"Madam Gu..."
Xue Zining turned to look at the Da Dangjia and asked, "Does the Da Dangjia have any other business?"
The Da Dangjia walked over, smiling chillingly, "What should I call you now?"
Xue Zining's gaze turned cold, "Does the Da Dangjia's words have a hidden meaning?"
"Should I call you Madam Gu, or the Emperor's fourth-rank personal guard, Lord Xue?"
As the Da Dangjia spoke, Xue Zining frowned, "Da Dangjia, do you know my identity?"
The Da Dangjia smiled, appearing as if victory was within his grasp, "Does Lord Xue think she has hidden herself very well?"
"I'd like to know how the Da Dangjia found out my identity."
"It's not difficult. Although the entire realm belongs to the Emperor, there are always places that the Emperor's domain cannot reach, wouldn't you agree, Lord Xue?"
"So, after knowing my identity, what does the Da Dangjia intend to do?" Xue Zining asked, word by word.
"That depends on whether Lord Xue wishes to return safely to His Majesty's side, or..."
He suddenly leaned in and said, "die..."
"You want to cooperate with me?" Xue Zining asked with a frown.
The Da Dangjia laughed heartily, "Why not? As the Emperor's most trusted guard, wouldn't it be easier for Lord Xue to accomplish these things?"
Xue Zining knew it wasn't time to turn hostile. "May I consider it?"
The Da Dangjia said, "Of course, but time waits for no one, Lord Xue."
"Three days. Give me three days," Xue Zining said.
"One day. I want the answer tomorrow," the Da Dangjia stated coldly, looking at her.
Xue Zining gritted her teeth, "Alright, tomorrow it is."
As Xue Zining walked out of the mountain stronghold, her expression was as cold as frost.
Upon returning to the military camp, the guards stopped her, saying, "This is a military restricted area. No one is allowed to enter."
Xue Zining stepped back a few paces. She realized that if Gu Shao'an was captured, his trusted subordinates would have been replaced.
"Miss Xue..." Xue Zining turned around and saw a man, someone she found somewhat familiar.
"You are..."
"Miss Xue, I am General Gu's guard."
Hearing his words, Xue Zining finally remembered that this person had once followed Gu Shao'an.
They walked to a place further away from the military camp, and Xue Zining asked, "How is General Gu?"
"General Gu is fine. After all, Li Hua is the General's second-in-command and would not dare to mistreat him. However, Miss, you probably cannot stay here."
"It's alright, as long as General Gu is safe," Xue Zining replied.
"Oh, and the General asked me to relay a message to Miss Xue to be careful of the Da Dangjia. This is all the General wanted me to say. I shall take my leave!"
Xue Zining nodded, "Alright, thank you."
After Gu Shao'an's guard left, Xue Zining went to a secluded corner and softly called out, "Xue Yan."
A figure landed, "Your Majesty, you have finally returned."
"What exactly happened?" Xue Zining asked Xue Yan.
Xue Yan explained, "After you left, General Gu's second-in-command surrounded this place. Fortunately, this servant sensed something was amiss and left first. General Gu's confidantes were all squeezed out. It is likely that this place is now under the control of General Gu's second-in-command. Your Majesty, did you find the young prince in the mountain stronghold?"
Xue Zining recounted what had happened in the mountain stronghold. Xue Yan was slightly startled, "How did he know this servant appeared here?"
Xue Zining replied, "They have backers in the capital. Fortunately, they haven't reached the core yet."
Xue Yan remarked, "Your Majesty, Minister Wen and Minister Shen are the people you trust the most."
"Yes, if they cannot be trusted, then I probably wouldn't have been able to leave the mountain stronghold today."
Xue Yan nodded, expressing relief, "Fortunately, at the time, only this servant came out openly. Official Yun impersonated you and held court in the harem. Otherwise, it's hard to imagine if Your Majesty would have been in danger again."
"Xue Yan, the Da Dangjia wants to cooperate with me."
Xue Yan was taken aback, "Your Majesty, this Da Dangjia, this servant feels he is not a benevolent person."
"Yes, I know, but, for now, there is no better way," Xue Zining said.
"Your Majesty, this is very dangerous. This Da Dangjia is not as kind as he appears."
"I know, but Xue Yan, this is the only way I can get close to Xing Chen."
Xue Yan was stunned, her expression showing hesitation, "Your Majesty, let this servant replace you. I am Xue Yan originally, I..."
"Xue Yan, a mother's duty to save her child is unquestionable."
Xue Yan trembled.
Xue Zining said slowly, "You find a safe place to stay and await my orders."
"Your Majesty..."
"My mind is made up," Xue Zining stated, word by word.
Xue Yan knew that once His Majesty made a decision, no one could change it, and she could only accept it.
"Your Majesty, this servant will wait for you here," Xue Yan said, word by word.
Xue Zining nodded and patted Xue Yan's shoulder, "Wait for me..."
With that, Xue Zining left.
Xue Yan's gaze deepened as she walked in the opposite direction.
The next morning, Xue Zining entered the mountain stronghold early. When the Da Dangjia saw her, his expression showed no change, as if her arrival was expected.
"With the addition of Lord Xue, we are like a tiger with wings. Let's have a drink." The Da Dangjia poured a cup of wine and handed it to Xue Zining.
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback. As she looked at the wine, the Second Dangjia picked up his own cup, "Third brother, your second brother proposes a toast."
Seeing the Second Dangjia drink his wine, Xue Zining had no reason to delay further and could only force herself to drink it.
The taste was pungent and stimulating.
Xue Zining endured it without spitting it out. The Da Dangjia poured another cup, and then another. Xue Zining felt her head swimming and knew she couldn't drink anymore.
"Big brother, I have a headache," she said, then slumped onto the table, no longer moving.
Xue Zining felt a gaze linger on her for a moment. Then she heard the Second Dangjia say, "Da Dangjia, I will escort Third Brother back."
"Good," the Da Dangjia replied.
Xue Zining felt herself being helped up. Just as she was about to struggle, she heard the Second Dangjia whisper, "Pretend to be drunk."
After they left the room, Xue Zining finally looked up and asked the Second Dangjia, "Why are you helping me?"
The Second Dangjia smiled, "Isn't helping you the same as helping myself?"
Xue Zining was slightly stunned. The Second Dangjia looked at her with a cold gaze, "I don't think you are Lord Xue."
Xue Zining frowned, looking at the Second Dangjia.
The Second Dangjia smiled, "Did I guess correctly?"
Xue Zining pushed the Second Dangjia away, "What exactly does the Second Dangjia want to know?"
"Don't misunderstand me, I have no other intentions, I just want to help you..."
Xue Zining said, "I am Xue Yan, whether the Second Dangjia believes me or not, I am Xue Yan."