I'm in trouble again! My best friend, the princess in the group, please save me!

"No, don't worry. I'm just going out to enjoy the scenery. Tell me, you've been here for so long, but you haven't been out to play? Every day you're either in the palace or in the princess's mansion, Runxuetang. Besides, I've made so much money, of course I have to go out and spend it!" Jiang Xingkuo explained in a relaxed manner.

An Huanyan blinked, her eyes reddened, but she still forced a smile and said, "I don't know if I can go back alone. If you go back, remember to leave a letter for me."

"Oh! I won't go back! I want to see you get married and have kids! I'm having a great time here, okay? I'm relying on your power and bullying. I have money, power and people serving me! Isn't this better than going back and studying hard for more than ten years? And if I were still the ugly guy I was before, I would take you with me even if I die!" Jiang Xingkuo was afraid that she would be worried, so he explained again and again.

An Huanyan chuckled and smiled at her.

The days that followed were like a calm lake, without a single ripple.

An Huanyan was fully focused on preparing for the wedding, arranging every detail carefully in order to achieve perfection.

Jiang Xingkuo travels back and forth between Runxuetang every day to develop new products and carry out promotional activities.

Although the beginning of spring is approaching, the cold weather still dominates. The cold wind makes people shiver on the street.

However, this did not affect the lively atmosphere in the princess's mansion. A steady stream of betrothal gifts and rich dowries were brought into the mansion, filling up the entire backyard. These precious items shone brightly and exuded a strong festive atmosphere.

The princess's mansion was also decorated with new lights and colorful decorations, which was extremely beautiful. Red lanterns were hung high, colorful silks fluttered in the wind, and exquisite paper-cuts were pasted on the windows, overflowing with joy and happiness. Everything was just waiting for the arrival of that day, that day full of hope and beauty.

One day, she stood at the highest point of Runxue Hall and looked in the direction of the imperial city, but the familiar figure still did not appear. The cold wind made her nose run before she turned around and went downstairs.

Tengxi brought a box to her and said it was a gift from King Jingnan.

"Is it very expensive? If it's not expensive, I won't buy it." Jiang Xingkuo took the box.

"Prince Jingnan said that he made it himself and it is extremely precious."

Jiang Xingkuo gently opened the box, and inside the box lay an extremely exquisite hairpin.

The main body of the hairpin is carved from a piece of pure white jade, which is crystal clear and as smooth as mutton fat. Simple and pure.

A closer look reveals that the craftsmanship of the hairpin is exquisite to the extreme. Every detail is carved to perfection, and the smoothness of the lines and the complexity of the patterns are amazing.

Jiang Xingkuo could even feel the effort and emotion that this person put into making this hairpin.

She carefully picked up the hairpin, rubbed it in her hand, and felt its smoothness and fineness. The hairpin seemed to have a magical power that made her feel happy.

"Why are you giving me this all of a sudden?"

"The people who came only said that Prince Jingnan had always liked painting in the palace, and recently he had become fascinated with sculpture. It was said that Prince Nanjing had also prepared a generous gift for the princess's wedding."

Tengxi finished explaining and took the box again.

"I see. Then please keep it for me." Jiang Xingkuo handed the box back.

She asked Tengxi to put the hairpin away and put it in her dressing box.

Inside the palace, Wu Ye stood in front of An Zhaoyan, hesitant to speak.

An Zhaoyan felt a headache when she saw him.

Seeing him meant something had happened, something had changed.

An Zhaoyan put down the brush in his hand, found a comfortable position and leaned back in the chair before letting him report.

"Prince Nanjing sent Miss Jiang a gift."

"What is it?"

"A hairpin. It doesn't look very valuable, but I heard that Miss Jiang seems to like it very much."

An Zhaoyan said nothing and let out a long breath.

"How is his house?"

"Your Majesty, since the Prince of Jingnan was about to leave, there has been news that the palace was bombed and has not been repaired until today. After all, half of the palace collapsed. Even if the craftsmen from all over Quanzhou worked overtime to repair it, I'm afraid it will take until after the beginning of spring."

An Zhaoyan looked off into the distance in annoyance. "This guy..."

"Your Majesty, it's obvious that Prince Nanjing himself sent people to blow it up. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence!" Wu Ye said indignantly.

"You don't need to tell me. It's a long way to go. There's no point in investigating whether it's him or not." An Zhaoyan shook her head helplessly. "Forget it, let him attend Huanyan's wedding."

Wu Ye nodded, but didn't leave.

"Anything else?" An Zhaoyan had a splitting headache.

"Your Majesty has already found the results of your investigation into the goods that the Hai family transported into the city."

An Zhaoyan's expression became very serious. He crossed his hands in front of his chest, stared at Wu Ye closely, and said in a low voice: "Go ahead, tell me what happened in detail."

"I secretly stole the captain's account book. I found that the fleet had 21 ships that set out from Suzhou and Hangzhou. But when they arrived at Youling City, there were only 11 ships."

"What about the goods arriving in Ghost City? Is there any problem?" An Zhaoyan looked solemn.

"I have carefully checked all the goods that have been transported into Youling City. There is no problem. They are indeed some betrothal gifts or banquet items."

There were twenty-one ships when they set out, but only eleven arrived. So, could it be that the other ten ships have already hidden in the ghost town?

What did those ten ships carry? People? Weapons? Blackfire? Or just ordinary cargo?

An Zhaoyan's eyebrows were almost twisted into a rope.

Eleven ships were so large that they were extremely conspicuous and could not be hidden in the city.

To hide it doesn't mean that the things inside must be shameful.

He thought for a moment, and suddenly an idea flashed in his mind, and he said, "Go check Tanggu and Cangzhou, and all the large docks nearby to see if there are any ships from the Hai family docked there."

"Your Majesty, are you saying... that they docked their ships at Tanggu and Cangzhou, not far from Youling City? That way, they won't be discovered by the people of Youling City."

"Yes. Make sure to check it out. Also, starting today, people entering and leaving Ghost City will be strictly controlled. If you need to visit relatives or friends, let them come to pick them up and register them before they can be allowed into the city."

Wu Ye was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. "Your Majesty, do you think that the missing ship was carrying people? And soldiers?"

"We have to be on guard. Also, immediately send Xiguogong Jiang Chengbei to the south to recruit troops from the East City Army. If there are any missing, immediately execute Hai Yanqing."

"But General Hai may not be in the barracks..."

"That's even more reason. I sent seven secret edicts asking him to return to the capital to report on his work, but he never showed up and even said he was sick. If you find evidence of him disobeying the imperial order and abandoning his post, Hai Yanze will be unforgivable and I will hold the entire Hai family accountable!" An Zhaoyan's expression showed a ferocity that had never been seen before.

"But the princess just got married to her husband..."

When mentioning Huanyan, An Zhaoyan's expression gradually softened. "At most, Hai Yanqing's life will be spared."

Wu Ye interrupted, "But won't the princess and her husband become enemies?..."

An Zhaoyan only moved her eyes for a moment, her expression cold. "Country, country, without a country, there is no home. She will understand me. Besides, Hai Yanqing's life can be saved, she should be content."