Liu Rumei finished reading the news from Shuozhou, and tears of joy streamed down her face. The matter she was most concerned about finally had the best outcome; most of the people had returned.
What made Liu Rumei even happier was that Liu Xiangnan had also sent word from the border, reporting that everything was calm and peaceful there.
Receiving these two pieces of good news in one day greatly improved Liu Rumei's mood. Chen Xiaobei could clearly feel the change in his wife's spirits, and when she was happy, he felt a little better too.
"Rumei, everything is better than we anticipated. It seems unlikely that the Great Tu Kingdom will invade us now."
Liu Rumei nodded gently. "Yes, without the element of surprise, they would have little chance of winning a direct confrontation with us. So, as long as my father is at the border, they probably won't dare to attack again."
Chen Xiaobei frowned. "This problem needs a permanent solution. We can't have our father stationed at the border forever."
"But the Great Tu Kingdom is strong, and we are weak. If we proactively seek peace, they will likely refuse, unless we can make them come to us."
Liu Rumei appeared worried. Chen Xiaobei pondered for a moment, then smiled.
"I have a way. We can send Duobang back."
"Brother Xiaobei, Duobang is Qiaopusen's captain of the guard, and he committed a capital offense. If we just let him go..."
Chen Xiaobei raised his hand. "Duobang assassinated the Crown Prince, which is against the laws of our Great Cang. Of course. But think about it, when our eldest and second senior sisters entered Qingguang City, they even killed the Grand Tutor of the Great Tu Kingdom. That's why Qiaopusen was so eager for revenge!"
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Liu Rumei fell silent. What he said was indeed true.
Then again, if it hadn't been for the chaos caused by the Lotus Sect Master and others in Qingguang City, her own retreat wouldn't have been so easy.
"Brother Xiaobei, our two countries have a deep-seated enmity. If you say we can bury the hatchet, I doubt it's possible."
Chen Xiaobei did not give up after hearing her words.
"Life is unpredictable. And given the current situation, with our father-in-law holding the fort at the border, it won't be easy for the Great Tu Kingdom to win."
"But conversely, it's equally difficult for my father-in-law to launch an offensive into the Great Tu Kingdom."
"Duobang is as good as dead to us. But if we send him back, it might yield better results than killing him. I want to meet him tonight!"
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, a flash of light appeared in Liu Rumei's eyes. "Is this really feasible?"
"If Duobang doesn't keep his word after returning, then all our efforts will be in vain."
"So what? We can just start all over. If we keep Duobang here, the end result would be beheading him and saying we avenged the Crown Prince. But given the current situation, that's meaningless!"
After listening to Chen Xiaobei, Liu Rumei nodded again. "Alright, then everything will be as you say!"
Chen Xiaobei made arrangements and then went to see Bai Han, explaining his idea of letting Duobang go. Bai Han listened and repeatedly shook his head.
"Imperial Son-in-Law, this matter is too risky. We might be acting out of goodwill, but Duobang may not appreciate it."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hands a couple of times and looked at Bai Han earnestly. "How will we know if we don't try? The Crown Prince has been buried, and the people, after experiencing the New Year, are about to face the grief of the Emperor being assassinated. In such times, who will remember this Duobang?"
"Besides, even if we kill Duobang, what use is it? The people don't care about who we avenge; they care about having enough to eat, clothes to wear, and their families reunited."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Bai Han was inwardly surprised. He had served beside Xiao An and had some understanding of grand theories and state governance. However, what Chen Xiaobei said surpassed his comprehension.
Chen Xiaobei was thinking of the common people.
With this thought, Bai Han clasped his hands in respect and said, "Since Imperial Son-in-Law is willing to risk his personal safety to meet this Duobang, I will make the arrangements immediately."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "There's no need to make it sound so dire. I believe there will be no danger."
At the third watch, Chen Xiaobei arrived at the imperial prison on time. Bai Han was already waiting there. Upon seeing Chen Xiaobei, Bai Han clasped his hands in greeting and then turned to leave, without any further exchange between them.
Bai Han led Chen Xiaobei directly into the imperial prison.
This time, Bai Han did not take Chen Xiaobei to Duobang's cell but invited him into a separate interrogation room.
"Imperial Son-in-Law, please wait a moment. I will go and bring the prisoner."
Bai Han went to Duobang's cell and shook the chains.
Duobang, roused from his sleep, rubbed his groggy eyes and looked at Bai Han in the lamplight.
Bai Han's expression was impassive. He said in a deep voice, "Come, get up and follow me."
Duobang offered no resistance and stood up.
With a wave of his hand, two prison guards stepped forward to open the cell door.
As the door opened and Duobang stepped out, the guards on either side immediately fastened an additional chain.
Bai Han turned and walked away, with Duobang following behind.
Bai Han led Duobang directly to the interrogation room where Chen Xiaobei was, pushed the door open, and stepped aside, gesturing inside.
Duobang stood at the doorway and looked in.
Sitting inside was Chen Xiaobei, whom Duobang found vaguely familiar.
With a puzzled look, he glanced at Bai Han. Bai Han pointed inside and said loudly, "Go in, Imperial Son-in-Law has something to say to you!"
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's name, Duobang's heart skipped a beat. He had been captured while attempting to assassinate Chen Xiaobei, so the name was particularly sensitive.
Filled with doubts, Duobang entered the room, bowed to Chen Xiaobei, and said loudly, "Duobang pays his respects to Imperial Son-in-Law!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded gently and gestured to a chair at the far end.
"Duobang, please sit down. I have something to say to you."
Duobang cautiously sat on the chair. After all, he was wearing handcuffs and shackles, with two extra chains. It was impossible for him to escape, let alone harm Chen Xiaobei.
"Duobang, I want to let you go back!"
At this opening statement, Duobang's heart jolted. He had never expected to leave Wannian City alive after killing Xiao Jingyun.
Therefore, he needed to probe the situation. With this thought, he sighed. "Imperial Son-in-Law, since I have fallen into your hands, I accept whatever fate awaits me, be it death or torture. But for a man facing death, if you truly intend to let me go, please state your conditions."
Looking at the serious Duobang, Chen Xiaobei nodded slightly. Duobang was a clever man and understood that Chen Xiaobei wouldn't let him go for no reason.