Tying Su Embroidery Up in Knots

Ren Tianye smiled.

These two were as shrewd as monkeys. They knew this siege would be incredibly simple, yet it could be counted as their first military deployment, promising significant merit.

With such an easy task yielding great rewards, they naturally could not hold back.

Even Wang Ming, who was usually easygoing and amiable, wanted to charge in and snatch a share of this great merit.

However, while the soldiers' desire to build military merit was worthy of respect, one still had to consider the big picture to ensure absolutely nothing went wrong.

He said, "Since both of you are willing to attack the city, this general will give you the opportunity."

"Zhang Shi will lead five thousand troops and attack from the north gate."

"Wang Ming will lead five thousand troops and attack from the west gate."

"I will personally lead ten thousand troops to hold the line for you."

Pausing for a moment, he ordered, "Prepare meals at the third watch, and attack the city at the fifth watch."

The crowd roared their compliance.

...

Inside Sifang City, at the City Lord's Mansion.

It was brightly lit.

City Lord Ye Tiancheng furrowed his brows, pacing back and forth: "Ren Tianye has strong troops and sturdy horses, along with the prestige of defeating the imperial guards. Now that he has massed his forces beneath our city, ready to launch an attack at any moment, what should we do?"

"Do any of you have a plan?"

The two rows of seats below him were filled with the higher-ups of Sifang City.

However, the core positions were occupied by members of the Ye and Li families.

Before anyone could speak, Ye Fan, who was seated first in the lower ranks, immediately stood up and said, "Rest assured, Uncle. When we took Sifang City, I planned ahead and made the city's defenses impregnable."

"Ren Tianye only has a mere few thousand men. No matter how strong he is, he will surely be blocked outside Sifang City for months."

"Furthermore, I have already written a letter to Song Wan."

"With Song Wan's speed, I believe he will arrive at Sifang City within a few days."

"When the time comes, Song Wan and we will attack from both inside and outside. Even if Ren Tianye had three heads and six arms, he would inevitably become a pile of dry bones beneath our Sifang City."

The image of Song Wan involuntarily surfaced in Ye Tiancheng's mind.

That handsome youth was indeed a fierce general.

It was just that his brain was a bit flawed. With just one sentence from Ye Fan saying, 'I will help you find your lover,' he willingly followed him, attacking cities and seizing territories without regard for his own life.

Yet his nephew Ye Fan had never even actively searched for her, nor did he even know who Song Wan's lover was!

However, if he rushed back, given his ferocity, Ren Tianye would indeed be unable to withstand a single blow.

He sighed in slight relief and nodded, "Fan'er, it really comes down to you. Resourceful and calculating, leaving nothing to chance. With you here, our Sifang City is safe."

Pausing, he looked toward the people of the Li family.

Sifang City was jointly supported by their Ye family and the Li family. Although the Ye family was the main power, the Li family was also an important force that could not be neglected.

"Li Botian, what are your thoughts?"

As the commanding general of Sifang City's troops, Li Botian's opinion was extremely important at a time like this.

"Naturally, we should capture Ren Tianye, tear him apart with five horses, and properly avenge dear Xiu'er. That son of a bitch, he actually dared to hunt down dear Xiu'er. He simply has no regard for me."

As Li Botian replied, his eyes never left Su Xiu, who sat just below Ye Fan.

But as soon as he said this, the Second Young Master and Third Young Master of the Li family protested.

"Is it your turn to avenge dear Xiu'er? Let me do it. I will duel Ren Tianye one-on-one. With a single needle, I will make Ren Tianye foam at the mouth, begging for life and unable to die!"

"Let me do it, let me do it! Even though I am a civil official, I have ten thousand ways to deal with Ren Tianye, ten thousand ways!"

...

The three brothers refused to yield to one another. After arguing for a long time, they all looked toward Su Xiu. Their eyes were filled with infatuation, their faces covered in fawning expressions.

"dear Xiu'er, let me avenge you, alright?"

"dear Xiu'er, eldest brother is unreliable. Give this opportunity to me!"

"dear Xiu'er, only I can avenge you and take care of you in the future. Will you believe me?"

...

Seeing this from his high seat, Ye Tiancheng exploded with frustration.

These three Li brothers were usually quite normal. Why was it that as soon as Su Xiu arrived, they completely lost their minds?!

However, this only strengthened his resolve.

His gaze lightly swept over Ye Fan, and without waiting for Ye Fan's agreement, he immediately laughed, "Hahaha, as the saying goes, beauties match heroes. The three outstanding talents of your Li family should indeed be matched with the number one beauty of the northern border."

"Since that is the case, this City Lord is very willing to facilitate this beautiful match. I hereby bestow Su Xiu upon you three brothers."

"As for which of you three brothers she will be bestowed upon?"

"That will depend on who performs better in this upcoming battle against Ren Tianye."

"Whoever performs the best, I will take charge and have Su Xiu marry him."

The three young masters of the Li family all stood up in excitement.

"Truly?"

"Naturally, it is true," Ye Tiancheng smiled. "When have the words of this City Lord ever gone unfulfilled?"

The three of them were thrilled beyond measure.

"City Lord, I will go guard the city gates right now. With me here, Ren Tianye can forget about taking a single step inside."

"City Lord, I will go to the medical clinic right now. Rest assured, as long as the fighting soldiers are not completely dead, I can save them."

"City Lord, I will go guard Sifang City right now. Rest assured, during the battle, all provisions, weapons, armor, and city defense equipment will never be lacking."

The three brothers seemed as if they had been injected with chicken blood, instantly getting up to leave. Of course, before leaving, they did not forget to cast one last glance at Su Xiu, their eyes full of possessive desire.

Su Xiu, however, was trembling all over.

She was someone who was going to marry Ye Fan, how...

How could her marriage be decided by a single word from this City Lord?

"Xiu'er, do not be afraid. I will not let you marry any of those three Li brothers." Ye Fan comforted her from the side, then stood up and said, "Uncle, dear Xiu'er and I are truly in love..."

"So what if you are truly in love?" Facing his own nephew, Ye Tiancheng's posture was much more relaxed. "Can love put food on the table?"

"Can it fend off Ren Tianye's army?"

"Can it help our Ye family dominate the northern border?"

"A merchant's daughter has bewitched you this much?"

"Where is your ambition? Where are your lofty aspirations?"

"Where is your filial piety?"

After a harsh scolding, Ye Tiancheng did not want to overly reprimand the most outstanding junior in the family, so he softened his tone and said, "When taking a wife, you must marry someone who can provide you with assistance."

"At the very least, you must marry someone virtuous."

"Therefore, your uncle has already arranged a marriage for you. It is the young lady of the Li family. Once we repel Ren Tianye, you will be married immediately!"

"Alright, your uncle has made the decision on this matter. You are not to discuss it further."

After saying this, Ye Tiancheng left. Anxious, Ye Fan quickly chased after him, leaving Su Xiu in the hall with a face full of terror.

Was she going to be forced to marry a young master of the Li family?

Furthermore, was Ye Fan also going to marry another woman?

She, she was unwilling!

"Miss Su Xiu..." While her heart was still in pain, the general who had threatened her last time walked over again, bringing along a few rather burly maids. "Please."

Sensing their malicious intent, Su Xiu stammered, "Go, go where?"

"Where we go is not important. What is important is to tie you up, and we cannot let Young Master Ye Fan find out, until you and the Li family's young master have consummated the marriage!"

...