Raising a wife? The mistress of the Hou family divorced and remarried her younger uncle

Chapter 362 Traveling Far Away
The Huainan campaign, as predicted by Su Qingwan and Lu Jing, went even more smoothly. By early spring, they had reached the capital of Xilin, and the King of Xilin surrendered. Half of Xilin's army was tied down in the southwest. After Su Nianqing and the Marquis of Ningyuan's army broke through the defenses, it was too late for the southwestern garrison to return. The King of the Southwest would also lead his army to press forward step by step. The surrounding small states could not afford to offend Dayuan, and none of them offered assistance. Xilin's famous generals were either slaughtered or captured, and morale plummeted. The King of Xilin repeatedly requested to surrender, but was refused!
Xilin has repeatedly provoked conflict, and they have long been fed up with it. In order to protect the safety of the southwest and Huainan area, they must occupy Xilin's territory and refuse to negotiate. Xilin has no choice but to fight to the death or surrender.

Su Nianqing's army besieged Xilin Capital for ten days. The city was cut off from food and water, and the people were suffering. Winter passed, spring came and flowers bloomed, and the army was stationed outside the city, waiting for the white flag to be raised inside.

When the news reached the capital, the court officials were overjoyed. The problem that had plagued the southwest and the Huainan border for centuries had been solved as if by divine intervention. More than a decade earlier, the King of Huainan had repeatedly petitioned the court to attack Xilin, but the imperial family had refused each time, citing a lack of justification.

In terms of troop strength, the fighting power of the troops led by Su Nianqing now is far inferior to that of the Prince of Huainan more than ten years ago. In terms of strategy, Su Nianqing may not be the best either. However, he has a group of veteran generals under his command, such as Marquis Ningyuan and General Chen. He is young, has courage, and acts decisively. After capturing several cities, the morale of the Xilin army collapsed. With the help of the Prince of the Southwest, he was able to draw away half of Xilin's firepower. Su Nianqing can be said to be a god of war descended to earth, invincible.

Back then, the imperial family did not want Dayuan to destroy Xilin. If Xilin were destroyed, this fertile land would fall into the hands of Huainan. Huainan's fiefdom bordered Xilin, and while this territory nominally belonged to Dayuan, actual control would inevitably remain with Huainan. Furthermore, Emperor Taizu had left a decree forbidding the imperial family from withdrawing from the fiefdoms under any pretext. As long as Dayuan existed, the King of Huainan would remain. Therefore, the imperial family could not stand by and watch Huainan grow stronger and expand its territory, becoming a major threat to them.

The situation is different now. The eldest princess supports the destruction of Xilin. After all, the King of the Southwest is a member of the royal family and has been managing his fiefdom in the southwest for many years. He can restrain Huainan to a great extent.

Su Qingwan's marriage to the capital was advantageous to the royal family. Although some senior officials opposed it and worried that Su Nianqing would become too powerful, Su Nianqing was only twenty years old and Huainan was not as prosperous as it had been more than ten years ago, so the opposition was not as sharp. The destruction of Xilin was a great joy for Dayuan, and everyone from the court to the common people was overjoyed.

Lu Jing is going to Xilin. The victory in Huainan is already secured, and he will be taking several ministers to negotiate and take over many matters in Xilin. He will probably be busy for a while.

Su Qingwan's baby is seven months along and she cannot travel far. Otherwise, she would have liked to go to Xilin with Lu Jing.

Lu Jing was actually reluctant to travel far. In three months, Su Qingwan would give birth, and he wanted to be by her side. However, the Xilin territory was a tempting target, and anyone who went would cause trouble, ultimately creating a mess. Only a trusted confidant of the Emperor could handle the situation. Although Lu Jing had a marriage alliance with Huainan, his stance was clear: he was the regent entrusted with the care of the young emperor by the late emperor. If he defended Huainan, the censors would tear him apart.

Therefore, Lu Jing was the only one who could handle matters in Xilin, and he was to take most of his trusted confidants with him.

He was worried about leaving Su Qingwan alone in the capital to give birth.

Su Qingwan chuckled, "I'm not some pampered young lady raised in seclusion. You can go to Xilin with peace of mind and help Nianqing. I haven't seen Nianqing for a year and I don't know if he's alright or if he was injured on the battlefield this year. Go and check on him for me so I can have peace of mind. I don't trust anyone else."

"But you're about to give birth, and I'm worried about you!"

"There are doctors in the manor and imperial physicians in the palace. Qingyun and Liyue are both by my side. What do you have to worry about?" Su Qingwan had already ordered someone to help him pack his luggage. She smiled and said, "Xilin is a long way away. Maybe by the time you arrive, Nianqing will have already conquered the capital of Xilin. You should handle your government affairs as soon as possible. Maybe you can come back to be with me during childbirth."

Lu Jing and Su Qingwan both knew that the round trip would take more than a month, and Lu Jing might not be able to make it in time. However, she did not want to say anything discouraging. National affairs were of utmost importance, and she was in good health, so she was sure she could give birth smoothly.

"Ziyu, don't worry about me. The child and I will be waiting for you to come home in the capital."