Wang Zhi spoke bluntly, and everyone understood clearly in their hearts.

If there truly came a day when they needed to use the garrison troops around the capital to defend the city, wouldn’t the Tatar iron cavalry be trampling right up to the capital itself?

Khan Wutejin was a war god on par with Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu. Without Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu commanding them, the men of the Capital Great Camps would probably be no match for the Tatars at all.

Prince Li kept his head lowered, not daring to let anyone see the emotions in his eyes.

The Empress Dowager was somewhat displeased, feeling that Marquis Qingyang’s words had damaged the dignity of her Zhou family clan and were unworthy of her recent promotion of him.

Marquis Qingyang realized his slip of tongue and suppressed the fear in his heart. He straightened his chest and said, “I only spoke thus out of concern for the Empress Dowager’s and the capital citizens’ safety. As for myself, I am naturally willing to don armor and enter battle. Being a military general means fighting on battlefields and defeating enemies—only then can one feel satisfaction.”

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s expression finally softened. She smiled and nodded, “It’s good that you have such determination. Since that’s the case, I’ll leave the matter of reinforcing Tianmen Pass to you and Minister Wang to discuss.”

Wang Zhi cupped his hands and responded loudly, “This minister accepts the Empress Dowager’s decree!”

Marquis Qingyang’s heart was pounding, but he showed no weakness on his face and also bowed, saying, “I accept the decree.”

The Empress Dowager nodded. With the northern matter resolved, she relaxed slightly and smiled.

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s improved mood, Marquis Qingyang smiled and consoled her, “Empress Dowager need not worry. The Dragon Guard Army’s retreat to defend Tianmen Pass must also be a temporary measure—it’s only because the Tatars came too suddenly and caught us off guard. The Dragon Guard Army led by Prince Consort Ji has campaigned for years and is a battle-hardened force like tigers and wolves. I believe that once they regroup, the Dragon Guard Army will certainly be able to drive the Tatars from our dynasty’s territory.”

The Empress Dowager couldn’t help but smile and nod repeatedly. Though this son-in-law of hers had an unlikeable personality, was cold and unfeeling and didn’t know how to care for people, often making Chang’an so angry she came to the palace to complain—his military skills were indeed not to be overlooked. She believed the Dragon Guard Army he had trained were not incompetent fools, and there was no reason they would so easily let the Tatars break into Tianmen Pass.

The Empress Dowager felt even more settled in her heart.

After all, the Great Zhou had only been established for five years. The generals and soldiers who had conquered the realm were still hot-blooded. When released, they would certainly howl like hungry wolves and tear at the enemy. The Empress Dowager had confidence in this regard.

Minister of War Wang Zhi glanced sideways at Marquis Qingyang, his contempt almost impossible to suppress.

Whether it was Pang Xiao or Ji Zeyu, he would accept either as commander of the Huben Army. But what Wang Zhi despised most were mediocrities like Marquis Qingyang who only knew how to flatter and were useless at crucial moments. Yet the Empress Dowager’s intention to seize power was so obvious that his position really couldn’t change the decisions above.

Wang Zhi now only hoped His Majesty would be rescued soon.

If His Majesty couldn’t be saved and no capable minister could be found in court to shoulder the burden and save the situation, the Great Zhou would be in danger!

Such major events in court ultimately couldn’t be concealed. The northern Dragon Guard Army had lost three passes in succession and retreated to defend Tianmen Pass while awaiting reinforcements. In the south, the Yan Dynasty had revived again, with three prefectures responding to Southern Yan and supporting Yuchi Yan’s return to the throne. Once the south took action, the Great Zhou would truly face attack from both sides.

When Qin Yining and her father heard this news, they both fell silent for a moment.

The disappearance of the Yan Dynasty surrender ministers overnight must have been planned long in advance.

Yet as the leader of the Yan Dynasty surrender ministers, they hadn’t given Qin Huaiyuan the slightest advance warning.

Yuchi Yan’s escape—he didn’t know about it.

The surrender ministers’ return to their country—he didn’t know about that either.

Being marginalized and kept in the dark like this left Qin Huaiyuan’s heart filled with mixed emotions.

Qin Yining comforted Qin Huaiyuan, “Father, it’s actually good that they didn’t tell you about these matters. If they had truly approached you, you would have faced a difficult choice instead. Wouldn’t that have been a dilemma? It’s better this way. You’re no longer an official now. Our family only seeks to live peacefully together and asks for nothing else. Whether they seek us out or not doesn’t matter. Don’t you agree?”

Qin Huaiyuan smiled and nodded, “You’re right. What I’m thinking about now is simply that Zhixi can return home safely and you can safely give birth to a son. I can no longer concern myself with court turmoil. When I grow old in the future, I might want to return to my hometown to see it. I might even live there permanently, since our family’s former estates are all in the south. As for the rest, I no longer care.”

Seeing that Qin Huaiyuan spoke sincerely and wasn’t being evasive to comfort her, Qin Yining felt relieved.

“Princess.” Qianyun’s slightly agitated voice came from the door. “A group of people has arrived outside the manor. The leader is a eunuch who says he wishes to invite the old master out for questioning.”

Qin Yining and Qin Huaiyuan exchanged glances, both understanding the implications.

Qin Yining asked, “Did you hear them say which palace they’re from? Are they from the Heart Nurturing Hall or the Ci’an Palace?”

“This servant doesn’t know. But that eunuch also brought Golden Guard troops from the palace. They don’t seem to come with good intentions.”

Qin Huaiyuan said, “It must be because of the Southern Yan matter. Not all of the Yan Dynasty surrender ministers who originally came here left. Those people have probably also been arrested.”

Qin Yining stood up and slapped the table with a bang.

“They have quite the scheme. They want to arrest people in my prince’s manor? They’ll have to see if they have the capability first.”

Qin Yining burned with fury and ordered, “Gather all the Elite Tiger Guards. Accompany me outside to see. I want to see just what they plan to ask my father!”

Qianyun responded and quickly went to give orders. Ji Yun and Bingtang helped Qin Yining change into outdoor shoes, and worried she might catch cold after the rain, they brought a lotus-colored auspicious cloud-patterned front-opening cape for her to wear.

Qin Huaiyuan helplessly stood up and ordered someone to support him. “I’ll go with you, father. Don’t be too hot-tempered—it’s bad for your health. I’ll speak with them when the time comes.”

But Qin Yining knew these people must have been sent by that blockhead Empress Dowager. With His Majesty missing, instead of thinking about how to stabilize the government and deal with the north and south, they were first arresting people in the capital. They were simply afraid the Great Zhou wasn’t chaotic enough.