His entire family perished in battle; he rose from the ashes to conquer the world.

Seventh Sister-in-law Tuoba Yue was also the daughter of the Heavenly Khan of the grasslands, a legitimate princess with an unparalleled noble status.

They were not some dull and lifeless widows; they were clearly pearls covered in dust, and mouthwatering pieces of meat.

Given their background and identity, even if they genuinely wanted to protect the Mu family mansion, how long could they withstand the storms outside?

"What I fear is that someone might secretly plot against us, taking advantage of the emperor's pity for the widow's plight, and arrange a marriage or something similar. I'm afraid that in the end, my Mu family will be nothing but an empty shell."

Mu Yuan spoke the truth. Reality is that clear-headed and cruel.

After all, in this world, who can completely withstand the passage of time and remain steadfast in their status as a widow for their entire life?

"I will absolutely not allow it!"

Upon hearing that the Mu family might have fallen to such a state, even Old Madam Mu could no longer remain calm.

Enraged, veins bulged on her forehead and her eyes burned with fury.

"Your seven sisters-in-law, now that you've entered the Mu family, you'll be members of the Mu family for life."

Mu Yuan followed up.

"Grandma is right, so I will do my best to shoulder the heavy responsibility of these seven households."

Just kidding, just based on the looks and charisma of those seven women, winning them over would be an unimaginable blessing.

How could they possibly be unwilling?!

In the utter silence, Old Madam Mu raised her head and looked at Mu Yuan. All her previous emotions had vanished, replaced by a touch of emotion and a sense of relief.

This grandson of mine is truly my favorite.

How come we never noticed this piece of jade before?

"Haha, haha. Your Highness, can you see this in heaven? When my Mu family was in dire straits, a pillar of white jade stood tall, a beam of purple gold spanned the sea!"

"My Muwang Mansion is saved."

Overjoyed, Old Madam Mu wept tears of joy, two streams of hot tears rolling down her deep wrinkles.

At this moment, she was not the strict, unsmiling old lady, but an old woman who had lost her son and grandson and was still struggling to hold on.

Despite the glittering and opulent Mu family mansion and the immense power and influence of the Mu family, the law of the jungle still prevails: the strong survive and the weak perish. The Mu family has reached a point of life and death.

She didn't need to care why Mu Yuan had suddenly changed; all she cared about was that the Mu family must continue.

"Yuan'er..."

Old Madam Mu's tone softened considerably. Right before Mu Yuan's eyes, the old lady used her withered, aged hand to pull an object from her body.

Upon seeing that it was a completely black token, Mu Yuan's pupils suddenly contracted.

The token was forged from black iron, and several lifelike black dragons were engraved on its surface. Their claws and teeth were ferocious, and they were coiled together, as if they would break free at any moment and soar into the sky.

Under the cold, dim light, the talisman was covered with fine scratches and bloodstains. It was a history of blood and tears left by the successive Kings of Xiping.

In the very center, there is only the character "沐" written in ancient script.

With its silver hooks and iron strokes, it exudes a fierce and murderous aura.

This is the token of the head of the Xiping Prince's Mansion, and also the seal of the commander of the hundreds of thousands of iron-blooded soldiers in the southwest.

Old Madam Mu's expression was solemn, even devout, as she held the token in both hands and presented it to Mu Yuan.

Her hands trembled slightly as she sang.

"This ancient seal made of black iron was personally passed down to your father by the old prince. Your father originally intended to pass it on to your eldest brother."

Old Madam Mu quickly recovered from her melancholy, and her tone became more resolute.

"Whoever holds this seal shall have complete control over everything in the Prince of Xiping's mansion—appointments, dismissals, finances, and all other matters! Throughout the five southwestern prefectures, those who see this seal shall feel as if they are seeing their sovereign and father."

"From now on, you are the new Prince of Xiping. All matters, large and small, within the palace will be decided by you. You will be the commander-in-chief of hundreds of thousands of troops on the southwestern border!"

Mu Yuan solemnly accepted the gift: "Your son will do everything in his power to protect the Mu Royal Palace!"

This is not a perfunctory remark.

Having transmigrated and become the sole male heir of the Mu family, his fate is now inextricably linked to theirs. There's only one outcome for him: the destruction of his family and the loss of his life.

There is absolutely no room for luck.

"Yuan'er, the Mu family is at a critical juncture of life and death."

Old Madam Mu said slowly and solemnly:

"Your sisters-in-law are all extraordinary individuals, not only in terms of family background but also in terms of talent. You have a heavy responsibility to bear."

Not bad.

Sister-in-law Qin Hongxiu comes from a military family and has been immersed in the army for many years. Isn't she also a great general?

Second sister-in-law Su Wanqing is a highly skilled doctor and is respected in both the household and the army.

Third sister-in-law Fang Yuyan comes from a family with a long history of business and is a financial expert.

Fourth Sister-in-law Jiang Zhiruo is exceptionally intelligent and is also a kind of head housekeeper in the household.

There was also Lin Xueshang, the sixth sister-in-law who never showed her true colors, but Mu Yuan had long since sensed the extremely dangerous aura emanating from her.

……

In short, none of them were easy to deal with.

"Don't worry, Grandma, I'll take good care of my sisters-in-law."

Mu Yuan was undoubtedly the one to take the lead.

"As for the rest, military power should be the top priority."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Mu's eyes lit up, and she asked curiously:

"You already have a plan? Tell me about it."

Mu Yuan did indeed have a plan for this.

"In the southwest, only Hanzhou, Bazhou, Wuzhou, and Bazhou border foreign countries. Our elite border troops in the southwest are concentrated in these four towns."

Upon hearing the music, Old Madam Mu immediately understood the implied meaning.

"Are you planning to go to one of these four military garrisons?"

"Yes."

Mu Yuan nodded: "The reason why the Emperor is wary of my Mu Royal Mansion is simply because we control the troops of the twenty princes. What they want to do is seize power while my father and brothers are dead and the country is leaderless."

"So, what you're thinking of is solving this problem at its root and regaining control of the army," Old Madam Mu continued.

"If you want to preserve the Mu family lineage in the Southwest, this is the only way."

Mu Yuan's voice lowered.

"Moreover, we must act quickly, before the Emperor and Prince Ning. This matter must be resolved within the hundred-day mourning period!"

"So fast?"

The old lady was shocked once again. Could Mu Yuan, who had never been to the military camp in just one hundred days, really do it?

"good."

Mu Yuan's decision was resolute, without the slightest hesitation.

"First, seize military power within a hundred days, then fight against Prince Ning, and even the imperial court!"

Having military power is the key to getting a table, and this is just the beginning.

Grandma Mu was clearly stunned by her grandson's extraordinary "vision." In the past, she would have thought Mu Yuan was just bragging and spouting empty words.

But after experiencing today, looking at the confident expression on her face, she felt inexplicably at ease.

Yes.

The heavy responsibility has been entrusted to him, so of course we should trust him.

"Grandma believes you can do it!"

Mu Yuan straightened his posture, his expression solemn:

"Grandma, rest assured, I will live and die with the Mu family. As long as I am here, the Mu family will never fall!"