"alright."
The King of Chu finally stood up and addressed his ministers, "This matter concerns the safety of the northern border and cannot be handled carelessly. I will stop here for today. All ministers, please withdraw."
Soon, everyone took their leave and left the palace.
On the way, Chu Qingluan was stopped by Chu Hong.
"Royal sister, do you really have to go?"
"Isn't it good to stay in the capital?"
Chu Qingluan stopped and in the moonlight, her profile was as cold as an ice sculpture.
"Chu Hong, since when did my movements need your decision?"
"Don't forget, my military skills are not necessarily worse than yours, not to mention..." Her phoenix eyes swept over Chu Hong's handsome face that was difficult to distinguish between male and female, and her tone was mocking: "Who are you to stop me?"
"Is he the King Rui of Great Chu, my younger brother, or... the little prince of the Western Regions?"
Chu Hong froze at first, but soon put on a smile again.
"Royal sister, there's no need to deliberately make a fuss about your status. Even if you're willing, father will definitely not allow you to take such a risk."
"Besides, you also said that I am a foreigner. Does the emperor really trust me to guard the capital?"
Chu Qingluan sneered and looked at him with cold eyes: "Are you threatening me?"
"When did I ever say I was relieved? If you dare to have any evil intentions in the capital, the Phoenix Feather Guards' arrows and crossbows will not have eyes. As for whether the emperor agrees..."
She paused, the corners of her mouth curled up: "It's not your turn to comment yet."
Chu Hong narrowed his eyes. He always felt that there was something else behind the royal sister's words, and it seemed that there was some kind of certainty in her words.
But Amur has already spoken, so where does her confidence come from?
In a flash, Chu Hong suddenly thought of someone.
Xie Yunqi.
Could it be that...
"Are you reminding me, sister?" He took a half step forward, his inquiring eyes falling on Chu Qingluan. "Are you reminding me that my mother is still in the palace and that the cavalry from the Western Regions haven't crossed the border yet?"
"Oh!"
He suddenly raised his hand, wanting to touch her temple, "But sister, have you ever thought that if I really wanted to rebel, I should have torn down this palace wall the day I learned of my identity."
"I stopped you not because I was afraid you would seize the command, but because I was afraid you would get yourself involved in the battle before it even started when you got to the northern border."
Chu Qingluan paused and looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Chu Hong, what do you know?"
The State of Chen was clearly a country that was subject to the Great Chu and paid tribute every year. This military expedition was indeed too sudden.
It's like... someone is instigating this.
"Don't bother probing me, sister. I know nothing." Chu Hong said, "If you insist on leading the troops, then resolve this predicament first."
After Chu Hong said this, he turned and left.
Chu Qingluan couldn't help but frown.
The current dilemma is that she is leading the troops as a woman?
Or does it mean something else?
Apart from the uncontrollable factor of Amur, what else was unexpected?
Who would most like to see civil unrest in the Chu Kingdom? Who would benefit from the Western Region King's demand for Concubine Jiang and the Chen Kingdom's surprise attack on the northern border?
Chu Hong's words were like a needle, piercing Chu Qingluan's deliberately maintained composure.
She did suspect that someone in the court was colluding with foreign enemies, but she did not connect the two things.
If there really was someone behind the scenes fanning the flames, then the waters in the North might be even more treacherous than she thought.
Thinking of this, Chu Qingluan did not leave the palace immediately, but turned back and went to the imperial study.
That night, the candle in the imperial study stayed lit for almost the entire night.
…
Morning next day.
All the ministers were present and stood on both sides.
Unlike previous days, the atmosphere at this morning's court session was exceptionally solemn and dignified, with deep worry written across everyone's face.
The Emperor of Chu sat high on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over his ministers with a solemn expression. He spoke slowly, "The State of Chen has betrayed us and invaded our northern border. My dear ministers, do you have any good advice?"
"His Majesty!"
The Minister of War stepped forward and said, "We discussed this for half the night yesterday, but we still haven't reached a conclusion. In my opinion, Princess Zhaoyang is of noble status. She has trained with the late Empress in martial arts and military affairs, and is familiar with military affairs. The Phoenix Feather Guard was founded by the late Empress. I believe that the Princess is qualified to take on this responsibility."
As soon as this was said, someone immediately echoed: "That's right. The princess was first educated by the Empress, and then taught by Prime Minister Xie. If the princess leads the army, it will surely boost the morale of the troops."
However, opposition voices also followed.
"Swords are merciless on the battlefield, and the princess is of noble status. What if something goes wrong?"
"I believe that His Royal Highness Prince Rui has been stationed in Youzhou for two years and is familiar with combat. It is most appropriate for him to lead the troops."
Just as he finished speaking, another person stepped forward and said, "This is inappropriate. Prince Rui is now caught up in a vortex of rumors. Moreover, the King of the Western Regions is still in the capital. If Prince Rui is in charge of the military power, what if..."
The minister did not elaborate on his words, but many civil servants nodded in agreement.
Everyone remembers Amur's words and actions at the banquet. Even if King Rui is not of Western Regions blood, there is Concubine Jiang involved. It is hard to guarantee that the King of Western Regions will not resent this and send troops to the Great Chu.
Seeing that things were at a stalemate again.
At this moment, an old but loud voice instantly overwhelmed all the arguments.
"Your Majesty, there is no need to discuss this further. I, an old minister, am willing to lead the troops north to reinforce the northern border."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Duke Dingguo striding out. He was nearly sixty years old, with gray hair, but his figure was as straight as a pine tree and his eyes were as bright as a torch.
He walked to the center of the hall and bowed deeply to the Emperor of Chu: "Your Majesty, I, this old minister, beg for battle!"
The whole court was in uproar.
"Grandfather!" Chu Qingluan, who was standing beside him, looked up suddenly when she heard the words, her eyes full of shock.
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