The number one spendthrift woman in the capital actually brings glory to her entire family?

As a thorough spring rain came to an end, the Northwest region began to show a vibrant spring scene. The cheerful chirping of birds could be faintly heard from the green fields and forests, and a fresh scent permeated the air.

During the two days since arriving in Talan City, Lord Sikong has spent almost the entire day wandering around the city. In addition to Fang Jiu and a few others, he is also accompanied by some locals who are familiar with the terrain of the nearby mountains. He goes out early and returns late. Pang Quan has sent people to the inn several times to look for him, but they have not seen him.

The sun was exceptionally warm that afternoon.

In a mountain on the border, dozens of miles away from Taran.

"Fang Jiu, are you sure this small path can bypass Talan City and lead to the official road within Chongzhou?"

Halfway up the mountain, hidden by dense forest, Lord Sikong stood under a large tree, pointed to a secluded mountain path in front of him, and glanced indifferently at Fang Jiu.

Fang Jiu nodded vigorously, "Yes, sir! This road leads to the official road within Chongzhou. I've traveled it many times, it's definitely the right one! It's just that the road is not easy to travel, it's very rugged, but it's a shortcut. In the past, when I went hunting in the mountains, I often followed this path into Chongzhou, there are more wild game in the mountains over there."

"Shouldn't a regular horse be able to get through?"

Lord Sikong thought for a moment, then stroked his chin and continued to ask.

"It should be possible, sir!"

Sikong Jin nodded, took out a sheepskin map from her sleeve, examined it carefully, then looked at the quiet mountain path in front of her. After a long silence, she put the map away, pointed to the mountain path, and said, "Let's go, let's walk along it and take a look."

With that, he took a step toward the intersection.

……

After a busy day, having personally walked the mountain path, it wasn't until dark that Lord Sikong returned to Talan City.

Just as I stepped into my room at the inn, people from the Marshal's Mansion came looking for me.

"Lord Kuss, General Pang is hosting a banquet at his residence with several nobles from the city, and has sent me to fetch you there."

The steward of the Marshal's Mansion forced a flattering smile and respectfully addressed Sikong Jin.

Lord Sikong raised an eyebrow, placed his teacup on the table, pondered for a moment, and then replied, "The Commander-in-Chief is hosting a banquet at his residence to entertain several distinguished guests from the city? What brings me there?"

"My lord, the commander-in-chief says he has something to discuss with you and hopes you can come over."

"Is there something you want to discuss?"

A hint of wariness quickly surfaced in Sikong Jin's eyes, and her heart sank slightly—could it be that Pang Quan had become suspicious?

That doesn't make sense. There's been no news from Tata City these past two days, and she's already secretly deployed men to infiltrate the official road leading from Tata City to Talan City. Anyone suspicious passing through will be immediately apprehended. If there were any news, shouldn't Atai have sent some updates?

Sikong Jin felt a slight sense of doubt. After thinking for a moment, he picked up his teacup again, took a sip of tea without sacrificing any flavor, and then asked casually, "What business does the Commander have with me? I remember reminding your Commander Pang not to come to me unless it's something urgent. Has any news come back from the scouts he sent out to find Sikong Jin and his troops?"

The steward chuckled dryly and said in a low voice, "Sir, I don't know about this. I'm sure you'll find out if you go and ask the commander-in-chief yourself."

Sikong Jin's gaze darkened, and after a moment of silence, he nodded and said, "Very well, there are too many people and too many eyes at the Marshal's Mansion now, so it is not convenient for me to show my face. It just so happens that I am going to the border to visit the soldiers of my Great Liao later. How about this, after 1-3 AM, I will personally go to the Marshal's Mansion to find him and ask him to take good care of those distinguished guests first."

"Yes, sir! I will go back and inform the commander-in-chief immediately!"

Only then did the steward respond, bow respectfully, and turn to leave.

After the butler left, Sikong Jin finished her tea and, without even having dinner, changed into a black cloak and went out.

……

After riding out of the city gate, Sikong Jin galloped along the official road, making sure there were no spies behind him before heading to the agreed location.

"My lord, you've arrived!"

In the woods near a mountain temple north of Taran.

Atai and several of his men, who had been waiting for a long time and were covered in dust, immediately came to greet Sikong Jin when he dismounted.

Lord Sikong strode over, pulled down his hood, glanced at Atai, and asked, "How is it? When will Berger and the others arrive? We may not have much time left. We must finish this quickly before Pang Quan notices. Just now, Pang Quan sent his steward to the inn to find me. I have a vague feeling of unease. If he notices, all our efforts will be in vain."

Sikong Jin's tone was somewhat heavy, her delicate brows furrowed, and she spoke in a deep voice.

"Has Pang Quan already begun to doubt the master?"

Atai also frowned.

Sikong Jin folded the horsewhip in his hand. "It's still uncertain. These past two days, I've been busy familiarizing myself with the terrain here and secretly contacting General Li Shouyi in Chongzhou City. I've neglected him somewhat. He's been planning to attack Chongzhou City for a long time. The rioting civilians are very unstable. If we don't take action soon, Pang Quan himself is afraid that things might change."

Atai nodded, "I just secretly visited the camp of those rioters and found that their situation is indeed not good. Many of them have caught a cold and have a persistent high fever. Pang Quan has ordered them to be isolated. There are not many doctors in the army who can treat them. The situation is worrying!"

"Therefore, the current situation is even more favorable to us. I have already sent people to secretly spread some messages among those rioters. As long as we can incite them and make them develop a passive resistance mentality, we can avoid some unnecessary trouble when the Chongzhou army arrives. Now it depends on the situation on Berger's side."

"My lord, Lord Bei has entered the territory of Taran City and is expected to arrive in Taran City tomorrow morning."

Upon hearing this, a hint of relief flickered across Lord Sikong's eyes, and he said with delight, "Very good. They have worked very hard during this time. The Great Wilderness is a remote and harsh place, far different from Malan City. I was worried that they would not be able to handle it, but they have completed their mission so well. I am very pleased."

Atai quickly bowed and said with a smile, "Lord Bei's military leadership is excellent and his will is firm, which I admire very much. However, I admire even more your strategy and courage to infiltrate the enemy camp alone!"