Pei Yan and Xue Yunshu’s acquaintance—one a Heavenly Royal, the other the daughter of a Duke Mansion—was enough to get people talking without much needing to be said.

Furthermore, Xue Yunshu’s behavior made it clear that she was after Pei Yan.

This only served to confirm certain suspicions.

Although the people lurking in the shadows had yet to make a move, Xue Yunshu was already under their watch.

The next step was to add fuel to the fire and make the hidden conspirators believe that Xue Yunshu was important to Pei Yan.

Important enough that they could use her as a threat to extort something from him.

Pei Yan had been abandoned as a child and sent to a place far from the Imperial City.

Everyone knew he was a discarded son, so no one gave him a second thought. When he disappeared for many years, no one even bothered to look for him.

In the bandits’ den, he had witnessed the darkest side of human nature.

People would do anything to survive.

Some people valued romantic love more than their own lives, willing to sacrifice everything for it. Pei Yan had always found such people baffling.

Now, however, he was beginning to understand.

Mei Wanying...

’If it were her, perhaps I wouldn’t be able to remain so calm and rational either.’

Pei Yan needed to use Xue Yunshu to draw out the traitor, but since the object of his supposed affection wasn’t Mei Wanying, he couldn’t bring himself to get close to her. He had no idea how to put on a convincing enough act to fan the flames.

His trusted aide offered a suggestion. "Your Highness, you could have Doctor Xue stay in your tent for a night..."

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

The trusted aide fell silent.

’I was just making a suggestion,’ the aide thought. ’Whether he takes it or not is still up to His Highness, isn’t it?’

’But then again, His Highness doesn’t have a flamboyant personality.’

’Being restrained and reserved toward those he cherishes is His Highness’s way.’

’Getting too close to Xue Yunshu would look more like an act and could easily backfire.’

The trusted aide braced himself and said, "This subordinate will try to think of something else."

Pei Yan snorted coldly. ’My innocence is to be saved for Mei Wanying.’

’An unmarried man and woman alone in a room... even if nothing happens, it’s completely improper!’

’That day in the carriage, Mei Wanying had sat on his lap. Their spring clothes were thin and didn’t form much of a barrier.’

’In truth, half of my innocence has already been given to Mei Wanying.’

’When the army returns victoriously to the Capital City, I’ll go to Jiangnan to bring Mei Wanying back. I’ll give her the other half on our wedding day, and only then will things be complete.’

’Anyone who dares to ruin this is my enemy!’

’Never mind that I would feel repulsed and disgusted myself; I would never be able to hold my head high in front of Mei Wanying for the rest of my life.’

’If Mei Wanying found out, she might even divorce me.’

’Mei Wanying is far more likable than I am. If she were to leave, our child would go with her too.’

’Wouldn’t that just fulfill Chen Shujing’s prediction that I would end up all alone?’

The mere thought was more than Pei Yan could bear.

’Absolutely not!’

’Before or after marriage, no woman besides Mei Wanying can ever get close to me.’

’That’s the only way to keep Mei Wanying happy.’

Pei Yan’s glare was razor-sharp. "Think harder," he said. "If you spout any more nonsense, don’t blame me for being merciless."

The trusted aide wept internally. ’His Highness is terrifying. It looks like he truly despises Xue Yunshu.’

’He was never like this with Miss Mei. He’d look impatient, sure, but he never used words like ’get lost’.’

’When it came to Miss Mei, His Highness was always the one who ended up having to clear out...’

’His Highness might look fierce, as if he has the upper hand, but he’s actually the passive one in that relationship.’

’He either has to accept Miss Mei getting close, or he’s the one who has to tuck his tail and leave.’

’I can guarantee it. His Highness would never dare treat Miss Mei the way he treats Xue Yunshu.’

The trusted aide mulled it over for a long moment.

’Knowing His Highness’s temperament, if he liked a woman, even if he thought about her all day long, he would still put on a front and feign indifference.’

’Having Xue Yunshu spend the night in the main tent is too obvious!’

’The enemy would see through it in an instant!’

"How about you put on an act and send Xue Yunshu away? It would give the enemy the false impression that you’re deeply concerned for her safety."

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow.

’If it were Mei Wanying who had come to the Border, sending her away at once is exactly what I would do,’ he thought.

’Mei Wanying is a delicate young lady. She deserves a life of luxury and comfort, free from worry.’

’Taking risks doesn’t suit her.’

’And I wouldn’t allow Mei Wanying to act so recklessly!’

Pei Yan tapped his fingers on the desk. The plan was in line with his usual style, and as a bonus, he wouldn’t have to deal with the eyesore of Xue Yunshu’s presence. It was indeed a good idea.

If this plan failed, they could always try another to lure out the spy. It was worth a shot.

Seeing that his suggestion hadn’t been immediately rejected, the aide knew that Prince Chen found it feasible.

The trusted aide continued, "The spies haven’t yet figured out the situation. When they see Xue Yunshu about to leave, they’re sure to get anxious, afraid they’ll miss this golden opportunity."

"The more anxious they become, the more impulsively they’ll act. It’s possible they’ll make their move the moment Xue Yunshu steps out of the military camp."

"And if they don’t take the bait, I’ll have men intercept her on the road ahead. We can stage some chaos, bring Xue Yunshu back, and then we’ll figure out another way to lure the snake from its hole!"

Before Prince Chen’s arrival, this place had been completely disorganized, with everyone looking out for their own interests.

It was difficult enough to win a battle under such conditions, but with a mole colluding with the enemy from the inside, this war was becoming even more arduous.

If they didn’t eliminate the traitor first, their losses next time could be even more severe.

"Send her away at once," Pei Yan commanded.

This was his approval. The trusted aide clasped his hands in a salute and immediately went out to make the arrangements.

Pei Yan rose and paced over to the sand table map. His gaze swept over the dense network of routes before he planted flags in two separate locations.

He summoned his most trusted officers and ordered his men to be ready for anything.

In the infirmary camp, Xue Yunshu was bandaging a soldier’s wound.

Her face was pulled tight, and she ignored anyone who tried to speak to her or ask questions about their injuries.

A young man, who had come with her to tend to the sick and wounded, was also there.

He was her senior in medical studies; they had been learning together and had known each other for many years.

Seeing her attitude, he whispered a reminder, "This isn’t the Capital City, and it’s certainly not your Duke Mansion. If you cause a scene here, there’s no one to protect you."

If it weren’t for the fact that Duke Xue doted on his daughter, and that anyone she complained about inevitably suffered for it, he wouldn’t have bothered to give her any advice.

It wasn’t like she would appreciate it, anyway.

Sure enough, Xue Yunshu rolled her eyes. "Then stop asking stupid questions. How often should the dressing be changed? Can it get wet? Can’t you figure that out for yourselves?"

Most importantly, these were all common soldiers. She couldn’t even get near a proper General, to say nothing of the fact that she had just been thrown out by Pei Yan. She was thoroughly annoyed and couldn’t be bothered to keep up appearances.

These people, with their endless questions, were just adding fuel to the fire. And they still expected her to be pleasant.

’In their dreams!’ she thought.

Xue Yunshu didn’t lower her voice, and quite a few people heard her.

One of the more hot-tempered soldiers shot back, "If you can’t do the job, then get the hell out!"

Hearing that word again, Xue Yunshu immediately flew into a rage.

She had endured it when Pei Yan had yelled at her.

He was a man of noble status who wielded immense power! 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

But who was this man to dare yell at her?!

She questioned him impatiently, "Do you have any idea who I am? How dare you speak to me like that?"

"I don’t give a damn who you are! You’re here, so you’d better do your job!"

Xue Yunshu lifted her chin. "My father is Duke Xue, and I am a candidate to be Princess Consort Chen!"

She wanted to say that she had already been chosen by Prince Chen, but she was afraid Pei Yan would simply deny it and turn his back on her.

The embarrassment would be a minor issue, but being punished by him would be a major disaster!

The air fell silent for a moment. The defiant soldier muttered a curse under his breath and dragged his injured leg away from Xue Yunshu.

Seeing this, Xue Yunshu felt a pang of regret.

Not because she felt sorry for the injured man, but because she was afraid word of this would spread and Pei Yan would think she was a cruel, shrewish woman.

’Wouldn’t all my previous efforts have been for nothing?’

At this thought, Xue Yunshu quickly squeezed out a few tears, making herself look terribly wronged and pitiful.

She said in a small voice, "His Highness and I... had a disagreement. I’m not in a good mood. I hope you can all forgive me."

The expressions on the onlookers’ faces shifted once more.

It seemed the relationship between this Doctor Xue and Prince Chen was far from ordinary.