Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

After the banquet, Changsun Yang returned to his residence with a look of excitement.

As soon as he entered the mansion, he couldn't help but shout, "Someone, light up the whole courtyard! Everyone in the mansion will be rewarded with a peck of rice and two taels of silver, hahaha!"

He was overjoyed. With Shen Lang's guarantee, he could exchange four million shi of grain and six million taels of silver for the return of powerful clans from Guanzhong to the Great Chu court. This deal was an absolute steal.

"Father, you're back!"

Upon hearing that Changsun Yang had returned, Changsun Ying immediately rushed out to greet him.

"Ying'er, the Changsun family is finally about to rise again. Today I spoke with Commander Shen..."

He promised me that I could personally go to Nanjing to meet the Emperor, and that I could set off in a couple of days.

"Alas, the great families of Guanzhong are finally about to see the dawn."

Changsun Ying's face lit up with joy: "Really? That's wonderful!"

"Father, we were able to enter the capital so quickly this time, all thanks to Marshal Shen. You mustn't forget his contributions."

"That's natural."

Supported by Changsun Ying, Changsun Yang walked into the hall, his eyes sparkling with hope.

As soon as he sat down, a servant immediately brought over a cup of tea, but Changsun Ying took it and respectfully presented it to Changsun Yang.

Changsun Yang was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "This is the first time in my life that you have taken the initiative to serve me tea. It's quite rare."

Changsun Ying: "Father, I am happy for you and for the Changsun family."

Changsun Yang narrowed his eyes: "Speak up, tell your father what's on your mind, don't keep things to yourself, that's not like you."

As he spoke, he took a sip of water.

Changsun Ying immediately squatted down, leaned over Changsun Yang's knees, and asked eagerly, "Father, is Marshal Shen married?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Yang paused for a moment and said, "Ying'er, do you think a man like this wouldn't have women admiring him?"

"Father asked today, and he said that Marshal Shen is already engaged. Once the war in the Northwest is over, he will return to the capital to marry his bride."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Ying became anxious: "Who in the world is worthy of such a man? Father, have you asked who Marshal Shen is betrothed to?"

Changsun Yang: "Asking someone's fiancée's name is a major taboo and a breach of etiquette! If he won't tell you, how can you expect me to ask?"

Changsun Ying: "I don't care, Father. I have been determined to marry a hero of our time since I was a child. Now that I have finally met the person I love, I can't let this opportunity slip away."

Changsun Yang shook his head: "But they're already engaged!"

Changsun Ying pouted: "It's just an engagement, and we're not married yet, so it doesn't count. Besides, my daughter has the right to fight for her own happiness."

Changsun Yang's eyelids twitched immediately: "I'm warning you, don't do anything reckless. My Changsun family has finally been able to return to the imperial court..."

Shen Shuai is currently a key figure we rely on; if we anger him...

Even if the Changsun family gains influence in the court and among the common people, how can they remain in power for long against the deeply entrenched aristocratic families of Jiangnan?

Upon hearing this, Changsun Ying remained silent for a long while before slowly speaking: "Father, how about this, let your daughter meet with Marshal Shen?"

If Shen Shuai really has no interest, then my daughter will stop bothering me. What do you think?

"What kind of behavior is it for a young woman to show her face in public? Who would willingly go out and meet with a strange man alone?"

"Then let my older sister come with me, is that alright?"

"You, ugh~"

"Father, please, just this once, okay? I don't want to miss out on the happiness I've got. Please let me try just this once, please~"

Finally, after much pleading and cajoling from Changsun Ying, Changsun Yang relented: "Alright, I'll try to arrange for you to meet with Shen Shuai."

But you must promise me that no matter the outcome, you won't cause any trouble and offend Commander Shen, understand?

"Thank you dad!"

Changsun Ying excitedly hugged her father.

In her heart, she thought: The moment Shen Lang sees my true form, I don't believe he won't be moved. As the saying goes, even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. I've decided on you. No one else is good enough for you!

……

"Floating catkins, my floating catkins~"

On the other hand, after the banquet ended, Shen Lang didn't give Jiang Shangxian any chance to have Kun'er appear.

Using the excuse that "military affairs are busy and the prince needs to be in charge personally," they practically dragged him out of the Piaoxiang Tower.

On the way back to the Xia Palace, which had become the temporary command post of the Imperial Guard, Jiang Shangxian gritted his teeth in hatred.

"Brother, that's really unfair of you. Miss Piaoxu already agreed, why are you dragging me into this?"

"Can you please stop being so mean? I've already decided to go all out tonight!"

The atmosphere was so perfect, and you just ruined it like that!

Even the beautiful Piaoxu maiden took the initiative to undress and serve me well, but you…”

"Damn it, I regret it, I regret it so much! Ever since I met you, I've practically become a vegetarian!"

Listening to Jiang Shangxian's incessant nagging, Shen Lang patiently picked at his ears before slowly replying.

"Your Highness, I truly don't understand. The Princess Consort is also a rare beauty in Jiangnan..."

She possesses an air of nobility that surpasses even those women of the night; why do you still think about cheating on her every day?

Jiang Shangxian immediately replied with a mournful face, "Brother, you'll understand this after you get married."

My partner has absolutely no romance and a terrible temper.

Before her, I am like a lamb, utterly devoid of any dignity befitting a prince.

If she were even a little more considerate towards me, I wouldn't have to feel my heart flutter every day looking at those seductive and shameless women.

Think about it, a woman who gets angry at you at the drop of a hat...

Would you prefer a woman who obeys you completely and is completely submissive to you? Definitely the latter, right?

Shen Lang chuckled lightly: "It's best to marry a virtuous wife. Don't always dwell on those trivial matters between men and women; it won't do you any good."

As they were talking, the carriage had already arrived inside the Xia King's Palace.

The two strolled towards the main hall.

As soon as he stepped into the main hall, Shen Lang immediately put on a serious expression: "Your Highness, it's time to talk about the strategy for dealing with Xiliang."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shangxian immediately wiped away his previous nonchalant expression: "Are you really decided?"

Shen Lang remained silent, watching the two people who approached and bowed before the sand table in front of him.

"This humble official greets Your Highness and General Shen!"

It was Ban Dingyuan and Wang Xuance, two military advisors from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War, respectively.

"No need for formalities. I've called you here to discuss matters concerning Xiliang."

After Shen Lang and Jiang Shangxian took their seats at the head of the table, they got straight to the point.

"Although Chang'an has now been recovered, the imperial court has not been involved in the Guanzhong region for a long time, and its internal foundation is not stable."

Furthermore, although the Qiang and Hu tribes fled westward, they still posed a considerable threat to Chang'an.

The former requires effective governance from the imperial court to be effective, while the latter, the Western Liang region, is inhabited by a diverse mix of nomadic and non-Han peoples, and its terrain is extremely complex.

With the current strength of my Imperial Guard, it is impossible to quickly quell the rebellion in a short period of time.

In order to avoid a situation where gains are lost again, the first thing to do is to block the main road from Xiliang to Yongzhou.

"Establishing strongholds in key locations to prevent the Qiang and Hu tribes from making a comeback—I wonder where you two think would be the most effective terrain to occupy in Xiliang?"

Ban Dingyuan and Wang Xuance both frowned in surprise, somewhat puzzled by Shen Lang's intention in saying these things.

They didn't speak, and Shen Lang didn't respond either. He simply leaned back in his chair and said slowly, "No rush, think about it slowly."

Ban Dingyuan was the first to stand up: "General Shen, why don't the Imperial Guards annihilate the Western Xia in one fell swoop and solve the problem of the northwest foreign threat once and for all?"

Shen Lang replied, "Who told you that Western Xia wouldn't fall? Within a month, the Western Xia regime will inevitably collapse."

The current discussion revolves around how to prevent chaos in Xiliang and ensure the preservation of Guanzhong.

Upon hearing this, neither Wang Xuance nor Ban Dingyuan understood what Shen Lang meant.

"Stop guessing, you'll all know in time. For now, just answer me."

"By guarding these key passes of Xiliang, we can prevent the Xiliang rebels from invading Chang'an!"