The Road to Glory

Chapter 60: He Would Stay By Her Side, But Not...

Wen Yu remained unaware of their first confrontation. Before the tranquil waters of Pingzhou could ripple with disturbance, she still had numerous matters to attend to.

As she drifted into sleep that night, her mind repeatedly cycled through the current distribution of three forces—Southern Chen, Pei Song, and Wei Qishan—along with their potential next moves. She pondered how the situation might shift and how to counter each possible decision made by these factions.

The next morning, when the maid quietly pushed the door open, Wen Yu had already opened her eyes.

Perhaps due to overthinking, her head still throbbed faintly.

She couldn’t even recall whether she had truly slept at all that night. After washing, dressing, and having breakfast, it was time to head to the government office to meet the Liang officials she hadn’t had time to see the day before.

Before leaving, Wen Yu had someone summon Xiao Li.

"Today, I will recommend you to Lord Chen. Since you’ve already become acquainted with General Fan on the journey, you should adapt quickly once you join the army."

Wen Yu sat by a small table, one hand supporting her forehead. In front of her lay a half-finished bowl of lily and barley porridge. Her long lashes drooped slightly as she contemplated matters, the gentle curve of her jade-like profile softened by the glow of pearls and silks. Yet, despite her elegant attire, a faint pallor and weariness lingered in her expression.

Xiao Li stared directly at her, without the slightest hint of restraint. "Did you not sleep well last night?"

His question was abrupt.

Wen Yu kept her hand resting against her temple, only lifting her slightly lowered eyes.

Xiao Li said, "You look tired."

Wen Yu replied, "The long journey has taken its toll. I haven’t quite adjusted yet."

Xiao Li simply watched her without another word.

Zhao Bai appeared at the doorway after receiving the maid’s message. Observing the subtly tense atmosphere in the room, her eyelids twitched nervously as she called out, "Your Highness."

Wen Yu’s gaze shifted toward her. "You’re here? Let’s go to the government office."

Wen Yu rose gracefully, and Xiao Li followed a step behind her.

It seemed as though nothing was amiss.

After Wen Yu stepped out, Zhao Bai fell half a step behind, walking side by side with Xiao Li.

She discreetly observed the man who seemed to have retracted his sharp fangs yet still exuded an undeniable pressure. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the way he had looked at Her Highness earlier was not how a subordinate should regard their superior.

But... surely it wasn’t what she was thinking.

Her Highness handled matters with such composure. If this man truly harbored treacherous intentions, now that she had arrived in Pingzhou, she would no longer be at his mercy.

—

When Wen Yu entered the main hall of the government office, Chen Wei was already there, accompanied by local Pingzhou officials and former Liang ministers.

Wen Yu was invited to take the seat of honor, with Zhao Bai and Xiao Li standing on either side of her.

She acknowledged each official in turn, gaining a general understanding of their past administrative achievements.

The stratagem she had employed in Xinzhou—posing as a conscription officer from Tongcheng—had spread widely following her arrival in the city the previous day. The ministers now regarded her with heightened respect.

Yet, there is always an exception to every rule.

The moment a gaunt, gray-bearded elder spoke, Wen Yu knew that the matter she had been quietly dreading had finally come to pass.Li Yao thumped his cane resoundingly on the hall floor and declared: "When the founding emperor conquered this realm, this old minister was already by his side, always offering forthright admonitions. After the Great Liang dynasty was established, I was once transferred to local posts for fifteen years for contradicting the founding emperor. When the Shaojing Emperor ascended the throne, I was recalled to Luodu and promoted to Zhongshu Ling. But witnessing the emperor's weakness and the powerful maternal relatives, I ultimately resigned in frustration at his lack of resolve. Having left the court for six years, I intended to live as a simple farmer. It was the prince who repeatedly visited my humble abode with the heir apparent, requesting my return to court. Though moved by their sincerity, I had no desire to reenter government service, hence I joined the prince's household as an advisor. Now seeing that the prince's bloodline still survives in this world, this old heart finds great comfort!"

By invoking both Liang Chengzhu and Changlian Wang, every minister present could discern Li Yao's stance.

His loyalty clearly wasn't to Wen Yu herself, but to her bloodline. Moreover, regarding the grand plan of revenge, he showed no intention of taking Wen Yu as his leader, rather implying that Wen Yu should follow his counsel.

Some officials below cautiously glanced toward Wen Yu.

Xiao Li stood to Wen Yu's left. While he didn't detect much subtle criticism in the old man's words, he could sense that the elder's attitude wasn't as respectful as his rhetoric suggested.

Remembering Wen Yu's weary expression during breakfast that morning, his brows imperceptibly furrowed.

Had she lost sleep last night anticipating such troubles?

Zhao Bai looked somewhat puzzled at Li Yao. This man could indeed be considered a veteran of three reigns, always loyal to the princely household. When the prince and heir apparent died, he had been the first to pick up a blade to end his own life, only prevented when others tackled him to the ground.

During the southern journey, with pursuers close behind, whenever any accompanying advisors showed cowardice or wavering resolve, it was he who sternly rebuked them until they hung their heads in shame. When trapped in desperate situations, he willingly served as bait, ready to die.

Why then was he putting on airs before the princess?

All these varied gazes rested upon Wen Yu, yet her expression remained consistently gentle throughout. When she spoke, her tone was composed and unhurried: "Since parting in Luodu, I too find great comfort in being able to see all you esteemed officials again."

She deftly avoided addressing Li Yao's lengthy recounting of achievements, elevating the conversation to include all former Liang ministers, thus mildly deflecting Li Yao's provocation.

Li Yao's aged eyelids lifted slightly as he asked: "The Southern Chen wedding envoy is already on the way. Might the princess have detailed plans regarding the alliance with Southern Chen?"

Wen Yu responded: "If Southern Chen troops march north, Pingzhou may grant passage, but cannot allow Southern Chen forces to remain long within our borders. The captured prefectures near Pingzhou may supply funds and provisions to Southern Chen's northern expedition, but their territories must submit to Pingzhou. As for the various rebel kings north of Pingzhou, which prefecture to take first requires your deliberations before providing me with an answer."

These words plunged the entire hall into silence.

What Wen Yu proposed were indeed the essential conditions they must achieve in their alliance with Southern Chen.

For Southern Chen's northern expedition, the Hundred Blades Pass beyond Pingzhou presented the first major natural barrier. Subsequently, supplying their army with provisions would pose another significant challenge.

Meanwhile, for Pingzhou to rapidly expand its influence amid the encroaching contention from Pei Song and Wei Qishan, conscripting new troops would be too slow—they must rely on Southern Chen's military strength.

The southern prefectures captured by Southern Chen would all belong to Pingzhou—meaning they would all belong to Wen Yu.Wen Yu was controlling the southern Chen army that had penetrated deep into the Central Plains through her command over grain supplies and military pay. By bringing the nearby prefectures under her sphere of influence, Pingzhou had effectively become a massive bolt.

If the Central Plains were to stabilize in the future and Southern Chen showed any signs of rebellion, once this bolt fell, it would completely sever the connection between Southern Chen and its army in the Central Plains—a classic case of "closing the gate to beat the dog."

Yet for Southern Chen, this seemed to be an entirely beneficial arrangement. After all, Wen Yu had become the Princess Consort of Chen, so the prefectures conquered north of Pingzhou would also belong to Southern Chen.

The only catch was that ownership remained in Wen Yu’s hands.

Someone started it—the ministers below suddenly raised their hands in unison and exclaimed, "The Princess is wise!"

The only one who remained silent was the elderly minister Li Yao, leaning on his cane as he stood below, gazing at Wen Yu.

Wen Yu calmly met his gaze.

Finally, the seventy-year-old elder also lowered his gray-haired head and said, "The Princess is wise."

Wen Yu replied, "I am still young and inexperienced. To restore the glory of Great Liang, I will need the full support of all my ministers."

The officials cried out in unison, "We will dedicate ourselves entirely, even unto death."

Xiao Li, standing beside Wen Yu, watched the scene and felt a strange sensation rise within him.

He knew that their sudden fear and reverence for Wen Yu did not stem from her status as a member of the Wen imperial family, nor from any sense of threat they felt from her.

It was simply that, in that instant, they had recognized her power.

This kind of power was different from the fear brought by bloodshed and slaughter. It was as if all things in heaven and earth were but a speck of dust at her fingertips.

Those slender, pale hands could casually place a piece on the chessboard and tear a path of survival out of a deadlock.

Just as Zhao Youcai and others had become pawns in her hands.

She didn’t even need her pawns to understand her intentions. As long as they followed her orders and moved to the designated positions on the board, her strategy would fall into place.

The loyal and the treacherous—she could use them all.

And her eyes grew increasingly cold as she gazed upon the turbulent chessboard.

When they left Bodhi Temple, Xiao Li had felt that Wen Yu was cold and distant toward him. But at this moment, he suddenly sensed her loneliness.

His gaze darkened as he looked at Wen Yu, seated in the main chair, adorned in magnificent attire, her features strikingly beautiful yet her expression detached. No one knew what he was thinking at that moment.

Wen Yu noticed Xiao Li’s gaze. In front of the assembled ministers, she did not turn to look at him but said, "Before the Southern Chen envoy arrives in Pingzhou, there is one matter that Lord Chen and General Fan must discuss and draft a plan for. Currently, the southern prefectures are all recruiting soldiers, and Pingzhou must also strengthen its defenses and enlist new recruits."

Chen Wei stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Once General Fan and I have drafted the plan, we will present it to the Princess for review."

Wen Yu nodded and added, "There is a Martyr by my side, exceptionally skilled in martial arts, who has saved my life on multiple occasions. I wish to recommend him for a position in the Pingzhou army."

Only then did Wen Yu turn to look at Xiao Li. Xiao Li stepped forward and gave a slight nod to the ministers below.

Chen Wei said, "General Fan has already spoken to me of Xiao Yishi’s valor. It would be an honor for the Pingzhou army to have him join."

Fan Yuan, ever informal, laughed heartily, "I had been hoping to recruit Brother Xiao under my command—now my wish has finally come true!"With Wen Yu's recommendation and the accounts from both of them, whether it was the local officials of Pingzhou or the remaining ministers of the former Liang dynasty, they all clearly regarded Xiao Li as a figure of importance.

Today's first meeting with the ministers concluded here, with Wen Yu employing both kindness and authority, making the entire group adopt a respectful attitude.

She went to the inner hall, and the ministers gradually dispersed one after another.

Fan Yuan, with his arm around Xiao Li's shoulders, took the lead in introducing him to the various generals in the army.

When Chen Wei entered the inner hall to discuss matters further with Wen Yu, she said to him, "That man is my benefactor, so I entrust him to you, my lord."

Chen Wei cupped his hands respectfully and replied, "Your Highness, you are too kind. As I mentioned earlier, it is indeed a blessing for Pingzhou that you are willing to leave Xiao Yishi here."

Wen Yu looked at Chen Wei but remained silent.

Just as Chen Wei was puzzling over her silence, he suddenly heard Wen Yu say, "He has always been used to a carefree life. If he causes any trouble in the future, I ask that you show leniency and spare his life."

Chen Wei found this strange but still repeatedly assured her, "Of course, of course."

After finishing the matters that required Wen Yu's approval and taking his leave, Zhao Bai entered, lifted her robe, and knelt down.

Wen Yu looked down at her and asked, "What is this for?"

Zhao Bai said with shame, "It was my fault for failing to gather accurate information and mistakenly recommending Li Yao to you, Your Highness."

Outside, Fan Yuan was introducing Xiao Li to people. The martial generals' voices boomed like thunder, and bursts of laughter erupted as they discussed something.

Wen Yu glanced out the window and said calmly, "The fault does not lie with you. He is indeed loyal—just not to me, which is why he behaves so arrogantly."

She could have respected Li Yao as a mentor, but what Li Yao clearly wanted was not the title of a mentor but the authority to dominate her like one.

In the eyes of these conservative strategists, her existence was likely only meant for marriage alliances. As for the various arrangements for such alliances, she was expected to accept them entirely once they made the decisions.

They would avenge her father, but they might not necessarily acknowledge her as their new ruler.

After the meeting concluded, Li Yao was the first to leave.

Wen Yu knew that she had humiliated him today, and he must be displeased. However, to fully establish Pingzhou as her own power base, this display of authority was essential.

Including her decision to send Xiao Li to the army—many likely perceived it as her attempt to have her own people take control of Pingzhou's military power.

Wen Yu did not know how far Xiao Li would go, but in these chaotic times, the military camp might be the safest place.

Zhao Bai noticed Wen Yu's glance out the window. Frowning slightly, she overstepped for the first time and asked, "Your Highness, why did you ask Lord Chen for such a favor on behalf of that guard, Xiao?"

The spring sunlight was divided into beams by the carved patterns on the window, each beam filled with drifting specks of dust.

Wen Yu's delicate profile, so fine that even tiny hairs were visible, was bathed in the hazy glow as she said, "After all, he is my benefactor, isn't he?"

Outside in the courtyard, Xiao Li, who was mingling with the martial generals, seemed to sense something and turned to look back.

However, the meeting hall was nearly empty. Although one of the side hall windows was half-open, there was no one inside.

Fan Yuan placed a hand on Xiao Li's shoulder and said, "What are you looking at, Brother Xiao? This afternoon, come with me to the military camp and familiarize yourself with all its areas! At the foot of Yan Mountain, we have the largest horse-racing field in the entire Southern Border—guaranteed to let you ride to your heart's content!"

Xiao Li smiled and replied, "Then I'll trouble you, Brother Fan."This subtle change in address seemed to hint at the shifting closeness of their relationship.

Fan Yuan nudged him in the chest with an elbow and laughed heartily, "Enough of such formalities! From now on, we're all brothers!"

Xiao Li joined in the laughter, his peripheral gaze once again drifting toward the meeting hall behind them. Beneath his faintly smiling eyes lay a concealed depth.

He had noticed—she was exhausted.

He wanted to help her.

Author's Note:

Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or nourished me with nutrient solutions between 2024-01-26 23:59:13 and 2024-01-28 02:25:05!

Special thanks to the little angel "Floral Edge" for throwing a landmine!

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My sincere appreciation for your support—I will keep striving!