Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 299 Coping Strategies

Even if you can take a shortcut, there are still certain risks involved.

His gaze toward Lin Wan'er held a hint of dissuasion; if she said she wasn't feeling well, it would be easy for him to take over.

"Your Majesty, since General Yuwen is in the mood, I will not disappoint you." Lin Wan'er stood up and clasped her hands in greeting: "I am willing to spar with the general."

Surprise flashed in Xiao Qi's eyes. How could she have agreed?

Surprised, he also looked at the civil officials opposite him, hesitated for a moment between his uncle and Shen Li before finally looking at them for help.

Shen Li was not surprised that Lin Wan'er would stand up for her; she knew her too well.

She claimed the military merit for capturing Yuwen He alive, having done so out of necessity to avoid an arranged marriage. But given her frankness, she must have been tormented by it.

What she was probably thinking was to prove herself, to show that she was truly capable of doing these things.

This is Lin Wan'er, a woman of great talent and courage, yet also possessing the integrity and bravery of a military commander; she is not afraid.

But that doesn't mean others aren't worried. Shen Li was anxious, but she knew that Hu Ji's people were definitely watching her, so she kept a straight face, but her mind was racing.

Yuwen He, who was above, was also surprised to hear Lin Wan'er accept the challenge so readily. In their previous battle, he and Lin Wan'er had fought to a draw, but he could sense that this girl was no match for him.

Where does she get such audacity now?

"Good, General Lin is decisive." He didn't want to think too much about it and immediately clapped his hands and said, "Then please give the order, Your Majesty."

Emperor Cheng and his ministers were also eager to see how Lin Wan'er would win, and they were about to speak.

"Your Majesty," Gu Chang'an, having assessed the situation, stood up and interrupted him, "I have something to say."

"Oh? What are your thoughts, Minister Gu?" Emperor Cheng's eyebrows relaxed when he saw that it was Gu Chang'an.

After all, the gifts he bestowed today to enhance his image were earned by Gu Chang'an.

"Making friends through martial arts is a refined affair, but I believe that General Yuwen and General Lin are both top-notch fighters in the army, with extraordinary skills and techniques. If we were to be careless and injure the other, wouldn't that be detrimental to the diplomatic relations between our two dynasties?" Gu Chang'an continued.

Shen Li was secretly delighted. Even if this explanation couldn't dispel Emperor Cheng's idea, it would buy her time to think.

If it were someone else who said this, Emperor Cheng would not have thought much of it, but since it was Gu Chang'an who said it, he had to think more about it and wonder if Gu Chang'an had other intentions.

He couldn't think of any other meaning at the moment, but he understood that Gu Chang'an did not support the competition.

Xiao Bailing also felt it was inappropriate, so she tugged at her husband's clothes and whispered to him, "Wan'er may not be a match for this man, say something."

Shen Zizai remained unmoved until Xiao Bailing pressed him further, at which point he said, "Chang'an's words carry enough weight. To second him now would be superfluous and would also be seen as forming a faction."

His political acumen is still quite sharp.

Now, he and his father-in-law Gu Chang'an hold important positions in the court, and their influence is second only to the Yi Wang faction. If they continue to form factions, the emperor will definitely be wary of them.

Xiao Bailing didn't understand the intricacies of the situation; she only felt that the imperial court was very troublesome, as things that were clearly visible to everyone could not be spoken of.

But while he didn't step forward, someone else did. King Yi stood up and said, "Father, I think Minister Gu's words are reasonable. It's easy for masters to make mistakes when they clash, and it would be a real loss to affect the diplomatic relations between the two dynasties."

Shen Zizai raised an eyebrow slightly. What did the King of Chess mean by this? Was he doing him a favor?

The court officials hadn't cared about fighting this battle before, but now their expressions became subtle, unable to tell whether Prince Yi was echoing Gu Chang'an or Gu Chang'an was doing things for Prince Yi.

Even Emperor Cheng showed a hint of doubt. If Gu Chang'an was also a member of the Prince of Yi's faction, the future situation would be troublesome.

Shen Li gritted her teeth in annoyance. Didn't this Prince Yi know that he was now someone the emperor feared? Wasn't he just making things worse?