Chapter 294: Your Servant, I Wish to Lead Troops into Battle

Inside the hall, a hush prevailed.

Wan Tang sat upright among the seats, her expression calm and unruffled, as if the recent turmoil had never occurred.

The palace banquet ended.

On the way back to the palace, Hui Guifei walked alongside Wan Tang.

She glanced at the perpetually composed Wan Tang and couldn't help asking in a low voice, "Do you really think you can stay so composed?"

Wan Tang replied lightly and steadily, "Naturally."

"That thread of fate may be annoying, but it cannot die at the Fengqi banquet, handing a weapon to others for nothing."

She paused, hinting, "Mo Family, having just cleared its grievances, truly can no longer withstand even the slightest storm."

Hui Guifei's gaze tightened slightly, she looked at her deeply, and said nothing further.

The moon hid, the stars sank.

Wan Tang was removing her hairpins before the mirror when a silent, slender silhouette reflected on the window lattice.

She did not pause, as if she had anticipated it.

"I have granted your request," Yan Wang's deep voice came through the paper window, with a hint of amusement, "And you? Should you also make a sign?"

Wan Tang's voice was cold: "The medicine the Prince gave, I can have the Emperor take it daily."

A faint snicker came from outside the window: "Indeed, but what I want is not that."

Wan Tang said nothing, merely continuing her own task.

"Never mind. The Northern Border envoy is now fully enraged, so the marriage alliance proposal is postponed."

"You only need to hold firm, never concede to use Minghui for the marriage alliance."

"The remaining trouble, I will handle it myself and clean it up."

Wan Tang was silent for a moment, then faced the shadow outside the window and clearly uttered a single word: "Fine."

The spring chill was sharp, and only a few new shoots had just emerged on the branches.

Wan Tang carried the freshly made spring pancakes toward the Palace of Imperial Administration, but her steps suddenly halted outside the hall's doors.

From within came Chu Yunzheng's cold voice:

"General Xu Yenchuan is stationed at the Northern Border, but his Xuanjia Army must break camp immediately and return to the Capital before spring."

Wan Tang's complexion changed abruptly, and the food box in her hand nearly slipped from her grasp.

"Your Highness, you're still waiting outside, aren't you?" Xiao Dongzi, seeing Wan Tang's rashness, hurried forward and whispered, "The Emperor is very troubled today."

Wan Tang's expression turned sour, ignoring the admonition.

She stormed straight into the hall: "Emperor, although spring has arrived at the Northern Border, the mountain roads are still snow‑covered; a rapid march now would be extremely dangerous!"

Chu Yunzheng lifted his eyes to glance at her, his brows slightly furrowed: "The Capital's defenses are thin, Yan Wang has been active lately; I cannot afford to have no backup."

"But the Northern Border and Bei Yue have always been watching like tigers!" Wan Tang stepped forward quickly, "If the Xuanjia Army is withdrawn now, General Xu will be left defending an empty city, becoming a sitting duck."

"The Northern Border has already sent an envoy to seek peace, so it dare not act rashly in the short term," Chu Yunzheng said resolutely, "Xu Yenchuan is resourceful enough to maneuver."

"The Capital must not suffer any loss."

Wan Tang looked at the unquestionable resolve in his eyes, and all words were stuck in her throat.

Indeed!

As long as the Capital remains stable, everything else can be ignored.

After all, the road to the Northern Border is long, and the assault on the Capital is still some time away.

But internal turmoil is a different matter.

【Wan Tang, don't be sad. Whether Yan Wang rebels now is irrelevant; what matters is that once Xu Yenchuan returns, he will be a disaster for the Emperor.】

【Think about it: the Xu Family's Hundred Thousand Army, the Mo Family's Hundred Thousand Army, and the Northern Border's 200,000 troops… If you were the Emperor, wouldn't you fear such people?】

【Actually, a bit of hardship in the Northern Border is no big deal; Xu Yenchuan can overcome it. As long as the Emperor does not move against Xu Yenchuan, that would be a good thing.】

Wan Tang stood in the courtyard.

She watched the peach blossoms on the tree bloom again.

She felt somewhat dazed.

On a whim, she took a flower basket, collected petals, and made Peach Blossom Brew.

"Wan Tang…"

A startled shout, Hui Guifei hurried over, her face turning pale: "Something's happened."

Wan Tang had just buried the Peach Blossom Brew, and hurriedly asked, "Sister, why are you so frantic?"

Hui Guifei's eyes were red: "The army just returned to the Capital, and Bei Yue and the Northern Border have joined forces, launching a sudden attack."

"The Emperor just withdrew the Northern Border's elite troops; now a rebellion arises—how can we resist?"

"General Xu may be formidable, but he cannot face so many alone."

"Wan Tang, do you understand what I'm saying?"

Hui Guifei's tone grew heavier.

She even gripped Wan Tang's hand tightly, her expression never so serious.

Wan Tang's face was equally grim.

The voice in her mind returned:

【I didn't expect that any empty‑city plan, any of the thirty‑six stratagems, under an absolute numerical crushing, are all empty talk.】

【Quick, send troops to reinforce!】

【How to reinforce? Yan Wang has already safely returned to Fengdu; Chu Yunzheng's attempt to block him has already failed.】

【Fengdu's forces have long been strong and plentiful; moreover, with a single order from Yan Wang they could march to the Capital instantly. If, at this moment, the main army were sent back, think—could the Capital still be defended?】

The spring sunlight fell on the golden bricks of Yangxin Hall, yet it could not dispel the heavy chill inside the hall.

Wan Tang and Hui Guifei stepped into the hall side by side; Chu Yunzheng saw them arrive together, and a trace of gentleness passed through his eyes.

He set down the vermilion brush: "Why are we all here together today?"

I heard the Emperor intends to recall the Northern Border army.

Hui Guifei slowly began, then added: "Although the Imperial harem may not intervene in state affairs, doing so is truly dangerous."

If the Northern Border and Bei Yue truly join forces, the frontier will be breached, and we fear…

When he understood the meaning, the smile on his face vanished instantly.

Chu Yunzheng rubbed his brow: "I know you are worried, but the situation in the Capital is now more perilous than the Northern Border."

"Yan Wang is at my side, eyeing everything like a tiger; I… am also forced by circumstances."

"Your Majesty!" Wan Tang stepped forward, her voice trembling subtly, "The Northern Border is bitterly cold, a lone force deep inside; without reinforcements, Ink River he…"

"Enough!" Chu Yunzheng flung his sleeve, the tea cup on the table shaking, leaving a splash of water. "All you see is your brother."

"Have you ever thought of me?"

"Yan Wang commands troops like a deity; the capital is empty, how can I exist?"

"This household can barely hold on, yet you women only focus on the frontier!"

Wan Tang's face turned pale, the harsh tone and accusation in his words chilled her heart.

She inhaled deeply, suppressing the surging emotions.

She stepped back, lowered her head and said, "Subject does not dare to request Your Majesty to mobilize the great army."

"If Subject were to raise troops on my own, may I ask Your Majesty to appoint a commander to lead this unit to the rendezvous?"

"You? Raise troops yourself?"

Chu Yunzheng seemed to hear something absurd and sneered.

One must know that ordinary provincial soldiers number only a hundred.

What does a great army imply?

What level of terrifying money is needed to achieve this?

Chu Yunzheng did not engage with Wan Tang on this matter.

He only watched Wan Tang's expression grow ever more somber.

His gaze, sharp as a blade, said, "Where else do I have spare Commander to send?"

"The Imperial Guard must protect the Imperial City, and each pass also needs a guarding commander; I have no one to send!"

The previously silent Hui Guifei suddenly rose.

She stood tall, her eyes calm and resolute.

She bowed solemnly to Chu Yunzheng: "Your Majesty, if truly no one is available, Subject is willing to go."

Without waiting for Chu Yunzheng to speak, her clear voice rang out, "Members of the Ning family, regardless of gender, when the nation is in peril, all may take up spears and mount horses to protect our rivers and mountains."

"Please grant Your Majesty's favor!"

Chu Yunzheng looked at her determined expression, and the words of counsel that had reached his lips were swallowed back.

The hall fell silent for a moment, only the faint sound of spring wind brushing the branches outside the window remained.

He said nothing, and Hui Guifei knelt there, motionless.

In the Grand Hall, only Chu Yunzheng's heavy breathing could be heard.

"Emperor." Hui Guifei inhaled deeply and said, "Do you remember the Red Tassel Spear I broke when I entered the palace?"

Chu Yunzheng's complexion changed.

Hui Guifei continued, "The moment the Red Tassel Spear snapped, I was already dead."

Chu Yunzheng's hand trembled slightly.

After a long while, he struggled to lift the corner of his mouth.

He said slowly, "It is I, I am sorry to you."

"If that is what you think, then go…."

He waved his hand and turned away.

Even a mere silhouette made people feel his heaviness.

Wan Tang was puzzled.

Hui Guifei's face, however, broke into a bright smile.

She grasped Wan Tang's hand: "Let's go!"

The Imperial Decree was issued.

Wan Tang lingered no longer, immediately sending Xiao Shunzi to make preparations.

Morning light was faint, and the City gate opened.

Under the fluttering banners, Hui Guifei, clad in silver armor, exuded a chilling aura; her scarlet cloak billowed like clouds in the crisp spring wind.

She held a long Red Tassel Spear, sitting upright on a steed.

Her gaze beneath the helmet's rim was bright and sharp; the true goddess of war had descended.

Wan Tang stood beside the carriage, looking up at her, her eyes already bloodshot, tears silently streaming down her face.

She clutched the hand Hui Guifei handed her, the fingertips icy.

Her voice choked, "Sister, this journey is perilous; you must, must return safely."

Hui Guifei squeezed her hand back firmly, a carefree smile curving her lips—a radiance never seen within these deep palace walls.

She said nothing more, only gazed deeply at Wan Tang, then abruptly pulled her hand back and tugged the reins.

"Mount!"

The horse's hooves kicked up light dust.

Wan Tang stared absentmindedly at the figure fading into the distance, her emotions complex.

On the battlefield, there were indeed flashes of swords and knives, a near‑death ordeal.

But at the instant Hui Guifei spurred her horse and lifted the reins, Wan Tang seemed to see the phoenix imprisoned in a golden‑silk cage finally shatter its bonds.

She finally even breathed freely.

Wan Tang stared at the sound of departure.

She stared at the high palace wall.

At last, a faint bitter smile appeared.

【Oh my God! Hui Guifei looks really cool like this.】

【I truly hope she never returns.】

【What nonsense are you talking about? The moment Hui Guifei entered the palace, she became a person of the imperial palace. Not coming back can only mean one thing: death.】

【Is it still meaningful to discuss life and death now? The Northern Border and Bei Yue have already joined forces, Xu Yanchuan's fate hangs by a thread. I truly hope Hui Guifei can make it there in time, otherwise it will be too late.】

Wan Tang stood at the Gongmen.

A peach blossom fell, landing right on Wan Tang's nose.

She reached out, inhaling the scent.

At her ear, Xiao Luzi's voice urged, "Mother, how should we respond to Eunuch Shun over there?"

"Specify how many troops should be sent."

Speaking, Xiao Luzi, full of worry, reminded, "Mother, you must know that the Mo Family has no troops at the moment, and the Ning family can only mobilize about three thousand."

How could Wan Tang not know?

But with such few people, how could they save her brother?

Wan Tang's expression grew cold.

She said in a low voice, "One hundred thousand."