“Wait! Sister, why are you going to the Northern City? What happened?”

Lin Shaoyang was completely bewildered when he heard that his younger sister was heading to the Northern City.

How could something so major have happened in just one day without him knowing?

“Oh, it hasn’t rained in the north for a month. The emperor has ordered me to investigate the people’s conditions and handle the disaster situation.”

Lin Yuxin shrugged and explained calmly.

“Sister, how can they send a young girl like you for something this serious? The emperor actually agreed to this? Is there no one else in the court?”

Lin Shaoyang was anxious.

His sister had only returned home for a little over half a year and hadn’t even enjoyed a peaceful life yet.

Now, they were burdening her with such a huge responsibility?

She was just a young woman—what could she possibly do?

“Second Brother, there’s no choice. The emperor’s grace is boundless. Since he has issued the decree, I must go. The imperial edict will arrive tomorrow morning.”

Seeing her brother’s worried expression, Lin Yuxin felt warmth in her heart and spoke to reassure him.

“Enough. Our sister has the Regent Prince protecting her, so nothing will happen. Besides, she’s very capable! Don’t worry.”

Lin Chenglie patted Lin Shaoyang’s shoulder, signaling him to relax.

Lin Yuxin was someone who could even scold the emperor to his face.

How could she possibly be in danger? Besides, her abilities were real.

Even as a military man, Lin Chenglie could tell that her defensive strategies were brilliant.

“The Regent Prince? The Regent Prince is going too? That’s good, then. Big Brother, should we prepare some gifts for the Regent Prince so he can take extra care of our little sister? Even though he usually keeps his distance from women, he should still be willing to look after someone if we ask, right?”

Lin Shaoyang felt slightly relieved upon hearing that the Regent Prince would be accompanying his sister. But as he spoke, he started to feel uneasy.

Earlier, when he saw the Regent Prince personally escorting his sister, he already sensed something was off.

Now, they were traveling together?

Would his sister still be the same adorable little sister when she returned?

Lin Chenglie looked at his clueless second brother and sighed internally.

Ask the Prince for help?

The Regent Prince was already on the verge of being completely won over by their sister! Wasn’t this just sending her straight into his arms?

“Second Brother, don’t worry. Since the emperor is sending me with the Regent Prince, he won’t let anything happen to me. Besides, don’t forget—I have the Imperial Sword! If anyone dares to obstruct me, I can just execute them on the spot.”

Lin Yuxin shook the box in her hands, which she had been holding onto for a while.

“T-That… That box contains the Imperial Sword?”

Lin Shaoyang stuttered in disbelief.

Had he gone too long without kneeling in respect—would this be considered disrespectful to the emperor’s grace?

“Yes! This is the Imperial Sword bestowed upon me by the emperor. He said that if anyone dares to hinder my disaster relief efforts, I have the authority to act first and report later.”

Lin Yuxin raised her chin proudly, looking rather smug, which made her two brothers chuckle.

“Alright then! Let’s go see Mother first. Though the Prince has already sent word, she’s still been worried about you all this time.”

Lin Shaoyang, seeing that things were settled, decided not to argue further.

However, he still planned to prepare more silver for his sister tomorrow, just in case she needed it on the road.

“Okay!”

Lin Yuxin nodded and hurried toward their mother’s courtyard with the box in her arms.

“Mother!”

Even before she arrived, her voice reached the courtyard.

“You little rascal, you’re back. Are you hungry? I’ve been waiting to eat with you all.”

Zhao Hanya finally felt relieved upon hearing her daughter’s voice.

When she saw Yuxin happily walking in, she didn’t even ask about the palace matters.

Instead, she only cared about whether her daughter had eaten.

Lin Chenglie and Lin Shaoyang followed behind her.

“I’m starving! I haven’t eaten all day—just had a small snack at the Prince’s place. I’m really hungry now.”

Lin Yuxin clung to Zhao Hanya’s arm and acted spoiled.

“Come on, then. I had the servants prepare all your favorite dishes.”

Zhao Hanya smiled and pulled her daughter toward the dining hall.

“Wait! Mother, let me put this away first.”

Lin Yuxin pointed at the box in her arms.

This was something she couldn’t just leave lying around—it needed to be properly stored.

“That’s the Imperial Sword? Child, how can you just carry it around like that? Hurry up and put it away properly!”

Zhao Hanya finally noticed the box her daughter had been holding all along and was stunned.

This was an imperial gift! How could her daughter be swinging it around like a toy?

That was a serious offense!

Zhao Hanya felt a surge of fear at the thought.

Her eldest son had already told her about the situation in the palace.

She knew that the emperor had granted her daughter the title of Princess Pingning and entrusted her with a major responsibility. As a mother, she was naturally worried.

But now that things were set in stone, all she could do was support her daughter’s decision.

“Hehe! I’ll go put it away now!”

Lin Yuxin chuckled foolishly before running off with the box.

“This child is so reckless! How will she ever find a husband like this?”

Zhao Hanya sighed in worry as she watched her daughter disappear.

Lin Chenglie had been silent this whole time, but upon hearing their mother’s words, he sighed internally.

Mother, you don’t need to worry about that anymore.

Your daughter is already about to be taken by the ‘wild boar’!

“Mother, don’t worry. Sister will definitely find a good match.”

Lin Chenglie reassured her.

“Exactly, Mother. If she doesn’t, we’ll just take care of her for the rest of her life.”

Lin Shaoyang also promised.

“You two! Can’t you hope for something better for your sister? In just two months, Yuxin will be of marriageable age. If it were before, she would have had a hard time finding a good match, given that she grew up in the countryside.”

“But things are different now. Even though she’s a woman, the emperor values her highly and has entrusted her with important responsibilities. That makes her a hot commodity! Soon, suitors will be lining up at our doorstep.”

Zhao Hanya chuckled as she led her two sons to the dining hall.

Her children were all grown now, and it was time to start thinking about their marriages.

Her eldest son’s match seemed promising, and she planned to find an opportunity next month to invite Lady Fu to Bai Ling Temple under the pretense of making a wish—just so they could take a look at each other.

She hoped that Lady Fu would take a liking to Chenglie.

“Mother, Sister will be leaving for the Northern City in three days. She probably won’t make it back in time for her coming-of-age ceremony.”

Lin Chenglie informed his mother so she could be mentally prepared.

“Three days? That’s so soon!”

Zhao Hanya was shocked.

“Mother, it’s an urgent matter that can’t be delayed.”

Lin Chenglie spoke in a low voice.

Zhao Hanya was silent for a moment before nodding.

“I understand. I’ll prepare everything she needs to bring tomorrow.”

Her children were grown, and they needed to spread their wings. As a mother, she had to learn to let go.

Meanwhile, Lin Yuxin returned to her courtyard and had just put the box away when she was startled by the sudden appearance of Leng Han.

“Who are you?”

“Miss Lin, I am Leng Han, the Prince’s secret guard. His Highness asked me to deliver this to you.”

Leng Han spoke coldly.

Lin Yuxin looked at his hand and finally recognized the item—it was a gift from the Empress.

She suddenly felt embarrassed.

She had completely forgotten about it!

Quickly taking the box, she thanked him.

“Thank you for making this trip, Leng Han.”

“It is my duty. I shall take my leave now.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished.

Lin Yuxin watched in awe.

She wished she had skills like that too.

It seemed that Li Xiaocheng truly had many talented people by his side.