The prince is fierce: Who dares to steal my woman?

Chapter 39 The Confident Crown Prince

The next day, Tiger Guard Camp.

The Tiger Warriors, clad in iron armor and wielding gleaming spears and blades, stood fully armed before the camp. Their disciplined bearing seemed to emanate an inviolable resolve from every strand of their hair. Sunlight danced on their armor, reflecting a dazzling light, making the eve of the impending storm even more tense and solemn, like tigers about to leap from the jungle to face the unknown foe.

Inside the tent, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost freezing.

Xiao Jinyan and Huan Rongzu stood side by side, their expressions as solemn as statues, their eyes flashing with deep worry and determination for what was about to happen. Their shadows were long, cast by the sunlight streaming in from outside the tent, projecting two resolute and unyielding silhouettes, as if they were ready to transform into sharp swords at any moment, poised to unleash their full passion on the battlefield at the first command.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence inside the tent. Luo Chuan, looking flustered, almost stumbled into the tent. He was covered in sweat, breathing rapidly, as if he had just woken from a nightmare, his eyes filled with anxiety and helplessness.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Jinyan felt a sense of foreboding. He frowned and asked in a low, urgent voice, "Where is the Crown Prince? Where is he right now?"

Luo Chuan's lips trembled, as if every word weighed a ton: "The Crown Prince... the Crown Prince ignored my advice and insisted on going to the palace."

Xiao Jinyan's pupils contracted sharply, and an ominous premonition spread down his spine like ice. He almost roared as he demanded, "Didn't you tell him that the Prince of Guangling intended to harm him?"

Luo Chuan closed his eyes in pain, his hands clenched into fists, his voice filled with self-blame and helplessness: "I told him, but the Crown Prince... he said that He Jian has been appointed as the Commander-in-Chief and is personally guarding the palace. Even if the Prince of Guangling wanted to harm him, he would have no chance of succeeding."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's face darkened further. He thought to himself, "Your Highness... He Jian has only been the Commander-in-Chief for a few days. In such a short time, he probably can't even guarantee the most basic purity of the troops. Where does your confidence come from?"

"Did you tell the Crown Prince that I personally gathered information that the Prince of Guangling has laid a trap in the palace, waiting for the Crown Prince to step in before a meticulously planned assassination?"

Every word Xiao Jinyan uttered seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying an undeniable determination and anger.

Luo Chuan nodded painfully, tears welling up in her eyes: "I told you, I really told you everything, but the Crown Prince... he said that the Heir Apparent is just a spoiled brat who only knows how to spread rumors and cause trouble, and doesn't understand anything about national affairs."

At this point, Luo Chuan's voice was almost choked with emotion. He knew that although he had tried his best, he still could not prevent this tragedy from happening.

Xiao Jinyan was immediately filled with despair, thinking to himself, "Alas... my Crown Prince... have you been out of touch with the grassroots for too long? If you had come to the Tiger Guard Camp to inspect the work more often recently, or if you had asked He Jian more about my work situation, you would definitely not have treated me like a spoiled brat anymore!"

There's no other way; we have to go all in this time!

Xiao Jinyan's resolute face gained even more determination. His gaze was piercing as he stared intently at Huan Rongzu, whose expression was solemn. He spoke each word with unwavering authority: "Rongzu, issue my order: the Tiger Warriors shall immediately prepare and march with me into the palace to rescue the Crown Prince!"

Upon hearing this, Huan Rongzu's expression changed drastically, his brows furrowed as if a thousand-pound burden weighed on his heart, and he said sternly, "General, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

Xiao Jinyan said sternly, "Why not?"

Huan Rongzu hurriedly explained, "General, you must know that to mobilize troops into the palace without authorization is a grave offense against imperial authority, a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan's eyes flashed with a mixture of determination and helplessness: "Rongzu, how could I not know the stakes involved? But with the nation in peril, surrounded by powerful enemies and plagued by treacherous traitors, what will become of the Song Dynasty if the Crown Prince is harmed by such villains? Only then will the world truly descend into chaos, with people displaced and suffering immense loss! As a Tiger-like General of the Imperial Guard, I am obligated to serve the Emperor and cannot disregard the safety of the nation for my own selfish reasons."

Like the special forces soldier in his previous life, Xiao Jinyan in this life carries the weight of his mission and responsibility for his country and the world.

Upon hearing this, Huan Rongzu felt a mix of emotions. He knew Xiao Jinyan's loyalty and sense of responsibility, but he was also deeply worried: "General, please listen to me. The distance between the East Palace and the Imperial Palace is not far, and it only takes the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to go back and forth. However, more than two incense sticks have already passed. According to the time calculation, the Crown Prince is probably... probably already in grave danger."

Upon hearing this, a resolute glint flashed in Xiao Jinyan's eyes. He clenched his fists, as if to concentrate all his determination and courage in that instant: "Rongzu, my mind is made up! Even if there is only a sliver of hope, we must try. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the nation. If anything were to happen to him, the Song Dynasty would be plunged into utter ruin!"

Upon hearing this, Huan Rongzu hurriedly said, "General, you have privately mobilized troops to storm the palace. Whether it is to protect the emperor or to commit treason, who can say for sure? This time, I'm afraid you won't be able to save the crown prince, and you will also get yourself killed!"

Luo Chuan's eyes flashed with an undeniable determination. He took a deep breath and said to Xiao Jinyan with a resolute will, "General, I will lead my brothers into the palace to rescue the Crown Prince. If anything goes wrong on this mission, I, Luo Chuan, will bear all the consequences alone, and it will have nothing to do with you, General."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan frowned, his expression grave, and said, "How can this be?"

After listening, Huan Rongzu pondered for a moment, then said in a steady and powerful voice, "Very well, Luo Chuan, you lead your troops into the palace. If you can save the Crown Prince, it will be a great achievement. If the Crown Prince has unfortunately been killed, you must return immediately, inform us of the news, and then we can make further plans."

After hearing this, Xiao Jinyan remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons in his mind. Finally, he slowly nodded, his eyes revealing determination: "Alright, it's decided then. Luo Chuan, listen carefully, if the Crown Prince is still alive, you must do everything in your power to rescue him. He is the Crown Prince of the Song Dynasty, and his life cannot be lost."

Upon hearing this, Luo Chuan knelt on one knee, his eyes gleaming with unwavering loyalty and determination: "General, rest assured, I will do my utmost. If necessary, I am willing to exchange my life for the safety of the Crown Prince to repay your kindness."

Xiao Jinyan quickly helped Luo Chuan up, a barely perceptible tear glistening in her eyes: "Don't say that! Luo Chuan, remember, no matter what, I want you to come back alive. This is a military order, and it's my only request of you."

Luo Chuan bowed deeply again, his eyes shining with unwavering determination: "General, rest assured, I, Luo Chuan, am going."

After saying this, he turned around and strode out of the tent. His figure appeared exceptionally tall in the sunlight, like a hero about to embark on a journey.