CH 89

Chapter 89: The Three Empires’ Retaliation

Qianhe rejected the Sang’s Empire peace talks and the world was in an uproar again. Everyone speculated as to what Qianhe’s intention was. By not agreeing to the Sang Empire’s peace treaty after the war had ended, what exactly did they want to do?

However, under the Empress’ orders, Qianhe’s army launched an all-out attack and the Sang Empire was caught off guard. The whole army retreated and seeing that the general situation looked bleak, the Empress of the Sang Empire committed suicide in her own palace an the Qianhe army marched straight into the palace. The entire Imperial family of the Sang Empire had become prisoners. The consorts and concubines of the harem had already been killed by the Empress to be buried with her. There were more than twenty remaining princes and princesses that were kept under strict watch by the Qianhe army. The civil and military ministers of the Sang Empire were also captured and imprisoned together. Soon after, all such news was urgently sent back by carriers on horseback.

All of Qianhe’s civil and military ministers celebrated, but only the Empress, Her Majesty, sat on the Dragon Throne with an uneasy expression, her face frigid.

Sensing the Empress’ displeasure, Long Xizhao asked with some doubts: “Your Majesty, is there something wrong with how our army handled things? This minister feels that the Empress is not so happy?”

“Happy?” Do you think that Zhen should be happy?” Liyou asked this nonchalantly, but it was easy to discern from her appearance that the Empress was in a poor mood.

“This, this minister….our army has won a great victory and the whole empire is celebrating, why is Your Majesty unhappy/” Suddenly, Long Xizhao felt that she should not have asked this question. It was only because she was too excited at the moment that she had impulsively done so.

“This Sang Empire…which one of you is going?” Liyou looked around the court. The entire court was full of civil and military ministers and while it was good that the Sang Empire had been defeated, it also meant that she had brought more troubles to herself. Moreover, this had been her fault, how could she feel happy when talking about it?”

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?” Long Xizhao suddenly felt that her mind was a bit sluggish, what did the Empress mean by this?

“The Imperial family of the Sang Empire, all the towns and cities within the territory, and officials from the court, these….who will handle these things?” Liyou made it clear, these matters had to be handled by someone.

Long Xizhao was taken aback. Naturally, someone would need to handle these things. But as to who would do it? This was a major event regarding an empire, of course it should be handled by the Empress…

“Hear zhen’s decree….” Liyao glanced around at the ministers again and issued several orders, “Immediately escort the entire Imperial family of the Sang Empire to give their greetings. As for the civil and military affairs, Li Yao, Long Xizhao and the rest of the six ministers of the six ministries, you will all participate in the investigation. Use those that can be used, keep those that can be kept and deal with corrupt officials who cannot be used. Do not panic when doing things. Let Zhen take care of everything that must be dealt with. If anyone makes trouble for Zhen, do not blame zhen for being rude!”

“Yes, this minister obeys the order!” Li Yao did not look surprised at all. On the contrary, it seemed like it had been within her realm of expectations. This Empress of hers, had always delegated such power and she no longer knew what it meant to be surprised.

Long Xizhao was stunned for a moment and then revealed a wry smile. It turned out that the Empress had meant this. Even the important matters of attacking an enemy and dealing with the aftermath was left to them to take care of. What else could the Empress pay attention to?

However, she had heard that there had been problems in the harem recently and the Enchanting guifei banished to the Cold Palace seemed to be giving birth soon. If it was a princess…..

There was also the Empress’ attitude towards the King Dowager. That day at the King Dowager’s birthday banquet, wind and rain swept through the town, the interaction becoming the talk of the town. Now the relationship between the Empress and the King Dowager seemed to be even more weird. But one could not talk too much about the matters of the harem ah.

The civil and the military forces began to get busy, but this was not just for Qianhe. Besides the Sang Empire which had been just about wiped from history, the other three countries were waiting in full force. Even the ongoing battles had ceased and what Qianhe Liyou had announced in court was naturally known by all the other empires. After such a moment of silence, all empires sent envoys en route to Qianhe in unison.

It was okay to fight, but if one lost the battle, one naturally had to seek peace. Perhaps, including the Sang Empire, no one had predicted that the outcome of the war would be like this. Qianhe refused to negotiate peace and planned to completely crush the Sang Empire. This had reminded people of those rumors, those mighty declarations made by the Empress of Qianhe at court. Sure enough, it was not just mere talk.

As for the envoys sent by those countries, the ministers each had different opinions and ideas on how to deal with them. However, during these few days of discussion among the ministers, the envoys had already arrived outside the Imperial city.

“Your Majesty, the situation of these countries is unclear at this time. The attitudes of these envoys are of major importance. I believe that we must be cautious and not let the other three countries misunderstand our dynasty’s ambitions. They are most likely worried that our dynasty will grow bigger and affect the larger situation in the world.” There was a hint of disdain in Long Xizhao’s tone, but it was hard to detect. If it was before, she would have definitely been worried about Qianhe’s future, but now she had great confidence in the Empress. It’s just, alas, it was not good if the Empress was too powerful. These past free days, she had been bustling like a busy bee in the Sang Empire and she was just about to leave to visit the defeated country again. No no no, it was no longer called the Sang Empire, it was now Qianhe’s territory. What she needed to do now was to make the Sang Empire completely disappear from the people’s cognition so that everyone in the original Sang Empire had a sense of belonging to Qianhe and completely become Qianhe’s subjects.

“Misunderstanding? Beloved minister Long, tell me, what would they misunderstand?” Liyou’s words made it clear she evidently knew of her advisor’s dislike. How could she not know what Long Xizhao meant? But, Liyou did not like these envoys very much. What did the other countries mean by sending envoys to her after the war ended between her and the Sang Empire? Was this a threat or warning? Hmph, did they really think she would be afraid of them?

“Your Majesty, you know that our army is strong and powerful, plowing through our enemies like hot knives through butter. Our fighting prowess and military glory intimidates the whole world. If it wasn’t for the fact that the three empires are scared of our dynasty, would they have sent envoys here? Their intentions are extremely obvious. This minister is stupid and cannot fathom what the Empress’ intentions are. Hoping Your Majesty can express them so this minister can receive the envoys of the three empires according to your will!” The envoys had already arrived on their doorstep, yet the Empress still looked so calm, making Long Xizhao anxious.

“Just do what you want. Zhen does not wish to repeat the same thing over and over again. No one can threaten me, do you understand?” She had already expressed herself many times in this court and she did not want to do it again. Even if the enemy she was to face was no longer a singular empire, but three, her ambitions would not change.

She was a majestic, ten-thousand-year-old zombie, how could she be bullied by mere humans? If there was truly someone who was unable to differentiate good from bad, then don’t blame her for being rude.

“Yes, this minister understands!” One did not know if having such a strong Empress was a good or bad thing. Although she spoke and acted a bit toughly, she could sometimes also be frightened. After all, a decision of hers could affect the situation of all empires in the world at any given moment. If it was not done well, it could provoke a war among the empires at any time. Although she, Long Xizhao, was not afraid of war, but after all, millions of people’s lives were at stake, how could she not act cautiously?

“It is good if you understand. The meeting of the envoys from the three empires will be handed over to you. Zhen is tired, so I will withdraw from court.” In the past few days, the only things discussed at Imperial court was about the other empires, which made Liyou feel a little annoyed.

After withdrawing from court and the ministers dispersed, Liyou casually strolled around the palace. The figure of Anhui appeared behind her. This was the Empress’ order. She had decreed that he should continue to trail after her, but not as a Shadow Guard. Everyone in court knew the existence of Anhui. Although it was unusual for a consort to be a bodyguard,they did not dare to comment too much about the Empress order.

“Anhui, the Imperial Physician said that the Enchanting guifei is about to give birth?” As if they were merely chatting, Liyou asked Anhui who was at her side.

“Yes, what does Your Majesty want this consort to do?” Regarding the Echanting guifei, Anhui did not have any feelings for the man, but the child in the consort’s belly was the Empress’ flesh and blood. He didn’t know how the Empress would plan to arrange things.

“How do you think Zhen should deal with that child?” Liyou’s question seemed to be a bit ruthless, as if she wasn’t talking about topics related to herself, let alone about the child who was her own flesh and blood.

“How can this consort dare to speak nonsense?” Anhui consciously felt that he did not have the right to speak too much about the matter.”

“Zhen permits you to do so, just stay whatever naturally comes to mind.”

“Understood. This consort feels that this child has done nothing wrong, but everyone has their own destiny and must follow the karmic cycle. Empress, whatever you think should be done will be handled. This consort has full faith that you will definitely arrange for everything, Your Majesty.”

“After arranging everything, Zhen was thinking, let us go and pay a visit to Enchanting guifei. I also want to hear his opinion.” After all, it was his child too. She could give him another chance to say his opinion. Moreover, she had never seen what it was like for a man to be pregnant….

“Yes.”

The two walked all the way to the Cold Palace with the attendants flitting after them. It was the season of warm spring breezes and flowers were currently in full bloom. The palace was full of flowers and all kinds of rare and exotic florals and grasses could be seen everywhere. Along the path they walked, the two could smell the overwhelming fragrance of flowers, but the bustling scenery seemed to disappear faster and faster as they got to the Cold Palace until only dead trees and weeds were left, looking extremely desolate.

“Your Majesty, do you need this servant to report your presence?” Feng Ying took in the desolate state of the Cold Palace and inquired.

“No need, you all stay here. It will be enough for Zhen and Imperial Consort Ying to go.”

“Understood.”

With Anhui, Liyou walked into the somewhat dilapidated Cold Palace. The two men in the room were currently eating and looked up at the visitors with surprise…

“Your Majesty!” Situ Hongyu stood up in surprise. He was already quite bloated from pregnancy and it was difficult to stand up. Not to mention, he had gotten up so suddenly, he immediately felt unstable and was about to fall to the ground. The attendant beside him wanted to help him, but was in too much of a hurry. They could not hold on and the two of them fell to the ground together…

“Anhui.” Liyou did not want to get close to someone he did not know well and called out to Anhui. Anhui immediately stepped forward to support the two people who were about to fall and helped them sit back on their chairs.

“No need to be polite.” Liyou also spoke at the same time, stopping Situ Hongyu’s hasty movements.

Situ Hongyu sat back on the chair in a hurry and gazed at the Empress with some anxiety. He did not know why the Empress came here unannounced or what her intention was. But, he suddenly thought, he had not dressed up and his body was a bit bloated due to his pregnancy. Wasn’t he a little bit ugly right now…..