Finally, Zhao Xi was forced to retreat from the courtyard.
She believed that, having at least followed the army transporting grain and fodder, she was still better than Xu Jingyang, a woman who had only lived on the border and hid behind her older brother, the Grand General.
Zhao Xi had killed two enemies, and she actually thought that when her presence was imposing, she would also frighten people.
Therefore, she now looked directly at Xu Jingyang, wanting to force her to retreat, but she did not expect that Xu Jingyang not only was not timid, but also took two more steps closer.
Although she didn't sense any extra expression from Xu Jingyang, she felt an icy cold qi emanating from her.
Zhao Xi gritted her teeth. She had come today to avenge her father's shame from years ago, but now she was suppressed by Xu Jingyang and unable to resist.
This feeling is really suffocating!
Just as Zhao Xi wanted to destroy the threshold of Guo Rong's house, preventing him from overcoming his life crisis, the soldier beside her tugged at her sleeve.
The man lowered his voice: "Second Miss, let's go quickly. Regardless of Xu Jingyang's prowess, her Shence Army behind her are untouchable. The Deputy General just ordered you to restrain yourself…"
Zhao Xi remembered her father's instructions and forcibly swallowed her breath.
She stared coldly at Xu Jingyang, her delicate face full of defiance.
"Miss Xu, I've always been the most generous and tolerant towards women, but your actions this time truly leave me speechless!"
"You're speaking up for your father, and I'm defending Commander Guo. Our positions differ, and I won't ask you to obey," Xu Jingyang said indifferently.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xi scoffed: "If the Shence Army weren't here today, would you still dare to challenge me?"
"In other words, the reason the Shence Army respects you and follows your orders is entirely because your older brother is the Grand General. I never make things difficult for women, but your behavior is truly contemptible."
Xu Jingyang remained calm, but Lei Chuan was the first to become angry.
"What are you, woman, saying?" His foul language burst out, and he immediately wanted to settle accounts.
Lei Chuan's approach caused Zhao Xi to subconsciously retreat, but she bumped into the threshold and almost fell to the ground.
Fortunately, she was supported by the soldiers behind her.
Lei Chuan slaughtered countless people on the battlefield; in his own words, killing people is like slaughtering pigs—the faster the knife, the faster the action.
Therefore, he never concealed the killing intent on him. When he frowned coldly, it was extremely terrifying.
Zhao Xi frowned uncomfortably.
When Lei Chuan led his troops and fought side-by-side with her father before, he had not been so excessive towards her.
Xu Jingyang softly called out: "Lei Chuan, don't do it."
At that moment, Guo Rong walked over: "Miss Zhao, you don't need to be indignant here with me. Just go back and ask your father, Zhao Zhongde, and listen to his personal explanation to understand why he was driven away that year."
Of course, Zhao Xi wouldn't listen. Her lips were bitten, her face still stubborn.
She was at a disadvantage today and could only endure it for now.
"Let's go!"
Zhao Xi, along with Deputy General Zhao's men, dispersed in a flurry.
Lei Chuan felt unsatisfied: "Miss, why didn't you just give them a lesson? The brothers also want to practice their skills."
Xu Jingyang glanced sideways: "Today is Master's birthday, no one can cause trouble here."
Upon hearing this, Lei Chuan immediately became serious: "Yes!"
This little episode did not affect Guo Rong's mood.
During the banquet, someone curiously asked Guo Rong: "Commander Guo, what exactly did Zhao Zhongde do to be driven away back then?"
As nobles, they hadn't even heard of this matter.
Guo Rong was not the type to gossip behind people's backs. Hearing this, he just waved his hand and smiled meaningfully.
"Let's not talk about the past. Come, let's drink!"
Soon after Zhao Xi returned home, Deputy General Zhao heard about the incident and hurried back to the mansion.
"Xi'er, you acted without authorization! Who allowed you to go to Guo's house to reason?" Deputy General Zhao's face was full of displeasure.
Zhao Xi had a lot of anger to vent, so she directly shouted: "Father, I don't understand why you're always so afraid of him. The Emperor said you were brave and even held a victory banquet for us."
"He, Guo Rong, is just a retired commander. He no longer has any power. Why not take this opportunity to make him apologize? He humiliated you back then! He forced you to leave the Imperial Guard!"
Upon mentioning the past, a hint of discomfort flashed across Deputy General Zhao's eyes.
He did not delve into this topic, but instead said: "We have just made a contribution. Doing this will only make others think we are showing off."
Zhao Xi snorted: "So what? This merit is what you personally earned. Why be afraid of him?"
"You're not afraid, but did you gain anything by going to Guo's mansion today?"
Deputy General Zhao's question made Zhao Xi fall silent.
"That's it! You think Guo Rong is powerless, but the situation in the Capital City is treacherous and deep. There are some things you don't know, don't act recklessly."
"I wasn't being reckless! I saw today that there were indeed several nobles and members of the royal family who were invited to the birthday celebration, but they weren't unreasonable people. The most angry one today was that Miss Xu from the Xu Family."
"Her? What happened to her?"
"Father, you didn't see her. That's what you call showing off! She brought the Shence Army to try and fight with me. The Shence Army are elite generals who are powerful on the battlefield, and yet they were played around by Xu Jingyang! It's truly a disgrace to the authority of Grand General Shence."
After Zhao Xi finished speaking, she chuckled: "I think that even the most skilled men are fools. They obey everything when they see a woman crying and looking pitiful. She's the kind of girl I hate the most!"
Deputy General Zhao was shocked.
He had heard that during the Imperial Guard martial arts competition, Xu Jingyang first defeated Luo San, the Third Young Master of the Luo Family, then consecutively defeated Jian Zhen and Lu Yunshen.
Deputy General Zhao didn't know Luo San's reputation, but he had heard of Jian Zhen and Lu Yunshen.
These two men, one with superb martial arts skills, and the other the Empress's nephew, were both defeated by her.
It was also heard that Xu Jingyang spoke up for a guard commander and even fought with Prince Wei.
This kind of woman shouldn't be the crying type his daughter Zhao Xi described.
"Xi'er, it's best to stay out of the Xu Family's affairs."
Zhao Xi looked at him disapprovingly.
Father always likes to hesitate!
However, Zhao Xi agreed verbally, saying: "I am to be a female general; I don't bother to care about her. If she likes to show off, let her! I never make things difficult for women, so I'll let it go."
Deputy General Zhao smiled and patted Zhao Xi's head: "My Xi'er has a general's broadmindedness. If Grand General Shence were still alive, he might want to adopt you as his sworn sister."
"If my brother were alive, perhaps he'd be even more capable than Grand General Shence," Zhao Xi said, and then went to practice her spear techniques.
The Emperor held a victory banquet for Lei Chuan and Deputy General Zhao.
Duke Wei loved this kind of occasion. After receiving the invitation to the palace, he excitedly asked Xu Jingyang to prepare for entering the palace.
However, Xu Jingyang said: "I'm not going to this victory banquet. Father, you should go to the palace with your third brother and third sister-in-law."
Duke Wei's joyful expression hadn't subsided yet, and he asked: "Why? The Shence Army is your support. Shouldn't you use this opportunity to let those nobles see the influence of our Xu Family within the Shence Army?"
For Duke Wei, praising the Shence Army was equivalent to praising himself.
Because whenever others mentioned how powerful Grand General Shence was, they would also praise him along with it.
They say a tiger father does not have a dog son; after hearing it so many times, even Duke Wei himself believed it.
Xu Jingyang's phoenix eyes stared at him, jet black.
"The more so at this time, the more we must retreat."
The victory banquet cannot be turned into a show for the Xu family to show off the Shence Army's cohesion.
Otherwise, before the limelight is even achieved, it will certainly lead to the Emperor's displeasure.
Duke Wei naturally didn't understand. After Xu Jingyang spoke, he waved his hand: "I think you're overthinking it. If you don't want to go, then don't go. I'll take your eldest uncle and third uncle there."
Xu Jingyang had Xu Jingzi come over and instructed her to keep an eye on Duke Wei if necessary, preventing him from talking nonsense if he drank too much.
On the day of the victory banquet, Duke Wei and his family happily entered the palace for the banquet.
Xu Jingyang went to do something very important.
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