Inside a simple courtyard in the Inner City of Hanyuan Pass.
A stunning young woman, appearing to be in her twenties, mature and full of charm, was meticulously tending to the potted plants in the courtyard.
Beside her, a beautiful girl, resembling Yu Xiyan to some extent, was helping.
After a while, the young woman raised her head, wiped the sweat from her brow, and said to the girl, "Xiyao, you can take a break now."
The girl shook her head, forcing a smile, "Mother, I'm fine. It's good to be busy, then I don't have to think about other troublesome things."
Just then, Gu Yunxiao's voice came from outside the courtyard: "Empress Dowager, Cousin, look who I brought."
The two women turned their heads and were immediately taken aback.
Shen Zhao was also stunned when he saw them.
The woman was Empress Dowager Gu, Gu Ningye, the birth mother of Yu Xiyan.
The girl was Yu Xiyan's younger sister, Yu Xiyao.
Yu Xiyao didn't know Shen Zhao and just stood there blankly, sizing him up.
Gu Ningye, however, recognized Shen Zhao at a glance, and with a smile on her face, she said lightly, "It's been so long, Zhao'er, you seem to be in better spirits than ever."
Shen Zhao immediately cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, greetings, Your Highness the Princess."
Gu Ningye was his mother-in-law from his previous nine lives; how could Shen Zhao possibly forget her?
Unlike protagonists in other novels who are stuck with an unreasonable mother-in-law,
Empress Dowager Gu was dignified and proper. As the model for all women in the world, she treated Shen Zhao as her own son. She watched him grow up from the age of five, providing him with meticulous care and teaching him many principles of life.
It was also Empress Dowager Gu who arranged for Shen Zhao to marry Yu Xiyan.
Even after the marriage, Empress Dowager Gu's attitude towards him never changed. When Shen Zhao was at his lowest, she would always comfort him. Sometimes, when he thought of Yu Xiyan's cold and heartless attitude towards him, she would also be saddened.
Shen Zhao privately respected this kind benefactor as if she were his own mother in this world.
However, this noble person who treated him like her own son was, one night, violated by more than a dozen villains and ultimately hanged herself in shame.
After Empress Dowager Gu's death, Shen Zhao did everything he could to find the culprits. When he finally focused on Lin Feng, he was framed by Lin Feng, and thus he completely broke off with Yu Xiyan.
Recalling those past events, Shen Zhao's mood was incredibly complex.
Those who harbor goodwill shouldn't meet such an end.
Empress Dowager Gu walked slowly to Shen Zhao and gently took his hand, saying, "Zhao'er, I am delighted to see you again today. Would you come inside and chat with me?"
Shen Zhao nodded. "I will obey, as the Empress Dowager commands."
After saying this, the two entered the room, and Yu Xiyao was also called inside.
Gu Yunxiao, seeing this, wore a look of joy and left the residence peacefully.
Inside the room, the three of them sat down in order of precedence.
Yu Xiyao stared curiously at the handsome, dashing man before her and asked after a long while, "Are you really my runaway sister's husband?"
"Xiyao, be polite."
Gu Ningye glared at Yu Xiyao, then turned to Shen Zhao with a gentle expression: "Zhao'er, how did you end up in this desolate borderland? Have you been well these past couple of years?"
She didn't mention Shen Zhao's elopement, showing she was trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.
Shen Zhao smiled slightly: "In response to the Empress Dowager, I've been doing well, thanks to the princess. As for why I'm in this desolate borderland, it's a long story. I'll have the opportunity to discuss it with the Empress Dowager later."
Gu Ningye: "Since you don't want to talk about it, I won't press. It's good that you're well. Come back to the palace whenever you're done wandering. It's always been your home."
The implication was clear: Shen Zhao, come back and get married when you're done running around.
Shen Zhao understood, but he was determined not to repeat his past life. However, he couldn't directly refuse Gu Ningye, so he nodded and replied: "Thank you, Empress Dowager. By the way, why are the Empress Dowager and the princess here at the border?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Ningye sighed without speaking.
Yu Xiyao, next to her, lowered her eyes, her jade hands clenching at her skirt.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing the two women's troubled expressions, Shen Zhao frowned slightly.
"Empress Dowager, Princess, is there something you'd like to share?"
At this question, Yu Xiyao's beautiful eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she bit her lip, trying hard not to let the tears fall.
Empress Dowager Gu sighed again and then slowly began to speak, "You've likely seen the situation in the Great Wilderness, haven't you? War is imminent, and time is of the essence."
Shen Zhao nodded, not saying anything.
Empress Dowager Gu continued, "Two months ago, the Khan of the Northern Barbarians sent envoys to the court, specifically requesting that Xiyao marry into the Northern Barbarians and become their thirty-third concubine.
Xiyan refused in court, which angered the Northern Barbarians. The Khan even threatened to send a million Northern Barbarian troops to attack, causing unrest throughout the Great Yin Dynasty."
The recent flooding in the seven southern provinces was just quelled, and the court wasn't prepared for a full-scale war with the Northern Barbarians. The court was in a state of panic, and everyone urged Yu Xiyan to agree to the marriage alliance, hoping to buy time.
But Yu Xiyan resolutely refused, declaring that she would protect the dignity of the Yin Emperor's Dynasty at any cost.
And Yu Xiyao..."
She glanced at Yu Xiyao, who was already shedding two streams of tears but was trying her best not to cry out loud, her eyes filled with pity.
"Xiyao knows the difficult situation the court is in. Once war breaks out, it will inevitably lead to a massacre. She asked this Palace to take her to Hanyuan Pass to observe the situation.
If the Northern Barbarians are too powerful, she is willing to sacrifice herself to buy a moment of respite for the Great Yin. So... sigh..."
The final sigh said it all.
Shen Zhao frowned upon hearing this.
A marriage alliance?
Did this plot point exist in the previous nine lives?
Had the Great Yin Dynasty's situation become so dire?
Wait...
Thinking of this, Shen Zhao immediately understood something. To verify his guess, he softly asked, "Empress Dowager, I have a question. The border army numbers five hundred thousand, and there are fortified passes to defend. Even if the Northern Barbarian army is strong, why would they dare to attack at this time?"
Empress Dowager Gu replied, "The border army? The court can't mobilize them!"
This simple and direct answer allowed Shen Zhao to completely confirm his suspicions.
Huang Tianhu really did want to rebel. He had informed the Northern Barbarians of the Great Yin's current predicament, which was why the Northern Barbarian army had launched their offensive at this time.
Yu Xiyao, who had been silent, finally spoke: "If my sacrifice can save the people of the Great Yin from war, then it is worth it."
Shen Zhao shook his head: "This humiliating diplomatic approach will not bring true peace, especially to a group of ungrateful people."
Empress Dowager Gu raised an eyebrow: "Zhao'er, what are your thoughts?"
Shen Zhao: "If the court could control the border army, the situation might not be so passive."
Empress Dowager Gu shook her head: "The border army is entirely controlled by the General of the Northern Garrison's manor. It is extremely difficult to seize military power from them."
"What if Huang Tianhu were gone?" Shen Zhao countered.
Empress Dowager Gu smiled: "I'm afraid that if Huang Tianhu dies, the border army will be even more unrestrained. This is also the problem that Xiyan has been worrying about since she ascended the throne."
Shen Zhao stood up and said: "Your Majesty, if you trust me, leave this matter to me. I can not only help the court regain the military power of the border army, but also take this opportunity to wipe out the Northern Barbarian Tribe!"
Gu Ningye and Yu Xiyao both looked at Shen Zhao in disbelief.
Shen Zhao continued, "But I need the Empress Dowager's full support. First, give me the title of Envoy of Pacification."
Gu Ningye looked troubled. "The appointment of court officials requires Xiyan's personal appointment. Should I write a letter to Chang'an?"
"No need!"
Shen Zhao quickly interrupted Gu Ningye's terrifying idea.
He really didn't want to have anything to do with Yu Xiyan anymore.
"The Empress Dowager only needs to write a letter of appointment. Ten days later, this Envoy of Pacification position will be directly abolished."
"Why is that? Are you going to impersonate a government official?"
"Time is of the essence, and desperate times call for desperate measures."
"Where do you plan to start?"
"First, eliminate Huang Tianhu, then exterminate the Northern Barbarian army!"
Each word rang with power and confidence, leaving Empress Dowager Gu and Yu Xiyao unable to refuse such boldness.
"Very well, I agree!"
Empress Dowager Gu wasn't one to be rigid. She had risen to prominence in the cutthroat world of the imperial harem, possessing extraordinary decisiveness and skill.
\n\n
Soon, a forged letter of appointment was handed to Shen Zhao.
Shen Zhao glanced at it and immediately rose, saying, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, there's no time to lose. I must depart at once."
After saying this, he didn't look back as he stepped out of the room.
Watching Shen Zhao's disappearing back, Yu Xiyao tremblingly asked, "Mother, is he really up to the task?"
Empress Dowager Gu nodded, "You don't know, Zhao'er is someone I've watched grow up. If he's confident he can do something, he'll definitely achieve it. You won't have to marry into the Northern Barbarian Tribe as a political pawn."
Three days later, the Shenlong Pass border army camp.
"The Envoys of Pacification have arrived! Why aren't you hurrying to greet them!"
With Ding Bubuer's voice, like a male duck, howling through the camp, it immediately drew the attention of countless generals.
The guards at the camp entrance dared not drive away these officials appointed by the court and could only lower their heads, pretending not to see.
Shen Zhao wore a mocking expression, sizing up the military camp's layout with amusement.
After a long while, a burly, imposing man, accompanied by more than a dozen high-ranking military officers, arrived at the camp gate.
"Lü Yue, Vice-General of the Northern Garrison Army, pays respects to the Envoy of Pacification!"
"We pay respects to the Envoy of Pacification!"
The officers saluted Shen Zhao in unison, but they didn't kneel, making their intentions quite clear.
Shen Zhao glanced at Lü Yue and asked without much patience, "Where is your General of the Northern Garrison? Why isn't he here to pay his respects?"
Lü Yue replied, "Reporting to the Envoy of Pacification, the General of the Northern Garrison is inspecting the area and will arrive in two days."
As he said this, he was filled with doubts: Why did the court's Envoy of Pacification come now, and not earlier or later? And why without any prior notice? Could it be that the court already knew of the Northern Garrison Army's intentions, and they planned to make a move beforehand?
Thinking of this, a glint of ferocity flashed in Lü Yue's eyes.
But Shen Zhao waved his hand as if he hadn't heard anything. "General Huang is so busy; you truly are a pillar of the nation. I also dislike those roundabout formalities. Forget the welcoming feasts and all those conventional rituals.
All officers of the rank of Deputy Commander and above, come to the main tent for a meeting. I have important matters to announce."
Saying this, he stepped forward and grabbed Lü Yue's arm. "Deputy General Lü, lead the way."
Lü Yue felt a sharp, numbing sensation in his arm, and after struggling several times, he couldn't break free. He was shocked by Shen Zhao's strength.
"Please, Envoy of Pacification, follow this subordinate."
A large group of people soon entered a spacious tent, led by Shen Zhao and Lü Yue side-by-side...
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