Song Jing received the latest letter and learned about the hijacking of the supplies, nearly fainting from anger.

Currently, she doesn’t have much Silver Coin in her hand, only enough to sustain herself for a while.

Fortunately, the letters from her brothers mentioned some people and told her to find them.

Looking at these names, Song Jing was at a loss, but thinking of her brothers having gained some influence in the east, this was the only hope to topple Yu Chen; she had to do it.

Soon, Ah Chen received news from the Capital City: Song Jing was married.

Why marry? Naturally for the Song Family’s restoration, for Silver, manpower, and to solidify relationships. In the midst of binding interests, a marriage alliance was inevitable.

Just like when Canglan Country was first established, the nobles originally belonging to Nan Qi were not very satisfied with her as the Canglan Emperor. Naturally, there would be a wave of people wanting to rebel. The Song Family handed the opportunity to them, and some were willing to take a gamble. For some nobles, life wasn’t good now.

For Song Jing to reach this point, it seems she really hates her.

It’s a good chance to uproot some forces and prevent future troubles. Initially wanting to eliminate the problem at its root, but they surrendered, and there weren’t any other mistakes for the time being. There were many of them, and they couldn’t all be killed, as ruling a country by law was necessary.

In March, the Canglan Empress was married, and the whole nation celebrated.

Far away in the Capital City, Song Jing heard the news and felt gloomy.

She never thought of marrying at this time, and her current husband was not the one she loved. But without the marriage alliance, they would have no way to bind together.

It’s said that Yu Chen chose someone she liked, the Prime Minister Fan of Canglan Country, who persuaded the Nan Qi army to surrender merely with eloquence. Later, as Fan Shi said, Canglan Country didn’t treat those soldiers unfairly, and their lives were better than before.

Can’t think about these things.

Yu Chen is her enemy; they are opposed to each other.

She is the Nan Qi Princess, burdened with the task of national restoration.

Having reached this point, there was no turning back long ago.

As time passed, Song Jing continuously received good news from her brothers, finally gaining a firm foothold in the east, no longer as difficult as in the beginning. Once her brothers fully conquered the east, Nan Qi would count as restored. As for the confrontation with Yu Chen, it would have to be taken slowly.

Now, the east is divided into three major forces. Her elder brother has already proclaimed himself King, as King Qi. The other two sides are King Zhou, Zhou Jin, and King Chen, Chen Fanhui.

Among them, King Zhou had the most conflicts with her elder brother, with constant friction between the two sides.

King Chen, on the other hand, remained peaceful and didn’t interact much with them. Her elder brother always wanted to draw King Chen in, but was always declined politely.

In fact, King Zhou also wanted to annex King Chen’s forces. Numerous conflicts had already occurred, but King Chen’s troops were strong, and their geographical position advantageous, making it really hard to attack, hence having to temporarily give up.

According to the letter received, King Zhou intended to form an alliance with him, to resolve past grievances and jointly confront King Chen. Ultimately, there would inevitably be a struggle between the two sides, but now they just wanted to eliminate that peaceful King Chen, who thought he could remain stable, and then divide the territory.

Song Jing hoped her elder brother could succeed smoothly, and prayed in her heart.

"King Chen, I heard that King Zhou and King Qi have allied? Shouldn’t they attack here next?" Cui Chen asked. When he initially fled from there, he couldn’t leave the eastern region, almost being conscripted, and was later saved by King Chen.

He naturally knew who King Qi was, the Eldest Prince of Nan Qi.

Undeniably, the Eldest Prince had some luck and capability; they indeed occupied territory, but could only be confined to the east, making any clash with Canglan Country impossible. His family followed, and now there truly was no turning back.

Chen Fanhui said, "Mr. Cui, there’s no need to worry. We can still hold on."

"They are coming fiercely, and the alliance is to divide King Chen’s territory," Cui Chen worried. Now, the commoners in King Chen’s territory were living the best out of the remaining three major forces in the east, and it was only because King Chen treated these civilians as people that he was so popular.

The people under King Zhou’s rule had the hardest lives, and it wasn’t much better under King Qi either.

Unfortunately, a Canglan Empress emerged in the world, destined for King Chen’s light to be overshadowed. Now, he had to face the pincer attack from King Qi and King Zhou, not knowing how to handle it.

"King Chen, what do you think of the Canglan Empress?" Cui Chen said, "To speak bluntly, I actually think that aligning with the Canglan Empress might be a viable retreat. You are a kind person, King Chen, and care for these civilians, surely not wishing for them to suffer oppression."

Yes, in their view, the people in both King Zhou and King Qi’s territories were oppressed.

In saying this, Cui Chen was a bit nervous, after all, asking a king to submit was a very difficult thing.

However, Chen Fanhui laughed, not angry, and said, "I will consider Mr. Cui’s suggestion."

When King Zhou and King Qi jointly declared war on King Chen, he did not see him seeking refuge with the Canglan Empress. Cui Chen lamented but said nothing more. Asking a king to bow down was indeed a burden for the other. But since King Chen saved his life, he was determined to stand by him through thick and thin.

Who knew, with war imminent, he received a letter from Cui Yu.

Seeing the content of the letter, Cui Chen laughed. Actually, before opening the letter, he knew what it would contain. Nothing more than hoping he would act as an insider and help King Qi.

Back then, following his parents to the east was his way of repaying them for raising him. Since that debt was settled, nothing was owed anymore.

At a critical moment, to avoid errors, he confessed his identity to King Chen and then said, "I will not disclose anything about King Chen, nor will I use this relationship to connive schemes against King Qi. But, if King Chen’s side falls, I will not live dishonorably. King Chen, just treat me as an ordinary soldier."

"Mr. Cui, you are a person with feelings and loyalty," King Chen praised. "Alright, during the battle, if it’s inconvenient for you to face them directly, just do something else."

Cui Yu felt uneasy not receiving a reply.

"Second brother is truly going to sever ties with the Cui Family?" Cui Zhao’s face was displeased.

Cui Yu coldly snorted, "If unreliable, then let it be. In future battlefield encounters, Zhao’er, you mustn’t show mercy."

"Yes, father."

On the eve of King Qi and King Zhou’s combined attack on King Chen, they received urgent news that the Canglan Army of five hundred thousand was coming.

King Zhou and King Qi’s expressions changed dramatically. How could this be? How could they come at this time? Five hundred thousand, with Canglan Country’s capabilities, they must be elite soldiers. How could they counter?

They naturally knew the Canglan Empress would never spare the east; hence, over the years they had been strengthening themselves continuously, hoping to claim a side. The opponent would also need to consider before attacking them.

Why attack them at this critical juncture?

"The message from Canglan Country states that first, it is to avenge the assassination attempt years ago; second, to eliminate the remnants of the Nan Qi rebellion. The treacherous hearts of the Nan Qi Song Family will not die. It’s one thing to crown themselves king in the east, but to actually join forces with many nobles in the Capital City to rebel, they should be exterminated. Furthermore, it says those traitors in the Capital City have all been captured and will be dealt with at an appointed date."