Chapter 168 - 169 Coincidence

Words : 1289 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Under normal circumstances, they could have held back their laughter, but seeing Su Chong’s pitiful expression, it was a bit hard to hold it in. Then thinking about the scene where Su Chong and Su Yang, the two brothers, complained, and imagining Marquis Dongxiang’s confidence while preparing to show off... The few couldn’t help but laugh till their sides ached. Chu Shun patted Su Chong’s shoulder and said, "Aren’t you exceeding your father?" Su Chong sighed with a melancholy expression, "It’s useless. My archery is superior for long-range attacks, but for close combat, I can’t even string my bow before my father knocks me down." Prince NanAn curiously asked, "Your father is a bit too strict with you, isn’t he? If I had such an archery skill like Hundred-step Piercing Willow, my father would laugh himself awake from his dreams." "It’s not really strict because my father has always held himself to such standards. He’s so formidable yet keeps striving. What reason do we have not to?" Su Chong said gloomily. Prince NanAn and the others fell silent. Su Chong patted Prince NanAn’s shoulder and said, "You all live too leisurely. If you stayed at Dongxiang Marquis Mansion for a month, I guarantee your martial skills would advance a level." Prince NanAn looked at him and said, "Hearing you say this, I feel inspired to work hard." Su Chong, "....." Chu Shun said, "How about we wait until the ice shop is no longer busy, then we go to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion for a month and see?" The Heir of Marquis Beining and the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo glanced at each other, then looked at Su Chong, "Can we go?" Su Chong laughed and said, "Why not? I’ll prepare ointment and stretchers for your arrival." Chu Shun, "....." Prince NanAn, "....." The Heir of Marquis Beining, "....." The Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo, "....." Oh my! Isn’t that a bit too intimidating? Can they take back what they just said? Su Chong then said, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to the mansion first." Chu Shun stopped him and said, "Don’t go yet, I have something for you." Chu Shun handed the share document from his bosom to Su Chong. After examining it, Su Chong furrowed his brow, "Wasn’t my sister going to sell coal? Why the switch to selling ice?" "She was forced by Duke Chong’s Mansion," Prince NanAn replied. Su Chong’s brow tightened. Chu Shun laughed and said, "Let’s talk while walking." ... That day, the sky was clear blue, with not a single cloud. After breakfast, Su Jin took Xingxing to Qihao Hall to pay respects to the Old Madam. Just as they reached the courtyard gate, they ran into Xie Jinyu and Xie Jinxiu. Xie Jinyu’s gaze towards Su Jin was so cold it could almost freeze her to death. Su Jin knew she was angry, as her scheming had failed and backfired, being naturally reminded of her own disgrace every time she saw her. The more Xie Jinyu glared at her, The brighter Su Jin’s smile became. Xie Jinyu felt as if a mouthful of blood was stuck in her throat. Evidently, Duke Chong had already planned to help her mother, but by chance, no more military information arrived from the border. If delayed another two days, her mother would be out of the Buddhist Hall! The more she thought about it, the angrier Xie Jinyu became, almost stomping into Qihao Hall. Leaving Su Jin behind, Xie Jinxiu advised Xie Jinyu, "My mother said our elder sister-in-law is very ominous, anyone who irritates her suffers bad luck, so I should try not to provoke her, but you, big sister, you..." Before finishing, Xie Jinyu glared her into silence, "I refuse to believe in such omens! If you’re afraid of being implicated by me, then stay away from me!" With that, she stepped forward. Behind her, Xie Jinxiu’s lips curled into a triumphant smile. Duke Chong’s Mansion. Duke Chong returned from morning court, and just as he changed out of his court robes, a servant knocked and said, "Duke, there’s military intelligence from the border." "Bring it in at once!" Duke Chong urgently ordered. He never paid much attention to border affairs before, but ever since Marquis Dongxiang transported grain and grass to the border, he has been particularly curious about border matters. As the message tube was presented, Duke Chong opened it, and with just a glance, a light frosty sheen appeared on his face. His expression was so alarming it frightened the message-bearing servant into a swift retreat. The man attending Duke Chong worried a serious issue might have arisen, took the letter for a glance, and drew a sharp breath. "The...Flying Tiger Army?" His voice seemed to be crushed. Duke Chong’s forehead veins bulged. The man looked at him and said, "Marquis Dongxiang is indeed audacious, leading a group of bandits from Qingyun Mountain to the border was already excessive, yet he dares to name them the Flying Tiger Army!" The Flying Tiger Army. These three words— For fifteen years, hardly anyone dared to mention them again. Because fifteen years ago, there was an invincible army, undefeated, called the Flying Tiger Army. Moreover, the leader of that Flying Tiger Army was the heir of Duke Chong, now the current Duke Chong’s elder brother. Owing to a blunder, the terrifying army perished completely. The then heir of Duke Chong and the Emperor were bosom friends. His bones were brought back to the Capital City, and the Emperor watched over his vigil for a night. With the heir of Duke Chong’s burial, the words Flying Tiger Army were never spoken again. Unexpectedly, fifteen years later, another army would be called the Flying Tiger Army. This army was even composed of bandits! It was a huge humiliation for both Duke Chong’s Mansion and the Daqi Dynasty! The man knew Duke Chong was angry because the former heir was too outstanding, and everyone only knew of the heir of Duke Chong, not the Second Young Master of Duke Chong’s Mansion. All the praise was for him, a young genius of remarkable martial strategy... His excellence was almost a nightmare for the noble family offspring of the Capital. The man advised Duke Chong, "Marquis Dongxiang comes from a rustic background, his insight is crude. Duke, there’s no need to judge him at his level." "Even if the Emperor overlooks Marquis Dongxiang, he wouldn’t agree to let his bandit army be called the Flying Tiger Army." Duke Chong took a deep breath, suppressing the fury in his heart, saying, "Send this letter to the palace." "What about Princess Nanzhang...?" "Ignore her." This military intelligence mainly reported Marquis Dongxiang’s reformation of his bandit underlings into an army, named the Flying Tiger Army. The letter was sent by the supervisor. Marquis Dongxiang naming the army, the officers in the camp were against it. But these people did not include Duke Zhen and the Eldest Master of Duke Zhen Mansion. Marquis Dongxiang had just saved the Eldest Master’s life, so Duke Zhen couldn’t say much. The supervisor was Duke Chong’s man, and he was staunchly against it. The result of such opposition was getting beaten black and blue by Marquis Dongxiang. He was lying in bed, dictating, while someone else wrote the letter. The man sealed the letter carefully and had it delivered to the palace quickly. Inside the Imperial Study. The Emperor had been reviewing memorials the entire morning and was feeling a bit fatigued, sipping tea. A little eunuch ran in and said, "Your Majesty, there’s a battle report from the border." The Emperor’s eyes flashed with cold light. Eunuch Fu’s eyes flickered with a chill. The Empress Dowager, "...!!!"

Chapter 168 - 169 Coincidence

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