426: Chapter 426 The Prince Consort

"Husband!"

Leng Bingyan ran up to Lin Xiao and said excitedly, "I just received news that Yelü Dachuan and Marshal Suhe are going to attack Qizhou!"

Lin Xiao's expression remained calm upon hearing this; he merely glanced at Xiao Qingxuan beside him.

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head. "Marshal Suhe hasn't contacted me. It was likely a sudden decision by Yelü Dachuan."

"It's spring; the Khitan people raiding the border is nothing new."

Zhao Caiwei was familiar with that region. She remarked, "It's just that our Cold Iron Guard isn't there this time. I wonder how the Yan Army will fare."

"Husband, Grand Marshal Lu and General Zhao won't make it back in time. Why don't I take General Wu Jinzhe and the others to support the Yan Army?" Mu Wanying volunteered.

"I should be the one to go. I'm more familiar with the Yan Region. Besides, I can't really help with the banquet here anyway," Zhao Caiwei countered.

Lin Xiao was naturally reluctant to let the two women take such risks. Just as he was about to object, he saw the longing and even a hint of pleading in their eyes.

In a daze, Lin Xiao realized he couldn't truly treat them as mere appendages.

While they were tender beauties by his side, in front of outsiders, they were renowned female generals who commanded respect.

If his possessiveness turned them into caged birds, wouldn't that be a form of harm?

"No need to argue. Both of you go and provide support. Take all the troops you can."

Hearing Lin Xiao's agreement, the two women were overjoyed, their excitement plain to see.

"However, you must carry the life-saving pills I gave you. Your own safety must always be the top priority."

"You must understand that with this Prince here, the barbarians have no chance of victory. Your goal is simply to save as many civilians as possible, not to fight them to the death."

The two women nodded repeatedly.

"Don't worry, Husband, I won't be greedy for glory," Zhao Caiwei said.

"I'm not worried about you. It's Wanying who gets hot-headed easily," Lin Xiao sighed.

Mu Wanying's face flushed. "Say no more, Husband. I'll serve as the Vice Commander this time and follow Caiwei's lead."

"That's a good plan. Also, make sure to wear the Dragon Scale Bracers I gave you; they can save your life at a critical moment," Lin Xiao reminded her.

"I know, I know. Husband, hurry and eat while it's hot," Mu Wanying said, feeling embarrassed but with a sweet feeling in her heart.

Only after Lin Xiao picked up his chopsticks did the women begin to eat.

"Oh, right. Husband, there's another piece of news."

Leng Bingyan remembered and said, "The Master of Yanyu Pavilion sent intelligence saying that some strange things have happened in the Capital Region..."

She gave a brief account of martial arts experts being killed and the Yanyu Pavilion's branches being wiped out.

"Even the Pavilion Master doesn't know who did it, but the Imperial Court is ignoring it. There's likely some conspiracy afoot."

The women found this novel; secrets of the martial world were far more interesting than war.

"Husband, to be able to kill so many experts silently... could it be that the Great Grandmaster from the Imperial Tombs has come out?" Xie Juner speculated.

"The Tomb Guardian?"

Lin Xiao wondered, "Then why would he kill those guys?"

The women looked at each other, having no clue for the moment.

Since it was happening in the Capital Region, which was far away, they could only wait for the situation to develop.

Even if Lin Xiao wanted to investigate, he would have to wait until the banquet was over.

They had originally planned for a simple meal, but since they were seeing off Zhao Caiwei and Mu Wanying, Lin Xiao drank a bit with the women.

Once they were full and satisfied, Mu and Zhao went to pack their bags, intending to set off immediately.

They still needed to mobilize and assemble the army and prepare basic supplies. Despite the highways, it would still take two days of preparation.

At that moment, the butler came to report that a monk named formerly Alai was waiting outside.

Lin Xiao and Xiao Qingxuan exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly; he had indeed come.

When formerly Alai entered the study and saw Lin Xiao and Xiao Qingxuan again, he suddenly looked as if he had realized something.

"I remember now... You... You are Eldest Princess Xiao Qingxuan! No! You are Her Majesty, the Empress of Western Shu!"

After returning last time, formerly Alai had wondered how he had been recognized; now he finally understood.

"Master Ruoyu, please forgive us for not identifying ourselves last time."

Xiao Qingxuan smiled gracefully. "I am no longer an Empress. You may call me the Consort of Zhenbei."

formerly Alai quickly corrected himself, "Oh... my apologies. Greetings, Consort."

"Little Master Ruoyu, have you thought things through this time?" Lin Xiao asked.

formerly Alai fell to his knees and kowtowed deeply, his forehead hitting the floor.

"Prince, I beg you to send troops to help me seek revenge!"

Lin Xiao said indifferently, "I have already wiped out the Northern Barbarians and Western Qiang. A Great Peacock Kingdom is naturally no problem."

"However... my people's blood cannot be shed in vain. If I help you with your revenge... what can you give me?"

"Everything!!"

formerly Alai looked up and said decisively, "I have nothing now, so I have nothing left to lose!"

"If the Prince can reclaim the throne for me, then the Great Peacock Kingdom will belong to the Prince!!"

Lin Xiao let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha... talking to smart people is truly refreshing!"

Beside him, Xiao Qingxuan also nodded in appreciation. This King A-Lai was quite the character; he understood his own situation perfectly.

"Rest assured, this Prince is not a tyrannical or unreasonable man. As long as your Great Peacock Kingdom is obedient, you will not lose out."

"Thank you, Prince!!"

formerly Alai bowed again.

Lin Xiao then handed a secret letter for contacting General Leng Duo to formerly Alai.

With formerly Alai, the former legitimate king, stepping forward, and with the help of General Leng Duo, the Black Dragon Cavalry, and the Moon Worship Cult's influence in foreign lands, reclaiming the kingdom would be easy.

After all, those foreign nations were essentially just slightly larger makeshift bands with no real combat power.

After seeing off formerly Alai, the study became quiet once more.

Xiao Qingxuan said prettily, "Congratulations, Husband, on taking the Great Peacock Kingdom. The Black Dragon Cavalry will have a place to expand again."

"When the time comes to coordinate from within and without, it will be much easier whether we swallow the Southern Ridge or Baiyue."

Lin Xiao looked at the woman with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Wife... that Ruoyu called you Eldest Princess just now."

Xiao Qingxuan was puzzled. "Yes, I was still a princess when I met him years ago... why?"

"Then, since I married a princess, doesn't that make me an Imperial Son-in-Law?"

"Husband, you're already a Prince; do you still care about being an Imperial Son-in-Law?" Xiao Qingxuan found it strange.

"Hey, that's different!"

Lin Xiao pulled her by the waist and leaned in until their faces were almost touching. "Princess... call me 'Imperial Son-in-Law' a few times."

Xiao Qingxuan's heart raced as a strange sense of shame flooded her mind. She seemed to understand the man's intentions...

She could never resist her beloved, so she murmured softly, "Imperial... Imperial Son-in-Law..."

"Princess, louder!"

"Imperial Son-in-Law! Imperial Son-in-Law!! Ah... Imperial Son-in-Law, don't..."

Two hours later.

Lin Xiao was holding Xiao Qingxuan as they rested on the couch in the study when Su Wansha came to deliver a message, saying that Zhu Ming and his wife had arrived.

There was no choice; these two were among the few Lin Xiao had to greet personally, so he had to give up on the seventh round.

Lin Xiao and Xiao Qingxuan took a hot bath together before emerging from the backyard.

Xiao Qingxuan had even washed her long black hair to get clean. Fortunately, she could use her internal energy to dry it, otherwise it would have been a hassle.

With their martial arts skills, by the time they officially entered the living room, they looked perfectly normal, with no trace of the intense battle that had just occurred.

"Elder Zhu, you've finally arrived! If you didn't come, this World's Number One Wine Banquet couldn't even start!" Lin Xiao went up and flattered him with a smile.

Zhu Ming finished a cup of pan-fried green tea and hurriedly asked Su Wansha for more water. Then, he smiled and stroked his beard, saying:

"The Prince jokes. If it weren't for the spring plowing and the need to plant a few fields, my wife and I would have come sooner."

"With such good wine, tea, and food, if I didn't come, wouldn't I be ungrateful?"

Lin Xiao laughed heartily. "Wansha, pack a few bags of Northern Cottage's Pre-Qingming Tea and Golden Bud Tea for Elder Zhu to take back."

"Don't worry, Husband, I've already prepared them for Teacher," Su Wansha said thoughtfully.

Zhu Ming nodded with a smile. "Of all my disciples, Wansha was the most worthwhile to take in!"

"Elder Zhu, this Prince's courtyard is large. If you and your wife haven't chosen a place to stay, why not stay here? Xinghua Village can't accommodate too many people," Lin Xiao invited.

"I appreciate the Prince's kindness, but... I still have to meet a few old friends."

"By the way, if the Prince doesn't mind, why not join me for some fun at a Qushui Banquet?"

Zhu Ming's eyes were playful; clearly, it was more than just a simple banquet.