Too many female prisoners, a special forces soldier transmigrates and marries wildly.

Three days later, the city lights came on.

The Imperial Garden had long since become a completely different world.

The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and the palace lanterns shone brightly, illuminating the exotic flowers, rare plants, artificial hills, and flowing water, making it seem like a fairyland. The air was filled with the aroma of wine, perfume, and a deliberately created, slightly intoxicating atmosphere of extravagance.

Tonight's banquet, ostensibly a "welcome feast," is in reality a "tiger-watching" event.

Lin Feng was still dressed in a scarlet robe, with a sword at his waist—this was a special decree from the emperor, allowing him to "remain armed as a soldier," a sign of favor and also an implicit warning. Bai Xiaohe, disguised as a close attendant, silently followed half a step behind him, her gaze sweeping over every shadowy corner like a hawk's.

The banquet was held in the "Xiefang Hall" by the water. Civil and military officials were seated according to their rank, chatting and laughing, but their eyes kept glancing towards the entrance. Until a eunuch announced loudly: "Lin Feng, the Northern Border Inspector General, has arrived—!"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Lin Feng strode in, ignoring the probing, disdainful, or wary gazes on either side, and walked straight to the emperor, bowing respectfully: "Your subject Lin Feng greets Your Majesty."

"Rise, my dear subject, and take a seat." The emperor seemed to be in better spirits today, with a warm smile on his face, and pointed to a rather forward seat on the lower left. That seat, not far from the dragon throne, placed him in the spotlight of everyone's attention.

Lin Feng sat down calmly, and fine wine and delicacies were served. He raised his cup to the throne and drank it down in one gulp, his movements swift and decisive, displaying the boldness unique to border soldiers, which was quite different from the sipped manner of the civil officials around him.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere seemed to be getting lively. Sure enough, the probing began.

A middle-aged official, dressed in a scholar's robe and exuding elegance, rose to his feet. He was Zhou Wenyuan, the Vice Minister of Rites, renowned for his erudition and eloquence. He raised his cup to Lin Feng and smiled, saying, "Ambassador Lin, your might has shaken the northern border, driving out the barbarians. You are truly a pillar of the nation. I have long admired your name, and meeting you today, I am honored to see your heroic spirit. However, there is one thing I do not understand, and I hope the Ambassador will enlighten me."

"Please speak, Lord Zhou." Lin Feng put down his wine cup, his gaze calm.

"I have read history books and know that a general should possess 'wisdom, integrity, benevolence, courage, and strictness.' Ambassador Lin's 'courage' and 'strictness' are well-known throughout the northern border. However, regarding 'benevolence'... I have heard that the Ambassador acted ruthlessly in Yunzhong County, implicating many. The ancients said, 'Killing those who surrender is inauspicious,' and 'Those who are coerced into submission are not to be questioned.' Ambassador Lin's iron-fisted approach, though effective in the short term, will surely chill the hearts of the people of the northern border and damage His Majesty's benevolence?"

The question, though seemingly cryptic, directly points to Lin Feng's "indiscriminate killing."

Many civil officials nodded slightly, deeply agreeing. Even the emperor at the head of the table put down his chopsticks and looked at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng looked up at Zhou Wenyuan and suddenly smiled. The smile was devoid of warmth, causing Zhou Wenyuan's heart to skip a beat.

"Lord Zhou, you are well-versed in literature and poetry, and you must know that 'severe measures are necessary in times of chaos.'" Lin Feng's voice clearly reached everyone's ears. "The Northern Border is not like the peaceful Jiangnan region. There, a knife is more effective than reason. Some people collude with foreign enemies, privately amassing troops, and their followers are spread throughout the prefectures and counties like a malignant tumor. If I were to speak of 'benevolence' or 'not questioning those who are coerced' to these people, that would be cruelty to the soldiers guarding the border and inhumanity to the people of the Northern Border!"

He stood up and looked around: "Why do I, Lin Feng, wield my sword? It is to ensure that the soldiers on the border have food to eat, clothes to wear, and swords to fight! It is to ensure that the people of the northern border no longer have to worry every night about barbarian raids! Does Lord Zhou know how many fine sons in my army have died not on the battlefield, but from lack of medical care, cold, and hunger? Who has ever spoken of 'benevolence' to these people?!"

His gaze, sharp as lightning, shot towards Zhou Wenyuan: "If Lord Zhou finds my methods ruthless, why not take off this official robe and spend a year or two at Cangyun Pass? Let's see whether the principles in your books can stop the barbarian hooves, or whether the sword in my hand is more effective!"

His words, spoken with resounding force, carried the blood and iron of the frontier, causing the faces of all the civil officials in the hall to change, and for a moment no one dared to respond. Zhou Wenyuan's face flushed red, and he stammered, unable to speak.

"Hahaha!" A loud laugh broke the silence; it came from the emperor on his throne. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! Well said! Minister Lin's words may be rough, but they are true! The affairs of the northern border are difficult to understand unless one is there in person. I see Minister Lin as a truly honest man who cares for the country and its people! Come, drink this cup to the brim!"

The emperor personally smoothed things over, and everyone quickly raised their glasses in agreement, but the atmosphere remained somewhat awkward. Officials from Prince Lin's faction wore even colder expressions.

The music resumed, and dancers gracefully entered, attempting to ease the tension that had just arisen.

Just then, a clear, bell-like laugh suddenly came from outside the hall, accompanied by the tinkling of jade pendants.

"Father, why didn't you invite your son to the banquet?"

Following the sound, everyone looked and saw several elegantly dressed women escorting a young girl as she gracefully entered. The girl appeared to be around sixteen years old, dressed in a pale yellow palace gown, with an exceptionally beautiful face, especially her bright and intelligent eyes. She was the same girl in white who had met Lin Feng briefly on Zhuque Street a few days ago.

She arrived in full regalia, exuding an air of nobility, a stark contrast to her simple and elegant appearance the day before.

"Pingyang, what brings you here?" The emperor's eyes showed affection, but his tone carried a hint of helpless indulgence.

"Your Majesty, I heard that Your Majesty is hosting a banquet for the heroes of the Northern Frontier, and out of curiosity, I came to see for myself." Princess Pingyang's lips parted slightly, but her gaze had already fallen on Lin Feng, filled with undisguised curiosity and scrutiny. "This must be General Lin Feng, the one who strikes fear into the hearts of the Northern Barbarians?"

Lin Feng rose and bowed: "Your subject Lin Feng greets Your Highness the Princess."

"No need for formalities." Princess Pingyang took a few steps closer, tilted her head to look at him, and suddenly laughed, "That day on the street, General, you were quite imposing, daring to even stop the carriage of the Marquis of Pingyang's residence."

The expressions on the faces of those in the hall varied. The Pingyang Marquis's residence was, after all, the Lin Princess's maternal family. Was the princess's remark casual, or was it something more pointed?

Lin Feng remained calm: "It was my fault for disturbing Your Majesty's carriage. At that time, I had just entered the capital and did not know Your Majesty."

"I didn't blame you." Princess Pingyang smiled sweetly, and personally took a cup of wine from the maid, walked up to Lin Feng, and said, "My father often says that generals are the pillars of the country. Although I am deep in the palace, I admire them. This cup of wine is to toast the general's hard work on guarding the border."