Little Suisui nodded happily.
"Great! Great! Suisui, along with Eighth Uncle and First Uncle, will together protect the citizens of the Great Han!"
"Good! Good child, when going to Xianyu Pass, make sure to listen to your First Uncle and be cautious, understand?"
Little Suisui nodded emphatically, "Understood. Donât worry, Your Majesty, godfather. You should also take care and return to the capital safely!"
The little girl, having received her godfather the Emperorâs instructions, didnât forget to give some advice of her own to her godfather.
This made the Emperor chuckle.
Huo XingâEr helplessly poked her little head.
"Iâm speaking to you! You keep shifting focus to others. Give the Gold Medal to your First Uncle first, let him go to Xianyu Pass, and you follow with me and your Third Aunt slowly, alright?"
"Second Aunt, youâre hurting Suisui."
Little Suisui pouted her lips in grievance, quickly stuffing the Gold Medal into her small pouch.
This meant she was not agreeing.
Zhu Xiuxiu saw the little girlâs pout and felt pity, reproaching her.
"Why are you poking her head for no reason?
Donât you know how strong your fingers are?
Look, youâve already hurt her."
Huo XingâEr: "..." gritted her teeth and said nothing.
"Second Madam, Third Madam, I also wish to accompany you to Xianyu Pass!"
Princess Ata suddenly stepped out from her carriage and interjected.
Zhu Xiuxiu and Huo XingâEr couldnât help but glance at her.
Both sisters-in-law had a veiled warning in their gaze.
"Princess Ata, this matter concerns the Great Han and is unrelated to Nanjiang. It would be best for you to return to the capital with His Majesty!"
Zhu Xiuxiu spoke directly.
"Third Madam, Second Madam, please trust that I am the one from Nanjiang who most desires peace in the Great Han. I have a strong feeling that this sudden military action from Xiling is not a simple matter. Our Great Wizard from Nanjiang is surely connected with Xiling and Dongyue.
Xiling is impoverished and their National Treasury is empty, unable to sustain their armyâs prolonged campaign. So, have any of you considered where the disaster funds embezzled by Wei Li, the County Magistrate of Yunhang in the Great Han Dynasty, over the decades have gone?"
Princess Ataâs words sent a shiver through the Emperorâs heart; what a clever woman. Itâs a pity she is a princess of Nanjiang and a woman. If she were a man...
Nearby, Xie PanâEr inexplicably sensed the Emperorâs strangeness. She glanced at the Emperor and then at Princess Ata, saying.
"Princess Ata, as a person of Nanjiang, accompanying the eldest Princess to Xianyu Pass is indeed a bit inappropriate. I have always followed the eldest Princess, and I plan to go to Xianyu Pass this time as well. The Emperorâs wounds are not completely healed yet, so I entrust you to help take care of the Emperor on the journey back to the capital."
As soon as Xie PanâEr said this, the Emperor was the first to oppose.
"Miss Xie! I have grown accustomed to your care on this journey, you should return to the capital with me!
On another note, Suisui tends to be quite energetic when traveling, and without martial arts skills, you wouldnât be able to keep up!"
The Emperorâs words were as good as an Imperial Decree, yet Xie PanâEr opened her mouth, still eager to go to Xianyu Pass.
The Emperor spoke again, "Princess Ata, if you can clarify the whereabouts of the diverted disaster relief funds of Yunhang and recover them for me, I will consider your proposal."
Princess Ata was overjoyed and quickly responded, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust. Ata will not disappoint the mission!"