Ji Shu looked at his older brother and sneered. "Do you really think that I'll retract my word? You're overestimating me, Ji Sheng."

Prince Ji Sheng looked back at his brother without any emotion in his face. He knew. In the very first place, it was impossible for Ji Shu to suddenly retract what he had said. For them to say that they said things wrongly would be the same as slapping their own face. It would be a great dishonor.

As the one chosen by the Heaven, the Emperor could never be wrong.

"I wish you can investigate the matter fully, Your Majesty."

"Don't ask for the impossible. Retract your soldier, Ji Sheng, or I'll declare war."

The two brothers were looking at each other from a distance. There was invisible spark between the two of them that couldn't be explained. It was clear that they would never be able to reach the word deal.

"If you can declare war, Your Majesty, feel free to do so," Prince Ji Sheng finally answered after a moment.

Ji Shu's expression turned even colder, but he knew that what Prince Ji Sheng said was correct. Just now, he received news that the officials under him at the south was under attack and couldn't send reinforcement. From the way Prince Ji Sheng said it, it was as if everything was under his control.

It was strange.

Prince Ji Sheng should have no influence at the south because he spent more than half of his entire life at the north. But now, Prince Ji Sheng was able to act calmly for something that occurred from the south.

"You'll pay for this, Traitor Ji Sheng," Ji Shu spat out each word clearly.

Prince Ji Sheng didn't change his expression and merely looked at his brother with indifferent expression. There was also a small flame filled with determination that was hidden beneath his gaze. If he wanted to protect those who were important to him, he had to win.

Ji Shu pulled Wei Xiao Hua. "Watch their movements."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Prince Ji Sheng didn't want to start a war that would eventually involve the citizen while Ji Shu didn't have enough soldiers to protect the citizen and the city. If a war broke out, the one who suffered the most would be the citizen in the area. It was simply inevitable for them to get involved.

'This is a battle of patience, Ji Shu…'

Yang Xian watched the exchange from a distance while staying still on his horse. The two sides would try to prolong the war. Prince Ji Sheng didn't want to launch an attack when Yang Xian was still wounded badly. On the other hand, Ji Shu didn't want to waste the solider in a bitter war where they might lose because of the difference in number.

He might be an arrogant person but he knew the importance of soldiers and also the fact that the kingdom would be in perilous situation if there was a rebellion. Those at the north or other areas would definitely come to take advantage of the situation.

There was no way he would let them do as they wished, so he had to win this with as little loss as possible.

He would wait for reinforcement.

But would the reinforcement come first, or he would be forced to give in first?

Time passed slowly.

"It's time for camping," Yang Xian said as he directed his horse near Prince Ji Sheng. He had already ordered his soldiers to rest while keeping a few of them on guard. Of course, they were not resting completely as they kept their weapon near them in case of emergency.

Prince Ji Sheng passed a look at his strategist. "Who do you think will give up first?"

"Him."

"You're very confident."

"When he realized who we're teaming up with, I'm sure that he'll give up resisting," Yang Xian replied with a shrug. "All that's left is for you to win the battle. Can you do it?"

"Win the battle?" Prince Ji Sheng looked at his hands and clenched it tightly. He nodded faintly with flames of determination within his eyes. "You know that I won't lose, Xian."

"That's General Sheng that I know~."

"Your tone will be more than enough to punish you."

"I know that you won't punish me, General Sheng," Yang Xian retorted. He glanced to the side and saw that Wei Liuying was also riding the horse to their direction. A smile tugged on the corner of his lips. "We'll have to win this."

Prince Ji Sheng watched his strategist's gaze and shook his head lightly. There were no words that they needed to say. At this point, what they wanted to do was to win the battle to be able to protect those who they care about.

Neither side was willing to lose.

Thus, the brutal and tiring game of patience began. With Prince Ji Sheng's soldiers blocking the route, it was hard for Ji Shu to gain any information from outside. The food and water supplies continued to dwindle as the soldiers blocked the access. Slowly but surely, people started to feel restless because their daily life got impacted.

"Your Majesty, we need to make a move as soon as possible."

"It's impossible for us to hold on any longer, Your Majesty."

"Winter is coming and if we don't stock more food, we'll starve to death!"

The complaint and many others flooded the meeting to the point that Ji Shu was enraged. It has been two weeks since Prince Ji Sheng started to camp outside the city with his soldiers. Even though there was no attack or anything like that whatsoever, they prevented anyone from coming in and out.

At the same time, the food and water supplies were cut.

The people's life would turn miserable.

And soon… it would be chaos.

Ji Shu tapped the chair and waved his hand. "Send a messenger and inquiry what Ji Sheng wants."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The officials were also restless, but they didn't dare to overstep their bounds.

"Your Majesty, Empress Wei is here!"