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

"So you were promoted by Fu Qingbai. No wonder you're as stubborn as a mule, unable to be flexible at all." Xiang An said, seemingly with a sigh and a hint of resentment.

She hadn't forgotten the time she'd been tricked by this eunuch.

"It's him."

Ding Yinan narrowed his eyes, recalling how many years ago Fu Qingbai had instructed him and Eunuch Changfu to mentor a minor eunuch.

His only impression of the young eunuch was that he was very thin, skin and bones, with bloody marks on his bony ribs from being whipped with bamboo sticks.

At this moment, the young eunuch at the palace gate was of average build, wearing a light blue eunuch robe that fit him perfectly. His dark eyes were bright and his half-bowed body was humble, but his words showed no fear or yielding.

He rode forward and said in a low voice, "This is a sacred place; who gave you permission to make such a loud noise here?"

Ogiwara Ao looked up at Ding Yinan, who was sitting on his horse, and forced a smile on his pale face: "General Ding, aren't you also making a fuss? Why do you only talk about us?"

A sarcastic retort.

The guards following behind felt that their general's dignity had been violated, and they all half-drawn the swords at their waists. The sharp, silvery blades were dazzling. Two guards behind Ogiwara Ao stood on either side of him, using most of their bodies to shield him, protecting him completely, and drew their swords without any hesitation.

Swords were drawn and bows were drawn; anger was about to erupt.

In this tense moment, Ogiwara Ao, who was being protected, spoke up in a low voice: "Step back!"

“Third Prince…” the guard hesitated.

Ogiwara Ao: "The Yan Kingdom is known for its etiquette; we must not be presumptuous. Step back."

"Yes." The guard stepped back, looking aggrieved.

Ding Yinan, on horseback, waved his hand, and the guards all sheathed their swords and retreated, but their faces still showed anger.

Ding Yinan dismounted, took the food box that Chengde had been clutching tightly, and ate the pastries one after another in large bites. Then he handed the empty food box back to Di Yuanqing: "The pastries were delicious and soft. I accidentally ate them all. Does the Third Prince Di mind?"

"You!" the guard exclaimed angrily.

Ogiwara Ao raised her hand to stop him, her smile undiminished: "If General Ding likes it, I have plenty more at my residence. You are welcome to come and eat some when you have time."

"Don't worry, I will definitely go to eat, but not at your residence."

"What does General Ding mean?"

"The most authentic pastries from Yan Kingdom are of course found there."

“Indeed, what generals strive for is the clash of swords and the rise to high office.” Ogiwara Ao solemnly agreed, then added with a half-smile, “But Yan Kingdom is not at peace. Didn’t Fu Qingbai tell you?”

Ding Yinan's expression changed, and he remained silent for a long time.

Ogiwara Ao laughed, "Since there are no more pastries for His Majesty, I won't go in to see him. This eunuch..."

"Chengde," a guard behind him whispered.

"Yes, Chengde, you did a good job. You have your own insights. I hope you keep it up." The words, half threat and half praise, sent a chill down one's spine.

"Yes." Chengde seemed not to understand, and calmly replied.

After the farce ended, Ogihara Ao left with his guards, while the other eunuchs and guards returned to the palace gate. Ding Yinan gestured for Chengde to go to a corner to talk, but he didn't move. Ding Yinan turned around and looked at him in confusion.

Chengde bowed respectfully: "General, please forgive me. Palace rules stipulate that this servant may not leave the palace gate during his duty hours. If the General has anything urgent, you may speak here."

The moment the term "palace rules" came out of Chengde's mouth, Xiang An felt a headache coming on. When you encounter such a stubborn mule, you can't reason with him about feelings. There is no other way but to follow the rules.

Ding Yinan said expressionlessly, "I just helped you out of that predicament. What, can't I even have a private conversation with you?"

"A private conversation? Then this servant will go to your residence to listen after I finish my duty. Now this servant truly cannot leave the palace gates," Chengde said.

"No need." Ding Yinan lost his patience. "Move aside, I want to enter the palace."

"This servant respectfully sees off the general." Chengde bowed respectfully.

Ding Yinan paused as he brushed past him: "Following the rules is good; it can save your life, but it can also lead to death, just like General Fu's tragic end."

Chengde raised his head slightly: "If following my heart will lead to death, then this servant will die a worthy death."

Ding Yinan lowered his eyes, looking down at the kneeling man. He continued in a humble yet assertive manner, "This is what General Fu taught this servant. This servant remembers it. I wonder if General Ding has memorized it now?"

A murderous intent suddenly flashed across Ding Yinan's calm face, then he relaxed, and a delicate dagger fell from his sleeve and clattered to the ground: "Get lost."

Without mincing words, Chengde graciously accepted the situation, bent down to pick up the dagger, placed it on the shelf where confiscated items were collected in the corner of the palace gate, and let out a soft breath.

Looking up, the sky is ablaze with the orange glow of the setting sun, its magnificent colors enveloping all living things.

In the far distance, as far as the eye can see, stands a city wall. The setting sun casts its golden glow upon the wall, making it appear as if it has been sprinkled with gold, a sight of unparalleled beauty.

Suddenly, a small black dot appeared on the wall from a distance. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered to be a skeleton hanging there. Hundreds of crows circled around the rotting corpse. Only the bloody head could be barely identified as the former most esteemed young emperor of the Yuan Kingdom.

Looking at the black dot on the wall, Chengde was moved and said, "Your Majesty, this servant has not failed your expectations and has delivered the message."

in the palace.

Xiang An followed Ding Yinan straight to the Imperial Study.

The wisps of purplish-blue incense wafted through the air, yet they couldn't mask the rich aroma of books.

Behind the imperial desk, a man with gentle features was reading a book. In an instant, Xiang An's memory quickly unlocked all the information about the man in front of her—the Prince of Wu, her father's younger brother, who only returned to the capital once a year at the end of the year, and stayed in his fiefdom all year round, honest and quiet as a transparent person.

Unexpectedly, he was the final victor!

Ding Yinan obediently knelt down: "Your Majesty, I have already taken the bodies to the mass grave and buried them on the spot."

The King of Wu put down the book in his hand, picked up the tea that was just the right temperature on the table, took a sip, and after a long while said, "Good."

"My minister retire."

"Wait a minute." King Wu put down his teacup, raised his eyelids to look at him, and asked, "Do you know this Daoist Xuanqing?"

"Former Director of the Imperial Observatory".

"It's him. Do you know his whereabouts?"

"I have never had any dealings with him."

"I have heard rumors circulating in the palace that he could see the deceased Princess Miankang," the King of Wu said with a smile. "Master Xuanqing has a young boy named Yuankong. He was born unable to speak or hear, but when General Fu gave this child to Master Xuanqing, the master, who rarely paid attention to worldly affairs, accepted him with pleasure. Why is that?"

"I know nothing about Yuan Kong. I grew up on the frontier and only returned to the capital with General Fu when I was seventeen. I have heard about Master Xuanqing, but I was on the frontier at the time and I do not know whether it is true or not."

Ding Yinan lowered his head, his calm demeanor concealing the immense panic in his heart. He didn't know why the King of Wu had suddenly brought up Daoist Xuanqing, but he was no longer an ignorant novice. He could now vaguely sense a conspiracy in those words.

His instinctive survival instinct left him clueless when asked questions.