Feng Yue raised an eyebrow: “They’re willing to come such a long way?”
“They’ve received such great kindness from Your Majesty, they must come no matter what,” Madam Jin nodded. “They’re quite worried about Your Majesty though, and sent urgent letters saying we must make sure Your Majesty waits for their arrival.”
Having also gotten their revenge and being left without regrets, He Chou and Duan Xian naturally understood best what she might want to do. When they had achieved their vengeance and intended to seek death, she had been there to persuade them. But now that it was her turn, who would be there to persuade her?
People are all the same—able to persuade others but unable to let themselves go. So as soon as they received Yin Gezhi’s letter, they rushed to Wei Kingdom. It had nothing to do with her becoming Empress; they just wanted to come and keep her from harm.
The person beside her probably thought the same way. That’s why he had allowed this group into the palace today and had Madam Jin speak these words.
Glancing sideways at Yin Gezhi’s expressionless profile, Feng Yue’s heart softened, and she lowered her eyes to respond: “Very well, I’ll wait for them.”
Silently breathing a sigh of relief, Yin Gezhi stood up: “We have matters to attend to and cannot stay long. We’ll go ahead now. Ling Shu, watch over Her Majesty carefully.”
“Yes,” Ling Shu responded obediently as everyone bowed their heads to respectfully see him off.
Only after that dragon robe had disappeared did the crowd in the hall come back to life, chattering away: “When I first saw him at Meng Hui House, I knew this gentleman was extraordinary and would surely achieve great things!”
“Pah! You’re just clever after the fact! If you’d figured it out early, why didn’t you make a move?”
Jin Zhu said pitifully: “Who didn’t try? Many sisters did, but he wasn’t interested at all, and his expression was terrifying. Who would dare approach to serve him? Only Your Majesty was brave enough then to pull the tiger’s whiskers!”
“You flatter me!” Feng Yue covered her mouth: “How can one catch cubs without entering the tiger’s den?”
Madam Jin immediately scolded: “You little hussies behave yourselves! Being so unrestrained in the palace, be careful you don’t get sent out to be beheaded!”
But with the Empress herself being so unrestrained, who below would still maintain formality? Everyone acted as freely as if they were still in Meng Hui House, their laughter and chatter making the dead-silent palace seem to come alive.
Palace life was quite boring, and having such a group visit made Feng Yue happy. She fooled around with them for quite a while, eating, drinking, and chatting about everything under the sun until sunset.
The ladies were drunk, arms around each other’s shoulders and swaying. Madam Jin was slightly better off, still able to keep her eyes open to watch the scene in the hall.
The remaining evening glow shone in through the doorway as someone’s robes swayed slightly, sweeping past Jin Zhu who lay on the ground, avoiding Wei Yun who was drooling ahead, and slowly walking to the main seat’s couch.
Rubbing her eyes, Madam Jin tried hazily to make out that person’s face, but could only see his purple-gold long robe, and as his wide sleeves rose and fell, the person on the couch was gathered into his arms.
“Falling asleep without even covering yourself with a robe?”
The person in his arms mumbled something, grabbing the clothes on his chest and nuzzling against them.
Yin Gezhi’s eyes were full of resignation as he shook his head slightly, carrying her into the inner chamber and placing her on the bed: “If you keep acting wild like this, next time I won’t let them come keep you company.”
“Don’t…” mumbling twice, Feng Yue kept her eyes closed and said wearily: “I didn’t even drink… I was so well-behaved…”
“Good girl.” He stroked her head, his cold voice carrying a hint of warmth: “Sleep now.”
The person on the bed breathed evenly, falling asleep with complete trust. Reaching out to touch her, her face and body had gained some flesh, finally looking less worrisome.
After tucking in the blanket and standing straight, Yin Gezhi turned his head to see Ling Shu staring at him with wide eyes.
Raising an eyebrow slightly, he beckoned, indicating for the clever little servant girl to follow him out.
“Your Majesty,” Ling Shu was quite puzzled: “You’re impeccably good to master, especially when she’s drowsy, you’re always so gentle. But when she’s awake, you become so fierce… why is that necessary?”
“Don’t be nosy,” Yin Gezhi said: “We know how We should treat her.”
“But…” This way master won’t appreciate Your Majesty’s goodness at all! Ling Shu frowned.
Looking back at her once, Yin Gezhi said flatly: “Your master has a quick temper and straightforward nature. If We were truly gentle with her all the time, she would become unruly and push boundaries.”
Right now everything was just right, perfectly balanced.
A flash of understanding crossed Ling Shu’s mind as she suddenly grasped the emperor’s meaning. She drew in a sharp breath!
This person, this person…
“Knowing but not speaking is great wisdom.” Giving her a deep look, Yin Gezhi turned, his dragon robe swaying slightly.
Ling Shu stared at the ground in a daze, reaching up to pinch her lips, then turned around to dutifully return to care for her master.
When news of Wei’s new emperor’s ascension reached Wu Kingdom, it was already half a month later.
Ye Yuqin held Wangchou while looking at the letter in his hand, letting out a light laugh, his gaze profound.
“How long has it been? The Song Kingdom hasn’t even deployed troops after receiving news of General Yi’s death, yet he has already ascended to the throne.”
Wangchou pressed his lips together: “Now does Your Highness understand that this servant wasn’t trying to run away, but truly wanted to return to Wei Kingdom to look?”
“Look at whom?” Glancing at the person in his arms, Ye Yuqin pressed his lips together: “The new Empress?”
“Yes.” Wangchou nodded: “She showed me great kindness, and now seems to have thoughts of ending her life. I should at least go see her.”
Darkness flickered in his eyes as Ye Yuqin put down the letter and reached out to grip this person’s waist, saying gently: “We always feel that if We let you go, you won’t come back.”
A chill ran down his spine as Wangchou forced a smile: “How could that be?”
Ignoring these words, Ye Yuqin stood up, placing her to one side: “Wei’s new emperor has just ascended, the country must be in great chaos.”
At this time, in an alliance against Song, how much strength could they provide? Previously, when Emperor Wei Wen was in power, Ye Yuqin had felt confident he could hold all of the Wei Kingdom in his grasp through an alliance. But now, with Yin Gezhi as emperor, all his previous plans might need to be completely overturned.
Narrowing his eyes, Ye Yuqin sighed and asked Feng Chuang beside him: “Would you say this is fate or what? Earlier We said it was fortunate that someone as formidable as Yin Gezhi could never return to Wei, yet shortly after, he did return. A month ago We told you it was fortunate that Wei Wen ruled Wei, and now, he has ascended the throne.”
Feng Chuang remained silent, head bowed.
Hearing his tone, Wangchou suddenly felt uneasy. Walking over to gently pull at his sleeve: “Your Highness…”
Lightly withdrawing his hand, Ye Yuqin pulled away from her, saying kindly: “You’d better stay here properly. Wei isn’t very peaceful, We would worry about you.”
Her heart sank as Wangchou’s eyes widened: “But…”
“It’s decided.” Gently holding her hand in his, Ye Yuqin smiled: “You’ll be good and listen, won’t you?”
“…Yes.” Wangchou lowered his eyes, his heart tightening into a knot.
She couldn’t go back, only Duan Xian could return. At least she had to find a way to have her carry a message!
The first major act after Wei Emperor Xiao’s ascension was to fortify troops in the northwest to block the Song army. News of Yi Guoru’s death had spread throughout the kingdoms, and Song troops were gathering at Wu’s borders, showing signs of movement. With the Wu-Wei alliance established, Yin Gezhi assembled an army of 100,000 and handed the military tally to Yin Yanzhong.
“There are eight garrison points. General, heading northwest from this route, you can rendezvous with forces six and seven along the way. The remaining forces will meet with you at the border. We will ensure provisions and weapons are fully prepared, and will not delay military operations.”
Having an emperor who had been a general was indeed good—he knew how to fight wars and what was needed for them. Yin Yanzhong took his helmet and bowed, solemnly accepting the military tally.
“I thought Your Majesty would lead the army personally,” Luo Hao laughed beside him. “All emperors like to do that, which is troublesome—it’s hardest to fight with an emperor around!”
“General Luo!” Madam Qiu glared at him. Didn’t he know how to speak? The person standing before them was the emperor!
Realizing his slip, Luo Hao hurriedly said: “Of course, our Emperor would be different—you would lead us to victory!”
“We won’t go this time,” Yin Gezhi said with complete seriousness. “Having ascended the throne, there are truly many matters to attend to. A nation cannot go a day without its ruler.”
Everyone nodded in agreement—this made sense!
Guan Zhi beside him lowered his eyelids, thinking it had nothing to do with “a nation cannot go a day without its ruler”—he couldn’t bear to leave the Empress. Afraid she might fall or hurt herself! Otherwise, he would have flown off to war already. That crescent blade and silver dragon armor had been polished who knows how many times, yet he still had to find such a dignified excuse.
“Your Majesty!” A former internal military servant came into the tent, and upon seeing him, excitedly kowtowed: “This humble one greets Your Majesty!”
“Niu Zicang.” Seeing him, Yin Gezhi was quite familiar and waved his hand: “Rise. This northwestern campaign’s internal affairs will also depend on your service.”
“This humble one accepts the command!” Standing up with a grin, Niu Zicang looked at the shoes of the person before him with emotion.
The invincible Crown Prince had returned but unfortunately had become emperor. He could no longer lead them in battle.
“Oh right, Your Majesty, many of the retired soldiers have returned after hearing of your ascension,” remembering this, Niu Zicang hurriedly said. “All the men you led back then. Not one is missing, except for that small soldier who ate three bowls of rice per meal—probably went home to get married.”
There had been such a soldier in his camp before, short in stature, always keeping his head down, who had carried his banner and washed his blade. He hadn’t paid much attention, his only impression being that the soldier ate a lot, three bowls per meal.
Letting out a light laugh, he said: “It’s good that they’ve returned, and it’s also good to be able to go home and marry. Have them all report to their units, and once everything is organized, handle the transfers together.”
“Yes!” Niu Zicang responded, turning his head to relay the orders.
Looking down to continue studying the map, Yin Gezhi looked and looked, suddenly feeling something wasn’t quite right.
“How was that small soldier selected to join back then?” he suddenly asked.
Pulling his head back in from giving orders outside the tent, Niu Zicang blinked and said: “Have you forgotten? They were sent from General Guan’s side, said to be some family’s delicate young master who wanted to follow you to see the world.”