The news of Wuguan being lost and Liang Xuan's death caused a tremendous uproar in Huai Zhou City. Not only were the people of Prince Huai's Mansion panicked, but also some noble families in the city.

As the most powerful Vassal King of the Great Song, the city where Prince Huai resided was extremely prosperous and bustling, naturally attracting many scholars, noble families, and wealthy merchants.

They naturally understood the dangers of war better than ordinary people and began to pack their belongings, hoping to escape to Jiangnan for refuge.

Consequently, Fengnan Port, which led directly down the canal to Jiangnan, became congested.

Ships were in high demand because even the ship owners wanted to flee.

Although the Xiao Family had their own fleet, they didn't travel between Jiangnan and Huai Zhou daily. Moreover, with things happening so suddenly, even the people from Prince Huai's Mansion couldn't find ships heading to Jiangnan.

But this was not considered a major issue for Prince Huai's Mansion.

If they couldn't find their own, they would simply seize others'.

At such a critical time, Prince Huai's Mansion didn't talk about virtues like gentleness or modesty. After all, they had three thousand Personal Guards.

The commander of the Personal Guard was Chu Biao, the eldest son of Prince Huai and Madam Hui.

Though he was born of a concubine, he was still Prince Huai's first son, and Huai indeed doted on Chu Biao. Furthermore, as a Vassal King with a powerful army, he naturally understood the art of managing people. Noble families could be used, but they also needed to be guarded against.

The commanders in the army were mostly from the Chu Family and Liang Family, which Prince Huai was aware of. Therefore, he didn't let the noble families interfere with the Personal Guard.

The Xiao Family saw that Prince Huai did not make Chu Biao the Crown Prince and eventually gave the title to Chu Zheng, so they didn't say anything.

Originally, this wasn't an issue, but at this time, Madam Hui began to harbor ill intentions.

Being the main consort, Xiao Yunxi was certainly supposed to be among the first to leave for Jiangnan.

However, Madam Hui found her son and asked him to find a way to have Xiao Yunxi moved to leave later.

Chu Biao was frightened by his mother's crazy actions.

"Mother, what are you doing? If this reaches Father's ears, he will certainly not spare me." In private, Chu Nan affectionately called Madam Hui "Mother" and said, "Though the Consort is not my birth mother, she is still my mother. Isn't this an unfilial act?"

But Madam Hui was indifferent, saying, "Xiao Chongrong is already dead, and the Xiao Family's foundation in Prince Huai's Mansion is greatly weakened. Moreover, none of the Xiao Family members are in Huainan City at the moment, and Xiao Yunxi currently has no one left in the city.

If she stays, the position of the Crown Prince, the Prince Huai's Mansion, and so on, will all eventually fall out of your hands. Now is a golden opportunity, and if you miss it, there may not be another chance. Besides, I'm not asking you to do it yourself."

"But... but what if the news leaks? What should I do then?" Chu Biao was somewhat tempted but, being timid, he still dared not take action.

"You don't understand, as long as you succeed, even if the news leaks, the Prince won't punish you and will even cover for you. Also, the possibility of the news leaking is very small. Don't tell me that after so many years in the Personal Guard, you still can't control them?"

As she spoke, Madam Hui raised her hand to caress her son's face, her voice gentle, "Son, some things won't come to you unless you fight for them. Don't be afraid; if the Prince really wants to blame you, I will take full responsibility."

"Mother, I... understand." Chu Biao said.

...

Three days later, in a residence at Fengnan Port, Xiao Yunxi had just coaxed her child to sleep and left the room when a "fierce woman" appeared in front of her.

As the legitimate daughter of the Xiao Family and the Princess Consort Huai, Xiao Yunxi naturally had someone to protect her closely. This fierce woman was her bodyguard, a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist selected and trained from among a group of orphans raised by the Xiao Family, trustworthy.

"Aunt Lian, how goes the investigation?" Ever since Xiao Yunxi married into Prince Huai's mansion, Aunt Lian had been with her, being old enough to be her mother, and Xiao Yunxi respected her highly.

"Miss guessed right, the words of the Grand Prince are all false. Over the past two days, he has requisitioned many ships from the Personal Guard; there's no possibility of not arranging a ship for you to go to Jiangnan." In Aunt Lian's mind, Xiao Yunxi was always the Miss of the Xiao Family, not just the Princess Consort Huai.

Xiao Yunxi closed her eyes, then opened them again with a deep sigh, "I never expected the Grand Prince to also learn to deceive me."

Xiao Yunxi was no naive girl. Since arriving at Fengnan Port a day ago and not immediately boarding a ship, she had a sense that something was wrong and thus asked Aunt Lian to find out what was happening.

She didn't expect it to be like this.

"Ever since Miss gave birth to the Young Prince, many people have been secretly gnashing their teeth at you and the Young Prince." Aunt Lian said.

Xiao Yunxi understood this as well. The birth of Zheng'Er had blocked others' paths, but she didn't think it had anything to do with her. These were things Zheng'Er deserved.

She was the main consort, and the Xiao Family had risked their lives for Prince Huai; shouldn't they have these things?

"So has Aunt Lian made arrangements?" asked Xiao Yunxi.

"Don't worry, Miss, I've arranged everything. However, the Grand Prince was right about one thing: the ships going to Jiangnan are indeed in short supply. I've only found a small boat, so you and the Young Prince will have to make do." Aunt Lian said.

"Then we'll leave tonight under the cover of darkness. Today I sensed someone watching me from outside the courtyard." Xiao Yunxi, still a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist, had exceptional talents in cultivation. She had only stopped cultivating after finding out that her chosen cultivation technique prevented pregnancy, but after giving birth to Chu Zheng, she resumed it.

As a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist, she could still sense some things.

That night, under the cover of darkness, after Aunt Lian had dealt with those keeping watch on them, Xiao Yunxi disguised herself and carried almost nothing but Chu Zheng. She boarded a small boat at a secluded spot and left Fengnan Port.

By the time Chu Biao discovered this, it was too late. He regretted it deeply, secretly thinking he was finished.

...

On the other side.

After seizing Wuguan, Chen Mo led the Brave Cavalry Guard towards Huai Zhou City, encountering almost no resistance. Even when they did meet resistance, it was easily crushed.

In the plains, the heavy cavalry was an invincible force.

Chen Mo charged forward relentlessly, with fewer and fewer Huai Army troops able to stand in his way. No one could stop his advance.

Riding swiftly, Chen Mo reached Huai Zhou City, only to find it empty; the people of Prince Huai's Mansion had already evacuated.

By the time fast horses reached Fengnan Port, they only managed to intercept over a thousand Personal Guards who hadn't left in time. As for Prince Huai's household, they had long since taken the canal down to Jiangnan.

This left Chen Mo somewhat disappointed.

However, the expedition wasn't entirely fruitless.

Due to the tight supply of ships, some money and provisions couldn't be transported in the short term.

Yet, even Chen Mo couldn't have expected the good news that Lv Tong brought him upon returning to Wuguan.

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