The heavily awaited cargo finally made its appearance, carried out in an iron cage covered with a black cloth.
Everyone speculated what lay beneath the black cloth.
When the cloth was lifted, everyone gasped in surprise. The cage was empty, utterly bare.
A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.
The head boss, enraged, demanded, "Where are they?"
The guards trembled in fear. "Head Boss, we just saw someone moments ago! How can they be gone now?"
The head boss's face turned extremely grim. At this moment, the second boss stepped forward. "That's all for today, everyone."
The crowd began to disperse.
Gu Shaoan, noticing Xue Zining gazing at the iron cage, couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Xue Zining withdrew her gaze. "Nothing."
Stepping out of the mountain stronghold and returning to her room, Xue Zining's heart was unsettled. Xue Yan, seeing her state, approached and asked, "Your Majesty, did you see the young prince?"
"No," Xue Zining shook her head. "However, it seems he left that place."
Xue Yan faltered. "Your Majesty, what do you mean?"
"Xingchen escaped from the iron cage," Xue Zining said.
Xue Yan's gaze paused. "Your Majesty..."
Xue Zining recounted what she had seen and heard. Xue Yan breathed a sigh of relief. "This servant knew the young prince was a clever one."
Xue Zining nodded. Where could a child barely over a year old go?
Chaos erupted within the mountain stronghold. Everyone was searching for the infant.
The head boss's face was ashen with fury. "You can't even keep track of a small child. What use are you?"
The guards never imagined that such a young child could escape on their own.
"Head Boss, don't be angry. A child so young can't run far," the second boss interjected.
The head boss's expression darkened further. So many people couldn't even watch over one small child.
"Head Boss, a letter has arrived from the capital."
The head boss took the letter and his expression sank after a glance. The second boss inquired, "Head Boss, are there instructions from the capital?"
The head boss remained silent, instead placing the letter over the candle flame and burning it. The second boss was taken aback; such a thing had never happened before.
"It's nothing," the head boss said.
The second boss knew that there were things the head boss never let him know about, such as these letters from the capital.
"Second Boss, go to the military camp and invite Gu Shaoan and his wife for dinner," the head boss suddenly commanded.
The second boss was surprised. "Head Boss, you are..."
"Go!" The head boss finished, then rose and departed.
The second boss, looking at the letter reduced to ashes, appeared thoughtful.
Xue Zining was also taken aback by the head boss's invitation. She never expected him to invite Gu Shaoan. Gu Shaoan had initially intended to find an ordinary person to represent him, but she had disagreed, hoping to use the opportunity to search for Xingchen's whereabouts.
In the evening, Gu Shaoan saw a woman emerging from a tent and his gaze froze.
The woman was adorned in a flowing dress of shifting blues and greens. She was slender yet tall, with a face of unparalleled beauty and eyes as clear as the deepest pools.
He felt a strange, inexplicable sensation.
"General Gu, what is it?"
Gu Shaoan collected his stunned admiration, a hint of awkwardness in his voice. "Let's go!"
Upon arriving at the mountain stronghold, they were welcomed in. A table laden with lavish dishes greeted them. The head boss stepped forward. "General Gu, Madam Gu, please."
"You are too kind, Head Boss," Gu Shaoan replied.
The head boss smiled. "All of you, withdraw."
"General Gu, Madam Gu, please," the head boss said, raising his wine cup.
Gu Shaoan looked at the wine in his cup. "I'm afraid I don't know if the Head Boss invited me merely for a meal?"
The head boss chuckled softly, then raised his eyes. "Naturally not."
"Then for what purpose, Head Boss?" Gu Shaoan asked coldly.
The head boss stood and approached Gu Shaoan. Suddenly, he lunged towards Xue Zining. Xue Zining remained still as Gu Shaoan's fingers intercepted the dagger in the head boss's hand. "The Head Boss attempting to assassinate my wife? What crime is this?"
The head boss laughed. "Wife? I'm afraid not?"
Xue Zining's eyes narrowed in surprise.
Gu Shaoan looked at the head boss, his voice sharp. "Head Boss, what do you mean by that?"
The head boss withdrew his hand and stated coldly, "General Gu, the woman by your side is from the capital, isn't she?"
Xue Zining's gaze deepened. The head boss had even uncovered this. It was clear that whoever was behind him was no ordinary individual.
"General, what is the Head Boss saying? I don't understand," Xue Zining said.
"Head Boss, if you truly wished to invite my wife and me for dinner, I am grateful. If not, I must excuse myself. Farewell!"
Gu Shaoan grabbed Xue Zining's hand, preparing to leave.
Behind them, the head boss sneered. "General Gu, do you think I would choose to fall out with you and let you leave?"
Suddenly, many figures wielding weapons poured in from outside.
Gu Shaoan's expression turned cold. "Head Boss, I advise you to think carefully. Attempting to assassinate me is akin to assassinating a court official. That is a capital offense. Do you not wish to live, nor have your brothers in the stronghold accompany you to death?"
The head boss chuckled coldly. "Is that so? Then I am truly afraid. However, if General Gu is no longer General Gu, what consequence would it be for me to kill you?"
Gu Shaoan froze and turned to face the head boss, asking coldly, "What do you mean by that?"
"It's simple, General Gu. Go outside and see for yourself!" the head boss said.
"Have them step aside." The head boss commanded.
The men who had entered retreated outwards. Standing in the courtyard, they could see the entire mountain stronghold surrounded, lit by a blaze of torches.
Xue Zining recognized the men as Gu Shaoan's soldiers.
Their leader, Gu Shaoan's deputy, called out, "Li Hua, what is the meaning of this?"
Li Hua didn't even spare Gu Shaoan a glance. "Gu Shaoan, you are colluding with the enemy and betraying the country. I am acting under orders from above to apprehend and arrest you."
Gu Shaoan's gaze turned icy. "Li Hua, you are fabricating orders. That is a capital offense."
Li Hua threw the imperial decree he held. "Gu Shaoan, look for yourself."
Gu Shaoan opened the decree and indeed, his arrest was written within.
Xue Zining glanced at it, frowning. The handwriting was so crude.
Gu Shaoan, hearing this, looked at Li Hua. "I can be taken away, but can my wife be released? She knows nothing."
Li Hua nodded. "This matter has nothing to do with her."
Gu Shaoan looked at Xue Zining. "Do not act rashly. When this matter is investigated, think of a way to save me."
Xue Zining frowned. "Alright, I will certainly save you."
Gu Shaoan smiled. Li Hua dismounted and approached him. "General, forgive me."
With that, he bound Gu Shaoan and led him away.
Xue Zining narrowed her eyes. All of this was beyond her expectations.