Chapter 589: Chapter 589: Victory or Defeat

All emotion froze on Ugle’s face. After a long, suffocating silence, every trace of feeling was suddenly swept away, leaving only grim resolve in his eyes.

Seeing the look in his eyes, everyone understood that he had made up his mind.

"Thank you for the reminder, Princely Heir. We will rest tonight and leave the city first thing tomorrow morning to return to Wazhen."

Many sighed inwardly.

’He actually dares to go back!’

In reality, Ugle had his reasons for daring to do so: he didn’t believe Zhuola could have eliminated all of his supporters in such a short amount of time.

So, even if there was only a slim chance of survival, he had to try!

Shen Yanchuan was not surprised by his choice. He gave a slight nod and said:

"The Fourth Prince—oh, no, I should say the new Khan—must have misunderstood the Crown Prince to have sent this Jin Xin. Once the Crown Prince returns with the Peace Negotiation Book, I imagine all these problems will be resolved smoothly."

These words instantly jolted Ugle to his senses, and everything became clear.

’That’s right!’

’How could I have forgotten I still had this ace up my sleeve!’

This Peace Negotiation Book was the strongest justification for his legitimate return to Wazhen!

Having figured this out, Ugle suddenly felt invigorated.

He immediately looked at Tang Zhongli and laughed heartily. "Though some misunderstandings have arisen within my clan, my conscience is clear! I came here this time determined to bring the Peace Negotiation Book back, no matter what. As long as it can bring peace to the Northern Border, being misunderstood is nothing!"

He drew the dagger he carried at his waist and, with a swift motion, sliced open the index finger of his left hand. Blood gushed out!

A brief commotion swept through the hall.

But Ugle paid it no mind, raising his head and shouting:

"The Peace Negotiation Book! I’ll sign it now!"

The turn of events was so sudden that several ministers from the Ministry of Rites were stunned. Chen Songshi, however, reacted instantly, rising to his feet and applauding with a smile.

"The Crown Prince is truly a man of character! So bold and decisive—a true hero!"

The envoys behind Ugle panicked.

"Crown Prince! You can’t sign that Peace Negotiation Book! The terms on it are still—"

Ugle glanced back, and a single cold look from him silenced them immediately, not another word daring to be spoken.

But at a time like this, Ugle couldn’t possibly care about such things.

’Zhuola has already taken the throne! He wants to make me a traitor to all of Wazhen! Why should I keep arguing my case here, wasting my breath on benefits that have nothing to do with me?’

’In any case, all I need to do is bring this Peace Negotiation Book back with me!’

’As for everything else, I can’t control it, and I don’t want to anymore!’

A strange sense of satisfaction even welled up in Ugle’s heart. ’Zhuola thinks he’s won, but in reality, cleaning up the mess Wazhen is in right now won’t be easy at all!’

’I’d like to see what Zhuola can do then!’

With that thought, Ugle no longer had the slightest hesitation.

"I’ll sign!"

’Since Zhuola has been ruthless, he can’t blame me for being merciless!’

’I will fight to the end, to the last drop of my blood. I won’t let Zhuola have an easy time!’

...

Ugle didn’t even read the Peace Negotiation Book carefully before pressing his bloody thumbprint onto it.

Staring at the bright red print on the document, Tang Zhongli and the others still hadn’t quite recovered from their shock.

Who would have thought that the Peace Negotiation Book would end up being signed under such circumstances?

They had expected another grueling war of words tonight, but instead...

It was a truly pleasant surprise.

Emperor Muwu was very pleased with this result, and his body and mind felt much more at ease.

This was also thanks to Ye Chutang’s recent care. The medicine she prescribed had indeed replenished his blood and vital energy, allowing him to recover considerably.

"The Northern Border has been plagued by conflict for years, and the people have suffered unbearably. By signing this Peace Negotiation Book, the Crown Prince has performed a great service."

Xiao Chengqi also smiled and said, "Father Emperor is right. Although I don’t know what misunderstanding between you and the Fourth—between you two has led to the Crown Prince being slandered, I’m sure it will be no problem once it’s cleared up. You are, after all, brothers of the same blood. What kind of blood feud could be impossible to resolve? Don’t you agree, Crown Prince?"

It would have been better if he hadn’t said anything. His words instantly rekindled the anger in Ugle’s heart.

"Prince Lie is right. That’s actually what I’m curious about as well," Ugle scoffed. "The Jin Xin says I colluded with foreign enemies and betrayed Wazhen. I, for one, would like to know when I ever did such a thing!"

Xiao Chengqi pondered for a moment before guessing, "Perhaps it was baseless slander from a petty person. But these accusations are so grave. How could they have reached this conclusion without a thorough investigation?"

The expressions on everyone’s faces were varied and quite telling.

Xiao Chengqi was clearly asking the obvious. Any fool could see this was, in all likelihood, a scheme by Zhuola.

Ugle was his most powerful rival. If Zhuola couldn’t have him killed, he had to at least ruin his reputation. Otherwise, how could he sit securely on the Khan’s throne?

But these were things that could never be said out loud.

Ugle sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm:

"On that point, I am also quite baffled. I have no idea who is behind these false accusations, claiming I colluded with a high-ranking official stationed at the Northern Border, secretly sold warhorses, and hoarded provisions to make a massive profit! They even claim I falsified military reports to claim unearned merits. It’s ridiculous!"

Xiao Chengqi immediately seized on the key point.

"Oh? Does it specify who this official is?"

Ugle hadn’t expected him to ask that and frowned.

"No, it doesn’t say. They’re just a bunch of flimsy lies, so of course it doesn’t name anyone."

"I’m afraid you’re mistaken, Crown Prince," Xiao Chengqi said, his expression turning serious. "That is precisely the most crucial point. If it doesn’t name anyone, doesn’t that make the verdict against you illegitimate?"

Ugle hesitated as he listened.

’He’s right!’

’Zhuola may want me dead, but he couldn’t have issued this Jin Xin without sufficient evidence.’

He picked it up again and read it over several more times, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"It also says here that someone reported me for trading weapons with a foreign enemy? How absurd!"

His mind had been clouded by anger moments before, but now he realized how strange these accusations were!

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow and glanced at him.

Hearing this, Xiao Chengqi also became instantly alert and sat up straight.

"Trading weapons?"

Ugle was dismissive.

’I’ve never done any of these things, so what’s there to say!?’

"Hmph. Who knows where they dug up this false evidence, pieced it all together, and framed me with it!"

Many of the people present, including Ugle, didn’t take it to heart. After all, power struggles had always been exceptionally cruel.

Truth and lies—what did it matter?

However, Xiao Chengqi didn’t think so.

He thought for a moment, then looked at Shen Yanchuan.

"I recall that two months ago, the Northern Border did indeed have two consecutive clashes with Wazhen. One victory, one defeat—it came out to a draw."

The Northern Border was in a constant state of war, with conflicts erupting from time to time. Victory, defeat, life, and death had long become commonplace, so there was nothing unusual about it.

But the crucial point was—how could Wazhen, now nearly out of supplies and ammunition, actually manage a win?

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