The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 156 A Journey to the Frontier

Seeing Li Huaijiang's hesitation, Shen Hanyu assured him, "I will not delay Your Highness's affairs. Please take good care of Lin Qiufeng."

Li Huaijiang said helplessly, "Alright, go ahead. It's perfect timing since you're going to the border. I have something I'd like you to do."

Shen Hanyu was puzzled, but after listening to Li Huaijiang's explanation, she said that she would definitely do it whenever she had time.

Li Huaijiang left the tent, and the palace maids watched her.

"Your Highness, is it really alright to ask Miss Shen about such an important matter?"

“She is meticulous in her work, and she is cooperating with me for the sake of her father and her own life, so only she can do it, and I feel at ease.”

Li Huaijiang didn't suspect anything, so the palace maids naturally didn't say anything.

Shen Hanyu set off without hesitation. Her carriage quietly left the hunting grounds, and apart from the royal family and Wei Ming, no one else knew where she went.

After returning home and packing her things, Li Jiangui said he would send people to protect her, so there was no need to worry about Li Jing trying to harm her.

Li Jing was indeed unable to take action. Although he knew that Shen Hanyu was going to the border, Li Jiangui's interference in the matter made him dare not act rashly.

Zhao Yu walked over and said, "Your Highness, we can't get anyone to Princess Yongning's side, and Shen Hanyu is now going to find the missing Pei Du. Are we just going to stand by and watch?"

Li Jing sat down and said, "Tell Prime Minister Zhao not to act rashly. We should stay out of this matter. If we interfere too much, Father will notice something. The conditions at the border are harsh. She is just a weak woman. If she goes, so be it."

Li Jing hadn't expected Pei Du's disappearance; he didn't even know if he was truly dead.

Whether Pei Du lives or dies has little impact on Li Jing for the time being, since Pei Du has already left the Duke's mansion.

Li Jing rested his forehead on his hand and pondered for a while, already having a plan in mind.

As she boarded the carriage, Shen Hanyu brought many thick clothes and blankets, knowing it would be very cold there.

The journey to the border will take at least a month. If Pei Du is still not found after a month, then it will be truly dangerous.

Shen Hanyu couldn't help but feel nervous, because she had glimpsed Pei Du's fate, which was why she was acting this way.

Miao Cui noticed that Shen Hanyu's palms were sweaty, so she handed her a handkerchief to wipe them.

"Don't worry, young lady, we'll talk about it when we get to the border."

Shen Hanyu hummed in agreement and wiped the sweat from her hands with a handkerchief.

After leaving Chang'an, she first traveled along the official road, and Li Jiangui sent the Imperial Guards to escort her.

The commander of the Imperial Guards walked at the front and glanced back at the carriage behind him.

This girl is quite bold. The situation at the border is so bad that it gives anyone a headache, let alone in the past. Even the only son of the former Duke's family was unlucky and encountered such a thing not long after he went to the border.

When evening came, they found a post station to rest at. Shen Hanyu washed up and dried herself off quickly, then glanced at the night outside.

The night was chilly, especially at the border. She took out the last reply she had received, back when Pei Du had not yet disappeared.

Shen Hanyu pursed her lips. The battle reports were all sent to Li Jiangui by fast horse. This letter did not mention what happened at the border.

Shen Hanyu looked at Jin Chui, "Starting tomorrow, speed up and get to the border as soon as possible."

Jin Chui's eyes showed a hint of gratitude. He was already very happy that Shen Hanyu had brought him to find Pei Du in person.

He and Pei Du grew up together, so their bond was naturally very strong.

Shen Hanyu put away the letter and went to rest first, planning to get up early the next day to continue her journey.

When morning came, she didn't even have time for breakfast; she just took some flatbread and ate it on the carriage.

The commander yawned and ordered them to get up and set off.

It took a full twenty-five days to travel to the border, and when we finally reached it, it was snowing again.

Shen Hanyu had already changed into thick winter clothes. When she got off the carriage, a blast of cold air made her shiver.

"It's so cold." Miao Cui exhaled a breath of white air. This was her first time at the border, and it was much colder here than in Chang'an.

Jin Chui, wearing a thick hat, looked around.

"Containing jade".

Ji Yuxiu rode over from a distance. She dismounted, still wearing her armor.

"I've heard you were coming. Do you even know how cold it is here right now?"

She was holding a blanket in her hand, and reached out to drape it over Shen Hanyu.

Shen Hanyu wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, her face still a little pale. "I haven't gotten used to it yet."

Ji Yuxiu led her to the camp. "The situation has improved a lot in the past few days. The foreign tribes have been dealt with, but Pei Du has not been found yet."

When Pei Du was mentioned, Ji Yuxiu couldn't help but sigh. She had searched for him many times during this period, but Pei Du seemed to have disappeared into thin air, and she didn't know whether he was dead or alive.

Shen Hanyu had expected this; none of the messages she received along the way mentioned Pei Du, so she knew that Pei Du definitely hadn't returned yet.

"It's alright. I came here to find out his whereabouts. If we can find him, that would be the best outcome."

She clenched her fists, her mind already racing with thoughts.

Ji Yuxiu patted her shoulder: "I've arranged accommodations for you. Someone is handling Pei Du's matter. Would you like to go and take a look?"

Shen Hanyu nodded. She was definitely going to inform the leader here at the border first.

The Imperial Guards safely delivered her, and they will also send her back later, so they are staying here with her for now.

Shen Hanyu remembered what Li Huaijiang had instructed her to do, and she took care of both of them at the same time.

Moreover, they were all looking for people, but the person Li Huaijiang was looking for could only be herself; she couldn't ask anyone else.

Ji Yuxiu took Shen Hanyu to meet General Chen Jianshan.

When Chen Jianshan saw Shen Hanyu, he briefly explained the situation of the past few days to her.

“Pei Du, I’m sending people to search, but we can only search outside the territory controlled by the foreign tribes. If we enter their territory, it will mean war. I also have to consider the other soldiers.”

Shen Hanyu expressed her understanding.

"General Chen, did you not see Pei Du in those places?"

Chen Jianshan said, "If we have any news, we will let you know as soon as possible. Don't go west from here. There are many foreign tribes there. Although they have been driven back now, the situation here can change in an instant, and it's hard to say."

Ji Yuxiu smiled.

"General Chen, don't worry, my friend is very well-behaved and won't cause you any trouble."

Chen Jianshan nodded: "Since he is General Ji's friend, then let General Ji take charge of him."

Ji Yuxiu nodded and walked out with Shen Hanyu.

Upon hearing those words, Shen Hanyu vaguely sensed that something was amiss.

"what happened?"

Ji Yuxiu touched the tip of her nose; it really was very perceptive.

"It's alright. Two tigers can't share one mountain, and besides, that guy looks down on people a bit."

Ji Yuxiu spoke lightly, but she has been here for so long and must have suffered a lot of mistreatment.

Shen Hanyu and Ji Yuxiu walked side by side without saying much else, so that the matter Li Huaijiang had instructed could not be related to Ji Yuxiu.