In front of everyone, he began to read the letter again. No one in the room dared to breathe loudly; they even held their breath. The room was silent, so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.
"Get out. Without my order, no one is allowed in! Otherwise, you will be killed!"
Just as they were preparing to think of ways to dissuade him, they suddenly heard themselves being driven out. At this, everyone bowed and responded before leaving.
Xiao Ce and Zhang Heng dared not leave. If something happened to the Prince, the inner city might not descend into chaos, but they feared that the border countries, which had been watching them for a long time, would take advantage of the situation.
This hard-won peace was not something they wanted anyone to destroy.
Bedroom!
Fan Zehao held the letter in his hand and muttered to himself. It turned out that the wife he had married had not fainted that night but had been scared to death by him!
Later, a soul from another world entered Zhao Jiaqi's body. So, the person who had been with him all these years, with Zhao Jiaqi's body, was not Zhao Jiaqi's soul!
This...
Recalling how his wife inexplicably knew so much, about military strategy, animal husbandry, farming, and cooking all sorts of delicious food, he finally understood!
Unbelievable!
Fan Zehao turned to the next page of the letter and suddenly understood why his wife would not count the cost, ignore past grievances, and wholeheartedly care for the people, even not wanting to see bloodshed.
It was clearly written that the people can carry a boat and also capsize it, which he understood!
War meant death, and under unavoidable circumstances, she did not wish for further bloodshed. If it were caused by her, she truly feared divine retribution for taking too many lives!
Although Zhao Jiaqi had never believed in gods and demons, her arrival here was beyond any scientific explanation.
Children and husband had become her ties to this world.
With the meaning clear, Fan Zehao finally understood his wife's painstaking efforts.
After finishing the letter, which did not mention him at all from beginning to end, Fan Zehao sat slumped on a stool, tears falling one by one.
She had made arrangements for the children and the elderly, but not for him alone.
Silently, he put away the letter. If she left like this, where could she go?
Zongsheng Country!
The three words popped into his mind. The more Fan Zehao thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Jun Jun needed people there, so she must have gone to help the child.
Wiping his face, he pushed open the door.
"Xiao Ce, Zhang Heng, follow this Prince back to the military camp."
"Wangcai, send someone to notify General Shi to report to the military camp. I have something to arrange!"
After issuing the orders, he left without looking back.
Military camp.
The three generals were all present. Over the map, he was arranging troop deployments. After completing these tasks, he revealed his true purpose.
"The Princess Consort may have gone to Zongsheng Country. I must find her and bring her back safely. If Xue Country and Liang Country truly go to war with Zongsheng Country, you will observe from the shadows and not dispatch troops easily. However... you must provide them with supplies and medicine."
Upon hearing the Prince's words, a flock of crows immediately appeared in Xiao Ce's mind.
"Zongsheng Country is already in turmoil. Is it not likely for the Princess Consort to go there at this time? If the Princess Consort really went, and then the two sides started fighting, wouldn't the Princess Consort be in even greater danger?"
Zhang Heng was also anxious. He was the last person who wanted the Princess Consort to be in trouble. He was able to marry Bailu back then thanks to the Princess Consort saving her.
Zhang Heng cupped his hands: "Your Highness, if the Princess Consort went to Zongsheng Country, she would have had to pass through the pass. Passing through the pass would leave traces. Your subordinate will investigate immediately!"
Fan Zehao shook his head. If he had only suspected before, he was now certain that his wife had indeed gone to Zongsheng Country.
The former Empress Dowager of Yun Country, and formerly the Princess Consort of Zhenguo, was now an envoy to Zongsheng Country. If Xue Country and Liang Country attacked Zongsheng Country, it would undoubtedly be igniting a fire for Yun Country's former Emperor, Fan Zehao.
The world knew that Zhao Jiaqi was his cherished jewel!
Now, Fan Zehao finally understood why his wife had made such a drastic move.
In a letter, she had taken several detours to communicate with him. It was a good thing he had slept with her for so many years, or he would never have known about her hidden schemes.
Now, could he be considered a qualified husband to her?
He smiled!
Xiao Ce and the others were stunned!
Could it be that the Prince had suffered a shock? Crying and laughing one moment, and then acting strangely the next?
Fan Zehao ignored their bewildered expressions. He wrote a secret decree to Zong Han and dispatched a convoy of the Emperor's imperial carriages, which ostentatiously entered Zongsheng Country from Yun Country under the guise of visiting relatives.
"This convoy will be personally led by Fan Xudong. Mobilize five thousand elite troops and five thousand cavalry. In addition, find two individuals whose physiques are similar to mine and the Princess Consort's. Bring my and the Princess Consort's personal attendants and maids, disguised as us, to Zongsheng Country!"
Fan Xudong, the Eastern Prince?
Xiao Ce and Zhang Heng immediately understood his intention. This was a disguised deterrence, even a threat, to Liang Country and Xue Country. If they dared to initiate hostilities, they would face the wrath of Xue Country.
This Prince was gambling with his own life!
"I will proceed ahead. You must guard Yun Country well. If anything happens to the Princess Consort and me... there is no need for revenge. As long as the border is safe, as long as those cavalry do not advance a single step, ensure that Yun Country is safe!"
He believed his wife would think the same!
"As for the children, they are growing up. Each learning their skills. It is better to rely on themselves in the future than on others."
Moreover, the Prince's mansion was filled with countless treasures, enough for the elders and children to live on.
These words were undoubtedly a final arrangement.
He was going with a death wish!
Xiao Ce and Zhang Heng were greatly alarmed: "Your Highness, absolutely not!"
"No need to be nervous. This Prince is making the final preparations."
Fan Zehao interrupted them, gave a few more instructions, and then let them leave. He then summoned the Chief Executive.
"This time, you will bring everyone with you. Secretly follow me to Zongsheng Country to pursue the Princess Consort. Dispatch more people to find the Princess Consort's whereabouts. I need to rendezvous with the Princess Consort as soon as possible."
The Chief Executive listened and only said "Yes, Your Highness," before disappearing from his place.
That night, Fan Zehao, dressed in night clothes, rode his swift horse towards the trading city. Midway, he was intercepted by Gao Wenbin.
Gao Wenbin smiled at him: "How can I miss out on such an exciting matter!"
Fan Zehao's cold face showed a hint of warmth. He was not surprised that Gao Wenbin knew about this, but he truly did not want him to go.
"Li Sisi and the three children at home need you. I am merely going to retrieve my woman, and the safety is not an issue. You are not needed this time!"
Gao Wenbin held his reins with one hand and touched the sword at his side with the other. "As if your three brats are adopted. Stop the nonsense. If we don't leave, it will be dawn!"
With that, he took the lead and galloped his horse, kicking up dust from the ground.
His life had been saved by Zhao Jiaqi. If it weren't for Zhao Jiaqi allowing him to live a normal life, where would these years of stability have come from? Where would his wife and children be?
Now that he could do something for his benefactor, his heart felt at ease.