Seeing their exaggerated expressions, I said, "What's so strange about that?

The spy could be me, or it could be you.

Everyone is a potential spy; a spy could be anyone.

We must operate under this assumption for a thorough investigation." Ma Xiaorui exclaimed, "Are you crazy?

How could we possibly be spies?" Ma Xiaoda interjected, "What does a child know?

Zhao Qian means it’s better to kill the innocent than let a guilty person go.

Fine, we’ll go investigate Prince Chi immediately.

Perhaps he’s resentful over not becoming emperor." I stopped the two who were about to rise, "Investigate at three in the morning?

Ah Mao will naturally handle this matter.

Just wait for news.

I don't know what blood ties exist between the Inner Eight Princes and your family, but since they can hold the title of Prince, their status must be exceptionally noble." Ma Xiaoda confirmed, "Of course.

Years ago, Imperial Grandfather almost passed the throne to Prince Chi.

However, my father displayed greater wisdom at that time and consequently seized the succession ahead of Prince Chi.

It’s not impossible that he holds a grudge over this matter.

But they have both acted with extreme propriety over the years, which is why we forgot about these things." It sounded like yet another tragedy of imperial power struggles.

I said solemnly to the two, "Comrades, never forget class struggle.

There won't be any definitive results tonight anyway.

Everyone go to sleep, and tomorrow do what needs to be done." Ma Xiaoda pressed, "You haven't mentioned the bandits outside the city yet.

I came here specifically for this.

I can’t let Father laugh at me; I made big boasts in front of all the civil and military officials." I replied, "Tomorrow, you’ll ask your father to reinstate Dan Shi to his post.

As for the bandits outside the city, wait a while longer.

There will always be a solution." "Nonsense!" Ma Xiaoda and Ma Xiaorui exclaimed simultaneously, "After all that effort to bring him down, you want to reinstate him?

Are you insane?

I was planning to put Gu Fei in that position." I stated, "Of course I'm not mad.

Prince Chi sought me out tonight precisely for this matter.

The Inner Eight Princes jointly pleaded his case; this favor cannot be refused.

If we don't help them with this, the alliance between the Xiang and Wang factions might collapse.

Besides, I’m curious about the actual utility of the Commander of the Imperial Guards to them.

Since Gu Fei already controls most of the Imperial Guards, letting him have the Commander position is fine.

I trust he won't hold it for long." Ma Xiaoda conceded, "Fine, I will abide by your decision.

It will just take some effort to persuade my father.

I'll return to my room to think about it first.

Aren't you staying, Sister Sixteen?" Ma Xiaorui’s face flushed, "Can't I have a private word with Zhao Qian?

Sister Fifteen asked me to pass on a message for him.

Do you want to listen too?" Ma Xiaoda walked away saying, "How could I not know?

Didn't you say you wouldn't inform her about coming here?" With the others gone, I turned to Ma Xiaorui, "What is it?

Go ahead." Ma Xiaorui murmured, "It’s about my sister; she misses you a lot." I laughed, "Is that what you call a message?" Ma Xiaorui explained, "Of course it counts.

Must she say she loves you?

That's the way you Earthlings do romance.

Here, we prefer more subtlety.

Brother-in-law, you looked so dashing this morning.

Will you ever look at me that way in the future?

I’d certainly be touched, maybe even cry." By the time she finished, Ma Xiaorui had settled onto my back.

I responded, "What dashing look?

The look of a turtle being forced out?

That’s because they cornered me.

If I showed any temper, I might be in prison right now.

See?

Once I lost my temper, even your sister's issue got sorted out.

This is an unexpected bonus." Ma Xiaorui sat heavily onto my lap, looking dispirited.

"Now you two are settled, you can fly together in the future, and Xiao Rui will be left alone in the deep palace.

Father approved for Sister Fifteen to leave the palace with you, but I suppose once Sister Qing is found, you’ll be leaving then, right?" "More or less," I admitted, "Because I’ve been away too long; many wives are waiting for me back home." Ma Xiaorui anxiously asked, "Then what about me?" I looked at Ma Xiaorui and asked, "Are you willing to come with me?

Honestly, I really like you, little princess.

You and Xiao Wei are two different types of girls—one scholarly, one quiet.

I hope you can both stay by my side so I can give you happiness." Ma Xiaorui joyfully agreed, "Of course I want to!

But we still have our father and younger brother.

Can you help them out before you leave?

Otherwise, I won’t be able to complete the task my younger brother assigned me." I chuckled, "Did Ma Xiaoda ask you to find a way to keep me here?" Ma Xiaorui confirmed, "Yes.

He said Sister Fifteen has been completely enchanted by you.

He’s afraid that if you try to take her, she won't even bat an eye.

So he sent me, who is still relatively clear-headed, to stay you." That Ma Xiaoda fellow is still worried I’ll bolt.

Very well.

Delivering both princesses into my embrace suits my intentions perfectly.

"As long as you and Xiao Wei aren't in a rush, I naturally intend to resolve matters here before leaving.

Your little brother's worries are entirely unnecessary." Ma Xiaorui wrapped her arms around my neck, her voice sweet and sticky, "Brother-in-law, I knew you would treat me and Sister Fifteen well.

We only have this one precious younger brother.

Now that he’s in trouble, as older sisters, we naturally have to help.

But Sister Fifteen and I don't have much ability, so we have to rely on you.

You must win back a lot of face for me and Sister Fifteen, okay?" I scooped up the petite Ma Xiaorui, "You little sprite, why are you learning to be so saccharine?

Hearing you makes my bones melt." Hearing my tone, Ma Xiaorui became even sweeter, "Brother-in-law, you haven't tucked me in for a long time.

Since we get to be together tonight, could you please put me to sleep first?

Please?

Wait until I’m asleep before you go see those other wives." Holding Ma Xiaorui, I started walking toward the door, "Alright, let’s see how much you’ve developed lately." Ma Xiaorui whispered near my ear, "Not as well developed as my Sister Fifteen, of course.

You love her often, so how could she not be well?

She looks flushed with desire every day, afraid others won’t know she has a man." I wasn't sure which guest room Ma Xiaorui should sleep in, and asking others would be improper.

However, since there were no other men in the residence, putting her in any room would suffice.

Although she was a princess, she wasn't overly fussy; she wouldn't complain about ordinary bedding.

Once on the bed, Ma Xiaorui clung to me, "Brother-in-law, undress me.

I

The place we are heading lies outside the North Gate, in the vast territory north of Shuangcheng. This region contains only two prefectures, Hejian and Hetao. Their combined population barely exceeds that of Feiying Prefecture on the border, yet they encompass half of the Shuangcheng nation—a sparsely populated expanse of swamps and deserts, interspersed with high mountains and dense jungles, creating extremely complex terrain. Even Xi Menyan wouldn't dare venture there alone with Xiao Cui, indicating its unusual nature. However, within a few hundred li of Shuangcheng, the area is thick with forest and teeming with beasts, making it an excellent hunting ground.

Dan Shi’s arrangements this time were quite prudent: one hundred and fifty personal Imperial Guards provided close protection, while fifteen thousand Imperial Forest Army troops established two defensive lines on the perimeter. Along the way, amidst the birdsong and fragrant flowers, there was no hint of danger, and they soon arrived smoothly at the hunting location.

I said to Dan Shi, "Remember not long ago, when I was hunting outside the Imperial Stables with several madams, I fell right into a trap set by the Deputy Captain of the Personal Guards. Alas, I nearly lost my life. Thinking back now still sends a chill down my spine."

Dan Shi, whose face already held a touch of sickness, seemed to grow even paler. He replied, "That was due to your carelessness in employing people, Zhao Zhanshi; you can hardly blame anyone else."

Ma Xiaorui, standing nearby, suddenly chimed in, "Commander Dan, you aren't leading us into a bandit ambush, are you? Can a great beauty like my sister possibly escape your grasp unwillingly?"

Dan Shi’s color drained instantly. He scrambled off his horse and knelt, stammering, "Sixteenth Princess, please do not wrongly accuse your humble servant! Your Majesty, Crown Prince, please see clearly! Your servant truly obeys the Emperor's command and dares not harbor any concubine thoughts toward the Fifteenth Princess any longer."

Ma Da said, "Xiaorui, don't joke around like that. How could Commander Dan do such a thing? Alright, this place is very safe. Didn't you say you wanted to catch a bird to take back for your mother? Go ahead."

Only then did Dan Shi dare to rise, slightly relieved. He said to Ma Da, "Your Majesty, we are barely seven or eight li from the North Gate, and we have swift horses accompanying us. Should any trouble arise, we can ride back to Shuangcheng, at which point the bandits will surely be helpless."

Ma Da nodded. "Indeed, we cannot shrink back into the city and hide just because we fear bandits. Look at the common people; aren't they still toiling away diligently? Xiao Da, to be a sage ruler, one requires not only a heart that loves the people but also courage and wisdom. Perhaps by presenting ourselves as bait, we can draw out all the bandits."

The spot where we were situated was elevated, offering an unobstructed view of the surrounding scenery. Even in the densest jungles, common folk had cleared land to cultivate rice. Nothing else grew well here, but with abundant rainfall, rice cultivation was most suitable, further aided by the moderate temperatures. The new rice strains cultivated by Zhou Ni had already been widely promoted in many areas.

Ma Xiaoda said to his father, "Your Son-in-Law obeys the Imperial Father's teachings, but Your Son-in-Law fears those bandits won't dare to show themselves."

Dan Shi’s expression, which had changed several times that day, turned grave again. He said to Ma Da, "Your Majesty, although this humble servant has made comprehensive preparations, it is best if such an incident does not occur. After all, we came out today to relax by hunting. Furthermore, bandits move swiftly, and we are all infantry. If we truly had to fight with these fifteen thousand men, this servant fears..."

Ma Xiaoda interjected, "Commander Dan, didn't you repeatedly claim everything was prepared? Why are you suddenly afraid now? Are you asking us to trust you or not?"

Dan Shi immediately knelt again to beg forgiveness. "Crown Prince, your humble servant merely voices concern. Of course, the bandits are unlikely to appear. We selected this hunting ground because it is elevated; should they emerge, we would notice them quickly, and even have time to ride back to the city."

"Pheasant! Pheasant! Such beautiful feathers! Quickly, bring me a gun!" Ma Xiaorui shouted from ahead. Ma Xiaoda smiled at Dan Shi, "If they've set an ambush beforehand, that would be bad. Father, your Son-in-Law and Sixteenth Sister are going after pheasants. Giddy up!"

Ma Xiaoda's horsemanship was far superior to Ma Da's; truthfully, Ma Da could only be considered to be riding a horse for the first time. However, today was exceptionally joyous for him. As Emperor, he rarely had opportunities to travel outside, and moreover, the hunting weapon used today was a gun, something as novel to him as a horse.

Bang! A gunshot was followed by Ma Xiaorui's scream. She had been seated on the horse, but the recoil from the shot was too strong, causing her to lose balance and fall backward. Fortunately, I was right behind her, and I grabbed the lapel of her garment, pulling her onto my horse.

Ma Xiaorui clutched her chest, startled, "What happened? Wasn't it just aiming and pulling the trigger? Why did it feel like someone pushed me?"

I explained, "Your posture for holding the gun was wrong. This type of firearm uses a large caliber cartridge; the firepower is immense. A small figure like yours naturally cannot withstand it."

Ma Xiaowei, watching us from the side, let out a soft giggle. Today she wasn't wearing her usual princess attire, but rather a green silk cinched waist outfit that gave her a dashing, heroic air. Her ample bosom, in particular, became a focal point, as I had Linglong with me today, leaving Ma Xiaowei as the only busty presence.

Upon hearing my explanation, Ma Xiaorui grew annoyed and snapped at the guard behind her, "Why didn't you give me a gun designed for girls? Fortunately, my Brother-in-Law was here, or I would have been in trouble."

Since Ma Da had personally promised Ma Xiaowei to me, Ma Xiaorui openly called me Brother-in-Law. The guard gave a wry smile. "Princess, you insisted and snatched it away when I said no."

Ma Xiaorui blushed, realizing many eyes were upon them. Although sitting in my embrace was comfortable, she struggled free and jumped off the horse, then instructed her accompanying maidservant, "Go quickly and see if it hit anything!"

A eunuch had already gone to search. Before long, he returned carrying a pheasant, but to everyone's disappointment, the bird had been utterly shredded by that shot; even its beautiful feathers were ruined. Ma Xiaorui was greatly irritated. "Hunting should properly be done with arrows! Insisting on using guns! Quickly prepare a bow and arrows for this Princess."

Ma Xiaoda rode up. "Sixteenth Sister, can you even draw that bow? Even though the bird is destroyed, it is still the first game you've ever hunted. It deserves a celebration."

Ma Xiaorui considered this; it would probably be difficult for a young girl like her to draw even the smallest bow. She stepped forward, picked up the ruined pheasant, and tossed it before my horse. "Brother-in-Law, this is the first piece of game I ever caught. It's for you."

Ma Xiaoda drawled sarcastically from the side, "Oh, Sixteenth Sister is learning to exchange tokens of affection like the adults now. Are you perhaps planning to marry the same man as Fifteenth Sister?"

Dan Shi, trailing closely beside them, turned a sickly green. He coughed once. "Crown Prince, the requested guns are ready. Shall we have the guards enter the woods to drive out the birds and beasts?"

Ma Xiaorui knew her brother was testing their father's reaction. She secretly glanced at Ma Da, only to see him seemingly unperturbed, gazing at the distant scenery as if nothing concerned him. She kicked the chicken up, intending to hit Ma Xiaoda, but it landed squarely on Dan Shi.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry, Commander Dan, I didn't mean to. I've dirtied your robes. Let me help you wipe it off." Ma Xiaorui was sincere; a young girl couldn't possess much cunning. Seeing the chicken blood smeared on Dan Shi, she took out her handkerchief and stepped forward to help clean it.

However, her action stirred Dan Shi’s heart. Ma Xiaorui was only thirteen, but her body was developing rapidly. Besides the faint, delicate fragrance she naturally emitted, her small chest was perkily rounded like rice bowls, and her tight-fitting clothes today enhanced the alluring scent of youthful femininity with every move—a contrast to Ma Xiaowei's more mature, composed sexiness.

In a daze, Dan Shi even forgot to say thank you. He recalled Ma Xiaorui sitting on that man's horse just moments ago, how his hand seemed to be resting near her delicate

The bandits, unable to count their exact numbers but certain there were no fewer than four thousand, had long ago concealed themselves in the surrounding dense woods. They struck only once the smoke from the Imperial Guards’ cook-fires began to rise. Soon, they clashed with the first line of defense. This time, the Imperial Guards possessed few weapons beyond their sabers; only a small contingent carried boar spears. Just as the bandits’ iron cavalry seemed poised to trample them, the defenders performed a trick: they thrust thick boar spears, sharpened to deadly points, straight up from the ground, aiming at the bellies of the charging warhorses. The two forces finally met. Blood sprayed across the field—some the arterial spray from Imperial Guardsmen decapitated by bandit sabers, but far more was the vital fluid gushing from the pierced chests of the horses.

Never underestimate these sharpened wooden lances; against cavalry, they were the finest weapon an infantryman could possess. The bandits suffered heavy losses, yet their numbers were vast. The outermost Imperial Guards were quickly swallowed by the tide of horsemen. Those on the second defensive line possessed only boar spears. Indeed, against such a rapid charge, even if they had rifles, the weapons would have limited utility; cavalry closes in the blink of an eye, allowing for perhaps two shots at best, assuming the targets were even hit.

The bandits were clearly ecstatic, for they could see the encampment nestled in the hollow below, marked by tall yellow banners flying high. They charged forward recklessly, shattering the second line of defense, leaving behind a thousand fallen mounts, and hurtling down the slope. If they could destroy that single tent and everyone inside, their mission would be complete.

Boom! Boom! Explosions echoed across the hillsides. The Imperial Stables possessed a massive store of landmines, and of course, such an unequivocally devastating weapon would not be wasted. Numerous bandits were hurled into the air. Through the smoke of the detonations, they saw soldiers suddenly erupting from the ground before them. These soldiers were all armed with rifles, unleashing five-round bursts with sharp bang-bang-bang reports.

The bandit cavalry had broken through two lines of boar spears, and their speed was drastically reduced by the landmine field. Furthermore, they had to navigate the concealed mines underfoot, slowing their momentum to a crawl. As a result, they became exposed targets. The resulting casualties were gruesome to behold. Yet, this was where the sheer ferocity of the bandits manifested: they leaped over the minefield with suicidal abandon, cutting a bloody path through the riflemen to press on toward their objective.

At this very moment, on the periphery, the combined forces of the Imperial Stables, the Imperial Guards, and the Eastern Depot—totaling over thirty thousand troops—had formed a complete encirclement. To ensure not a single bandit escaped, they had laid in ambush all day, bringing no fewer than four thousand launching mechanisms. These included the most ancient ballistae, small mine-dropping devices, and, predominantly, the powerful, portable, and swiftly reloaded iron-bolt launchers. The men from the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Stables carried not only hundreds of cannons but also held personal firearms; this operation was an all-out commitment. Even if the bandits had brought their full force of nearly ten thousand, escape would have been impossible.

After fighting through untold hardship to reach the valley floor, the exhausted bandits smashed into the central tent only to realize they had been tricked: it was empty. Not only that, but the advance guard sent to burn the camp had been launched skyward by pre-set subterranean explosives. The remaining three thousand-plus bandits, enraged, began hacking savagely at the soldiers of the Shuangcheng Nation. A massive melee had begun.

Gu Qi and A’mao fought desperately. As the bandits became deeply mired in the low-lying valley basin, the defenders began to withdraw toward the outer perimeter. From the mountaintops, the encircling allied forces could be seen; it was time to annihilate this cavalry force.

Initially, Danshi was able to cling close behind his own cavalry as they fled. But slowly, he realized he was left with only two personal guards. Behind him, bandits brandished their sabers, closing in relentlessly. Danshi’s limbs felt numb and cold. He couldn't fathom why he was so cursed, but the situation allowed him no time for such introspection.

As the bandit cavalry broke through defensive line after line, the soldiers manning those positions would withdraw according to signals flashed from the mountaintop. By the time the bandits wheeled their horses around to charge back up the slope, a significant gap had opened between them and the defenders. Then, the mine-dropping machines atop the peaks began to shower the valley below with explosives without pause. The bandit horses, already skittish, were thrown into total disarray by the successive shocks. Some charged forward blindly, heedless of what lay beneath their hooves, while others turned tail and fled backward, drawing curses and shouts of fury from their riders.

As the bandits closed the distance further, the iron-bolt launchers opened fire. Each launcher fired with the combined force of ten crossbowmen, unleashing a continuous stream of bolts that cut down the bandits in swathes. By the end, the soldiers’ arms ached from the sheer volume of fire. This was no battle; it was a systematic, bloody slaughter. The bandits, charging uphill from the valley, had lost every tactical advantage. How could their few thousand men possibly stand against the coordinated firepower of tens of thousands of weapons? Within an hour at most, the remaining thousand-plus bandits could only huddle at the base of the mountain, unwilling to charge again. At this point, the soldiers from the summit began their measured descent. Their weapons were aligned, their steps synchronized, and their unified roar filled the air: “The might of the Celestial Dynasty will not be violated! Kill! Kill! Kill!” Even the notoriously savage bandits felt their resolve wither. From the summit to the valley floor, the path was littered with the corpses of horses and men—some missing heads from cannon blasts, others riddled with iron bolts like hedgehogs, and still others blown into perforated vessels by indiscriminate gunfire. These weapons deployed by the Shuangcheng Nation were things their sabers could not counter. Furthermore, charging down into the valley had been a grave error; they were trapped beasts in a cage, left only to be butchered.

The thousand remaining bandits chose surrender. For they, too, were flesh and blood, and facing absolute annihilation, they would no longer sacrifice their lives for some lofty, ethereal figureheads. Post-battle tallies showed that over five thousand bandit cavalry had participated. Excluding the one thousand-plus who surrendered, more than four thousand bandits were executed. Based on the initial number of bandits who violated Shuangcheng’s borders, there were perhaps three thousand more lurking outside the city, a number deemed insignificant for a subsequent punitive sweep into the mountains.