So what if I traveled through time? I'll continue to roll in another place

Chu Yuanming's army was in imminent danger, and the report requesting help was quickly delivered to the capital.

Compared with the previous letters of joyful victory, the news that the food and supplies were burned and the army was besieged in Liangdu was like a bolt from the blue, plunging the entire capital into panic.

For Princess Shu Rongxue, it was like being struck by lightning. Her heart sank to the bottom in an instant, and her face turned as pale as snow from the moment she received the news.

Other officials whose husbands and children went to the battlefield were also worried, fearing that they would lose their loved ones.

"How is this possible?" Shu Rongxue murmured to himself, his eyes full of disbelief and horror.

She was not a woman who indulged in love, but the changes before her were beyond her expectations, and the unknown made her frightened.

Shu Rongxue tightly grasped the official report in her hand, almost crushing it with such force. She gathered her mind and tried to calm herself down. The most urgent task now was to find a way to rescue Chu Yuanming.

She immediately ordered her servants to go out and gather information. Although she was a princess, she could not interfere in government affairs. She could only keep thinking about countermeasures and use her wisdom and connections to find possible ways of rescue.

"Mu Jin, go and invite Rui Ge'er over." She calmed herself down and decided to find her own people to intervene in the matter personally.

Chu Zhaorui is the eldest son of Chu Yuanming, born to concubine Dou. Concubine Dou Jirou's maternal brother once served as the left councilor of the Tongzhengsi. After Chu Changning's rebellion was suppressed, he was promoted to the right councilor. He knows the most about the submission and rejection of memorials and memorials inside and outside the country, so why not let him go and find out the news first.

"Mother, are you looking for me?" Chu Zhaorui came hurriedly. He was now sixteen years old and a tall and graceful young man. Seeing Shu Rongxue's solemn face, he knew that the matter was urgent.

Shu Rongxue handed him the official report and said, "Your father is trapped in Liangdu and is in critical condition. Your uncle is now in the Ministry of Public Administration and may be able to get some information. Go ask him for help and find out what the current situation is and whether there is any way to save your father."

Chu Zhaorui took the report and frowned, "I understand, I will go find my uncle right away."

Shu Rongxue looked at his back, her heart filled with worry.

She was well aware that this time the crisis was fraught with danger. Chu Zhaorui was only the nominal figurehead of the Prince of Jin's Mansion, and she had to find the real key herself.

Shu Rongxue always felt that this matter was a bit strange. The prince had sufficient food and grass when he went to the battlefield, and everything was well arranged. Even if he could not win battles in a row, he would not end up isolated and helpless and besieged.

After Chu Zhaorui left, Shu Rongxue leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and thought quietly. She recalled every detail she had handled before the expedition, and tried to think about the performance of each household, trying to find some clues.

Shu Rongxue spent a whole day investigating all the famous figures in the court, but he still couldn't figure out where to start.

At dinner time, Chu Zhaorui came back with news, and he was eager to tell it at the dinner table.

"Mother, I have already asked my uncle about the matter you asked me to do today..."

"It's okay. Rui'er has been busy all day. Let's eat first." Shu Rongxue interrupted him calmly. No matter how urgent it was, he could not lose his manners in front of the servants.

And from the way he walked in, Shu Rongxue had already guessed that it would not be good news. At this moment, she didn't want the women in the backyard to know too much, so as not to throw her family into disarray.

Chu Zhaorui's words were interrupted, so he could only stop talking and hold back the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

"Yes." He could only start eating.

Dou Jirou, who was standing by, felt sorry for her son but did not dare to disobey the princess. She looked at her son and then at Shu Rongxue's expression, but did not dare to say a word.

"The weather is getting warmer today, so I'll keep Rui'er to drink tea with me and skip the evening ceremony." Shu Rongxue said leisurely after finishing his dinner.

"Yes, thank you for your consideration, Princess." All the concubines and children bowed and greeted, leaving only Chu Zhaorui.

After watching everyone leave, Chu Zhaorui finally couldn't hold it in any longer, and before Shu Rongxue could ask any more questions, he spoke up, "Mother, I heard from outside..."

After finally being able to speak, he didn't know how to start, "Outside, outside everyone said that this siege was all because of my father... It was because of my father's poor decision-making that the food and fodder were lost and the army was besieged..."

The young man's face showed embarrassment, uneasiness and confusion. He spoke anxiously while looking at Shu Rongxue's expression.

"How dare you!" Shu Rongxue flicked the teacup to the ground. Chu Zhaorui couldn't dodge and was splashed with tea stains. He didn't dare to say a word, let alone refute.

"No matter how outsiders slander your father, you, as his eldest son, should never disbelieve him!" Shu Rongxue seemed particularly stern.

"Yes, I spoke out of turn, and I know I was wrong." All of Chu Yuanming's descendants, regardless of gender, were brought up uniformly by their stepmother since childhood, so they naturally respected and feared Shu Rongxue.

After being criticized by Shu Rongxue, Chu Zhaorui immediately knelt down and kowtowed to admit his mistake.

"Get up. You are young and easily influenced by the rumors outside. But no matter what, you cannot question your father." Shu Rongxue softened his tone and signaled Mu Jin to help him up.

"Please sit down and tell me what people are saying outside." It was as if the anger just now did not exist, and Shu Rongxue looked like a kind and dignified stepmother again.

The maid brought tea to Chu Zhaorui. He thought for a while before speaking, "It's said outside that it was my father who was stubborn and unwilling to hand over the command of the army to General Pei. His greed for merit led to the siege of the army."

He looked at Shu Rongxue's face and continued, "Some people say that it was because my father did not discipline the army strictly, and someone must have deliberately leaked the marching route, which allowed the enemy to easily cut off our army's food supply...

And..." Chu Zhaorui's voice became smaller and smaller, "Some people also said that my father had requisitioned a large amount of food and grass before he set out, but he didn't cherish and protect it well. Now it's all lost. How can we make up for these losses? They came to ask for food with just one report, but they didn't think about the fact that they had exhausted all the resources before, and now they can't produce food and grass with just their words. "

Chu Zhaorui had been listening outside for a day and had been convinced by these rumors. Even though Shu Rongxue did not allow him to question his father, he felt in his heart that his father's approach was indeed problematic, so he had to shut up.

Shu Rongxue looked at Chu Zhaorui sharply and asked, "Have you found out who is spreading these rumors?"

Chu Zhaorui shook his head and said, "I am incompetent and have not yet found the source." His uncle did not tell him which adult said that.

Shu Rongxue pondered for a moment and said, "No matter what, we must not let these rumors disrupt the morale of the army. Go to your uncle again tomorrow and ask him to investigate the matter."

She looked at her troubled son and said sternly, "Rui'er, your father fought for the country and is now trapped and instigated by these villains. The situation on the battlefield changes rapidly, how can it be as expected? It is our duty to requisition food and supplies. What is there to discuss? You should also send a message that the army's armaments must be supplied. Don't let your father be ambushed."

Chu Zhaorui took the order and left. Shu Rongxue's mood became heavier. Time waits for no one, and she must find out who is behind this.