The general was not loyal to Li Yu or the Queen, but to Xu Shi.
He did not know why the Princess would ask such a question. After a moment of silence, he replied, "Since there is no edict, the general has to return to the south."
"It is better to be honest at such a time. If I have not anticipated wrongly, General Xu Shi started on his return journey after the news of father's passing away spread to the south."
Li Yu said, "This is not the time to investigate these matters. I want you to tell the old general that Chang'an and the Empire of Tang need him now. The imperial edicts issued by the West-Hill Divine Palace to attack the Tang Empire will surely do him no good. Please ask him to be careful."
The general thought that the Princess would blame the military for taking actions without permission, and he didn't expect such an instruction from her. He said, "Your Highness, please rest assured that the general would definitely return to Chang'an safely."