Although the surrender and defection of the former dynasty’s rebel forces surprised the populace, it was far less shocking than the revelation of Meng Tinghui’s identity and her installation as Empress with territorial enfeoffments.

The Great Peace Emperor’s campaign and his bringing the Empress along to lead the army northward caused even greater astonishment throughout the realm.

Upon hearing news that the Emperor and Empress were campaigning together, the Great Peace Imperial Army at the northern border was greatly encouraged and became increasingly valiant, defeating the Northern Jian army in several battles. The Northern Jian forces, having already lost their advantage due to the defection of rebel forces in the three northern routes, now declined further with each battle, seemingly unable to withstand the fierce onslaught of hundreds of thousands of troops pressing across the border.

Moving northward from Shuzhou, they reached the Pacification Commissioner’s office in Fenzhou of the Jiankang Route by late autumn.

The northern wind cut to the bone as military banners flapped imposingly. The whistling sound of arrows pierced through the clouds into the heavens, sharp and jarring.

Wrapped in a thick purple cloak, her gaze followed the gleaming arrowheads as they flew toward the distant targets. Only after seeing an arrow strike the center of the target did she press her lips into a smile, deftly reining in her horse and turning to look at the man behind her.

Qingyun, excited beneath her, raised his head and shook his mane, his left forefoot fiercely pawing at the sandy soil.

He rode over majestically, his thin lips half-curved. “This shot shows great improvement.”

The cold wind blew across his brow and eyes as if covered by a layer of cool mist, but his gaze was hot and unrestrained, causing her to slowly lower her head and fiddle with the bow in her hand.

When he originally led troops from the capital, he had not only brought her horse Qingyun but also her bow, clearly showing he never intended to let her return once he found her.

During these days of traveling north, whenever there was free time, he would continuously think of ways to entertain her, always saying that their years of constraint in the capital had been too many, that the two of them had never had the opportunity to spend time together properly. Now that they were finally together legitimately, they should take advantage of being away from the capital court to thoroughly enjoy themselves.

These words made her scold him. Whenever he spoke of entertainment, it inevitably led to the bed chamber. Only when they rode out of camp for activities like horseback riding and archery would he behave himself.

Now that the national hatred and family vendettas had been resolved, her heart gradually opened. She knew that as long as she could be with him in this lifetime, there was nothing to fear or worry about—everything would turn out well.

Previously, she had always felt that she would never master riding and archery, but with his dedicated teaching and her willingness to follow his guidance, her archery skills improved daily. By now, she could even draw a bow and shoot arrows while on horseback.

Today, seeing her arrow hit the target center, he was clearly in high spirits. He rode close to her side, reached up to brush back the locks of hair blown by the wind, and smiled, saying, “The camp’s conditions are crude, which is a hardship for you. When we return to the capital…”

She listened to him speak with a faint smile.

Throughout this journey with the army, only when passing through major provincial cities did she have opportunities to obtain clothing and personal items. These things naturally couldn’t compare to those in the palace, but how could she care about that?

He always said what he would do when they returned to the capital, as if he owed her a great deal.

But what she sought in this life was never gold, silver, or riches. The only thing she ever wanted was him alone. Now that she had won both his heart and his person, what more could she desire?

As they conversed and laughed, a soldier rode over from the distance, dismounted near them, and announced loudly, “Your Majesty, General Chai requests your return to camp. He says someone has been sent from Cangzhou.”

He casually acknowledged, “I understand,” then turned to her and said, “Let’s return to camp.”

She rode beside him, urging her horse to walk slowly, and asked with curiosity, “What kind of person was sent from Cangzhou?”

He smiled, “Actually, it’s an old acquaintance of yours.”

She grew even more curious. “Who?”

But he deliberately withheld the answer, keeping her in suspense.

Annoyed, she used her bow to hook his horse’s reins and yanked them hard in retaliation. The black stallion whinnied and lurched violently, nearly causing him to lose control of his mount.

The soldier who had come with the message witnessed this scene and immediately broke into a cold sweat.

But he merely tightened the reins forcefully, glanced at her sideways with a deepening smile at the corners of his mouth, and said, “I’ve always said that Qingyun is the perfect horse for you.”

Her face reddened slightly as she stared at him intently, knowing that his words were mocking her impetuous behavior. Growing more embarrassed and annoyed, she decisively cracked her whip and galloped ahead.

He watched her spirited figure on horseback and laughed aloud.

He truly enjoyed seeing her like this, disregarding propriety and rules. She was the woman in this world most compatible with him, the only woman he ever wanted to make his empress. There should never be any distance between them. He wanted her to be just like this—unrestrained and bold—that was what pleased him.

His woman should stand with him, tall and proud, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, sitting as equals, guarding each other.

She galloped back to camp and was approaching the central command tent. Before she could rein in her horse, a young man rushed over and called out to her, “My lord!”

She was startled for a moment, then looked closely and saw it was Huang Bo! She hastily reined in Qingyun, quickly dismounted, and said with obvious delight, “How did you get here?”

Since their parting at Jin Gorge Pass, Huang Bo was the person she felt most guilty about, fearing he would be implicated by her actions. Now, seeing him safe and sound, she was truly overjoyed.

Huang Bo was visibly excited and could not speak for a while. Finally, he stammered, “This subordinate… this subordinate truly feared never seeing my lord again in this lifetime!” He paused, then suddenly slapped his forehead, “My lord has been installed as Empress, yet this subordinate is still addressing you improperly. I truly deserve death!”

She smiled and said it didn’t matter, then questioned him about how he had come here. She learned that after she left, Huang Bo had indeed been imprisoned as a traitor in Di Nian’s camp for quite some time. After the Emperor personally led the campaign, someone from the northern border had him escorted south to be personally dealt with by the Emperor. Unexpectedly, upon reaching Cangzhou, he suddenly heard about her installation as Empress and territorial enfeoffment, which caused him to hurriedly change course to Fenzhou.

Thus, he had transformed from a traitor to a loyal subject.

After finishing his account, Huang Bo grinned at her, but his expression suddenly changed as he lowered his eyes and said softly toward someone behind her, “Your Majesty.”

She turned and saw him standing at an angle behind her with an impassive expression. She bit her lip with a slight smile and said to Huang Bo, “All right, you were one of the Emperor’s Eastern Palace guards and have just returned from the northern border. Quickly tell the Emperor about the situation there. After all, you witnessed it firsthand, which is more detailed than what’s in the military reports.”

Huang Bo hurriedly said, “The Northern Jian army is performing worse with each battle! When the front-line soldiers heard that the Emperor and Empress were leading troops northward together, morale soared instantly. Generals Song, Yue, and Han have already captured seven major cities from Northern Jian. General Di guards the rear, securing the populace and strengthening cities, making invaluable contributions.”

Just hearing this made her blood boil with excitement. The Emperor personally leading the campaign was naturally a major tactic to inspire morale. Moreover, he was generous in promoting and rewarding soldiers who captured cities at the northern border. How could the Imperial troops not fight valiantly?

Although the Northern Jian army was strong in troops and horses, the defection of the rebel forces had dealt too great a blow to their morale. They felt defeated even before battle by the hundreds of thousands of Great Peace troops pressing across the border from the south. How could they not suffer continuous defeats?

Huang Bo continued, “General Di declared at the front that he wanted to capture the capital of Northern Jian before Your Majesty arrived at the border. The officers and soldiers in the army have all taken this as their goal. The Northern Jian army was even more terrified upon hearing this, and there are rumors that Northern Jian again intends to sue for peace.”

After hearing this, she couldn’t help but turn her head to secretly gauge his reaction.

Recently, memorials had frequently arrived from the two government offices in the capital, warning of great danger at the northern border. They urged that if anything were to happen to the Emperor, there would be no heir to succeed the throne, repeatedly pressing for the imperial retinue to withdraw and return to the capital, leaving the northern campaign to Di Nian’s direction and strategy.

Since his previous injury, she had also constantly worried about his safety. After all, the senior officials of the two government offices made reasonable points. If he were to meet with an accident at the front, to whom would the empire be entrusted?

His military campaign had already pacified the rebellion of the former dynasty’s officials, relieving seventy percent of the pressure on the northern border. If Di Nian could indeed lead troops to capture the Northern Jian capital, the morale of the Great Peace army would undoubtedly soar. He could then confidently withdraw and return to the capital, leaving the remaining tasks for Di Nian’s subordinate generals to complete.

But unexpectedly, Northern Jian was again suing for peace?

His eyes were detached as he clasped his hands behind his back and said, “Even if Northern Jian is truly seeking peace this time, I still must have Di Nian level their capital.”