Zhao Sifang sneered, "Why do I feel like the Prince of Yan's residence isn't very welcoming to me?"
Yu Fengyang, standing to the side, chuckled while fanning himself with a folding fan, "Brother Zhao, you're overthinking it. You're a god of wealth; how could the Prince of Yan's mansion not welcome you?"
Zhao Sifang glanced at the expressionless man at the head of the table, as if to say: Do you think he's welcoming me?
Yu Fengyang touched his nose: Isn't Chu Tianze always like this? It's like someone owes him money. You'll get used to it.
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "Thank you, Sifang. Don't worry, all that money is in the Yan Prince's account, and we will definitely make it up to you later."
Zhao Sifang raised an eyebrow and said, "Zui'an, there's no need to be so polite. I was just saying. I don't care about that money. I just hope someone won't give me a hard time."
Chu Tianze said coldly, "Don't make it sound like I'm taking advantage of you for nothing. You'll only benefit more in the future; you know that yourself."
"Ungrateful!" Zhao Si cursed inwardly. "The future? The next few years will be a complete loss for me!"
Seeing the sparks flying between the two, Fan Ziming quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "Your Highness, Your Highness, now that the rear supplies are ready, shouldn't we discuss how to fight this battle?"
Bai Chuxiao nodded. "Ziming is right. News has come from the Huai River region that the Prince of Xiang is already at his breaking point."
Yu Fengyang said slowly, "Then why don't we take advantage of the situation?"
Chu Tianze said in a deep voice, "We still need to be wary of the Western Yue region, but we must act quickly in this battle in the Central Plains."
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "If you want a quick victory, splitting up into two groups is the best approach."
Chu Tianze praised, "That's right, Xiaoxiao and I are thinking the same thing."
"Mo Yan, Mo Wen, recall Song Fei and Shen Tao immediately."
"yes"
Murong Che said, "Your Highness, then we..."
Chu Tianze pondered for a moment, "The attitude of the Prince of Huainan is uncertain, and we cannot touch General Murong. You and Murong Shuo should remain to guard the four prefectures."
Murong Che and Murong Shuo stood up, cupped their hands, and said, "Yes."
Listening to their back-and-forth conversation, Zhao Sifang found it somewhat boring, after all, he had absolutely no interest in fighting, so he stood up and quietly slipped out.
Seeing this, Bai Chuxiao gave Chu Tianze a look, then strode out after him.
"Thinking Free"
Zhao Sifang paused, turned around, and smiled, "Zui'an, how have you been lately?"
Bai Chuxiao nodded and smiled, "Since you're here, why not stay a few more days? There's no need to send troops out so soon."
Zhao Sifang said in a deep voice, "Are you going with us too?"
Bai Chuxiao laughed and said, "What do you think? I can't just sit here and wait in Yongzhou City, can I..."
Zhao Sifang's smile was somewhat forced. "As for the war... I can't be of much help."
Bai Chuxiao objected, "What are you saying? You've already helped me so much..."
Zhao Sifang shook his head, "What does that matter..."
Bai Chuxiao said seriously, "Anyway, thank you."
Zhao Sifang concealed his expression, raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Oh, why are you being so polite with your brother? But I really have nowhere to stay, so I'll have to stay at Zui'an's place for the next few days."
Bai Chuxiao said irritably, "Of course, we've known each other for so many years, why be so polite? You don't want to live outside, do you?"
Zhao Sifang scoffed, "I'm just afraid some people won't welcome me living here."
"Zhao Sifang, what nonsense are you spouting?" A familiar, chilling voice came from behind.
Bai Chuxiao turned around, "Why did you come out so quickly?"
Chu Tianze pulled her into his arms and said lazily, "Fifth Brother can still hold on, what's the rush?"
He then turned to Zhao Sifang and said, "Since you treat Xiaoxiao as your 'younger sister,' I, the Prince of Yan, will certainly welcome you to this Prince Yan's residence."
Hearing him emphasize the word "sister," Zhao Sifang's expression darkened for a moment, then returned to normal, and he said calmly, "Xiaoxiao is naturally my sister."
Having made his choice, he has no regrets now. He only wants to see Xiaoxiao happy. As for anything else, he will keep it to himself, nothing more...
Chu Tianze nodded, "That's good."
The atmosphere in Yongzhou gradually became tense. Generals were entering and leaving the Prince of Yan's residence every day, creating an atmosphere of impending war.
Back at the Shen residence, Shen Tao looked at Shen Ru, who lay on the bed like a cripple, and sighed softly.
Madam Shen's eyes showed some sadness. "My lord, Ru'er was indeed wrong, but this... is too cruel."
Shen Tao immediately shouted, "Shut up! Ru'er was in the wrong first. The Princess Consort even ordered the death of the Northern Yan Princess. The fact that she's spared her life is already a great favor to the Shen family."
Madam Shen said unhappily, "Are we just going to let it go like this?"
Shen Tao's expression changed drastically. "What else do you want to do? Don't you dare do anything reckless..."
Shen Xuanxuan, standing to the side, tugged at Madam Shen's sleeve, saying worriedly, "Mother, Father is right, please don't say those things again..."
Madam Shen's eyes narrowed, and she slowly said, "Ru'er is someone I raised with great care. It's heartbreaking to see her like this, isn't that enough?"
Shen Tao said with displeasure, "I'm her father. Did you want to see her like this? But she brought it on herself. Let's leave it at that. Just take good care of Ru'er. Don't mention anything else again. With a major battle imminent, the Shen family can't afford to be a hindrance."
Madam Shen tightened her handkerchief. "I know."
Shen Tao's eyes held a warning, "It's good that you know. I'll go to the Prince of Yan's residence to apologize. Just go there less often in the future."
"Apologize? What is there to apologize for? Isn't it enough that Ru'er has been made to look like this?" Madam Shen finally couldn't hold back and roared.
Shen Tao looked somewhat incredulous. "How did you become like this..."
Shen Xuanxuan also whispered, "Mother, please stop talking. The Prince originally intended to kill my eldest sister, but if it weren't for the Princess..."
Madam Shen pushed her away and sneered, "If it weren't for her, Ru'er wouldn't have suffered like this..."
Shen Tao said sternly, "This is unreasonable! Xuan'er, you'd better keep a close eye on your mother and don't let her go out."
Madam Shen roared, "What do you mean? Why can't I go out..."
Shen Tao's eyes were cold. "You'd better stay home and calm down, lest you go out and cause trouble again."
Having said that, he turned and left.
Shen Xuanxuan also sensed that Madam Shen had changed somewhat, and seeing this, she carefully comforted her, "Mother, Xuan'er knows you're feeling bad..."
Madam Shen frowned. "Alright, shut up. You're always siding with outsiders. Why are you always speaking up for the people who hurt your sister..."
Shen Xuanxuan felt somewhat wronged, "Mother, how could you say that..."
Madam Shen's eyes still burned with undiminished hatred. The Shen family of the past would never have suffered such humiliation; now, they were practically becoming a laughingstock in Yongzhou...
Inside the main hall of the Prince of Yan's residence, Shen Tao and Song Fei stood side by side, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness and Your Highness's Consort."
Chu Tianze and Bai Chuxiao nodded slightly.
Song Fei, without any restraint, shouted, "Hey Shen Tao, you're not doing a very good job managing your daughter..."
Shen Tao's face showed a hint of helplessness, then he smiled bitterly and cupped his hands, saying, "This subordinate has failed in raising my daughter properly. Thank you, Your Highness and Your Highness, for sparing her life."
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