On the lands of the Li Kingdom, the South Military Crimson Lion Army protects the south walls. In the north is the North Military Wolfsbane Army that safeguards the northern borders. In the east, is the East Military Nine–Tailed Fox Army that fends off enemies along the eastern waters.

At the age of three, the fourth prince Lee Junho was sent off to the east borders by his own mother, Queen Sunmi. Since then, the little prince has been subject to rumors of abandonment.

“The Queen probably didn’t want her younger son to usurp his elder brother’s crown.”

“Aiya, what else could it possibly be?”

“Ai, what a pitiful child. Abandoned by his own biological mother.”

“Did His Majesty not have a say in this?”

“It was too late, by the time he found out, the prince had been sent to live with his godfather, the commander of the Nine–Tailed Fox Army.”

The East Military Nine–Tailed Fox Army was another pride of the Li Kingdom. Under the control of a brilliant and righteous commander was the strength of nine hundred navy soldiers. With the commander as the fox, nine capable and skilled generals assist as the nine tails in leading the army under the commander’s orders.

“Your Highness.” Heechul rushed forward to help the fourth prince up. “You’ve arrived earlier than expected. The sun has only begun to set.”

Junho showed a smile. “The King’s decree should be carried out with much haste.”

Joohyun raised her brow. She noticed that the Fourth Prince addressed his father as the king rather than Royal Father like how Seungwan and the other princes do. She brought her fists together and saluted when the prince’s attention landed on her. “This loyal subject greets Your Highness, the Fourth Prince.”

Seulgi stepped within Junho’s sight. “This loyal subject also greets Your Highness, the Fourth Prince.” The prince pointed at her. Her imperial attire stood out from the other military armor. “You are…?”

“Answering Your Highness, I am the newly appointed Imperial Chief Investigator that His Majesty had sent to investigate the case of General Xiumin’s murder.”

“Ah, you’ve also made it.” Junho nodded. “Please do let me know if there’s anything I can do to help with. An internal strife leaves an opening to the enemy. We should recover the army’s morality as quick as we can.”

He turned back to the military officials and bowed. “It is rather late, but I do send my deepest condolences. Once Chief Investigator solves the case, it is only natural that I return to the East.”

Then Heechul volunteered to Junho to his tent, leaving the remaining three in deep thoughts.

“The Fourth Prince couldn’t have anything to do with this case.” Seulgi paced back and forth around the military map table.

“Why would you think that?” Taeyeon looked up from her desk.

It was Joohyun who answered. “He was the only one who seemed to have benefited from this whole ordeal. But if, like he just mentioned, he was to return from where he came from and had no intention to stay here as our commander…” Basic deductions. “Don’t you think the Crown Prince had anything to do with this?”

Seulgi stopped her pacing. As much as she didn’t want to cross him off their list of suspects, she didn’t have any evidence to prove otherwise. She shook her head once more and said: “No, definitely not. I’ve had my people keep an eye on him. They tail him from sunrise to sunset. He’s been keeping a low profile since the Prime Minister’s execution.”

“But Lengxue is thousands of miles away from the Royal Palace how could you possibly…”

Seulgi gave her a reassuring smile. Although Joohyun had visited the Happiness Brothel branch in Lengxue numerous times already, it was only to send hers and Seungwan’s letters to Seulgi. What she didn’t know was that Joy had already handed over the information trading system to Seulgi.

With her deputy commander duties in the palace, she stationed her people all around the crown prince. With the help of Happiness Brothel, she’s been able to keep a careful watch on Joohyun and Seungwan, even if they were thousands of miles away.

At first, the updates were well–detailed down to the most intimate contact. But when Seulgi couldn’t handle how much Joohyun preferred to link her arms with Seungwan any longer, the updated slips shrank by half their initial size.

“Are you doubting my abilities, Captain?” Seulgi teased.

“Well, with how often you reply to our letters, I believe I have a very valid reason to doubt your abilities, Deputy Commander.” Joohyun returned an equally teasing smirk.

Taeyeon leaned back in her chair as she watched the two before her continue to banter back and forth. It had been a while since she heard her eldest daughter’s genuine laughter.

The following days played much into Joohyun’s amusement. She was about to head into a meeting with Chen when a lower-ranking soldier flagged her down.

“Captain! Captain!”

“I am only a few feet away. What is it?” 

“Bad, it is very bad!”

“Out with it already.”

“It seems that the Imperial Chief Investigator wanted to ride Lala…”

Joohyun didn’t waste a second and darted off for the horse stalls. Lala was one of the twin foals she had raised. Lulu had been taken in by Seulgi and she was left with Lala. But that was the issue