The alignment of the seven stars heralded the imminent ascent of Qin Zhao to the throne.
Qin Zhao shifted his gaze back to Huo Jun.
When Qin Zheng was still alive, it was a grave offense to address her as "Your Majesty."
But it was also a way of indicating that she unequivocally supported Qin Zhao's position.
In recent days, Huo Jun's cold and formidable demeanor, her composure and agility, had deeply ingrained themselves in the hearts of the soldiers of the Northwestern Army.
By uttering such defiant words, she shattered that image, delivering a tremendous shock to everyone present!
However, it directly influenced their choices.
In their hearts, Huo Jun was an awe-inspiring figure, someone they couldn't help but want to follow.
After a moment of silence, someone echoed Huo Jun's words, saying, "I am willing to follow Your Majesty for a lifetime!"
One by one, others joined in, saying, "Willing to follow Your Majesty for a lifetime!"
The atmosphere in the square gradually reached a boiling point, as the Northwestern Army withstood the pressure of rebellion and shouted, "Long live Your Majesty!"
Everyone knelt down in unison, submitting themselves to Qin Zhao!
Qin Zhao looked at the dark heads of the people and thought that with her current status as the Crown Princess, with a little planning, she could ascend to the throne. But clearly, a direct palace coup was the more prudent course of action.
It would also spare her the troubles of intrigue and deception with Qin Zheng.
Just the reputation wouldn't sound too good.
This aspect would need to be addressed after she ascended the throne, as a remedy.
"Rise."
Huo Jun and the other generals stood up.
Qin Zhao continued, "After the success of this matter, each of you will be rewarded for your loyalty!"
"Very well!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The atmosphere was electrifying!
Amidst the crowd, an inconspicuous figure quietly slipped away.
...
To celebrate the victory of the border war, Qin Zhao took out food and wine from the supplies to reward the Northwestern Army.
After three days of revelry, she left behind fifty thousand soldiers to garrison the city of Mouding.
The other fifty thousand accompanied her back to the capital!
·
26th July, 18th year of Yuanjia, capital city.
As twilight descended, a man sneaked into the residence of Prince Jin.
A servant approached Qin Lie, who was having his dinner, and said, "My lord, there is someone outside requesting an audience, claiming it's an urgent matter."
Prince Jin replied, "Can't even have a peaceful dinner. Tell him to come back tomorrow."
The servant said, "That person said he came back from the border and insists on seeing you right now."
The mention of the border caught Qin Lie's attention, and his expression changed slightly. "Let him wait in the main hall."
"Yes, sir."
Zheng Wanyun, who was beside him, asked, "What's happening at the border?"
"The specifics will depend on what the scout says, but it's likely that there's movement in Xiaoyang."
"Will you accompany me to the main hall?"
"Of course, my lord."
"Wah~ Wah~"
Suddenly, the sound of a baby crying came from outside the door!
The two quickly got up to take a look.
When they opened the door, they saw a wet nurse carrying the newborn princess, who was less than a month old, coming towards them.
Qin Lie hurriedly walked over.
The wet nurse trembled as she said, "My lord, the little princess has been crying since she woke up. She must be missing her father and mother."
Prince Jin reached out and took the little princess, comforting her softly, "Oh, oh, don't cry, don't cry. Xuan'er, do you miss your royal father?"
While Qin Xuan cried, she stared at Qin Lie's face and gradually stopped crying.
Seeing this, Qin Lie laughed happily, "My daughter indeed favors her royal father the most!"
Zheng Wanyun became displeased and approached Qin Xuan, "Xuan'er also likes her mother, right?"
Qin Xuan looked at Zheng Wanyun and smiled softly.
The adorable voice of a baby melted the hearts of several adults instantly.
Qin Lie abruptly stopped smiling and gazed toward the northwest, saying, "The title of a mere county princess is not worthy of my son. I am determined to make you the most esteemed princess of the Yue Kingdom!"
Qin Lie and Zheng Wanyun went to the main hall together and saw a scout drenched in sweat and emitting an unpleasant odor.
Zheng Wanyun slightly furrowed her brows but didn't show overt displeasure.
However, Qin Lie expressed his disgust, "Why do you stink so much? Do you want to suffocate me?"
The scout immediately knelt down, begging for forgiveness. "I apologize, Lord. It was urgent, and I didn't have time to bathe and change clothes. Please forgive me!"
Qin Lie kicked the scout aside. "Stay away from me."
The scout retreated to the doorway.
Only then did Qin Lie inquire, "What important matter is it? Speak quickly."
Feeling the pain in his shoulder, the scout harbored resentment toward Qin Lie and decided not to reveal the truth.
He replied, "The imperial princess has successfully turned ten thousand troops from the northwest. She will return to the imperial court today. Lord, please prepare accordingly."
Qin Lie relaxed and half reclined in his chair. "I don't care about a mere ten thousand soldiers. Zhao Yang is nothing but a woman who deludes herself into thinking she can become emperor. She will be laughingstock!"
Zheng Wanyun suggested, "I believe we can make use of this situation to our advantage, openly and righteously remove Zhao Yang from her position as imperial princess, and expand our influence."
Qin Lie asked, "What do you mean?"
"You can report Zhao Yang's rebellion to the Emperor but discreetly, allowing the Emperor to entrust the matter entirely to you. If the Emperor orders you to mobilize troops, you can take the opportunity to win over the commander of the Forbidden Army. Controlling the Forbidden Army is equivalent to controlling the capital. At that time, no one will be able to oppose you!"
Excitedly, Qin Lie stood up and embraced Zheng Wanyun. "Truly, you are my wise assistant. If I ascend the throne, you will be my only empress!"
Blushing, Zheng Wanyun leaned against Qin Lie's chest. "Thank you for your deep affection, Your Highness."
The two of them indulged in each other's company for quite some time before realizing that there was another person in the main hall.
Qin Lie stared at him, and the scout felt a chill down his spine.
After a moment, Qin Lie commanded, "Take him away and dispose of him."
The scout cried out in fear, "Please, Your Highness, spare me! I was only doing my duty. Why must I meet such a fate?"
A hidden guard responded and descended from the ceiling, dragging the scout away amidst his screams.
Muttering to himself, Qin Lie said, "It's your misfortune for knowing things you shouldn't have known."
That night, Qin Lie hurriedly went to the Jingyang Palace to meet with the Emperor.
Inside the palace, Qin Lie saw Qin Zheng, who hadn't attended court for over a month.
Qin Lie was taken aback. After not seeing him for some time, he could barely recognize his father before him.
Qin Zheng's hands were as withered as old tree branches, his face pale and lacking any trace of color, and his eye sockets sunken and clouded.
He appeared as if he had just crawled out of a tomb!
Qin Lie couldn't help but feel fear, involuntarily taking a step back.
Qin Zheng noticed his movement and said, "My son, come closer to me."
Qin Lie approached and bowed his head. "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
Qin Zheng looked at his timid expression and suddenly grabbed his chin!
Qin Lie winced in pain but dared not make a sound, enduring it silently.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"You are the emperor, the wielder of imperial authority. How can your child not be afraid?" Qin Lie replied.
Qin Zheng released Qin Lie and burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You are quite insightful!"
However, his laughter soon faded, and through gritted teeth, he said, "But there are always those who are not afraid of me."
Qin Lie asked, "Who dares to be so bold?"
