Five or six men surrounded Zuo Ye, unleashing their most formidable skills and attacking him simultaneously.
Zuo Ye, facing six opponents alone, fought with crisp, decisive moves. His robes fluttered with each action, lending him an air of casual elegance.
Shouts of encouragement rose from the surrounding crowd.
However, in less than the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, Zuo Ye had already downed all five or six of his assailants. They lay sprawled on the ground in various positions, groaning in pain.
"Ao ao ao...驸马爷! 驸马爷! 驸马爷!" The soldiers' cries echoed through the night sky.
Their 驸马爷 was a peerless master!
Shi Sheng stumbled to his feet, walked over to Zuo Ye, and patted his shoulder. "Brother-in-law, I can rest easy knowing my sister Xue Sheng married you."
Zuo Ye smiled. "Brother Shi, I am honored. Rest assured, I will treat your sister exceedingly well."
Shi Sheng, with a look of satisfaction, was helped away.
Once the scene finally calmed down, General Shen stood up and declared loudly, "If 驸马爷 can recapture Fengcheng and drive out the Great Xia invaders, the position of Grand General of the Protectorate will be his!"
In truth, Shen Tianjun wished to transfer the title of Grand General of the Protectorate directly to Zuo Ye. However, no matter how capable Zuo Ye was, without any significant achievements, it would be difficult to win over the populace.
Since Zuo Ye and Xiao Xueqiu were so confident in taking Fengcheng, he decided to go with the flow and allow Zuo Ye to rightfully claim the position of Grand General of the Protectorate.
He was getting old and deserved some peace.
Zuo Ye, Bai Sheng, and Third Uncle were all surprised. Zuo Ye immediately said, "Uncle Shen, you are in your prime, possessing both wisdom and courage. The position of Grand General of the Protectorate rightfully belongs to you. I would never dare to covet it!"
Shen Tianjun pointed a finger at Zuo Ye. "Ah, you rascal, how can you say covet? You'd be doing me a great favor! Your Uncle Shen is 41 years old this year. I've spent most of my life fighting on the battlefield, and I'm truly tired.
Now that Xiao Xueqiu has returned, the Qinghuang Kingdom should be passed to her. In the future, I truly wish to marry a wife and live a leisurely life of farming and weaving. If possible, to have a brood of little ones, that kind of life, ah, it would be simply wonderful."
Shen Tianjun was not being sentimental; he genuinely longed for it.
Listening to General Shen's words, Baili Rongmo's claws slowly reached for Consort Mei beside him, and he tightly grasped her hand within his.
Prince Yu looked at his parents, whose combined age was nearing eighty, holding hands and gazing at each other, their eyes interlacing. He increasingly felt that he would soon have a baby brother or sister.
The thought was terrifying. He was more than twenty years older than them and still merely their older brother.
Bai Sheng smiled at Shen Tianjun. "Uncle Shen, what kind of woman do you like? I'll help you find someone!"
Shen Tianjun laughed heartily. "Xiao Xueqiu, don't be rash. It depends on fate!"
Consort Mei suddenly had a flash of inspiration. She leaned close to Baili Rongmo's ear and whispered, "Rongmo, I think your younger sister, Shushu, would be very suitable for General Shen."
Baili Rongmo pondered. "My sister is 28 this year, thirteen years younger than General Shen. Is that suitable?"
Consort Mei said, "Age is not an issue. I think they are quite compatible. However, it cannot be forced. If General Shen prefers a young maiden, then there's nothing we can do."
"Indeed, it depends on fate. Let's not interfere casually," Baili Rongmo sighed softly.
Shen Tianjun stood up and looked at all the soldiers, once again proclaiming loudly, "Soldiers, heed my command! Today, I, Shen Tianjun, solemnly pledge that if 驸马爷 Zuo Ye captures Fengcheng and drives the Great Xia invaders out of Qinghuang, this general will immediately transfer the position of Grand General of the Protectorate to him, because he is worthy!
From this day forward, you shall follow his lead and obey his orders unconditionally! Disobey, and you shall be beheaded! Do you understand?!"
"We understand!" thousands of soldiers roared in unison, their voices like a mountain collapsing.
The soldiers had witnessed the 驸马爷's capabilities today and understood that he had not won the princess's heart merely with his handsome face. Their 驸马爷 was truly both beautiful and powerful.
Therefore, although they were reluctant to part with General Shen, they did not reject the 驸马爷 taking over as Grand General of the Protectorate.
Instead, they felt that General Shen's condition was somewhat harsh. For so many years, they had been unable to capture Fengcheng. How could the 驸马爷, who had only just returned and was unfamiliar with the place, possibly succeed?
"Zuo Ye, I have made my promise here. If you truly love my Xiao Xueqiu, you must protect this country for her," General Shen said to Zuo Ye, his words earnest.
Zuo Ye cupped his fists and declared loudly, "If Uncle Shen truly wishes to retire and live a pastoral life, I will bravely give it a try." Previously, he had no intention of participating in court and state affairs, but times had changed. Qinghuang was his wife's country, and because he loved her, he would protect it for her.
"Good! A true man is decisive. Xiao Ye, you have not disappointed this general!" General Shen praised loudly.
"Zuo Ye will surely live up to the Grand General's expectations!" Zuo Ye clasped his fists, full of ambition.
Shen Tianjun was greatly pleased. "Good! Come, let's drink!"
Everyone raised their wine cups and drank in one go, feeling utterly exhilarated.
After the banquet, Deputy General Li led thousands of soldiers back to the Southern General Camp, which was not far, only two or three li away.
Bai Sheng ordered someone to carry the drunken General Shen back to his tent to rest. The others were also arranged in resting areas by Captain Jin and Uncle Ding.
Captain Jin had already prepared tents for Bai Sheng's family, but Bai Sheng insisted on sleeping in the carriage.
Captain Jin felt that the tents had been slept in by their group of rough men and would surely not be as comfortable as the princess's carriage, so he did not try to dissuade her.
Prince Yu, Consort Mei, Third Uncle, Aunt, and the Zuo family all slept in the carriage. For those who couldn't fit in the carriages, the servants slept on the ground. Fortunately, the madam had provided plenty of bedding, so they wouldn't freeze.
Just as Zuo Ye and Bai Sheng were carrying the four cubs into the carriage, Granny Wu approached.
Bai Sheng quickly went forward. "Master, why aren't you resting yet? We have to rush to Hexian tomorrow, and the journey will be arduous."
"No rush," Granny Wu shook her head. She glanced around and whispered, "Sheng'er, take me into the space. I will perform the transference for you immediately."
With Huan Lian Sheng as such a good subject for transference, she had to seize the opportunity to avoid any unforeseen complications.
"But Master, you are too tired today. Could you wait a bit longer?" Bai Sheng asked with concern.
Granny Wu waved her hand. "It's fine. This little bit of hardship is nothing. Hurry and take me into the space."
"Okay," Bai Sheng nodded. She understood her master's meaning. Huan Lian Sheng's remaining followers would certainly not give up, and they had to destroy her face as soon as possible.
Bai Sheng also wanted to heal her own face quickly. She had many important things to do, and it was inconvenient to go around with an ugly face. Moreover, her cubs had not seen her face for many days.
The bonfire died out, and the surroundings plunged into darkness. With a thought, Bai Sheng collected her master, Zuo Ye, and the four cubs into the space.