These words immediately broke the long, tense silence in the hall.

Which of the senior ministers from the two departments could hear this without shock?

Though his expression remained calm without ripples, who didn’t know the anger in his heart?

Putting aside whether Meng Tinghui was a treasonous minister, just the fact that she, as Assistant Director of the Privy Council, had ordered the garrison outside Jin Gorge Pass to retreat thirty li southward was enough to shock the entire court.

Moreover, the report from the northern front had specifically included items that Luo Bitao had searched out from her tent, and with Di Nian’s judgment of Huang Bo’s words, who would believe she was truly innocent?

From her initial achievement as the triple graduate of the female imperial examinations to her current high position as Assistant Director of the Privy Council, Meng Tinghui had received deep imperial favor and glory during her years at court. Looking around the imperial court in the capital, what other woman could match her high position and authority, and what other woman could be as trusted by His Majesty?

Who could have imagined that she would now commit such a great betrayal of imperial favor and act of treason!

Even the senior ministers and veteran generals felt a surge of anger when hearing this news, let alone His Majesty, who had shown her such favor these past few years.

Though the contents of that confidential memorial were unknown, it must have contained rebellious and disrespectful words to make His Majesty consider personally leading the expedition.

But how could personally leading an expedition be a trivial matter?!

His Majesty was the sole imperial bloodline, and for many years had no living heir. If something went wrong during the personal expedition, what would become of the empire?

Gu Qin was the first to object, stepping forward and saying urgently: “Leading a personal expedition is a grave matter that cannot be decided rashly. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider.”

Perhaps this was the first time the two departments had agreed on a major military matter. Fang Kai also stepped forward and said: “We ministers know Your Majesty is greatly angered, but there is no need to personally lead an expedition because of Meng Tinghui’s matter.”

Ying Gua’s gaze was sharp, but his expression remained calm. “Do you think we wish to personally lead the expedition because of Meng Tinghui?”

Fang Kai raised an eyebrow without speaking, but his expression was one of ambivalence.

He sat upright at ease, violently throwing down the urgent report from the northern border, and said coldly: “Do you ministers not see what the situation in the north has become? Rebel forces running rampant, Northern Jian’s army pressing the border in full force, and now Meng Tinghui selling out the country to the enemy—”

He pronounced those last four words lightly, yet the ministers in the hall felt a chill run down their spines.

All were quite familiar with the Emperor’s temperament, and how could they not see what kind of tremendous waves of fury lay hidden behind this seemingly calm tone?

And the calmer he appeared, the more uneasy the two departments felt.

Gu Qin was about to speak again, but was subtly pulled back by Zhou Bi at his side, indicating that he should not further provoke the Emperor’s anger at this time.

Ying Gua’s gaze swept quickly over everyone. “Meng Tinghui was originally in the Privy Council, and she knew all military affairs of the northern Imperial Army. Now that she has defected to Northern Jian, the details of troops and commanders in every city garrison across the northern three routes of Great Ping will be completely known to Northern Jian. If the two armies go to war, Di Nian will certainly be at a disadvantage everywhere. Moreover, those former dynasty rebel armies are blocking the way behind. Given the current situation, how much chance of victory does Great Ping have in this war, in your opinion?”

Everyone understood in their hearts, but none spoke.

His expression darkened, and he suddenly said sternly: “We initially considered the national economy and people’s livelihood, not wishing to engage in large-scale military operations within the country. However, Northern Jian has been recklessly overbearing, pushing Our Great Ping to this point. The border conflicts can no longer be contained within the northern three routes. If we wish to end their repeated military incursions, we must destroy their country!”

The veteran generals of the Privy Council were stunned for a moment, then their expressions changed dramatically.

Only then did they understand why His Majesty intended to lead the expedition personally. Previously, the war between the two countries was limited to the border, but now His Majesty wanted to mobilize the entire country’s forces to annihilate Northern Jian!

If so, then the current military strength in the north was far from sufficient. At least one-third of the garrisons from all twenty-eight routes in the country would need to be ordered to dispatch troops. The impact of such a move would be enormous, and without absolute military authority, it would likely be impossible to easily subdue and command the valiant generals of the Imperial Army across various routes.

Moreover, the rebel forces were growing stronger by the day, and only a large-scale military operation could eliminate their power. Relying solely on the existing Imperial Army in the northern three routes would likely only make matters worse with time.

Since Meng Tinghui had betrayed the country, all previous plans for the northern Imperial Army would be ineffective and would need to be reordered. If Di Nian remained in command, military reports would be time-consuming and laborious, and northern military intelligence might suffer delays and changes as a result.

While everyone was still pondering, he spoke again: “For this personal expedition, we will not appoint a deputy commander or consultants. All military orders will be decided and issued by Us directly to the front-line commanders to prevent unexpected problems.”

Hearing this, Fang Kai furrowed his brows, growing increasingly concerned.

His Majesty’s proposal took Meng Tinghui’s matter as a cautionary example, and his desire to lead personally also stemmed from unwillingness to have the Privy Council members involved in military affairs and orders at this time. Once he led personally, military orders would not even be reported to the Privy Council. This was to guard against anyone else communicating with enemy forces and leaking military secrets.

“Your Majesty…” Jiang Ping’s expression was half-believing and half-doubting. “Has Your Majesty truly thought through the matter of committing all forces to attack Northern Jian?”

Ying Gua’s expression was indifferent. “Northern Jian has no intention of stopping the war, and the northern three routes’ Imperial Army has been placed in extreme danger because of Meng Tinghui. If not this way, how else can we protect the territory and people of Our Great Ping!”

The officials of the Secretariat all had ashen faces. At this moment, they wished to advise against it but could not. Though they were unwilling to see such large-scale military operations within the country, they truly could not think of any other solution.

Seeing the situation, Fang Kai decisively said: “Your Majesty, please wait half a day. After we ministers withdraw from the hall, we will carefully consider and discuss, then draft a memorandum for Your Majesty’s review.”

He slowly closed his eyes. “Our mind is made up. If you ministers wish to discuss, then discuss the details of this personal expedition. Before nightfall, the Privy Council must report the details of garrisons, troops, and commanders in all routes north of the capital.” He paused gently, his voice lowering: “You may all withdraw.”

Knowing he was exhausted, the ministers felt it was not appropriate to offer more advice or proposals at this time, so they quietly withdrew one after another.

The hall doors were slowly opened, allowing golden sunlight to flood in, only to be shut out again as the doors closed, returning the hall to darkness and cold.

When all was silent, he slowly opened his eyes and reached for that thin memorial on the imperial desk once more.

Confidential Memorial.

Your humble servant, Meng Tinghui, respectfully seeks Imperial judgment regarding matters at Jin Gorge Pass.

Your servant has been at court for four years, and has been fortunate to receive Your Majesty’s devoted affection, which is my great fortune.

However, your servant is greedy. Although Your Majesty has promoted and rewarded me generously, it does not compare to the thick favor and benefits offered by Northern Jian.

Though I have served Your Majesty for a long time, I have often merely pretended to accept your favor, not with a true heart, but only seeking two or three advantages. Your Majesty is a wise ruler; even with the heart to favor a minister, you would not grant me excessive private benefits, which displeases me.

Since Northern Jian has promised me such favors, I secretly agreed without daring to inform Your Majesty. Now that I am about to enter the pass, I must speak plainly to Your Majesty, to thank Your Majesty for years of favor, and also to acknowledge my heinous crime of betrayal.

I am a great traitor, and dare not deceive Your Majesty’s misplaced trust and deep love. There must be loyal and worthy individuals in the world who can win Your Majesty’s heart, to stand hand in hand with Your Majesty and guard each other.

In doing this, I am severing myself from Your Majesty. I only hope that Your Majesty will regard me as insignificant as grass, and not think of me in this lifetime.

…

His gaze moved extremely slowly, scanning the words on the memorial letter by letter. Fire gradually rose in his eyes, and his previously calm expression completely disappeared.

After a long while, he finally closed the memorial. His resolute face appeared increasingly sharp-edged, and his motionless figure was even more intense and intimidating.

In doing this, I am severing myself from Your Majesty.

Severing myself from Your Majesty.

Severing myself from Your Majesty…

He lowered his eyes, and the hand holding the memorial was trembling slightly.

Her voice seemed to be right by his ear, softly repeating this sentence over and over without stopping.

He had calculated everything, but he had not anticipated that she was so intelligent that she would directly perceive the matter he had concealed from her for so long.

But although she was intelligent, she had never considered that he had long known about her background.

She trusted him, so she never suspected he would hide things from her or deceive her.

She deceived him, only to ensure that he and his empire would have no future worries.

It felt as if someone had forcibly carved out a piece of flesh from his heart, making his entire body tremble with pain as he sat rigidly, unable to move.

From that beautiful spring day years ago to the scorching summer day now, she had gradually taught him to understand love and to understand being loved. And after he had, as she wished, fallen so deeply in love with her, she wanted to sever herself from him!

But having fallen in love with her, he could never possibly let her go.

How could he possibly grant her this wish?