After several months of training, Cui Hao had no doubt about the abilities of the five hundred men at the foot of Zhaoyun Peak. These five hundred men were no longer just soldiers who could only kill enemies, but all-around elites with both courage and strategy. However, the Black Wing Guards, as the prince's personal guard, were personally trained by the prince, and the Flying Cloud Cavalry were also elite troops in the Xuanjia Army. Now, with one side operating openly and the other covertly, the final outcome was indeed hard to predict.
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "I think you might have underestimated them. How about we make a bet? I believe at least four hundred of them will pass."
A hint of doubt flashed in Cui Hao's eyes. "Is the princess really that confident?"
Bai Chuxiao smiled mysteriously, "If I lose, I'll give you Bei Yan's Seven Star Sword."
Cui Hao cupped his hands in thanks, "Then this subordinate thanks the princess in advance, but it seems this subordinate has nothing to offer."
Bai Chuxiao blinked, "No rush."
The next morning, a group of black-armored soldiers carrying bundles appeared in the dense forest that had previously been inhabited only by snakes, insects, rats, ants, and poisonous plants.
From a high vantage point in a large tree, Bai Chuxiao and Cui Hao secretly observed the group.
"Let's discuss a strategy. We can't afford to be disorganized," Xia Fan said slowly. They needed to both launch a surprise attack and prevent being attacked themselves; without a plan, they would be easily captured.
Four more men stepped forward and offered their suggestions. Bai Chuxiao, hidden in the shadows, nodded in satisfaction. Individual ability was one thing, but teamwork was even more important in this team. Those who spoke up were all people who had performed exceptionally well in the past.
In no time, the group had devised a plan, and the five hundred men were instantly divided into five small teams, each led by one of the five men who had just stepped forward.
Xia Fan led one team and quickly disappeared in one direction. Then two more teams disappeared in different directions, while the remaining two teams moved forward slowly as if they had no mission...
The Blackwing Guard captain, who was lying in ambush, smiled as he looked at the lone group below, but he didn't rush to make a move...
As night fell, things began to stir in the forest; gradually, firelight and sounds of fighting appeared around us.
Bai Chuxiao and Cui Hao followed not far from the group led by Xia Fan. "Cui Hao, how's it going?"
Cui Hao was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The princess has won."
Bai Chuxiao sighed softly, "Xia Fan is a promising talent."
They clearly understood the division of labor and intentions of the various teams. Following this pattern, the final result would be exactly as she predicted: passing through with four hundred people would be no problem, except that Xia Fan's team would suffer casualties.
In the Prince of Yan's residence, Chu Tianze sat in his study.
Mo Yan, sitting at the lower end of the table, bowed his head and said, "Your Highness, the Princess has not returned to the villa these past few days."
A hint of helplessness flashed across Chu Tianze's face as he said indifferently, "Fine, let her be."
Xiao Xiao asked him for the Black Wing Guards and Flying Cloud Riders to leave the city, saying it was for the final test of those five hundred people. He was curious, but Xiao Xiao wouldn't let him go, insisting he know only after it was done. He had previously sent secret guards to scout ahead, but they were sent back as soon as they approached Zhaoyun Peak.
"Keep a close eye on the Zhaoyun Peak area of the villa, and don't reveal the princess's whereabouts."
"yes"
In truth, Mo Yan and Mo Wen were also very curious about what their future princess was doing so mysteriously, but since even the prince didn't know, they dared not ask.
Yu Fengyang, dressed in a white robe, strolled in leisurely, fanning himself with a folding fan.
"Where did Princess Changning go? She couldn't have really gone to the other residence for a stroll, could she?"
He didn't believe they were going to another villa. If they were really going on a trip, this woman who valued romance over friendship would definitely follow them around like a puppy. Why would she be sitting in the study?
Chu Tianze glanced at him indifferently, "Have you taken care of your sister's matter?"
Yu Fengyang nodded indifferently, "Just send it to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion in a few days." With such a scandal, the wedding is out of the question; the Yu family has no right to host a banquet. As for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, there's no way they'll accept it. Wei Baifeng is an illegitimate son and now crippled; he doesn't want others to laugh at him.
Chu Tianze said coldly, "The Wei family needs to be more lively."
"Don't worry, my sister is no pushover. A cripple can be terrifying when she goes crazy. Prince Wei won't have much time to spare."
With the autumn imperial examinations approaching, Wei Baichuan has been frequently seen at Qingyi Pavilion lately, and his purpose is self-evident.
Chu Tianze spoke again calmly, "How much longer do you plan to remain the heir apparent? After my wedding with Xiaoxiao, I intend to return to Yongzhou."
His fiefdom was also in the south, in Yongzhou in the southwest, not too far from Huzhou, the fiefdom of the Prince of Xiang. He had no interest in staying in the capital to win over civil officials; both the Prince of Xiang and the Prince of Qi were making frequent moves, and he feared that chaos was about to break out. What use would these civil officials be then?
A rare look of composure appeared on Yu Fengyang's face. "I will leave the Yu family as soon as possible."
Over the years, he had spent far more time with Chu Tianze on the frontier than in the capital, and he had absolutely no attachment to the capital.
Chu Tianze nodded. "It's good that you know what's going on."
He and Yu Fengyang were not only superior and subordinate, but also close friends. With Yu Fengyang's military achievements, he could have been promoted to general long ago, provided he wasn't from a powerful family. He knew that Yu Fengyang didn't care about promotions or titles, but staying in the Yu family would be a waste of his talent.
Ten days is neither a long nor a short time. Bai Chuxiao, dressed in a white outfit, stood on the mountaintop with Cui Hao. This time, she did not disguise herself as Su Zuian, but used her original appearance.
The sound of footsteps approached in unison, and the four teams ascended the mountaintop in an orderly fashion, without any disorder. When they saw the people on the mountaintop, they were somewhat surprised. What was the young lady doing here? Where was the instructor?
"Greetings, Princess; greetings, Commander Cui," the crowd said, though puzzled, no one asked questions. They all bowed respectfully. Although they had been training at Zhaoyun Peak, they were not entirely ignorant of the outside world; they all knew that their future princess had been bestowed the title of Princess.
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Why don't you recognize the instructors?"
Everyone was slightly surprised; the young lady was actually the instructor! They hadn't realized it at all after all this time.
Bai Chuxiao then announced loudly, "Congratulations to everyone for successfully passing the assessment!"
Upon hearing this, the crowd, who should have been happy, instead lowered their heads.
One of the team leaders stepped forward and said, "Instructor, the team that passed the test should be Xia Fan's, not ours."
The others echoed this sentiment. Xia Fan's team had initially been prepared to sacrifice themselves so that they could pass the assessment unscathed.
After glancing around, Bai Chuxiao nodded with satisfaction. "I'm very pleased that you understand your companion's good intentions." "Cui Hao..."
Cui Hao nodded and quickly flew down. The others were puzzled, but Bai Chuxiao smiled and offered no explanation.
After a moment, Cui Hao returned and stood next to Bai Chuxiao.
The sound of orderly footsteps echoed from the foot of the mountain again; it was Xia Fan's team. Everyone's faces showed a hint of surprise and delight.
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Your team is very good."
Commander Cui had just informed them that the princess was an instructor. Xia Fan and the others behind him had mixed feelings of happiness and regret. They were happy that their companions had passed smoothly, but they were regretful that they couldn't stay...
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