Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

Youlan Courtyard

Su Haoyu returned from the military camp in the suburbs and, upon learning of Su Qianrou's divorce, immediately rushed to Youlan Courtyard. As soon as he reached the door, he began to call out, "Sister."

Inside the room, Su Qianrou was resting on the couch with her head propped up and her eyes closed. When she heard his call, she slowly opened her eyes.

Su Haoyu strode in and asked with concern, "Sister, I heard you got divorced."

"Yes, they got divorced."

"He's supposed to be the regent, yet he's so shameless. He's the one who wronged you, how can he have the nerve to divorce you?"

"It wasn't him, it was me. I was the one who suggested it."

Su Haoyu felt a flicker of embarrassment.

"By the way, I have something I wanted to ask you. Do you know what's going on between him and that woman?"

Didn't he tell you?

"no".

"I don't know the specifics, I only know..."

******

Southwest Military Camp

Mu Jinchen and the other officials are discussing military matters.

"What is the current situation of the enemy?"

"Your Highness, the old emperor of Annam has passed away, and his second prince has now succeeded him. The old emperor had promised that they would withdraw their troops as long as we returned the body of their third prince. However, their new emperor has gone back on his word. I suspect that he must have received news of your disappearance and is trying to take advantage of the situation."

"How many of them are left now?"

"Less than 50,000."

"Your Highness, they probably don't know you've returned yet. Should we launch a counterattack?"

"Yes, we've been only defending and not attacking before, and the soldiers have been feeling frustrated. Now that we're evenly matched, why should we be afraid of them?"

"Old Sun, what you're saying isn't right. It's not like we were afraid of them before."

"That's right. We've won battles with fewer troops before, but it's just unnecessary. Otherwise, we would have routed them long ago."

"That's right. With Your Highness here, there's no battle we can't win. Your Highness, tell me, this time, should we attack or defend?"

"We've been dealing with Annam for so many years, we're practically old friends. It wouldn't be right for us, as old friends, not to send gifts after their new king takes the throne. Two cities, what do you think?"

The generals were momentarily stunned.

Su Haoyu said, "I think it's a good idea. Their new emperor will probably never forget this generous gift."

Yang Lin then asked, "I wonder which two cities Your Highness has taken a fancy to?"

Mu Jinchen got up and walked to the map, pointing to Dazhou and Qingzhou on it, and said, "How about these two?"

"These two cities are easy to defend but difficult to attack, which is a bit challenging, but not a major problem."

"Aren't these two cities part of Annam territory?"

“Yes, but it will be ours soon,” Su Haoyu said.

The generals then understood what Mu Jinchen meant.

"So that's how it is. This humble general thought Your Highness was going to give them our city."

"Me too, I almost thought the prince had betrayed us, but then I thought it was impossible."

"All those years you followed me for nothing."

"Who says it isn't?"

"Your Highness, please tell me the next plan. How should we fight? This humble general can't wait any longer."

Mu Jinchen didn't hide anything, revealing his plan in its entirety and assigning tasks to everyone.

Before we knew it, it was dark.

"According to Your Highness's plan, we will be able to take these two cities in less than three days."

"Do any of you generals have any further questions?"

"No, Your Highness has made excellent arrangements."

"Then proceed according to plan."

"Yes, we guarantee to complete the mission."

"You can go down first."

"This humble general takes his leave."

Just as the generals were about to leave, a voice rang out from outside the tent, causing them to stop in their tracks.

"Your Highness, there is a woman named Zhang Taohong outside the military camp requesting an audience."

Mu Jinchen frowned. He wanted to say no, but considering that she had taken care of him for half a month, he didn't refuse and said, "Let her in."

A moment later, Zhang Taohong walked in, intimidated by his imposing presence, and timidly said, "Your Highness... Your Highness."

Something's up.

Zhang Taohong knelt down and said, "Please, Your Highness, spare my brother."

Mu Jinchen didn't understand what she meant, so he looked at Yingfeng.

Shadow Wind warned, "Anyone who trespasses into the dense forest will die."

"Your Highness, my brother didn't mean it. Please forgive him this time."

"It wasn't intentional. Do you think we're blind? That bush was clearly done on purpose."

Su Haoyu thought to himself, "Aren't you all blind? You didn't even notice that I did it on purpose."

"That's right, if it weren't for General Su, we probably wouldn't have found the prince yet."

"Your Highness, please spare him for the sake of my brother who saved you. He has already realized his mistake."

"How dare you say that? If he hadn't broken into the dense forest and taken the prince away, we wouldn't have been searching for him for so long."

"Alright, it is true that he violated the prohibition, so he should be punished. Otherwise, if everyone followed suit, wouldn't that be chaos? But it is also true that he saved me. Therefore, he can be spared the death penalty but cannot escape punishment. So, he shall be sentenced to three years of military service. Perfect, he knows medicine, so let him stay in the army as a military doctor."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Zhang Taohong said happily.

"Everyone, get out."

"This humble general takes his leave."

Su Haoyu and the others went outside.

Zhang Taohong remained kneeling without moving.

Yingfeng asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Oh, no."

"Then why aren't you leaving?"

"Oh, I'll be right there," Zhang Taohong quickly got up and went out.

About an hour later, Mu Jinchen was still busy in the tent.

Yingfeng came in and said, "Your Highness, a soldier reported that Miss Zhang is still outside the tent."

"It's so late, why isn't she going home? What is she doing out there?" Mu Jinchen wasn't concerned about her; he suspected she had ulterior motives.

"They said it was getting dark and they didn't dare go back."

"Keep her in the military camp and have someone keep an eye on her."

"Yes".

Time passed slowly, and soon it was late at night. Mu Jinchen stood in front of the map and asked, "How is the situation?"

Yingfeng replied, "General Yang and General Zheng have successfully attacked the enemy camp, and Young Master Su and General Sun have also led their men to Dazhou to prepare for the attack on the city."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Yang Lin and General Zheng walked in.

General Zheng said happily, "Reporting to Your Highness, the Annamite army has withdrawn."

"Great, now we just wait for news from Xiaoyu and the others."

Another hour passed, and General Sun and General Li returned.

As soon as General Li entered the door, he shouted, "Your Highness, we're back!"

General Zheng asked impatiently, "Is it done?"

"Of course, with me, Old Li, taking charge, how could it not succeed? Now, Dazhou belongs to Yunyue."

Not seeing Su Haoyu, Mu Jinchen couldn't help but ask, "Where's Xiaoyu?"

"General Su will stay in Dazhou to handle the aftermath and will return later."

Mu Jinchen was relieved, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to explain it to Su Qianrou.

"Your Highness, on such a wonderful day, we must have a couple of drinks to celebrate," General Li said with a smile.

"I had already ordered wine and food to be prepared, just waiting for your return."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The generals walked out, and General Zheng saw that Mu Jinchen was still looking at the map, and asked, "Your Highness, aren't you coming with us?"

"I will not go."

"No, Your Highness, it's been so long since you've drunk with us. We're so happy tonight, you must have a couple of drinks with us," General Li said.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Mu Jinchen thought for a moment and replied, "Okay, then I'll have a couple of drinks with you."

"Please, Your Highness."

Then a group of people went outside.