“Everyone, rise.” Feng Jiang waved a hand.

“Yes.” The crowd answered as one and stood.

Gong Xinyue had already been drained to exhaustion, but with Long Yi’s true energy replenishing her, her strength gradually returned.

“Your Highness.” She opened her eyes once more.

The Gao army’s submission had not been part of her plan—to be precise, she had never really had a plan at all.

She had simply felt that staying by Noble Consort Ya’s side would surely help Jiu’er, so she had found a chance to stay behind.

She had never expected to witness the Gao soldiers’ submission with her own eyes.

“Xiao You.” Noble Consort Ya came before Gong Xinyue and crouched down.

“Your Highness, you don’t blame me?” Gong Xinyue asked hoarsely.

Noble Consort Ya wiped at the bloodstains on her face, her expression full of distress. “Just how badly are you hurt? Go back quickly, leave things here to us.”

She looked up at Long Yi and said in a low voice, “Take her back. Don’t let her get hurt again.”

No one liked being deceived, but if not for this girl, she would probably already be dead.

Xiao You hadn’t only saved her life—she had also let her see her own heart clearly.

In the moment she’d plunged a blade into Feng Jin’s heart, she was no longer Noble Consort Ya, nor the Crown Princess—she was the eldest daughter of the Gao family!

A woman who represented power, who represented the nobility of the Gao family.

“Your Highness.” Gong Xinyue was lifted up, her gaze still on Noble Consort Ya. “I’m sorry!”

“Rest and recover with peace of mind.” Noble Consort Ya pressed a token into Gong Xinyue’s hand and patted it gently.

“From today on, you are my sworn sister. If anyone ever bullies you, take this token and come find me. Understood?”

Gong Xinyue’s nose stung, and her eyes reddened.

“Mm.” She nodded, her voice choked. “Thank you!”

“His Highness the Crown Prince’s men are already on their way here. Second Prince, Third Prince, you should withdraw first.” Gao Lingzhi cupped his hands again.

“Good.” Feng Jiang gave a slight nod and turned to look at the assembled brothers. “Withdraw.”

Yang Sheng walked at the very front, leading everyone away by another route.

Feng Jin’s imperial army, leaderless, quickly began fleeing toward the palace.

Gao Lingzhi led the Gao army in pursuit close behind, refusing to let slip any chance to cut them down.

Di Wu Ya’s army was the first to break open the palace gates, with Feng Jiang bringing his troops to follow a step behind.

Outside the palace stood Feng Jiu’er, the Empress, the Gao family, and Feng Li’s army as reinforcements.

This battle raged on for over a month before it finally paused, with Feng Qiongcang’s army withdrawing from the capital.

Once Feng Qiongcang left, the remaining officials all began currying favor with Feng Li.

The reorganization of the capital went, relatively speaking, rather smoothly.

Another month passed, and the army led by Di Wu Ya marched south, once again setting foot on the capital’s territory.

Feng Jiu’er had been trapped in the palace for a month, so bored she felt she might go mad.

The moment she finally heard that her own husband had returned to court, she immediately set down the tedious official documents and dashed out of the hall.

Outside the great hall, Di Wu Ya sat astride his horse, clad head to toe in armor.

He was tall, handsome, mighty—brimming with power from head to toe, the kind of man who captivated at first glance and utterly enthralled at the second.

“Husband!” Feng Jiu’er called out loudly and kept running forward.

Di Wu Ya dismounted in one stride and opened his arms to the woman darting toward him like a little sprite.

Feng Jiu’er leapt into his embrace, wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed his thin lips, and pressed her head against his chest.

“Husband, take me away quickly, I don’t like handling state affairs, we still have so many things we haven’t done, I don’t want to be Emperor.”

“Take me with you, I don’t want to stay behind!”

Di Wu Ya’s thin lips curved slightly, and he lowered his head to press a kiss to her hair, then carried her toward the great hall.

“Where does wife want to go? Husband will lead the way.”