"Princess, these soldiers are no good, just a bunch of spineless rabble."

What he said was very reasonable.

Zhao Shu frowned upon hearing this. She knew that these soldiers were generally older and not very combat-effective, but did they really have to be so blunt?

"Cowardly shrimp," "rabble"... these are all derogatory terms.

But what can be done? Wei Tingsi can advance his career without giving her, a princess, any face. And even if Wei Tingsi gives her face, he cannot change the fact that most of these soldiers are veterans.

Zhao Shu's earlier burst of enthusiasm was abruptly dampened, and she couldn't quite grasp the impromptu declaration of her wisdom. After a long pause, she finally managed to ask, "Does Lord Wei have anything to say?"

If it were a seasoned veteran of the imperial court, he would remain neither humble nor arrogant, and in a way that would not offend anyone, let Prince Yong speak first, then let the princess speak, and finally give a summary.

However, Wei Tingsi is someone who doesn't play by the rules.

He nodded, "Okay." His answer seemed natural, yet it was not. Zhao Shu herself asked him if he had anything to say.

"As you all probably know, the former commander abandoned his post and disregarded the safety of the royal palace. His Majesty has sent me to assist the princess in selecting a new commander and to restore order. Although you are not required to guard the border, as soldiers you should act like soldiers!"

His words were concise and to the point, spoken in a loud but powerful voice. Every word struck the hearts of everyone in the training ground with a resounding thud, including Prince Yong, who involuntarily straightened his posture.

Zhao Shu looked at Wei Tingsi and was surprised that his few simple words had changed the expression of the soldiers present. The soldiers, who were originally hunched over and could not stand up straight, now instinctively straightened their chests.

“Next, I will spend some time with everyone until the next commander is chosen. During this period, you can come to me with any questions you may have.” After Wei Tingsi finished speaking, he turned to ask, “If Your Highness and the Princess have nothing to say, please let them disperse.”

Is that how it ends? Zhao Shu was stunned, recalling her days in modern times, when every time there was an opening ceremony or some school event, the school leaders would always say, "I'll just say a few words," but they would end up talking for tens of minutes.

She is still somewhat unaccustomed to Wei Tingsi's high efficiency.

Prince Yong naturally had nothing to say, but Zhao Shu did have something to say, but she was too young and it would probably have no effect if she spoke, so she shook her head and gave up.

After dismissing the guards, the three of them gathered in the study in the main courtyard.

As soon as Zhao Shu entered the main courtyard, she noticed that Prince Yong's emotions were somewhat unstable, and his eyes seemed to have become very blank.

"Father, are you feeling unwell?"

Prince Yong did not react, staring blankly at a certain spot as if he were recalling something. The once arrogant and dissolute Prince Yong seemed to have become a different person, his whole being dejected and extremely sad.

Like late autumn, the last withered leaf on the branch will fall when the wind blows.

Zhao Shu thought of her mother, who used to live with her father in the main courtyard. She realized that her father must have missed her mother. Feeling sorry for her, she said to Uncle Fu beside her, "Help Father go back. I'll go have dinner with Father later."

"Sigh." Uncle Fu couldn't bear to see Prince Yong like this, so he helped the distraught Prince Yong out of the main courtyard.

The study in the main courtyard is very large, almost 100 square meters excluding the book storage area. Although it has been unused for many years, it has been kept very clean. Thanks to Uncle Fu, he has always been very conscientious in his work.

Zhao Shurang Bi Qiao served tea, and then she sat down at the desk to wait for Wei Tingsi to speak first.

Wei Tingsi scrutinized the young princess before him. She exuded a calm and composed air, possessing a maturity beyond her years, a maturity that comes with the passage of time.

This is completely unlike the rumors.

Logically speaking, a nine-year-old girl should not appear in the study with an adult man. Boys and girls should not sit together after the age of seven. However, the princess in front of her did not seem as uneasy as the young ladies from scholarly families.

"Does the princess have anything to say to this official?" As he said this, his gaze was fixed on Zhao Shu's eyes. He actually thought that this princess, who was rumored to be willful and capricious, might have some good ideas.

Although choosing a commander of the garrison doesn't require a good idea, sending him here is a waste of his talents.

Zhao Shu stood up and bowed to Wei Tingsi. Wei Tingsi did not dodge, but waited quietly for her to continue.

Bi Qiao, who was serving nearby, was really presumptuous, actually accepting the princess's courtesy! However, Wei Tingsi was an official appointed by the court, and this time he was here on imperial orders, so she managed to refrain from scolding him.

It's fortunate that it was Bi Qiao, not Granny Guo.

"I hope Lord Wei will take good care of me."

She didn't want to lie, much less joke; she spoke these words very seriously and sincerely.

The soldiers of the Prince's mansion are like the shell on a tortoise's back; they cannot be taken lightly.

Bi Qiao, who was serving nearby, was stunned. The princess had really grown up and become sensible. Although the royal family was born into wealth and had no worries about food and clothing or future prospects, how could they not understand human relationships and social customs?

Wei Tingsi's cold voice said, "This humble official will certainly do his duty and not fail the Emperor's command. Please rest assured, Princess." Seeing that she spoke so earnestly, he couldn't help but want to treat her with sincerity as well.

“My father has been telling me stories a few days ago, and occasionally a brilliant idea flashes in his mind about the selection of the commander of the military garrison.”

Upon hearing this, Wei Tingsi suddenly looked at Zhao Shu with a cold expression, trying to discern something from her. This princess had given him quite a few surprises today.

Zhao Shu didn't wait for his answer and continued, "I want to recruit a commander through a martial arts competition. The soldiers can first compete among themselves, with each group being selected in turn. The top three will then have the opportunity to spar with you, sir. If you think these three are capable, then I will conduct a further assessment. What do you think?"

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