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Seeing Wang Kun’s figure appear in front of him, Emperor Qi Ming asked in a low voice.

Wang Kun stepped forward and replied with a bow, “The Great General has indeed left.”

Studying the commander’s seal in his hand, Emperor Qi Ming murmured, “What do you suppose Jiang Hong means by this? Is he truly relinquishing the seal, or is it a strategic retreat?”

“This matter involves significant court affairs; I wouldn’t dare to speak carelessly,” Wang Kun responded, bowing even lower.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qi Ming frowned, saying impatiently, “Come now, you’ve been by my side for years. When I ask, you speak.”

“If that’s Your Majesty wish, I will speak my thoughts,” Wang Kun conceded. He looked at Emperor Qi Ming and spoke softly, “I believe the great general’s actions are a display of his loyalty to you, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Qi Ming remained silent, only giving Wang Kun a nod to continue.

Encouraged, Wang Kun continued, “The Jiang family has faithfully served Your Majesty for generations, and the general has fought in your name for years, earning him high respect within the army. However, he is intelligent and surely knows that there have been instances where a servant’s success could outshine the master.”

“He voluntarily hands over this seal to show his loyalty to you, and to remind himself of his duty as a servant.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qi Ming sank into thoughtful silence. After a while, he finally spoke in a dismissive tone, “Perhaps I’m overthinking this.” “After all, he fought for me in his youth.”

“Wang Kun, I recall that Jiang Hong’s eldest daughter is of marriageable age, correct?”

Hearing this, Wang Kun replied hurriedly, “Indeed, Your Majesty, the eldest Miss Jiang is eighteen this year.”

“Eighteen, certainly a fitting age for marriage. What do you think of the idea of bringing Jiang Hong’s eldest daughter into the palace?”

A hint of a smile appeared in Emperor Qi Ming’s eyes at his own proposal, “By bringing the eldest Miss Jiang into the palace, I’ll have no reason to fear any disloyalty from the Jiang family.”

Wang Kun kept his head low, his eyes flashing briefly, but he maintained a flattering smile. “It is indeed an honor for Miss Jiang to catch the Emperor’s eye. However, with the general freshly returned to the capital, an immediate edict could stir unnecessary trouble. Might we consider this matter further?”

“You make a valid point.”

“In that case, invite the Empress to join us.”

“Understood.”

Hearing the Emperor’s words, Wang Kun was secretly shocked, but he still bowed and exit the room.

Once outside, he quickly signaled his young apprentice, “Master?”

“I need you to do something for me.”

Whispering a few words into the young apprentice’s ear, Wang Kun urged, “This task cannot be delayed. Off you go, now.”

“Yes, Master. I’ll go now.”

The little apprentice quickly ran away. Watching his back as he left, Wang Kun bowed and walked towards the Empress’s Kun Ning Palace.

As night fell, the scene shifted to Cheng Mansion.

“Master, we’ve received news from the palace.”

“So late? What could have possibly transpired within the palace at this hour?”

Upon hearing Han Feng’s report, Xiao Nanye set down the brush in his hand. A portrait of a beautiful woman lay on the desk before him. It was, once again, Jiang Peihuan.

The painting tube beside him was filled with several rolled-up canvases.

“The courier did not elaborate,” Han Feng informed.

As he spoke, Han Feng stepped forward and handed the note to Xiao Nanye.

Accepting the note from Han Feng, Xiao Nanye unfolded it swiftly. It contained merely two lines.

“Jiang Hong has relinquished his commander’s seal. The Emperor expresses his desire to welcome the eldest daughter of the Jiang family into the palace.”

Xiao Nanye’s eyes didn’t betray any emotion at the first sentence, but upon reading the second, they darkened, his face clouding over. He promptly rose to his feet.

“Master, what is going on within the palace?”

Noticing Xiao Nanye’s distress, Han Feng’s expression abruptly shifted, prompting him to voice his concern.

Xiao Nanye didn’t say anything and simply handed him the note.

After perusing the contents of the note, Han Feng’s countenance mirrored his master’s earlier reaction. “What? The Emperor actually intends to bring the Eldest Miss into the palace?”

“Tell them to continue monitoring the news from the various palaces. Any development should be relayed to me instantly. I must pay a visit to the General’s Mansion.”

Finishing his instructions, Xiao Nanye hastily departed.

It was already deep into the night. Unwilling to disturb the Jiang family, Xiao Nanye chose to scale the wall and infiltrate the plum garden. As soon as he landed, he found himself at the pointed ends of several swords.

Leading the group was Deputy General Liu, a familiar figure to Xiao Nanye. Advancing a couple of steps, Liu saluted with a fist-over-heart gesture before speaking up, “Your Highness, King Cheng, the young general has issued an order barring your entry into the Eldest Miss’s plum garden. Therefore, I must ask you to leave.”

“I am here today to relay an urgent matter to the Eldest Miss. Please step aside.”

Hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, confusion crossed Deputy General Liu’s face. However, witnessing the urgency in Xiao Nanye’s eyes, he responded in a lower tone, “If your Highness has urgent matters, you may inform me. I can pass on the message on your behalf.”

“No, I must discuss this matter directly with the Eldest Miss.”

While speaking, Xiao Nanye attempted to move forward, but Deputy General Liu’s eyebrows knitted together in response, his hand instantly going to the hilt of his sword.

Seeing the people in front of him, a flicker of irritation surfaced in Xiao Nanye’s eyes. “I’ll say this for the last time. Stand aside. If not, don’t blame me for my ruthlessness.”

“My apologies for any offense.”

A cold glint appeared in Deputy General Liu’s eyes. As he finished his sentence, he raised his sword and stabbed at Xiao Nanye. However, just as he started, a clear voice came from behind him,” Deputy General Liu, stop!”

Upon hearing this voice, Deputy General Liu hurriedly withdrew his long sword and turned to salute Jian Peihuan, who was walking over.” Eldest Miss?”

“Take them down first. I need to have a word with His Highness, King Cheng.”

“But Miss, the young General instructed me to…”

“I’ll talk to Big Brother later.”

“Understood, I will take my leave now.”

After Deputy General Liu left with his men, Jiang Peihuan turned her attention to the man before her. “Your Highness, is your visit tonight about my father surrendering his commander seal?”

“The situation unfolded because your father surrendered his commander’s seal, but that’s not the issue here.”

“What’s the issue then?”

Hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, Jian Pcihuan’s eyes reflected confusion.

Facing her puzzled expression, Xiao Nanye spoke directly,” The emperor intends to take you into the palace.”

“What did you just say?”

Jiang Peihuan had just seated herself in the courtyard when these words struck her. She nearly toppled the teacup in her hand.

After talcing a deep breath, she calmed herself down. The fact that Xiao Nanye had this news meant that it must be true.

Looking at the man opposite her, Jiang Peihuan asked directly,” Your Highness, may I ask why the Emperor has such thoughts?”

Such a turn of events hadn’t happened in her past life.

“Arc you willing to enter the palace?”

Instead of answering, Xiao Nanye returned her question. Hearing his words, Jiang Peihuan didn’t hesitate and shook her head. “I certainly do not.”

While it was common for noble families to send their daughters to the palace to acquire higher positions, she was not one of them. Rather than being confined within the palace walls, she preferred to be alone, free and unbound..