Su Li left the study and, after a moment's thought, walked towards Liang Chengnian's room.
Arriving outside Liang Chengnian's courtyard, she saw him sitting on the steps in the yard, staring blankly, his hand propping up his face.
"Little Nian."
Liang Chengnian snapped back to reality and, seeing her enter, offered a bright smile. "Sister, you're here?"
Su Li walked over and sat beside him, watching the flowers and plants in the courtyard together.
"Little Nian, do you want to go home?"
Liang Chengnian was startled, turning his head to look at Su Li.
"Sister, I have no home and no relatives now. My home was seized by my uncle."
Su Li also turned to look at him, speaking earnestly, "Then, Little Nian, do you want to reclaim everything that belongs to you?"
A glimmer of light flashed in Liang Chengnian's eyes, and he nodded emphatically. "Yes, I dream of it!"
Su Li said, "Then Sister will help you! Help you reclaim everything that is yours."
Liang Chengnian sprang to his feet, asking, "Sister, are you...?"
Su Li nodded. "Yes, I know now."
"You knew my true identity all along?!" There was fear in Liang Chengnian's voice; he was afraid she would confirm it.
Su Li pulled him down to sit beside her. "I didn't know when I saved you. My kindness to you isn't because of your identity; you don't need to think I'm trying to use you or approach you with ulterior motives."
Liang Chengnian breathed a sigh of relief. He truly feared her kindness to him had a purpose. As long as she said it, he would believe it!
After a long moment, Liang Chengnian's pained voice rang out, "Right. What do I have now that could be used by others?"
Su Li couldn't bear to see him so dejected. She stroked the top of his head. "Little Nian, you are already more exceptional than many."
"Sister, don't comfort me. If I were truly exceptional, how could I have mistaken my enemy for family, or let myself fall to this state?"
"Little Nian, I can help you reclaim everything. Are you willing to trust Sister?" Su Li looked at him seriously.
Liang Chengnian nodded firmly. "I trust you!"
Su Li smiled faintly. "Little Nian, don't say you have no home or family anymore. Sister will help you take back your home! Sister is your family."
After the time they had spent together, this child was truly heartbreaking. She genuinely regarded him as her younger brother, just like Yu Ge'er.
Tears shimmered in Liang Chengnian's eyes, and he murmured, "Sister..."
Su Li gave a gentle smile. "Alright. Since you want revenge, let's speak plainly. Next, Sister will ask you some questions, and you must tell the truth."
Liang Chengnian nodded.
"Do you know the defense map of Jiukong City?" Su Li asked.
Liang Chengnian looked at Su Li, who met his gaze unblinkingly, her eyes clear, showing no evasion.
This child was truly worthy of being the ruler of a nation. Even though he desired revenge and wanted to reclaim everything, he wasn't impulsive.
A border defense map was a country's first line of defense.
No matter how much he trusted her, he wouldn't easily reveal it.
One careless mistake, and he could become a traitor to his nation.
Finally, Liang Chengnian averted his gaze and said, "I know."
Ever since he learned there were suspicious circumstances surrounding his imperial parents' deaths, he had appeared unfazed on the surface but secretly began paying close attention to military power and defenses.
Su Li's eyes lit up, and she continued, "Then, can you give it to me?"
Liang Chengnian nodded. "I will commit it to memory and give it to you. But this map can only be in your hands and Jun Mo's. I only trust you, and as for Jun Mo, I can barely trust his character."
Su Li laughed softly, her heart warm.
Though he didn't say it aloud, the fact that he was willing to entrust her with the defense map showed how much he trusted her.
"Little Nian, Sister will never betray your trust!" Su Li said solemnly.
Liang Chengnian nodded.
In a large tent in the Tianqi military camp, Wang Sui's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You're going to release me back to Nanjiang?!"
Jun Mo nodded. "Yes. Keeping you confined like this is meaningless. We, Tianqi, are always benevolent and admire brave men like General Wang. You've spent your life in battle; you are truly a hero. It's just a pity you followed the wrong person."
Wang Sui scoffed coldly. "Are you trying to make this general surrender? No matter how eloquently you speak, I, Wang Sui, will not betray Nanjiang!"
Jun Mo nodded. "I know. It is precisely your unwavering integrity, Old General, that I admire, which is why I'm letting you go."
After speaking, he had the iron chain's lock opened. Jun Mo smiled. "General Wang, we shall meet again."
Wang Sui was still somewhat suspicious as he walked towards the tent exit. Yet, he met no obstruction; no one truly stopped him.
Outside the military camp, a fast horse had even been prepared for him!
Wang Sui mounted the horse and cupped his hands to Jun Mo, who stood outside the large tent. "Prince Jing, we shall meet again!"
With that, he turned his horse around and galloped away.
Jun Mo watched his retreating figure, his expression unreadable.
Wang Sui rode at top speed towards Nanjiang's Jiukong City.
So many days had passed. He wondered if Fourth Prince was blaming him for his incompetence, not only losing so many soldiers but also leaving the Young Master severely wounded.
"Quickly open the pass! I am Wang Sui!"
The soldiers on Jiukong City's wall exchanged glances. Seeing that it was indeed the Ever-Victorious General and that there were no pursuing soldiers behind him, they shouted, "Grant passage!"
Wang Sui entered the pass and continued his journey on horseback.
At the same time, a secret letter was dispatched from within the Jiukong City Lord's residence.
Inside the Fourth Prince's residence study in Nanjiang.
Behind the desk sat a man in his forties with a benevolent face.
His charming, upright sword-like eyebrows and his long, narrow black eyes, filled with sharpness, all indicated that this man was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.
This was Liang Shao!
Liang Shao frowned as he looked at the letter in his hand.
"Fourth Brother, what's wrong?" Liang Wei asked, seeing his poor complexion.
Liang Shao said coldly, "Tianqi released Wang Sui."
Liang Wei was surprised. "Released?"
"Yes, and it seems he didn't suffer much. Even the fast horse he rode back to Nanjiang was prepared by Tianqi."
Liang Wei frowned. "That's too strange."
Liang Shao's gaze grew distant as he said, "Go invite Wang Sui's family to the Prince's residence as guests. General Wang is out fighting the enemy; how can this Prince not take good care of his family?"
Liang Wei hesitated. "Fourth Brother, what if you're wronging him...?"
Liang Shao raised a hand, signaling him to stop. "You know this Prince."
Better to kill by mistake than to let one slip by!
Liang Wei cupped his hands. "Yes, sir!"
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