After being reborn, I went on a killing spree in the imperial court.

The next instant, the door was pushed open violently.

Liu Xueqing walked in quickly.

Upon seeing this, Xuanfeng immediately draped the clothes in his hand over Chu Yan and tied the belt.

"What are you doing?" Liu Xueqing frowned, looking at the three of them with a puzzled expression. She saw that Chu Yan was shirtless, while two servants stood to the side holding clothes in their hands, seemingly having just draped them over Chu Yan, and appearing very afraid that she would discover some secret.

"Princess Consort, why didn't you knock on the door?" Xuanfeng asked.

"I am the Crown Princess. Do I need to announce my presence to enter the Crown Prince's bedchamber? What are you all doing?"

Chu Yan turned his back and put on his clothes.

"Change your clothes!" Xuanfeng explained.

"Why are you changing clothes in broad daylight, acting all sneaky!"

"I am the Crown Princess, I can help the Crown Prince change!"

Liu Xueqing felt that the three of them were hiding something from her.

After saying that, Liu Xueqing stepped forward.

Chu Yan was somewhat at a loss. He was already wary of Liu Xueqing, and now that she was going to help him change his clothes, he became even more nervous.

Chu Yan quickly put on his clothes and stopped her from coming forward. "Wait! What do you want?"

"His Majesty just sent someone to say that a banquet will be held in the palace tonight and we are invited to attend."

"Okay, you can go now!"

"?"

Get down? Is he treating her like a servant?

Liu Xueqing stood there, feeling utterly disrespected that the Emperor had bestowed such a marriage upon her. How could a Crown Princess be so unworthy of even being allowed to enter the Crown Prince's presence? If word got out, wouldn't everyone laugh their heads off?

"Why aren't you leaving yet? Hurry up and go down to prepare!" Chu Yan said sternly, showing no regard for Liu Xueqing's feelings.

"Yes! Your Majesty, I'll be going right away!"

Liu Xueqing turned and left.

Xuanfeng asked worriedly, "Your Highness, are you still going to the banquet? We've never invited you to one before! Could it be a trap?"

"My royal uncle is focused on how to attack the Chen Kingdom; he has no time to scheme against me!"

In the evening, Chu Yan and Liu Xueqing went to a banquet together.

"Greetings, Imperial Uncle!"

"See Your Majesty!"

The two of them exchanged gifts together.

"Be flat!"

The two sat down together.

Sitting opposite him was Chu Yan's younger brother, the Fifth Prince Xiao Hanfeng.

The two looked at each other.

Having not seen each other for so many years, the two were somewhat estranged.

The surrounding sounds rose and fell.

"Are these the Crown Prince and Crown Princess?"

"Yes! Everyone says the Crown Prince is in poor health and hasn't left the Eastern Palace. That's why His Majesty has just arranged a marriage for him to bring him good luck!"

"Looks like the 'marrying for good luck' method is quite effective!"

"It works, but it makes you look like you're wearing a green hat!"

Liu Xueqing looked at the emperor in the main hall and smiled gently.

"Your Highness, this is a family banquet, there's no need for formalities!" the Emperor said, noticing the slight awkwardness between Chu Yan and the other man.

"Yes!"

"Tonight's banquet is the last one before the battle, so everyone should relax and enjoy themselves!" the Emperor said, raising his cup.

Chu Yan paused slightly, his expression remaining calm. "Uncle, didn't we just seize the surrounding cities? Why are we going to war again so soon?"

The emperor laughed loudly, "You brat, you've been sick for so many years, you don't know that I have already recovered many surrounding cities! The territory of my Great Chu has now expanded considerably!"

"Moreover, the commander-in-chief for this expedition is still your fifth brother!" The emperor pointed to Xiao Hanfeng opposite him.

Chu Yan's gaze then fell on Xiao Hanfeng, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

Over the years, he has been the emperor's right-hand man, and many court officials have long stood on his side. But now that he has returned, things may change.

"By the way, I remember you practiced martial arts when you were a child and your skills were much better than your fifth brother's! Why don't you two brothers join forces during this great battle?"

The banquet suddenly fell silent.

All eyes turned to the two of them, awaiting Chu Yan's answer.

"If Fifth Brother doesn't mind, I'm willing to help you out! I'm just afraid of causing you trouble," Chu Yan said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, you are overthinking it. If we brothers join forces, we will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort!"

Before the banquet was over, Chu Yan left his seat early.

"Your Highness, are you really going to join the battle? Didn't the princess tell you to try and make peace?"

Xuanfeng said with concern.

"Didn't you hear what my uncle said? It's impossible to mediate this time," Chu Yan said in a heavy tone.

“Once war breaks out, the consequences will be unimaginable, and we don’t even know what will happen. Rather than that, I’d rather go into battle myself!” He clenched his fist and said with a determined look in his eyes.

"But you've always been unable to bear seeing bloodshed. Can you really go to the battlefield?" The person beside him looked at him with concern.

"Even if we can't go now, we have no choice but to go!"

He took a deep breath and then said to the person next to him, "Quickly send a letter to Marquis Zhenbei, telling him to be prepared as well!"

"Yes!" The other party accepted the order and left immediately.