Chapter 5: The Enemy Returns North

That charming maid is indeed unparalleled; her innate sensitivity allowed her to notice the distinctiveness of Ye Liu Congfei and Mu Ying amidst the crowd. She supported Shen Xiaofei and whispered, "Those two are skilled in martial arts."

With a drowsy expression, Yanran opened the courtyard door and, upon seeing Shen Xiang, asked in confusion: "Is there something urgent, my lord?"

Du Xinyan walked a few steps in the room with his hands behind his back, then asked: "Where did you go after leaving the tavern?"

Du Xinyan said this to make Ding Qianhe understand. Seeing her expression, he knew that her anger had subsided, and the smile at the corner of his lips deepened even more

I understand, my lord, please rest assured. Let the old steward accompany me. My lord, please wait in the hall and serve tea while awaiting news. Du Xinyan understood the implication in Shen Xiang's words and sneered inwardly, your daughter has had an affair with Ye Luchongfei, yet you still expect to preserve her pure and unblemished reputation

Gao Rui turned his head slowly, his sword-like eyebrows raised, and a cold and proud expression appeared on his lean face. He said lightly: "I will not give up either the beautiful landscape or the beautiful person. Xiao Du has always been talented, but unfortunately, we are enemies."

Minister Du, this matter concerns the reputation of my daughter. You must be cautious and prudent

He suddenly cracked the whip, and the sound of hooves echoed as he had already thrown Du Xinyan to the ground

I understand, Your Excellency

Pride was evident in the eyes of the wooden eagle.

Once they got into the sedan chair, Xiao Fei called for Wu Shuang and instructed, "Follow those two and find out where they are staying."

Yelü Congfei believes in Buddhism? Du Xinyan felt puzzled in her heart

The bed curtains were slashed by a sword, and there was no one on the bed. His face turned ashen as he lit the oil lamp

Since receiving the news of Yelü Congfei's secret southward journey, Du Xinyan has felt that there must be a matter of utmost importance that compelled him to take such a risk. If there were no ministers in the court colluding with him, Yelü Congfei would never have come in person. Who could this person be? An ordinary official would not satisfy Yelü Congfei, and Du Xinyan sincerely hopes that the person Yelü Congfei came to see is the one he suspects in his heart

He stood up, took the banknotes, and left the tavern with the wooden eagle

After returning from Luoyang, Du Xinyan quietly purchased a small courtyard opposite the back garden of the Xiang residence. He was particularly fond of the two lush cypress trees in the courtyard's atrium

The several merchants from beyond the Great Wall began to cry out: "Sir, I am a legitimate businessman. Although I am not from the south, I am certainly not a spy!"

Yanran responded and hurriedly ascended the embroidery building. Before long, the lights on the upper floor were lit, and the silhouettes of Yanran Wushuang and Xiaofei were cast upon the window

Upon seeing the lights on, the dark agents leaped in through the doors and windows, only to find Du Xinyan standing coldly in the room, utterly astonished. One person whispered, "How could there be no one?"

Du Xinyan blinked and said, "Why didn't the adult consider that if Yelü Congfei escaped by water, wouldn't His Highness be in trouble?"

Leaping onto the tree, one can have a complete view of the back garden of the minister's residence

Ding Qianhe suddenly recalled that poem and realized that she had wronged Du Xinyan. Unable to lower her face in front of Gao Rui, she turned her head to the side

Returning to the capital from Luoyang, Ding Qianhe felt anger at the thought of Du Xinyan. Yet, Du Xinnian, back in the capital, reported to the Supervisory Court every day. By the time he found the opportunity to seek her out, Ding Qianhe had already been seething with frustration and had not seen him.

Yelü Congfei revealed a hint of satisfaction in his profound gaze. "How is the preparation for the Buddhist ceremony at Changlu Temple going?"

At that moment, one of the maidservants suddenly looked up and glanced in the direction where the two were standing, her gaze cold and piercing

"Who is teasing whom?" Gao Rui asked casually as he approached.

Ding Qianhe chuckled and took the rabbit, tossing it into the leather pouch, saying: "Your Highness, the Third Prince, is being polite, deliberately allowing Qianhe to win"

Gao Rui gazed at him, while Du Xinyan, due to her martial arts training, had her eyes covered with a layer of luster like jade, sparkling brilliantly. At this moment, the corners of her mouth curled slightly, exuding an indescribable charm and elegance, stirring something within him. He smiled and said: "Girls can never endure grievances. Young Du has spoken out of turn, and naturally, he should be punished. A little hardship will suffice to appease Miss Shen's anger. I will take the lead, Miss Ding, and we shall have a rematch another day."

Upon seeing the expressions of the two, Gao Rui chuckled and said, "Little Du from the capital is quite the flirt, yet he is solely focused on Miss Ding. Is he shamelessly pursuing her out of concern that Rui might steal his love?"

Yelü Congfei, dressed in a lake blue shirt, smiled leisurely and said: "It appears powerful, yet there is constant strife within. The southern people are not to be taken seriously"

The young man in white, with his left hand steadying the longbow like a mountain, swiftly drew an eagle-feather arrow from the quiver with his right hand, suddenly pulling the bowstring taut like a full moon and releasing the arrow with great speed

Without hesitation, Lingming departed, but in Xiaofei's heart, there were other plans.

Du Xinyan's gaze, sharp as an eagle's, surveyed the garden

There was a chorus of agreement. Someone remarked, "According to the merchants returning from the north, the border has been under strict scrutiny lately. In April, the northern lands are still barren and yellow, and those bandits are likely to come again to steal grain."

Du Xinnian's dark pupils gradually became profound. He vaguely sensed that this struggle for the throne would intensify.

Ding Qianhe rolled her eyes, chuckled twice dryly, and imitated Du Xinyan's voice, saying: "Miss Shen is talented and versatile, and has long captured my heart. Miss Qu Jiang has a bowl of new lotus porridge that is fragrant and inviting. The harmonious sounds of the guqin and xiao at Luofeng Mountain make one feel like a confidant, and a bowl of clear tea is even more refreshing to the lungs. Enjoying the snow and drinking wine at Jicui Garden, and the spring breeze at Xiaochun Lake feels intoxicating. Hehe, someone has even washed their hands to cook soup for you, with the guqin and xiao playing in harmony, and enjoying snow while drinking wine. Little Du, why are you still so persistently entangled with me?"

I instruct the attendant to guard outside, as the young lady's embroidery building cannot be disturbed by officials and soldiers. I can go alone.

Before long, he had searched all around. He wandered in the garden for a while, feeling inexplicably happy. Du Xinyan returned to the hall and confessed to Shen: "It seems that the spies must have misjudged the situation. Or perhaps they entered the garden to evade detection and quietly left."

Gao Rui casually glanced over and happened to meet Du Xinyan's gaze.

Du Xinyan felt a tightness in his heart, yet a smile appeared on his face: "There is no best option. What I am concerned about is that the thief is highly skilled and is known as the first warrior of the Khitan. If he has taken Miss... My lord, it would be better to wait until Miss safely comes down before I search the garden alone, to prevent that thief from hiding within the garden."

Du Xinyan's eyes lit up, and he asked urgently, "Did the Fourth Princess and the daughter of Prime Minister Shen also go to Changlu Temple to offer incense?"

Ding Qianhe was even angrier: "Why does she tease you? Why doesn't she go and tease others?"

When he becomes curious about a person, he will certainly go to great lengths to understand them

The moonlight cast a clear shadow of the trees in the back garden, and Shen Xiaofei leaned against the shadow of Yelü Congfei in his embrace, which still swayed before her eyes. It felt as if a cat's paw was scratching at her heart, and Du Xinyan no longer hesitated

Shen Xiangwen hurriedly put on his clothes and got out of bed, at this moment the main gate of the Xiang residence was wide open. Du Xinyan, dressed in an official robe adorned with eight dragons and five claws, stood at the hall with a look of shock on his face

He let out a hearty laugh, rode forward, and the three of them rode side by side, sandwiching Ding Qianhe in the middle

Dare to hide Yelü in the embroidered building? And still have an affair with him? Du Xinyan couldn't help but sneer coldly, wishing he could rush in right now and catch them red-handed. Hearing the fourth watch drum echoing softly, the embroidered building across was no longer lit. His gaze was as deep as water, with a cold light flashing in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth, uttering four words: "Adulterer and adulteress"

Shen Xiangfu stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "With Lord Du personally searching the back garden, I am very reassured". This implies that if Ye Lifu has any connection with the Xiangfu, all responsibility will fall solely on Du Xinyan.

The Fourth Princess prayed for the ailing virtuous consort. Yesterday, she received the Emperor's gracious permission to leave the palace and rested at the Xiang residence. She and the daughter of Minister Shen are close friends. Today, they went together to Changlu Temple to offer incense. After finishing sweet cakes at the inn, the Fourth Princess parted ways with Minister Shen's daughter and returned to the palace

"Look at me!" A crisp voice rang out, belonging to the fleeting figure at the front. She held a bone-carved longbow, nocked an arrow, and shot it true, hitting the mark without deviation. Instantly, she burst into joyful cheers.

In the distance, the lights of the embroidery building shimmered faintly, casting a slender silhouette on the window. Du Xinyan, sipping wine, gazed at it, and the delicate figure of Shen Xiaofei came to his mind. The night was so quiet, and as Du Xinyan looked at the shadow on the window, he felt that the wine today was fragrant and rich

It has already been dispersed and transported by land. The operation was executed cleanly and efficiently, with no investigation into the whereabouts of the grain, as it was believed to have been sold off and exchanged for gold and silver

Cheng Lian smiled and said, "What are you thinking about again?"

He sneered coldly in his heart; colluding with the Khitan was a capital offense, and privately releasing Yelü Congfei was also a capital offense. What Du Xinyan could not understand was, if Gao Rui truly loved her, why would he ask her to undertake such a dangerous task

One of them is a child of heaven, while the other is a dragon among men. They have listened to the Grand Tutor's teachings together since childhood, studying the arts as classmates. They understand each other quite well.

Visiting and offering incense at Changlu Temple

He returned alone to the inn at the end of the game and has not gone out since. His attendant did not come back with him

Yelü Congfei was taken aback; with his martial arts skills, he easily discerned that this maid possessed martial abilities. He did not wish to interfere further and signaled for Mu Ying to leave

Cheng Lian stroked his beard and nodded, his face beaming with a smile. Suddenly, his eyes widened, sparkling with brilliance, and he whispered: "The Grand Prince has just taken on the task of managing the river. You rascal, do you want the Grand Prince to achieve more merit in front of the Emperor?"

Every day, she would invite a group of distinguished young gentlemen to go out of the city for leisure, and nine times out of ten, she would encounter the handsome Third Prince, Gao Rui. Gao Rui displayed none of the airs of a prince, unlike Du Xinyan, who would always act playfully and frivolously in her presence, while Gao Rui was exceedingly refined and courteous.

Ding Qianhe, quick-witted, said: "Miss Shen, who is dignified and graceful, would she really play tricks on the young Du of the capital? Your Highness, do you think that Miss Shen, who never steps out of the main gate or the second gate, would engage in such mischief?"

Du Xinyan cupped his hands in salute, his voice lowered to an extreme, tinged with nervousness as he said: "My lord, the Khitan prince Yelü Congfei has secretly descended south to the capital. I have been ordered to apprehend him, but this rogue is cunning and managed to escape midway. A covert agent reported that he seems to have hidden himself in the back garden of the minister's residence. My lord, what do you think..."

At this moment, Du Xinyan had stationed secret agents from the Supervisory Court to guard the front and back gates of the Xiang residence, while he himself took a jug of wine and leaped up into a tree

Ding Qianhe was choked by this question, her anger flaring up again. She fiercely whipped the horse's rear, urged the horse forward to catch up with Gao Rui, and turned back to curse, "Xiao Du, it's a shame others say you are attentive; you, you are just a pig!"

The sky is the darkest just before dawn, and the torches burn brightly, casting a red hue over the night. The sounds of barking dogs and crying children, along with the tense expressions of the dark-clad inspectors surrounding the governor's residence, create a scene that is both anxious and unsettling

At this moment, she heard Gao Rui's sincere tone, and his pair of eyes was as gentle as the bright moon breaking through the clouds. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat, and a blush appeared on her face. Qian He shyly lowered her head and said, "Your Highness, the Third Prince, such praise is truly overwhelming for me; it was merely a coincidence. If it hadn't suddenly dashed away, you would have certainly hit it first."

The wooden eagle's eyes flared with anger, ready to draw its blade. Yelü Chongfei cast a sharp glance, causing the wooden eagle to turn its head in displeasure

Arrogant! Du Xinyan uttered these two words, looking worriedly at Ding Qianhe's departing figure

Ding Qianhe let out a hum, seeing Gao Rui turn his horse around and slowly approach. She did not want Gao Rui to see her bickering with Du Xinnian, her delicate face showing annoyance as she exclaimed, "You have a sweet tongue; Little Du from the capital can charm women wherever he goes. I am not angry! Let go of me!"

Du Xinyan joyfully took his leave. He secretly gathered skilled personnel from the Supervisory Court to head to the inn to apprehend individuals

The arrow flew swiftly, and the rabbit in front of the horse just happened to turn and dart away. The arrow shot into the grass, and the young man in white shook his head in regret, urging his horse forward to bend down and pick up the arrow shaft

Yelü Congfei praised a few times, signaling Mu Ying to donate some incense money. The two of them leisurely wandered around the temple after leaving the Buddha Hall.

What has caused such alarm? Shen Xiang, disturbed from his sweet dreams, hurriedly donned his outer robe and stepped out. Upon seeing that the Supervisory Court had surrounded his residence, he could not help but feel a surge of anger.

Ding Qianhe, eager to win, would not let go of her prey and even aimed to surpass Gao Rui. Seeing that the competition was neck and neck made her even more anxious, yet she laughed heartily.

The delivery is completed today, and the Buddha statue can be loaded onto the ship for transport to Youzhou tomorrow

The sound of boots echoed urgently on the stairs as a group of officials and soldiers ascended. The leader, dressed in the uniform of a captain, had his hand resting on the hilt of a silver-handled dagger made of shark skin. He surveyed the room and shouted, "The government is searching for Khitan spies; everyone sit still!"

Shen Xiang observed Yanran's loose hair bun as she donned her outer garment and opened the door, her expression showing no signs of panic or anything unusual, which eased his mind. He smiled and said: "The Supervisory Court has discovered that some thieves seem to have hidden in the back garden. I cannot rest easy. Go and wake the young lady, let her first take refuge in the inner hall"

Gao Rui would not engage in horse racing with Ding Qianhe for no reason. If he has feelings for Shen Xiaofei, why would he entangle himself with Ding Qianhe? Is it because of General Ding Fengnian of Wuwei?

The inspectorate's secret agents reported that Yelü Congfei, the fifth prince of the Khitan, quietly descended south and was followed all the way into the capital. Cheng Lian pondered that Yelü Congfei's risky journey to the capital must have ulterior motives, and he intended to stabilize the situation and investigate thoroughly.

Yelü Congfei's eyes were icy cold. These Southern people indulge in revelry all day long, unaware of the harsh winds beyond the Great Wall. With no food, they can only resort to plunder. Moreover, every time they raid, it is always paid for with the blood of Khitan men.

After speaking, he cast a glance, whether intentionally or not, and was startled in his heart

She watched in disbelief as Gao Rui arrived at the foot of the mountain first, filled with rage in her heart, and raised her whip to strike: "What are you doing here?"

He let out a long breath and said: "I will return first tomorrow. You can leave after you see the Buddha statue on the ship." Remembering how he had repeatedly led troops to invade the Central Plains, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, as the Ming Emperor was unaware that the Khitan prince, who had a bounty of ten thousand gold pieces on his head, had taken the risk to come to the capital.

A group of horsemen charged down from the gentle hills by the river in the suburbs of Beijing. Dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, they embodied the vigor and enthusiasm of youth

Gao Rui's words reached Du Xinyan's ears, containing both truth and falsehood. He teased, "The Third Prince is infatuated with Miss Shen; why not propose to make the Eldest Prince the Crown Prince? Miss Shen will surely have no excuses left."

Gao Rui waved his hand gracefully and said: "Not at all! It is clearly Miss who excels. In the past, I knew that Miss was exceptional in horsemanship, but today I have come to realize that her archery skills are also remarkable, hitting the target from a hundred paces."

Suddenly, another tall figure cast a shadow on the window, pressing both hands on Shen Xiaofei's shoulders and pulling her into an embrace, as the lights abruptly went out

If Yelü Congfei really took refuge in the back garden, it would be a significant problem for the minister's residence. Minister Shen, having served in office for many years, is well aware of the principle that when the wall falls, everyone pushes. If he were to be accused of harboring criminals, the emperor, being suspicious, would not take it lightly. He smiled and said: "My daughter is young and inexperienced, there is no need for Minister Du to take offense; please search thoroughly. I believe with Minister Du's martial skills, if the thief is hiding in the garden, he will surely be captured. However, if he is not in the garden, the back garden is where my daughter's boudoir is located, so Minister Du must be cautious with his words."

Du Xinyan was anxious: "I said that out of concern that you would fall into her hands that day!"

At Changlu Temple, there were many worshippers. Upon reaching the Hall of Patriarch Bodhidharma, they noticed a group of officials and soldiers standing outside the hall, blocking the incense offerings. This naturally aroused their curiosity. After a short while, two veiled women gracefully emerged from the hall, accompanied by several charming maidservants. It then became clear that they were the female relatives of a powerful and influential family come to pay their respects.

Du Xinyan also laughed: "How could His Highness the Third Prince take a liking to that crazy girl Qianhe? With Miss Shen's affection, there is no other woman in the world who could catch His Highness's eye."

Du Xinyan chuckled and pointed at the map of the capital, saying: "Yelü Chongfei must have some scheme upon arriving in the capital. I suspect he has come to prepare for the spring famine. A large quantity of grain needs to be transported to Youzhou, and there are too many land routes; taking the waterway north is the most convenient and fastest. I am merely speculating, but it does no harm to be cautious."

Before long, the two had approached the hillside. Suddenly, a horse dashed out and blocked Ding Qianhe's path

He turned his head and softly asked the attendant Mu Ying, "Has the batch of grain from Jiangnan been transported away?"

The sound of the small tune ceased, and the blind woman selling songs trembled as she clutched her pipa tightly

Her figure appears every time. What kind of woman is she? Du Xinyan could not see clearly for a moment

What he said was not without reason, and Shen Xiang remained calm and composed, hoping that he would spend more time in the back garden, and thus readily agreed

Du Xinyan agreed, yet the person remained still

The captain's gaze swept over the patrons of the tavern and landed on the traveling merchants by the window. Noticing that their attire differed from that of the southern people, with their collars and lapels all oriented to the left, he snorted and said: "They are not of my kind; seize them!"

The young man in white, Ma Yue, leaped from his horse, using the momentum to kick off and turn to the side, swiftly catching a rabbit with his hand. He rode back at full speed, displaying an extraordinary grace. As he approached, he smiled broadly and handed over the rabbit, saying: "Miss Ding, the tiger of the gate, is truly admirable and deserving of respect."

This was transported to Xinghua Temple in Daming Prefecture for worship after the consecration ceremony at our humble temple. The ceremony lasted for seven days, and today is the final day. Tomorrow it will be loaded onto a ship for transport.

Yelü Congfei took the wooden eagle and left the tavern, heading straight to Changlu Temple

The wind brushed against his light shirt, making him appear no different from the Han people. His mother was Han, and during his childhood, he was not valued by the Khitan king. As he grew older, he seized the title of the first warrior of the Khitan and gradually gained prestige in the Khitan through his military achievements. This time, as he traveled south, he disguised himself as a merchant, and with his appearance, he smoothly passed through the checkpoints and entered the capital.

General Ding Feng of Wuwei commanded the troops of Hebei's East and West Routes stationed in Daming Prefecture and Zhending, establishing defenses along the border. Now, as spring famine strikes the north, the Khitan invade the border annually to seize grain, harboring intentions of encroaching upon the Central Plains. The Great Qi has been in constant conflict with the Khitan; last winter, Gao Rui repelled the Khitan invasion and has established a rapport with Ding Feng.

Unexpectedly, the capital's government office received news from an unknown source and dispatched people to search the entire city.

Qian He Ben Ai enjoys horseback riding and hunting, but leisurely admiring the scenery is not to her taste. At that moment, she readily agreed, and the two exchanged glances before simultaneously spurring their horses into a gallop.

After passing through the Sanbao Hall, the two strolled into the Buddha Hall. They saw a golden Buddha statue standing in the courtyard outside the hall, towering at 2 zhang in height and with a circumference of 1 zhang. The Buddha's demeanor was dignified, and the craftsmanship was exquisite. Surrounding it were the Four Heavenly Kings standing guard, their expressions lifelike and the artistry remarkable. Incense wafted through the air, and prayer flags fluttered. Monks and novices held ritual implements, chanting scriptures and conducting ceremonies around the Buddha statue

I wonder which general will be dispatched for this campaign

The women from the frontier are tall and robust, while the women from the south are petite and delicate. Two veiled women, dressed in identical white silk garments and possessing similar physiques, obscured their features, yet their demeanor was extraordinary. The two could not help but steal a few more glances at each other

Lord Du, after searching the inn thoroughly, found no suspicious individuals. However, at a quarter past the hour of Shen, the esteemed Shen family daughter and the Fourth Princess returned from offering incense at Changlu Temple and specifically came to the inn. According to the innkeeper, they requested a private room, specifically to enjoy the sugar cake made by the inn's master chef. After finishing their meal, they left.

Shen Xiangfu stroked his beard and smiled, saying: "It is evident that Yelü Congfei did not enter the back garden; Lord Du is overthinking."

Cheng Lian thought for a moment and couldn't help but smile: "Xiao Du, just say what you have in mind. Don't keep me in suspense."

Du Xinyan smiled and said: "I only wish to seal off the waterways and strictly inspect the northbound cargo ships"

If this continues year after year, the imperial treasury will be depleted, and the taxes imposed on us common people will increase.

Shen Xiang was taken aback; Yelv Congfei's southward journey must signify a significant matter. After a brief moment of hesitation, he said: "In the back garden, only the young lady and two maidservants reside alone..."

Yelü Congfei revealed a smile in his eyes. After observing for a while, he noticed a young monk standing nearby and asked, "This Buddhist statue is dignified and majestic; why is it placed in the courtyard for the ritual?"

As night fell and the third watch approached, numerous shadows quietly gathered outside the guesthouse in Zaor Hutong of the capital, soon surrounding the establishment tightly. Du Xinyan was not wearing official robes; like the secret agents of the Supervisory Court, he was dressed in black clothing and pants, with his face covered.

Du Xinyan smiled bitterly; how could she know that he was speaking ironically? She was eating castor bean porridge, drinking Coptis tea, and consuming poisonous wine. Just as she was about to clarify, Gao Rui had already approached. He lowered his voice and said: "She is teasing me."

Du Xinyan grabbed Ma and saw that the rouge horse was carrying her towards Gao Rui. Catching up seemed uninteresting, and she sighed helplessly. However, looking from behind, the sunlight shone on Ding Qianhe and Gao Rui, making them appear like a perfect couple. Du Xinyan frowned and murmured: "Du Xinyan, if you let her get any closer to him, you will truly become a fool"

Gao Rui's eyes sparkled as he laughed heartily: "It's a pity that this old fox, Shen Xiang, is afraid that the Emperor will suspect him of colluding with the princes. He won't marry his daughter to me as long as the crown prince is undecided. Xiao Du, I truly envy you and Miss Ding. Growing up together, mutual affection. The freedom to jest, scold, and express emotions—what a delight!"

Although it is late spring, the flowers continue to bloom in a competitive display, vibrant and fiery, while the green trees provide ample shade

Du Xinyan called someone over and asked, "Did you see them return to the inn with your own eyes?"

Ding Qianhe responded with a sound, then looked towards Du Xinyan, and could not help but reproachfully say: "Let His Highness the Third Prince have a good laugh!"

Du Xinyan gazed at Gao Rui's back, yet a hint of contemplation lingered in his eyes. He casually replied, "What are you joking about?"

Shen Xiaofei had her hair styled in a loose bun, her face bare, looking as if she had just woken up. Upon seeing her father and Du Xinyan standing in front of the building, Xiaofei stamped her foot and said, "Father, how can you casually bring a stranger to your daughter's embroidery room? Is there any thief entering the garden?" After saying this, she angrily took Yanran and Wushuang away, not even glancing at Du Xinyan.

The encirclement had been completed. Du Xinyan kicked open the door with one foot and thrust his long sword directly at the bed curtain

Du Xinyan simply did not want her to be with Gao Rui, and did not pursue them. Riding alongside Gao Rui, she loosened the reins and allowed the horse to walk at a leisurely pace

Feigning calmness, Du Xinyan thought to himself as he watched the three leave. He lowered his voice and said, "My lord, I am concerned that the thief may be hiding in the garden. I would like to enter the garden alone to investigate; it would be safer this way. If he is not there, then it will just be a false alarm."

"Let someone keep an eye on the governor's residence." Du Xin ordered, a thoughtful smile appearing on his face

Xiao Fei frowned and said: "You are protecting the Fourth Princess"

Within the Supervisory Court, the inspector's face turned ashen with anger as he said, "Stirring up the grass to startle the snake, and yet they still think highly of themselves! Those fools in the capital's government office!"

A commotion suddenly erupted beneath the restaurant, causing the wooden eagle to feel somewhat anxious, and he instinctively grasped the handle of the knife hidden in his bundle. Yelü shook his head as he placed his hand on the flying object, adopting a relaxed expression as he continued to listen to the music and drink.

The person who caught up with her was Du Xinyan. Ding Qianhe was angry for not seeing him; after he finished his official duties, he finally managed to find some free time to go to the Ding residence, only to hear that she had gone out of the city to hunt on horseback. Du Xinyan rode out of the city and saw Ding Qianhe racing with Gao Rui, and his heart sank with urgency. The two princes were competing fiercely, and he did not want Ding Qianhe to get involved. Therefore, he decisively urged his horse to gallop and intercepted Ding Qianhe.

Listening intently to the songs of the singing girl, he gazed at the peaceful and joyful faces of the people. Yelü sighed with jealousy. How could they know the bitter cold of the frontier, the desolation of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun? When spring arrives, the grasslands remain ungreen, the livestock are hungry, and the clansmen suffer from food shortages. After crossing the Yellow River and heading south, what he saw were endless green fields, busy plowing oxen, and curling smoke from cooking fires. This only deepened his pain for the withered land of the north.

The Changlu Temple in Jiangbei is situated right by the banks of the Yangtze River, majestic and grand. It is said that the Zen master Bodhidharma crossed the river on a reed to arrive at Changlu Temple, which is a sacred site of Zen Buddhism, thriving with incense offerings.

After a stick of incense, the embroidered building's door opened, and Xiao Fei and Yan Ran Wu Shuang emerged from the building

Ding Qianhe glared at him in annoyance, decisively mounted her horse and left, disappearing in a flash.

Her blush horse is a renowned breed, and Gao Rui's horse is not inferior. In an instant, one could see a flash of crimson and a swirl of white racing across the plain like the wind and lightning.

The officer received the order, disregarding the matters at hand, and commanded the soldiers to detain the individuals before departing

"Shallow Lotus, are you still angry with me?" Du Xinyan smiled broadly, not dodging as she received a whip from her. Enduring the pain in her arm, she reached out and grabbed the reins of her horse.

A hint of crimson shadow leads the way, closely followed by a young nobleman riding a chestnut steed. Clad in white with arrow sleeves, his cloak billows, the hem embroidered with a silver dragon, dancing in the wind as if it has come to life, further accentuating the elegance of the man and the majesty of the horse.

Cheng Lian laughed heartily and patted Du Xinyan on the shoulder, saying: "I only care about capturing Yelv Congfei. Nothing else matters. Remember, it must be done discreetly."

Gao Rui glanced behind him, where a group of young gentlemen and ladies were slowly riding over, chatting and laughing. He looked towards the open field and said cheerfully: "Shall we have another race? Do you see that small hill ahead? Let’s race to it, and if we encounter any wild game along the way, we can shoot it. In the end, we will see who reaches the foot of the hill first and who has hunted the most."

Shen cast a glance at Du Xinyan and instructed the butler to take the lantern, heading straight for the back garden

He silently gestured. He gently swept into the inn, opened the door, and let the dark scout in. Quietly, he approached the Tianzi room where Yelü Congfei was staying.

Once they left, the restaurant erupted in chaos. Someone disdainfully remarked, "The Khitan bandits repeatedly cross the border to steal people and grain; only by killing them all can we relieve the hatred in our hearts"

The wooden eagle, seeing that no one was around, said resentfully: "Prince, once we have taken over this flourishing land, seized their women, and turned all these southerners into our slaves! Let’s see if they dare to insult us even a little!"

Cheng Lian thought for a moment and then said to Du Xinyan: "There is no time to lose. Although we cannot find anyone who colluded with him, it would be good to secretly capture Yelü Congfei and inquire about his plans for heading south. Remember, it must be done discreetly. Otherwise, the Khitan will surely cause trouble, and the Great Qi needs to recuperate; we cannot afford any more conflicts. Yelü Congfei is known as the greatest warrior of the Khitan, so be cautious."

Du Xinyan looked at Gao Rui without the slightest hint of retreat in his gaze. He cupped his hands in salute and smiled, saying: "Your Highness, your skills in archery have improved again! What a grievance I have, as Qianhe said! Last year, I inadvertently composed a poem at the Mo Chou Lake poetry gathering, which angered Miss Shen. She put something in my congee, causing me a bit of trouble. A self-inflicted misfortune!" As he spoke, his eyes, filled with affection and resentment, glanced towards Qianhe.