The heart that pursued the wolf had not changed for decades. Since the flames of war between the five nations of the previous dynasty divided the world, when had their military preparations ever relaxed? Not to mention old grudges, just consider how Northern Jian had colluded with the remnant rebels of the former Zhongwan dynasty, sending envoys to discuss peace and military reduction, only to turn around and march south. If they were allowed to negotiate peace again this time, how could the hundreds of thousands of proud and unyielding Great Peace soldiers accept it?

With Northern Jian’s momentum now waning and the Great Peace army winning consecutive victories, this was the perfect opportunity to destroy their capital, occupy their territory, and ensure they could never again foment warfare. If they wished to prevent further military campaigns on the northern border, the most direct method was to annihilate the Northern Jian nation. This would also motivate the surrendered and defected rebel troops to fight even more vigorously to expand territory.

She understood this clearly and thus strongly agreed with his words.

She also thought that if the world were to be unified under his hand, such magnificent achievements would surely be revered by millions in future history books. Her lips couldn’t help but curve into a silent sigh.

Huang Bo, standing nearby, also said, “The soldiers at the northern border think the same way. They all say that if Northern Jian is spared again, it would be like nurturing a tiger that will harm us later. Who knows when we might suffer their retribution!”

He looked at the still-excited Huang Bo and asked, seemingly casually, “Now that you’ve returned, do you wish to serve at the front to earn merit and fame, or would you prefer to remain by the Empress’s side?”

Hearing this, Huang Bo hesitated.

Promotion in the military had always been extremely slow. Even in peaceful times, an ordinary captain would need seven or eight years of service to be eligible for advancement, let alone a general’s rank. With the flames of war burning for months at the northern border, and the Emperor generously promoting those who fought bravely, with every major battle resulting in meritorious individuals being appointed as generals, if one wanted to earn military distinction, going to the front lines now was the perfect opportunity.

Seeing Huang Bo’s hesitation, he glanced at her and said, “You’re indeed loyal, thinking of protecting the Empress?”

Huang Bo’s dark face reddened slightly as he stammered, “I wouldn’t dare.”

He then said, “Go and train under Di Nian for a few years. Afterward, I’ll assign a battalion of surrendered rebel troops for you to command. When the northern campaign concludes, you will become a commander of the Empress’s enfeoffed territory’s army. This way, your loyalty and the true nature of a man’s hot-blooded spirit will not be wasted.”

Huang Bo’s eyes suddenly brightened as he exclaimed joyfully, “Yes! Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”

She watched Huang Bo bow and withdraw, feeling somewhat dazed. She turned to look at him and asked, “Why establish loyal confidants for me in the army?”

He raised an eyebrow without speaking, then suddenly turned and hoisted her over his shoulder, carrying her toward the tent.

She struggled fiercely, striking his shoulder with her fist. “People will see!”

He walked in step by step, completely unconcerned. “Let them see the deep affection between the Emperor and Empress, see how I favor the Imperial Consort exclusively and allow you to act as you please.”

Indeed, soldiers and officers at the edge of the distant camp path were peering over, watching without blinking as she dared to pound his shoulder with her fists. They continued staring until he grabbed her waist and stuffed her into the tent, only then beginning to whisper among themselves.

The sun had just set, with the distant evening glow like fire, casting half the tent in red.

She turned over, raising her hand to reach for the memorial on the nearby desk, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back into his embrace. Unable to push him away, she could only say, “It’s not even fully dark yet, and you drag me into the tent with such disregard for propriety. I don’t know how the officers and soldiers in camp will laugh at me behind my back!”

He lazily replied from behind, “Mmm.”

She found him utterly impossible to handle. In matters of the bedchamber, she could never take control. She recalled how, when the army had passed by a desolate mountain with a clear lake, he had suddenly been overcome with desire. It was only after her desperate pleading that he had spared her, but it had been extremely embarrassing. Was there anyone in the army who didn’t know that she had the Emperor utterly bewitched?

She said, “Bringing a woman along with the army is already beyond protocol. If you continue to lose control regardless of day or night, I truly won’t be able to remain in this army camp.”

He lightly kissed her shoulder, his hand gripping her waist slightly tighter. “Do you think I don’t know what you’ve been saying to Chai and the others behind my back?”

Hearing this, she immediately quieted down, shrinking motionless in his embrace.

He particularly adored her appearance—fierce one moment and defeated the next. His lips curved into a smile.

A few days ago, when he had led troops out of camp, she had summoned commanders like Chai on his behalf to handle matters regarding the incorporation of surrendered rebel troops from nearby prefectures. She had taken the opportunity to claim that the Emperor’s affection for her was merely a show for those former officials and rebel commanders, that he was after her hundred thousand troops, not her as a person.

How could any of those commanders, all of whom understood the Emperor’s heart well, not know better? Though they nodded and agreed to her face, they immediately reported this matter to him upon turning away. Yet she alone still believed the entire camp’s officers and soldiers didn’t know he truly loved her!

First, she had secretly altered his edict to the two government offices in the capital, making court officials believe she had forced him to install her as Empress and grant her territories. Now she was trying every possible means to make the officers and soldiers believe he favored her in the Imperial palace only because of the military power in her hands. She wouldn’t rest until she had taken all the blame upon herself. But how could those court officials and military personnel be so easily fooled? Though she might have sealed the mouths of many and the brushes of court historians, how could she control what others truly thought?

His genuine feelings would inevitably be known to all under heaven.

After curling up in his embrace for a while, she still felt somewhat unwilling. She turned her head to look at him and softly argued, “It’s already improper for you to bring me along with the army. What if people say you’re indulging in female charms? Currently, all the generals believe you’re considering the great enterprise. What’s wrong with that?”

Seeing her still cleverly trying to worry on his behalf, he laughed inwardly while maintaining a straight face. “Very well. But since you’ve said so, how could I fail to live up to your intentions? I must certainly engage in more intimacy with you to let people see.”

She tried hard to move away, whispering, “How can the dignified Emperor be so shameless?”

“Where has that spirit gone that once teased me?” he asked, pinching her slender wrist to prevent her from moving, with a hint of a smile.

She immediately grabbed a memorial from the desk and hurriedly changed the subject. “You still haven’t given your approval for the matter of rewarding the troops at the northern border!”

With consecutive victories in the northern campaign, and the timely personal campaign of the Emperor and Empress heading north, although it was no longer necessary for the Emperor to personally lead troops directly into enemy territory, the northern border officials were unwilling to let go of this excellent opportunity to boost morale. Shen Zhishu, on behalf of the transport commissioners of the three routes, had presented a memorial to the military front, requesting the Emperor and Empress to visit the northern border together to reward the troops, demonstrating Great Peace’s determination to win this war.

He took the memorial but kept his eyes on her. “First, let Liu Dezhong examine your health, then we’ll see about going.”

Hearing this, she lowered her head. “Having Liu Dezhong come to take my pulse every few days without any results has left me without face.”

Ever since the army had marched north, whenever they made camp to rest, he would invariably summon Liu Dezhong to check whether she was pregnant, fearing she might be with child without knowing it, and that riding horseback might cause a miscarriage and harm her. But despite their continuous intimacy, her belly showed no signs of movement.

As the sole heir of the imperial family, he naturally desired an heir as soon as possible. This would reassure the court officials that the realm would not fall into chaos if something unexpected were to happen to him.

Having endured until today’s circumstances, she was even more eager than he to have a child. She only wished to quickly give birth to a son or daughter who could be established as the imperial heir, so that those former dynasty officials would no longer harbor thoughts of rebellion and restoration.

He cupped her face with his hands and said seriously, “What is there to be embarrassed about?”

Her mind was filled with chaotic thoughts, until finally she became so anxious she nearly cried. “What if I cannot bear children? Don’t worry about me, taking more consorts and concubines would be the right course.”

He lowered his head to kiss her tear-filled eyes. “It has only been a short while, yet you’re already this anxious? If, after three to five years, you still cannot bear children, then you can worry at that time!”

She buried her face in his palms, her arms encircling his waist, sighing softly, “Then let’s summon Liu Dezhong tomorrow to check again. If there’s no problem, I would truly like to visit Qingzhou to see Grand Scholar Shen and Yan Fuzhi.”