Less than two hours after Meng Tinghui entered the city, Yue Linxi galloped back to the Great Peace Army Camp outside the city walls.
At that moment, the generals were gathered in the Central Military Tent for discussions. When soldiers reported that Yue Linxi had urgent news to convey to the Emperor, their expressions shifted immediately.
Ying Gua ordered Yue Linxi brought in and asked directly before the assembled generals, "What is the urgent matter?"
Sweat beaded on Yue Linxi's forehead, his face etched with anxiety as he hurriedly explained, "Not long after entering the city, she conspired with the remaining officials and left through the western gate! Having received Your Majesty's command, I dared not neglect my duty and risked my life to report this."
The generals in the tent exchanged confused glances, unable to comprehend the situation.
Ying Gua remained expressionless, giving him a brief glance before turning to the soldier who brought him in. "Tie this man up and take him away."
Without hesitation, the soldier produced rope and moved to restrain Yue Linxi, who struggled violently. "Why is Your Majesty doing this?"
Ying Gua offered no explanation, simply calling out, "Chai Shao!"
A young general stepped forward from beside the command desk, bowing respectfully. "Your subordinate is here!"
"Send orders to the Imperial Army at the east gate," Ying Gua commanded. "Lead the attack yourself—no more waiting."
Yue Linxi paled, attempting to speak again, but the soldier tightened the rope around his neck and dragged him from the tent.
Chai Shao's expression showed dawning understanding. Recalling the events on the mountain path outside Mingzhou and comparing them with last night's scene in the inner tent, he grasped the Emperor's intent. "Your subordinate obeys!" he responded crisply.
As Chai Shao prepared to leave, Ying Gua added, "Select five thousand elite cavalry from the camp outside the city and accompany me to western Shu Province."
Chai Shao hesitated. "Your Majesty, isn't five thousand too few?"
Ying Gua's eyebrow lifted slightly. "Any more would play right into their lure the tiger from the mountain tactic."
Another general stepped forward. "The west might be a trap. If Your Majesty is concerned about Minister Meng's safety, allow us to lead the pursuit!"
"I must go personally." His gaze remained firm as he addressed the generals. "Because she is no longer your court official—she is my Empress."
·
Time crept by in the Shu Province government office.
Meng Tinghui sat quietly, watching the half-burned incense on the table ahead, feeling each moment stretch unbearably slow.
Fan Yu paced restlessly around the room before finally glancing at her. "When the scout returns, you'll learn whether his feelings for you are genuine! If he doesn't pursue you, you can abandon this attachment and wholeheartedly join our restoration cause."
She pressed her lips together silently, closing her eyes.
Someone as strategically brilliant as him would surely anticipate an ambush by the Rebel Army west of Shu Province. To be cautious, he'd likely send generals to investigate—a pity for those Great Peace Imperial Army soldiers. Still, as long as he didn't fall into the trap, the Imperial Army would remain intact, and she needn't worry.
After roughly three quarters of an hour, a scout arrived in panic, stumbling into the office breathlessly. "The Great Peace Emperor has led troops westward!"
Fan Yu's face lit up. "Excellent!" Noticing the scout's agitation, he frowned. "Why so flustered?"
The scout turned pale. "The Great Peace Imperial Army is attacking the city from outside!"Fan Yu's expression shifted. He raised his hand to dismiss the soldier, then stood rigidly in place.
Meng Tinghui's face also changed. She hadn't expected him to personally lead troops westward... He couldn't possibly be unaware that there might be a trap over there, so why would he still go himself?
Vaguely, his last words to her echoed in her ears—
"I'll be waiting for you in the camp."
She had once promised to return to him, to bear him a child, to stay with him for a lifetime, yet she had ultimately broken all these promises to him.
But he hadn't let go. He had pursued her northward, captured her back into the Great Peace Imperial Army, forced her to become his empress, shared his tent with her at night, and even said again—he was waiting for her.
Yet once more, she had failed to return.
He might think she had deceived him again, or perhaps that she was being threatened and in danger. Regardless, he had actually gone after her personally once more.
No matter how many times, he still wanted her.
He clearly still loved her!
Just as she still deeply, deeply loved him.
She abruptly stood up and said to Fan Yu, "If you release me now, there might still be time to stop those Great Peace Imperial Army troops from attacking the city."
"Absolutely impossible," Fan Yu turned his head. "As long as we can kill him, I don't care if Shu Province is razed to the ground by the Great Peace Imperial Army!"
She gave a slight smile, reached into her waistband, and slowly drew out the short dagger Lu Duo had given her earlier. Removing the sheath, she pressed the sharp blade against her own throat and said softly, "If he dies by your hands this time, I won't leave my life for you either."
Fan Yu frowned, as if disbelieving. "You...!"
Meng Tinghui erased her smile and said coldly, "Let me out of the city." She stared at Fan Yu and declared sternly, "If he dies and I die too, can this world remain at peace? You and the Great Peace Imperial Army will certainly slaughter each other in chaos, while the Northern Frontier will seize the opportunity to raise troops, march south to attack and plunder, seizing territory and benefits. How many northern regions will be consumed by the flames of war then? What crime have the common people committed! Do you truly want to restore your kingdom, or do you want to destroy the world?"
Fan Yu's face turned pale then dark. Seeing the blade pressed tightly against the skin of her throat, he found himself unable to utter harsh words under her pressure.
She continued, "If you release me now and lead your troops north with the Great Peace Imperial Army to attack the Northern Frontier, then these northern territories and half of the Northern Frontier's lands will become my fief—your lost homeland. After his time passes, my children will rule this world, and you can enjoy high positions and generous salaries. Why must you gamble with countless lives for mere temporary fame and profit?!"
Someone else in the room sighed softly and said, "Lord Fan, she speaks reason. Let her go out and tell the Great Peace Imperial Army to cease their attack on the city."
The others who heard this also voiced their agreement one after another.
While Fan Yu remained frozen in hesitation, Meng Tinghui had already rushed out the door without regard. She ran fiercely outside, found the guards, and urgently demanded, "Where have you imprisoned the junior officer of the Imperial Army who came with me?"
Seeing that she had already emerged, the guards didn't dare refuse to answer. They quickly released Lu Duo. The moment Lu Duo saw her, worry, anxiety, and relief surged in his eyes, but before he could speak, he saw her swiftly leap onto a horse, whip it fiercely, and gallop toward the city's west gate. He hastily grabbed a horse himself and chased after her westward.
Qing Yun galloped through the chaotic army ranks like a divine wind, charging out through the west gate already engulfed in battle, mane flying as he raced wildly toward the west.Thirty miles was no short distance. The wind had shattered her high chignon as she rode, yet she still desperately whipped her horse, urging Qingyun to run faster, ever faster!
She wanted to catch up to him, stop him, and hold him tightly, so very tightly.
She wanted to tell him she had returned, that she would never leave again, never part from him. She would bear his children, stand hand in hand with him, stay together through thick and thin, never to be separated for a lifetime. She wanted to tell him she had never betrayed him from the very beginning, that she had always loved him deeply.
The fierce autumn wind roared in her ears, faintly mingling with the sounds of slaughter from the distant valley, making her tremble all over on horseback. A surge of blood rose in her heart, her throat tightening with a metallic sweetness.
She had rushed here so desperately fast—why was she still too late to catch up to him?
The shallow grass beneath Qingyun’s hooves gradually vanished, replaced by menacing gravel and stones all along the way.
As she neared the valley entrance, the scent of blood permeated the air. Reining in her horse, she lifted her eyes and saw scattered corpses not far away, spears, swords, and sharp arrows littering the ground. Her stomach twisted violently, but she held back the urge to vomit.
There were no living souls nearby. From the distant bend of the valley, the sounds of killing still faintly echoed, each cry like a needle piercing her eardrums painfully.
Lu Duo finally caught up to her, panting heavily. At the sight of the scene, he panicked and shouted, “My lord!”
She turned her head and her gaze fell upon a black helmet beneath the trees and rocks.
The pheasant plume on the helmet was so opulent and glaring—it was the feather pheasant only he was permitted to wear!
Her pupils contracted abruptly. Like a madwoman, she tumbled from her saddle, ignoring how her long skirt tripped her and sent her sprawling to the ground. She scrambled over blood-soaked corpses and gore, running toward it.
Lu Duo was so startled he could barely breathe. He hurriedly dismounted and rushed to stop her, fearing the distant battle might shift back toward the valley. “My lord, please calm down!”
She frantically pushed away Lu Duo’s hands, bending down beside the helmet. Like a madwoman, she turned over the corpses on the ground one by one, examining their blood-stained armor and robes, her body shaking, her heart trembling.
He had said that from now on, she would be his empress—even if she died, she would still be his. How could he abandon her like this?
Tears blurred her vision; blood soaked her hands. Her body trembled more and more violently, her heart growing increasingly numb, until she could no longer stand. She collapsed sideways amidst the chaos of spears and bloodied arrows.
“Meng Tinghui.”
The hoarse yet familiar voice from not far away made her jerk her head up.
The dim valley sunlight was dazzling, illuminating half of his handsome face. Golden light rippled around him, making her heart tremble violently, afraid it was all an illusion.
In an instant, the sounds of killing flowed and flickered. She abruptly stood and ran toward him without a second thought, throwing herself into his arms, clutching him tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.
The echoes of slaughter in the valley gradually faded into the distance.
He tossed aside his long spear and swept her up into his arms. The sharp edges of his handsome, aloof face softened as he lowered his head to gently kiss her hair. “Do not cry.”
Her hands clung desperately to his neck, burying her face against his shoulder. She bit her lip, tears flowing silently. Only after sobbing for a long while did she notice the row of officers and soldiers standing not far behind him, all awkwardly lowering their heads or averting their eyes, unsure what to do.
Her crying ceased instantly, her face flushing bright red.
Lu Duo hurried over from behind, dropping to one knee and bowing his head. “Your Majesty, this humble general has failed in his duty, allowing Lord Meng to be frightened and endangered. I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”He kept his arms wrapped around her without loosening his hold, the corners of his lips lifting slightly as he lowered his gaze and said, "This is my empress. Do not call her Minister Meng again!" Then he abruptly turned, as if displaying a trophy won through conquest, arrogantly and imperiously allowing the generals and soldiers behind him to scrutinize her from head to toe.
The assembled troops immediately knelt in unison, their armor clattering as they bowed their heads and shouted in unison, "We pay our respects to the Empress!"
She froze. These Imperial Army officers and soldiers couldn’t possibly be unaware of her notorious reputation, nor could they not know that she had once caused the Northern Frontier Imperial Army to lose Golden Gorge Pass without a fight. How could they so readily acknowledge her as empress?
The wind swept through the valley, still echoing with battle cries and strewn with corpses, stirring a faint shimmer of moisture in his deep eyes. Clear and transparent like glass, it reflected her stunned, flushed face.
"Tell them to rise," he whispered into her ear, his lips curling further.
Only then did she snap out of her daze, but held so tightly by him, even the most legitimate title couldn’t erase her embarrassment. Forcing herself to maintain composure, she murmured softly, "...Rise."
Half the mountains were stained with blood, yet he chose this very moment to declare her status to everyone—so domineering and audacious.
Yet it moved her deeply.
It was only then that she had a moment to notice that most of the corpses scattered outside the valley entrance were Rebel Army soldiers. Observing the expressions of him and his troops, she suddenly realized that the distant sounds of fighting from the depths of the valley must be from suppressing the rebels, not because his forces had fallen into an enemy ambush.
Recalling the panic and fear she had felt moments ago, thinking something had happened to him, her heart clenched again. Instinctively, she held him tighter, unwilling to let go.
But a general stepped forward, his face worried and his tone hesitant, "Your Majesty, your earlier injury..."
At the word "injury," she immediately held her breath and scrutinized him anxiously, scanning him up and down. Yet he responded calmly, "It’s nothing."
She struggled slightly, wanting to get down, but as she withdrew her hand, she found it covered in blood. Horrified, she looked closely and realized that the Iron Armor on the arm holding her was seeping blood.
Noticing the blood in her palm, he actually smiled at her and said, "Don’t worry." Ignoring her struggles, he strode forward and ordered the general, "To be safe, take some men to check the situation at the rear of the valley. Wrap it up soon; we shouldn’t linger here."
Though the Imperial Army had won here, the sight of death everywhere weighed heavily on her heart. The rebel ambush in the valley had been crushed by him, but each life lost was still a human life. Before the remnants of Zhongwan rebelled, these Rebel Army soldiers were merely simple, honest farmers. The carnage was too brutal and senseless, making her unable to bear looking closely.
Lu Duo had already swiftly brought the horses. She intended to ride Qingyun, but he somewhat roughly tossed her onto the black steed instead. Then he leaped up behind her, holding her tightly without a word, and gave the horse a sharp whip, "Hyah!"
She felt somewhat helpless, afraid to struggle violently and worsen the injury to his arm.
Qingyun, however, was extremely indignant, galloping furiously from behind and darting left and right beside her fluttering skirts.
The golden sun set, the green grass fragrant, the scent of blood in the air gradually fading. His warm breath brushed against the back of her neck, making her body go weak.The cool autumn breeze brushed against her face, clearing her mind as a faint smile touched her crimson lips.
She had originally wanted to say so many things to him, but at this moment, she suddenly realized that between them, no further words were needed, nor any explanations. He had always understood her, just as she understood him.
He loved her deeply, just as she loved him deeply.
·
Returning to camp and entering the tent, she saw the flames of battle raging fiercely beneath the walls of Shu Province in the distance. After a moment's thought, she said to him, "Since the remnant ministers are willing to yield, let General Chai cease the fighting. Shu Province is a large city, with at least ten thousand households of civilians inside..."
While listening to her soft murmurs, he ordered his attendants to summon Chai Shao to accept the surrender. If the remnant ministers were willing to come out of the city on their own, the battle would end.
The attendants withdrew with the order and sent someone to fetch the Imperial Physician to examine his wounds in the tent.
She was terribly worried. As soon as the tent flap fell, she turned to remove the armor from his body.
He raised an eyebrow, gently grasping her wrist, and chuckled softly, "So impatient?"
Annoyed and embarrassed, she wanted to scold him for his impropriety, but at the sight of the blood on his arm, she pressed her lips tightly together and whispered, "Before the Imperial Physician arrives, let me take a look first." With that, her small hands fumbled over the cold, foul-smelling Iron Armor, helping him remove it.
He watched her with lowered eyes, remaining still as she worked.
When the heavy armor was finally removed, a horrifying gash came into view. She gasped at the sight, holding his arm in her hands, unsure of what to do.
"I told you it's nothing," he said, trying to pull his arm back with a slight effort. "When I was young and training in martial arts, I suffered worse injuries than this."
She refused to let go, looking up at him and asking softly, "You knew there would be an ambush waiting for you to lead the troops there. Why did you still go in person?"
He replied slowly, "I was afraid they would use you as bait and force you out of Shu Province."
She fell silent, taking a piece of white cotton to gently wipe the blood around his wound. The more she wiped, the more her fingers trembled, until her eyes and the tip of her nose turned red.
Suddenly, he lowered his head and kissed her lips—slow, gentle, yet lingering endlessly.
How long had he waited for this moment?
He had long lost count.
Her lips and tongue were so sweet and tender, her body so perfectly fit in his embrace. From the Hall of Preserved Harmony all those years ago to this war-torn camp today, nothing had changed.
He had not yet washed after the great battle, his body reeking of blood and dust, and his lips and tongue carried the taste of sweat. Yet, she seemed not to notice at all, desperately kissing his thin lips and hot tongue.
She had missed him so much.
Life, death, love, and hatred had tormented her to the core. Now, she felt as if reborn, wishing only to cast everything aside and remain purely and simply with him, never to part for a lifetime.
The tent flap was hastily pulled aside as Imperial Physician Liu Dezhong hurried in with the announcement. At the sight before him, he froze instantly, breaking into a cold sweat and stammering, "I... I didn’t know the Empress was here."
Rumors spread quickly in the army. After the great battle, the news of her being named Empress had reached every corner of the camp. His status in the Imperial Army was beyond question, and upon hearing this news, no soldier or officer dared to question its validity. They all obediently acknowledged her as the Empress.Naturally, she couldn’t understand these things clearly, only feeling that she had indeed wronged the Imperial Army in the past. For a moment, she found it difficult to accept such deference with ease and quickly said, “Please, Lord Liu, come quickly to examine His Majesty’s injury.” After speaking, she stepped aside, her face flushed.
Liu Dezhong, having accompanied the emperor for many years, was calm and skilled. After examining the wound and checking the pulse, he declared that no bones or tendons were harmed and it was not serious. He applied medicine, bandaged the wound, gave a few instructions, and then left the tent to brew the herbal decoction.
Thinking his injured arm was inconvenient, she fetched hot water to help him wash the grime, blood, and sweat from his body. Unexpectedly, as he washed, he drew her in as well. Unable to resist his teasing and advances, and unable to suppress her own desires, she had no choice but to let him have his way.
In the end, the wound on his arm split open again, yet he stubbornly refused to let her go.
He seemed intent on crushing her into his very being.
Only then did it end.
Afterward, she had no choice but to summon Liu Dezhong back to the tent to reapply the medicine and dress his wound. Liu Dezhong sighed slightly and remarked that His Majesty must not exert himself excessively in the coming days, which only deepened her embarrassment.
At night, a report came from Chai Shao’s subordinates, stating that the former dynasty’s remaining officials in Shu Province’s city were willing to lay down their arms and surrender. The fighting on the city walls had ceased, and the eleven leading officials had all been brought to the camp under guard.
At that time, she and he were dining in the tent. Upon hearing the report, he merely instructed, “Take them to where Yue Linxi is being held. We will deal with them after daybreak tomorrow.”
The messenger accepted the order and withdrew, and the tent fell into silence once more.
Because the injury was on his right arm, Liu Dezhong had specifically advised him not to wield swords or spears, not to hold a brush for too long, and not to carry heavy objects over the next few days—ideally, he should do nothing at all to ensure a swift recovery.
Although he was leading the army north, with Gu Qin and others managing court affairs, major decisions still had to be reported to him at the front for approval. She knew all too well his uncompromising and meticulous nature. These days, he had been so exhausted day and night that he could barely handle the numerous military and administrative matters. If he were now unable to use his right hand, it would be nothing short of torture for him.
During the meal, he seemed distracted, whether pondering court affairs in the capital or contemplating the northern warfront. Several memorials lay spread on the table beside him, and his gaze remained fixed on them.
She dared not disturb him in important matters, yet she worried that if he didn’t eat more, his injury would be even slower to heal. So, she scooped up some rice and brought it to his lips. “Your Majesty.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Hearing ‘Your Majesty’ over and over again is grating. Back when you wanted nothing to do with me, living or dead, your carefree and unrestrained demeanor was far more pleasing than this.”
Her expression immediately shifted, and she feigned anger. “Everything must be to your liking, mustn’t it?”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Knowing she was referring to the earlier incident, he pulled her into his embrace. “This is how we should address each other—casually and without restraint, as befits a husband and wife. When have you ever heard the late emperor and Prince Ping addressing themselves with imperial titles?”
Held like this, her resolve softened instantly, and she was momentarily stunned by the words “husband and wife.”
Was she truly his empress, his rightful wife?
It had been his arbitrary and unrestrained imperial decree, but if the world were to learn of this, how would the court officials and the people react?
Lost in thought, she recalled him saying she need not worry about this matter. His tone had been resolute and certain, as if it truly required no concern from her.
His left hand reached up to caress her face. “What are you pondering now?”"I haven't thought about it." She pursed her lips and picked up the bowl of rice she had scooped earlier. "If you don't eat more, your wound will heal slowly. When you're in a hurry to lead the troops north again, how will you hold a rifle or ride a horse?"
He gazed into her glistening dark eyes and swallowed the rice with a smile. "Having this right arm injured does come with some benefits."
Her face flushed slightly with embarrassment as she retorted, "If you keep saying such nonsense about enjoying being injured, I'll remove this dressing for you right now."
He raised his brows with a smile, tightening his one-armed embrace around her.
Since their reunion outside the valley this time, his smiles had gradually multiplied, as if every small gesture of hers filled him with immense joy. Compared to the taciturn and stern demeanor she had grown accustomed to in the past, she found herself momentarily at a loss.
Yet, she adored seeing him smile.
Whenever the corners of his lips lifted slightly, it felt as though a flower had bloomed in her heart, its sweet fragrance flooding her entire chest.
In the past, she had devoted herself to him without regret, and now he reciprocated with equal sincerity. The embrace behind her felt firmer and warmer than before, bringing her peace of mind.
After the meal, knowing he had to review the urgent memorials from the capital, she cleared the commander’s desk for him, prepared the ink and brush, and planned to step out of the tent to check on Qingyun, so as not to disturb him.
But he pulled her back and settled her on his lap. “Am I less important than your horse?” he grumbled, his tone stern. “That horse was a gift from me in the first place!”
She found it amusing but obediently let him hold her. “I won’t go then,” she replied, curious to see how he intended to review memorials while holding her.
He whispered close to her ear, “Liu Dezhong won’t let me hold the brush, so I’ll have to trouble you to draft the responses to these memorials for me.”
Startled, she turned to look at him. “How can that be allowed?”
“Why shouldn’t it be?” Without another word, he unfolded a tax report submitted by the Three Judicial Offices. “I’ll dictate; you write.”
Compelled, she dipped the brush in vermilion ink, her mind still reeling.
Having served as his official for so many years, she had always assisted him in matters of court and military affairs, but she had never overstepped her bounds like this. Now that she was his empress, though they stood side by side and shared the same seat, would he truly permit her to meddle in state affairs from the inner chambers?
As if reading her thoughts, he brushed his lips against her delicate earlobe and murmured, “I’ve granted you such a vast territory in the north—how could I not allow you to participate in court and military matters?”
The favor came so swiftly and abundantly that for a moment, she felt as though this had been his plan all along. But the thought vanished as quickly as it came, and a drop of vermilion ink splattered, leaving several crimson spots.
He had her read the memorials and dictated imperial responses for her to transcribe. One after another, they worked until midnight before finishing.
She set down the brush, selected the most critical memorials for his review, and, seeing his approval, carefully sealed and stored them, her movements meticulous and her expression earnest.
Unable to resist, he leaned down to kiss her again. She chuckled softly and returned the kiss, which only emboldened him further. He pushed aside her robes and buried his face against her.
Gasping, she urgently pushed him away. “Don’t… not here…” She feared the wound on his right arm would reopen, making her the culprit.
He rose, gripping her waist, and led her toward the inner tent.
With the lamps extinguished, darkness enveloped them inside and out. The contours of his features grew more pronounced, his gaze fixed on her like a beast in the dark mountain forests.
Helpless, she sighed softly, bracing herself above him, her long hair cascading over his shoulder. In a whisper by his ear, she pleaded, “Don’t… strain yourself.” In the darkness, her flushed face was invisible, but her sweet, moist moans and his unrestrained, heavy breaths were unmistakable.
A long while later, drenched in fragrant sweat, she collapsed back onto his chest, her breathing labored, utterly spent.His left hand held her waist, gently stroking the skin along the slender curve, when he suddenly said, "Your background—it wasn’t Yue Linxi’s confession that revealed it to me."
She shifted slightly but remained silent.
He continued, "And appointing you as Empress was not merely a reluctant, expedient decision."
She wrapped her arms around his waist and murmured softly, "There’s no need to say more."
How could she not have guessed? That he had managed to track her down across the vast northern mountains and countless states could only mean someone in the capital had disclosed her whereabouts—and who else could it be but Yin Qing? Yet Yin Qing would never have volunteered such information. The fact that he knew to extract these details from Yin Qing meant he must have already been aware of her origins and Yin Qing’s background long before these events unfolded. It stood to reason that if Yin Qing had revealed her location, she must also have told him that she had learned of her own identity before leaving the capital.
And since he had resolutely led his army thousands of miles to find her, how could he not have known that she had never, from beginning to end, betrayed him?
Just as she later understood that he, too, had never harbored hatred toward her.
These words needed no elaboration—she already grasped their meaning.
Hearing her calm response, he fell silent at once, his touch tenderly tracing every inch of her skin, as if this were the most intimate form of communication between them.
They understood each other so deeply, cared for each other so selflessly—each willing to sacrifice for the other’s sense of duty to the people. Yet in the end, it was that very duty to the people that brought them together.
In the quiet of the night, her breathing gradually softened, her body growing limp against him.
He let her rest against his shoulder as she drifted into sleep, his heart swelling with contentment. After a long while, he whispered, "I’ve put you through hardship this time. When we return to the capital, I will make it up to you with a grand coronation and wedding ceremony."
Her face nuzzled lightly into the crook of his neck, and she mumbled something indistinct before settling back into peaceful slumber.
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