In the Linzhi Palace, Consort Li nearly bit through a silver tooth in anger, saying: "All executed? How is that possible?!"

The trusted palace servant lowered her head and said softly: "It was Consort Zhen's idea. According to the servants in Yongfu Palace, after Consort Zhen fell into the water, she was dazed and frightened. She said those people had to be dealt with immediately for her to be at ease. Your Highness knows Consort Zhen's pregnancy is unstable and can't bear any worries. Now whatever she says, the Emperor will naturally listen to."

Consort Li sneered: "She must be pretending to be innocent again. It's a pity the Emperor falls for her act every time. Those people could have been used to implicate Chu Shaoling..." Thinking about how the Zhen family's painstaking plans this past month had all gone to waste, Consort Li couldn't help but rage, saying viciously: "Why is she protecting Chu Shaoling so much? When did they get entangled together?!"

The trusted palace servant was also puzzled and shook her head: "Now that the people are dead, even the victim Consort Zhen doesn't want to investigate further, so nothing can be done."

Consort Li felt more and more unwilling to accept this. She asked in a low voice: "What exactly happened yesterday? Clearly Zhen Si was pushed into the water, so how did she come back up? Who saved her? I had long ago bought off those people, could it be someone betrayed me?"

The trusted palace servant shook her head: "There's no way to know. The palace maids by Consort Zhen's side, the guards near Taiye Pool, and a few eunuchs were all executed yesterday. The people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs didn't even have time to question them before they were all killed. What exactly happened then, I'm afraid only Consort Zhen and the person who saved her know. Yesterday Consort Zhen was in such a hurry to have those palace servants executed, I'm afraid she also meant to protect that person."

Consort Li felt extremely vexed but could only say: "Forget it. Although we weren't able to drag Chu Shaoling down this time, it still cost Zhen Si half her life, so it's not a total loss."

In the Taihe Hall, the Emperor's brows were deeply furrowed. The envoy sent to Liaoliang had been killed by Liaoliang troops, and the news had only reached the Imperial City today.

Initially, the Emperor had been determined to seek peace. Now that the peace envoy had been executed by the Liaoliang people, it was no different than directly slapping the Emperor in the face.

The Minister of War gauged the Emperor's thoughts and slowly said: "Your Majesty, the Liaoliang barbarians are crude and don't understand the etiquette of our Great Chu, daring to kill the envoy, which is truly infuriating. But the Liaoliang troops have already withdrawn. Should we dispatch troops to attack them again now?"

Chu Shaoling inwardly sneered. The days were getting colder, and the commoners on the northwest border had been plundered bare. If the Liaoliang army didn't withdraw, what were they waiting for? This raid was probably enough to feed the Liaoliang people for a winter.

The Emperor also hesitated. Not sending troops now would obviously be too cowardly, but it was already October, clearly no longer a good time to go to war. By the time the soldiers were mobilized and reached the west, it would probably be November. In the bitter cold, what battle could they fight?

The Emperor was now in a dilemma. Not attacking Liaoliang was like slapping his own face, but if he really wanted to attack, he couldn't muster that level of resolve. He could only say vaguely: "What do you ministers think?"

The court officials went back and forth a few rounds on the question of war or peace. A single sentence "If we really send troops to attack, which prince would be suitable to lead the army?" directed the topic to the several princes. It was a rule in the Great Chu court to have princes personally lead troops to boost morale.

Put on the spot by the court officials, Chu Shaoling could only say: "This son believes we should fight."

The Emperor was very wary of him and definitely wouldn't hand military power to him. Chu Shaoling was well aware of this, so he felt no pressure at all. In any case, even if war broke out, he wouldn't be sent. What was there to fear? Chu Shaoling slowly said: "Our Great Chu is a great nation, yet has repeatedly been harassed by a small country's unruly people. If we don't teach them a lesson, it won't do."

The Emperor slightly furrowed his brows. The Minister of War immediately said: "Prince Qin makes it sound simple. If we really go to war, it won't be over in a day or two. Not to mention the toll on the people and the treasury, even if we really conquer Liaoliang, we don't even know what use that land would be. It's obviously not suitable for farming, and the Chu people don't understand nomadic herding, so it would be useless."

The implication was that even winning the war would be a losing proposition.

The Emperor nodded and sighed: "Liaoliang has vast lands and a sparse population, the land is barren, just endless stretches of wilderness. Even if we conquer it, it's useless."

"This son begs to differ." Chu Shaoling's expression was still calm, but every sentence he spoke carried a blade's edge. "Liaoliang has provoked us again and again. If we don't teach them a lesson, how will we make the four barbarians fear us? Now it's Liaoliang invading. If we repeatedly endure and do nothing, will the Tartars to the north, the Burmese to the south, and Koreans to the east also be able to lead troops to violate our borders and freely plunder before leaving?"

Marquis Zijun watched the lively scene, not minding stirring up trouble, and nodded along: "If so, our borders will never have peace."

The Minister of War choked for a moment and bowed: "The foreign countries currently have no intention of provoking us. Prince Qin is probably overthinking it."

"They don't now, but after seeing Liaoliang reap such great benefits from us, I'm afraid those without intentions will develop them." Chu Shaoling glanced at Chu Shaoruan. "What does the Second Prince think?"

Chu Shaoruan was already angry that his plot to use Zhen Si to harm Chu Shaoling had failed. Now seeing Chu Shaoling provoke him for no reason, he couldn't suppress his rage and retorted: "Prince Qin is so eager for war, could it be you want to volunteer?"

Chu Shaoling chuckled and nodded: "As a prince, being able to personally lead troops in wartime is a great honor. If Father Emperor commands it, this son will set off fully equipped."

Chu Shaomo was just a prop during court discussions. No one cared to hear him and he didn't know what to say, so he couldn't easily interject. But hearing this, he had a flash of understanding that he should chime in. He stepped forward and bowed: "This son is also willing."

Chu Shaoling slightly turned his head, his phoenix eyes sweeping over Chu Shaoruan. Chu Shaoruan silently regretted falling into Chu Shaoling's trap and could only follow along, saying: "To serve the country, this son is also willing to personally lead the troops."

Chu Shaoling nodded: "Oh, so the Second Prince also supports war."

Chu Shaoruan was furious inside. When did he support war?! If they really fought, the Emperor wouldn't trust Chu Shaoling with military power, so very likely he himself would be made to lead the army! Chu Shaoruan took after the Emperor in this regard - he had no interest in military affairs and strategy. He still wanted to live well to a hundred, and had no desire to go to the battlefield.

Chu Shaoruan had no way to refute Chu Shaoling's words. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, his face turned bright red from anger.

This court discussion lasted two hours but still didn't reach a decision in the end. There were only orders issued for all military camps to diligently train the troops and repair weapons and defensive structures, but this was just for deterrence.

The military received instructions, and the Emperor added coursework for the princes. From that day on, the princes had an extra hour of horseback riding and archery practice every afternoon, leading by example for the soldiers to see.

Among the princes, only Chu Shaomo enjoyed horseback riding and archery, while the others were just average. The soldiers who came to teach the princes also knew this was just the Emperor putting on a show for others to see. The training was not very strict, just having the princes ride horses and practice their archery aim.

Each prince brought along a study companion, except for Chu Shaoling, who brought Wei Ji instead. It wasn't for any other reason, just that Chu Shaoling couldn't stop worrying about Wei Ji leaving his side after the Consort Zhen incident. He simply wouldn't let Wei Ji take shifts anymore, requiring him to follow wherever Chu Shaoling went each day. Only by keeping Wei Ji in his sight at all times could Chu Shaoling feel at ease.  

The martial arts instructors taught for a while before letting the princes and their study companions practice on their own. The instructors set up ten targets scattered around the small training field, letting the princes gallop their horses from west to east, drawing their bows on horseback, hitting as many targets as they could. Chu Shaomo was eager to have a go first, running a lap on his horse and hitting five out of the ten targets. Even the instructors exclaimed "Good!", as having this level of accuracy on horseback meant one would be nearly perfect when shooting on flat ground.

Chu Shaoling also rode a lap on his horse. While Chu Shaoling had skill in controlling his horse, his archery was quite lacking. After a lap, he only hit one arrow, barely grazing the edge of the target, far from the bullseye.

Chu Shaoling ran back and dismounted, with Wei Ji hurriedly supporting him and taking the reins in one hand. After some hesitation, he still praised: "Your Highness hit one target."

Chu Shaoling laughed to himself, thinking if they weren't in public, he would definitely have to pinch this silly thing's face. Was he trying to comfort him?

Chu Shaoruan was right behind Chu Shaoling. After dismounting, Chu Shaoruan's study companion pointed out happily: "The Second Prince hit three targets."

Chu Shaoruan glanced at Chu Shaoling from afar, his eyes full of mockery, as if he had overshadowed Chu Shaoling greatly. He said lazily: "No matter how nicely you put it, it's useless without real skills. Boasting lofty ambitions but unable to draw a bow or shoot an arrow on the real battlefield, that would be a joke!"

Everyone could hear that Chu Shaoruan was alluding to Chu Shaoling's ambitious speech during the court debate, but they didn't dare agree, only Chu Shaoruan and Chu Shaomo laughed a few times.

Wei Ji pursed his lips slightly. The monarch's worries are the minister's duties; the monarch's disgrace is the minister's death. Chu Shaoruan had touched upon Wei Ji's taboo.

Chu Shaoling was not angry either. He pinched the leather horse whip in his hand and laughed, saying: "Wei Ji, come to think of it, this prince has never tested your skills. Get on the horse and do a lap too, let this prince see!"

Chu Shaoling tossed the whip in his hand to Wei Ji. Wei Ji caught it and bowed: "This subordinate obeys the order."

Wei Ji mounted the horse. Chu Shaoling's horse didn't quite obey him at first, running a full lap before the horse settled down. At this time, the crowd laughed. Wei Ji knew what these people wanted to see, only thinking that he couldn't lose face for Chu Shaoling. He closed his eyes and calmed his mind for a moment, then drew back and whipped the horse, sending it galloping!

Wei Ji drew out an arrow and nocked it to the bow. He barely took any time to aim before releasing it. The horse ran so fast that it immediately reached the next target. Wei Ji drew out two arrows at once, firing them simultaneously. He turned the horse, drew the bow, and shot, his movements flowing seamlessly without the slightest pause.

The small training field wasn't large. In the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Wei Ji had already run back to Chu Shaoling's side. Wei Ji pulled hard on the reins and dismounted in one motion, lowering his head as he handed the whip back to Chu Shaoling.

Everyone was stunned. Looking at the targets again, Wei Ji had shot ten arrows, each one hitting its mark, all of them dead center in the bullseye! Even the martial arts instructors weren't confident they could have this level of accuracy on horseback in such a short time. The crowd couldn't help but look towards Wei Ji. Wei Ji's expression showed not a hint of pride, only standing obediently beside Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling chuckled lightly: "Even if this prince cannot draw a bow or shoot an arrow, with a general like this, what more could one ask for."

Chu Shaoruan's face turned pale. He didn't respond. Chu Shaoyang had originally mounted his horse too, but seeing this, he lost interest in riding and shooting, only looking at Wei Ji's figure deep in thought.

The crowd practiced a while longer before dispersing. After the martial arts instructors handed things over to the palace guards, they were led out of the palace by the servants. One instructor couldn't help but pull aside a close attendant and ask: "That study companion beside Prince Qin just now, which noble family's son is he?"

The close attendant bowed with a smile: "That's not a study companion, but rather Prince Qin's personal guard."

The instructor couldn't help but shake his head in amazement: "Even Prince Qin's personal guards have such skill. It truly makes us old officials ashamed."

While the instructors were sighing in admiration, Wei Ji was still in the small training field at this moment, being "interrogated" by Chu Shaoling who had him pressed against a large tree.

"Your Highness, what if someone sees?" Wei Ji's face flushed red with anxiety. In broad daylight, what was his lord trying to do? Wei Ji didn't dare refuse too strongly, lowering his voice: "Your Highness, wait until we return to Bitao Palace to..."

"Return to what Bitao Palace?" Chu Shaoling embraced Wei Ji's waist, caressing incessantly. Today Wei Ji had come as a study companion, so he wasn't wearing his usual first-rank guard uniform, but had changed into a black martial arts robe tied with a three-inch wide silver belt, accentuating his alluring waist even more. Chu Shaoling lowered his head slightly and gently kissed Wei Ji's lips, coaxing: "Wang Muhan is keeping watch, no one can come over."

At the mention of this, Wei Ji's face turned even redder. If Wang Muhan was keeping watch, wouldn't he be able to hear what they were saying?!

Chu Shaoling murmured as he kissed Wei Ji's lips: "Don't be afraid, I'm just kissing you a little. Do you know how enticing you were just now? Deliberately seducing me?"

Wei Ji couldn't get a word in edgewise to explain. He had wholeheartedly wanted to win face for Chu Shaoling and vent his anger, but how did that turn into deliberately seducing someone? Besides, how would he know how to seduce someone? Wei Ji was afraid the nearby Wang Muhan would overhear, trying his utmost to lower his voice: "This subordinate did not, this subordinate wouldn't dare..."

"Still saying you didn't, you're seducing me right now." Chu Shaoling kept caressing Wei Ji's back, his voice hoarse: "Don't make a fuss, let me kiss you properly. Don't provoke me any further..."

Hearing this, Wei Ji indeed no longer dared to refuse, closing his eyes to accept Chu Shaoling's caresses and affection. But he didn't know when his arms had also wrapped around Chu Shaoling's body.