Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Luo An asked, "General Yuan, why don't you pacify the northern deserts first?"

An Liangchen said, "Because of Batu. Wildfire cannot burn it all, the spring breeze brings it back to life. As long as Batu is alive, as long as there is an opportunity, he will invade the south and make a comeback. The northern desert will never be peaceful, and fighting will be in vain, wasting manpower, material resources and financial resources."

Luo An focused on the key point: "Jing Chen went to kill Batu?"

Nanfei reacted, slightly agitated: "You have no idea what Batu is like? How could the Second Prince even think of killing Batu? How could he possibly kill Batu?"

An Liangchen said, "Before Xiling stationed its troops in Jiangzhou, it sent people to Beirou to discuss an alliance, which was clearly aimed at Dongyang. Dongyang and Nanyue have both hidden their troops, and Xiling and Beirou cannot be without them. Xiling dared to take the initiative to start an uprising, so its strength is not weak."

We were forced to spread rumors of an alliance with Nanyue to prevent Xiling from forming another alliance with Nanyue. Otherwise, with the three kingdoms joining forces with Mobei, Dongyang would truly be finished. Jingchen overheard us discussing countermeasures in the study. He wrote to Mobei in Dongyang's name to negotiate a peace treaty.

Luo An said, "If the Prince of Dongyang is a hostage, why doesn't the Datars send their own prince as a hostage?"

An Liangchen said, "It doesn't matter who the hostage is. If he really wants to invade the border, a hostage can't stop him at all."

Nanfei said, "It doesn't matter who the hostage is, why is it called 'eating'?"

An Liangchen said, "Because of you."

Nanfei was stunned: "Me?"

An Liangchen: "She is Batu's discarded pawn, but she may still be useful to us. She is willing to come on her own initiative, and Batu is willing to release her, which is a win-win situation."

"Because of me? A win-win situation? How old were we back then, and what happened back then..." Nanfei realized, "Duoyi came first, and then Afeng made the pledge? Afeng's father just died, and you're already pushing her to her death?"

An Liangchen reiterated: "We didn't force her..."

"It was her own choice. What can you do if she didn't want to? Don't you know what happened back then? You shouldn't have arranged this marriage. If you did, why did you let Duoyi interfere? Do you think Afeng didn't suffer enough?" Nanfei realized: "Your Highness, you've plotted against Duoyi, Afeng, and me together?"

An Liangchen explained, "No..."

Nanfei's gaze swept over the courtyard wall: "As expected of the Crown Prince, he can even use his own brothers. We, his subjects, will certainly have no qualms about it."

Nanfei is good at controlling his emotions; he rarely feels so indignant and grief-stricken.

Luo An reached out and put his hand on Nan Fei's shoulder. Nan Fei slowly lowered his head and whispered, "I'm fine."

With a splash, the fish leaped out of the water, tracing a beautiful arc.

Nanfei had no official position or rank, and wished he could leap like a fish. Just as he was thinking this, with a splash, the fish fell back into the pond.

A caged bird longs for its old forest, a fish in a pond yearns for its former deep pool. He is the husband of a general, the brother-in-law of the crown prince; he is already a fish in a pond and a caged bird—where can he go?

Nanfei regained his composure: "You want Ah Feng to go to Chongming Island to find me?"

An Liangchen said, "How many years has it been since you two came back? You didn't even come back for my sister and my wedding? You didn't even send a letter? Isn't that going too far?"

Nanfei repeated, "You asked Ah Feng to go to Chongming Island to find me?"

An Liangchen said, "I just told her that you got married too early, and you were immature, so naturally you resisted. After these few years, you've grown up, matured, and figured things out. You must miss home too, but you just can't bring yourself to come back. Don't blame me for this. She wanted to go to you, and I just gave her a hint."

Nanfei asked, "Knowing that marriage is too early, why did His Majesty still bestow this marriage upon us?"

An Liangchen said, "It's Yuan Feng who's in a hurry, not my father. Yuan Feng didn't ask for permission to get engaged and married, so you're now the prince consort."

Nanfei said, "I understand, it's just that you insist on clinging to us siblings."

Luo An withdrew his hand. An Liangchen looked up at the sky: "If you were the prince consort, I naturally wouldn't marry Nan Hua."

Nanfei touched his forehead and suddenly asked, "Is my sister pregnant? She seems a bit off; she doesn't seem to have much of an appetite?"

An Liangchen said, "More than four months..."

Nanfei asked in surprise, "More than four months?"

An Liangchen put down his cup: "Is there a problem? You've done a remarkable job as a medical apprentice these past few years? How about we find you a position at the Imperial Medical Academy?"

Luo An couldn't help but laugh.

Nanfei paused for a moment, then said, "No problem. I'll still help Ah Feng out."

An Liangchen said, "I didn't intend for you to be my assistant."

The wine was intoxicatingly rich and lingering. Nanfei took a small sip and said, "You want me to guard the southern desert? I have no experience in leading troops. Don't take too much risks."

An Qile said, "I will go to guard the southern desert."

Nan Fei asked curiously, "You've all made a plan? You're just waiting for us to come back. What if we don't come back?"

An Liangchen said, "You can go back again."

Nanfei put down his cup: "You plan to send me to Chongming Island to guard Jingjiang?"

An Liangchen asked, "You want to inherit Nianyao's position as gang leader?"

An Liangchen is plotting against Nianyao? Nanfei looked at Luo An.

Luo An gently swirled the wine in his glass, staring intently at the swirling liquid.

An Liangchen revealed everything: "I'll leave 30,000 troops in Mo Nan and give 70,000 to Yuan Feng..."

"Didn't you say you'd leave 10,000 in Mo Nan?" Nan Fei frowned and interrupted, seeing An Liangchen's unpleasant expression, then said, "You tell me, you tell me..."

Nanfei gestured with the empty wine jug. Guyu quickly refilled it and then withdrew.

An Liangchen said, "To be on the safe side, leave 30,000 cavalry in Mo Nan to defend it, with my uncle as the commander-in-chief. Yuan Feng will have 70,000 cavalry, and another 50,000 will be transferred from the Imperial Guard to you, to reinforce as needed. You can choose your own generals and soldiers. Generals below the third rank will be awarded titles, and the ranks of soldiers will be determined as the battle progresses. Sufficient provisions and military pay will be provided."

"Are the conditions good enough?" Nan Fei hesitated instead: "I'll choose who I lead... I have no experience..."

An Liangchen said impatiently, "Just tell me if you want it or not?"

Nanfei stroked his chin: "Yuan Feng has 70,000 elite cavalry, plus my 50,000 elite imperial guards, and then there are auxiliary troops, that's 300,000 to 400,000. Brother-in-law, if we rebel, what can you do?"

Luo An stopped and looked at him, An Qile looked at him, An Liangchen looked at him...

Nanfei coughed, lowered his hand to pour wine, and the wine pot flew into the sky the moment it touched his hand. Nanfei felt dizzy and the world spun around him as he was lifted into the air and fell down with the wine pot.

The wine spilled all over Nanfei. Ignoring it, Nanfei clutched his backside and cried out in pain, "Ouch..."

An Liangchen was still angry, so he kicked twice, neither too lightly nor too heavily.

Nanfei pulled his foot back and yelled, "You hit my brother-in-law! I'm going to tell my sister!"

An Liangchen saw the person approaching and kicked him out of the pavilion. Nan Fei pretended to shout, but Yuan Feng saw him and flew over to catch him.

Nanfei hugged Nanhua, almost bursting into tears: "Brother-in-law kicked me."

Nan Hua asked kindly, "Did he kick you?"

Nan Fei nodded, but before he could speak, Nan Hua grabbed his ear and pulled him forward.

Nanfei covered his ears and cried out, "Sister, sister... be gentle, my ears are going to fall off!"

Nan Hua dragged Nan Fei up to the pavilion, looking quite menacing. An Qile and Luo An both stood up.

Nan Hua stood in front of An Liangchen: "You kicked him?"

An Liangchen stood upright with his hands behind his back, bold and decisive: "I kicked it."

Nanfei immediately said, "Look, look."

Nan Hua asked, "How many times did you kick it?"

An Liangchen said, "Two...three kicks..."

Nan Hua said, "Why not kick it a few more times?"