Chu Tianze led Bai Chuxiao and her group to inspect several more training grounds. With the Prince of Yan present, the imperial troops naturally dared not say anything. Seeing Bai Chuxiao's somewhat bored expression, Chu Tianze couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle, then led his men back to his tent.
Bai Chuxiao then said calmly, "Isn't the imperial army a bit too weak?" Presumably, His Majesty was aware of this, which is why he summoned Chu Tianze to reorganize it.
Murong Xuan nodded, "Not as good as the Northwest Army." He would usually return to Dingzhou in the Northwest for a while during the year-end, so he was naturally familiar with his uncle's troops.
Chu Tianze smiled faintly, "The border regions are harsh and cold, and there are occasional small-scale wars. Soldiers who have been trained in these conditions are naturally stronger."
Most of the troops outside the capital are just there to collect their paychecks. With no war for years, they'll eventually become useless. But His Majesty certainly wouldn't dare send too many troops to the frontier. The land is far away, and if they rebel... it would be very difficult to suppress them quickly.
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow, "I'm afraid your efforts to reorganize will be in vain..."
"Xiaoxiao is right. I don't want to keep anything to myself, but these people aren't truly loyal to me. They still see me as an outsider..."
A new emperor brings a new court; and since the Prince of Yan wasn't always in the capital, how could they possibly be expected to wholeheartedly obey his orders?
"However, the Imperial Guards are still quite good; Cheng Song is not to be underestimated."
Bai Chuxiao nodded, recalling the middle-aged man she had met last time. Someone trusted so much by His Majesty was certainly no ordinary person.
Speak of the devil, and he appears; a guard suddenly rushed in to report that General Cheng requests an audience.
"This humble general greets Your Highness," Cheng Song said as he entered, clasping his hands in greeting.
General Cheng, there's no need for such formalities.
However, he hadn't expected there to be two other people inside. "What's Miss Bai doing here?" Remembering how easily she had chatted and laughed in front of His Majesty last time, he suddenly didn't find it strange to see her here.
"General Cheng must know that I was taught by my maternal grandfather from a young age, so it's not surprising that I'm interested in these things," Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly.
Cheng Song nodded. "I still vaguely remember the charisma of General Murong back then. This must be the Second Young Master Murong?"
Upon hearing this, Murong Xuan stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Indeed, greetings, General Cheng."
Cheng Song chuckled, "Second Young Master, you're too kind. I just happened to hear that His Highness was in the camp, so I thought I'd come over to exchange some insights on training troops. I wonder if it's convenient for Your Highness, Prince Yan?"
Chu Tianze replied calmly, "Of course."
Seeing this, Bai Chuxiao smiled and stood up, "In that case, I won't bother you any longer." There wasn't much to say about it, and besides, Cheng Song might not really like her.
Chu Tianze nodded with a smile, "I'll come find you again later."
Seeing that Murong Xuan also wanted to leave, Chu Tianze said calmly, "Second Young Master, why don't you stay?" Since he was Xiaoxiao's second brother, he wouldn't mind helping him out more; learning more about him would naturally benefit him in the future.
Murong Xuan hesitated. He held no official position, and staying here was inappropriate. "This..."
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "I'm sure General Cheng won't mind."
Cheng Song chuckled, "Indeed, it's alright. The Second Young Master must have learned a lot from General Murong, so why don't we exchange ideas?"
Seeing this, Murong Xuan no longer refused. He knew the Prince of Yan's good intentions, and he knew that all of this was because of Xiao Xiao, which was why the Prince of Yan was willing to help him.
Emperor Wenxuan, still determined to groom the crown prince, naturally wouldn't stand by and watch Bai Linan offend everyone. Therefore, he personally summoned Bai Linan and bestowed upon him the decree to marry a concubine. Even though Bai Linan was dissatisfied, he had no choice but to accept it. After leaving the palace, he was further ridiculed and mocked by that old scoundrel Liu Jinhan, so he returned to his residence in a rage, wishing he could drag Bai Chuwan out of bed and beat her again.
Looking at Bai Chuxiao, who had just returned from outside with a slight smile on her face, Bai Linan said in a deep voice, "Wait, where did you go so early in the morning?"
"Do I have to report every little detail of where I go to my father?" Bai Chuxiao looked at him calmly.
Having made up her mind to train the team, Bai Chuxiao didn't want to delay any longer and wanted to hurry back to write a training plan. However, upon returning, she ran into the crazy Bai Linan. She couldn't even be bothered to talk to him, but he took advantage of her and started bossing her around.
Bai Linan's face darkened. "Is this the tone you use to speak to your father?"
"Father, what is it you want? If you're bored, why don't you go and prepare your second sister's dowry yourself? I heard that His Majesty has given the order..."
"Hmph, what does a concubine need a dowry for? There are already plenty of rumors going around, so you'd better stay home as much as possible."
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh? Let's leave aside the matter of my second sister for now. As for what happened to me, Father surely knows who leaked it, right? Aunt Xie has ruined the reputation of the eldest daughter of the family. I wonder how Father plans to deal with this?"
"Stop playing dumb. It's normal for Xianglan to be a little resentful because you forced her to pay back the money. She's not capable of doing that. I didn't know you had a grudge against His Highness Prince Qi."
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Father is indeed wise. Does Father not intend to avenge his daughter? Since Prince Qi dislikes me, he will naturally not see the Left Prime Minister's Mansion doing well. How does Father plan to deal with Prince Qi?"
Bai Linan's eyes turned slightly cold. "That's a royal prince. Your reckless remarks will only bring trouble to our Bai family sooner or later."
Bai Chuxiao smiled enigmatically, "Father wouldn't be thinking of killing his daughter to save himself, would he?"
"What nonsense are you spouting, you rebellious daughter? When did your father ever intend to kill you? I was just telling you to be careful with your words and actions. Don't think that just because you have the Prince of Yan, you can act recklessly. Do you think the Wei family is easy to mess with?"
Bai Chuxiao found it somewhat boring. She was now a little puzzled as to how this person had managed to rise to the position of Left Prime Minister. So she said indifferently, "Oh, I won't offend others unless they offend me. Father is quite kind to outsiders... Alright, since there's nothing important, I'll head back now."
Is this rebellious daughter implying that he's a bully who preys on the weak? Bai Linan's face darkened as he spoke of the Wei family, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Did she really think he was afraid...?
However, Bai Chuwan was still very happy at this moment. Although she had lost face this time, His Majesty's word was law, and no one could change it. Soon she would be able to marry the Crown Prince, and perhaps even sit on "that" position in the future.
Madam Xie personally fed her the medicine spoonful by spoonful, her face beaming with joy. "Wan'er, my son and I are finally about to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With the Crown Prince's affection for you, let's see how arrogant that little slut will be in the future."
Bai Chuwan lay half-reclined on the bed, a hint of smugness on her pale face. "Mother, don't worry, in the future I will make Bai Chuxiao kneel respectfully before us."
Madam Xie nodded, then a look of worry appeared on her face. "But we haven't raised enough money yet... and since you're going to marry into the Crown Prince's palace, I naturally have to prioritize preparing more dowry for you. That wretched woman is truly hateful..."
Bai Chuwan coughed a few times. She had indeed been beaten quite badly this time. She had never suffered like this before, and she fell ill as a result. "Uncle and the others..."
Upon hearing these words, Xie's face immediately turned angry. "Don't mention them... a bunch of ingrates!"
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