The princess is killing like crazy again

The Northern Kingdom has repeatedly invaded the border and has had several conflicts, large and small, with the border guards.

The memorial sent by the Cui family was about war.

The situation on the border was tense, and the court began to argue endlessly over whether to fight or not.

Some ministers advocated a conservative strategy, fearing that excessive investment of military and financial resources would affect stability and cause loss of life.

Others believed that war was necessary, once and for all, to ensure peace on the border.

Most of those who advocated war were military generals, while most of those who advocated not fighting were civil officials.

In front of Xiao Yuxie and Xiao Yurong, they would quarrel so much that it almost turned into a catastrophe.

From the reasonable words at the beginning, it gradually turned into mutual accusations and insults that were no different from a quarrel.

"It is right to send troops as soon as possible. The barbarians are rampant. If we, Chu Le, don't go out to fight the enemy and defend our country, do we want those villains to destroy our national prestige?"

"It is better to deal with the enemy first and then come up with a good strategy. In the past, the forty-nine tribes were scattered, but now they have Dugu Ying in charge."

"You are afraid of fighting! A bunch of barbarians who eat raw meat and drink blood have bullied us. What's the point of negotiating? If you want to fight, then fight. Do we, Chu Le, really fear them?"

"Now we are facing internal and external troubles. If we rashly go to war, it will surely lead to disaster. It is better to send envoys to negotiate peace first to avoid unnecessary trouble. Think about the wars in the past and present. They have cost the people money and labor, and the fields have been barren. The people have suffered and been displaced."

"That's wrong. The barbarians are bullying me. Wouldn't it be a boost to their morale and a loss to my own prestige if I seek peace now? Those barbarians will only think that I, Chu Le, am weak and incompetent, and will become even more unscrupulous."

"Don't be impulsive. Military supplies are very expensive. Once a war breaks out, people's livelihood will be difficult and the foundation will be shaken. If we can resolve the dispute through peace talks, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

"Talk about peace? That sounds nice! Were you the ones who mocked the Balmain tribe? King Wen abducted Dugu Ying's mother, and were you the ones who spoke for King Wen? Dugu Ying hates Chu Le to the core, how could he possibly talk about peace!"

"Your generals once crushed the Balman tribe and killed Ata and his relatives! Now it's our fault?"

This was a good thing. It was like stirring up a hornet's nest, and both sides started arguing fiercely.

"You military commanders only know how to show off your bravery for a short time. Once the battle begins, the outcome is unpredictable. The consequences of defeat are disastrous. Where will the food and military supplies come from? How will we rebuild after the war? You are so brave that you put your country in dire straits for your own personal achievements!"

"In this prosperous era, you are here talking about the war with laughter. Which one of them didn't rely on the efforts of our generals? We are fighting on the front line to protect our country! You guys only know how to use your pens, are timid and obstructive. How dare you criticize us?"

"War has far-reaching consequences. It will increase taxes and cause public resentment! War, war, war! All you military officers know is to rush to the front and fight! Can you use some brains?"

"We are cowardly and only care about money and food. If we don't fight, we will lose not only money and food, but also our backbone! Do we want to be laughed at by future generations?"

For a moment, both sides in the court expressed their own opinions, and they both wanted to rush up and strangle each other's neck. Both sides refused to give in and quarreled until they were red in the face.

Xiao Yurong sat on the chair and looked down with a gloomy face.

"That's enough!" Xiao Yurong slammed the backrest. "There's no solution at all, but you're just arguing like crazy! Is this reasonable? What kind of place is this? Do you think this is a market?"

The jade tassels on the crown in front of her swayed with her movements, giving her a majestic look.

All the ministers fell silent immediately, knelt down and bowed their heads, not daring to even breathe.

They didn't dare to look up to see the master's true face, but they could imagine his anger.

In the dead silence, they vaguely heard His Majesty's whispers.

"Okay, don't get angry and make yourself sick." Xiao Yuxie comforted.

Xiao Yurong's face was pale, with red blush on her cheeks and corners of her eyes. Her chest was rising and falling slightly, and it was obvious that she was very angry.

"Okay." Xiao Yuxie said softly.

He glanced at the people below and said slowly, "This matter is of great importance. I need to think about it before making a decision. I am dismissing the court!"

After all, going to war would be a huge risk, and the military needs would be huge, and the Liu family would be eyeing them covetously. If they did not go to war, they would lose the prestige of the country, disappoint the people, and there was no guarantee that the Northern Kingdom would not make further advances.

The ministers knelt down and bowed to him.

Xiao Yuxie looked at Xiao Yurong beside him, "Are you still angry?"

"Nothing." Xiao Yurong lowered his eyes again.

"Are you still angry with me?" Xiao Yuxie looked at her steadily.

Ever since Xiao Yusheng's death, Xiao Yurong had been sarcastic and mocking him. After Huo Zhao's incident, Xiao Yurong began to be indifferent to him.

Every time he managed to stay in the palace for a night or have a meal, it was always for Xiao Yuyuan.

"How dare you?" Xiao Yurong curled his lips sarcastically.

Xiao Yuxie closed his eyes and asked, "Are you staying for dinner?"

Xiao Yurong stood up and said, "No, I also need to think carefully about this war."

She turned and left.

Xiao Yuxie silently watched Xiao Yurong go away, this vast palace, and his loved ones who had betrayed him.

"The emperor is alone and helpless." He muttered to himself in a self-deprecating voice and then smiled.

Sitting on the throne of the world, brother and sister turned against each other.

Xiao Yurong was indeed upset about this matter. She knew well the cruelty of war, which was closely related to what she had experienced before.

Li Yaozhi sat opposite her. Seeing that she had no interest in the wine and delicacies, he could also see her worry. "Your Highness, would you like more wine?"

"No need." Xiao Yurong came back to his senses.

She looked out the window, "The flowers are ignorant, the moon is boring, and the wine is soulless."

Being lazy and sluggish, or trying your best but not being interested in anything.

"If Your Highness wants to please Him, chop up the peaches to ruin the view. Cook the parrot and give me a drink as a side dish." Li Yaozhi added jokingly.

His eyes are clearer than water, his face is more pleasant than clouds. He is there to make you laugh, and you can't bear to disappoint him.

"Mobilize a large army." Xiao Yurong curled the corner of his lips.

Li Yaozhi held Xiao Yurong's hand, gently rubbed Xiao Yurong's joints with his fingertips, and comforted him softly: "Don't worry, Your Highness, this matter needs to be considered carefully."

He analyzed the current situation: "The situation on the border seems to be critical now, but Dugu Ying does not seem to have the intention to mobilize troops. Blindly increasing troops will undermine stability. Chu Le can avoid fighting, so he should do so for the time being."

"Yes, otherwise there will be internal and external troubles and the imperial power will be shaken." Xiao Yurong sighed.

Li Yaozhi suggested: "Can we first send Cui to stabilize the war situation, and at the same time allocate supplies in Yujing and make all defense preparations just in case. In addition, send envoys to negotiate with the enemy."

Xiao Yurong pondered: "Shao Yan's thoughts are very thorough, but this envoy..."

Li Yaozhi smiled and said, "Shao Yan is going?"

Xiao Yurong paused for a moment, "I'll go with you."

"Together?" Li Yaozhi was slightly startled. "The journey is long, and His Highness's health..."

"With a sick body, what's the point of talking about the future? Just do whatever you can." Xiao Yurong closed his eyes, "Does my brother really need me now?"

Li Yaozhi remained silent.

Xiao Yurong opened his eyes. "Dugu Ying and I are old friends, so it's easier for us to negotiate. I'll be passing by Yuyou on the way, so I'll also... meet Fourth Brother."

"Okay." Li Yaozhi smiled, "Then Shao Yan will go and prepare for everything."

Xiao Yuxie has always been against Xiao Yurong's plan to go to the frontier.

Xiao Yurong was already in poor health, and had to travel back and forth all the time. Now he was sick and had to go to the border again.

"This is simply nonsense." Xiao Yuxie disagreed.

He stared at Xiao Yurong, "Do you know how dangerous this is? Is this a joke? Not to mention that Dugu Ying hates Chu Le to the core and wants to destroy the royal family. The journey is dangerous, how can you take the risk in your current state?"

One can imagine how much Dugu Ying hated Chu Le, and how much the forty-nine tribes of the Northern Kingdom hated Chu Le.

It was Chu Le who caused Dugu Ying's family to be destroyed and all his relatives to die.

Moreover, Dugu Ying and his northern army were brave and good at fighting, and were good at fighting in all difficult and harsh environments.

Even Cui Shi might not be able to stop Dugu Ying, so how could Dugu Ying be willing to negotiate peace with Xiao Yurong?

Xiao Yurong retorted: "If we can make peace now, then make peace. If a real fight breaks out and the Liu family stirs up trouble again, will you still be able to sit firmly on the throne?"

She repeatedly questioned, "Haven't I ever been in danger? King Wen, Wu, Xuancheng, haven't I ever been in danger? Why is it not allowed now? Is it because you don't need me anymore?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Xiao Yuxie gritted his teeth and said, "In short, I don't agree."

"If I really want to go, my royal brother can't stop me. It's just that I have to make sure everything is in place, or I can go alone." Xiao Yurong said calmly.

"You!" Xiao Yuxie was really angry.

His face was gloomy, and he gradually approached, "Are you threatening me?"

"How dare I?" Xiao Yurong raised the corners of his lips and revealed a pale smile, "I'm just watching to see if my brother still cares about our brotherly love and me."

"You dare to do this only because you take advantage of the fact that I care about you." Xiao Yuxie's hand fell on the back of Xiao Yurong's neck, with his thumb resting on her chin.

"You succeeded in threatening me because you knew I couldn't bear it, so you didn't care." He said in a low and slow voice.

He was much taller than Xiao Yurong, and his eyes could easily scan every inch of her frosty and cold face, and the emotions in his eyes could no longer be hidden.

Under the night sky, those obscure emotions shine brightly and dimly in his eyes, and its depth is unknown.

"If I didn't care, I wouldn't rely on your care." Xiao Yurong raised his eyes and looked at Xiao Yuxie.

Both sides were silent.

Xiao Yurong said softly: "I have grown up after they died."

Xiao Yuxie froze.

"You should have let go a long time ago, brother." Xiao Yurong sighed tiredly.

She has gone too far for herself, for Xiao Yuxie, for her family, and for the Xiao family.

It's too late to turn back.

"Okay." Xiao Yuxie let go of his hand, but held Xiao Yurong's wrist tightly before letting go, "But you have to promise that you will come back safely."

"I promise." Xiao Yurong closed his eyes.

Even Xiao Yuxie's side has been taken care of, and everything is almost ready.

In the past, when Xiao Yurong was away on a long journey, the internal affairs were all handed over to Gongsun Zhao, but now...

Xiao Yurong silently looked at the crowd who were seeing him off, as well as Gongsun Qin who was standing alone.

This time she only brought Li Yaozhi and Xie Deshu.

It hasn't been so quiet for a long time.

"Gongsun Qin." Xiao Yurong shouted.

Gongsun Qian, who was standing in front of the crowd with a worried look on his face, quickly got out and stood in front of Xiao Yurong. "What instructions do you have, my lord?"

Xiao Yurong looked at Gongsun Qin, who seemed to be thinner than before.

"Let your brother out after I leave," Xiao Yurong said.

Gongsun Qin was stunned and looked at Xiao Yurong in disbelief.

He originally thought that Xiao Yurong would be able to tolerate what his stupid brother had done and not pursue the matter, and that simply placing him under house arrest in the villa was the maximum punishment.

He thought it would take at least several years, or even more than ten years or even decades, before Xiao Yurong would release Gongsun Zhao.

"My lord..." Gongsun Qin didn't know what to say for a moment.

He looked at Xiao Yurong's pale face, but he couldn't say those words.

Gongsun Qian said to Xiao Yurong solemnly: "Have a safe journey and take care of yourself."

"Okay." Xiao Yurong curled the corners of his lips slightly and nodded.

She turned and left, heading north.

Fortunately, it is spring, the weather is warm and the flowers are blooming. Even if we have to travel through mountains and rivers, it is better than traveling in winter.

Bad news had already come along the way, and battle reports were coming in like snowflakes. Not only did they reach Xiao Yuxie in Yujing, but Xiao Yurong also received the battle reports.

The Northern Kingdom still invaded, and Dugu Ying led the troops personally, and now he has captured a city.

The Huiting that was captured was one of the three hometown cities that Dugu Ying offered to Xiao Yurong after she fell to the moon with her dance.

The main force of the Cui family is now at war with the forty-nine tribes of the Northern Kingdom. Both sides are in a stalemate and there has not been much progress so far.

But it was clear that the Cui family was already showing signs of decline.

After Xiao Yurong finished reading the battle report, a fishy and sweet taste rushed to her throat. She closed her eyes and swallowed the fishy taste back.

It was time to set up camp and rest, so she held onto a tree trunk to steady herself.

"Your Highness." Li Yaozhi quickly held Xiao Yurong's arm, his eyes filled with worry.

"It's okay, let's set off. We need to get to the border as soon as possible." Xiao Yurong took a deep breath, "Send a letter to Yujing and make preparations early."

Li Yaozhi sighed and replied, "Okay."

He supported Xiao Yurong again and walked towards the carriage, "Your Highness, can you take a rest? The journey is long and we have been traveling for a long time. If we continue like this, Your Highness's health..."

"How is my health? Don't I know?" Xiao Yurong laughed at himself. "We must get to the border as soon as possible. If we continue fighting, there will be no peace talks."

After all, Huiting is one of the three cities of the hometown. It has not been back for long and has a weak sense of belonging. It has always been considered as the territory of the Northern Kingdom.

Dugu Ying would not massacre the city, or allow his subordinates to burn, kill and loot.

According to Yi Yan, in the later history books, the incident in which Dugu Ying killed all the noble families should not have happened in Huiting.

But if the fight continues, those things will really happen.

Xiao Yurong held Li Yaozhi's hand tightly and said, "We have to be quick."

Li Yaozhi held her trembling hands, silently supporting and comforting her.

"Okay." Li Yaozhi said softly.