Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Morning next day.

Only then did the civil and military officials hear Emperor Jingzhao announce the candidates for the expedition.

General Zeng was the commander-in-chief, and General Qin was the deputy commander-in-chief.

There were also some other deputy generals.

But most importantly, the Crown Princess actually became the strategist for this war.

This stunned the officials.

But then Emperor Jingzhao explained why he had sent Lingyan to this battle.

Instantly, some officials felt that their emperor was truly wise.

The Crown Princess is indeed very suitable to go to this battle.

With the Crown Princess's abilities, she should be able to handle the job.

However, some officials disagreed and their opposition was very strong.

Some of these officials felt that matters of the battlefield were of great importance, so they questioned Lingyan's abilities and thought the matter was too frivolous, and therefore wanted Emperor Jingzhao to rescind his order.

These officials are alright; at least they are considering things from the perspective of the country.

But the remaining officials opposed it purely because Lingyan was a woman.

They're all old-fashioned feudalists, using the traditional female virtues of obedience and the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues as examples.

It's all nonsense!

Emperor Jingzhao was too lazy to listen to them and forcefully interrupted their speech.

Then I started dealing with other things.

When Lingyan received this news, she simply laughed it off, completely ignoring their objections.

Anyway, as long as Emperor Jingzhao agrees, what can these people do if they disagree?

Besides, no matter how much she says now, they won't believe her, much less agree with her.

So once she wins, they will shut up on their own without her saying a word.

The selection of the commander-in-chief and deputy commander for this expedition was, of course, based on her recommendations and suggestions to Emperor Jingzhao.

Whether it was General Zeng or General Qin, she had met them and knew them to some extent.

Both of them were very compatible with her in terms of ability, temperament, loyalty, interpersonal skills, and style of doing things.

Moreover, when it comes to matters of national importance, it's always easier to get things done through acquaintances.

She didn't want to waste time getting to know generals she wasn't familiar with.

If they don't meet her expectations and conflicts arise between them, she can't handle it arbitrarily, but that would delay the war effort.

Changing commanders on the eve of battle or before the battle is a major taboo.

Therefore, in order to prevent these bad situations from happening, she naturally recommended these two people.

When Zeng Han and Qin Qi received the imperial decree, they were naturally very honored and happy to participate in the battle.

So the two of them immediately began preparing for the expedition.

Then, when they learned that the Crown Princess was the strategist in this battle, they guessed that the two of them must have been recommended to His Majesty by the Crown Princess.

Therefore, both of them silently remembered the Crown Princess's kindness in helping them.

...............

Five days later, the army was to set off, and Lingyan spent a day preparing some measures for her upcoming expedition.

As for the rest, Zeng Han and Qin Qi will take care of it.

So, during the few days she had free time afterward, she spent time with Xiao Muyao and Lu Yanqing.

Shen Qingchen deliberately devoted her time to the two of them, which shows how understanding she was of them.

The night before the army set off, the two men spoke to her again, expressing their concern and urging her to be careful.

Then they went on a rampage, conquering cities and seizing territories.

It wasn't until the third watch of the night that the two men, understanding that she had to leave with the army early the next morning, reluctantly let her go.

The next morning, as dawn broke on the horizon, everything seemed to be asleep.

Only the three armies about to set out on their campaign, like sleeping lions, await the moment of awakening.

On the training ground, Zeng Han and Qin Qi, dressed in majestic military uniforms, stood at the front of the formation, looking heroic and spirited.

Lingyan, dressed in black Hu-style clothing, stood side by side with the two generals, displaying a heroic and dashing demeanor.

As for Shen Qingchen, after his disguise, he stood quietly a few steps behind Ling Yan like a shadow, his gaze never leaving her, protecting her closely.

In front of Lingyan and the other two was Emperor Jingzhao, dressed in a dragon robe.

He was passionately inspiring the soldiers who were about to go into battle.

Those impassioned words, like oil being poured onto a raging fire, instantly ignited the fighting spirit and passion in the hearts of the soldiers.

Commonly known as: getting a shot of adrenaline.

After the pep talk, all the soldiers were filled with fighting spirit and their blood was boiling.

The effect is really good.

Then, at the height of their morale, Zeng Han shouted, "Let's go!"

Instantly, the army moved in an orderly and disciplined manner, obeying all orders.

After paying their respects to Emperor Jingzhao and Lingyan, Zeng Han and Qin Qi solemnly departed.

Emperor Jingzhao watched them walk further and further away until their figures completely disappeared into the morning light.

He slowly turned around, his gaze deep and complex as he looked at Ling Yan.

His gaze held a hint of worry for her safety, but even more so, a deep trust in her abilities.

He said firmly, "I am here waiting for your triumphant return, and I will personally celebrate your victory."

Lingyan smiled radiantly, her eyes sparkling with confidence and determination as she replied, "Thank you, Father. Just wait patiently for the celebration for your daughter-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingzhao's lips curled into a sentimental smile.

He then nodded and left, leaving Xiao Muyao to say goodbye.

Xiao Muyao has already said almost everything he needed to say in the past few days.

So he didn't say much at that moment, but just said very seriously, "I'll wait for you to come home safely."

Upon hearing this, Lingyan took the initiative to step forward and hug him.

She then smiled and let go of him, replying, "Wait for me to come home."

Then she looked at Lu Yanqing, who was disguised as Xiao Muyao's servant, and said softly, "You have to wait for me to come back too."

Lu Yanqing nodded, her eyes red.

Lingyan then turned around, mounted her horse with grace and swiftness, and rode away.

The movements were executed in one smooth motion, without any hesitation or delay.

Upon seeing this, Shen Qingchen nodded to Xiao Muyao and Lu Yanqing, and then mounted her horse and left together.

Seeing this, Lu Yanqing chuckled and said, "Brother Shen is the best. He has no status restrictions, so he can go wherever Yanyan wants to go."

Xiao Muyao did not respond after hearing this.

I simply watched them leave in silence.

...............

Lingyan quickly caught up with the army.

With so many people traveling, the speed naturally won't be very fast.

So Lingyan caught up with them in no time.

But they suddenly stopped when they passed a certain place where the army was stationed.

At this moment, the soldiers following along were all puzzled.

Ling Yan only stayed for a short while before leaving as if nothing had happened.

The soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment, not knowing what had happened.

Only one of them lowered his head in frustration.

He sighed inwardly: "We've been found out after all!"

How can my sister-in-law be so smart!

As night fell, the army stopped in a mountain forest to prepare for the night and rest.

After the team had rested, Lingyan asked Shen Qingchen to bring over the person who had secretly infiltrated the team.

By this time, Lingyan's tent had already been set up, and the three of them entered the tent together.

Ling Yan then looked at the listless man dressed as an ordinary soldier and said with a half-smile, "You really have a lot of guts, daring to secretly hide in the ranks and come out with us."

The person who came, the Ninth Princess, said with dissatisfaction, "It's all because Father Emperor wouldn't let me come along. Even though my martial arts skills are good enough, I begged him for a long time but he wouldn't agree. I had no choice but to resort to this."

Lingyan sighed helplessly upon hearing this and said, "Father is doing this because he is worried about you. You say you are highly skilled in martial arts, but how do you compare to General He? Father naturally does not want you to take any risks, which is why he disagrees."

After hearing this, the Ninth Princess finally understood her father's love for his son.

Indeed, as far as the Emperor was concerned, even General He had been poisoned, so of course he wouldn't feel at ease with her.

At this point, Lingyan continued, "Who else knows about this?"

Upon hearing this, the Ninth Princess immediately replied, "Only my mother knows and understands my ambitions and dreams, as well as the difficulties it is for a woman to rise above others. So even though she is worried about me, she doesn't want me to regret it later or follow in her footsteps, which is why she helped me infiltrate the ranks."

Lingyan felt quite bitter upon hearing this.

Yes!

Only Consort Liang understood the Ninth Princess.

Therefore, Consort Liang would help her realize her own dreams and values.

Instead of confining her to the capital city out of concern for her safety, as Emperor Jingzhao did.