In gratitude to Chu Shun, Xie Jingchen sparred with him, not holding back at all, truly pushing Chu Shun’s potentials during the spar.

Chu Shun got thrashed so badly that he lay on the ground, insisting on Xie Jingchen to help him up.

The surrounding soldiers laughed so hard their shoulders almost dislocated.

Face is an important thing.

But having been in the army for so long, face was something Chu Shun and his peers had mostly left behind.

However, despite losing face, they’ve achieved many great deeds; not to mention the fact that their discovery of Xie Jingchuan’s poisoning incident made them almost heroes for the entire Flying Tiger Army.

Certainly, this was partly due to Xie Jingchen instructing them to keep an eye on Xie Jingchuan, but they had to take it seriously.

This favor is acknowledged by all the Flying Tiger Army.

Xie Jingchen beat Chu Shun twice, finally venting his anger.

Yet Chu Shun, laying on the ground asking Xie Jingchen to help, again stirred a bit of his anger.

Habitually acting in a provoking way leads to provoking situations.

Su Jin has always been soft-hearted; without a plank bed, she definitely wouldn’t let him sleep on the floor.

Chu Shun’s goodwill eventually blocked Xie Jingchen’s retreat.

He had stayed in Nanliang for months before returning.

Xie Jingchen went to help Chu Shun.

As soon as he touched, Chu Shun withdrew his hand swiftly, "No need, I can get up myself."

Chu Shun grimaced as he descended from the sparring platform, while Prince NanAn and others patted his arm.

Typically, adding insult to injury.

"How are you feeling now?" asked the Heir of Marquis Beining.

"I’ll repay this beating sooner or later," said Chu Shun.

"..."

"You have spirit, but can you actually beat Brother Jingchen?" said the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo, pouring cold water on him.

Chu Shun glared at him, "I never said I’d beat him."

"Then who are you going to beat?" the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo was puzzled.

"The Heir of Marquis Changning of Nanliang," said Chu Shun.

"Big brother wasn’t like this before; it is he who led big brother astray!"

It’s not workable to beat big brother, but beating the Heir of Marquis Changning—it’s no trouble!

Some oblivious princely heir stood there, having the embroideress measuring him for wedding clothes.

Both Marquis Changning and his Madam arrived at the Zhao Family, being utterly satisfied with the match between their son and Miss Zhao.

Back when Prime Minister Zhao hadn’t resigned, Marchioness Changning had set her sights on Miss Zhao; however, fearing Prime Minister Zhao’s dissent, she didn’t dare speak.

Changning Marquis Mansion’s status wasn’t poor, and the two families were well-matched, except their son’s unremarkable appearance might not catch Prime Minister Zhao’s eye.

Hesitating, she never opened her mouth, and then Prime Minister Zhao resigned.

Now, Marquis Changning also found an excuse to leave the Capital to handle affairs, departing with Marchioness Changning; and after General Shi joined Zhao Xu, they had no other opportunities to return to the Capital.

Living together now, Mrs. Zhao Xiang wouldn’t hesitate about her daughter getting married and leaving her side, nor worry about conflicts between daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law. The daughter was not young anymore, so marrying early was indeed beneficial—General Shi suggested arranging the wedding soon, and she readily agreed.

Marquis Changning and his wife arrived at the Zhao Family yesterday, and today, they had almost arranged the wedding banquet, engrossed in discussions until the maid reminded them that wedding gowns and dress hadn’t been prepared yet.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime major event, can’t be careless, so they called for the best embroideress to measure attire.

Dong Chenglang felt a bit conflicted inside.

To resist it, yet not very resistant.

To embrace it, yet a muddled feeling surfaced.

That night, the darkness concealed all but Xie Jingchen and Zhao Xu, understanding that someone kicked him into the water—the maid said his response upon seeing Miss Zhao fall into the water was faster than Zhao Xu’s...

Dong Chenglang understood what was going on and dared not explain.

Being kicked into the water—didn’t he mind his dignity?

Especially when Miss Zhao cast him a gaze full of tenderness after recovering from her cold—how could his heart not ripple?

Though he was forced into this position, it felt quite comfortable.

As soon as the embroideress finished measuring, Dong Chenglang made an excuse to leave hurriedly; but while rushing, he bumped into Miss Zhao at the door.

If not for his quick reflex, she’d have been sent flying.

Both turned beet-red.

After steadying her, Dong Chenglang fled with blushing ears.

Miss Zhao returned indoors, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Marchioness Changning held her forehead, "They’re going to marry, and yet still so unpredictable."

Mrs. Zhao Xiang also shook her head.

The maid covered her mouth, chuckling, "Miss shyly returned to her room; she probably won’t step out all afternoon. Shall I bring the embroideress to measure her size?"

"Go," said Mrs. Zhao Xiang with a laugh.

The two continued examining albums, choosing patterns, moving with leisure, while Prime Minister Zhao and Zhao Xu kept themselves busy non-stop.

Overthrowing the court is a major affair, slightest carelessness would mean complete defeat.

Compared to the court, they lacked military strength. The border battles caused the court heavy losses in soldiers, and Daqi hadn’t withdrawn their army yet, leaving Nanliang cautious.

Most of the troops were still gathered at the border.

While Nanliang hesitated to withdraw, it was precisely their golden opportunity; naturally, if they could open doors without much effort, it would be ideal.

Prime Minister Zhao, having abstained from court factions for years, maintained clean-handed disciples and enjoyed a good reputation among the populace.

With General Shi’s defection towards Zhao Xu, how could those guarding the city not reconsider?

Aligning now meant the honor of following the dragon.

Leveraging his eloquence, Prime Minister Zhao persuaded the guards of two cities to open their gates.

The news spread swiftly both to the Nanliang Capital and the border.

The Emperor of Nanliang was furious, ordering the annihilation of rebels at all costs.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Nanliang was overwhelmed at the border.

Duke Huguo had died.

General Shi led trusted aides in rebellion.

Accompanying him were seven or eight generals; those remaining were Duke Huguo’s loyalists.

Their bootlicking and painting a rosy picture were unmatched, yet their strategic prowess was limited.

To rely on them for battle—better hand over the city to Daqi directly!

However, to request peace, the Prince of Nanliang struggled with pride, especially as Nanliang initiated the battle.

To propose peace, Daqi would surely be exorbitant.

Displaying the no-war card meant waiting, eliminating Zhao Xu, then safely confronting Daqi to a chaotic duel.

Both Marquis Dongxiang and the Prince were aware of Nanliang’s little schemes, yet they trusted Zhao Xu.

General Shi’s reputation was solid.

With so many soldiers at the border, daily expenses were substantial, but these could be recovered from Nanliang.

Seeing the soldiers idle, Su Jin engaged them in suitable tasks, sparing manpower from waste.

Time flew—half a month passed.

Su Jin took a stroll outside and returned to the tent with Xingxing’s support.

The larger stomach meant sore legs from short walks.

Sitting on a small couch, Xingxing kneaded Su Jin’s legs and remarked, "Nanliang is indeed annoying, displaying no-war cards without peace proposals; are we just waiting it out?"

"Not much longer," Su Jin replied.

Once the soldiers’ canal project completes, her father will target Nanliang, distributing hard-earned pay for the soldiers to reunite with their families.