Poisonous Goddess: I'm just lazing around in the mortal realm.

Pei Suisui and the Third Prince Duan Yuchuan were childhood sweethearts, and their families were well-matched.

Pei Suisui naturally regarded herself as his betrothed wife long ago. Even after the Third Prince was poisoned and rarely went out, she personally went to his residence to comfort and console him.

She even tricked some people in the court who had previously supported the Crown Prince of the Pei family into supporting the Third Prince.

Little did she expect that all of Pei Suisui's efforts over the past ten years would ultimately turn into a joke!

"Sister, I... am not like the Fourth Princess, blindly assuming that the other person likes me, am I?" Her voice was mixed with sobs, and large tears slid down her cheeks and hit the ground.

She is also a shameless person.

If the Third Prince hadn't mentioned to her, intentionally or unintentionally, that her mother had already brought up their marriage to the Emperor, she would never have insisted on marrying him.

If it weren't for the Third Prince's previous flirting with her, sending her calligraphy, paintings, antiques, and poems he had written, she would never have thought that the Third Prince had feelings for her.

if not...

Thinking of this, Pei Suisui could no longer hold back and burst into tears.

But since they were still in the ancestral hall, she could only bury her head between her knees and sob silently.

Seeing this, Pei Nanyue sighed deeply.

"I know that you originally only regarded the Third Prince as an older brother. It was his actions that made you misunderstand that he liked you. I have mentioned this to you before, but you did not take it to heart."

Pei Nanyue was an outsider, so naturally she could see through the Third Prince's methods.

But at that time, Pei Sui Sui was like a young girl in love, completely captivated by the Third Prince's sweet words.

If it weren't for her recent fondness for associating with the divine physician Thirteen, she would probably still be deeply immersed in the Third Prince's tender affections.

“Sister is right… but Sui Sui couldn’t do it back then either!!” Pei Sui Sui tried hard to control her voice, afraid that the people outside the ancestral hall would hear her.

After all, it's about their daughter's reputation, so it's best not to let outsiders know.

Pei Nanyue naturally understood, and quickly handed her handkerchief to her younger sister.

"So at that time, my sister and father talked for a long time, thinking that since you liked that third prince so much, why not let you two be together? Who knew what would happen later..."

Later, the Emperor of Nanyang actually used her entering the palace as a condition to exchange for the opportunity for her younger sister to become the concubine of the Third Prince.

An opportunity? I'm afraid it'll all come to nothing!

Thinking of this, a fierce glint flashed in Pei Nanyue's eyes. She naturally loathed the emperor who spent his days indulging in pleasure.

“That’s why, sister…” Pei Suisui slowly raised her head, her bright eyes filled with bloodshot veins.

Seeing this, Pei Nanyue could no longer bear her sister's crying and pulled her into her arms.

"Don't worry, your older sister is here."

Late night

The imperial study was brightly lit. Shen Mu hung his head and counted the stone bricks under his feet.

Duan Yuan pretended to be reviewing memorials on the dragon throne, but half an hour had passed and His Highness Shen Mu still hadn't spoken.

Even though he was getting sleepy, he finally spoke.

“Shen Mu, you…” He raised his head, his shrewd eyes falling on Shen Mu, but he didn’t know how to continue.

What do you mean? That his daughter went to a place where official business was being conducted and caused a scene?

Or why doesn't he marry his own daughter?

But he had already prepared to send his daughter to the Western Regions for a political marriage, so how could she marry Shen Mu?

For the first time, Duan Yuan felt unable to speak in front of Shen Mu.

He snorted coldly, then lowered his head and continued reading his memorial, ignoring Shen Mu.

Shen Mu could naturally guess the Emperor's thoughts. He originally intended to continue to deal with the Emperor, but then he remembered that Thirteen was still waiting for him in the secret room.

He still needs to resolve the current troubles as soon as possible.

At this moment, Shen Mu raised his hand in a salute.

"I wonder if Your Majesty summoned me so late at night because of the upcoming campaign against the southern barbarians in two days?" He offered the emperor a way out, hoping the emperor would understand.

Duan Yuan glanced at him coldly upon hearing the voice, then solemnly circled the blank memorial a few more times before tossing it aside, and finally spoke slowly.

"Yes, that's the idea. After all, this is the Crown Prince's first time leading troops. I think the capital is relatively peaceful, so why not have you accompany the army to protect the Crown Prince's safety?"

His idea wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment decision. After all, the crown prince was good at theoretical discussions but not at actual combat.

That prince, who has probably never even killed a chicken, how could he possibly kill someone on the battlefield all by himself?

It would be better to have Shen Mu stay by his side to protect him. Firstly, this battle could be won by sheer numbers, and secondly, his son could come back alive.

Kill two birds with one stone.

Shen Mu nodded slightly.

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. However, with my departure from the capital, the Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot be left unattended. Otherwise, if danger were to occur in the palace, then..."

"I have already decided on the candidate."

Duan Yuan glanced at him thoughtfully, then continued speaking before Shen Mu could reply.

“I recently discovered that the eldest son of the Duke of Anguo is young and promising, quite capable. Why not take this opportunity to let him gain some experience in the Embroidered Uniform Guard?”

Shen Mu frowned slightly upon hearing this, then looked up and met Duan Yuan's gaze.

"Is Your Majesty referring to An Jinglian, the young master of the Duke of Anguo's family?"

"Yes, it is him. I will have him come to you later. In the next two days, hand over the various matters of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to him. After you return to the capital, you will continue to be your commander."

Although the emperor's words sounded lighthearted, they had actually laid the groundwork for Shen Mu's downfall.

If he cannot guarantee the Crown Prince's safe return, not only will he not get his position as Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard back, but he might even lose his life.

Shen Mu, at this moment, did not covet power in this world, and naturally pretended to be troubled.

"Your Majesty, I fear that one person is not enough. I humbly request that Your Majesty allow me to bring a few more capable subordinates to protect the Crown Prince's safety."

He had originally planned to quietly take Haojing and the others away from the capital, but the thought of the restless young master of the An family coming and setting fire to their Embroidered Uniform Guard might be a case of a new broom sweeping clean.

If that's the case, Haojing and the others leaving the capital without an imperial edict has become a troublesome matter.

At present, they have not yet captured Sun Youzhi, so it is best not to alert him.

Duan Yuan pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"Alright, it's settled then." He looked up and saw Eunuch Tao, who had just returned from outside, looking rather unwell.

Having understood, he let Shen Mu leave the Imperial Study first.

Once the imperial study was temporarily empty, Duan Yuan gave him a cold glance and said...

"Has Yan'er entered the palace?"

"I've entered the palace, but as soon as I entered, I went to see Consort An," Eunuch Tao hurriedly said with a smile, afraid that the Emperor would be angry.

"Ha, she went to Yong'an Palace?" Duan Yuan was surprised to find his daughter so disobedient. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He stood up and overturned the mountain of memorials piled on the table.

"Let her come see me. Does she dare disobey the imperial edict and go to Yong'an Palace?"