"Exactly. My royal sisters are all taught by the best governesses in the palace, yet all they can say is ’little bitch.’ Is that what the governesses teach you all day?" Nanxiang stepped forward, hands on her hips.

"Xiang’er, do not be rude in front of your Imperial Uncle," Princess Changyang said, pulling her back.

Nanxiang defiantly shook her hand away. "Mother, they insulted Father! They look down on him, and they look down on all military commanders. They said it would be perfectly natural for Father to die in battle for Beili!"

Upon hearing this, Princess Changyang’s expression darkened. The Sixth Princess was so insolent. Her husband, the Prince, had fought countless battles, dedicating his life to Beili, only to be scorned by a mere slip of a girl.

"Consort Yuan has certainly raised a fine daughter. Today has been a real eye-opener," Princess Changyang said, pulling Nanxiang to her side. She lowered her head and whispered, "Xiang’er, a princess is of noble birth. We cannot compare."

Consort Yuan’s face instantly turned deathly pale.

The Beili Emperor’s expression was just as grim. He shot a fierce glare at Consort Yuan.

Consort Dong shrank back in fear. ’Things seem to be taking a bad turn,’ she thought. ’I hope Little Nine doesn’t say anything unnecessary.’

"Sixth daughter, you have some nerve," the Beili Emperor said, his eyes cast down as he stared at her.

Sang Shu looked up, clearly frightened, and stammered, "Imperial Father, please understand! Your daughter was not speaking of my Royal Uncle. I... I was talking about Xiang Minghou."

Xiang Minghou didn’t seem the least bit surprised. Everyone else present, however, was stunned into silence.

"My father and Pangtuan’s dad are both military commanders! When you insult Pangtuan’s dad, you’re insulting my father! Imperial Uncle, they also called Pangtuan’s dad uncouth and said that if Beili lost him, there would just be another general to take his place. They said there’s no need to make a big deal out of his military achievements!" Nanxiang repeated their words flawlessly.

Ye Qianning listened and couldn’t help but want to give her a secret thumbs-up. ’Brilliant,’ she thought, ’absolutely brilliant.’

’If I had said it, no one would have believed me. Nanxiang’s words carry more weight than mine.’

The Beili Emperor’s face darkened further. He fixed his sharp gaze on Sang Shu. ’How could a twelve-year-old girl say such things unless someone had put those words in her mouth?’

"Shu’er, how audacious of you!" Seeing the Emperor’s displeasure, Consort Yuan was the first to rebuke her daughter.

"Mother, I... I’m just speaking the truth! He fought for Beili, and Imperial Father rewarded him with a mansion, power, and wealth. Isn’t that enough to compensate for his military service? If Imperial Father gave anyone such lavish rewards, they would all be scrambling to fight on the battlefield! It’s just a transaction, when you get down to it. There’s no need to constantly bring up the war!" Sang Shu grew more agitated as she spoke, nearly shouting by the end.

Everyone fell silent. The Empress, however, looked as though she were watching a play.

Princess Heliang secretly shook her head. Though her own husband wasn’t a military man, those words sent a chill through her heart. If word of this got out, it would undoubtedly dishearten all of Beili’s soldiers.

’General Xiang must be heartbroken as well...’

The Beili Emperor’s gaze fell upon her. "Who taught you to say such things?"

"Your Majesty, Shu’er is still young. Children speak without malice," Consort Yuan pleaded, wishing she could slap Sang Shu herself.

"Speak. Who taught you this?" the Beili Emperor’s voice was dangerously cold.

"No one taught me. I simply believe that as a citizen of Beili, one should fight for Beili! Even if he has military achievements, they were earned by thousands upon thousands of men. Is it not enough that he alone received the rewards? Whenever anything happens, he brings up his achievements. What is his real motive?" As Sang Shu spoke the last sentence, her gaze swept over Ye Qianning and Xiang Minghou, her voice laced with unmistakable sarcasm. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The wind whistled past, and an absolute silence fell over the pond.

Consort Yuan’s face turned even paler with fright.

Several court officials exchanged glances. The Sixth Princess’s words were, without a doubt, a direct slap in the face to General Xiang.