The ill-tempered young man walked away. Mu Mianhong and Xiao Man turned to look in this direction, only to see the young man here pressing his hand against the Empress's head.
Mu Mianhong burst into laughter.
Xiao Man rolled her eyes.
Mu Mianhong chuckled and reached out to take Xiao Man's hand. "Come, let's get to work."
"What work? We came to help with the battle. Now that it's over, why should we bother with chores?" Xiao Man grumbled reluctantly, adding, "She has time to fool around with Xie Yanlai but can't spare a word for you."
After receiving Ding Dachui's message, Mu Mianhong gathered her subordinates and joined Chu Zhao. Chu Zhao bowed and thanked the "Great Leader," but since then, she had not spoken to Mu Mianhong alone.
Mu Mianhong also kept her distance from Chu Zhao.
Hearing Xiao Man's complaint, Mu Mianhong simply said, "You don't understand."
Xiao Man retorted angrily, "We're the same age. How could I not understand what she understands?"
Though complaining, she obediently followed Mu Mianhong as they walked away.
"Do you even understand what I'm saying?"
Xie Yanlai pressed his hand against Chu Zhao's forehead.
Chu Zhao smiled and replied, "I do, I do. I understand. Liang Qiang is not to be trusted. The enmity is already formed, and showing kindness is useless—it will only deepen his resentment."
Xie Yanlai released her, his expression stern. "Don't pretend not to understand when you do."
Chu Zhao rubbed her forehead. "I've been pretending all along. Who do I trust? I never trusted anyone to begin with." She chuckled again. "Except for our Commandant Xie, of course."
Xie Yanlai was no longer fazed by such remarks. He snorted lightly and raised his hand in a salute. "Thank you for your high regard, Your Majesty." Then he stood up. "Your Majesty should return to the main camp quickly. I have work to attend to."
Chu Zhao had led the troops herself out of necessity. As the Empress, she could not stay here long, lest any mishap occur.
Chu Zhao knew this well and nodded, adding, "Remember to dress your wounds and apply medicine. You have old injuries."
Always bringing up old injuries—as if it were some life-or-death matter. Xie Yanlai retorted irritably, "I've had old injuries all over since I was a child, and I've lived this long without dying."
Chu Zhao laughed heartily and waved a hand at him. "My loyal subject, sparing no regard for his own life in service to the nation. Go on, go on."
Xie Yanlai scoffed, turned, and strode away, unable to suppress a laugh. This woman was truly—infuriating.
By the time the sky was fully bright, Chu Zhao had returned to the central army's location. Zhong Changrong finally allowed half of his anxiety to dissipate.
But there was no time to rest yet.
"The flying victory bulletin has already been sent to the capital to reassure the people and the Emperor."
"Additionally, the rewards for this battle's merits must be reported immediately to stabilize the army's morale."
Chu Zhao said, "The left wing army will receive rewards but also penalties."
Zhong Changrong nodded. "I know." But there was one matter he needed to seek instructions on. "Liang Qiang and his father are both in the army."
Before Chu Zhao returned, she had sent Ding Dachui to relay a message to Zhong Changrong to investigate Liang Qiang's situation.
Upon checking, Zhong Changrong discovered that the Liang family's second master and his son had enlisted, repeatedly distinguishing themselves and receiving numerous commendations. They were now well-known, influential officers in the army.
Zhong Changrong was also aware of the past conflict between Minister Liang and the young lady. Although the Liang family's imprisonment was deserved, he knew they would inevitably hold a grudge against the Chu family.
"It's my fault for not carefully reviewing the roster, allowing them to rise through the ranks," he said, then lowered his voice. "But making them disappear now wouldn't be a problem."
Chu Zhao shook her head. "The father and son have indeed earned military merits. Deliberately suppressing them would only cause trouble. Grant them the rewards they deserve. Just remember to remain cautious of the Liang family, Uncle Zhong."Zhong Changrong acknowledged the order, then hesitated before adding, "What about... that person's... contribution?"
Chu Zhao didn't immediately understand. "That person?"
Zhong Changrong turned his face away. "Mu Mianhong. She assisted you and performed meritorious service. But... our military discipline is ironclad, rewards and punishments are clear, and we don't consider personal grudges."
Of course he remembered personal grudges, but other officers had pulled him aside to advise him. The General was gone, but children and parents are connected by blood ties after all. Being forceful wouldn't work—it might even push the young lady toward that woman, playing right into her hands. So they needed to use clever tactics.
Zhong Changrong, a rough-and-tumble man his whole life, had never been clever before. But for the General's sake, and to preserve his dignity, he was trying hard to learn cleverness.
Cleverness meant going along with things.
If this woman had performed meritorious service, then reward her for it. If she later tried to demand more from the young lady, that would show her greed and shamelessness, and the young lady would see her true despicable nature.
Seeing Zhong Changrong's expression, Chu Zhao couldn't help but laugh.
"They haven't performed meritorious service," she said. "At most, it's... atonement for their crimes. So no rewards are needed."
Zhong Changrong was overjoyed. "The young lady is absolutely right."
"And their identities shouldn't be made public," Chu Zhao continued.
Zhong Changrong grew even happier. "Good, good, good." Since the young lady had brought it up herself, it wouldn't be excessive for him to add one more criticism of that woman. "Their identities are truly disgraceful. If the world found out, it would reflect poorly on the General as well."
Mentioning the General made Zhong Changrong's heart ache.
"She's been so heartless, we don't need to show any loyalty either."
Chu Zhao opened her mouth, then swallowed her words.
Actually, that wasn't what she meant. The reason for not revealing Mu Mianhong's identity wasn't about reputation or fame—it was for personal gain.
In that previous life, Mu Mianhong's forces had been secretly taken over by Xiao Xun without her knowledge. In this life, she would keep them hidden from the world, to be used when needed.
Actually, she was the heartless one.
Zhong Changrong withdrew to let her rest properly, leaving behind the merit report for Mu Mianhong. Chu Zhao looked down at it for a moment, then picked it up and threw it into the brazier. She walked to the bed, collapsed onto it, and fell into a deep sleep.
......
......
War knows no day or night, and wartime courier stations never rest as couriers burst in at all hours.
In the dead of night, several couriers charged into the station.
"Victory bulletin—"
With this shout, the incoming couriers were met with cheers.
The Station Chief and courier station attendants came running out, thanking various gods and buddhas. "Finally, a victory bulletin!"
The couriers were both annoyed and amused. "What are you talking about? We've been reporting victories frequently!"
The Station Chief sighed. "But General Chu is gone. Our hearts have been in our throats."
The attendants nodded in agreement. "The common people are terrified too. The prefectures and cities have all adopted scorched earth tactics."
The couriers could understand—losing the commander-in-chief at a critical moment in battle was truly terrifying.
Fortunately, even with the commander gone, the war continued to yield frequent victory reports.
"This flying victory bulletin couldn't have come at a better time. It will surely reassure the people," the Station Chief exclaimed happily. "Go, make the silk banner even larger so everyone can see it. Prepare ten fine horses and ten men too—spread the news across the land with great fanfare."
Laughter and joy filled the courier station.
The couriers only ate a quick meal and rested briefly before setting off with the Station Chief's larger silk banner and additional personnel. They passed through cities and towns, spreading the news of the great victory far and wide, letting everyone know that even without General Chu, the Border Commandery was still winning great victories and the dynasty remained secure.
They galloped through the night, and as dawn began to break, they passed through a mountain valley."There's a city ahead." The lead courier turned back and said, pointing at a few men. "You all, enter the city to announce the victory bulletin and have the local authorities spread it throughout the jurisdiction."
The couriers responded in unison.
"The rest of you, come with me—" the lead courier continued, but before he could finish, he suddenly shuddered, his eyes bulging as he stared at the couriers behind him.
The couriers looked back at him and saw an arrow piercing through his throat.
The next moment, the courier vanished from sight, falling off his horse.
The next moment, countless arrows flew from the mountain pass like rain, and the soldiers fell from their horses, struck by arrows without even uttering a cry.
The valley echoed with the sound of arrows cutting through the air and the neighing of horses.
A short while later, silence returned, leaving only scattered silk banners and the corpses of men and horses strewn across the ground.
A group of black-clad figures slid down from the cliff, and several carts rushed into the valley from outside. The black-clad figures loaded the corpses of men and horses onto the carts and hauled them away, then set the scattered silk banners ablaze.
Flames rose in the morning mist, only to be swallowed by it again.
Scattered firecracker sounds echoed through the villages and towns.
The fifth year of Yongning had finally passed, and a new year arrived. A few days prior, the new era name, Xingping, had been proclaimed.
Although the war with Western Liang was still ongoing, victory bulletins arrived frequently. With the new year, prayers and blessings for a fresh start were offered, and celebrations were originally planned everywhere. But then, unexpectedly, tragic news followed.
Chu Ling, Garrison General and commander-in-chief of the Border Army, was dead.
He died valiantly, engaging in a great battle with the King of Xiliang just before his death and repelling him.
But no matter how courageously he died, it was of no use—he was gone, no longer existed. What would happen next?
The people panicked and flocked to the cities once more, dragging their families along, forgetting all about the New Year festivities.
Of course, not everyone fled to the cities or deep mountains. Some were too attached to their land to leave, while others simply didn't care.
A few elders stood at the village entrance, accompanied by several children, lighting a bonfire and tossing bamboo tubes into it to listen to the crackling sounds for fun.
"There's no need to panic at all," one elder said. "Just because General Chu is gone, does that mean our Great Xia is doomed? That would be a real joke."
Another elder nodded. "Exactly. The young folks haven't experienced much. General Chu guarded the Border Commandery for so many years—do you think he didn't plan ahead?"
"General Chu was so brave and skilled, and the soldiers he trained are naturally formidable too," the first elder said to the children beside him. "There's an old saying: 'A weak general leads a weak pack, but a capable general leads a capable pack.'"
The other elders laughed along, their expressions confident. "Just wait. It won't be long before new victory bulletins arrive. Even without General Chu, the Western Liang forces won't gain any advantage."
The children laughed, tossing more bamboo tubes into the bonfire and hopping around it.
Crackling sounds, laughter, and shouts filled the air, bringing a festive New Year atmosphere to the village entrance.
Suddenly, one elder looked down at his feet. "Why do I feel the ground trembling?"
Was it the children jumping around too vigorously, or was his aged body shaking?
No elder answered him. The children stopped their hopping, and everyone looked up toward the front. On the main road outside the village—not just the main road, but also the side paths and fields—a large host of troops appeared.
These troops wore armor, carried weapons on their backs, and their formations were dense with banners like clouds.
Who were these people?
Although this area was far from the Border Commandery, it was understandable for troops to pass through during mobilizations.
But the direction these troops were heading was wrong.
In addition to the assembled troops, scouts galloped back and forth in all directions. A few scouts approached the village, and one elder mustered the courage to ask, "Where are you soldiers from? Are you heading to reinforce the Border Commandery?"The scout looked at them and waved the flag behind him.
"We are soldiers of the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion," he said. "Old sir, the situation at the Border Commandery is critical. We are heading to defend the capital. You should stay in your homes and avoid moving about to prevent danger."
With that, he galloped away.
The old men and children stood frozen. The Border Commandery—critical? Troops are being sent to defend the capital? Has it reached such a dire state? Could it be that as soon as General Chu died, the Xiliang soldiers have run rampant?
Heavens—
Even the children, who knew nothing of the world's sorrows, dared not continue their play. Wailing, they ran toward the village, crying, "Father—Mother—"
The old men, who had witnessed much of the world's suffering, trembled in body and spirit, forgetting even to add firewood to the nearly extinguished bonfire.
Heavens—
The late Emperor is dead, Chu Ling is dead—is the sky of Great Xia finally about to collapse?
Who can hold up the sky of Great Xia again?
Wait, what did that soldier just say?
Soldiers of the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion?
That's right—the late Emperor is dead, Chu Ling is dead, but the late Emperor still has a brother, Prince Zhongshan.
They watched as more and more troops passed outside the village, seemingly endless, spreading across the land like dark clouds.
……
……
The Imperial City at midnight was even more silent than during the day.
There was no festive atmosphere in the palace to celebrate the New Year, let alone the sound of firecrackers. Originally, a few more ornate palace lanterns had been added, but after receiving the news of Chu Ling, Xiao Yu had ordered those lanterns removed.
When Qi Gonggong entered, Xiao Yu was writing something, his small brow furrowed, and he sighed from time to time.
"What assignment is troubling Your Majesty so?" Qi Gonggong asked with a smile.
Xiao Yu said, "No assignment could trouble me. I'm writing a letter to Sister Chu." He looked up. "How should I comfort Sister Chu? There's no way to console someone in such a situation—I know—"
At this point, the child's voice grew low, and his eyes clouded with gloom.
Because he, too, had lost his parents.
And the loss had been tragic. Qi Gonggong's heart trembled; this was a topic he dared not touch. He half-knelt and said, "Your Majesty, Miss Chu already understands all those principles. You don't need to console her. Just tell her that you are here for her, let her know that even without her father, she still has you—you are her family too."
The gloom in Xiao Yu's eyes lifted, and he smiled. "Yes, Sister Chu still has me."
And he still had Sister Chu.
She was all he had left.
Qi Gonggong breathed a sigh of relief and personally ground the ink. Just as Xiao Yu was about to pick up his brush to write the letter, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and a eunuch rushed in.
"Lord Xie requests an audience," he said.
Both Xiao Yu and Qi Gonggong paused. The difference was that Xiao Yu quickly resumed writing, saying only, "Tell Lord Xie that I have retired for the night. I will see him tomorrow."
Qi Gonggong glanced at the eunuch, signaling him to deliver the message quickly, but the eunuch did not move. Stammering, he pointed outside, "L-Lord Xie has entered."
Qi Gonggong was taken aback and looked toward the door. Sure enough, Xie Yanfang walked in, draped in a cloak and carrying a sword.
"Lord Xie," Qi Gonggong exclaimed, startled, and hurriedly stepped in front of Xiao Yu, his gaze fixed on the sword in Xie Yanfang's hand. "What is this?"
Qi Gonggong knew that although the Imperial Palace was supposed to be the Emperor's home, in reality, it was the domain of Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang—they called the shots. However, the imperial guards in the inner palace were under Chu Zhao's command and did not take orders from Deng Yi or Xie Yanfang.
Of course, Deng Yi could enter with the imperial seal.
But how did Xie Yanfang get in? Had he forced his way in with a sword?
This—
Xie Yanfang knew what he was thinking and returned the sword to his side, saying, "I didn't use the sword to force my way in. I sneaked in by climbing over the walls.""Turn over?" Qi Gonggong was stunned. This, this was even more frightening than barging in with a sword.
The imperial guards hadn't noticed.
Xie Yanfang was so formidable—
Without further explanation, Xie Yanfang said, "Qi Gonggong, I have an urgent matter to discuss privately with His Majesty. Please take the others and step aside."
Before Qi Gonggong could respond, Xiao Yu behind him spoke.
"Everyone else may leave. Minister Xie is family to me," Xiao Yu said, then added, "Qi Gonggong, serve tea."
Qi Gonggong acknowledged the order and turned to prepare tea, while the other eunuchs in the hall bowed their heads and withdrew.
Xie Yanfang looked at Xiao Yu standing before the desk and didn't insist on Qi Gonggong leaving as well. He quickly approached: "A Yu, what I'm about to tell you—don't be afraid."
Xiao Yu looked at him and said, "Minister Xie, speak freely. I fear nothing."
Xie Yanfang said, "Prince Zhongshan has gathered troops eight hundred li outside the capital."
Just as Qi Gonggong turned around with the tea, he was so startled that his hand loosened. With a clatter, the teacup shattered on the floor.
The stone hanging overhead had finally fallen.
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