If he truly understood the Twelfth Princess, how could he not know this was a terrible idea?
And with his remarkably well-informed sources and such close attention to the Twelfth Princess, how could he not understand her?
In the end, it all proves that he's doing this on purpose.
Deliberately trying to harm me.
This is Third Prince Chu Lieyang's basic maneuver, his most common style of action.
All the princes avoid him and keep their distance.
Chu Lieyang shook his head: "With the best of intentions, Ninth Brother, you should be careful."
"What are you talking about, so lively?" Second Prince Chu Liexuan entered at this moment with a smile, asking curiously.
"Second Brother," Chu Zhiyuan greeted with a smile, clasping his fist.
Chu Liexuan said with a smile: "Ninth Brother, what are you talking about?"
"About the Phoenix Dynasty's Twelfth Princess."
"Oh, the Yuanzhen Dynasty also seeking a marriage alliance with the Twelfth Princess?" Chu Liexuan asked.
"Second Brother also knows?"
"Just received the news." Chu Liexuan shook his head and said: "This is intentional, intentionally provoking us!"
Chu Zhiyuan said: "Isn't the Yuanzhen Dynasty currently at war with them? Did they also negotiate peace?"
"They've ceased fighting and are currently negotiating peace. I heard the conditions are similar to ours." Chu Liexuan snorted: "This Phoenix Dynasty is truly arrogant."
"Who told us that the Phoenix Dynasty's strength is the strongest?" Third Prince Chu Lieyang scoffed.
"If the Yuanzhen Dynasty and the Phoenix Dynasty have also ceased fighting…" Chu Zhiyuan's expression turned gloomy as he slowly said: "Then we're about to go to war with the Phoenix Dynasty again."
The reason the Phoenix Dynasty ceased fighting with the Jade Vista Dynasty in the first place was because they were at war with the Yuanzhen Dynasty and didn't want to fight on two fronts.
Even so, they still put forward harsh conditions, forcing the Jade Vista Dynasty to agree before ceasing hostilities.
Now that the Yuanzhen Dynasty has also ceased fighting with them, the Phoenix Dynasty can start a war with any dynasty at any time.
The Phoenix Dynasty is the most martial and warlike, never idle for a moment.
"Precisely." Third Prince nodded solemnly.
Chu Zhiyuan glanced at them, shook his head, and said nothing.
They are too optimistic.
They also don't understand the Phoenix Dynasty.
Through the memories of the two Phoenix Dynasty Spirit Guards, he had a deeper understanding of the Phoenix Dynasty, knowing that the original owner's previous understanding was superficial.
The Phoenix Dynasty emphasizes using war to sustain war, using war to improve their state of mind and cultivation. This is their basic cultivation path.
Without war, their improvement is slow, even stagnant.
The threshold for Spirit Guards is too high. Those who want to enter the Spirit Guards but don't meet the conditions, unable to become Spirit Guards but still wanting to improve, will join the army and fight on the battlefield to improve their state of mind and cultivation.
The Phoenix Dynasty has been launching wars not because of the court's will, but because it is the will and interest of everyone in the Phoenix Dynasty.
The three fell silent.
After a moment, footsteps sounded, and First Prince Chu Liechu strode in.
Chu Zhiyuan and the others clasped their fists in salute, calling out, "Brother."
Chu Liechu clasped his fist in return, sat down next to Chu Zhiyuan, closed his eyes, and prepared to begin cultivating.
Chu Liexuan said: "Brother, the Yuanzhen Dynasty proposing marriage to the Phoenix Dynasty's Twelfth Princess, they are stepping on Ninth Brother's face, and also on the face of our Jade Vista Dynasty."
Chu Liechu frowned and looked at Chu Zhiyuan.
Chu Zhiyuan said: "Brother knows about it, right?"
"Yes."
"Ninth Brother said that the Phoenix Dynasty is about to go to war with us again." Third Prince Chu Lieyang said with a smile: "Impossible, right?"
Chu Liechu looked at Chu Zhiyuan: "Ninth Brother, do you think we're about to go to war?"
Chu Zhiyuan said solemnly: "The Phoenix Dynasty is like a runaway warhorse, or a speeding chariot, unable to stop, and will definitely continue to launch wars."
"Will they go to war with us?"
"Otherwise, with the Yuanzhen Dynasty? Then why cease fighting?"
"…Makes sense." Chu Liechu slowly said: "The important ministers in the court also have this concern, so we are making preparations and have been transporting military supplies."
"Impossible, right?" Third Prince Chu Lieyang frowned: "It hasn't been that long, has it?"
"Who told us that a genius general suddenly appeared in the Yuanzhen Dynasty? The Phoenix Dynasty couldn't gain any advantage, so they ceased fighting." Chu Liechu said solemnly: "Compared to the Yuanzhen Dynasty, our Jade Vista Dynasty is weaker, so they will naturally turn to us."
"Can't we form an alliance with the Yuanzhen Dynasty?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.
"Useless." Chu Lieyang scoffed: "We've tried it. Fighting the Phoenix Dynasty together, they are still no match."
Chu Zhiyuan frowned.
The Phoenix Dynasty not losing ground even when fighting two against one is indeed despairing.
"Moreover, alliances also involve mutual calculations, each wanting the other to severely deplete the Phoenix Dynasty's strength, thereby reducing their own losses."
Chu Zhiyuan felt speechless.
"Fortunately, the Phoenix Dynasty doesn't intend to destroy our two dynasties, fighting without annihilating." Chu Liechu shook his head and said: "Forget it, let's not mention these things, let's cultivate."
"If war really breaks out, this hostage won't have to go, right?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.
Chu Liechu nodded: "If the war breaks out before your wedding, you really won't have to go."
"…That's good." Chu Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.
There is still a year until the wedding.
Within this year, the two dynasties will definitely have gone to war, so he won't be able to become a consort.
Third Prince Chu Lieyang shook his head: "I think war may not necessarily break out. The Phoenix Dynasty also needs to take a breather. If you, Ninth Brother, can marry the Twelfth Princess, with the Twelfth Princess's influence, it might be possible to influence the Phoenix Dynasty's decision, not to go to war with us, but with the Yuanzhen Dynasty."
Chu Zhiyuan's expression changed: "Third Brother, are you afraid I won't die!"
These words are malicious!
This is pushing me into a fire pit.
Second Prince Chu Liexuan shook his head: "Third Brother, you are still so wicked!"
Chu Liechu looked at Chu Zhiyuan thoughtfully, then looked at the Second Prince.
Chu Zhiyuan snorted: "Brother, you don't think there's any truth to it, do you?"
Chu Liechu said sternly: "Third Brother's words are not decent, but there is still a bit of truth to them."
Chu Zhiyuan sneered: "Brother also wants me to die?"
"If possible, you should get married earlier." Chu Liechu said: "See if you, Ninth Brother, can turn the tide."
Chu Zhiyuan said: "I don't have that ability."
"Ninth Brother, you are not who you used to be." Chu Liechu said with a smile: "If it were before, there would definitely be no such hope. Now there is a glimmer of hope."
Chu Zhiyuan sneered repeatedly: "For this glimmer of hope, you disregard my life?"
"Ninth Brother, rest assured, the more dangerous it is, the less likely you are to die," Chu Liechu said: "Father will give you a life-saving treasure to escape with your life in critical moments."
Chu Zhiyuan said: "If they are determined to kill me, this treasure may not work."
"Let's see what Father says." Chu Liechu said.
Chu Zhiyuan's expression was ugly, becoming more and more gloomy.
They shuddered.
Knowing that his old temper was about to flare up, that he was about to become reckless and make a scene regardless of the consequences.
Under such circumstances, it was best to avoid him.
Thinking this, they sat down one after another, closed their eyes, and began to cultivate, without saying a word.
Chu Zhiyuan stared fiercely at the First Prince, and then at the Third Prince, his eyes burning.
