Seeing the soldiers standing there in complete silence, the Third Prince also fell silent, though he really wanted to say, "Why aren't you saying anything? Why aren't you paying attention to me? Don't you know how embarrassing this is for me?"

But as the newly appointed crown prince, it was even more embarrassing for him to say such a thing.

After a brief silence, the soldiers seemed to realize what was happening and immediately saluted solemnly, without the slightest mistake. Long San, on the other hand, stepped forward with a grin and a very flattering attitude.

He bowed slightly and said, "Your Highness, your presence has made us uncouth people feel the aura of destiny bestowed upon you, which is why we dared not act rashly for a moment. Please forgive us, Your Highness."

"Your Highness the Crown Prince," "He is ordained by Heaven."

Upon hearing those two words, the Third Prince felt a surge of relief, completely forgetting the embarrassment he had just felt. He couldn't help but nod, "Yes, it's alright, I understand."

Long San, bowing and scraping: ...Is he so happy he's gone mad?

Although he sensed that the Third Prince was practically delirious with joy, Long San didn't show it. He continued to hunch over and usher the Third Prince to the main tent, saying, "I was originally a personal guard of His Highness the Ninth Prince. When I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince was coming, I rushed here immediately."

"Although His Highness the Ninth Prince has led us to develop very well, I believe that only His Highness the Crown Prince can truly bring us a complete victory and a bright future!"

Long San spoke with great passion, and the Third Prince was extremely excited.

Although he was also a favorite to win the throne, the Third Prince was more of a bystander. But now he has managed to turn the tide and win the Emperor's favor. Isn't this a sign of destiny?

The Third Prince coughed twice and stood with his hands behind his back: "I believe that with such excellent generals as you, we will surely be able to accomplish great things together!"

"Yes, yes, His Highness is right."

Long San immediately agreed and welcomed the Third Prince into the main tent.

Inside the main tent, Ruan Qing'an was draped in a thick cloak, one corner of which lay on the ground. The cloak's excessive size made her appear even smaller and more delicate. She sat at the table, her slender hand touching a steaming teacup. Her pale, almost bloodless face looked pitiful and fragile.

Upon seeing the Third Prince, Ruan Qing'an staggered half a step, rose, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness for not greeting you in advance..."

"Qing'an, what's the matter?"

The third prince quickly helped her up, not intending to make things difficult for her.

The Yongle Marquis's mansion is now a vicious dog on the verge of defeat. The Third Prince is also afraid that if he provokes Ruan Qing'an, he will be retaliated against by Ruan Changhong without any regard for consequences. So, it turns out that as long as you are not afraid of death, no one will dare to provoke a madman - for example, the Yongle Marquis's mansion now.

The Third Prince sat down opposite Ruan Qing'an, slowly took a sip of tea, and said, "Why is Sister Qing'an here?"

"After Your Highness the Crown Prince took command of the army, the Ninth Prince left first. He was supposed to hand over the reins to you, but... in short, this matter can only be handled by me."

Ruan Qingan gave a forced bitter smile, looking quite distressed.

But the Third Prince suddenly realized that Ji Wuyu was expressing his dissatisfaction because he had taken something from him, which explained why Ruan Qing'an was here.

Thinking of this, the Third Prince laughed: "This is the Ninth Prince's fault. How could he cause you, Qing'an, to come here because of his own emotions? You are, after all, a woman."

"Qing'an, you should leave quickly. It's safest for a woman to stay at home, take care of her husband and children. This military camp is a place for men, and it's inconvenient for you to be here. Besides, you and Lao Jiu are engaged. If you mingle with men, it will ruin your reputation!"

Ruan Qing'an raised an eyebrow slightly and chuckled, "Your Highness, you are not familiar with the military camp, which is why I am waiting for you here."

"I certainly know more about what you're saying than you do, Qing'an."

The Third Prince waved his hand and couldn't help but laugh, as if surprised by Ruan Qing'an's overestimation of her abilities: "The Ninth Prince isn't here. What can a woman like you, Qing'an, do to help?"

"Alright, since Your Highness insists, then let's leave it at that."

Ruan Qing'an raised his hand, adopting a "do as you please" attitude: "However, I am here temporarily because I have been entrusted by His Highness the Ninth Prince. But you don't need to worry about me, please feel free to do as you please."

"Alright then, I'll get back to work now."

The third prince did not insist and left the main tent.

Long San, who had been standing guard to the side, looked at Ruan Qing'an and asked, "Miss, what should we do next?"

"It's alright, just let His Highness the Crown Prince handle it."

Ruan Qing'an sipped his tea slowly, and when he looked up, his leaden pupils were filled with an almost icy smile: "He can do whatever he wants, and whether anyone will listen to him is another matter."

...

As evening approached, the Third Prince, who had spent the entire afternoon in the military camp, had long lost his initial composure and high aspirations. He was sitting on the ground, trembling with anger, completely disregarding the dirt on his clothes.

His fingertips were trembling: "Nearly three hours, three hours! All I wanted was a roster of the generals, why don't you have it? Long San, what exactly do you mean by this!"

Forget about the roster; wherever the Third Prince goes, a bunch of soldiers follow him, ostensibly to protect his personal safety?!

Inspecting weapons and equipment was out of the question, for fear that some weapons captured from the enemy might be defective; checking on the wounded was also out of the question, for fear of infectious diseases… In short, nothing was allowed!

Long San, however, said in a panic, "Your Highness, we really did not mean to disobey you. It's just that we are rough men who don't know many characters, and the roster is still being made."

"Alright, then take me to see the quartermaster!"

The third prince was furious and raised his voice.

Long San lowered his head and said, "The quartermaster went back to find his wife."

The Third Prince's eye twitched, and he couldn't help but say, "Is there really such a coincidence?! Where's the deputy general? Surely the deputy general is here!"

"Alas, the deputy general is injured and has gone home to recuperate."

The Third Prince suddenly stood up, finally unable to maintain his usual crown prince demeanor. He pointed directly at Long San and said, "I'm telling you, don't go too far. The army was personally entrusted to me by the Emperor. What you're doing is disobeying the imperial decree, and you deserve to die!"

"Oh dear, it really wasn't our fault."

Long San's attitude in admitting his mistake was quite good, which satisfied the Third Prince a little: "Now, bring your men to see me immediately!"

"But they really aren't here, Your Highness, please wait a moment?"

Long San continued speaking, looking very troubled, while a large number of soldiers surrounded him. Just as the Third Prince couldn't help but get angry, the group of people knelt down with a thud.

Long San said, "Your Highness, we really have no choice. Just give the order, and we will carry it out. But if we fail, Your Highness may execute us all!"

The third prince was so angry he could hardly breathe, his eyes wide with fury.

These soldiers had all distinguished themselves on the border. The Third Prince knew that if a large number of them were executed, the first person to not let him go would be Emperor Ji Hao!

The most troublesome thing is—

They will obey orders, but they just can't get things done properly;

They were given simple tasks, but they were inefficient.

Long San and the others showed a good attitude in admitting their mistakes, but they just wouldn't change;

They were presented with a military order, but the Third Prince dared not execute them.

In short, they were all seasoned veterans, and the Third Prince, being new to the place, was so angry that he almost carried himself away on the spot.

His chest heaved as he stared intently at the people before him. The Third Prince flicked his sleeve and turned to walk toward the main tent: "Very well, since that's the case, then let Ruan Qing'an see what kind of people you are!"