…
"Welcome, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"
Before Hanyuan Pass, Lü Yue and Yue Qing personally led three hundred thousand border troops, kneeling in unison before Yu Xiyan, who had just arrived at the frontier.
Gu Ningye and Yu Xiyao's sudden disappearance had quickly made Yu Xiyan understand their intentions.
At the same time, secret reports that Huang Tianhu had rebelled and colluded with Northern Mang to attack the border also reached her ears.
To stop Yu Xiyao from marrying into Northern Mang, to halt the Northern Mang invasion, and to intimidate Huang Tianhu, Yu Xiyan personally led ten thousand imperial guards to the frontier, preparing to engage the Northern Mang army in a decisive battle.
However, by the time she arrived at Hanyuan Pass, she received news that Northern Mang's Khan Bassexi, the Left Wing King Yin Zhixie, and their four hundred and twenty thousand iron cavalry had all been annihilated by the border army at White Wolf Mountain.
"All soldiers have driven off the Northern Mang invaders for Great Yin, your hearts loyal to the nation. I am deeply gratified. You are all meritorious subjects of Great Yin. When I return to the capital, I will reward you heavily."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After the thunderous cheers subsided, Yu Xiyan's phoenix eyes intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Lü Yue, who was excited among the crowd.
…
"Sister…"
Inside the temporary palace at Hanyuan Pass, Yu Xiyao called out softly when she saw Yu Xiyan, appearing nervous and at a loss.
Since childhood, she had always been somewhat afraid of this elder sister. Yu Xiyan was too strong-willed. Apart from power and cultivation, she seemed uninterested in anything else, making her hard to approach.
Sneaking out of the palace to prepare for a diplomatic marriage across the border would certainly earn her punishment.
Yu Xiyan sighed softly, took Yu Xiyao's hand, and said gently,"Royal Sister, do you know how worried you made me? We are family—what can't we discuss? You're almost sixteen; stop being so willful. I will handle state affairs. No matter how difficult things get, I will never send you to a barbaric land for a political marriage."
Yu Xiyao's nose stung, and she hugged Yu Xiyan tightly, crying."I'm sorry, Sister. I only saw how exhausted you were dealing with state affairs and wanted to share the burden. I really didn't mean to…"
Yu Xiyan gently patted her back."I know. Don't cry. Everything is fine now."
Gu Ningye, watching the sisters' emotional reunion, also let out a long sigh of relief.
She feared most the internal bloodshed caused by struggles for imperial power—after all, royal families were notoriously ruthless throughout history.
But for now, she didn't have to worry.
"Alright, you two. Stop crying. Sit down and talk properly."
The sisters separated. Yu Xiyan brushed aside the strands of hair stuck to Yu Xiyao's forehead with sweat, then returned to her seat.
"Mother Empress, with the Northern Mang chieftain dead, their territory is leaderless. I intend to take advantage of this opportunity and lead the army to wipe out the remaining Northern Mang forces and completely resolve the northern threat to Great Yin."
"Matters of state are for Your Majesty to decide. If you have decided, then go ahead. I will fully support you."
"Thank you, Mother Empress, for your understanding."
After some pleasantries, Yu Xiyan directly asked,"Mother Empress, who commanded the battle at White Wolf Mountain that annihilated the four hundred thousand Northern Mang cavalry?"
Gu Ningye's expression remained calm, as if she had expected the question.
Yu Xiyan continued,"Although Lü Yue is battle-hardened and has guarded the frontier for years, he excels at defense but lacks initiative. Do you truly believe such a feat could be achieved by a mere deputy commander of the Zhenbei Army?"
Gu Ningye replied,"Since you have doubts, why not ask Lü Yue personally?"
Yu Xiyan said,"Mother Empress, I have a feeling that asking him is not as useful as asking you. Please tell me—when did such a military genius appear in our army? The court urgently needs talent. Such a commander must be promoted without regard for status or origin."
Gu Ningye shook her head."Then Your Majesty may be disappointed. The commander who quelled Huang Tianhu's rebellion and wiped out the Northern Mang forces quietly left after accomplishing the task. I didn't even get to see him one last time."
Yu Xiyan slowly closed her phoenix eyes."Mother Empress, who was he?"
Gu Ningye sighed, stood up, picked up pruning shears, and began trimming a camellia.
"Xiyan, I know you've never liked us deciding your fate. Your father and I know your temperament and respect your choices. But sometimes, you should put yourself in your father's shoes. If he truly didn't care about you, would he have withstood the pressure of the entire court to pass the throne to you?"
Yu Xiyan nodded."Mother Empress, I was willful before. I now understand your and Father Emperor's intentions."
"That's good. Now you are the ruler of a nation, carrying the burden of the realm. This path is not easy. Recruiting talent and revitalizing Great Yin will depend on you."
After finishing trimming the plant, Gu Ningye turned to her.
"This time, if not for Zhao'er turning the tide, I don't know how the frontier situation would have changed."
Yu Xiyan's eyes lit up. She stood up excitedly."Mother Empress, you mean Shen Zhao?"
Gu Ningye sighed."Xiyan, do you know why your father and I insisted on bringing Shen Zhao into the royal family as a live-in son-in-law?
It was because Shen Zhao's father saved your father at the cost of his life during a crisis. He exhausted himself helping your father escape and died. His dying wish was for your father to take care of his four-year-old son.
Your father may have been mediocre, but he valued loyalty and righteousness deeply. He felt guilty and agreed to care for the orphan.
As Shen Zhao grew up, we discovered his character was steadfast. He rejected the wealthy life we arranged and insisted on starting from the bottom, believing that was the only way he could repay the royal family's care.
He never told anyone about his connection to the royal family. Over time, I grew fond of him and thought he might become a suitable royal son-in-law, sparing you a political marriage to a stranger.
Your father agreed without hesitation. We didn't think much of it. We only hoped he would treat you sincerely and that you would live a prosperous life.
But what happened on the day you ascended the throne was unexpected. Only recently, when I saw Zhao'er again, did I learn he already knew you didn't like him or being bound by fate. So he chose to step back early, giving you freedom.
What surprised me most was his extraordinary ability. In just half a month, he subdued the Zhenbei Army and wiped out the Northern Mang forces. Such achievements are unprecedented in Great Yin's history.
I wanted to keep him and persuade him, but after White Wolf Mountain, he left. It seems he truly doesn't want any ties to the royal family."
Yu Xiyan bit her lower lip, eyes misting, her fingers clenching the corner of her crimson robe.
She knew Shen Zhao's strength better than anyone.
The man who made three thousand sects submit, who elevated Great Yin to the pinnacle of empires—how could he be a useless person?
Gu Ningye sighed lightly."Thinking carefully, he was right. Forced love isn't sweet. Neither of you would have been happy.
This way, you can find your own beloved. Your father and I will never force you again…"
"Mother Empress, did he really leave without a word?"
Yu Xiyan interrupted.
"According to Lü Yue, after the battle, Shen Zhao left without saying goodbye, leaving only the Khan's scepter."
Yu Xiyan took a deep breath and shook her head."He really doesn't want to return to Chang'an?"
Gu Ningye frowned slightly."What's wrong with you, Xiyan?"
"Does he really want nothing to do with the Great Yin royal family? Giving up such tremendous merit?"
"Zhao'er never cared about such achievements."
"But I care!"
Gu Ningye and Yu Xiyao were both shocked. They saw Yu Xiyan's eyes were red.
"Royal Sister, what's wrong with you?"
"Xiyan, what's wrong?"
"I like Shen Zhao. I really like him!"
Gu Ningye frowned even more.
Yu Xiyao thought to herself, Only someone like Brother Shen Zhao is worthy of my sister.
Gu Ningye asked,"Xiyan, are you serious? Or do you just see his ability and want to use him?"
Yu Xiyan shook her head."No, I truly like him. But he won't turn back. He doesn't even want to return to Chang'an. What should I do?"
She recalled a terrifying realization—the man who once loved her unconditionally might never return.
In the Fuxi Abyss, she had seen how carefree he was without her. Once, she was youthful and radiant, while he had looked worn and gray-haired.
If she had trusted him more, maybe he wouldn't have been so tired.
Gu Ningye sighed."Xiyan, why suffer like this? If you had listened to your father and interacted with him more, perhaps this wouldn't have happened. You were too stubborn, refusing even to meet him."
Yu Xiyan pleaded,"Mother Empress, is there any way to make Shen Zhao come back? I… I'm afraid…"
Gu Ningye stood up."Xiyan, focus on state affairs for now. I will announce that you personally led the campaign against Northern Mang."
"What? That's not right. It was—"
"Remember, you are the ruler. Shen Zhao left this merit to you on purpose so you could stabilize your throne. Do you want to betray his intentions?"
"Mother Empress, was that really Shen Zhao's wish?"
"I raised that child. I know his character. If you refuse, you'll only make him heartbroken."
Yu Xiyan composed herself and nodded."I understand. I will lead the army deep into the Great Wilderness and eradicate Northern Mang completely."
Gu Ningye nodded."Also, with Huang Tianhu eliminated, your plan to train a new army faces no external obstacles. Give the old border generals honorary titles, dismiss or merge the rest as you see fit."
"I had the same thought."
"Good. Handle the state affairs first. After that, I'll discuss your matter with Shen Zhao."
"I understand, Mother Empress. Please rest assured."
-----------------------
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