son, don't mess around

Chapter 879 War Breaks Out
How could Zhao Xi's reaction prevent Lin Jiangnian from realizing what was going on?

"Tsk, how come you're even jealous of a mere maid?"

Lin Jiangnian said happily.

"Just a little maid?" Zhao Xi glanced at him meaningfully.

"What are you saying? What else could it be?"

Lin Jiangnian said confidently, "Her name is Fengling, she..."

Just as I was about to explain the origin of the wind chimes, I realized that with Zhao Xi's abilities, how could she not know the origins of the sisters Jasmine and Wind Chimes?

They probably investigated the two sisters thoroughly a year ago.

Sure enough, Zhao Xi stood with her arms crossed, sneering repeatedly: "If I remember correctly, Zhiyuan was your maid back then, wasn't she?"

"So what is your relationship now?"

Lin Jiangnian: "..."

"Tsk, the dignified Miss Zhao, how come she acts like a jealous woman."

"Who's jealous?" Zhao Xi asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

"It's definitely not you."

Lin Jiangnian flatly denied it, then immediately changed the subject: "By the way, what brings you here?"

He then realized something and looked behind Zhao Xi: "Where's your father? Did he let you out?"

"What? Do you want me to stay home all the time so you won't see me being all lovey-dovey with other women?"

Zhao Xi sneered.

Lin Jiangnian stepped forward and grasped Zhao Xi's hands, his face full of sincerity and warmth: "How could that be? I was just about to go find you. I didn't expect you to come on your own initiative, I'm so happy... But, did your father really release you?"

"Or did you sneak out of the house on your own, planning to elope with me?"

"Dream on, who would want to elope with you?"

"So how did you get out here?"

Lin Jiangnian looked Zhao Xi up and down with surprise, as his two previous conversations with Zhao Xiang had ended unhappily.

That Prime Minister Zhao clearly disliked Lin Jiangnian, his future son-in-law. Logically speaking, he shouldn't have released Zhao Xi at this critical juncture.

"Hmph, what good does it do for my dad to lock me up?"

Zhao Xi rolled her eyes: "Do you think my family can stop you?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Jiangnian immediately understood.

You know what, that's really true.

Although Zhao Xi was nominally under house arrest, if Lin Jiangnian wanted to go to Zhao Xi, no one in the Zhao family could stop him.

During the time Zhao Xi was under house arrest, Lin Jiangnian secretly went to see her quite a few times... though not exactly secretly.

Many times, it happened right under the nose of that Prime Minister Zhao.

That Prime Minister Zhao doesn't have time to deal with Lin Jiangnian these days.

"So your dad let you out?"

Lin Jiangnian stepped forward and pulled Zhao Xi into his arms again, raising an eyebrow: "So, does that mean he agrees to us?"

"No."

Zhao Xi glanced at him, expressionless: "My father still doesn't like you, and he doesn't want me to have anything to do with you anymore."

"Hey, that old Deng!"

"Don't you dare insult my father!"

Zhao Xi glared at him.

"Who told your father to break his promise?"

Lin Jiangnian said angrily, "We had a good chat last time, but your father turned his back on us. He even said that official business is official business and private business is private business... The Prime Minister of the current dynasty has no shame at all... Ouch, why are you pinching me?"

"You dare to insult my father?"

Zhao Xi was furious and pinched Lin Jiangnian hard several times.

"You're still siding with your father?"

"Nonsense, that's my own father!"

"You've called me before..."

"shut up!"

Zhao Xi blushed and became furious, then quickly covered Lin Jiangnian's mouth.

That scoundrel, he really can't utter a single good word.

"If you dare to insult my father again, I'm leaving right now!"

"Okay, okay, I won't scold you anymore!"

Seeing that Zhao Xi seemed genuinely angry, Lin Jiangnian finally shut up.

"Then tell me, what exactly happened?"

Logically speaking, since the old man rejected Lin Jiangnian's proposal last time, he should continue to prevent Lin Jiangnian from meeting Zhao Xi. So why is Zhao Xi able to come to his door in person today?

"Humph!"

Zhao Xi snorted and glanced at him: "My father is the prime minister of the current dynasty. So many eyes are watching him, so many people are watching his every word and action."

Do you think he might agree to your terms?

"Why not? The imperial court has already reached an agreement with the Prince of Lin's residence."

"That's different!"

Zhao Xi sneered: "Are you playing dumb? The Prince Lin's Mansion and the imperial court are one thing, but my father and your Prince Lin's Mansion are another... This is a turbulent time, and as the current prime minister, my father must be fair and impartial and cannot favor any side. Otherwise, he could easily give them leverage!"

"At this time, how could my father possibly allow me to have too much contact with you?"

"If someone uses this as leverage to attack my father, it will inevitably cause turmoil in the court..."

"So, especially at times like these, my father is even less willing to let me have too much contact with you. That's the biggest reason he's stopping us."

Lin Jiangnian seemed to understand, and thought to himself, "That makes sense."

However, he quickly noticed something: "So, your father didn't really want to stop us? He was just putting on a show for others because of the current political situation?"

"Do not."

Zhao Xi glanced at him: "My father really doesn't like you either. Even without the influence of the court situation, he wouldn't want me to have too much contact with you!"

"That old bastard..."

"What did you say?"

"nothing."

Lin Jiang coughed lightly, but quickly realized something and looked Zhao Xi up and down a few times: "Since your father doesn't want you to have too much contact with me, why did he send you to see me today?"

"Would it be useful to stop it?"

Zhao Xi gritted her teeth and said irritably, "Is it still your fault or not?"

"Blame me?"

Zhao Xi didn't say anything more, but her eyes gradually turned deep as she stared at him.

Lin Jiangnian found it very uncomfortable to be watched like this.

"Why are you attacking me with your eyes again?"

Zhao Xi looked away and sighed softly, "My father has carried too much on his shoulders."

"The current situation in the court is extremely dangerous. If my father makes one wrong step, he will be doomed..."

"Although Piaomiao has ascended the throne, it won't be easy for the world to be stable... Do you know what I'm trying to say?"

Lin Jiangnian listened quietly, holding Zhao Xi tightly, and said softly, "From your father's perspective, he doesn't want the two of us to have too much contact, but he can't stop us..."

"The court is in chaos right now, and he doesn't have time to concern himself with personal matters. He doesn't want to get too involved with the Prince Lin's mansion, but now he has no choice but to use the Prince Lin's mansion's influence to stabilize the court, is that what you mean?"

Zhao Xi said irritably, "You clearly know everything, so why are you pretending to be stupid?"

Lin Jiangnian smiled and said, "Some things are beyond my control. Your father's ambitions are too great, and the Prince Lin's Mansion cannot provide them."

“The Prince Lin’s mansion doesn’t belong to me alone. Sometimes… even the Prince himself can’t stop certain things.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xi suddenly looked up: "Will the Prince Lin's Mansion and the imperial court eventually come to blows?"

"That won't happen."

Lin Jiangnian shook his head and patted her head: "At least while I'm still alive, I won't let that day happen."

Zhao Xi opened her mouth, but didn't say anything.

"Therefore, at least for the next few decades after the world is at peace, there will be no greater wars. The Prince Lin's residence and the imperial court will surely find a new tacit balance..."

"And when the time comes, you and I will surely be able to become a couple."

Zhao Xi listened blankly. She knew many things, but as the daughter of Prime Minister Zhao, she was powerless to change them.

They might even feel extremely powerless because of their own identity.

But Lin Jiangnian's words seemed to give her a glimmer of hope. She was lost in thought for a long time before finally coming back to her senses.

"Who actually ended up with you and your lover?"

"You?"

Lin Jiangnian hugged her and laughed, "When the time comes, I will definitely marry you back to the Prince of Lin's mansion in a grand and glorious manner."

Zhao Xi blushed and asked, "Who agreed to marry you?"

"Hey, you're not marrying me? Does that mean you want to play some exciting games with me... Ouch, be gentle!"

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll castrate you!"

"Wow, you murdered your husband, huh... Isn't this what you said last time about wanting to do something more exciting?"

"When did I say that?"

"You even said you wanted to sleep with Piaomiao's man behind her back, that's adultery..."

"Shut up! Is that what I meant?!" Zhao Xi's face flushed red with embarrassment and exasperation.

So, are you going to marry him or not?

"Don't marry!"

"You still say you didn't want to play the role of a woman committing adultery... Ouch, be gentle, be gentle!"

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll break your arms!"

Zhao Xi blushed and threatened fiercely.

……

That winter was exceptionally cold.

Time slips away silently, and the Spring Festival of this year has arrived.

The New Year of that year saw the capital city lose its usual prosperity.

However, it was still lively!
The news that Prince Lin's army had set out to the north to quell the rebellion gave the fearful people in the capital a sense of security.

This New Year was quite lively.

The new year begins with a peaceful year for the new ruler!
The capital remained heavily guarded, and the court was controlled by Prime Minister Zhao and the elder Li. Although various rumors were circulating among the people, the situation in the court remained stable.

Li Piaomiao, who had just ascended the throne, continued to hold the front line in the north, leading a large army to block the rebel army of Prince Xu in the north.

In the depths of winter that year, under the leadership of the 'false emperor' Li Yuan, the Xu Prince's rebel army in the north amassed 60,000 troops and launched an unprecedented offensive against Anping City before the Lin Prince's troops could march north to provide reinforcements.

In this siege, Xu Wang's rebel army dispatched its most elite troops, with infantry and cavalry working together, and all kinds of siege crossbows were brought out. They launched a frenzied attack on Anping City at all costs.

Everyone knew that victory or defeat hinged on this moment.

Once the troops from the Prince of Lin's residence arrive in the north and encircle the rebel army of Prince Xu, the situation will become extremely unfavorable.

Therefore, at this critical juncture, Xu Hong gave the order to take Anping City at all costs.

If they can capture Anping City and clear the road to the south, then Xu Wang's army will be able to attack or defend as needed, thus gaining true initiative.

Even if the Prince of Lin's army arrives, the Prince of Xu's mansion will still maintain the initiative.

Therefore, the Xu Prince's Mansion poured its heart and soul into the effort. They not only mobilized a large number of elite troops to launch wave after wave of frenzied offensives against Anping City.

At the same time, troops from various parts of Xuzhou were mobilized to advance southward, cutting off reinforcements from all parts of the Da Ning Dynasty to Anping City, and were determined to isolate Anping City into a lone city.

This massive battle broke out in the depths of winter that year.

The elite troops of Prince Xu's mansion launched a relentless attack on the city, with a continuous stream of soldiers heading towards Anping City, intending to take this isolated city with their own flesh and blood.

Meanwhile, in Anping City, under the command of Princess Li Piaomiao, the soldiers and civilians united as one and launched an unprecedentedly tenacious resistance, utilizing the city's facilities.

The siege lasted for seven days, and the flames of war destroyed the massive Anping city walls, leaving the entire city almost in ruins.

Inside and outside the city, corpses littered the streets. The heavy snow covered the bloodstains, but it could not conceal the gunpowder smoke and the thick stench of blood that permeated the air.

The imperial army was ultimately unable to withstand the offensive of Prince Xu's forces. However, these imperial troops displayed unprecedented resilience.

Under the offensive of Xu Wangjun's elite troops, the seven-day war broke out and nearly half of Anping City was captured.

This half of Anping City was almost reduced to ruins.

However, the imperial army remained tenacious, using the city's defensive structures to engage in a fierce and protracted street battle with Prince Xu's army.

As a powerful force in the north, the Xu Prince's army has always been known for its formidable cavalry. The Xu Prince's army boasts nearly ten thousand cavalrymen, virtually invincible throughout the land.

However, once dragged into urban warfare, cavalry could not play a real role and were instead hampered.

In seven days, the army captured most of Anping City. But for him, the losses were equally heavy.

This is not the result Xu Hong wanted!

He wants to take Anping City, but the price he has to pay is too high!

He had lost too many elite troops, and Anping City, which was almost destroyed, was of little value to him.

Even so, he had no way out.

Anping City must be captured at all costs. It is a crucial passage for his southward journey. Even if it is destroyed, it must not fall into the hands of the imperial court.

And more importantly...

Xu Hong's real target was not Anping City, but the first female emperor of the Great Ning Dynasty who was stationed at the front line of Anping City.

Li Piaomiao!
……

In the freezing cold, the air was thick with the stench of blood and the wails of soldiers.

A terrifying and gloomy atmosphere hung over everyone's hearts.

This war is far from over!

"Your Majesty, our provisions...are exhausted."

A hoarse voice rang out, and a general with his head down said in a low voice: "Our rear reinforcements have been cut off, Anping City is almost lost... Our troops have suffered heavy losses."

"Our supplies are running out... Your Majesty, I'm afraid..."

The general did not continue speaking, but a tense atmosphere enveloped everyone's hearts.

The consequences of running out of supplies are self-evident.

The situation has finally reached its most serious point!
In this battle to defend Anping City, their empress displayed unprecedented military talent, managing to hold off the elite forces of the Xu King's rebel army in Anping City with far fewer troops than Xu King's rebel army.

Although Anping City was almost lost in the end, it caused great trouble for Xu Wang's rebel army.

This battle also greatly dampened the morale of Xu Wang's rebel army.

But now, with supplies exhausted, the worst has finally arrived!

Without supplies, how can they possibly hold off the rebel army led by Prince Xu?

If this drags on, the army will likely starve to death before Xu Wang's rebel army can attack.

"Your Majesty, let's withdraw the troops."

Inside the tent, a general spoke in a deep voice.

"A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day, and Your Majesty cannot risk your life again. We are willing to fight our way out for Your Majesty and escort you to your retreat!"

Inside the camp, all the generals knelt down, begging His Majesty to withdraw his troops and abandon the area.

The dim light illuminated a stunningly beautiful face.

Cold and chilling, yet with a deep and resolute gaze.

She remained motionless, her gaze fixed on the sand table map in front of her, ignoring all the generals present.

The surroundings were silent, without any sound or movement.

"I will not retreat!"

The voice was cold and unquestionable.

All the generals present felt a sudden sinking feeling in their hearts.

"Our reinforcements are almost here."

Li Piaomiao's voice remained icy.

The generals present, however, turned pale and looked at each other in bewilderment.

They knew that the Prince of Lin's army had raised troops to go north to quell the rebellion, but it would take at least three or four months to get here from Linzhou... Even if they arrived, the journey would be arduous, and the Prince of Lin's army, being in the south, would not be able to adapt to the icy and snowy environment of the north.
Furthermore, among the generals present, who dared to believe that the Prince Lin's residence was genuinely there to assist the court in suppressing the rebellion?

Who knows if the Prince Lin's mansion will sit back and watch the tigers fight, then reap the benefits?
They had absolutely no hope for reinforcements!
"His Majesty……"

Just as some generals were about to offer their advice...

Footsteps approach.

An excited voice rang out from outside.

Crisp and melodious, exciting and joyful.

"Your Majesty...Your Highness...Your Highness has arrived!"

"His Highness has arrived!"

"!!!"

(End of this chapter)