Xue Lingjun said, "I'm not the one inviting you. His Majesty has asked you to come."
"When has he ever acknowledged me as his uncle?" Xue Shengjing said, his expression tinged with disdain.
"Elder Brother, surely you aren't going to hold that against His Majesty?" Xue Lingjun said.
"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare! I merely feel that I won't be of much help even if I go. Someone has seized the Eastern Luo Granary-what a joke! When did Great Yong's generals become such useless weaklings?"
"Isn't that all thanks to how capable your dear brother is?" Xue Lingjun said.
A peculiar smile crept onto Xue Shengjing's lips. "You seem rather closer to him than I am, Imperial Younger Sister."
To her surprise, Xue Lingjun felt her cheeks grow warm. She spat, "Already in such a hurry to wash your hands of him, Elder Brother?"
"What have I to fear? Surely His Majesty doesn't think I'm colluding with Hu Xiaotian?"
"The sovereign's heart is unfathomable," Xue Lingjun said meaningfully. "No one knows what His Majesty is thinking."
"Those watching from the sidelines see clearly, while those caught in the game are blinded," Xue Shengjing said. "His Majesty has only just taken the throne. As his imperial uncle, I may not be much help, but there are still things I can see clearly. When it comes to commanding troops in battle, Dao Ming is a rare talent. After Tang Boxi's defeat, His Majesty was desperate to recover his dignity and rushed into another campaign-a grave violation of military principles. As a result, he walked straight into their trap. Even an outsider like me can see it, so how could anyone else fail to? They simply weren't willing to warn him."
"So you want to recommend Dao Ming?" Xue Lingjun asked.
Xue