The next morning, Su Renzhong and the others were still thinking about the old man and wanted to go see him together when the eunuch came to deliver a message saying that the old man invited them to come over.

The group, not understanding why, went over together.

In the courtyard of Changshou Palace, Helian Rong sat alone at a stone table, as if waiting for Xuanyuan Zhan to play chess.

Seeing them arrive, Helian Rong was very pleased and greeted them with a smile: "You've come at the right time. Let's hold another family banquet today. I've already had the imperial kitchen prepare it. Zhan'er, come and play chess with me. I've thought of a way to break your game. I'm sure I can beat you today!"

After spending this time together, Helian Rong no longer regarded Xuanyuan Zhan as the Emperor of Eastern Chu, but only as his great-grandson-in-law.

"Coming." Xuan Yuanzhan responded quickly, taking a few quick steps to reach Helian Rong and play chess with him.

Seeing Helian Rong acting as if nothing had happened, Su Renzhong and the others exchanged a glance.

Why does the old man seem like nothing happened?

Weren't you feeling really sad yesterday?

The old man said it would get better in a while, but how come it got better in just one day?

Seemingly knowing they were all standing still, Helian Rong said without turning his head, "Just go about your business. What's past is past. I've moved on, so why can't you?"

Su Renzhong and Su Yun'an were both amused and exasperated.

Well, now it's their turn to get through this.

There's nothing they can't overcome!

The old man had already said that the past was the past, so Su Renzhong and Su Yun'an stopped thinking about it and started practicing the Green Dragon Saber together in the courtyard again.

In fact, Su Renzhong's martial arts skills were limited, and Su Yun'an, at such a young age, was already able to defeat him.

Moreover, An'er has a very solid foundation in martial arts. Unlike him, who only learns basic martial arts, An'er already has internal strength. As long as An'er practices hard like this every day, he will surely become a master like Xuan Yuanzhan in the future.

He was quite grateful to Ning'er and An'er's master. He had heard that the master not only taught Ning'er medicine and An'er martial arts, but also saved Ning'er and An'er from trouble several times. He was even more responsible than Ning'er, the father. If he ever saw him again, he would definitely thank him properly.

Feeling happy today, Su Xuening left Xiaobao with Duanmu Junyu and went to the small kitchen to make pastries for everyone.

When everyone is tired from playing chess or practicing martial arts, it's a good time to eat the snacks made by Su Xuening.

"Mmm~ This pastry is soft, delicate and delicious!" Helian Rong doesn't usually like pastries, and he found it hard to swallow.

Unexpectedly, the pastries made by Su Xuening melted in his mouth and suited his taste perfectly.

Su Xuening was amused by the old man's praising expression: "My skills can't possibly surpass those of the imperial kitchen! What kind of pastries haven't you eaten!"

Helian Rong continued to praise, "The people in the Imperial Kitchen are not as meticulous as you. You know that I can't eat pastries that are too dry or too greasy, so the pastries you make are not to my liking!"

Everyone burst into laughter, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.

During lunch, Helian Rong also invited Helian Qin over.

With Helian Qin invited, the banquet was now complete.

Helian Qin was quite flattered. When did he become a guest at the old man's family banquet?

It seems his defection was quite successful!

Helian Qin didn't dare mention Helian Zheng and Helian Jun in front of the old man, for fear of angering him.

Helian Qin kept serving food to the old man and telling jokes to make him happy. Everyone else laughed heartily, and the atmosphere at the meal was even more harmonious with Helian Qin there.

After the meal, everyone sat together to drink tea.

He had barely taken a few sips when Wu Shou rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, the Eastern Chu army is pressing in!"

"Pfft!" Upon hearing this, Helian Qin immediately spat out the tea he had just drunk and looked at Xuan Yuanzhan in disbelief.

Helian Rong also frowned and looked at Xuan Yuanzhan.

Su Renzhong, Su Xuening, and Su Yun'an did not suspect Xuan Yuanzhan, but they were also curious as to why the Eastern Chu army was pressing in at this time.

Before Xuanyuan Zhan could explain, Wu Shou added, "Also, the Western Liang army is pressing in."

"Cough cough!" Helian Qin choked and coughed violently again, glaring at Xuan Yuanzhan and Duanmu Junyu: "What's going on? What are you doing..."

Before Helian Qin could finish his question, Wu Shou added, "The Southern Qi army is also pressing in."

...Now it wasn't just Helian Rong and Helian Qin who were dumbfounded.

Everyone present was dumbfounded.

Before Helian Rong could even ask, Xuanyuan Zhan frowned and asked, "What's going on? Why is the Southern Qi army pressing in?"

Wu Shou had no idea, but...

"The secret letter that was just delivered this morning may be related to the approaching Southern Qi army." Wu Shou took out the secret letter and handed it to Helian Rong.

Helian Rong quickly took the secret letter and read it.

Helian Rong, who was initially a little nervous, relaxed completely after reading the letter: "It seems that the emperor of Southern Qi, like you, is here to help us!"

Xuanyuan Zhan and Duanmu Junyu exchanged a strange look.

Was the Southern Qi also there to offer assistance?

But what connection do they have with the Southern Qi dynasty?

Anyway, there was no Eastern Chu (Western Liang). I don't know if there was Western Liang (Eastern Chu), or if Northern Wei and Southern Qi were related.

Su Xuening looked at Xuan Yuanzhan and Duanmu Junyu and asked, "Why are the soldiers from Eastern Chu and Western Liang pressing on our border now?"

Xuanyuan Zhan sighed and explained, "We were worried that Father and Great-Grandfather wouldn't be able to handle those rebels, so Mother and I made preparations in advance. We didn't expect to be a day too late; those guys arrived too late."

...Everyone was speechless for a moment.

Xuanyuan Zhan quickly reassured them, "It's alright, I'll send a message back right now and tell them to withdraw their troops!"

Duanmu Junyu quickly added, "We simply wanted to help, but if we can't, we in Xiliang will withdraw our troops!"

Hearing their words, Helian Qin breathed a sigh of relief: "Hey, you really scared me to death! It's good that you've withdrawn your troops. We're all on the same side. Fighting and killing each other is not good. From now on, our three kingdoms must live in peace and create a great cause together!"

Unexpectedly, they had all prepared a backup plan.

Fortunately, Helian Zheng died yesterday; otherwise, he would have been killed by the combined attack of Eastern Chu and Western Liang today.

Helian Qin was once again grateful for his foresight in surrendering to them early on and becoming one of their own. With just a few of them around, any one of them could easily kill him with a wave of their hand.

Helian Rong didn't actually suspect Xuan Yuanzhan and Duanmu Junyu. He had discussed this topic with Xuan Yuanzhan before, and he believed that Xuan Yuanzhan wouldn't lie to him.

Having spent these days with them, he had gotten to know the personalities of these children quite well. He had to admit that both the late emperors of Western Liang and Eastern Chu had good judgment in choosing their successors.

These children are of impeccable character; they are all exceptionally outstanding emperors!

But it was this Southern Qi Dynasty...

Helian Rong frowned and looked at Xuanyuan Zhan and Duanmu Junyu: "Do you also have connections with Southern Qi? How come Southern Qi is interfering in our Northern Wei affairs?"