You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Xie Wanru looked up and saw the worry in Dongzhu's eyes, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She smiled and shook her head, saying, "I can't rest now. The war in the Northern Border is about to break out, and I must prepare as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Dongzhu felt even greater admiration for Xie Wanru.

She knew that although her young lady seemed unreliable and argumentative on ordinary days, she always showed extraordinary courage and wisdom when faced with important matters.

Finally, thanks to Xie Wanru's tireless efforts, batches of military supplies were secretly transported to the northern border.

At the same time, she also used her connections to find out the latest situation in the Northern Frontier and learned that Xie's army was actively preparing for battle, which eased her worries a little.

"Father and brother will definitely win, they definitely will."

However, just when Xie Wanru thought everything was going according to plan, an unexpected message reached her ears.

It turns out that the Northern Barbarians had secretly allied with several other tribes in preparation for this southward invasion, greatly increasing their military strength and making them a force to be reckoned with.

This news made Xie Wanru's heart sink. She realized that this battle might be more difficult than she had anticipated.

She absolutely cannot allow the situation from her past life to repeat itself.

She summoned the Xie family's caravan and confidants again and devised a more meticulous plan.

Moreover, she decided to personally go to the northern border to deliver supplies to Xie's army and observe the battle situation so that she could adjust her strategy in a timely manner.

She has memories of her past life and knows some things about the Northern Barbarians, which should be helpful. Moreover, if she still can't change the outcome of her past life, she can die with her father and brothers and have no regrets in this life!

"Miss, are you going to the Northern Border?" Dongzhu asked in surprise, her mouth agape.

Xie Wanru nodded, her gaze firm: "Yes, I'm going to the Northern Border. I want to see this war with my own eyes. You stay in Xuancheng to help Shen Cong'an. He can't lift a finger, so if anyone tries to harm him, you can protect him."

Dongzhu knew that once her young mistress made a decision, it would be difficult to change it, but she didn't want to stay in Xuancheng and let her mistress take risks.

“Miss, Lord Shen can send my junior uncle down the mountain to protect him. How can I, a woman, follow him quietly? Don’t you think so?”

Dongzhu tilted her head.

Xie Wanru looked at her and her eyes welled up with tears. In her previous life, Dongzhu died because of her. In this life, she must not let Dongzhu be hurt again.

"I need to say goodbye to Her Majesty the Empress before I go. I won't leave immediately, there's no rush."

Xie Wanru neither nodded nor refused, but she had already made up her mind to find a way to keep Dongzhu in Xuancheng.

Lou Yao went back to her parents' home. She was indeed bored in the Third Prince's mansion. In the huge palace, she was the only mistress, and there was no one to bicker with.

She didn't expect that Xiao Yan would also say he wanted to go with her when she left home, to accompany her back to her parents' home.

Lou Yao was still happy because of Xiao Yan's company, unaware that Xiao Yan was only using the excuse of accompanying her to go to the Lou family to interrogate her brother Lou Li.

As soon as Xiao Yan arrived at the Lou family home, he rushed to Lou Li's study.

"Lou Li, are you insane? Did you contact the Northern Barbarians behind my back? What did you promise them that made them amass troops to march south? Do you know that this is treason! You will be infamous for eternity!"

Xiao Yan grabbed Lou Li by the collar, his eyes filled with disgust; he looked down on such methods.

He wanted to remove Xiao Long from the position of crown prince, but he did not want to do so at the expense of betraying the country. Before the new year, they only made some minor adjustments to military supplies.

If there are problems with disaster relief food, some people will die, but at most a thousand. In war, tens of thousands of people will be sacrificed, and the country will be affected. Xiao Yan did not agree with this approach.

He disagreed with it, but he was willing to bring Xiao Long down if it meant doing so.

"Your Highness, if I don't do this, how will we have the opportunity to tamper with military supplies, and how will we ensure that His Highness the Crown Prince is deposed for dereliction of duty?"

Lou Li's eyes showed no fear; instead, he laughed.

"Moreover, my plan kills two birds with one stone. Haven't you always hated Xie Yun and resented not marrying Xie Wanru to you? If the military supplies are compromised, the Xie family army will surely be defeated! Then you can personally lead the army and achieve merit, and the world..."

Lou Li hadn't finished speaking, but Xiao Yan already understood his meaning, and his face instantly turned ashen. He abruptly released his grip on Lou Li's collar, took a few steps back, and glared at Lou Li.

"You've disregarded national safety for such a petty gain! Lou Li, do you know how many people will die if the war is lost? You're utterly heartless!"

Lou Li paid no attention to Xiao Yan's accusations. He slowly straightened his rumpled collar and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"Third Prince, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. If you do not wish to miss this opportunity, you should join forces with me to eliminate Xiao Long and the Xie family. Once you ascend the throne, the entire world will be yours for the taking."

"And, do you really not want to do this?"

Xiao Yan looked at Lou Li's calculating face and felt a surge of disgust. Although he craved power, Lou Li made him feel out of control, and he felt somewhat repulsed by him.

"Lou Li, I will never collude with you, nor will I let your selfish desires destroy the entire country!"

After saying this, Xiao Yan turned to leave the study.

"Third Prince, do you really not want that position? Then I will immediately send someone to inform the Northern Barbarians to stop. But Third Prince, after we stop this time, we will no longer have the opportunity to deal with the Crown Prince. Once the Crown Prince's concubine gives birth to the eldest grandson, even if we bring down the Crown Prince, the Emperor will not make you the Crown Prince."

Lou Li sneered. He knew Xiao Yan's true nature all too well. This man put on a benevolent and righteous facade, but his heart was darker than anyone else's.

"Do you think you know a lot? How could you possibly know what Father Emperor is thinking?"

Xiao Yan paused, a fierce and struggling glint in his eyes.

Lou Li's words were like a sharp knife, precisely piercing the softest and most hidden part of his heart.

He truly craved that supreme position, desired his father's approval, and longed to trample those who had mocked and belittled him underfoot.

"Lou Li, are you threatening me?" Xiao Yan's voice was deep and dangerous, like a volcano that could erupt at any moment.

"I wouldn't dare. I'm just stating the facts." Lou Li maintained his cold smile, but his eyes revealed an undeniable determination. "Third Prince, you should know that we've always been in the same boat. Everything I've done is to help you, but if the boat sinks, none of us will escape."

Lou Li became more respectful at this moment. If he wanted to achieve his goal, he had to get Xiao Yan into that position.