The so-called marriage proposal was, of course, just a joke.
As it turns out, when a mischievous girl teases you, there's no point in playing the timid quail. The more honest you are, the more fun she has teasing you.
The only way to break the cycle is to tease back! If she can handle anything, then drop your inhibitions, and let's see who corrupts whom first!
Sure enough, when it got to the point of proposing directly, even though Cui Jinqi knew he was joking, she was so angry that she didn't talk to him for a full half hour.
Half an hour later, she couldn't hold back anymore. She leaned on the back of Cheng Jinyang's chair, yawning and saying out of boredom:
"Work, work, work. As the clan leader, is there no rest or entertainment time other than work?"
"What else would there be?" Cheng Jinyang continued handling matters, unable to resist rubbing his temples. "Do you think the clan leader's job is easy?"
Another Tianluo squad had lost contact in the southern part of Jiangning District. Based on recent casualty rates and locations, the intelligence department of Ground Network believed someone was specifically targeting Tianluo squads in that area and requested stopping Tianluo deployments there for the next three hours.
Cheng Jinyang hesitated. Losing contact didn't necessarily mean death; they might just have their communication channels blocked and could still be struggling in the battle zone.
However, if they really stopped sending people into that area, it would mean that those still alive and fighting inside would no longer get any support.
Despite this, he had to approve the request.
He suddenly remembered his first Tianluo mission when his cousin Cheng Huaiyan and Xing Junmo charged into the area, then lost communication. Miss Qingqing's father asked him and Ah Zhi to support them.
At that time, they rushed in without hesitation, not just because of the Lord Attendant's request but also because they preferred to take the initiative and control their fate.
Why had he become more conservative since becoming the clan leader?
Back then, taking risks only gambled with his own life; now, making decisions from the rear, a single mistake could cost others their lives...
Sigh.
In the lower right corner of the screen, Xing Yuanzhi's avatar suddenly blinked with a new message notification:
"Recently, Tianluo department's casualties have been quite high."
"Yes..." Cheng Jinyang was about to type a reply when Ah Zhi sent another message:
"According to frontline intelligence, the majority of the special forces infiltrating Jiankang City from the Longxiang Army are composed of aristocratic supernaturals."
Cheng Jinyang was slightly stunned, and behind him, Miss Cui, who had been looking bored, suddenly became serious as if she had thought of something.
After a moment of silence, Cheng Jinyang typed a reply:
"Using a tiger to swallow a wolf?"
About forty seconds later, Ah Zhi replied:
"Just a suspicion."
"However, according to intelligence from secret channels, the combat losses of the Shenwu Army and Yulin Army are roughly ten times those of the aristocrats."
"Hundreds of times the numbers, only ten times the losses. Isn't this using a tiger to swallow a wolf?" Cui Jinqi sarcastically remarked from behind. "Our Emperor is truly a wise and holy ruler. Even with the situation this dire, he's still focused on weakening the aristocratic forces, huh?"
"If that's the case, Wuchang may have reached a similar consensus," Cheng Jinyang said solemnly. "Wang Chuzhong plans to declare himself emperor after the war. A weakened aristocracy would be more beneficial to him than a strong and united one, but..."
He didn't say the rest: But isn't the Duke of Wuchang planning a northern expedition? If the aristocrats are all dead, how will he march north?
Does he plan to emulate Chang Gong and 'stabilize internal affairs before dealing with external threats'?
The two exchanged glances, their expressions growing more alarmed as they thought it through, realizing that the aristocracy had little resistance left.
After all, besides the five great families, most aristocrats had already split into factions.
If the Longxiang Army won, the aristocrats remaining in Jiankang would likely face a massacre. After all, those who defected to the other side could quickly take over the resources here using their similar abilities.
For instance, if Cheng Jinyang's side lost and was killed, his uncle's branch of gravitational ability users could instantly take over the Tianluo operations.
So even if the court was secretly weakening the aristocrats, everyone had to fight desperately for the court to avoid their own branch's extermination.
The most absurd part was that this awkward situation was created by the aristocrats themselves... It was simply exasperating.
"Such a clever scheme," Cui Jinqi murmured. "This is an open conspiracy."
Cheng Jinyang remained silent for a moment before picking up his phone, instinctively seeking someone to help.
Who should he ask?
Sister Xinnan? Definitely not. Not only is she guarding the shield generator base day and night, she might not even know the emperor's plans. And even if she did, she would have no reason to tell him!
Her affection is solely for him, and she harbors only ill feelings towards the Shendu Cheng family. Besides, if the Shendu Cheng family were to be wiped out, wouldn't he be free to marry the princess without any ties?
So, should he ask Miss Wang?
Wait, considering that none of the Five Great Families have betrayed, it seems they anticipated the secret agreement between the emperor and Wang Chuzhong and therefore are unwilling to sacrifice their people in the power struggle between the two factions...
Thinking of this, Cheng Jinyang dialed Wang Wanrou's number.
Cui Jinqi, staring at the phone screen, reminded him:
"She might not be able to answer; no phones are allowed in the Wang family estate..."
But the call went through, and Miss Wang's distinctively indifferent voice sounded:
"Hello?"
"Wanrou..." Cheng Jinyang paused, "Have you eaten?"
Miss Cui almost fainted on the spot. What kind of nonsense is this? Wanrou hates small talk the most!
"I had shrimp wonton noodles," Wang Wanrou replied slowly.
"Has the emperor reached an agreement with the Longxiang Army to jointly deplete the aristocratic forces on both sides?" Sensing that she seemed to be in a good mood, Cheng Jinyang decided to get straight to the point.
"You're just realizing this?" Wang Wanrou asked in surprise.
Cheng Jinyang: .....
Damn it!
He struggled to suppress his frustrated anger and, like Nobita complaining to Doraemon, he said:
"I just realized! Miss Wang, why didn't you remind me earlier? The losses in the Tianluo department are getting significant!"
"When your family decided to split, you weren't the head of the Shendu Cheng family yet, were you?" Wang Wanrou sneered, "What good would it have done to tell you?"
Cheng Jinyang: ???
That's true; it wouldn't have been my responsibility then.
"Is there any solution now?" Sweeping away his regret, he asked solemnly again.
"There's no solution," Wang Wanrou said, "Under a toppled nest, how can there be intact eggs? In these chaotic times, a fifth-grade noble family would be lucky just to preserve its bloodline, let alone remain unscathed. Do you know how many commoners lose their homes and lives, without even the ability to protect themselves?"
"Though that's true, as the head of the family, I must try to preserve our vitality as much as possible," Cheng Jinyang said.
"So what does that have to do with me? Forget it," Wang Wanrou sighed, "I'll give you a hint."
"Please, Miss Wang, I am all ears."
"Your savior is far away yet close at hand," Wang Wanrou said impatiently. "Think more for yourself and stop bothering me with every little thing. I'm hanging up!"
The call ended, and Cheng Jinyang stared blankly at the darkened screen.
Cui Jinqi sighed beside him, "Jinyang, Wanrou is really good to you! She never has such patience with me..."
"Jinqi!" Cheng Jinyang suddenly stood up and grabbed her hands.
"Ah!" Miss Cui was caught off guard and screamed. However, Cheng Jinyang tightly held her delicate hands, squeezed out a few tears from the corners of his eyes, and in a voice full of emotion like Liu Bei, he said:
"Jinqi! Miss Cui! My Shendu Cheng family is like eggs under a toppled nest, in imminent danger. For the sake of the friendship between our two families, please save your brother!"