After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

Sun Wei was stumped by his mother's question.

Thinking it over carefully, Qin Shao has done a great favor for the Sun family. He just helped the Sun family confront the princess and saved the Sun family's chance to settle down in Longcheng. If he were to betray Qin Shao, the king would certainly say that he is loyal, but he would inevitably leave a bad impression on him. How could the Sun family be given important positions and how could they avenge their father?

Sun Wei pondered deeply before the spirit tablet of the King of Kaiping for an hour, but still found no answer.

The old lady sighed, gestured for him to come closer, and then secretly told him how to deal with it.

Sun Wei looked worried upon hearing this. "Is this the only way? But my sister..."

"We have come from afar, and our foundation is unstable, so we have no choice but to resort to this last resort."

"I understand."

Sun Wei bowed deeply to his mother and then hurried away.

On the other side, Chen Futu bid farewell to Li Xiuning and returned to the royal court, where he also told his mother about Chen Yuling's situation.

The old lady said, "It would be good for her to experience military training. Your father and I also went through war, and our character was tempered. Once that girl is more settled, you should find her a good match."

"Isn't it too early?"

Chen Futu was slightly surprised. As the eldest brother, he hoped that his sister would make her own decision about her life's most important matter. As her brother, he would never use her as a bargaining chip for a political marriage. If Yu Ling liked him, he would accept it even if he was a beggar.

"She's reached the age for engagement, and now many powerful families are keeping an eye on her, secretly asking people to find out what I think, inquiring whether the princess has a man she likes."

Chen Futu was both amused and exasperated. The aristocratic families had sharp eyes, and Yu Ling was indeed their chance to rise to the top in one step. However, the relationship between Yu Ling and Huo Qubing was a bit ambiguous, so those aristocratic families should just give up.

The old lady was displeased. "My son, is this how you act as king?"

"Is it wrong for me to let my sister choose her own marriage?"

"You certainly don't want a political marriage, but at least make an appearance and give those powerful families a chance, do you understand?"

The old lady's questioning suddenly stirred Chen Futu's thoughts.

Yes, Yu Ling's marriage can be decided privately, but the nominal opportunity should still be given to the aristocratic families. Whether or not she can win their hearts is their own problem.

"It seems we can't let that girl stay in the military camp for too long. We'll call her back in a while."

After leaving the inner palace, Chen Futu sent Consort Ge to fetch Huo Qubing.

Huo Qubing was training his troops when he heard on the way that Chen Yuling had been sent to the southern camp by the king, which surprised him greatly.

Consort Ge smiled and explained the whole story to him. He smiled wryly and said, "The princess still has the same fiery temper, but with the princess consort in the south and the princess having such a sweet tongue, she shouldn't suffer..."

"What? Is the Marquis of Champion going to visit the Princess?"

Consort Ge asked half-jokingly, and Huo Qubing quickly shook his head, for he dared not disobey the king's orders.

When the two arrived at the royal court, Chen Futu got straight to the point and told them about the old lady's decision to publicly choose a husband for Chen Yuling.

Huo Qubing's expression changed drastically. "Your Majesty, has the princess agreed?"

"She can't make that decision."

Chen Futu deliberately held the book without looking up and said, "Since ancient times, marriage has been arranged by parents and matchmakers. As a princess of the royal court, her marriage is no trivial matter. I am willing to find a good match for her, but I also have to consider many factors."

The implication is that they intend to use Chen Yuling for a political marriage, such as a marriage with a powerful family.

After speaking, Chen Futu secretly observed Huo Qubing's reaction out of the corner of his eye. Sure enough, Huo Qubing was a little flustered, but there were some things he couldn't say, or were not appropriate to say.

"Lord Champion, what do you think about the princess's marriage?" Chen Futu asked proactively when Huo Qubing remained silent.

Huo Qubing scratched his head. "Of course, Your Majesty should make the decision on such matters. How dare I, your subject, speak presumptuously?"

Are you sure you have no objections?

"Sure……"

Huo Qubing said those words, but his eyes seemed unfocused.

Chen Futu felt somewhat helpless. Just then, Zhuge Liang and Liu Bowen arrived. Upon hearing this, the two burst into laughter.

Huo Qubing asked with a dark face, "What are you two laughing about?"

Zhuge Liang teased, "General, the princess wants to publicly choose a husband. This is a major event, and we should do our utmost to help her."

"That's right. Speaking of which, General, you're not young anymore. Would you be interested in participating in the marriage selection?"

Liu Bowen was also the sixth son in the family, and he deliberately undermined Zhuge Liang by working together with him.

Huo Qubing said sullenly, "My great cause is not yet settled, how can I start a family? Besides, what does a great man have to worry about not having a wife?"

"Well said, don't say it next time."

Chen Futu glared at Huo Qubing with annoyance.

He's such a clueless guy; even with such clear hints, he's too embarrassed to say anything.

Let him keep putting up with it. We'll have plenty of ways to control him eventually, and see if he gets impatient.

Next, Zhuge Liang reported on the development of the northern frontier this month, while Liu Bowen reported on Yue Fei's recruitment situation. In just one month, more than 10,000 young men and women had been recruited. However, there was no war at present, so Yue Fei planned to cultivate wasteland and set up farms while training troops.

"Your Majesty, the Sun family has sent someone with silver and money, wishing to pay their respects to Your Majesty."

Suddenly, the Tiger Guards came to report.

Chen Futu and Zhuge Liang exchanged a glance. Judging by the time, Sun Wei should have noticed something was amiss by now, but they didn't know what he planned to do.

Was it out of loyalty that he betrayed his benefactor, or was it for the sake of his benefactor that he deceived the royal court?

Soon, the three members of the Sun family entered the main hall, with Sun Wei in front and Sun Feng and Sun Linlin behind.

Zhuge Liang and Liu Bowen looked at the three sisters with curiosity.

"The sinner pays homage to the King."

Sun Wei, upon receiving the courtesy, admitted his guilt.

His father was Sun Chengzong, the Prince of Kaiping, so there's nothing wrong with what he said.

Chen Futu casually put down his book and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Sun, when did I ask you for money?"

"We are deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness; how could we not express our gratitude?"

"Although the Prince of Kaiping is my enemy, he is ultimately serving his master. I am not so petty as to hold a grudge against you."

"Your Majesty is of noble character."

Sun Wei kept flattering him, which Chen Futu found strange, and Zhuge Liang and Liu Bowen also found it inexplicable.

This guy isn't a flatterer, so why does he only say the nice things?

Amidst suspicion, Sun Wei changed the subject, "Your Majesty, you previously sent Young Master Qin to rescue us, and Young Master Qin also helped us in the garden. The Sun family promised to give him one million taels as a reward, but unfortunately we cannot find our benefactor. Therefore, we would like to trouble Your Majesty to invite him out so that we can thank him in person."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang and Liu Bowen exclaimed in amazement, "This kid is a real talent! He's passed the buck to Wang Ting!"

The King of the Northern Frontier is Qin Shao, and Qin Shao is the King of the Northern Frontier. How do we invite the King of the Northern Frontier to come?

Looking at Sun Wei's amiable expression, Chen Futu couldn't help but chuckle. "I didn't realize you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, had so many things on your mind. Are you sure you want to thank me in person?"

"determine."

"Very well, you wait here, I will send someone to invite Young Master Qin over to meet you."