Truly my daughter

After several rounds of drinks, the highlight of the banquet began—the baby's first birthday grab.

On a new grass mat spread over a Luohan bed, various toys were scattered—handkerchiefs, beads, wooden swords, and knives. Cui Yi insisted, "My daughter might grow up to be a heroine, she needs swords too," but Chiying stopped him from placing Star Abyss sword there, jokingly warning about potential accidents.

Xiao Cuixian, freshly woken and carried by Nongyue, wore new clothes prepared by Xiaoqiu. Chiying smoothed her hair and placed her in the center of the mat, "Be a good girl, pick whatever you like."

Everyone gathered around. Sangduo dangled a jingling bracelet, catching Xiao Cuixian's attention. Xiao Cuixian reached out instinctively. Then Xiaoqiu waved a mirror, capturing her interest again.

Chiying laughed helplessly, "Stop distracting her, let her choose."

Xiao Cuixian bit her finger, looking thoughtful, touching a doll, playing with abacus beads, crawling towards colorful thread spools. Chiying quickly removed anything dangerous.

Xiaoqiu pushed a box of rouge forward, "Miss, come get this!" Xiao Cuixian ignored it, kicking it aside.

Nongyue laughed, "Miss can choose for herself. Why push?" Xiaoqiu argued, "Girls should like cosmetics, maybe she didn't notice."

Xiao Cuixian grabbed a hibiscus flower, waving it excitedly. Baili Zan commented, "Pure beauty, Miss will surely grow up beautiful, makeup unnecessary."

"Thank you, Mr. Baili." Hearing compliments about her daughter delighted Chiying.

Xiao Cuixian crushed the flower and reached for a slingshot, fiddling with it and showing it to Chiying, making sounds of excitement.

Xiaoqiu: "..."

Cao Qian chuckled, "Mr. Baili, what does the slingshot mean?"

Baili Zan scratched his head, "Perhaps a heroic lady?"

After nearly half an hour, Xiao Cuixian had touched everything but hadn't chosen anything specific. Cui Yi grew impatient and placed his seal beside her. Chiying protested, "Why give her that..." before Xiao Cuixian grabbed the seal, loving its cool touch.

Cui Yi rejoiced, "Truly my daughter!"

Xiao Cuixian played with the seal, ignoring other items. Yang Qiong remarked, "Warriors' daughters often turn out brave..."

Chiying despaired, "What warrior daughter? She's barely walking, not leading cavalry charges yet."

Everyone laughed. Cui Yi watched with interest, pulling Chiying close, "Maybe she'll surprise us."

Suddenly, Bu Muer, who had been silent all night, drew a dagger, causing everyone to freeze. Sangduo panicked, grabbing his hand, "Brother, what are you doing?"

Cui Yi stepped protectively in front of Xiao Cuixian. Bu Muer didn't explain, tossing the sheath onto the mat. It glittered with embedded gems, immediately catching Xiao Cuixian's attention. She dropped the seal and grabbed the sheath, trying to pry out the gems.

Bu Muer placed the knife aside, patted Xiao Cuixian's head, and left silently.

Cao Qian signaled to call guards, but Baili Zan subtly stopped him, signaling caution.

"What are you doing, Bu Muer?" Chiying asked, maintaining a smile but visibly tense.

Bu Muer didn't respond, leaving everyone puzzled. Sangduo, realizing the situation, nervously explained, "This... this is a prize from our festival... a token of betrothal in our culture."

Cui Yi frowned, "Betrothal?"

Sangduo cowered, "Yes, betrothal."

Chiying recalled her earlier promise in Gan Prefecture but hadn't told Cui Yi because the Busa had disappeared overnight. Now, seeing his misunderstanding, she quickly tugged at Cui Yi's arm, "Your Highness, misunderstands. It's for Xiao Cuixian..."

Cui Yi interrupted, furious, "She's just a baby! How could she marry someone twenty years older? He wants to replace me as her father!"

Chiying, unable to refute, gestured for Sangduo to leave. Cui Yi, enraged, kicked a chair into pieces.

Chiying felt overwhelmed, unsure how to mediate. Seeking help, she looked around, but only Baili Zan spoke up, "Your Highness, such a wise and beautiful woman is rare. Bu Muer's feelings are understandable. His actions may stem from unfamiliarity with our customs. Anger won't solve anything and might hurt Lady."

Chiying winced—this wasn't helping. Baili Zan mouthed, "Two tigers can't coexist on one mountain."

"Reasonable," Cui Yi calmed down, "But I can't tolerate such behavior. Today is Xiao Cuixian's birthday; let's drop it."

Cao Qian seized the opportunity, "Your Highness, the Busa saved Lady and Miss. Please forgive him."

Chiying nodded, hoping for reconciliation.

Brother Yang saved so many of them, and the Prince has also sheltered them for so many days. It can be considered as repaying the kindness, and no one owes anything to anyone. Keeping them here any longer would only lead to mutual dislike, which is meaningless." Yang Qiong also nodded in agreement: "In the past, Emperor Taizu had sent people several times to try to recruit them, but they all refused. I think they probably won't want to stay within the pass for long either. We might as well do them a favor and let them go!"

Chi Ying looked at them both incredulously. How did they conspire to expel Bo Muer without her knowing? She thought that Cui Yi would agree wholeheartedly, but surprisingly, he frowned and seemed indecisive upon hearing this. "Your Highness?" Chi Ying called out softly with some worry.

"Don't rush. Today is Xiaonan's birthday, let's not mention this matter now. Tomorrow, I will discuss it with the advisor," Cui Yi said, then picked up his daughter from amidst the toys, kissed her, and returned to the table to continue drinking. Although everyone, including Chi Ying, was puzzled, they could only keep their mouths shut and not bring up the matter again.

The usually decisive Cui Yi actually wanted to consult before making a decision, which surprised Chi Ying. She wondered what kind of wind had blown through him and how he had changed so much. Could there be someone in the palace who could bewitch Cui Yi without her noticing?

Fortunately, the next day, Cui Yi was scheduled to inspect the military camp first, so Chi Ying still had time to discuss with Bai Lichang beforehand. "To be honest, Bo Muer, relying on being your and the little lady's savior, has been cold and distant towards everyone in the palace. General Cao is the prince's confidant, and General Yang is also highly regarded by the prince. They have visited him several times, but he has always remained aloof and silent. The two generals have long harbored grievances, but they didn't dare to tell you directly."

When she asked about the three of them ganging up to drive Bo Muer out of the pass yesterday, Bai Lichang explained as such. Chi Ying sighed with a headache: "Bo Muer... sigh, he has always been proud. Even when I was in the tribe, he rarely spoke and acted indifferent to others."

Bai Lichang teased: "He doesn't talk much to you either?"

Chi Ying looked at him helplessly and pleaded: "Sir, spare me. Isn't it already complicated enough? When he saved me back then, he didn't even live in his own tent. I always thought he was a decent person with gentlemanly manners, but once he sets his mind on something, nothing can change it."

"Love affairs often require one party to be shameless. If both parties remain passive, how long will it take?" Bai Lichang laughed. "In my opinion, he isn't showing gentlemanly manners but rather confidence in his goal. Proud people like him, once they set their sights on someone, will try to impress them. If rejected, they cannot accept it and feel betrayed, hence becoming stubborn."

Chi Ying slightly frowned, somewhat confused: "By that logic, shouldn't His Highness be the same? As the emperor's eldest son, with unparalleled martial skills and fame across the land, how many can he look up to? Didn't you also experience his cold shoulder when you first arrived?"

Bai Lichang chuckled and winked mischievously: "His Highness appears proud in front of others, but because he truly likes you, he allows you to discipline and constrain him. If you tell him to listen to someone, he will. Otherwise, not just me, even an old general like Cao wouldn't dare to contradict him."

Chi Ying paused with the teacup in hand, lowering her eyes: "I'm quite confused. Thank you for enlightening me."

Bai Lichang modestly bowed: "I haven't thanked you for the five thousand dan of rice yet. How dare I accept your gratitude?"

A month ago, the grain seized from the border between Gan and Yan provinces lacked a proper reason for storage, so Chi Ying decided to allocate Xie Xiao's five thousand dan of rice to Bai Lichang, leading to the purchase of ten thousand dan of rice in Dongchuang. The Xie family lost five thousand dan of rice in vain and could only raise another batch, expected to arrive today.

Inside the room, the two casually discussed recent events in Yan Prefecture. Soon, Cui Yi returned from the military camp. However, strangely, he was followed by Xie Yong. Both Chi Ying and Bai Lichang looked puzzled, wondering why Xie Yong was summoned since he wasn't involved in yesterday's ceremony.

Cui Yi strode into the hall, and Bai Lichang stood up to greet him. Cui Yi waved dismissively: "No need for formalities, sit down." Bai Lichang thanked him and sat, while Xie Yong also tried to sit but was startled by Cui Yi's roar: "Who allowed you to sit!" He quickly stood straight, looking confused at the sudden outburst.

"Your Highness..." Chi Ying was initially puzzled but soon realized that it was likely about the Xie family's grain arriving, and Cui Yi intended to deal with Xie Yong.

Xie Yong quickly regained his composure after the initial shock. Since Cui Yi didn't allow him to sit, he stood with his hands clasped and asked calmly: "If Mr. Bai can sit, why can't I?"

Cui Yi snorted, locking his hawk-like gaze on him: "In my hall, strategists, generals, officials, and commoners can sit, but traitors and spies cannot."

Hearing this, Xie Yong's face turned pale. He hesitated, seemingly unsure whether to flee. Cui Yi continued: "Your father wrote to me, stating that the previous shipment of grain was stolen by imperial soldiers disguised as bandits. You were responsible for borrowing grain from Xuan Prefecture. How did the emperor in Zizhang City know about this? Xie Zichang!"

Xie Yong paled, never expecting the missing grain to be attributed to "imperial soldiers." He had indeed leaked the information about borrowing grain, but Cui Jie's reply only mentioned "notified" without indicating plans to intercept the grain. How could his father know something he himself was unaware of?

"Your Highness, please calm down! I am completely unaware of this matter. Please investigate thoroughly!" Despite his shock, Xie Yong quickly regained his composure and shouted his innocence. "I never revealed your request for grain to anyone! I certainly didn't collude with the emperor to betray you!"

Cui Yi sneered and threw Xie Xiao's letter at him: "See for yourself."

Xie Yong picked up the crumpled letter and read his father's handwriting: "The Xie family stands united with Your Highness, without any disloyalty. My son betrayed the family, harmed his sister, and secretly communicated with the court. I dare not conceal this and beg Your Highness to handle it strictly."

His hands trembled violently, tears threatening to spill, yet he couldn't help but laugh bitterly. This was his own father, willing to sell him out to show loyalty to the Wu King, even requesting severe punishment without any pleading.

Why had he endured so much? Labeling him as "betraying the family and harming his sister" unfairly blamed him for Xie Yuchan's imprisonment. Knowing Cui Yi disliked Xie Yuchan's capriciousness, he clung to this straw, only to be discarded.

Wasn't it all for the sake of securing the family's future? If the Wu King failed or planned to eliminate them, his efforts could at least protect the family. Yet, after all his sacrifices, he ended up isolated and betrayed?

Cui Yi crossed his ankle over his knee, looking down arrogantly: "What else do you have to say?"

Xie Yong stood trembling, the letter shaking in his hands, gasping for breath but unable to speak.

"Mr. Xie must understand how I felt the day I left the capital," Chi Ying remarked, recalling her own experience when her father, Changsun Tai, stripped her of everything under the guise of righteousness.

Though she had set the trap herself, Chi Ying couldn't help but sympathize with him, betrayed and abandoned by his own father for the sake of currying favor with someone who would never truly trust them.

Should she plead for him? Extending a helping hand now might win him over, using his connection with Cui Jie to gain advantages. But there was also the risk of him feigning surrender, though maintaining the pretense of loyalty would force him to leak occasional information, which could be strategically beneficial.

Chi Ying weighed her options, glancing at Cui Yi's expression, uncertain if intervening would provoke him.

Unexpectedly, Cui Yi declared: "You betrayed your entire family and opposed me. Your father exposed you for self-preservation. If I were to take your life, based on my brother's nature, even if I warned him in advance, he would abandon you. But considering your contributions during the journey north, I will give you a chance to choose anew."

This statement stunned not only Chi Ying but also Bai Lichang. Xie Yong looked bewildered, mouth agape, as if unable to comprehend.

"You have been forsaken by your family and abandoned by the emperor. If you wish to survive, you must turn over a new leaf and faithfully serve me."

Cui Yi spoke firmly and clearly. Xie Yong stood dumbfounded for a moment before managing to stammer: "I..."

Cui Yi generously waved his hand: "Take a day to think it over and come back tomorrow with your answer."

"...Yes." Xie Yong bowed and left in a daze.

Only then did Chi Ying breathe a sigh of relief, slumping her shoulders and murmuring: "I thought you'd immediately order him executed."

Bai Lichang chuckled: "So did I. Your magnanimity is admirable."

Chi Ying asked in surprise: "It wasn't your advice?"

Bai Lichang shook his head innocently: "I thought it was your arrangement."

Both turned to look at Cui Yi, who cleared his throat awkwardly and glared: "What are you staring at? Don't think I'm only good at fighting. My mind is just as sharp as yours!"

They nodded half-laughing, half-crying in agreement.

Chi Ying smiled: "Your Highness is truly clever."

Cui Yi, rarely praised for his intelligence, beamed, almost wagging his tail in delight.

"As for letting the Buxia people leave last night..." Bai Lichang found their reactions amusing and remembered the main purpose of his visit. "We can't let them go."

"Why not?" Bai Lichang asked.

Cui Yi replied solemnly: "Regardless of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong's attempts to recruit the Buxia people, this opportunity is rare and fleeting. Letting them leave the pass is akin to sending sheep to the wolves. The Northern Di cavalry is pursuing them, and if they leave Hu Ben Pass, they will surely be killed. Even if they manage to escape, the emperor won't tolerate their alliance with Yan Prefecture troops and will send forces to annihilate them."

Before he finished, both Chi Ying and Bai Lichang gave him suspicious looks. Cui Yi coughed and added: "If they perish, you lose a friend, and I lose valuable combat strength. Not ideal."

Bai Lichang stroked his beard worriedly: "Have you been eating poorly or feeling unwell recently? Should we call a doctor?"

Chi Ying nodded in agreement: "Sir is right. Please summon a physician."

"You!" Cui Yi nearly twisted his nose in frustration. "Do you think I'm useless?"

Bai Lichang smiled: "Not at all! As the saying goes, different paths lead to different expertise. If I suddenly became skilled in horseback archery, wouldn't you find it strange?"

Cui Yi looked disgruntled but grunted unhappily.

Chi Ying laughed inwardly, suspecting someone was advising Cui Yi behind the scenes. Who could it be?