In the main hall, the family members of Prince Huai watched the departing figure of Chen Mo, exchanging puzzled glances.

What did he mean by those words just now?

Why did he inquire if Chu Juan was married?

A good marriage, and with whom?

"Mother." Chu Juan clung tightly to Madam Hui's arm, somewhat fearful.

But Madam Hui was more worried about her eldest son, Chu Shou.

Suddenly, Madam Hui sensed a gaze sweeping towards her.

She looked over and found the gaze was Xiao Yunxi's.

Chu Shou whispered a few words beside her.

Realizing the "plot" had been uncovered by Xiao Yunxi, Madam Hui felt a chill in her heart.

Now, even when returning to the Prince's side, there would be trouble over accountability, she would not have a good outcome.

...

Leaving the mansion, Chen Mo instructed the guards outside to keep a close watch on Prince Huai's family members without negligence.

Upon returning to the County Government Office, Liu Ji said to Chen Mo, "Marquis, now you have captured Prince Huai's family. How do you plan to deal with them?"

Though Chen Mo already had ideas, he did not express them openly, instead asking, "What do you think I should do with them?"

Having followed Chen Mo for so long, Sun Meng immediately said, "Isn't it obvious? Kill the men, keep Princess Consort Huai and the consorts as they are beauties, to extend the Marquis' lineage while reducing their offenses."

Chen Mo: "..."

He turned to Liu Ji, "And what do you think?"

Liu Ji chuckled lightly, "I think killing Chu Shou would be too cheap for Prince Huai."

"How could killing Chu Shou be too cheap for Prince Huai? What do you mean?" Chen Mo was somewhat confused.

Liu Ji spoke unhurriedly, "The succession among the vassal kings is no less intense than the prince's struggle for the crown prince, full of power battles. Madam Hui, Madam Xiao, and Madam Gan all have sons and are older than Chu Zheng, but none compare to Princess Consort Huai, mainly because they are not the primary wives and Princess Consort Huai has the support of the Xiao Family.

The Xiao Family is steadfastly loyal to Prince Huai because he treats Princess Consort Huai well and has established her son as the Crown Prince."

Sun Meng listened, confused, so what?

But Chen Mo guessed what Liu Ji was hinting at.

Sure enough, Liu Ji continued, "Therefore, I suggest the Marquis could return Madam Hui, Madam Xiao, Madam Gan, and their sons to Prince Huai while keeping Princess Consort Huai and the Crown Prince. This would leave the position of the Crown Prince vacant, leading Madam Hui, Madam Xiao, and Madam Gan, with similar backgrounds and sons, all being consorts, to vie for power for the Crown Prince's position.

Without a promising future, the Xiao Family will certainly not assist as steadfastly as before."

Does Liu Ji hate Chen Mo?

Chen Mo ruined his cultivation.

He must hate him.

But more than hatred, Liu Ji fears death.

Now everyone in Huai State knows that he betrayed Prince Huai, sided with Chen Mo, and caused Huai State's downfall.

Prince Huai would surely hate him and will not tolerate him.

So, to survive, he must depend on Chen Mo.

That's why he proactively offered Chen Mo strategies to diminish the threat from Prince Huai's side.

Liu Ji continued, "If the Marquis kills all male members of Prince Huai's Mansion, leaving no heirs, Prince Huai would inevitably despise the Marquis intensely, leading to a mutual destruction outcome with the Marquis.

But releasing Madam Hui and others, allows for one thread of reconciliation between both sides."

After Liu Ji's eloquent speech, Chen Mo couldn't help but hold him in higher regard, while Sun Meng's thoughts also shifted, looking at Liu Ji with a newfound regard.

How can someone's mind grow so... brilliant?

Chen Mo patted Liu Ji's shoulder, "Well said, sir. I apologize for any offenses before, hope you don't take it to heart."

"Not at all, not at all," Liu Ji replied promptly.

"Come, let's have a drink together," Chen Mo invited.

...

Soon, two days had passed.

Although Xiao Yunxi and others understood that Chen Mo made them write personal letters to coerce Prince Huai, they had no choice but to write, each composing a letter.

At this juncture, the Navy led by Chu Ce arrived at Huainan County.

Chen Mo had not stationed troops in Huainan, yet Chu Ce dispatched an envoy to Wuguan City to challenge Chen Mo, demanding the release of Princess Consort Huai and others immediately.

Chen Mo handed the personally written letters from Princess Consort Huai to the envoy, instructing Chu Ce to deliver them to Prince Huai.

He issued a message to Prince Huai, presenting his terms, which were indeed exorbitant.

First, return Qingzhou.

Second, cede the fourteen cities on the north bank of Fengzhou.

Third, cede Huai State.

Fourth: A compensation of one million taels of silver.

If these four demands were met, Chen Mo would release all of Prince Huai's family members.

The reason Chen Mo proposed releasing all of Prince Huai's family.

Was because he predicted Prince Huai could not fulfill these demands.

Ultimately, negotiation would be inevitable.

This way, Chen Mo could reasonably release some of Prince Huai's family.

Upon hearing this, even Chu Ce was shocked by Chen Mo's demands.

This isn't a demand, it's outright robbery.

However, Chen Mo ignored him, instructing him to relay the message.

In the afternoon, news that Qingzhou was occupied by Prince Huai and Prince Huai was attacking Yu State reached Huai State.

The information sparked an uproar.

It turned out that Chen Mo's previous declaration about Prince Huai's violation of the non-aggression pact was true.

Prince Huai was the first to break the agreement.

Chen Mo frowned; Prince Huai indeed was attacking his Yu State. Fortunately, he had his family moved to Linzhou earlier.

...

The Tenth Year of Xuanhe, August 1st.

Two pieces of news came from Xiliang and Shu Residence.

The Qiang Race from Xiliang and Captain Yang Xian from Shu Residence announced to the world their alliance with Marquis of Pingting County, Chen Mo, to advance and retreat together.

These two pieces of news reached Huai State, causing a great commotion.

When they reached Chu Ce's ears, it was like a shocking blow.

"It's over, it's over, something huge has happened," Chu Ce's face turned a few shades paler.

Before this, even when Chen Mo killed Liang Xuan and took Huai State, Chu Ce was not as fearful as now.

Although Chen Mo had married into the Wu Family and had their support, looking nationwide, he still couldn't rival Prince Huai or King Chong.

Because Chen Mo had too few supporters, the truly influential families were only the Nangong Family and the Wu Family, and they were "directed" enemies, not affecting Prince Huai's side.

But now, with Xiliang and Shu Residence announcing alliances with Chen Mo.

This means Prince Huai must divide his forces to guard against multiple enemy directions, exponentially increasing pressure.

...

On the other side.

Prince Huai, upon learning of the fall of Huainan and Wuguan, the death of Liang Xuan, the family capture, and Chu Ce's plea for help, staggered for a moment before suddenly screaming.

A stream of blood sprayed forth violently.

In shock, panic, and shame, Prince Huai's vital energy surged within, causing him to spew blood, as his entire body toppled backward.

"My Prince."

Diwu Fusheng and the numerous staff officers and military generals witnessing this were terrified.

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