Even the crown prince is getting a marriage of convenience? Why are you in such a hurry to stop bein

Grandpa Xiao Tianze raised an eyebrow, his eyes seemingly filled with the dawn of victory.

The news that reinforcements were blocked on their way and unable to arrive smoothly must have been received by the enemy forces confronting them long ago.

Compared to them, the enemy generals must be even more uneasy.

It should be noted that his grandfather Xiao Tianze's reputation was not unfounded.

It was won by defeating countless enemy generals and fighting back with unwavering courage and determination.

"Then let's get ready and launch a surprise attack."

However, just as Xiao Lie was about to go out to call for help, his grandfather, Xiao Tianze, stopped him again, saying, "Should we wait for news from the capital?"

He felt uneasy, constantly worried that something big was about to happen in the capital.

Xiao Lie, however, only saw this excellent opportunity and knew he had to first demoralize the enemy.

"Grandpa, even if news comes from the capital, it will be at least three days from now."

"Opportunities like tonight's will never come again if you miss them."

Xiao Lie didn't want this battle to drag on for too long.

With the border war in dire straits, it is the ordinary people who suffer the most.

Since the imperial court refused to provide military rations, Shen Qinglan had no choice but to seek solutions from the common people.

The original plan was to first obtain grain on credit from various grain shops, and then repay the debt later with the profits earned by Shen Qinglan's various businesses.

But when the people stumbled upon this, they spontaneously donated grain.

Even the armor worn by the warriors was made by the common people themselves, who learned how to sew it, bought the materials from the shops, and then made it themselves.

Grandpa Xiao Tianze's gaze was deep, but he finally relented, "Alright, tonight's plan remains unchanged."

As for what might happen in the court, that's something to worry about later.

After leaving the tent, Xiao Lie had a brief talk with his deputy.

The deputy general immediately mustered 30,000 men and divided them into three large brigades. Each brigade was then further divided into five smaller platoons.

Their task for tonight was divided into several parts.

First, they accurately located the enemy's grain depot and burned it.

Second, locate the enemy's camp where they store weapons. Steal as much as you can; if you can't steal anything, find a way to destroy it.

Third, try a decapitation strike. If you can ensure your own safety, try to kill the two commanders of the Southern Barbarians and the Northern Barbarians.

Fourth, poison the enemy's water supply so that they may be defeated without a fight due to lack of food and water.

Whether this battle can end soon depends on tonight's surprise attack.

Xiao Lie and the others were in their tents, intending to take a nap and wait for good news.

He tossed and turned, but couldn't fall asleep no matter what.

Sixteen couldn't sleep well either because of his noise. "Young Master, is something on your mind?"

Based on his understanding of Xiao Lie, he knew that Xiao Lie wouldn't be so anxious because of tonight's surprise attack.

Xiao Lie's tone was full of worry, "I'm worried about Consort Yuan's safety in the palace."

"The emperor has always been suspicious of the Imperial Kitchen and the Imperial Medical Academy, and now he's even starting to doubt those alchemists."

"Those elixirs once passed through Consort Yuan's hands. What if they can't find anything in these three places? Will the Emperor decide to kill Consort Yuan?"

Sixteen's heart also tightened. "Will the Emperor suspect that it was that person who drugged him?"

Xiao Lie hummed in response, growing increasingly uneasy.

in the palace.

The capital garrison was in complete chaos, and the emperor sent men to directly suppress the Fifth Prince and all his factions.

The fifth prince simply brought his men and moved up his plan to rebel.

The two forces were locked in a standoff, both inside and outside the palace.

In the end, they still ended up fighting.

A great battle ensued, resulting in heavy casualties; many of the Fifth Prince's men perished.

The emperor, supported by two men, stood in the cold wind, glaring angrily at the fifth prince who was being held captive.

The Fifth Prince, Jiang Yun, knelt before the Emperor, pleading for mercy, "Father, I was forced into this situation and had no choice but to do it."

"Please, Father Emperor, spare my life in consideration of my great service to the court."

Kill him?

The emperor hesitated; he was about to die.

He was still undecided whether to entrust the empire to the third prince.

Now that the Fifth Prince dares to risk rebellion, the Emperor is very certain of the Fifth Prince's ruthlessness.

To be a ruler, sometimes you have to be ruthless.

"Fine, go back to your Prince Jing's residence." The emperor restored all the real power of the fifth prince.

The fifth prince was bewildered. Not only had he not been killed, but he had also gained his freedom and all the powers that the emperor had previously stripped him of had been returned to him.

He returned to Prince Jing's residence with his men and pondered until dawn, but still couldn't figure out what the emperor was up to.

The next day, in the imperial court.

The Fifth Prince's faction has once again clashed with the Emperor's faction.

The emperor's faction advocated war, firmly believing that as long as the Duke of Zhenguo was in command, they would not be afraid of losing.

The Fifth Prince's faction, however, saw through the Emperor's intentions and realized that he was not in favor of war.

They flattered the emperor in order to help the fifth prince ascend the throne smoothly.

The emperor was already wary of the Zhenguo Guild's overwhelming power, and if they were to defeat the enemy again this time, it would be difficult to deal with them.

Neither side of the court officials was willing to back down, and the argument in the court became increasingly heated.

The emperor, overwhelmed with anger, fainted on the spot.

"Stop arguing, the Emperor has fainted."

The crowd began to clamor, and the emperor was quickly carried to the rear hall.

The head of the hospital and Physician Zhao were summoned, and Consort Yuan also rushed over upon hearing the news.

She immediately gave the order, "You few, carry the Emperor back to his bedchamber."

Then, she took out a token and handed it to the head of the hospital and Physician Zhao.

When they saw the token, they were both shocked. "We never expected that even the Empress was one of the Crown Prince's people."

Consort Yuan arranged for them to announce to the outside world that the emperor's illness was not serious, but he just needed to rest and could not see anyone.

The conclusion reached by the head of the hospital and Physician Zhao was without a doubt.

The emperor must not die yet, so Consort Yuan asked the two of them to patiently treat him.

Therefore, before the emperor woke up, all the memorials were reviewed by Consort Yuan.

She even issued an order: "At all costs, military supplies must be transferred to the frontier."

The emperor had just woken up, and he was trembling with rage. "Consort Yuan, you..."

Upon hearing the commotion, Consort Yuan stopped pretending. "Your Majesty has finally woken up. However, I must ask that Your Majesty make some sacrifices. When ministers are discussing matters with me in the side hall, I have to knock Your Majesty unconscious."

"If Your Majesty makes a sound and alerts those ministers, I will have no choice but to take your life without hesitation."

The emperor tried to call for help, but no one came even after he had shouted for a long time until his throat was hoarse.

"Where is Deshun?"

Consort Yuan found a plausible excuse to send Deshun away.

"Your Majesty, apart from me who can serve you personally, no one else will be allowed to enter this bedchamber."

The emperor realized his predicament and accepted his fate.

"Consort Yuan, I have favored you so much, why have you betrayed me? Give me a reason!"