Chongzhou, Chongzhou City.

Prince Chong's Mansion.

In the study, the officials of all ranks in the state stand on both sides, discussing the affairs of Chongzhou.

Ever since the Great Song Dynasty fell into chaos, with Xu Guozhong seizing power and imperial authority waning, the court's grip on localities weakened, allowing each vassal king to heed commands only without having to proclaim them, firmly controlling their fiefs, holding both military and political power.

From that time on, Prince Chong decreed that all county magistrates within Chongzhou must come to Chongzhou City every six months to report to him in person.

Today is the last time this year.

Prince Chong, Chu Yan, listens from above, but his thoughts are not on the affairs of Chongzhou. His gaze is constantly fixed outside the study, waiting for the war report from Huai State.

It's already October; the battle in Huai State should have a conclusion by now.

He also read Gongsun Yan's report, where Lu Sheng sent Luo Qingyang to Huai State and dispatched an additional ten thousand elite soldiers, promising in the letter to defeat the main force of the Chen Army and even made a military pledge.

It must be understood, a military pledge is not made lightly.

And making one indicates the person who made it is very confident, so for a leader, it is like having taken a reassuring pill and thus feels at ease.

Therefore, Prince Chong is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the battle in Huai State.

"Prince, a letter has arrived from Huai State." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The deliberation on Chongzhou's affairs did not even last half an hour before the housekeeper came in, smiling broadly while holding a piece of cloth not even as large as a palm.

As a servant of the mansion, the housekeeper had no right to read the letter nor dared to, but he was aware of Gongsun Yan's military pledge and assumed now that a letter had arrived from Huai State, it certainly meant Gongsun Yan had achieved a great victory.

As soon as the housekeeper finished speaking, the whole study was in uproar.

Sitting behind the desk, Prince Chong showed a hint of a smile, but his hands under the sleeves clenched tighter, sharing the same assumption as the housekeeper but still harboring some concern inside.

After giving the letter to Prince Chong for inspection, the housekeeper also smiled and said, "Congratulations, Prince, congratulations! General Gongsun's great victory means we can reclaim Huai State and control the route to Jiangnan..."

Before the housekeeper could finish his words, an angry roar, accompanied by a dragon's cry, burst from Prince Chong's mouth. The housekeeper, who stood closest, had his eardrums shattered and bled from seven orifices, then fell to the ground with a thud, fainting away.

The officials within the study, all martial artists with considerable strength, could barely remain standing as their ears buzzed ceaselessly.

Moments later, the officials shook their heads and looked toward Prince Chong.

Prince Chong had already stood up, his hands pressed firmly on the desk before him, his expression dark and somber, his fingers gripping the table fiercely.

Shortly thereafter, a cracking sound was heard, and the desk shattered into many pieces, scattering the memorials submitted by the officials onto the ground.

The piece of cloth the housekeeper had brought also opened up and fluttered to the floor.

One sharp-eyed official immediately glimpsed the content upon it.

Defeated in the battle against Chen Mo.

General Gongsun was killed in action, and Patriarch Liang was captured.

When the alliance army retreated to Yan State, they were backstabbed by King Anping, trapped, and none escaped.

Official who finished reading immediately turned pale, a deep sense of panic rising in their hearts.

This significant event in Huai State cannot be concealed.

Not long after, more and more detailed news about the great defeat of the alliance army reached Chongzhou City.

Moreover, these accounts became increasingly detailed.

Like how Gongsun Yan and Chen Mo merely exchanged glances before Chen Mo shot him dead.

Together with Gongsun Yan, Luo Family's Patriarch was also killed.

Even the Elder Liang was captured by the Chen Army.

Besides these, there were also reports of King Anping siding with Chen Mo.

And the Shu Residence dispatched troops to punish Prince Huai, the traitor.

The entire alliance army was annihilated, and so on.

Each account was vivid and detailed.

As soon as these news spread, chaos erupted throughout Chongzhou City.

Even a layman knows that with the alliance army's great defeat, the Chen Army will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to advance south from Huai State.

Now even King Anping has turned to Chen Mo.

This means the Chen Army can advance unimpeded all the way to Chongzhou.

The most crucial issue is that in this great defeat, Prince Chong's elite forces are likely decimated, especially with Gongsun Yan dead and Liang Mu captured. The city does not know how Prince Chong can defend against the Chen Army.

Although official soldiers quickly locked down Chongzhou City, they cannot prevent noble families within from fleeing.

The tide of this world has completely turned towards Chen Mo.

Prince Huai's Mansion.

Under the pavilion, a woman continuously throws fish food into the pond in front of her.

This woman, dressed simply yet elegantly and beautifully, though no longer in her prime, still bears extraordinary grace, with traces of her former charm faintly visible.

Only her eyes are lifeless, as if suppressed for too long, void of resistance or hope for life.

She has stared at the pond for half an hour without looking away, and although the fish in the pond have long been full, she still tirelessly feeds them, like a machine.

The maid by her side does not dare to ask questions, only refilling the bowl with fish food as the woman empties it.

If one looks closely at the corners of her mouth, they would notice that although she wears heavy makeup, the scars on the corners of her lips are hard to fully conceal.

This woman is Madam Hui, of the Li Clan.

And the scars at her lips were caused by Prince Huai.

Prince Huai beat Madam Hui just before he left.

The reason being that before leaving, Prince Huai told Madam Hui that he would bring back the head of her lover.

But Madam Hui did not refute Prince Huai's words.

Thus, Prince Huai beat her, saying he guessed right after all.