"Your father's concern is noted," Chu Chenyi replied indifferently. From his earliest memories, he had never felt any care from Emperor Xuanwen.
Perhaps in his father's heart, there was only Chu Yanxi, the child born of the one he loved. Naturally, love for the mother extended to the child.
"Since Chenyi's legs have healed, you will lead the troops and must reach Yingzhong Commandery as soon as possible to support General Ling in defeating the rebels."
Despite her many years away from court affairs, the Empress Dowager's authority remained undiminished.
"This son obeys the decree!"
"This grandson obeys the decree!"
After leaving the Empress Dowager's palace, Emperor Xuanwen summoned Chu Chenyi to the imperial study.
Seated on the dragon throne, Emperor Xuanwen observed Chu Chenyi. For many years, he seemed to have paid little attention to this son.
Since Chu Chenyi's leg injury, he had felt a sense of reluctance. After all, Chu Chenyi had once been the most outstanding among his sons, and he had even considered naming him the crown prince. However, after Chu Chenyi's leg injury, this idea was shelved.
As Chu Yanxi grew up, handling matters with such meticulous care, Emperor Xuanwen found himself forgetting about Chu Chenyi's existence.
Now that his leg had healed, then... the matter of succession would indeed need careful consideration.
"Chenyi, has the injury to your leg truly healed?"
All the renowned physicians in Eastern Chu had declared that Chu Chenyi's legs could never recover. This sudden complete recovery, as if normal, was truly unbelievable to him.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it healed suddenly."
Emperor Xuanwen examined him from side to side, finding no clues, and finally believed him. "Who was the renowned physician who cured your leg? I must reward him handsomely."
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it was General Ling's wife, Princess Jialing."
"Feng Jin?" Emperor Xuanwen was slightly surprised. Feng Jin had previously cured the Empress Dowager, and he had thought it was a fluke.
Being able to cure Chu Chenyi's legs was sufficient proof of her true skill.
"It was indeed Feng Jin!" Chu Chenyi confirmed. Feng Jin's treatment of him was under a secret decree from the Empress Dowager, and it was not meant for others to know.
However, now that his leg injury was known to his father and he was to lead troops to battle tomorrow, it was impossible to conceal. It was better to inform everyone openly, so that the world might know of Feng Jin's excellent medical skills.
Emperor Xuanwen's expression became somber. He surmised that the Empress Dowager had ordered Feng Jin to treat Chu Chenyi's legs.
The Empress Dowager, on one hand, prevented him from naming Chu Yanxi as crown prince, and on the other hand, had Feng Jin secretly cure Chu Chenyi's legs. The Empress Dowager's intentions were now clear as day.
To bypass his actions like this, the Empress Dowager was truly wary of him. Emperor Xuanwen's heart churned like turbulent waves, a sense of bitterness spreading through his chest.
"It is fortunate that your leg injury has healed. I will find an opportunity to reward Feng Jin. You must be very careful tomorrow when you lead your troops to battle."
"This son obeys the decree!"
Emperor Xuanwen sighed, his face showing great weariness. "I am tired, you may withdraw."
"This son takes his leave."
In the vast imperial study, only Emperor Xuanwen remained, the silence profound, akin to the desolation of Emperor Xuanwen's current state of mind.
"Guards, go find the Third Prince and bring him here."
His cold voice echoed through the empty hall. A dark shadow was vaguely seen kneeling before Emperor Xuanwen in the night. "This minister accepts the decree!"
No matter how much he favored Chu Yanxi, when it came to matters of state, there could be no mistakes.
If, as the Empress Dowager claimed, Chu Yanxi had deliberately delayed his march, causing Yingzhong Commandery to be isolated and helpless, and if he made a grave error, then he could not be forgiven.
...
"Reporting to Young General, the rebel army has gathered hundreds of thousands of troops and has already reached the city gates."
Ling Mohan, clad in bright silver armor, his appearance even more refined and cold, his thin lips tightly pursed, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
"Order the three armies to hold the city gates!"
They had been defending Yingzhong Commandery for over a month. After several fierce battles, the soldiers in the city had suffered heavy casualties. The remaining force was less than ten thousand. Now, with the rebel army amassing a hundred thousand troops, all they could do was hold Yingzhong Commandery and await reinforcements.
"Lu Shi, where is Prince Jing's army?"
"They will arrive in two more days."
Two days... with the current troop strength, it was not enough to last two days. Having fought in battles for so many years, this was the first time he felt so suffocated by being surrounded. Ling Mohan's chest felt like it was burning with a fire that had no outlet. This battle was truly frustrating.
Ling Mohan remained silent for a moment, then rose and went to the city walls to supervise the battle.
"Young Madam, Young Madam... something has happened... something terrible has happened." Cai Qing rushed in anxiously from outside.
"What happened?"
Feng Jin's heart tensed, and she hastily inquired.
"This servant heard... heard that the rebel army has gathered a hundred thousand troops and is attacking Yingzhong Commandery. The Young General is on the city walls overseeing the battle."
A hundred thousand troops. Feng Jin clenched the tiger-head hat in her hand. The troops within the city were less than ten thousand. How could they resist a hundred thousand rebels? With reinforcements delayed, could Yingzhong Commandery still be held?
Feng Jin suddenly stood up and walked out. She had to find Ling Mohan. Only by seeing him safe and sound with her own eyes could she be at ease.
"Young Madam, it is chaotic and dangerous outside. You are pregnant, you cannot go out!"
If she were to be bumped again, it would be disastrous. Cai Qing quickly followed.
Ling Muzhu, who was chopping firewood, saw Feng Jin rushing out in a panic, with Cai Qing anxiously chasing behind her. He quickly put down his work and strode after her, blocking Feng Jin's path.
"What are you doing? Elder Brother said you are not allowed to go out without permission. Go back to your room quickly."
"Ling Muzhu, move aside. I need to find Ling Mohan!"
"You cannot go. Elder Brother will be fine. Your going will only distract him."
Ling Muzhu stubbornly blocked the main entrance, refusing to budge even an inch.
"You..." Feng Jin tried to push him with all her might, but he did not move.
"Cai Qing, what are you waiting for? Hurry and take the Young Madam back to her room!"
"Young Madam, please return with me for now."
Cai Qing carefully helped Feng Jin back to her room. "Young Madam, the Young General is a victorious general. His title as God of War is not just for show. The Young General will be fine and will return safely."
Feng Jin gazed out the window, lost in thought, and murmured, "I hope so."
Ten thousand rebel troops, and they had only ten thousand soldiers. Fighting one against ten, what were their chances of victory?
...
"Your Highness, a secret report from Yingzhong Commandery."
Chu Chenyi took the letter and opened it, his expression suddenly changing. He sternly ordered, "Order the three armies to speed up their march. They must reach Yingzhong Commandery by tonight."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The march of a hundred thousand troops would naturally be delayed. Worried about the battle in Yingzhong Commandery, Chu Chenyi led the vanguard soldiers on horseback, leaving his deputy to urge the main army forward.
At sunset, Chu Chenyi arrived at Yingzhong Commandery with his soldiers.
"Young General, Prince Jing has arrived," a soldier reported as he returned.