Remarried to a top-tier playboy, her reborn ex-husband is filled with regret.

On the day the Northern Hu delegation arrived in Beijing, a light rain fell in the capital.

The delegation of more than 30 people changed into the narrow-sleeved riding clothes commonly worn by the Northern Hu people, and tied their hair with plain-colored cloth strips, appearing exceptionally humble.

The leading envoy from the Northern Hu was over fifty years old and thin.

As soon as he entered the city gate, he lowered his head and dared not make eye contact with the people.

People along the street pointed and whispered.

"Northern Hu people? They don't seem as fierce as they used to be."

"You killed the Loyal and Brave King, and now you come to negotiate peace? What are you pretending to be, you coward!"

"Exactly! It's like a weasel paying New Year's greetings to a chicken!"

The Northern Hu envoys did not refute, but simply shrank back and quietly followed the Ministry of Rites officials to the guesthouse.

Many officials in the Liang Dynasty felt a sense of relief upon seeing this.

After thirty years of fighting, the Northern Hu people finally bowed their heads.

They managed to save face.

However, Xiao Fang did not believe a single word of the peace agreement.

He stood on a high point inside the city gate, coldly watching the extremely slow-moving queue.

The Northern Hu people have always been cunning and fierce.

Especially after Gu Jinghuai defected, they had the deployment map in their hands, making it even less likely that they would stay put.

Yun Shuyao had told him that the old emperor would suddenly fall seriously ill this month.

Gu Jinghuai is also a reborn person.

He must know that too.

So they timed it perfectly, sending people to negotiate when the people of Daliang were in the most disarray.

Xiao Fang narrowed his phoenix eyes, his gaze sweeping over the envoys inch by inch.

"To confuse the issue," he said in a low voice.

Inside the golden palace, the old emperor was already struggling to hold on.

He sat high on the dragon throne, his face pale, with a layer of cold sweat on his forehead.

All the officials could see that the emperor was putting on a brave face.

When the Northern Hu envoy was summoned to the palace, he was extremely respectful and knelt down to perform a grand salute.

"On behalf of the Emperor of Great Liang, your subject, on behalf of the King of the Northern Hu, presents this sincere letter of peace, wishing that our two nations cease hostilities and establish lasting friendly relations."

The old emperor on the dragon throne coughed lightly, his breathing weak.

The Northern Hu envoy lowered his head, but a hint of joy flashed quickly in his eyes.

No one in the hall noticed.

Only the Crown Prince and Xiao Fang could see it clearly.

The old emperor did not reply immediately, but simply ordered the peace treaty to be taken away and then waved his hand.

"The envoy has traveled a long way and must be tired. Please go and rest first. We can discuss the peace talks later."

The Northern Hu envoy kowtowed and withdrew.

The old emperor took a breath before speaking.

"My lords, please share your thoughts on the peace talks."

As soon as he finished speaking, the civil officials stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I believe that peace talks are a viable option."

"Your Majesty, the Northern Hu have taken the initiative to show weakness, which shows that they are truly unable to fight them anymore."

"Your Majesty, I also believe that the thirty-year war between Daliang and the Northern Hu has been a drain on the people and resources."

If peace talks can be reached, it will be a blessing for both the country and its people.

Then several other people chimed in.

"I second that opinion."

"I second that opinion."

The military officers, however, all blushed.

"What peace talks?! The loyal and brave king's body is barely cold, and you're already shaking hands with the Northern Hu to make peace?"

"The Northern Hu people are wolves in sheep's clothing; if they negotiate today, they'll turn on you tomorrow!"

The two sides became increasingly agitated as they spoke, and it looked like they were about to start arguing.

The old emperor waved his hand, and only after the hall quieted down did he slowly speak.

"I also agree to peace talks."

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the assembled court officials in the hall, taking in their expressions, before continuing:

"Our Great Liang is also extremely weak right now. If we can really stop, both sides can recuperate."

Many civil officials in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.

The military officers all gritted their teeth and lowered their heads.

Just then, the crown prince suddenly stepped forward.

"Father."

His voice was gentle, yet extremely firm.

"Your Majesty believes that the Northern Hu are using a trick this time."

The hall fell silent once more.

The crown prince slowly stepped forward.

"Gu Jinghuai is currently in Beihu. The border defense map has already been leaked, and Beihu will not let this opportunity pass by."

If we think we can have peace talks and recuperation, we are actually giving them a chance to catch their breath.

Therefore, your son humbly requests Your Majesty to launch a northern expedition and annihilate the Northern Hu in one fell swoop.

The old emperor fell silent, his face turning somewhat grim.

However, he did not refute the crown prince in court.

He is currently seriously ill, and sooner or later the throne will be handed over to the crown prince.

He couldn't afford to lose face for the Crown Prince.

The old emperor said slowly:

"If we launch a northern expedition, how will we fight?"

Where will the troops come from? Where will the provisions come from?

If the war drags into winter, where will the soldiers get their cotton-padded clothes, boots, provisions, and charcoal?

If the Northern Hu and Daliang fight to the death, and the Southern Yue and Western Rong seize the opportunity to launch an attack, what then?

Just as the Crown Prince was about to speak again, Xiao Fang stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I am confident that we can achieve a swift victory."

He spoke very steadily.

"The imperial court need not allocate any additional provisions. The imperial court only needs to supply the troops with provisions as usual."

There is no need to transfer troops from elsewhere.

The Qin family is willing to provide the remaining military supplies for the Great Liang first. They will repay the debt gradually after this battle is over.

"With just a command from Your Majesty, I can march straight to the Northern Hu royal court."

The old emperor looked at him, then at the crown prince.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

After a long while, the old emperor spoke in a low voice.

"I am tired, let's adjourn the court."

After he finished speaking, he slowly rose from the dragon throne, supported by his hands.

All the civil and military officials knelt to see them off.

Xiao Fang and the Crown Prince exchanged a glance, both understanding the situation.

The old emperor neither refused nor agreed.

He's stalling.

But his body couldn't hold on much longer.

After the court session ended, Xiao Fang went to the Eastern Palace with the Crown Prince.

The two remained silent until the palace doors closed, at which point the Crown Prince spoke in a low voice.

"Father is still hesitating."

Xiao Fang nodded.

"So we can only wait a little longer."

The crown prince looked out the window, his gaze drifting into the distance.

"We can't wait any longer; Bei Hu won't give us much time."

"I... don't have much time left either."

Upon hearing this, a deep pain flashed in Xiao Fang's eyes, but he simply pursed his thin lips and said nothing.

For the next three days, the old emperor did not attend court, citing poor health.

Xiao Fang and the Crown Prince tried to enter the palace to pay their respects several times, but were stopped by the eunuchs outside the hall.

On the morning of the fourth day, the emperor suddenly held court and issued an edict in the palace.

He appointed the eighty-year-old veteran general, Xiaoyong Hou, to take over the Zhenbei Army.

Once the decree was issued, the entire court fell silent.

Xiao Fang stood in the hall, his expression changing drastically.

The emperor's decree, though seemingly not agreeing to peace talks, had in fact already made his stance clear.

He replaced the commander of the Zhenbei Army, which was tantamount to stripping Xiao Fang of his qualification to lead the Zhenbei Army.