Chapter 117: The Unexpected Stranger

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As he unlocked the iron chains binding his legs, he began to think carefully. With no chains left to restrain him, Shen Hezhi cautiously approached the dungeon’s entrance. He wanted to ascertain how many guards were stationed outside. Though he had freed himself, his body was still weakened by the soft tendon powder, and his internal energy had yet to recover.

If he were to rush out suddenly now, he would likely be overwhelmed by the others. Without martial arts skills, he had no means to fight back and would certainly be captured again. And if that happened, escaping would become even more difficult, as the Fourth Prince would surely assign more guards to watch him closely.

At that point, fleeing would be nearly impossible.

So Shen Hezhi observed the dungeon entrance for an hour, eventually confirming that the guards changed shifts every fifteen minutes. He then seized the opportunity during a guard change to slip away.

Feeling the fresh air once more was like a rebirth to him, but the most pressing matter was to hurry back to the courier station.

Just as he was about to leave the Southern Yang Kingdom, a familiar female voice suddenly called out from behind.

“Prince Nine, aren’t you going to properly thank me before leaving the Southern Yang Kingdom? You’re really quite heartless,” Arno stepped out from the trees behind him.

Out of concern for the guards at the gate, Shen Hezhi had chosen to leave at night.

He turned silently to face Arno.

“You’ve been waiting here for me all along, haven’t you?” Yan He Ru asked.

Arno nodded and continued, “Prince Nine, you truly are clever. I thought you wouldn’t be able to find the key hidden in the food box.”

Arno’s casual demeanor put Shen Hezhi on guard. “What is your purpose in freeing me? Judging by you, you must be an agent of the Fourth Prince. Aren’t you afraid that the Fourth Prince will hold you responsible for letting me go?”

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Hearing this, Arno smiled. “I’ve already freed you; of course I’m not afraid of the Fourth Prince’s wrath.”

“What exactly do you want to say? What’s your true purpose in releasing me?” Shen Hezhi pressed further.

“Nothing much, really. My master instructed me to do so,” Arno replied.

Shen Hezhi furrowed his brow in confusion. Arno’s master—surely that wasn’t the Fourth Prince? But if not the Fourth Prince, how could she come and go from the dungeon so freely?

“Since you’re already safe outside the dungeon, shouldn’t you come with me to meet my master? After all, if it weren’t for my master, you wouldn’t have been able to leave the dungeon,” Arno said, not as a question but a statement.

She held a sword in her hand, making it clear that if Shen Hezhi refused to cooperate and accompany her to meet this ‘master,’ she might either knock him unconscious or drag his body there.

Shen Hezhi understood the situation he was in; he could not win a fight now. Since he had no choice but to meet this master, he decided to comply.

“Very well. Lead the way,” he answered.

Arno, pleased with his acquiescence, sheathed her sword and led him to a small cottage on the outskirts.

It was a tiny wooden hut, barely large enough for one person, with little space inside.

Seeing this strange place, Shen Hezhi turned to Arno and asked, “Are you sure your master lives here?”

Arno nodded. “Yes, my master does live here. Though this place looks odd, so what? Now hurry inside. My master wants to see you.”

Shen Hezhi pursed his lips in resignation. He had no strength to resist; otherwise, he wouldn’t tolerate Arno’s attitude toward him.

Since resistance was futile, he decided to see who this master really was.

He stepped inside.

Arno did not follow him in but stayed outside the door. Shen Hezhi glanced back at her, puzzled. Would anyone visit such a remote place?

“Don’t worry. She must guard the entrance. Though it’s secluded, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many have been seeking my residence,” said a melodious voice, and a strikingly graceful woman appeared before Shen Hezhi.

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What shocked him most was how closely this woman resembled his princess.

“You are…”

“I am Nan Xing, Yan He Ru’s mother,” the woman replied, leaving Shen Hezhi stunned.

Wasn’t Yan He Ru’s mother supposed to have died long ago? How could she suddenly appear in such a remote place?

“I know you’re surprised. I can slowly explain everything, but right now, what’s most important is that I hope you can save the Southern Yang Kingdom,” Nan Xing said bitterly.

Shen Hezhi responded, “I don’t quite understand why you want me to save the Southern Yang Kingdom. We’re enemies now, and the Southern Yang army has no need for an outsider like me to help, right?”

Nan Xing shook her head. “The Southern Yang Kingdom is not as strong as it appears on the surface. In truth, it is on the brink of decline.

I know you have the ability to save it, but I’m not asking you to fight against your own country. On the contrary, I hope you can take over the Southern Yang Kingdom.”

Her words left Shen Hezhi bewildered.

“You’re called Nan Xing. If I’m not mistaken, you’re the sister of the Southern Shore Prince, meaning you’re a princess of the Southern Yang Kingdom. If you’re from Southern Yang, why help your enemy conquer it?” Shen Hezhi asked.

Nan Xing had anticipated this question and was not surprised. She calmly explained, “You’re not really enemies, at least not with me. My daughter is already married to you. By all rights, you should be calling me ‘mother’ now.”

This statement made Shen Hezhi feel awkward and at a loss for words.

If Nan Xing’s identity was genuine, then what she said was true. But being suddenly asked to address a stranger as ‘mother’ was something he could not bring himself to do.

Fortunately, Nan Xing did not insist on this matter; it was just a minor hiccup.

“As long as you promise to treat my daughter well and to rule Southern Yang with kindness and care for the people, I will reveal everything to you and help you claim the Southern Yang Kingdom. How does that sound?” Nan Xing’s voice carried a hint of earnest pleading, as if she bore some unspeakable burden.