Chapter 130: Words That Pass the Buck

"What should we do now?" Qi Shengsheng looked toward the Regent.

The Regent wore a troubled expression. He glanced at Qi Shengsheng, then at Yan Heru, and finally said to the old man, "Let us go over there together and see exactly what is happening."

The old man nodded, and they immediately led the group to the military camp at the border. Before they had even entered the camp, they spotted the Fourth Prince outside.

"Shengsheng?" The Fourth Prince naturally caught sight of their party and hurried over.

Recalling the persona she had been playing and her ultimate objective, Qi Shengsheng immediately reverted to her former demeanor. At the same time, she stepped in front of Yan Heru, shielding her from the Fourth Prince’s view.

Realizing Qi Shengsheng’s intention, Yan Heru moved with self-awareness to huddle behind the Regent.

"It is very unsafe here. Why have you come? Go back at once. And the Regent—really, does he not know how dangerous it is near the battlefield? To think he would bring you here." The first half of the Fourth Prince's words was gentle, but the latter half, directed at the Regent, was filled with provocation.

The Regent was not a man to be trifled with. Though he was displeased by the Fourth Prince’s insolence, he did not stoop to the Prince's unrefined level.

"I am naturally aware of the danger, but if not for you, why would Shengsheng have come to such a perilous place? You are quite bold now, turning around to blame me." The Regent’s retort was perfectly reasonable.

Sparks flew as the Fourth Prince and the Regent locked eyes. Seeing their reaction, Qi Shengsheng immediately stepped in to intervene.

"I came here because I wanted to know why the Fourth Prince suddenly mobilized troops. Father, stop causing trouble!" Qi Shengsheng deliberately spoke in favor of the Fourth Prince, purely to prevent him from discovering Yan Heru, who was hidden behind the Regent. Beyond that, it was also to maintain her established persona.

Hearing her take his side, the Fourth Prince was naturally pleased, and his tone toward the Regent softened slightly. "Regent, you should take Shengsheng away quickly. It is too dangerous here; I do not wish for her to come to any harm."

"Nan Ye! You know what my temper is like! Do you really think my father can drag me away before I get the answers I want?" Qi Shengsheng resumed her unreasonable, spoiled act.

Seeing her like this, the Fourth Prince felt a headache coming on. Considering his own agenda and the people before him, he realized the situation had become quite thorny.

"There is nothing to speak of. It is simply that my third brother has some matters to attend to, so he asked me to lead the troops in his stead. I do not know why this would alarm the Regent." The Fourth Prince spoke to the Regent with his usual sardonic tone.

Qi Shengsheng, naturally displeased by the way the Fourth Prince addressed her father, grabbed him by his collar.

"Nan Ye! No matter how bad the relationship between you two may be, I am still standing here! You cannot speak to my father like that in front of me!" she protested.

Because she had always been of such a temperament and had acted this way many times before, the Fourth Prince paid little mind to her outburst.

"Fine, fine, Shengsheng. Go back first. When I have time, I will come and explain everything to you personally. But it is truly dangerous here—be obedient." Nan Ye urged.

Qi Shengsheng’s purpose in coming was to uncover why the Third Prince’s troops were now under the Fourth Prince’s command. Having not received an answer, how could she be easily persuaded to leave?

"Nan Ye! I haven't even asked what is going on yet, and you are already in such a hurry to chase me away! Is it because you have hidden your woman here? Do you think this is a place I would never look, and therefore it is safe?" Qi Shengsheng demanded.

Nan Ye twitched his mouth in exasperation. "Shengsheng, I have told you many times: I have not hidden any woman. I am only here because there is a war to be fought."

Just then, a captain approached from a short distance away. "Your Highness, everything is prepared. Our second wave of troops is ready to depart at any time."

"Since they are ready, set out immediately. Hurry to support the first wave. Although Shen Hezhi has a reputation for being useless, he is not actually a waste at all; he is a very difficult opponent. Send the second wave out at once," Nan Ye said sternly.

The captain saluted and left to carry out the order. Upon hearing the name "Shen Hezhi," Yan Heru felt a sudden, sharp surge of anxiety.

As if by the intuition of a father, the Regent sensed her tension and worry. He said to Nan Ye, "Why have you suddenly declared war on the Northern Jade Kingdom? As the Regent of the Southern Yang Kingdom, I have the right to know the reason."

Nan Ye looked at the Regent with disdain. "Since the Regent still remembers that he is the Regent of the Southern Yang Kingdom, he should know that some things must prioritize the nation above all else. If the Regent does not know about this, it simply proves that the Southern Yang Kingdom does not need the Regent to know. Does the Regent still feel he should continue to ask?"

"Naturally, I should. As you said, I am the Regent of the Southern Yang Kingdom, so I ought to know. Or perhaps... has the Fourth Prince done something to betray the Southern Yang Kingdom, which is why he fears my knowing?" the Regent countered.

The two men stood at an impasse, neither willing to yield an inch. Seeing this, Qi Shengsheng reached out and shoved the Fourth Prince. "Nan Ye! What are you doing? This is my father! How dare you act like this toward him in front of me!"

Nan Ye took two steps back and sighed helplessly. He had lost his usual patience with Qi Shengsheng. "Little Highness, if you continue to make a scene here, do not blame me for having you sent back to the Regent’s estate."

Qi Shengsheng was deeply dissatisfied with Nan Ye’s attitude, but for the moment, she was helpless. "You!"

"It is truly busy and dangerous here. I hope everyone will return to the Regent’s estate at once and stop causing trouble for me." With that, Nan Ye turned and headed back into the military camp.

Listening to their exchange, Yan Heru felt that despite all the pushing and shoving, nothing of substance had been said.

The Regent watched the Fourth Prince’s retreating back before leading the two women to the nearest inn. Seated inside, they began to deliberate. "The Fourth Prince must have done something to the Third Prince. We must find a way to investigate this thoroughly."

Yan Heru thought for a moment and said, "I can join you in this investigation, but I hope you can first help me send word to the Ninth Prince to let him know I am safe."