"Your Highness, the remaining Northern Desert soldiers are still trapped in You Mountain. Why don't you let me lead the troops to wipe them out!"
Su Lianwu stopped worrying about Su Liluo's medical skills and instead thought that Xiao Ye was injured and could no longer go to the battlefield.
He recalled the pre-war declaration he had signed, which stated that he would receive no honor if the battle were won.
If I were to wipe out the remaining enemy forces now, wouldn't I also be able to claim credit?
To his surprise, Xiao Ye rejected his suggestion.
"Don't pursue a desperate enemy. I have already taken the head of their general. The remaining soldiers will panic and be trapped in the secluded mountains with no way out. Without water and food, few of them will survive."
But if you lead troops to pursue them, they will definitely fight to the death for their lives. Our chances of winning are high, but we will still lose some lives.
Whether we go or not, we've already won; there's no need to waste resources on this. If you have the time, you should strengthen and improve the town's defensive layout.
"But---"
"Do you want me to tell Father that you underestimated the enemy and almost lost the border town?"
Su Lianwu wanted to try, but Xiao Ye threatened him.
He could only suppress his resentment and back down.
In the following days, the remaining soldiers of the Northern Desert were trapped in Youshan. Without their general, they were leaderless and only wanted to find a way to return to the Northern Desert and survive.
On the other side, Bei Mo was furious when he learned that they had been tricked, but he had lost a general and suffered heavy losses in his soldiers.
They had no choice but to give up for the time being.
After resting for a few days, Xiao Ye prepared to set off with Su Liluo to return to the capital of Daliang.
Meanwhile, Su Lianwu also happened to be on leave to visit relatives, so he traveled with them.
News of the great victory over the Northern Desert quickly reached the capital, but many people were unaware that it was Xiao Ye who led the troops to victory over the Northern Desert.
They still thought that Su Lianwu had led his troops to victory.
At this moment, the Su family mansion was filled with joy and celebration, with red silks hanging inside and outside the house, and guests were even being entertained.
This was all to welcome Su Lianwu's triumphant return with a banquet.
"Madam Su, you are truly blessed. You have given birth to a son who has accomplished such great feats at such a young age. Upon your return, the Emperor will surely bestow lavish rewards upon your Su family!"
"I wonder how old General Su, the eldest son of Madam Su, is this year, and whether he is married? Although a man is often away fighting, the matter of getting married and having children cannot be delayed!"
"Oh, Madam Su, my daughter will be of marriageable age at the end of the year. She is quite famous among the noble ladies. How about we wait until your son returns so he can meet her?"
"I also have a niece, who is as beautiful as a flower. My brother is currently working at the Dali Temple. I think we should..."
Many wealthy women fawned over Jiang Qinshu, trying to curry favor with her and introducing their daughters and nieces to her.
They had long forgotten Jiang Qinshu's embarrassment at the plum blossom banquet, and now they all thought that Su Lianwu's victory over Bei Mo meant he had a bright future ahead of him.
Jiang Qinshu finally felt triumphant and was extremely pleased with herself.
Su Wanshi, standing to the side, was equally excited. Her eldest brother had returned with great merit; he was the most successful person in their family.
This time when he comes back, he's determined to get revenge for his older brother!
Su Yu and his second son, Su Xuanlang, went to the city gate early in the morning to wait for Su Lianwu, intending to give him a grand welcome.
At noon, under the blazing sun, the people on the streets were already neatly lined up on both sides, welcoming the army into the city.
A joyful bugle call sounded, the city gates swung open, and a neat column of troops entered from outside the city.
Suddenly, the surrounding people cheered joyfully.
Su Yu and his group were extremely excited, feeling as if they had washed away their shame.
But when they saw the person sitting in front of the army, they were completely dumbfounded.
Crown Prince!
How come he's here too?
Wasn't it said that the Crown Prince was sick and wouldn't see anyone?
Su Lianwu followed behind the Crown Prince with a blank expression, showing no sign of joy at his victory.
Behind the procession was a small sedan chair, inside which sat Su Liluo.
The palace staff had been waiting for them for a while. Not long after Xiao Ye and his group entered, the eunuchs summoned Xiao Ye into the palace.
"Lianwu, why didn't the Emperor summon you to the palace? Why did the Crown Prince come back with you?"
After everyone dispersed, Su Yu immediately asked Su Lianwu as he brought him back to his side.
Su Lianwu's face was grim. "The Crown Prince led his troops to victory against the Northern Desert, so the Emperor will naturally summon him."
"What? No, wasn't it the Northern Desert you defeated?"
Su Yu gasped in surprise, unable to believe it.
"no."
At this point, Su Lianwu felt extremely uncomfortable.
If he had listened to Xiao Ye earlier, he might have been able to gain some credit now.
He didn't want to say anything more, so he hurried towards the Su residence.
But when he entered the Su residence, he found many people waiting for him.
As soon as he entered the house, Jiang Qinshu excitedly ran up and hugged him.
"Lianwu! You've returned victorious! Were you injured in the battle against the Northern Desert?"
Su Wanshi excitedly stepped forward and praised, "Big brother, you are amazing! You are a hero of our Great Liang!"
The guests in the courtyard looked at him with admiring eyes.
Su Lianwu felt embarrassed and couldn't bring himself to deny it.
He had no choice but to be pushed into the room by Jiang Qinshu, where the surrounding guests praised and lauded him.
Su Yu and Su Xuanlang, who followed behind, were too embarrassed to embarrass their own family in this situation, so they could only remain silent with unpleasant expressions.
The guests at the Su residence all thought that Su Lianwu would be promoted this time, so many people prepared gifts to present to him.
Jiang Qinshu accepted everyone's gifts with a smile, while Su Lianwu watched anxiously from the side.
"Mother, please end the banquet quickly and return all these things."
He pulled Jiang Qinshu aside and whispered something to her.
Jiang Qinshu was naturally unwilling. She refused, saying, "Lianwu, these were all given to you voluntarily. How can you return them? Your mother finally got to hold her head high because of you. What's wrong with you?"
"Mother, you really have to listen to me, quick---"
Su Lianwu was extremely anxious, but before he could finish speaking, he was suddenly interrupted by a loud shout from outside the door.
"Imperial edict has arrived!"
A high-pitched, shrill eunuch voice rang out, and several people dressed in the robes of imperial eunuchs entered.
"Wow, this must be an imperial decree from the Emperor to reward General Su!"
"The Su family is truly blessed with good news! They've barely returned, and the imperial decree of reward has already been issued!"
"I really envy Mrs. Su for having such a fine son! He's truly brought honor and pride to the family!"
Upon hearing that it was an imperial edict, the guests all assumed it was an imperial decree of commendation from the emperor.
Jiang Qinshu and the others were so excited that they quickly pulled Su Lianwu to kneel down.
Only Su Lianwu was extremely uneasy. He clearly had no merit, so why was there an imperial decree?
Could it be that Luo'er thinks he's her brother and is trying to get a reward for himself?
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