One year later
The Emperor of Northern Chu issued an order with lightning speed, personally leading an expedition to conquer the southern frontier!
The news caused an uproar as soon as it was released.
When the news reached the Southern Frontier, the Northern Chu army had already been on its way for five days, marching south in a grand procession, causing a great uproar in the Southern Frontier's court.
"Has the Northern Chu gone mad? They actually want to personally lead an expedition to conquer the Southern Frontier just for a princess to be married off!"
"Don't underestimate Northern Chu. In just two years, the Emperor of Northern Chu has already regained military power and holds absolute authority."
"So what? The Southern Frontier can annihilate the Northern Chu without lifting a finger!"
The civil and military factions began arguing in the imperial court.
Some suggested seeking peace.
It is not advisable to wage war in southern Xinjiang at this time.
Some suggested engaging in battle, which would be a good opportunity to recover Northern Chu and demonstrate the might of the Southern Frontier.
The argument continued, and the Southern Emperor rubbed his temples impatiently, turning his gaze to Prime Minister Yan: "Where is the seventh prince? Send the seventh prince to meet the enemy!"
Not only did Prime Minister Yan freeze, but all the civil and military officials fell silent.
The entire court was completely silent.
Two years ago, the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang held a hunt. The Seventh Prince accidentally entered the wild animal area and fought with two large black bears. He fell off his horse, and the horse's hoof stepped on his right leg. If reinforcements had not arrived in time, the Seventh Prince would have been eaten by the two bears.
The entire Imperial Medical Academy stayed at the Seventh Prince's residence for two months, barely managing to save his life.
But his legs and feet were permanently disabled.
"Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince is already injured..." Prime Minister Yan subtly reminded him, "This old minister believes that the Third Young Master Huo is the son of a military family, possessing both wisdom and courage, and is capable of leading an army into battle."
The Southern Frontier Emperor had heard countless times that people wanted to attack the Southern Frontier, but each time they were intercepted and defeated.
So when they heard that Northern Chu was coming, they weren't flustered at all.
"Very well!" The Southern Frontier Emperor relented and appointed the Third Young Master Huo as the Grand General, ordering him to immediately lead 200,000 troops to meet the enemy.
Young Master Huo stepped forward and knelt on the ground: "This humble general obeys the order."
"Huo San, your Huo family is known for its loyalty and bravery. You'd better show me some real skills!" the Southern Frontier Emperor said in a deep voice.
Young Master Huo raised his voice: "This humble general will definitely bring back the head of the Northern Chu Emperor, so that His Majesty can see with his own eyes that it is the Northern Chu that overestimates its own strength!"
"Excellent!!" The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang clapped his hands in approval.
A month later, a city in southern Xinjiang was lost.
After his defeat, the Third Young Master Huo led his troops in retreat and requested support from the imperial court.
Upon hearing the news, the Southern Emperor's expression turned extremely grim: "In just one month, you've lost a city! Useless!"
Having not suffered a defeat in a long time, the Southern Emperor cursed loudly in the court, wishing he could bring Huo San over and give him a good scolding.
The Huo family members looked at each other in the imperial court, their faces flushed.
It's no longer the confident promise it made a month ago.
"Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to send reinforcements to support General Huo and help him retake the city," Prime Minister Yan said in a deep voice.
The Southern Emperor looked at Prime Minister Yan: "Then the Prime Minister should personally lead the troops to provide support and make sure the city is recaptured!"
"yes!"
Before leaving, Prime Minister Yan was summoned by Empress Yan.
"How could Young Master Huo be defeated?" Empress Yan asked, frowning.
Prime Minister Yan said, "Zhao Jiahua is also in the Northern Chu army. She may have a border defense map, but it doesn't matter. It's just a minor victory."
"Zhao Jiahua is here too?" Empress Yan clenched her fist: "I have waited for two years and finally she has been sent back. That wretch, I told you from the beginning that she had ill intentions, but she just wouldn't believe me."
Changing the subject, Empress Yan looked at Prime Minister Yan: "Father, after all, the Seventh Prince has been fighting for more than ten years, and his prestige is still there. The soldiers on the border will still have some respect for him. I suggest that we bring the Seventh Prince along."
She wanted the Seventh Prince to see for himself how Zhao Jiahua had betrayed him.
Such a despicable woman is not worth his time at all.
Prime Minister Yan frowned.
"The seventh prince is a brilliant strategist. Even if he doesn't go to the battlefield, he can still offer advice. He can't just watch his former subordinates die on the battlefield." Empress Yan knew the seventh prince very well.
His fatal flaw is that he is soft-hearted.
"There is one more thing." Empress Yan made up her mind to go to the battlefield as well.
"Swords have no eyes on the battlefield, how can you go there so casually? You mustn't!" Prime Minister Yan refused without even thinking.
But Empress Yan was determined: "Father, don't you want the Yan family to make a name for themselves on this battlefield? I am no less than any man."
Unable to persuade him, Prime Minister Yan had no choice but to compromise: "Then Your Majesty..."
"I have already sent people to find ten beauties to enter the palace. Each one of them is stunningly beautiful. How could the Emperor possibly care about me?"
Empress Yan looked at her with disdain.
Why should she have to marry an old, ugly, lustful, and incompetent emperor, while Zhao Jiahua can marry the young and promising Emperor of Northern Chu?
She was not convinced.
"Father, my mind is made up, there is no need to say more," Empress Yan said in a low voice.
Two days later
Prime Minister Yan led his troops to provide support.
A spacious and brightly lit carriage followed behind him. The Seventh Prince sat inside the carriage, his eyes dark and unreadable, revealing no emotion.
Empress Yan was also sitting to the side.
“Ah Yin, in a few days you will see with your own eyes how Zhao Jiahua leads the soldiers of Northern Chu to trample on Southern Xinjiang. She is not a good person.”
The seventh prince remained silent.
"A-Yin, how long are you going to remain so stubborn?"
"Zhao Jiahua is a spy."
"She had already given herself to the Emperor of Northern Chu."
Each word was like a knife stabbing into the Seventh Prince's heart, causing him unbearable pain and bitterness. He raised his head and looked at Empress Yan: "Have you said enough?"
"A-Yin?" Empress Yan looked aggrieved, and large tears slid down her cheeks.
The seventh prince kept a tense expression and closed his eyes, refusing to say another word.
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