Everyone was looking at him, including Su Jin and Qin Hanhan, who had just arrived.

"Speak quickly," Chu Shun urged.

The Commandery Prince NanAn was in a rush and exhausted from today’s battle, panting slightly. He poured himself some tea to soothe his throat and said, "General Ningyuan’s cousin is the third young master of the Zheng family in Sui State."

"The third young master of the Zheng family in Sui State?" The Heir of Marquis Beining was utterly confused.

"Who is that?"

"...."

"It’s your brother-in-law, the fifth son-in-law of the Zhou family," Prince NanAn was a bit frustrated.

"...."

How would he know about all these roundabout relatives, yet he’s still expected to? It’s implying that he knows more, which makes him uncomfortable!

Chu Shun remembered that the Heir of Marquis Beining indeed had such a brother-in-law; he and Zhao Xu had accompanied the heir to the Zhou family to greet the bride.

Actually, the Heir of Marquis Beining had seen them too, but he had too many brother-in-laws, a total of six, and the wedding was rushed, leaving him feeling nothing but awkwardness without knowing who was who.

The Old Master Zhou, having no sons under his knee, left the vast Zhou family fortune to be inherited. At the Zhou family house, Chu Shun witnessed how ruthless those brother-in-laws of the Heir of Marquis Beining could be.

If not for the accompaniment of Zhao Xu and him, the Heir of Marquis Beining could hardly handle it alone.

Old Master Zhou said he made a will and left it with Marquis Dongxiang, who shares the best relationship with the Heir of Marquis Beining.

The Zhou family fortune is so vast that those son-in-laws would spare no effort to fight and seize it.

Thinking of the ambition of the fourth son-in-law of Zhou, bold enough to covet the Beauty Pavilion, Su Jin really felt anxious for the Heir of Marquis Beining.

The Zhou family’s wealth battle hasn’t even started yet, and he nearly got killed by an arrow; one can’t foresee how many more schemes he’ll face in the future.

The Heir of Marquis Beining confirmed that he had no personal enmity with General Ningyuan, but given the Zhou family’s wealth that could rival nations, it’s hard to believe that the cousin would not harbor the intent to eliminate his rival by helping his family.

He was smart in choosing a place to strike, dying by an enemy’s arrow at the wall - who would suspect him?

It’s using an arrow to harm someone, blaming it on Nanliang to carry this black pot!

The Heir of Marquis Beining was so enraged that his wound hurt terribly.

Prince NanAn looked at him and said, "Why are you angry? Focus on healing."

"Your vengeance, we’ll help you avenge it."

Daring to harm their brother—clearly, life was too comfortable for them!

That night, General Ningyuan broke his nose badly from a fall.

General Ningyuan knew who caused his fall, yet he had no complaints to say.

For his arrow injury tactic, Commandery Prince NanAn knew and didn’t expose it—not to save his face but because the method was clever. He simply kicked something and accidentally hit another officer, knocking into the Heir of Marquis Beining.

He could totally say it was unintentional.

Knowing that they couldn’t confront him openly, does it necessarily have to be in the open?

They thought in a sneaky manner about teaching him a lesson to vent, while he had no place to express his frustration.

General Ningyuan thought that breaking his nose was enough to dissipate the Heir’s anger, yet it was far from enough.

After breaking his nose, he nursed the injury in the camp for two days, fell again while bathing, and broke his arm this time.

Two falls in three days, each worse than the last.

Having broken his right arm, remaining in the camp was useless. Marquis Dongxiang ordered him home to recover.

General Ningyuan dared not disobey, fearing if he stayed, he would eventually lose his life from a mishap.

Just that on the day he left, his face couldn’t be more upset.

Promoting within the military is difficult, quite unlike civil servants who can rise anytime; military ranks advance through military achievements.

If one doesn’t accumulate achievements during battle, there’s even less chance during peaceful times.

He had planned to seize this opportunity to climb a couple of ranks, now... it’s good enough to maintain his current rank.

After General Ningyuan left, Chu Shun looked at the Heir of Marquis Beining and said, "We were still too soft-hearted; if he dares to be dishonest in the future, we’ll take him out for you."

Xueling, who was listening nearby, trembled with fear.

After suffering such falls, General Ningyuan would likely avoid them from now on; how would he dare to be dishonest?

The Heir of Marquis Beining expressed gratitude by bowing while laying in bed.

Prince NanAn was sitting by the bedside and affectionately patted his shoulder, "Why are you being so polite with us?"

The Heir of Marquis Beining was deeply moved.

But the feeling quickly turned to disdain—

Prince NanAn’s nose itched, and he sneezed loudly at him.

Yinzhou.

Nanyang Marquis Mansion.

Outside the delivery room, Princess NanAn was pacing anxiously, while the maid followed behind with a fan.

The cries of pain were increasingly loud.

She had been in the delivery room for two hours and still hadn’t given birth, making Princess NanAn very anxious.

In her lifetime, she had only given birth to the Commandery Prince NanAn, but the pain of childbirth was still vivid in Princess NanAn’s memory.

Though this is an ordeal all women must face, childbirth is like crossing the threshold of hell itself, inevitably worrying people.

Su Jin had mentioned that full-term birth either a month ahead or delayed by half-month is normal. Princess NanAn feared it happening earlier, thus predicted her grandson’s birth would be half a month early.

Luckily she arrived early; she came two days ago, and today at noon the labor began.

After having a few extra bites of lunch, the maid supported Nie Yao for a stroll in the garden; while walking, her stomach began to hurt.

Princess NanAn walked as she stopped, the maid almost bumped into her, "Princess, don’t be anxious, the Princess Consort and the little prince will definitely be safe."

Princess NanAn said nothing, took the round fan from the maid’s hand, and fanned frantically.

Princess NanAn, in her haste, blamed her son; if he weren’t so muddle-headed, she wouldn’t have let Nie Yao return to Yinzhou.

With a large belly, it’s not easy to venture back to the Capital; in the Capital, she could summon three to five midwives, but here, she only brought one along.

In the Prince Mansion, when she was extremely anxious, she had the Prince to accompany her, so she wouldn’t be so nervous.

As she heard the midwife instructing Nie Yao to exert effort, Princess NanAn wished she could help Nie Yao exert her strength.

Sweat formed densely on her forehead, wiped over and over.

From the time of labor at noon until sunset when the courtyard was brightly lit, Nie Yao’s cries gradually weakened.

Princess NanAn feared what might happen and quickly sent someone to call the doctor.

Just as the doctor arrived, the cry of a newborn baby followed.

The resounding cry made Princess NanAn’s nose tingle with emotion.

Thank heavens, finally born.

The midwife came out to announce the good news, "Congratulations Princess, it’s a young princely heir."

Princess NanAn was overjoyed and asked, "How is the Princess Consort?"

"The Princess Consort seems to be fine, just exhausted, she’ll be alright after a sleep," the midwife was gleeful.

This run was worth it; she had been counting money every day since leaving the Capital.

Though the carriage ride was bumpy, if the precious body of Princess NanAn could handle it, how couldn’t she?

The maids and old women congratulated Princess NanAn, who smiled, "Reward them, all are rewarded."

Once the midwife and maids tidied the room a bit, Princess NanAn entered to hold her grandson.

Mrs. Qian stood aside watching and remarked, "This little one looks just like the Commandery Prince when he was born, as if carved from the same mold."