Upon hearing the names Xu Rao and Wu Muyue, Chen Qiuyan frowned and whispered, "Father, I've heard of this once-famous third-place scholar in the capital, but he's now a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person who lives and works in the martial arts world). Is it possible for you to find him?"

Chen Yuanfeng smiled slightly, thinking of his old friend's methods, and said, "This third-ranked scholar is a great talent. Since I wrote to him, I naturally have my reasons. Now that you are the Third Prince's principal wife, there are some things you cannot reveal. I already know about this matter, so naturally I will help you do things well. You can rest assured."

Hearing her father's reassuring words, Chen Qiuyan's eyes reddened. Chen Yuanfeng felt a pang of sadness in his heart as well, and gently patted her hand, saying, "Ayan, don't worry, everything will be alright."

Chen Qiuyan nodded, thought for a long time, and finally couldn't help but ask her father in a low voice, "Father, what do you think His Majesty means? Since he doesn't want to give the throne to these princes, why doesn't he stop them from doing what they are doing?"

Chen Yuanfeng frowned and said in a low voice, "Ayan, how can you make unfounded guesses about the emperor's heart?"

Seeing her father's grim expression, Chen Qiuyan lowered her head and didn't ask any further questions. Chen Yuanfeng, however, sighed inwardly. Why? It was all to buy time for the prince he favored.

Chen Yuanfeng was adept at discerning the emperor's intentions and was well aware of Emperor Liang Cheng's plans. He knew that among Emperor Liang Cheng's several underage princes, there must be an heir favored by the emperor. Chen Yuanfeng also served as a tutor to several underage princes and was one of the princes' tutors. He often went to the palace to teach the princes. After careful observation, Chen Yuanfeng felt that none of the princes seemed to be the candidates favored by Emperor Liang Cheng.

Chen Yuanfeng sometimes wondered what Emperor Liang Cheng was up to, but as a subject, he couldn't ask directly, so he just kept it to himself.

A few days ago, Wu Muyue sent him a letter saying that he had gone to Liaodong Prefecture with his nephew. Chen Yuanfeng naturally knew that the nephew Wu Muyue mentioned was Xu Rao, the one from the Yongning Marquis's mansion who had passed the imperial examination.

Those in the court knew the name Xu Rao like the thunder in their ears. Xu Rao was a scholar who, with a heart full of passion, led his family and the people of the city to fight alongside the Wei family army stationed at Yanmen Pass. They dealt a heavy blow to the invading Northern Di people, ensuring that there would be no major battles outside Yanmen Pass for at least fifty years. Xu Rao became a role model for the students of Liang after this battle.

Chen Yuanfeng also had great respect for Xu Rao. Since its establishment, Hexi County had suffered from wars many times. Although the previous county magistrates had led the defense against foreign enemies, when the enemy came with great force, they usually led the people of the city to hide in the nearby mountains and forests, trying their best to save the lives of the people of Hexi. Xu Rao, on the other hand, took his wife and children with him to fight the enemy and in the end, he still managed to do a good job. He was truly one of a kind.

Chen Yuanfeng felt that he was in the thick of things and that he could not see things as clearly as Wu Muyue, who was far away in the imperial court. This time, he wrote a letter to discuss matters of the court with Wu Muyue.

Chen Yuanfeng knew that Wu Muyue had been traveling the martial arts world for over a decade and had many capable and righteous people around him. Protecting his grandson's life shouldn't be difficult. However, Chen Yuanfeng was still somewhat greedy. He not only wanted to protect his grandson's life, but also his daughter's.

The weather in Liaodong has always been refreshing.

After Cheng Kai returned from his border patrol, he visited the Xu family. Xu Bai and Chen Yuyuan followed Cheng Kai closely, wanting to go with him to Tielingwei to take a look.

Tielingwei was the most important garrison in the north of Daliang. Tielingwei was responsible for defending against the Jurchens in the north and was heavily guarded. Cheng Kai was usually either in Tielingwei or Liaohaiwei, which was further north.

Xu Bai followed Cheng Kai to the courtyard where the Cheng family was temporarily staying.

This is a five-courtyard house. Xu Gao lives in the main courtyard, while Xu Yao lives in a small courtyard at the back. It's because Cheng Kai isn't home often that Xu Yao feels less awkward living here. After all, it's not reasonable for a sister-in-law to live in her brother-in-law's house all the time.

Xu Gao had already made arrangements. After Xu Bai and Chen Yuyuan arrived, he took them directly to his courtyard.

Although she was already over seven years old, Liaodong didn't value these rules much, and Xu Gao felt there was no need to become too estranged from her maternal brothers.

After Xu Bai was led into Xu Gao's courtyard, Tuan Ge'er followed behind him.

Although Xu Bai was the youngest child in the family, he wasn't a child in the true sense. He was quite mature and loved to coax children. In no time, he had Tuan Ge'er all smiles, which put the nanny who had been following behind Tuan Ge'er at ease.

Xu Gao smiled as he looked at Tuan Ge'er, whose little face was flushed from playing, and said to Xu Bai, "Tuan Ge'er hasn't been this happy in a long time."

Looking at the fair-skinned little boy, Xu Bai said to Xu Gao, "Boys should be more active. When I was three years old, I was already practicing martial arts with my cousins."

Tuan Ge'er is almost three years old. Hearing Xu Bai's words, he asked with great interest, "Seventh Uncle, I'm almost three years old too. Can I practice martial arts too?"

Xu Bai teased him, asking, "Why are you practicing kung fu?"

Tuan Ge'er said, "I'll protect my mother from being bullied."

Upon hearing Tuan Ge'er's words, Xu Bai exclaimed in surprise, "Tuan Ge'er is so sensible! I really admire you. But your mother has your father to protect her, so there's no need for Tuan Ge'er."

Tuan Ge'er said, "Father is going to patrol the border and will be staying there for a long time. I'm the only man at home, so I have to learn good kung fu to protect my mother and also drive Yan Hong Cui Liu out."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Xu Bai noticed that Xu Gao and Xu Yao's expressions changed, and even the expression of the maidservant serving them changed.

Seeing Xu Gao open his mouth to speak, Xu Bai took Tuan Ge'er's hand and asked with a grin, "Tuan Ge'er, why are you still trying to chase away those bright red and green willows?"

Before Tuan Ge'er could speak, Xu Gao, his face pale, scolded, "Tuan Ge'er, how can you be so unruly, saying whatever comes to mind?"

Tuan Ge'er looked at his mother with some doubt and said, "Mother, what Tuan Ge'er said is true. Tuan Ge'er saw you cry because of these two people. They must have bullied you. Tuan Ge'er must chase them out."