a long breath, feeling relieved.

She had always retained some sincerity, thinking that even if she and Xiao Jinxuan parted ways one day, she could still leave quickly and cleanly.

But now, she's speaking candidly.

Unfold yourself before him exactly as you are.

Xiao Jinxuan's voice trembled in an undetectable hurry. "Does it hurt?"

He reached out and stroked her neck.

Although she only mentioned it in a few words, he couldn't help but imagine her neck being pierced by an arrow. How painful must it be?

She must have suffered a lot in her previous life, right?