No title, no marriage? Do you think I'm some kind of lapdog?

The moment Su Chuang uttered the words "Give me a few more fur coats," the Golden Palace fell silent for a moment.

Several senior officials were suppressing their laughter, their shoulders shaking.

Emperor Wu's temple throbbed, and he grabbed the half-cold teacup beside him, making a move to smash it!

"His Majesty!"

A sharp, delicate shout interrupted the comical scene.

Ye Qingyue stepped out of the ranks of military officers, her silver armor clanging loudly.

"Your subject has a memorial to present!"

She knelt upright, her voice cold and harsh.

"Although Su Chuang was the Duke of Xin, he acted arrogantly and repeatedly violated the law."

"First, they killed the Xiongnu envoy in the street, damaging diplomatic relations between the two countries;"

"Later, he privately trained his own army and became powerful and influential!"

She spoke faster and faster, each word like a knife.

"If such a person were to take command of the military in the northern frontier, he could become a major threat to the nation!"

"Your Majesty, I request that you postpone his departure for office and allow him to remain in the capital for a thorough investigation!"

That's a strong statement.

The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became tense.

Su Chuang knew perfectly well that this woman was desperate. Knowing that he was going to the Northern Frontier to investigate her background, she wanted to strike first.

His face immediately contorted into a cowardly expression, and he knelt down again with a thud, shouting his innocence.

"Father, you are wise!"

"My guards number a mere three hundred men at most, not even enough to fill a single battalion in the northern frontier!"

"This...this can be called having an army and wielding power?"

He gestured as he spoke, looking as if he was about to cry from grievance.

"Besides, killing the Xiongnu... isn't that because they bullied our Great Qian people first?"

"Your Majesty, I'm just a coward. In my haste, the guards attacked me... I know I was wrong, and I'm willing to pay compensation!"

As he spoke, he actually pulled out a few gold notes from his pocket and held them up above his head with trembling hands.

He looked exactly like a young shop assistant who had been wrongly accused by the shopkeeper.

Several military officers couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

Ye Qingyue's face turned even paler, her nails dug into her palms, and she glared at Su Chuang.

She finally understood; this bastard was a tough nut to crack, a master at playing dumb.

On the dragon throne, Emperor Wu rubbed his temples.

He glanced at Su Chuang's demeanor, then at Ye Qingyue, and suddenly spoke.

"General Ye."

The voice wasn't loud, but Ye Qingyue trembled all over.

"You just said... Su Chuang is arrogant?"

Emperor Wu slowly sat up straight.

"Then let me ask you, in the battle of Black Stone Valley in the northern frontier last year, your Divine Might Army lost three thousand men, yet only beheaded two hundred—were you arrogant in that battle?"

Ye Qingyue was struck dumb.

"besides."

"Yue Xinyang joined your army less than half a month ago, and he was promoted from a commoner to a captain."

Has the Ministry of War approved this matter?

Emperor Wu gave her no chance to catch her breath.

"My lord...my lord..."

Ye Qingyue's lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Su Chuang knelt beside him, his heart filled with joy.

The old emperor is using this as an excuse to make a fuss.

Ye Qingyue's defeat in the northern frontier and her appointment of her own people were things that Emperor Wu had long held against her; today was just a convenient opportunity to expose them.

Sure enough, Emperor Wu's next words came crashing down:

"Ye Qingyue, the commander of the Divine Might Army, failed to manage his subordinates properly, resulting in defeats in battle. He is also suspected of favoritism in promoting others."

"Therefore, the title of 'Marquis of Heroine' is temporarily revoked, and she is demoted to the rank of Fourth-Rank General of Valor, but will remain in the northern frontier to atone for her crimes!"

"His Majesty--!"

Ye Qingyue screamed and collapsed to the ground.

The title is gone.

She went from being a female marshal to an ordinary general in an instant.

All the face we've worked so hard to build up over the years has been stripped bare today in the Imperial Study.

She suddenly looked up and stared intently at Su Chuang.

That look in his eyes could devour you.

"General Ye, don't look at me like that... it's kind of scary..."

Su Chuang shrank back and muttered to himself.

"Su Chuang... Su Chuang..."

"You just wait..."

Ye Qingyue gritted her teeth and squeezed out two words through her clenched teeth.

"quiet!"

Grandpa Gui sternly rebuked him.

"The matter is settled, everyone can leave now."

Emperor Wu waved his hand, and although he tried to cover up his cough, Su Chuang still caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye.

When we left the Imperial Study, the sun was high in the sky.

Su Chuang stretched and was about to slip away when he heard footsteps behind him.

"Charge!"

Xu Mengran caught up with her.

She had already removed her court robes and changed into a red, fitted outfit, her long hair tied in a high ponytail, looking dashing and spirited.

"Sister Xu?"

Su Chuang pretended to be stupid.

Stop pretending.

"That whole thing in court, wasn't it all part of your plan?"

Xu Mengran rolled her eyes at him, then leaned closer and lowered her voice.

"hey-hey…"

Su Chuang chuckled but didn't reply.

"His Majesty has granted me permission to go to the northern frontier with you."

"In the name of military supervisor."

Xu Mengran was straightforward.

"really?"

Su Chuang's eyes lit up.

Why would I lie to you?

"But along the way... you have to listen to me."

Xu Mengran's lips curled up slightly

As she said this, she moved even closer.

The autumn sunlight streamed through the eaves, illuminating her neck with a delicate white glow.

Su Chuang could smell the faint scent of soap on her, mixed with a touch of the warmth unique to women.

"Then, of course I'll listen to Sister Xu..."

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he looked away.

"fool."

Xu Mengran chuckled softly, turned around, and stepped onto the carriage.

The carriage wasn't spacious, so she sat opposite Su Chuang.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs, causing a slight bump, and her knees would occasionally bump into Su Chuang.

"What are you looking at?"

Xu Mengran suddenly spoke.

"N-I didn't see anything..."

Su Chuang then realized he had been staring at the other person's legs for a while, and quickly looked away.

"Look at your pathetic self."

"Let's get down to business. How many of your father's former subordinates are still in the northern frontier?"

Xu Mengran laughed and scolded, but didn't move her leg.

"The Imperial Guards have investigated and found that there are still seven or eight old men left, but Ye Qingyue has relegated them to sinecure positions."

Su Chuang became serious.

"Should I make the contact?"

"When I was in the southern border region, I still corresponded with several veteran generals of the Northern Army."

Xu Mengran asked.

"There's no rush yet."

"Let's get to the area and find out what's going on first."

Su Chuang shook his head.

"Chuang, I will help you with your father's matter."

Xu Mengran looked at him and suddenly said softly.

"Um…"

Su Chuang felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this.

Before he could say anything, Xu Mengran suddenly leaned over and gently placed her jade-like hand on the back of his hand.

My palms are warm.

"But you have to promise me one thing."

"Don't always carry this burden alone. Now... you have me."

She looked him straight in the eye, her tone serious.

Su Chuang was stunned.

The carriage fell silent, with only the rumbling of the wheels remaining.

Xu Mengran's face was not clearly visible in the dim light, but her eyes shone like stars.

"it is good."

He took her hand in his own.

"The northern border is bitterly cold."

Xu Mengran spoke softly, approaching little by little.

"Let me warm your bed."