Chapter 422: Northwest War

Upon hearing it was an urgent report from Xi Bei Bian Guan, Prince Qing's face changed on the spot.

He also couldn't spare the time to accompany Sui Sui back to Qi Wangfu, gesturing for the attendants to follow Feng Xuanrui and the others, he turned his head and headed toward the palace.

Urgent report from Xi Bei Bian Guan!

Prince Qi also heard it.

He could no longer afford to grieve, he lifted the curtain and looked toward the horses that had already ridden off, his brows furrowed tightly: "Is it about to break out again?"

Princess Consort of Qi was not particularly surprised.

She let out a light sigh, held Sui Sui tightly in her arms, and said softly: "Prince Qing has not been at the border for nearly a year, and now the Central Plains happen to be in a good autumn harvest season; the various barbarian states perhaps think they can act again, and they are eyeing the Central Plains' autumn harvest, hoping to obtain some winter fodder."

The various barbarian states, whenever this time of year comes, become restless.

With Prince Qing at the border, his reputation as a killing god deterred outsiders; those small barbarian states, even if they wanted to make a move, still had to consider the possibility of annihilation.

But now, Prince Qing is not there.

The deterrence has weakened, and those people again feel they can act.

Prince Qi listened on the side, his brows still not relaxed: "Qing Wang Younger Brother he..."

It's also unknown whether he can go to the battlefield.

But he is surely still concerned about the affairs of Xi Bei Bian Guan.

Prince Qing went to the battlefield at a young age and has stayed in Xi Bei Bian Guan for over ten years.

He has feelings for every blade of grass and tree there.

Most importantly, he met Nian Niang at the border.

All the moments they spent together were in Border Pass City.

So, now that the situation there is tense, he will definitely still go.

But now he still needs to consider one problem.

That is……

Sui Sui.

He is no longer alone and has nothing else to worry about.

He has a weak point, and also has concerns.

But the battlefield still must be gone to.

On his way to the palace, Prince Qing has already considered all kinds of possibilities.

He thought, if he fights quickly, perhaps he can soon end the war and return to Jing Cheng.

Sui Sui……

Temporarily lodged at Qi Wangfu.

There she has her familiar living environment, and the father king and mother consort who dote on her; even if he unfortunately dies on the battlefield, Sui Sui at least still has a way out.

Prince Qing thought a lot.

Sui Sui was asleep; perhaps sensing danger, the little girl's hand grasped in midair, then she started awake with a jolt.

Seeing Sui Sui awake, Princess Consort of Qi gently coaxed her with gentleness, hoping to let her fall asleep again.

But Sui Sui couldn't sleep, her heart feeling panicked.

This made Sui Sui subconsciously press close to the Mother Consort.

Prince Qi, watching from the side as the child suddenly startled, felt heartbroken and also reached out to pat her.

The Northwest indeed has erupted into fighting.

Several small barbarian states, taking advantage of Prince Qing's absence, directly formed an alliance and mustered 150,000 troops for a fierce assault!

Border Pass City naturally also has commanders in place.

All kinds of defenses are in place, and they were not caught off guard by the enemy.

However, the enemy came with great momentum and mostly cavalry; for the defenders of Xi Bei Bian Guan, it is a considerable trial and shock.

Therefore, the garrison commander of Border Pass City directly sent an urgent report to Jing Cheng.

Afterward, the situation of the war is uncertain; when it cannot be guaranteed that the city can be held, he will surely call for help!

His Majesty, hearing the news that the border had erupted into fighting, was furious beyond measure; not smashing the cup was his last vestige of reason.

Hearing that Prince Qing was entering the palace, he hesitated a moment, but still let him in.

If Sui Sui were still being raised at Qi Wangfu, it would have nothing to do with Prince Qing.

His Majesty at this moment naturally would not hesitate, directly allowing Prince Qing to go to the battlefield.

But now there is Sui Sui.

That child has already lost her mother; could it be that we must also let her lose her father?

That won't do!

Although His Majesty values interests and his imperial power, he also values the fortune on Sui Sui's person; moreover, the child herself is lovable, and he is quite fond of her.

So, if possible, His Majesty still needs to take Sui Sui's mood into consideration.

What if the little child's mood is bad and Heaven comes to torment him—what then?

However, the hesitation was only a moment; His Majesty soon firmly willed to let Prince Qing enter.

Northwest……

That is Prince Qing's familiar place; there he has familiar battlefields and familiar opponents; letting Prince Qing go, His Majesty is most reassured.

Although there is still some hesitation in his heart, it will not delay His Majesty's consideration and decision on these matters.

Fortune is important, but the territory of Great Summer and the border people are equally important.

So, Prince Qing must go.

Prince Qing's entry into the palace indeed shows his intention to return to the Northwest.

Although His Majesty had already made up his mind, he still kindly asked him: "You must consider Sui Sui."

Prince Qing had already figured it out along the way; hearing His Majesty say this, Prince Qing quickly replied in a deep voice: "Your younger brother has already considered it thoroughly."

Even if he has Sui Sui, he still must go to the battlefield.

Prince Qing is not acting impulsively without reason, nor does he not love his child.

But when the nest is overturned, how can any egg stay whole?

If Xi Bei Bian Guan falls, the enemy's iron cavalry might well march straight to the capital.

Then who will protect Sui Sui's safety?

He does not want Sui Sui, so young, to have to endure a life of relocating the capital and constant displacement.

Prince Qing only wishes his obedient little daughter could enjoy blessings and live a peaceful life in Jing Cheng.

Even if it means sacrificing his life for this, it does not matter.

In the mortal realm, he is to share all familial joys with Sui Sui.

In the netherworld, he is to continue his marital bond with Nian Niang.

Prince Qing insisted, and His Majesty did not stop him any further.

Prince Qing wants to return to the Northwest and depart as soon as possible.

After all, the urgent border report, with many horses dying en route, reached Jing Cheng only after several days.

Now, how the Northwest war stands, no one can be certain; it would be better to know sooner and set one's mind at ease.

Prince Qing is about to leave, but he actually does not know how to tell Sui Sui.

But Sui Sui sensed it.

Although she is a child who understands nothing, she clearly sees the whispered discussions of those around her and the suddenly tense atmosphere in Jing Cheng.

Seeing her father hold her several times, wanting to speak but stopping, Sui Sui raised her hand and gently smoothed the furrow on his brow, asking softly: "Father, are you going to war?"

Father is a General, merely staying temporarily in Jing Cheng.

He will ultimately have to return to his battlefield.

Sui Sui knew this from the beginning.

Now, she is merely asking out of curiosity.

Sui Sui thought Father should be going to war, but whereas Father once had no attachments, now he has her in his heart, so he hesitates, not knowing what to do.

Sui Sui felt she should behave well and wait for Father to return in Jing Cheng.

But Sui Sui does not want that; she feels that once he leaves, she may never see Father again.

Sui Sui was frightened by this terrible intuition.

Prince Qing quickly said in a muffled voice: "Father is going to the Northwest to drive out the bad people, so they won't dare to come in and bully our Sui Sui."

After hearing Father admit this, Sui Sui thought for a moment and timidly asked: "Father… could you take Sui Sui with you?"