The Prince Wants to Assassinate Me Every Day-Chapter 1096 - 685: Return to Xun (First Update)

An Ning also did not expect that going to Wenzhou would take her three months.

Originally, she planned to return to the Imperial Palace with An Youyou, but after actually going to Wenzhou and seeing Zhang Wenhe and Yan Jinyao, guilt suddenly arose.

She felt reluctant to leave them struggling in a place unfamiliar to them after bringing them all the way from Xuzhou to Wenzhou. So, she decided to stay and help establish stability in Wenzhou before leaving once they were well-settled.

She always thought that since Xiao Jinxing was in the Imperial Palace, she could find him whether she came sooner or later.

Thus, she spent the entire three months in Wenzhou working with Zhang Wenhe and Yan Jinyao on business ventures. Naturally, it was impossible to expand a commercial empire like that of Xuzhou in such a short time. She promised them that after settling matters in Xun City, she would return to continue the venture with them, although it would differ from their time in Xuzhou as she wouldn’t settle permanently in Wenzhou, treating it more like a business trip.

An Ning had everything clearly planned out.

She also counseled An Youyou.

An Youyou was a bit resentful.

Her character resembled An Ning’s, with a love for freedom and wandering. However, the thought of returning to see her father, brothers, and sisters, combined with An Ning’s promise to take her out of the palace every time, persuaded her to agree. She then cheerfully joined An Ning on the journey back to Xun City.

But upon reaching Xun City, no one expected that Xiao Jinxing had gone out personally on a military campaign. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

An Ning was truly struck by the news.

There was no word of any unrest in the Daxuan Kingdom, so why had Xiao Jinxing personally left for war?!

Moreover, normally Xie Ruotong would either still be pregnant or recovering postpartum, so it was impossible for her to accompany Xiao Jinxing to war!

She genuinely hadn’t expected Xiao Jinxing to leave!

If she had known, she would not have delayed her return by three months.

Suppressing all her emotions, An Ning chose to first visit the General Mansion.

Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong should know the situation better.

When An Ning saw Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong again, both looked shocked.

They probably thought she would never return.

If they were to meet again, it would be in the world at large, not in Xun City.

So they stared at each other for a long time.

Only then did Xie Ruotong, with eyes slightly red, say, "An Ning, you’re back."

Her tone was as if An Ning had merely gone out for a trip and finally returned home.

An Ning smiled as she looked at Xie Ruotong, who was still heavily pregnant.

So she hadn’t given birth yet.

Had Xiao Jinxing really gone to war without her by his side?!

"Please sit, please sit," Song Yanqing hurriedly invited An Ning and An Youyou.

An Ning and An Youyou sat down on chairs.

Due to her inconvenience in movement, Xie Ruotong was helped to sit by Song Yanqing.

The careful way Song Yanqing treated her made it clear how precious Xie Ruotong was to him.

One could imagine that during this ten-month pregnancy, she might have been pampered to the point of being unable to care for herself.

"Ruotong, I was traveling back from Wenzhou and heard that Xiao Jinxing went on a military campaign? What’s going on?" An Ning asked.

"So you came back to look for His Majesty, right?" Xie Ruotong asked with a smile.

An Ning lowered her gaze, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

After running away from home, here she was, returning on her own.

It was a bit embarrassing indeed.

Xie Ruotong, seeing her expression, knew it must be so.

She didn’t ask why An Ning suddenly changed her mind.

For her, An Ning being able to return was a blessing.

She said, "Actually, His Majesty always planned to personally lead the campaign. After returning from the border battle, he was preparing to push back the Cang Kingdom in Mobei. Although Cang Kingdom has not invaded Daxuan Kingdom in recent years, it’s not orderly and often causes trouble along the Mobei Border, making life difficult for the local people and undermining stability in the region. After experiencing the invasion by Tartars at the border, His Majesty believes that to truly stabilize the country and quell unrest, it’s not about passively accepting war but taking proactive action, shaking all sides, and eliminating all hidden threats. Otherwise, any slight instability in the country’s situation would lead to invasions by foreign forces, as with the Tartars last time."

An Ning nodded.

She understood Xiao Jinxing’s considerations.

Ancient times were not absolutely peaceful places.

The scarcity of resources and advancements in technology hindered prosperity. Once the people couldn’t live well, uprisings or wars robbing territories and resources would ensue.

And the Daxuan Kingdom, with its vast and fertile land, was economically prosperous, appearing as a juicy target desirable to all.

Only by proactively demonstrating Daxuan’s military strength could they truly intimidate and deter those covetous nations.

"Why did he set out now? Didn’t he take you with him?" An Ning asked.

Xie Ruotong replied, "After returning from the border battle, the plan was originally to campaign after six months, to give the soldiers time to rest and recover, and also because of Gu Xingchuan..."

Upon mentioning Gu Xingchuan, Xie Ruotong noticeably paused.

She glanced at An Ning.

Seeing she had little reaction, she continued, "The situation with Gu Xingchuan needed handling first."

"Mm." An Ning acknowledged.

She planned to let Xie Ruotong finish her explanation before discussing the matter concerning Gu Xingchuan.

"However, upon returning, I found myself pregnant," Xie Ruotong said with some helplessness, "At the time, didn’t you urge me to report it to His Majesty?! So, Song Yanqing and I went to explain the situation to him."

An Ning nodded.

She was aware that Xiao Jinxing would never force Xie Ruotong to terminate the pregnancy.

Xie Ruotong and Song Yanqing had been through a lot to finally conceive; he wasn’t cruel to that extent.

That’s why she advised Xie Ruotong to report the situation to Xiao Jinxing, fearing they might make hasty decisions.

"His Majesty advised me to give birth first. Although..." Xie Ruotong hesitated.

An Ning looked at Xie Ruotong.

"Although His Majesty, in fact, punished Song Yanqing," Xie Ruotong said, chuckling slightly.

Song Yanqing felt a bit awkward beside her.

He still vividly remembered how His Majesty, blaming him for getting the General of the Spear Cavalry pregnant, had him punished with ten beatings!

He considered it perhaps the most bizarre punishment in the history of Daxuan Kingdom.

Yet, he accepted it willingly.

"Due to my pregnancy, His Majesty had no choice but to delay the campaign. He planned to wait until I gave birth, completed recovery, and regained strength in about six months before commencing the northern expedition. Unexpectedly, there was a sudden outbreak of conflict by the Cang Kingdom half a month ago. They led an assault as if knowing His Majesty’s plans, seizing the initiative."