"If we miss this opportunity, from now on, we can only resign ourselves to fate." Xiao Jinsen said firmly to Zhao Mengyu,

Resign to fate?!

In her life, Zhao Mengyu has never resigned herself to fate.

She was sent to the palace, and because her family had little power, she was not well-received at first. She struggled in the palace for a long time and took many risks before she got to where she is today. She has never believed in fate, only in herself.

"How can we ensure there is no failure?" Zhao Mengyu asked calmly.

Clearly, she agreed with Xiao Jinsen’s idea.

If Xiao Zhanping truly has no affection for her.

Then, she will also make him, regret beyond retrieval!

"The last time the Empress attempted a palace coup, it actually served as a lesson for us. I have carefully analyzed the reasons for the Empress’s failure. One, the Empress put too much trust in Ye Qichi, which gave Ye Qichi the opportunity to exploit. If we force the issue this time, we must not trust anyone lightly, the key is to accomplish our great undertaking."

"Continue," Zhao Mengyu commanded solemnly.

"Secondly, our father secretly raised an army, but the Empress was unaware. I have conducted a secret investigation and found that only in Marquis Wu’s Mansion did our father have personal soldiers; there were none elsewhere. And now, all military power is in the hands of Wu Xufan. As long as we can take down Wu Xufan, and then our father, it will be an easy feat."

Zhao Mengyu listened to Xiao Jinsen’s analysis and asked, "How can we take down Wu Xufan? Once we move against him, your father will surely detect something amiss!"

"Don’t forget, my mother, that we have sent Wu Niang to Marquis Wu’s Mansion."

Zhao Mengyu furrowed her brows.

"The news Wu Niang sent back is that Wu Xufan is truly devoted to Xiao Hezhen."

"Isn’t Wu Xufan supposed to dislike Xiao Hezhen?" Zhao Mengyu was somewhat surprised.

"It’s an act," said Xiao Jinsen, "Wu Xufan really likes Xiao Hezhen. If we use Xiao Hezhen as leverage, Wu Xufan will surrender."

"Are you sure?"

"Don’t worry, Wu Niang is personally trained by me. The meticulousness of her work guarantees there will be no mistakes."

Zhao Mengyu pondered.

She still had concerns.

After all, for such a significant matter, how could one be so casual in making a decision?

"What bothers me now is, how do we proceed if Xiao Jinxing returns?" Zhao Mengyu voiced her concern, "You’ve only mentioned two key reasons for the Empress’s failure, but you’ve overlooked another important figure we have to deal with—Xiao Jinxing! If Xiao Jinxing leads the Bai Family troops back to the court, everything we do will be futile! Xiao Jinxing has just won a victory and may very likely return."

Xiao Jinsen’s expression also darkened.

Indeed.

If Xiao Jinxing suddenly returns... all his efforts will be in vain.

"We must not panic first," Zhao Mengyu calmed down.

Today’s news of Xiao Jinxing’s military exploits has stimulated them, making them want to take desperate risks.

One must not proceed this way with everything.

Further consideration is needed.

Zhao Mengyu asked, "Have we planted spies in the Bai Family’s camp?"

"Yes."

"First, find out when Xiao Jinxing will return. If he’s due to return in the next few days, we’ll have to swallow our pride for now and find a way to send Xiao Jinxing away first before acting. But if Xiao Jinxing is not coming back any time soon, we will proceed with your initial plan!" Zhao Mengyu said with a sinister tone.

"Good," Xiao Jinsen also breathed a sigh of relief.

It has to be said, Xiao Jinxing indeed has pushed him to the extreme.

But he could not help but be wary.

Now that Xiao Jinxing has achieved military exploits, he is certainly closely connected with the Bai Family’s troops. If Xiao Jinxing learns of his palace coup, he will surely use this as an opportunity to leverage the Bai Family’s troops to exterminate him, falling right into Xiao Jinxing’s trap.

The only possible way to succeed is, when Xiao Jinxing has no power to do anything to him, to have their father establish his will in advance, naming him as the Crown Prince. Upon the death of his father, he will ascend to the throne according to the will. Even if Xiao Jinxing rushes back, everything will have been finalized, and no matter his capability, Xiao Jinxing will not be able to reverse the situation!

...

Gujiang City.

The four of them finished eating fried chicken.

Gu Xingchuan and Little Wu then left.

Having eaten my fill, I also drank aplenty.

When leaving, Xiao Wu took a piece of fried chicken with him.

Secretly.

But Ye Qichi noticed.

To save Xiao Wu’s face, she didn’t expose him.

Ye Qichi asked Xie Ruotong to return to her room to rest first since she herself had eaten a bit too much, she walked around the yard to help digest the food.

Gujiang City is on the frontier of Daxuan Kingdom, at no small elevation, closer to the sky, where a giant round moon seemed to perch atop one’s head.

Ye Qichi just stared at it.

Suddenly, she remembered her family from the apocalypse era.

A full moon, a reunion.

In this lifetime, perhaps I’ll never see a true reunion.

"Haven’t you gone to bed yet?" Suddenly a familiar male voice rang in her ear.

Ye Qichi turned her gaze.

She saw Xiao Jinxing walking in from the outside.

Is he in the wrong courtyard?!

"Your courtyard is next door," Ye Qichi reminded him.

"I know."

"You’re looking for me for something?"

"I heard from Xiao Wu just now that you want to know when we’ll be going back?"

Ye Qichi was speechless.

Xiao Wu really can’t keep anything a secret.

"I was thinking, the war’s been won, isn’t it time to head back? Or should we wait until Bai Mowan’s wounds heal before leaving?" Ye Qichi asked.

"The fight isn’t over," Xiao Jinxing stated plainly.

Ye Qichi furrowed her brows.

"Beimu Country has been encroaching on the Daxuan territory for years, causing relentless border conflicts and making life unbearable for the civilians. Since Beimu Country is eager to seize our land, I am planning to give them a taste of their own medicine," he declared.

"You mean, you plan to attack Beimu Country?"

"Yes," Xiao Jinxing nodded, "Now that Beimu Country has suffered defeat and their military is weakened, it’s an opportunity to strike at their domain. But given our own heavy losses, we need to regroup, so I will discuss this with General Bai tomorrow."

"So, you’re planning to stay at the border and keep fighting?" Ye Qichi confirmed.

According to the original text, Xiao Jinxing did indeed pummel Beimu Country into submission, only stopping when they became a vassal state to Daxuan Kingdom.

Therefore.

Characters like Xiao Jinxing, who exacts revenge for every grievance, are truly untouchable.

"Not exactly, we’ll go back after Beimu Country surrenders," he explained.

"Have you considered the movements of the court officials if you stay at the border too long?"

"Of course, I have," Xiao Jinxing replied.

"Aren’t you afraid that Xiao Jinsen will seize the opportunity to take the throne?"

"I’m also giving him the opportunity to make mistakes," Xiao Jinxing said bluntly.

Ye Qichi’s eyes tightened.

She quickly understood.

"You plan to leverage your war achievements to push Xiao Jinsen into a desperate move?"

"He will surely do so."

"But have you thought about it? The border is tens of thousands of miles away from Xun City. If Xiao Jinsen does make a move, how can you hurry back in time? Aren’t you afraid that by the time you go back Xiao Jinsen will have succeeded and if you want to regain power then, it would be called a rebellion!"