"How could this be." Yan Xijun stared at Mei Dao in a daze: "How could this be. How even Empress Yan was demoted to the Cold Palace."

  "It's always been this way with emperors' affections. Rulers are heartless. It has always been so since ancient times. Don't be too heartbroken."

  She let out a soft sigh and turned her head to face Chu Yicheng, saying: "Sir, shall we go somewhere else to discuss this?"

  "Alright, let's go to the study room." Chu Yicheng gave Yan Xikun a strange look before walking out. He now has many doubts, all of which are about her. Since Mei suggested going somewhere else to discuss things, it can be inferred that everything will be discussed with her later on.

  Arrived at the study room, after smelling the sandalwood fragrance, Chu Yicheng finally calmed down. He thought back to the few words Mei had just said and only then did he realize that there were still many things he didn't know about.

  Firstly, how was General Yan Dashi discovered to be colluding with others?

  Chu Yicheng asked: "How did the Emperor send someone to investigate General Yan?"

  "This subordinate is also unclear. The subordinate was busy checking another matter at that time, so didn't pay much attention to that matter."

  "Who is responsible for this? Who found out?" Chu Yicheng said, "To be able to investigate and find out about General Yan Dajun, who is so secretive, means that this person is very formidable."

  Mei Dao: "Is that Li something, the Minister of War? I heard he's still young, but he's a very formidable person."

  "It's obvious." Chu Yicheng said: "Are you referring to that Li Zehao, the Minister of War?"

  "Ah, yes, yes, yes. That's Li Zehao. The world says he has an iron face and is very decisive in his dealings. Although young, he handles things like a seasoned veteran."

  "An iron face without 'private' (emotions). Ha! Indeed, you don't show 'private' emotions. Not even sparing your own father-in-law."

  "What. Old fellow."

  "Li Zehao married his second 'daughter' as his wife. Unfortunately, the 'girl' gave birth to a son and died in childbirth. So he still has to call General Yuan's father-in-law." Chu Yicheng explained. Although he rarely returns to the capital, each time is secretly going back. But many things in the capital he still knows.

  "Oh, I see. So he's capable of doing that even to his own father-in-law. Indeed, he's no ordinary person."

  "Otherwise, how can he be called 'heartless'? Chu Yicheng said: "From now on, we must be especially careful around this person. We absolutely cannot let him investigate us."

  "Yes. I understand."

  "This matter is giving me a headache. With the loss of General Yan, we've lost a major backer in the capital. Now that they've investigated the general, will they continue to investigate further? Are we suspected by them?"

  Chu Yicheng's face turned solemn as he said, "They've discovered that General Yan is colluding with someone. I don't know if they've guessed that the person he's colluding with is us."

  "This lineage is still unclear. In the capital city, no one has investigated us yet."

  "Be more careful in the future. Be more cautious in your actions. Don't be careless."

  "I understand." Mei suddenly seemed to remember something, and took out a delicate letter from her bosom and handed it to him. "Sir, this is a secret letter sent from the capital. It looks like it was sent from the imperial palace in the capital."

  Chu Yicheng calmly accepted it. As soon as he saw the handwriting on the cover, he had a familiar feeling. The handwriting he had seen since childhood was already very familiar to him. It turned out that it was sent by him after all.

  Long fingers slowly unfolded the letter. It was quickly finished reading. Chuyi City picked up the paper and ignited it with a candle flame, burning the letter to ashes. "Master, what did the letter say?" Mei asked curiously.

  "It seems we have to go back to the capital." Chu Yicheng said, not answering the question. The thin letter had already turned into ashes.

  "Why?"

  "Aren't you curious about what the letter says?" Chu Yicheng said: "The Emperor said that the security of the border is much better than before, and I don't need to continue staying here. He asked me to temporarily 'hand over' this place to be managed by the generals under my command. And also asked me to hurry back to the capital before the new year, to reunite with those who have been separated for many years."

  "Not again. Have to go back to the capital city." Zhang Jun said with a bitter face. He didn't like the capital city, but in just a few months, he had already made several trips.

  Chu Yicheng smiled and said: "You don't like going back to the capital, no big deal, you can stay here. I'll just take a few trusted attendants with me when I go back."

  "No way. Wherever you go, I'll follow." Mei Dao said: "Even if it's to the capital city, there's no choice. However, how long do you plan to stay this time?"

  "This is still unknown for now. Let's talk about it later." Chu Yicheng said, "The key is how long he wants to keep me here. Time isn't something I can change at will."

  "Oh, right. There's something more important I need to tell you. Almost forgot." Mei said with a serious face: "The thing you asked me to investigate, I've already figured it out."

  "Are you referring to Yan Er's matter?" Chu Yicheng said, "At the beginning of the month, I had him go to the capital to investigate her background and identity. I didn't expect him to find out so quickly."

  "Hmm, wait till you know her identity... you'll be shocked." said the mysterious and charming one. At first, even he himself was shocked when he just found out her identity.

  "Don't hang people's appetite anymore. Speak quickly." Chu Yicheng said. Mei said so, making him even more curious about her identity.

  "Listen up then. Her name isn't Yan Er. Yan is just her surname. Her real name is Yan Xijun."

  Mei finished speaking and looked at her master with eager eyes, trying to see a look of surprise on his face. Instead, she saw him nod calmly and say, "So she's called Yan Xijun."

  "Yes, sir. Didn't you notice anything from her name?"

  "What's there to realize?" Chu Yicheng looked at Mei with confusion. "It's just a name, what's the difference?"

  "Grandfather, you're not usually so slow on the uptake." Mei shook her head and said: "Yan Xijun's surname is Yan, and General Yan also has the surname Yan. Don't you think there's some kind of relationship between them?"

  "Both of them aren't surnamed Yan, what's the big deal? The world is so big, there are many people with the same surname. Does it mean that every time you meet someone with the same surname, you can establish a relationship?"

  "Alright, I won't beat around the bush either," Mei said: "Yan Xiu Jun is General Yan's youngest 'daughter'. She was selected to enter the palace a year ago. First, she was appointed as a concubine, then promoted to Zhaorong, and finally became De Fei. In just over half a year, she gained the emperor's favor."

  The servant saw his master's face getting darker and darker, looking very dangerous. He wisely chose to shut up. Knowing his master's temper well, he of course knew that if he continued to speak on his own, he would be the one to suffer.

  Chu Yicheng found it hard to digest the information that Mei had just revealed. She was actually the emperor's favorite concubine and deeply loved by him. It was unthinkable that her husband, whose identity she had described as special, turned out to be the Emperor himself.

  Ugh, it's really frustrating. I finally liked a "girl" with great difficulty, only to find out she was actually his "woman".

  Chu Yicheng adjusted his emotions and asked: "Since Yan Xijun is the emperor's concubine, why would she appear outside the palace?"