Chapter 73: Fainting

Chapter 73: Fainting

The emperor immediately rejected the proposal, but since the end of the banquet, officials had been coming to the imperial study one after another to persuade him. As Lu Xusheng entered the city, officials were waiting for him, advising him to see the emperor.

Lu Xusheng said, "No need to rush," and first returned to Ningji Hall.

By now, it had just gotten dark. At this time, Cheng Yian had just finished her dinner and was strolling in the courtyard to digest. Today, as he passed through the moon gate, it was eerily quiet inside. The gatekeeper looked at him with an indescribable expression.

Lu Xusheng knew right away that something was wrong.

She must have been angered and upset.

Without saying another word, he headed inside. Ru Lan was fanning herself with a small fan near the gauze curtain. Seeing Lu Xusheng return, she quietly lifted the curtain and motioned inside.

Lu Xusheng found it strange that there was no noise or light coming from the inner room, so he asked from the doorway, “Where is Madam?”

Since he wasn’t in a hurry to go in, Ru Lan lowered the curtain again, stepped back to the threshold, and bowed to greet him, replying softly,

“Madam is sleeping.”

Sleeping out of anger?

Lu Xusheng’s face darkened slightly. “Does Madam know about this?”

Ru Lan asked confusedly, “My lord, what is it?”

Lu Xusheng was surprised and found it strange. Not hurrying inside, he went back to the study and called for Qiu Qing.

“Has the news about Prince Nan’an been passed to the inner quarters?”

Qiu Qing, displaying the qualities of a top-notch guard, replied, “This dirty business would have upset Madam, so I kept it from her.”

Lu Xusheng gave Qiu Qing an approving look. “You’ll receive double your monthly allowance this month.”

Hearing this, Qiu Qing grinned and said, “Young general, I don’t have a wife or children, so no matter how much allowance you give me, I have no use for it.”

Lu Xusheng saw through his thoughts. “What, want to marry a wife?”

Qiu Qing laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

“Could you speak well of me to Madam?”

Lu Xusheng pondered. “I can do that, but,” he paused, “I need to deal with Prince Nan’an first and calm Madam’s anger before we can discuss your matter.”

“Of course, of course.”

Lu Xusheng returned to the inner quarters again, his pace much more composed. As he entered and saw Ru Lan still fanning with two young maids by the curtain, he asked curiously,

“Why no incense?”

Ru Lan looked troubled. “The young mistress, for some reason, can’t stand the scent today. I’m only using the fan to ward off mosquitoes.”

Lu Xusheng fell silent, entered the east wing room, washed his hands and face, and approached the bed where Cheng Yian was lifting the curtain to get up.

“Why are you still sleeping at this hour?”

Cheng Yian, holding the pillow and looking listless, glared at him. “It’s because of you. You went too far in the carriage yesterday, and now I’m feeling unwell.”

Just couldn’t muster any energy.

Lu Xusheng approached with an apologetic expression and sat down beside her.

"It's my fault, should I get a doctor to take a look?"

Cheng Yian shook her head, "It might be my period coming soon." In the past, she would feel some discomfort in herself two days before her period.

Cheng Yian was thirsty, and Lu Xusheng poured tea for her. After drinking a couple of sips, Cheng Yian noticed that Lu Xusheng's expression seemed strange.

"Is something wrong?"

Lu Xusheng hesitated to reply.

Seeing his guilty look, Cheng Yian handed him the teacup and looked at him with a haughty gaze, "Did you get involved with another woman outside?"

Lu Xusheng put his hand to his forehead, "I got involved with a man."

Cheng Yian's expression changed; that was even worse than getting involved with a woman. "Are you like your elder sister's husband?"

Lu Xusheng coughed nervously, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, it's Prince of Nan'an... He secretly colluded with the Crown Prince and threatened to have the court annul our marriage, sending you to Northern Qi for a marriage alliance..."

Lu Xusheng was quite anxious as he said this, fearing that Cheng Yian would get angry.

Cheng Yian thought that as long as Lu Xusheng wasn't like He Qingyun, everything else was fine. However, this situation with the Prince of Nan'an was indeed infuriating.

"What do you plan to do?"

Lu Xusheng whispered a few words into her ear, and Cheng Yian's face lit up in surprise, her apricot eyes wide open. "Are you too bold? Will this reveal our plan?"

"Don't worry, I've got a plan."

Seeing that he hadn't had dinner, Cheng Yian asked Nanny Li to serve the meal. After eating and drinking enough, Lu Xusheng noticed that Cheng Yian only moved her chopsticks slightly and put them down after a few mouthfuls.

"Not hungry?"

Cheng Yian was indeed not feeling hungry and instructed Nanny Li, "Go make a bowl of bird's nest porridge."

Lu Xusheng didn't come back that night.

Cheng Yian didn't think too much about it and fell asleep. The next morning, as soon as it was dawn, she received a message from the second mistress's side inviting her over. However, the gatekeeper informed her that Cheng Yiyan had arrived.

Cheng Yian first sent Nanny Li to respond to the second mistress and then dressed properly to come to the front hall.

Third Master Lu Jisheng and the third master were hosting Cheng Yiyan. Upon seeing Cheng Yian's arrival, the two men found an excuse to leave.

Cheng Yiyan stood up and looked at his gentle and innocent younger sister with concern.

"An An, Father sent me to bring you back to the estate for a while."

Fearing that the malicious rumors would hurt Cheng Yian, staying at the Cheng estate would be different; the outside noise wouldn't get in, and Cheng Yian could happily play with her sisters. Staying at the Lu residence, on the other hand, was risky. The second mistress, Wang Shi, had unclear intentions. After all, the Wang family and the Empress Dowager had always intended for Wang Yunyi to marry Lu Xusheng. The Cheng family certainly didn't take the Wang family and Lady Wang seriously, but there was no need to subject their daughter to even the slightest bit of grievance here.

Cheng Yian understood her brother and father's protective intentions, "But if I leave, he will be fighting this battle alone. Second Brother, we are one as a couple; I cannot leave him."

There weren't that many grand oaths in this world, no deep-as-the-sea love. The affection between husband and wife was built bit by bit through shared hardships and honors. One couldn't retreat at the first sign of trouble.

Cheng Yiyan looked surprised; his third sister, who seemed the most gentle and compliant, always managed to make unexpected decisions.

If he were in her shoes, would he hope that Lu Shi would stay by his side and trust him? The answer was clear.

Cheng Yiyan didn’t try to persuade her further. "If your mother-in-law gives you trouble, immediately send someone back to the estate to inform your brother, understand?"

Cheng Yian smiled and nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, Brother. Lu Xusheng can take care of it."

Lu Xusheng's plan, though bold, would indeed be a blessing for the country and its people if successfully executed.

After Cheng Yiyan left, Cheng Yian headed to the Mingxi Hall to see the Second Mistress.

The second mistress noticed that she didn’t seem well, but she didn’t give it much thought, assuming Cheng Yian had been upset after hearing about Prince Nan'an’s issue last night.

"Xuge'er's wife, have you heard what's been happening outside?"

Cheng Yian said calmly, "I've heard it all."

The second mistress sighed. "Don't let it bother you. Prince Nan'an just resents Xuge'er for killing his father and wants to vent his anger with words."

She understood her son's temperament; he would never allow anyone to lay a hand on his wife, and Cheng Mingyu certainly wouldn’t send his precious daughter far away to Northern Qi. So this was just talk.

Cheng Yian was surprised; she had expected the second mistress to make things worse, hoping she would leave so that Wang Yunyi could take over.

This life was truly different from the last one.

"Thank you for your comfort, Mother. I'm alright, and I didn’t let it bother me."

The second mistress knew Cheng Yian was just trying to save face, as her exhausted and slightly sallow appearance was clear.

"Then go back and rest."

But Cheng Yian didn’t go back to rest. Instead, she went to the main hall to handle affairs. Usually, she could be more relaxed, but at times like this, she couldn’t afford to be lazy. The more trouble there was, the less she could afford to be disorganized. As the main mistress, she needed to demonstrate authority during critical moments so that the servants and the Lu family wouldn’t think less of her.

The mistress of the main branch, Liu Shi, and the third mistress, Bai Shi, were in the main hall, and upon seeing Cheng Yian enter, their hearts were heavy with worry for her.

Seeing her enter, they both tried to comfort her.

"The emperor is a wise ruler and wouldn’t do something that undermines his own prestige and boosts the enemy's morale. As the commander of the border army, if you make the second brother lose face, it’s as if you’re making the entire border army lose face. Prince Nan'an is purely provoking," said Liu Shi, who was quite perceptive.

Cheng Yian smiled. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

Bai Shi, having heard that she had just come from Lady Wang's place, quietly pulled her aside and asked, "Did Mother give you a hard time?"

Bai Shi feared that Wang Shi would use this opportunity to pressure Cheng Yian, forcing her to return to the Cheng family so that Lu Xusheng could marry Wang Yunyi.

Cheng Yian said, "No."

Bai Shi patted her chest, relieved. "That's good, that's good."

Now, the three sisters-in-law managed the inner and outer workings of the Lu family like a well-oiled machine, making life more comfortable than ever. In the worst-case scenario, if Wang Yunyi were to marry Lu Xusheng, the main branch would surely suffer a significant blow, and Bai Shi would be overshadowed by her sister-in-law.

So, whether out of gratitude for Cheng Yian's previous help or thinking about the future, Liu Shi and Bai Shi stood firmly by her side.

As for Cheng Yian's poor complexion, it was probably due to lack of sleep from being angry.

As soon as Cheng Yian left Mingxi Hall, a palace matron entered to see the second mistress.

It was someone close to the Empress Dowager who entered and took charge, sending the servants out.

The second mistress was also very polite to the Empress Dowager's female official, inviting her to "come sit here."

"Why is the honored lady here?"

The elderly lady came and sat on the circular chair in front of the second mistress, speaking in a low voice,

"The Empress Dowager sent me to remind you, Madam, to take the opportunity to discipline your daughter-in-law. With Cheng Mingyu's pride, he would never allow his daughter to suffer injustice in the Lu family, and a divorce would surely follow. The Wang family is about to arrive in the capital soon. At that time, we can arrange for Miss Yi Rui to marry Xu Sheng. Wouldn't that be good?"

Lady Wang's heart pounded.

This was setting her up to take the fall.

She did like her niece, but by now, Cheng Yian had everything in the household running smoothly. With her noble birth and strong maternal family, Xu Sheng also cherished her greatly. If she were to play the villain and force them apart, wouldn't her son resent her?

Lady Wang also knew the Empress Dowager wouldn't tolerate disobedience. She gave a surface-level agreement,

"I understand. Please report back to the Empress Dowager that I will handle this carefully."

After the nanny left, she collapsed onto the couch, feeling as if she might cry herself to death.

"Why is this putting me in such a tough spot!"

The old nanny beside her advised, "My lady, listen to this old servant. It's best to stay calm and not act rashly. If the emperor issues an imperial decree, it won't be your concern, and you won't be able to do anything about it. If the emperor agrees, you can then persuade the Second Master to then marry his cousin. You should not interfere. If you force the young madam to leave, the Second Master will resent you deeply, and a mother-son rift will not do you any good."

Hearing this, the second mistress, Lady Wang, made her decision,

"Alright, I'll follow your advice."

Although Cheng Yiyan couldn't bring Cheng Yian back with her, the Cheng family still sent someone.

Cheng Yixin paid a visit to Cheng Yian. Cheng Yian welcomed her at the main gate and personally escorted her to Ningji Hall,

"Did the eldest sister finally decide to step out of the house?"

Cheng Yixin smiled, "Sister-in-law and younger sister are helping to watch the children, so they let me out for a bit of fresh air."

In reality, she was worried about Cheng Yian and wanted to keep her company. The natal family couldn't just leave Cheng Yian to fight alone without showing support.

Cheng Yian also understood Cheng Yixin's intention,

"Then why don't you stay at the Lu family for a few days?"

Cheng Yixin said, "Grandmother did suggest that."

"Then why didn't you bring a bundle with you?"

"It's because Cheng Yiqiao wouldn't allow it. She said if I come today, she would come tomorrow, so it would seem like someone is always visiting you, and you won't feel lonely."

The benefit of having many sisters was evident as Cheng Yian grinned, "That's wonderful. It'll be lively here over the next few days."

After tea was served and they were seated, Cheng Yixin, never one to sit idle, took over the unfinished knotting work Cheng Yian had left. Cheng Yian rested her chin on her hand and watched her,

"The other day, the second sister mentioned that there have been people proposing marriage every day recently. What are your plans, elder sister?"

Cheng Yixin smiled, "We'll see."

A few days ago in the palace, Cheng Yiqiao told Cheng Yian that there were a few families worth considering. One was the Zhang family. He was a classmate of Cheng Yiyan and had admired Cheng Yixin for many years. When he heard that Cheng Yixin was divorced, he believed it was fate and insisted on marrying her.

A certain gentleman surnamed Pei is the eldest son of the Hedong Pei family. He was previously married but, for reasons unknown, divorced his wife. The Pei family is a renowned clan, and as the eldest son, he is expected to inherit the family estate. It is widely known that Cheng Yixin is highly capable, and the Pei family wishes her to marry into their family as the principal wife. Since the previous wife had no children, marrying Cheng Yixin would be akin to a first marriage for her.

Cheng Yian said, "I have inquired about this Lord Pei from Lu Xusheng. He is upright and one of the most exceptional individuals of his age. It’s rare for someone so unassuming to remain neutral in political factions, which suits the temperament of our Cheng family very well."

Pei Ji is twenty-seven this year, three years older than Cheng Yixin. He currently serves as the Vice Minister of Punishments and was promoted to this position just this year, making him the fastest-rising civil official in the Great Jin Dynasty, second only to Cheng Mingyu.

Cheng Yixin said, "He sounds like Cui Han, but who knows what he’s really like? Since he has been through a divorce, who knows what hidden concerns he might have."

Cheng Yian nodded, "That's true. I heard from my second sister that she met young Master Zhang, who is very gentle and always smiling. He is infatuated with you, so have you considered him at all?"

Cheng Yixin glared at her, "He has never been married. If I were to marry him with a child by my side, wouldn’t that be unfair to him? In the short term, he might be happy, but over time, he could become resentful, and the marriage wouldn’t last. Besides, since the matchmaking has been difficult over the years, he might be quite a picky person."

Cheng Yian understood. Her elder sister had become skittish and wouldn’t easily marry anyone.

"Didn't you say you were planning to start a painting academy in the villa? How's the preparation going?"

Mentioning this, Cheng Yixin became enthusiastic, going on and on, "It's already up and running. Cui'er loves to paint, so I go there for five days every ten days. If there are ladies in the capital who want to learn from me, I will accept them."

The two sisters chatted and laughed, and the day quickly passed.

The next day was the combat tournament.

This martial competition was eagerly awaited by the entire city. Soldiers from the Five Armies Camp, the Three Thousand Camp, the Divine Engine Camp, and the Imperial Guards all took part. This time, no rallying was needed. The officers couldn’t stand the arrogance of the Prince of Nan'an and vowed to take him down.

In the one-on-one matches, it eventually came down to the Great Jin and Northern Qi. The Great Jin was led by Lu Xusheng, while the Prince of Nan'an naturally led Northern Qi.

Each country sent ten men to fight, with one substitute. The competition was conducted in military formations. The Prince of Nan'an was the eleventh participant. As for the substitute for the Great Jin, the Prince of Nan'an guessed it would be Lu Xusheng. Before the battle began, the Prince of Nan'an shouted,

"Lu Xusheng, if I win, will you request to step down and give your wife to me?"

Lu Xusheng, still calm and composed, replied, "I'm sorry, Prince. I will never use my wife and children as bargaining chips. If you lose, you should kneel and take back your words."

Prince of Nan'an smiled, "And if I win?"

"You won't win."

Prince of Nan'an: "..."

He stopped wasting words and signaled the sentinel to start the match. Both sides charged on horseback, and the riding ground was immediately covered in dust.

The Northern Qi soldiers were strong and excelled in individual combat, but Lu Xusheng had created a tactic specifically designed to counter cavalry—the long spear and shield formation. The soldiers of the Great Jin were well-trained and coordinated. The Northern Qi soldiers found it difficult to break through the military formation. To make matters worse for them, the Great Jin used the sharp arrowhead formation, which caused Northern Qi to lose a soldier.

The Prince of Nan'an entered the fray.

Being the son of the Prince of Nankang, he was well-versed in military tactics. He immediately ordered his soldiers to advance using the wheel formation, the most suitable formation for cavalry, with strong offensive power.

The Great Jin soldiers had a counter-strategy. A soldier in the center waved the command flag, and the sharp arrowhead formation instantly transformed into the crane wing formation, flanking from both sides. The long spears wreaked havoc in the Northern Qi formation, disrupting their rhythm.

Realizing the situation was turning unfavorable, the Prince of Nan'an immediately issued the command, "Disperse!"

Ten men charged towards the flank of the Great Jin.

The Great Jin command flag changed again, forming the five-army formation and advancing.

Both commanders were highly skilled, making it difficult to determine a winner in a short time.

So, where exactly does Lu Xusheng's method to overcome the enemy lie?

Soon, the Prince of Nan'an realized something was off.

Lu Xusheng was draining the fighting strength of the Northern Qi. The Great Jin soldiers were extremely adept at rapidly changing formations, which were clearly well-rehearsed, giving them the upper hand. However, the Northern Qi soldiers were forced to play catch-up, constantly adjusting according to the Great Jin formations, which gradually wore down their stamina.

The Northern Qi cavalry was renowned for their stamina and prowess in quick strikes.

A prolonged battle would put the Northern Qi at a disadvantage.

The Prince of Nan'an decisively adjusted his strategy, opting for a man-marking approach.

After observing the previous round of combat, he had gradually discerned the strengths and weaknesses of some of the Great Jin soldiers. Based on the advantages and disadvantages of his own deployment, he quickly made his arrangements, and with a single command, the Northern Qi soldiers rushed toward their respective targets.

These Northern Qi soldiers were quite stubborn; once they locked onto a target, they would pursue that target exclusively, even ignoring any attacks from the side. This was the only way to break Lu Xusheng's formation.

Lu Xusheng had not originally planned to intervene, and the substitute was supposed to be someone else. Seeing this, he immediately took over the command, stepping in as the eleventh man and directing from above.

With a change of the command flag, all the pursued soldiers launched one-on-one counterattacks.

The Northern Qi soldiers breathed a sigh of relief seeing Lu Xusheng take the lead. What they wanted was a direct confrontation, where the strengths of the Northern Qi could shine.

However, just as they were catching their breath, Lu Xusheng changed the formation again. This time, the ten soldiers rapidly retreated and reformed into the spearhead formation.

The Northern Qi soldiers, who were previously engrossed in the fight, were dumbfounded.

After repeated setbacks, their morale began to waver.

The Northern Qi troops were growing restless.

The Prince of Nan'an was also getting frustrated, but he had to keep his cool. He once again issued orders, commanding his soldiers to halt and regroup to consider their next move.

A deadlock ensued.

The balance had tilted in Lu Xusheng's favor.

After much thought, the most reliable strategy was still the wheel war. Thus, the Northern Qi once again deployed the wheel war strategy.

However, this time, the Northern Qi soldiers were clearly less spirited and less composed than they had been at the start. Just as the Great Jin was preparing to change formations, a soldier from the Northern Qi suddenly broke out from the formation and slammed an iron hammer down on a Great Jin soldier.

The opportunity had presented itself!

Lu Xusheng swiftly changed the formation again, decisively encircling the man and closing in on him.

The Northern Qi soldiers desperately wanted to rescue him, but the Great Jin formation had already closed, preventing any breakthrough.

The balance began to tip.

From the start, the Prince of Nan'an had been outmaneuvered by Lu Xusheng, losing the initiative.

In the end, the Northern Qi paid the price of five dead soldiers to conclude the martial competition. Although there were injured soldiers in the Great Jin army, Lu Xusheng never left the stage throughout.

The victory had been decided.

Lu Xusheng had shown the Prince of Nan'an that empty words were useless.

Was this the end?

No.

That night, at the envoy's farewell banquet, the Prince of Nan'an was in a foul mood and drank heavily. The Prince of Cheng from the Chehan state felt secretly pleased to see him losing and spoke with clear provocation. Unable to hold back his anger, the Prince of Nan'an cursed in the Northern Qi dialect.

The Prince from Chehan didn’t understand at first, but once someone translated it, he turned red with rage.

His mother was the Chehan queen—was it appropriate for the Prince of Nan'an to insult her?

He wanted to retaliate verbally, but by then, the Prince of Nan'an had already left defiantly.

When he returned to the embassy, it was still early. The others were still busy at the banquet. Depressed, the Prince of Nan'an took a shower and went back to his room, planning to call a maid to his bedchamber, only to find that someone had suddenly appeared in the room.

A soldier's alertness is incredibly high. Although he couldn’t see the person, he could sense their location. He moved closer to the screen, planning to strike.

Just then, a gust of wind blew, and Lu Xusheng emerged from behind the screen.

Seeing it was him, the Prince of Nan'an, though wary, had a sneer on his face. "What are you here for?"

"I'm here to kill you," Lu Xusheng said calmly.

The Prince of Nan'an found it ridiculous. "Envoys are not to be killed during war. Before I arrived, the Northern Qi had already gathered 100,000 troops north of Yulin and Xuanfu. If anything happens to me, these troops will march south, and the Great Jin border will be devastated."

This was the source of the Prince of Nan'an's arrogance in the Great Jin.

"Besides, if something happens to me, your Great Jin emperor's credibility will be ruined."

No country would be willing to send envoys to the Great Jin after that.

Lu Xusheng's expression remained unchanged as he stepped closer.

The Prince of Nan'an didn’t believe he would actually dare to make a move and stood still. Just as Lu Xusheng suddenly threw a powder at him, which was inhaled through his nose and felt like a chili burning his throat, he realized Lu Xusheng was serious. His eyes widened, and he dodged to the side, trying to call for the guards. Unfortunately, Lu Xusheng gave him no chance. Like a whirlwind, he rushed over, and before the Prince of Nan'an could shout, a silver chain was already around his neck. Though the Prince of Nan'an was a strong fighter and refused to be easily captured, he grabbed the rope with his hands and used the momentum to kick at Lu Xusheng's abdomen with his legs.

Lu Xusheng decisively jumped up, hooked his toes on the beam, and used the rope to pull him up. The Prince of Nan'an, agile as he was, quickly escaped the restraint of the rope, and just as he was about to call for help again, Lu Xusheng kicked him squarely in the jaw and throat. A mouthful of blood spurted out, causing the Prince of Nan'an excruciating pain.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

The Prince of Nan'an, having drunk alcohol, was not as clear-headed as before, and Lu Xusheng had come prepared. After ten moves, the Prince of Nan'an was clearly at a disadvantage.

Why hadn’t the guards come in?

Because Lu Xusheng's men had staged an assassination outside, luring the guards away. Inside the room, the Prince of Nan'an was supposedly "indulging in a woman," so no one dared to disturb him.

Lu Xusheng, holding his throat with one hand, swiftly stabbed a knife into his abdomen and viciously twisted it a few times. The Prince of Nan'an's eyes widened as he stared at him, his body gradually going limp.

Lu Xusheng, expressionless, threw his body to the ground. "It's up to you now."

At that moment, a person emerged from the darkness.

This person's build, clothing, and attire were almost identical to the Prince of Nan'an's.

The only differences were in appearance and voice.

The person quickly peeled off the Prince of Nan'an's face, still warm, and placed it on a prepared clay mold. He then looked at his reflection in the copper mirror and applied it to his own face.

As for the voice?

Chehan, located on the plateau, was rich in exotic treasures. Under the Chehan Buddha King's seat was an expert in crafting poisons. Because the Prince of Nan'an had spoken rudely to the Prince of Cheng at the banquet, he had been secretly poisoned into silence by the people of Chehan.

This was a setup that Lu Xusheng had planned a long time ago.

This person had been arranged to go to Northern Qi from the moment Lu Xusheng was reborn, secretly observing every move of the Prince of Nan'an, having learned his mannerisms and behavior seven or eight times out of ten. Lu Xusheng had spent most of his previous life on the frontier and had seen through the workings of the Northern Qi court. He had taken precautions and already informed the shadow guard about what was to come. No one would suspect the impersonation, and with his assistance, it would help him to temporarily infiltrate Northern Qi.

Inserting a knife into the enemy's heart was incredibly remarkable. Not only did he have a thorough understanding of the Northern Qi army, but he also obtained evidence of the Crown Prince's collusion with the enemy.

In the middle of the night, the people of Northern Qi discovered that their prince's throat had been poisoned, and he could only make hoarse sounds. They were furious, seething with rage, and insisted on demanding an explanation from the Great Jin emperor. The emperor immediately sent Deputy Criminal Minister Pei Ji to investigate the case, and it led to the envoys of the Chehan State. The people of Northern Qi rushed to the Chehan embassy, only to find it deserted. Some of their fierce generals chased after the Prince of Cheng's people towards the northwest.

The Prince of Nan'an had completely settled a score with the Chehan State.

When Lu Xusheng returned to his mansion, he told Cheng Yian about the situation.

Cheng Yian listened with a look of disbelief, "How long can this be hidden?"

Lu Xusheng pondered, "We can hide it for one more day. That's why I need to go to the border once, and also, I need to use the Prince of Nan'an's head to pay respects to the soldiers of Silver Mountain from years ago."

Cheng Yian's eyes softened, and she gently asked, "How long will you be gone?"

Lu Xusheng didn't answer; it would depend on whether his covert operation was secure.

"I'll come back as soon as possible. When I'm not at the mansion, can you take care of yourself?"

Cheng Yian tugged at the corner of her mouth, "If I can't take care of myself, will you stay?"

Lu Xusheng: "....."

"Go ahead." Cheng Yian rubbed her eyes; she wasn't one to be fussy, "Safety first."

In the past, Lu Xusheng never liked such fussy, sentimental behavior. Any soldier who talked about his wife and children at home would be scolded for being unambitious. But now, looking at her red eyes, his heart was breaking. He gently said while rubbing her hair ends,

"I'm not planning to stay away for long. Maybe I'll come back every eight to ten days?"

"Eight to ten days," Cheng Yian repeated with great seriousness, "That sounds good."

Lu Xusheng caught the implication in her words and was both angry and amused,

"Yian..." he twirled a lock of her hair around his finger, his voice unusually gentle, "If my covert operation is secure, I'll be back soon, and then..." he said seriously, "seven times in one night."

Cheng Yian gave a mocking laugh, her face turning red.

"Go, go!" She was already getting annoyed with him.

The mood of parting dissipated.

That night, Lu Xusheng left.

Cheng Yian didn't sleep well, her heart felt heavy, thinking she was worried about Lu Xusheng.

They hadn't even been married for a year yet; was it necessary to be so clingy? She scolded herself in her heart, suppressed the nausea in her chest, and fell asleep.

The next day was the twenty-sixth of May. In the morning, Cheng Yian was handling family affairs in the meeting hall. After lunch, she went to Lu Xusheng's study, intending to look at a map of the mountains and rivers to see the distance between Xuanfu and the capital, calculating how many times he could make the round trip in a month.

After leaving Ningji Hall and following the stone path into the corridor in front, the midday sun was particularly scorching. Ru Lan was sweating profusely, but Cheng Yian felt a bit cold and couldn't help but want to bask in the sun. However, as soon as she took a step, her vision turned dark, and she fainted without any warning.

Since Lu Xusheng wasn't at the mansion, Ming Saozi quickly sent someone to inform the Cheng family, and Ru Lan immediately arranged for soldiers to run to the Yunnan King's palace.

Cheng Mingyu hadn't fully recovered yet, but upon hearing that his daughter had fainted, he got up from his sickbed and rode to Lu Xusheng's mansion. At the same time, Xia Fu was in a hurry, dropped what she was doing, and boarded a carriage heading to Lu Xusheng's mansion.

The Yunnan King's palace was closer to the Lu family, but Cheng Mingyu's horse was fast, and the two groups ran into each other at the entrance of the Lu mansion.