Having settled on the fire attack strategy, they had been waiting for the right weather conditions these past few days. Yue Qiong said they needed to wait for a southwestern wind, but unfortunately, a northern wind had been blowing. Moreover, the sky was overcast with signs of impending rain, making conditions unsuitable for a fire attack.
Fortunately, after their major defeat, the Rong barbarians hadn’t launched another attack on Wei County, seemingly planning their next move.
At the main camp at Luofeng Slope, the Rong barbarians had strengthened their defenses and sent more people to Cangzhou, clearly seeking additional military supplies.
The Rong barbarians had struggled to enter Zhou territory for decades. They had seized this opportunity during Zhou’s internal turmoil, hoping to deliver a crushing blow. Despite consecutive defeats, they showed no intention of retreating. Their fearless spirit had earned some respect from the soldiers.
While waiting for the right moment, training continued in all the major camps. In the Northern Command Army, Zhao You felt relieved seeing Zhao Shuhua and Yue Qiong working together. After these few days, his condition had improved significantly. On this day, he even donned military attire to personally observe the soldiers’ training.
After watching for a while and returning to camp, he summoned Zhao Shuhua to speak with him.
When Zhao Shuhua entered, she saw Zhao You in high spirits. After asking her to sit, he said, “After this major battle, the Rong barbarians will likely lose their fighting capability. Afterward, you may do as you wish. I won’t stop you. After all, our Northern Command Army isn’t truly rebellious. In times of national crisis, we’ve done our part. When people discuss this in the future, Che’er won’t be criticized.”
Zhao Shuhua, reflecting on how she had been working with Yue Qiong without major losses, felt her previous concerns and misgivings fade away. She replied, “Father thinks ahead thoroughly. Marquis Anyang says we must wait for the right moment. We should have news in four or five days at most.”
Zhao You nodded and continued, “I know. I wanted to tell you that in this battle, I wish to personally lead the troops.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shuhua’s expression changed immediately. “Father, how can that be?”
Zhao You raised his hand and said, “My condition has improved greatly, and I’m no longer seriously ill. Fighting the barbarians is my duty. If I don’t join the battle, I’ll surely regret it. Don’t worry, I’ll only command from the front lines, not engage in combat.”
Zhao Shuhua frowned with concern, but considering Zhao You’s lifetime of military experience, she felt somewhat reassured.
“Father, have you truly thought this through?”
Zhao You smiled, “Of course I have. Don’t worry, I value my life too. With your great undertaking still unfinished, how could I not care about your welfare?”
Zhao Shuhua sighed, “Very well then. This time, we’ll deploy all our forces. I’ll have Cheng Wei, Sun Qi, and Zhao Xing accompany you to look after you.”
Zhao You waved his hand, “They’ll be commanding in battle, not just looking after me. Enough now, I’ve made up my mind. Don’t worry too much. I’ll discuss this thoroughly with Cheng Wei, Sun Qi, and the others to ensure victory.”
Zhao Shuhua finally felt reassured. As they were talking, Zhao Xing suddenly entered from outside and said, “Elder Sister, someone from the north is here to see you.”
“From the north?” Zhao Shuhua raised an eyebrow, wondering who would specifically seek her out at this time.
Zhao Xing stepped closer and added, “He carries a letter from Zhen’er.”
Yan Zhen?! Zhao Shuhua immediately stood up!
“Where is this person?”
Zhao Xing quickly replied, “Just outside.”
Zhao Shuhua hurried out. Outside, she saw a travel-worn man with an unfamiliar face.
Though ordinary in appearance, he had a tall, sturdy build that marked him as a skilled martial artist. After brief consideration, Zhao Shuhua turned and entered her main tent. Zhao Xing quickly led the man inside, where he immediately knelt.
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. My name is He Lian Chu, one of the Northern Wei Crown Princess’s guards. I come on the Crown Princess’s orders to see you.”
Hearing this, Zhao Shuhua’s eyes reddened, “Zhen’er sent you to see me?”
When Yan Zhen was forced by Zhao Shuhua to marry, she harbored resentment despite following Zhao Shuhua’s wishes.
In the six months since her marriage, she hadn’t sent a single letter to the capital. Even the Empress’s spies initially sent back only fragments of information before communication ceased entirely.
Zhao Shuhua knew Yan Zhen had discovered and eliminated her informants, but after she fled the capital with Yan Che, she had been too preoccupied to send messages to Northern Wei. She hadn’t expected Yan Zhen to send her a letter now.
“Please rise, and quickly give me the letter!”
He Lian Chu took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Shuhua, then added, “I first went to Chongzhou, but learning Your Majesty had joined the army here, I followed. News of your situation only reached the Crown Princess after the New Year. At that time, there was some trouble in the Northern Wei palace, and the Crown Princess couldn’t attend to this matter. Later, she sent people to gather more information. I left the Northern Wei capital two months ago before the barbarians had advanced.”
Zhao Shuhua’s hands trembled as she opened the letter. After reading just a few words, tears began streaming down her face.
Back then, she had used many tactics to force Yan Zhen to marry Northern Wei, earning her hatred, but she never explained herself. Later, when she and Yan Che fled the capital as rebels, causing such upheaval, Yan Zhen seemed to understand something.
The letter contained Yan Zhen’s questions and speculations. She had guessed that Zhao Shuhua had planned everything, which explained why she had arranged her marriage early. She questioned the Empress’s motives for such actions and requested a reply. Only in the final two sentences did she express some warmth and concern.
Tears flowed freely down Zhao Shuhua’s face as Zhao Xing watched with sympathy. After a moment, Zhao Shuhua took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears and asked He Lian Chu, “Is Zhen’er doing well in Northern Wei? Does your Crown Prince treat her well?”
He Lian Chu smiled, “You needn’t worry. The Crown Princess had a difficult time when she first arrived in Northern Wei. She wasn’t accustomed to things and would argue with His Highness daily. However, our Crown Prince has been very patient with her and never becomes angry at her outbursts. When the Crown Princess caused trouble several times, the Crown Prince helped protect her. She gradually changed, probably realizing the Crown Prince’s goodness. They live very well together now. I was assigned by the Crown Prince to serve the Crown Princess. I come from a Northern Wei noble family and was originally the Crown Prince’s guard. Now I serve the Crown Princess. This letter was particularly important, which is why the Crown Princess sent me to deliver it.”
Hearing this, a great weight was lifted from Zhao Shuhua’s heart. “Your Crown Prince is indeed good. I hadn’t misjudged him. Did Zhen’er give you any other messages?”
He Lian Chu replied, “The Crown Princess is very concerned about you and the Zhou Crown Prince, and quite confused. Her main thoughts should be in the letter. When sending me, she had one more message: she hopes Your Majesty won’t be too fixated on your goals. Whatever the reason, she hopes to reunite with you in this lifetime.”
At these words, Zhao Shuhua’s eyes reddened again. “She… ah…”
Zhao Shuhua had countless words she couldn’t express. Instead, she said, “I’ll write her back right away.”
He Lian Chu nodded and continued, “Our Crown Prince also knows of this matter, but Northern Wei is weaker than Zhou, and our court is currently in turmoil, so he cannot intervene. He only asks you not to worry, as he will take good care of the Crown Princess.”
Zhao Shuhua was deeply moved. “Good, good, that’s enough. Many people in Northern Wei must know about this situation by now. Has Zhen’er faced criticism?”
He Lian Chu quickly replied, “There was some at first, but the Crown Prince protects the Crown Princess well, so others dare not speak ill of her. Moreover, the Crown Princess has become quite formidable herself, and no one in the country dares to slight her. Please rest assured.”
Hearing this, Zhao Shuhua finally felt completely at ease.
While Tuoba Hong’s protection was external support, Yan Zhen had transformed from her previous willful and spoiled nature, understanding the world’s ugly truths and becoming strong and resilient. Now she need not fear any crisis. Zhao Shuhua exhaled deeply, “Good, good, this is best. She is indeed my daughter, not disappointing me. I see you’ve had a tiring journey. Why don’t you rest and have some food first? Since you’re not in a hurry to return, stay in camp for two days. I’ll have someone escort you back to Northern Wei. With the Rong barbarians having invaded Zhou, your journey must have been quite dangerous.”
He Lian Chu quickly replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty. The journey was indeed perilous, which is why I couldn’t arrive earlier. I’ll follow your instructions and take my leave now.”
Zhao Shuhua glanced at Zhao Xing, who promptly escorted He Lian Chu out.
Once the tent was empty, Zhao Shuhua opened the letter again to read. As she read, tears began falling once more. After crying for a while, she went to write a reply to Yan Zhen, but this letter was written and discarded multiple times, taking a long while to complete. Soon after, Yan Che arrived having received the news.
Zhao Shuhua showed him the letter, which also stirred many emotions in him. She said, “Since someone has come with a letter, you should write to your sister too.”
Yan Che nodded in agreement. Noticing Zhao Shuhua’s reddened eyes, he couldn’t help asking, “Mother… so, what is the reason you’ve never told me?”
As soon as he spoke, Zhao Shuhua’s stern gaze turned toward him.
Yan Che’s expression became serious, but he didn’t avoid her gaze. “If you can’t tell Sister, can’t you at least tell me? We’ve been away from the capital for so long, and I’ll support whatever Mother says. I know that for Mother to act so desperately, there must be an extremely important reason. But… in Mother’s eyes, I’m incompetent, so Mother has never wanted to tell me the truth…”
Yan Che’s tone was very calm, without complaint, but his eyes showed deep disappointment.
Zhao Shuhua felt some regret. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s… I don’t want you to bear these burdens. I’ve had nightmares for so many years, and I don’t want you to be like me. Che’er, you are my hope. I’ve been far more merciful to you than to your sister.”
Yan Che looked up. “Is Mother’s idea of mercy keeping everything from me and using me like a puppet?”
Zhao Shuhua shook her head and slowly turned away. “You… don’t ask anymore. I won’t tell you.”
Yan Che’s lips were pressed tight, and after a while, he gave a bitter smile. “Fine, I understand. I won’t ask. I’ll go write to Sister now.”
With these words, Yan Che stood and walked heavily toward the exit.
Zhao Shuhua turned to look at Yan Che’s slightly hunched back, her pupils trembling slightly. Suddenly she said, “Your Emperor Father died twenty years ago. The one I made you rebel against is nothing but a criminal who stole another’s nest!”
Yan Che’s footsteps stopped, his back becoming rigid.
He whirled around, looking at Zhao Shuhua in disbelief.
But Zhao Shuhua had completely turned her back to him. “You don’t understand why I wanted you to abandon everything and take this path. There’s only one reason: as a son, you should avenge your father and take back everything that belongs to you.”
Yan Che opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word. “Mother, you mean… but… how… how is this possible…”
“He never intended to make you Crown Prince, and even if he did, he would have deposed you sooner or later.”
After a brief pause, Zhao Shuhua continued, “Even the most careful disguise has flaws, but too many people in this world are blind to what’s before their eyes.”
Zhao Shuhua gave a bitter laugh and said no more, entering the inner tent.
Watching Zhao Shuhua’s figure disappear behind the curtain, Yan Che opened his mouth but still couldn’t say anything.
He stood there for a long time, feeling as if his entire body had been plunged into an ice cave. After a long while, he walked out of the tent in a daze. Only upon seeing the soldiers throughout the camp did he come to his senses, but he still couldn’t believe it.
How could the Emperor Father he had respected for over twenty years be an impostor?!