CHAPTER 363: CHAPTER 383

Ever since Eastern Chu gained Qi Qin, General Cui retired decades ago. Now that he’s making a comeback, let’s not even discuss whether his skills remain sharp enough to win more battles for Eastern Chu. Let’s just ask, how old is he now?

He is already eighty-five years old. Whether it’s physical strength, endurance, or basic reaction capability, he’s no longer as adept as those younger than him.

Someone like this heading to the battlefield makes Emperor Yongning uneasy.

It’s not that he doubts Cui Tai’s loyalty; he believes in his devotion. He trusts that if Cui Tai indeed takes to the battlefield, he will fight with all his might.

He’s concerned about Cui Tai’s age.

Aging and illness, natural decline in bodily functions, these are laws of nature, against which no one can win.

"Your Majesty, I will put forth all my efforts, you can be assured..." Even though Cui Tai knows his own condition, he insists on going himself because he doesn’t trust other generals.

They are just a bunch of useless loafers, not even as competent as this old man here.

"General Cui, no." Emperor Yongning resolutely refused.

Cui Tai bowed his head in disappointment, as if ashamed about something.

Emperor Yongning also left room for negotiation, "General Cui, if the war does indeed commence, you can be the deputy general."

Cui Tai’s eyes lit up, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Alright, you may all leave now, allow me to ponder further on whether to truly start the war."

"Your servant takes leave."

The group of people retreated.

Emperor Yongning rubbed his temples, saying: "Still not coming out?"

Jun Ning, who was hiding behind the screen, emerged, walked behind Emperor Yongning, and extended a hand to help him rub his temples.

"Father, how did you know I was eavesdropping?"

Emperor Yongning did not explain. He glanced back at Jun Ning and said, "Father just knows."

"Oh..." Jun Ning exhaled, "Father, can you tell me why the war is starting so suddenly?" It was too abrupt, taking her by surprise.

Thinking about it, this war wasn’t incubated over time nor was it a plot by another country; rather, it was a sudden event.

Surely there is some unresolved issue or disagreement between Eastern Chu and another nation, leading to conflict and escalating to the point of warfare.

If these conflicts can be resolved, the war can surely be averted.

After all, given the current state of Eastern Chu, it’s unwise to initiate war; stopping it where possible is the best strategy.

Emperor Yongning said: "All you need to do is be a good princess, trust Father, and Father will surely protect you. You don’t need to worry about anything else."

Emperor Yongning never intended to disclose this matter to Jun Ning, even going as far as to avoid discussing it.

The reasons for this are twofold.

Firstly, if the matter concerns Jun Ning, Emperor Yongning doesn’t want her to carry any psychological burden.

Secondly, if the conflict isn’t a minor one, or a simple issue easily resolved, but such a difficult matter even Emperor Yongning finds challenging, thus, he’s unwilling to speak about it.

Evidently, Jun Ning has been away from the Imperial City for so long that this major incident clearly has nothing to do with her, so the second possibility stands.

The problem is thorny, causing headaches, and Emperor Yongning has been desperately seeking solutions non-stop, leaving him no time to discuss things with Jun Ning!

However, Jun Ning’s curiosity only grew.

What on earth happened?

Her curiosity was reaching its peak.

But no matter how she asked, Emperor Yongning still refused to tell her.

Jun Ning had to bid farewell to Emperor Yongning and went to ask Qiong Hua, but instead of answering, Qiong Hua sent her to school.

Sitting in the Shang Shufang, forced to study, Jun Ning: "......"

Just speechless.

...

Meanwhile, on Emperor Yongning’s side, he pondered deeply and decided on a dual approach.

That is preparing for battle and urgently searching for someone.

He entrusted the war preparations to the Eldest Prince, and as for finding someone, it’s the noblewoman with the esteemed Black Forest Beast Taming lineage Bei Xia spoke of.

Not long ago, the Bei Xia Beast Taming Clan discovered the blood of a woman possessing the noble Black Forest lineage within Eastern Chu’s borders, yet this woman isn’t an ordinary person—she’s a Bei Xia noblewoman.

Bei Xia was eager to find this woman, but despite exhausting all means and efforts, they still couldn’t locate her.

So, they insisted Eastern Chu detained their noble, demanding Eastern Chu to release her, or in a month’s time, Bei Xia’s hundred thousand troops would assemble at the border between the two nations and go to war.

Emperor Yongning found it utterly baffling, since when did they detain the noble of their Beast Taming Clan?

Since when did they refuse to let her go?

Solely based on those so-called blood traces, Bei Xia convicted Eastern Chu unjustly.

"Humph, if Qi Qin were still alive, would they dare do this?" Emperor Yongning said angrily.

"Certainly not!" Xiao Lizi responded beside him.

"Unfortunately, my dear Qi Aiqing is no more..." Emperor Yongning was full of regret.

Xiao Lizi: "Your Majesty, there’s one thing I don’t understand, who exactly is this Bei Xia noblewoman that Bei Xia is mobilizing such a huge force to find her? Moreover, all these years, we’ve never heard of any Bei Xia noble going missing?"

"Someone with the Beast Taming lineage can command all beasts to bow down and yield. What kind of person do you say?" Emperor Yongning retorted to Xiao Lizi.

"Then if such a person is found and handed over to Bei Xia, wouldn’t it be a threat to our Eastern Chu?"

After all, over the years, the beast taming combat skills of the Beast Taming Clan have been evident to everyone.

Their prowess is formidable, incredibly terrifying.

——

Command all beasts to bow down and yield. What kind of person do you say?" Emperor Yongning retorted to Xiao Lizi.

"Then if such a person is found and handed over to Bei Xia, wouldn’t it be a threat to our Eastern Chu?"

After all, over the years, the beast taming combat skills of the Beast Taming Clan have been evident to everyone.

Their prowess is formidable, incredibly terrifying.

Command all beasts to bow down and yield. What kind of person do you say?" Emperor Yongning retorted to Xiao Lizi.

"Then if such a person is found and handed over to Bei Xia, wouldn’t it be a threat to our Eastern Chu?"

After all, over the years, the beast taming combat skills of the Beast Taming Clan have been evident to everyone.

Their prowess is formidable, incredibly terrifying.

Command all beasts to bow down and yield. What kind of person do you say?" Emperor Yongning retorted to Xiao Lizi.

"Then if such a person is found and handed over to Bei Xia, wouldn’t it be a threat to our Eastern Chu?"

After all, over the years, the beast taming combat skills of the Beast Taming Clan have been evident to everyone.

Their prowess is formidable, incredibly terrifying.

Command all beasts to bow down and yield. What kind of person do you say?" Emperor Yongning retorted to Xiao Lizi.

"Then if such a person is found and handed over to Bei Xia, wouldn’t it be a threat to our Eastern Chu?"

After all, over the years, the beast taming combat skills of the Beast Taming Clan have been evident to everyone.

Their prowess is formidable, incredibly terrifying.