Chapter 243

Chapter 243: Who Do You Think You Are?

Su De Yun felt his eyelids twitch nervously.

Emperor Chong Sheng’s breathing suddenly grew labored. “How could this be?”

The Northern Di army had struck back fiercely, and Wudu Pass had fallen!

After this terrible defeat, the Northern Desert troops suffered grave losses, bodies lying scattered on the battlefield.

Those who remained had all retreated to Yuwen County.

Emperor Chong Sheng felt hot blood rise sharply in his chest. He struggled, swallowing back the bitter taste in his throat.

Throughout the day, dozens of veteran generals and officials were urgently summoned to the palace for counsel.

The news reached Duke Qi’s manor.

Duke Qi collapsed into his chair, unable to regain his composure for a long while.

Fear spread swiftly throughout the Duke’s household.

Qi Shu Xian was the family’s hope. When his previous victory was reported, the Emperor’s favor towards their house was obvious.

But if he lost this battle…

Inside the Mountain Mist Courtyard, Meng Yang, still confined, refused to believe the news. In her memories, Prime Minister Qi had never lost a battle.

[It must be fake! The news must be false!]

Meng Yang bribed the servants with silver and secretly went out, wearing a veiled hat, to wait anxiously at Third Prince Sheng Yuan Hao’s estate.

Sheng Yuan Hao wasn’t home.

Meng Yang endured the biting cold until nightfall, finally spotting his carriage.

She rushed forward but was stopped by his guards.

Seeing her, Sheng Yuan Hao grew irritated but held back his anger. Recently, the perfumes she crafted had indeed brought him substantial silver.

“Your Highness,” Meng Yang pleaded desperately, “the defeat in the Northern Desert—it’s fake, right? The Heir Apparent could never lose! He’s so strong, never defeated; surely this news isn’t true!”

Her eyes brimmed with hope.

Sheng Yuan Hao sighed. “Victory and defeat are common on the battlefield. The generals analyzed today and said if Heir Apparent Qi and Governor Xu coordinate well, there’s still a chance they could retake Wudu Pass.”

[So it’s real then?]

Meng Yang returned home in a daze.

Although the Northern Desert report had been secretly delivered, swift riders covered in frost and dirt drew many eyes. Rumors soon spread, unsettling the citizens.

Yet everyone was still waiting anxiously for definite news.

Not only the common people but also Emperor Chong Sheng and the court officials waited.

They waited for the next message from the Northern Desert.

If victory came, it would be celebrated—victory and defeat were normal in war, after all.

But if defeat continued, the court would need to quickly dispatch reinforcements north.

In Princess Manor—

Nanny Yu discussed the wedding attire details with Sheng Zhi Wan. Although the Princess’s wedding robes had standard rules, finer touches could still be adjusted according to personal taste.

Sheng Zhi Wan had little interest in these details and casually pointed out a few. Nanny Yu soon left.

Qi Shu Xian’s defeat didn’t surprise Sheng Zhi Wan.

Qi Shu Xian had courage and intelligence, but not enough of either.

In the past, she valued his sincere heart.

But after her past life, she realized sincerity could be easily feigned.

Someone lacking true resolve and prone to hesitation was bound to fail.

She only hadn’t expected his failure to come so swiftly.

Soon enough, another letter arrived from the Northern Desert.

Yuwen County had also fallen.

The atmosphere in court grew increasingly tense.

Rumors spread rapidly. After the crushing defeats at Wudu Pass and Yuwen County, it would only take another month for the Northern Di army to occupy Ji Prefecture entirely.

Capital City lay in Qing Prefecture, right next to Ji Prefecture.

If Northern Di seized Ji Prefecture, wouldn’t they soon threaten the Capital City itself?

Once spoken aloud, the fragile sense of peace shattered instantly!

Fear and denial spread quickly among the people.

“How could Heir Apparent Qi lose? He even reversed certain defeat at Cangnan!”

“I’ve heard the Northern Di people are tall and mighty, born horse riders. Their generals can lift a heavy millstone with one hand!”

“No matter how brilliant Heir Apparent Qi’s strategy is, he can’t win with inadequate soldiers.”

At Gathering Worthies Teahouse, one table argued loudly.

“Nonsense!”

Another voice interrupted sharply.

Before they could react, hot tea splashed over them.

“You’re praising the enemy and belittling our own! Are you even from Sheng Kingdom? Maybe you’re spies from Northern Di!” Shang Hang Yu stood by the railing, an empty teapot in hand.

The men’s faces burned with shame.

But when they saw clearly it was Shang Hang Yu, their embarrassment turned to anger.

One wiped the tea from his face, sneering, “If we’re spies, what does that make you, Shang Hang Yu? A parasite? A disgraceful coward living off a woman? What would you know of national affairs?”

This man was Tian Meng Nian, the younger brother-in-law of Yang Jun Nan, the eldest son of the Minister of War. Although he lacked scholarly talents, his family connections gained him popularity in the Capital.

His companions quickly chimed in agreement.

“Exactly! We’re just stating facts!”

“Heir Apparent Qi himself lost to the Northern Di! Is there harm admitting they’re strong?”

“Know your enemy, know yourself. No wonder you’re useless—you can’t even face reality!” Tian Meng Nian mocked openly.

Shang Hang Yu raised an eyebrow. “The Northern Di are strong?”

“Of course!” Tian Meng Nian retorted. “Otherwise, how could Heir Apparent Qi lose?”

“What, Shang Hang Yu, do you think you’re better now that Heir Apparent Qi has lost? Even defeated, he’s a general. But you—what are you?”

“Have you ever fought in battle? Ever seen a corpse?”

“I doubt you could even kill a chicken—” As Tian Meng Nian spoke, he arrogantly jabbed at Shang Hang Yu’s shoulder with his fist.

He didn’t budge.

Unbelieving, Tian Meng Nian tried again, but Shang Hang Yu swiftly grabbed his wrist, twisting it sharply.

“Ah! Stop! It hurts!” Tian Meng Nian screamed, calling for his guards.

Two guards rushed inside at his cries.