The moonlight filtered through the light gauze curtains, turning into a faint silver mist. The cool night breeze lifted the tips of her hair that fell to her cheeks, a few strands of black hair floating in the halo like transparent jellyfish.

The young girl curled up on the off-white fabric sofa, her cheek pressed against a pillow embroidered with a Phoenix flower pattern. Her eyelashes cast tiny shadows on her eyelids, trembling slightly with her breathing, as if they were butterfly wings about to be startled by the air currents.

She lay on her side, her spine curved like a cat. Her knitted cardigan slipped to her elbows, revealing half of her arm, giving off a snowy white sheen.

During the day, she wore a noble and inviolable court dress, but in the evening, she changed into fresh and delightful loungewear.

The hem of her skirt was stacked just above her knees, the lace edge making a barely audible rustling sound with her turning. Her lips were stained with un-faded cherry-colored lip balm, shimmering with moisture under the warm light.

It was as if gentle water ripples were undulating.

It really made one want to steal a kiss.

Tang Fei couldn't resist, so he gently planted a kiss on her.

Phoenix drowsily opened her eyes, looking adorable, completely different from her usual graceful and aloof demeanor. Seeing Tang Fei squatting in front of her, she softly asked, "You're back?"

Tang Fei ran his fingers through her ear-length short hair, lovingly tousling it.

Phoenix's hair became messy, like a disheveled little dog.

Tang Fei was very satisfied with his handiwork, looking into her clear and bright eyes, smiling as he asked, "Tired?"

"Mm." Phoenix sat up shyly, tugging at the skirt that had slipped to her thighs, "I was planning to wait a bit for you, but I fell asleep while waiting."

"No worries, go ahead and sleep." Tang Fei sat down next to Phoenix and pulled her into his embrace, saying, "Get a good rest. You've had it tough lately."

"I haven't been dealing with much hardship. It's you and Si Yu... and the soldiers fighting fiercely at the front."

"I won't allow you to belittle your contributions." Tang Fei tightened his embrace on the woman in his arms, "If it weren't for you convincing the City Lord of Golden City, we might have faced another fierce battle."

"Opening the gates of Golden City without losing a single soldier saved us so much time and effort. Most importantly, it gained us strategic time... Otherwise, how could we have swiftly taken down Red Moon City?"

"It was what I was supposed to do," Phoenix said.

Tang Fei shook his head and said, "There's no such thing as should or shouldn't. I know... it was actually very difficult for you."

To have the Empire Princess step forward to persuade those city lords and generals to support me...

Sigh, I'm rebelling against myself.

Isn't that bizarre?

After all, Shen Wuxiang hasn't really seized the throne by rebellion, and the one sitting in Fengming Palace still bears the surname Zhong.

Thus, Phoenix's position and situation are quite awkward.

"Don't say that." Phoenix wrapped her arms around Tang Fei's waist and whispered softly in his ear, "What you aim to do is what I want to do as well."

"If I can help you in any way, it makes me very happy."

Tang Fei felt the girl's deep affection. Her voice was gentle and soft, with strands of warm breath brushing against his ears and neck, making him feel a tingling sensation.

"You have helped me very much, both in the past and now."

Fate brought them together over the mountain of hate, and their lives became intertwined.

After arriving in New Star, there was even more meticulous care from Phoenix.

She gave him a house, a car, money, educational opportunities, and even a career...

Most importantly, she guarded every step Tang Fei took.

If it weren't for the big strong leg of the Princess, could a small fry from old soil like him... really think those people's knives weren't sharp?

Growth requires time.

Phoenix just happened to provide Tang Fei with the most precious time.

Phoenix climbed out of Tang Fei's embrace, gave him a sidelong glance, and said, "No need for such pleasantries between us."

"Alright, alright." Tang Fei nodded repeatedly, chuckling as he said, "Being too courteous between us would only push us further apart."

"What are your plans next?" Phoenix smoothed her hair and looked at Tang Fei, asking.

"Not sleeping?"

"I took a nap, I feel much better now."

"Mm." Tang Fei nodded and said, "I just had a chat with the higher-ups of the Dushan Army, and they are all willing to support our cause."

"That's fantastic." Phoenix said happily, "These are seasoned warriors, standing guard on the front lines against the Barbarians every day... For decades, they haven't allowed the Barbarians to step beyond Dushan."

"It's easy to find a thousand troops, but difficult to find one good general. They have not only rich battle experience but also extraordinary command skills. With their help, our overall strength will increase significantly."

"Yes." Tang Fei nodded, then narrated his plan to reorganize the Dushan Army and Xun Pu's willingness to join the advisory team.

"He's quite a clever man." Phoenix's eyes sparkled as she praised, "You've already appointed Shen Qingping as the commander of the Dushan Army, so there's no better position for him if he goes back."

"Aside from the Dushan Army, the Sky Wolf Army belongs to Qin Jianyi, and Little Fatty is over on the Barbarians' side. So, the best position for him is to be an advisor by your side."

"Once the situation stabilizes, when it's time to reward contributions, his achievements may not be inferior to Shen Qingping and Qin Jianyi."

It is said to have connections in the court to get a good position; what about working right under the emperor's nose?

Well, that's if Tang Fei is willing to become the emperor...

Xun Pu clearly thought about this possibility.

If the bandit army... no, if the Righteous Army were to achieve a complete victory, at that time, Tang Fei would naturally be cloaked in yellow robes.

His status as a strategist and advisor is not something Shen Qingping or Qin Jianyi can compare to.

"Indeed." Tang Fei agreed deeply, sighing, "To become the leader of an army, especially the commander of the Dushan Army... How can one be mediocre?"

"The structure of the Sky Wolf Army is very complete, with the Dushan Army over here... You intend to hand it entirely to Shen Qingping?"

"The geographical location of the Dushan Army is remote, neither grandmother nor uncle cares... they're lacking people and weapons." Tang Fei was clearly well aware of these issues, and said confidently, "I plan to bring in ten thousand from the Lu Clan and assign Lu Zhiyong a position as deputy commander of the Dushan Army."

Lu Zhiyong was originally in one of the Empire's three elite corps, the Undying Army, but he was never favored by the officers loyal to the Shen Family, hence he was never heavily utilized.

However, during the defense of Lu Ban Mountain, he fully exhibited his commanding skills and combat prowess.

Appointing him as deputy in the Dushan Army is firstly to assist Shen Qingping, secondly as a check and balance.

Phoenix naturally understood the deeper meaning behind Tang Fei's actions, and nodded, saying, "That is good. Considering you used people from the Lu Clan and their equipment... Some compensation is necessary."

There was another sentence Tang Fei and Phoenix didn't voice; should Shen Qingping wish to betray Tang Fei and make the Dushan Army independent...

The people from the Lu Clan certainly wouldn't follow him.

And those armors and weapons provided by the Lu Clan would be his stumbling and choking rope.

Just like with the Sky Wolf Army.

The Sky Wolf Army, equipped with the Lu Clan's latest armor and weapons, boasts extremely strong combat abilities and exceptional defense capabilities. Whether facing Red Moon City's defenders or Wang Bota's reinforcements, they thrashed them one by one.

Possessing the Lu Clan means possessing the world.

Reflecting on Lu Siyu's attitude towards Tang Fei...

Heh heh!

"Once the Dushan Army is fully restructured, we'll find a way to take Brocade City and Feng City. Feng City's proximity to the port makes it critically important to us."

"It's also critically important to Shen Wuxiang. Thus, the battle for Feng City will be extremely brutal."

"In the face of adversity, the courageous prevail. We have no room to retreat." Tang Fei said solemnly.

Realizing these are Empire citizens, both allies yet destined to turn on each other...

Both felt an overwhelming heaviness in their hearts.

The interests and hatred among major figures ultimately lay the burden of blood and life on those beneath them.

Could we expect them to bear the cost themselves?

After a long while, Phoenix, seemingly breaking this grave atmosphere, cupped hands towards Tang Fei, saying, "Tang General has fierce warriors around him, strategists like rain, all heroes of the realm under his command, how can the grand plan not succeed?"

'All heroes under heaven are in my grasp,' said Tang Taizong, Li Shimin.

Observing newly qualified scholars file out, he was proud of the imperial examination system for bringing talented individuals under the court's control for the nation.

Phoenix deliberately used this anecdote to tease Tang Fei, comparing him to the illustrious emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty.

The young woman's eyebrows arched, her smile sweet and charming.

Tang Fei laughed with squinted eyes, saying, "Is this sarcasm towards me?"

"How could it be? It's praise. Congratulations, Tang General, felicitation, Tang General."

Tang Fei suddenly pulled her body forward, making her chest lie flat on his thighs, with her rounded hips raised high.

Slap!

Slap!

Slap!

Tang Fei slapped her butt with force, pretending to be fierce, "What should you call me?"

"Brother... Brother... Stop hitting... It hurts..."

------

Fengming Palace.

After Dongguo Chenxi offered tea, she sat beside Zhong Tianque like a dutiful little wife.

Zhong Tianque looked at Sun Shehu opposite, smiling and asking, "Mr. Sun, what brings you back to Phoenix City for a visit?"

"I'm here to see the Princess..." Sun Shehu glanced at Dongguo Chenxi, then asked, "Ms. Chenxi's health is better now?"

"Much better." Dongguo Chenxi's expression was calm, as if unaware of the underlying implication in his words, "Every day arranging flowers and brewing tea, self-cultivating... My health is indeed improving."

"That's good. Lord Military Minister has been concerned about the esteemed couple... You are the face of the nation; as you prosper, so too does the nation."

"Mr. Sun exaggerates." Zhong Tianque said humbly.

He's no longer the Crown Prince, familiar with his own status and situation, and wouldn't let a few words of flattery make him complacent.

"The battle reports from the front lines have reached the Princess, haven't they?" Sun Shehu finally got to the point.

"Briefly glanced at." Zhong Tianque didn't know Sun Shehu's real intentions and responded ambiguously.

"Princess Xiu Xue has achieved remarkable success at the front, persuading officials to surrender as a Royal Princess, the City Lord General of Golden City opened the gates in offering... You heard of this matter, haven't you?"

Zhong Tianque kept silent for a moment, nodded, saying, "I have heard of it."

"What is the Princess's view?" Sun Shehu asked, eyes fixed intently on Zhong Tianque.

"..."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.