After the system set its sights on the dragon throne, the princess started courting death every day.

As the golden sunset gradually faded, and the last rays of sunlight slanted into the room disappeared, a figure landed silently and knelt on one knee: "Master, Wei Wenrun and his family have been exiled to Lingnan. As you instructed, I have distributed five hundred taels of silver to several women in his family."

"Okay." Xiang An's file continued to work.

"This afternoon, General Fu was dissatisfied with the eldest prince's failure to follow the master's plans. After a big argument, they got into a fight. A quarter of an hour ago, General Fu left the mansion with a bruised and swollen face."

"Fu Qingbai and Xiang Xin have always had a good relationship?"

The file paused slightly as Xiang An recalled the previous game where Fu Qingbai was imprisoned by Xiang Xin, had his arms cut off, and ultimately died in the heavy snow. He couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"Never heard of it. I deserve to die."

"You haven't had it easy these past few years either." The sound of filing resumed, and Xiang An said calmly, "Go and receive your punishment in the usual way."

Last night, I sent a letter to An Zhao indicating that the secret guards had been found. Because no one had provided them with money for many years, the little money left by the late emperor was almost gone. They were living frugally and were all emaciated from hunger.

Xiang An brought them a large sum of silver and made various arrangements, finally allowing the guards to resume their duties. If last night's silver was a sweet treat, then today's punishment was a harsh one.

"Yes." The guard replied crisply, "Tonight the Emperor plans to summon Consort Qi to his bedchamber in the first half of the night, and Consort Hui in the second half."

Xiang An: "…………" They really know how to play games.

Xiang An: "How are the ministers in the court?"

"No one else reacted. Bai Yuchen went out of the mansion to digest his food a quarter of an hour ago and ran into Fu Qingbai. The two talked for a while, but their voices were too soft to hear what they said."

"Understood, you can leave now." The moment Xiang An finished speaking, the guards disappeared.

The last ray of light hanging in the sky was finally swallowed by darkness. Xiao Ru pushed open the door, holding a candlestick, and lit the lamps in various places in the room one by one. The dim candlelight illuminated the darkness.

"Xiao Ru," Xiang An said, his back to Xiao Ru as he busied himself with the crossbow bolts in his hands, "Has Diao Xi thought about what he'll do in the future?"

"Princess?"

"My idea is that, aside from being a guard at the princess's residence, given his excellent skills, why not have him join the army?"

"Princess Diao Xi need not tell me how to arrange things for me. I will follow your arrangements." Xiao Ru pursed her lips, moistening them that had been dried by the wind outside. "When Diao Xi was young, he told me that if he ever had the chance to become a general and make a fortune, he would marry me with a grand sedan chair, a hundred taels of imperial land, and a sumptuous gift. At the same time, this was also for his own sake."

"Himself?" Xiang An put down the file and switched to a more delicate tool.

“He said that a person can be cowardly, but cannot lack courage.” Xiao Ru’s voice trembled with tears as she spoke. “He does have courage, but… but he is so selfish. He doesn’t even think about what I would do if he…”

With a soft sigh, Xiang An put down what she was holding, pulled Xiao Ru's wrist, and sat her down. "You don't want him to go?"

“No, I want him to be a general, I don’t want him to die. But that’s impossible.” Xiao Ru said frankly, “A general without merit is not a true general, and merit can only be earned by risking one’s life. Princess, you don’t need to worry about me. My worries are likely to become a stumbling block for Diao Xi, and I don’t want that. Princess, you can make the arrangements directly.”

In the flickering candlelight, Xiao Ru's eyes shone incredibly brightly, her gaze fervent and sincere, as if they could ignite at any moment.

He said dryly, "Okay."

The next morning, Diao Xi waited outside the courtyard early. As soon as Xiang An finished washing up, he immediately called him in and confirmed his thoughts several times before taking him out of the mansion.

The steamed bun vendor on the street lifted the lid of his steamer basket, and the white steam immediately dissipated, drawing in the waiting customers. Not to be outdone, the pancake vendor next door immediately started shouting loudly. Children playing shuttlecock on the street corner were laughing and playing, completely immersed in their happiness, forgetting their worried parents standing at the door calling them home for dinner.

With the window open, listening to the lively noise outside, watching the crowds coming and going, feeling the gentle morning sunlight on her face, and the slight tickling of the breeze through her hair, Xiang An thought of a phrase she had never paid attention to before, easily overlooked, but which now seemed very meaningful: Haiqinghe Banquet.

In fact, the Haiqing River Banquet may only be held in the capital.

Taking a sip of tea, which moistened her dry throat, Xiang An folded her arms over the window frame, rested her head on her arms, and gently closed her eyes, facing the wind and sunlight. The restlessness of getting out of bed early in the morning slowly dissipated.

Just as he was drifting off to sleep, he suddenly heard Diao Xi behind him say, "Greetings, General Fu."

Xiang An woke up instantly and hurriedly turned around. He saw Fu Qingbai standing at the door with one foot just inside, one hand on the door and the other finger to his lips, signaling Diao Xi, who was waiting next to him, to keep quiet.

Clearly, Diao Xi did not heed Fu Qingbai's instructions; his bow was loud and clear. He was from the princess's residence, and he only obeyed Xiang An's orders.

Fu Qingbai lowered his hand and smiled helplessly: "Sorry, I'm early."

"I arranged the time too early." Xiang An straightened his wrinkled sleeves, raising his chin slightly. "How is he?"

Fu Qingbai glanced at Diao Xi standing beside him: "A loud voice, loyal and devoted..." He paused, then suddenly walked over and kicked Diao Xi's shin unexpectedly. Diao Xi didn't react in time and stumbled back several steps. Once he regained his footing, he heard Fu Qingbai say: "Sharp and resolute eyes, alert posture, but a bit slow to react. Powerful lower body, but unstable. Have you practiced martial arts for a few years?"

Diao Xi stammered, "Three...three years." He looked confused, not understanding why Fu Qingbai knew he was trained just by kicking him. Today, he accompanied the princess out of the palace, deliberately not wearing his guard uniform to conceal his identity.

"Hmm. To have trained to this level in three years is quite a feat," Fu Qingbai said casually. "So, how about coming with me to the military camp for some fun?"

Diao Xi subconsciously looked at An, only to see her holding a teacup and drinking intently. In his panic, he suddenly remembered what Xiao Ru had told him last night and what the princess had asked him this morning. With a firm resolve, he clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This subordinate is willing to follow the general into the army camp."

"Hmm." Fu Qingbai sat down next to Xiang An. "Princess, I'm not one to take things for nothing. I'll give you back a corner later if I steal one from you."

"I do not--"

"The princess wouldn't want to be easily controlled all the time, would she?"

"what?"

“Ding Yinan has been in the army for six years and has followed me for three. Although he is young, he is quite skilled. He is more than capable of teaching the princess a few self-defense moves,” Fu Qingbai said. “No matter how good a dagger is, if it is used incorrectly, it can easily injure oneself and be easily stolen, turning into an object to harm oneself. If you practice your skills well, you can turn any object into a weapon to harm others, and even if you are unarmed, you can take a life.”