System alert: a side storyline veers off course, and the prince is about to hoodwink the god of war

Su Yao looked up at him.

Xie Wanqing stopped writing.

Liu Ruyan pushed the cup towards Murong Xue's hand without saying a word.

They all understood.

Gu Moran is prying away the obsession of this war god from Murong Xue and throwing it into a larger chessboard.

Tuoba Mang's ears turned bright red with excitement. "Young master, where did you get this map? Even the old scouts of the Northern Territory wouldn't dare to draw something like this."

Gu Moran picked up his teacup and coughed twice. "That's what the Hu merchants were talking about after drinking. They said the grasslands in the north are vast, there are many horses, and the people look different—yellow hair and green eyes. I'm sick and can't go out, so I can only listen to their nonsense and draw for fun."

Murong Xue glanced at him, then turned to Tuoba Mang.

"Remember. When you see Lin Yichen, just say there's still fighting in the north. Keep the words 'Prince Yi's Residence's Mansion' to yourself."

Tuoba Mang panicked. "I'll go tonight."

"Finish eating first."

Murong Xue tapped her riding whip on the edge of the table.

Tuoba Mang sat back down, picked up a piece of mutton, and muttered to himself, "That's fine, a full stomach makes for a faster run."

The sound of chopsticks clattering resumed.

Gu Moran looked at the system notification that suddenly appeared.

[ Lin Yichen's Destiny Side Quest Offset.]

[Original Side Quest: The God of War Returns to the Capital and Proposes to Murong Xue.]

[Current offset: Old wounds not yet healed, requesting permission to fight again.]

Lin Yichen's interest in the Prince Yi's Residence is increasing.

Gu Moran pressed his fingertip against the cup.

Great, God of War!

This king must squeeze every last drop of value out of you!

Go ahead and fight!

It's a fight to the death; everything from now on belongs to me!

Shen Ling'er lowered her head and asked, "Is Lin Yichen coughing up blood from an old injury in his chest or lungs, or is it due to a recurrence of the old wound?"

Tuoba Mang thought for a moment, "I was shot in the left rib during the battle, and later I was hit by an arrow. The army doctor said that if I was shot again, I would die young."

Shen Ling'er stopped writing. "That really is a madman."

Gu Moran looked at her.

Shen Ling'er narrowed her eyes. "But it's none of my business. If His Majesty keeps him in his service, our Prince Yi's Residence will be targeted if we get close to him. I don't care whether he lives or dies, as long as our manor survives."

Lin Qingdai looked at Gu Moran: "If His Majesty uses Lin Yichen personally, Your Highness, please refrain from gossip."

Liu Ruyan added softly, "We can have General Tuoba deliver the message. He's an old acquaintance from the Northern Territory; no one will find it strange if he brings meat and wine to visit the sick."

Tuoba Mang patted his chest. "Alright! I'll go right now and tell him about the grasslands, the horses, the tribes, the blonde, blue-eyed beauties... uh."

Murong Xue's gaze had already swept over them.

Tuoba Mang immediately changed his tune. "Let's not talk about beauties, let's only talk about war."

The oppressive atmosphere in the side hall eased a little.

But not long after, Uncle Fu returned from the outer courtyard, his sleeves fluttering in the night breeze.

He handed a document to Gu Moran, his face grim.

"Your Highness, the Ministry of War's supplementary verification documents have arrived."

Gu Moran opened it.

The ink on the paper is still fresh.

The Ministry of War requested a verification of all personnel accompanying Prince Yi's Residence in the Northern Territory, especially those from Murong's stables, guards, and coachmen.

The piece of meat in Tuoba Mang's mouth stopped.

The horsewhip in Murong Xue's hand bent the thin wooden frame of the table little by little.

Gu Moran looked at the document and slowly raised her eyes.

"So eager?"

The Ministry of War documents lay on the table, the grease glistening from the roasted lamb leg, landing next to the words " Murong Academy Stables".

Tuoba Mang swallowed the meat, his Adam's apple bobbing heavily. "Young master, you're not doing so well, are you? Why are you being investigated?"

Murong Xue said coldly, "Shut up."

Su Yao took the document and traced the entries down with her fingertips. " The Ministry of War and the Minister of Ministry of Personnel are close, so it's normal that he doesn't want the Prince to be comfortable. Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), the Assistant Minister of Ministry of War will bring people to verify the documents. They will check the people, horses, carriages, and accompanying weapons. Everyone on the roster must be present."

Tuoba Mang immediately puffed out his chest. "If I'm here, I'll accompany them in their investigation. We, the dignified Northern Territory..."

Murong Xue pressed her riding crop against his shoulder. "Your name is Tuo Qing."

Tuoba Mang shrank his neck by half an inch. "I am a stable hand in the dignified Northern Territory."

Gu Moran picked up the light tea.

"Investigate if you will. Investigate Tuoba Mang as if he were a stable boy."

Su Yao looked up. "You really want him to shovel horse manure?"

"He arrived at the manor today, preceded by three manure carts. This opportunity should not be wasted."

Shen Ling'er said softly, "Don't put on any more powder on your face tomorrow morning. It will only make you more attractive."

Liu Ruyan looked at the maid. "Find General Tuo a set of old groom's clothes, make the cuffs worn and the soles of his shoes covered in grass clippings. Also, put some horse oil on his hands and cover the calluses on his weapons."

Tuoba Mang raised his hand and sniffed it. "I often smell horse oil."

Su Yao flipped through the first volume. "The age has to be right too. Tuo Qing is twenty-seven, but you look over thirty."

Tuoba Mang panicked. "I'm only twenty-eight!"

Murong Xue looked at him and said, "You look older than you are."

"Princess..."

Don't feel wronged. With a face like yours, people would believe you're thirty-five.

Gu Moran folded the document. " The Ministry of War will investigate tomorrow. Keep your mouth shut. If they ask you anything, check with Murong Xue first."

Tuoba Mang nodded. "Understood."

Seeing his serious expression, Gu Moran felt even more uneasy. "What if someone provokes you, saying that the people of the Northern Territory are uncouth, that the Murong Academy is hiding soldiers, or that you're a fake stable boy?"

Tuoba Mang glared at him. "Who dares?"

Murong Xue swept her horsewhip across the ground.

Tuoba Mang swallowed his words: "I'm mute, I can only look at the princess."

Murong Xue looked at him, suppressing the fire in her eyes. "Don't embarrass the Northern Territory tomorrow."

Tuoba Mang lowered his head and nodded emphatically. "No."

As the banquet ended, the night breeze carried the aroma of meat away.

Gu Moran did not return to his room, but led the ladies to the study.

In the study, Su Yao reopened the first volume. "The stables of the Murong Courtyard have been supplemented with servants, Tuo Qing, three coachmen, five grooms, and guards within the existing system."

Xie Wanqing flipped through the supplementary register of the Imperial Clan Court: "I've marked Du Heng's name. The Imperial Clan Court added him to the register last year, and the recommender was Zhou Yun, a principal officer of the Ministry of Rites."

Gu Moran looked up. " Zhou Yun?"

"This name appeared in the prison troop rotation register." Xie Wanqing tapped the edge of the page with her fingertip.

When Liu Ruyan entered, she was holding the corner of the paper in her hand. "'Li' character seal fragment, I had someone examine it. The eunuchs at the side gate of Hall of Proper Beauty used a batch of short notes, the seal was incomplete, and they were often cut open to pass messages. The seal on the corner of the paper is similar to that batch of short notes."

"Similar?"

"We can't be so sure." Liu Ruyan folded her handkerchief neatly. " Madam Chun said that if the people from the Eastern Palace's Palace were deliberately trying to expose themselves, they wouldn't be so stupid. Unless they're in a hurry, or someone wants us to keep an eye on the Eastern Palace."

Gu Moran looked at the corner of the paper.

Either the Eastern Palace is in a real hurry.

Either someone is using the remnant of the Eastern Palace seal to draw the Prince's Mansion's attention to the Hall of Proper Beauty.

He didn't give a definitive answer, only asking, "Is there a problem with Du Heng?"

Uncle Fu replied from the doorway, " Cao Yuan left in a hurry, while Du Heng lagged half a step behind. As he left, he gazed at the plaque of the Prince's Mansion for quite a while."

"Have Boss Zhao's men keep an eye on Du Heng."

"This old servant understands."

Shen Ling'er placed the pills beside Gu Moran: "If you're going to keep an eye on others, you have to protect yourself first. When the Ministry of War comes tomorrow, you'll have to pretend to be sick again."

Gu Moran picked up the pill. "I am very skilled at this."

Shen Ling'er stared at him. "You have to get to Yi Prefecture alive."

After saying that, she put the pill into Gu Moran's mouth.