However, after months of fighting, what did they have to show for it in service to the Emperor? They hadn't even managed to capture Jinhua City!
As criticism of the Su family intensified, countless ministers petitioned the Emperor to recall Su Huai immediately for recuperation. They insisted that the war could not be sustained.
Even the Third Prince harbored dissatisfaction towards the Su family. Despite their previous conquests on his behalf, they had failed to secure any new territories in recent months. His bias towards them was now wavering in the face of these widespread accusations.
The Third Prince regretted not intervening sooner to prevent this situation. He found himself trapped between competing interests.
Moreover, this conflict had strained his relationship with Shao Yunduan, making reconciliation even more unlikely.
Unable to win him over and unable to defeat him, this was the direst outcome possible.
It was the Su family who had sparked all of these troubles.
