Fighting Bloody Battles To Defend The Border, The Love-Brained Empress Ordered The Troops To Withdraw? - Chapter 35

Qin Hui was a man of sharp tongue and even sharper mind. With the Empress’s command in hand, it took him no time to sway Du Yuetao.

“If that’s the case,” Du Yuetao said lazily, “then I suppose I might consider Her Majesty’s request…”

He didn’t sound like a subject at all — more like someone deciding whether a favor was worth his effort. His tone was lofty, even slightly dismissive.

“But Northern Xinjiang is far,” he added coolly. “The terrain is harsh, life is bitter. I’m not sure my wife’s health could handle it.”

“I’ll need to consult her first.”

Qin Hui felt a jolt of frustration rise in his chest, though his expression stayed warm and courteous.

“Of course,” he said with a polite smile. “It’s only right that General Du discusses this with Madam. Still… as this matter touches upon Her Majesty’s forthcoming marriage, I hope you can gently persuade your wife.”

“Her Majesty is thirty now — this union is dear to her. Madam Du, being a woman herself, must understand such a longing. She knows what it’s like to wait for love.”

Though Qin Hui’s words were veiled in civility, the subtle pressure was unmistakable.

But Du Yuetao was no fool. He had climbed to the rank of Hussar General not just with brute strength, but with cunning.

His expression chilled.

“Prime Minister Qin,” he said flatly, “what goes on in my household is not your concern.”

“And my wife — she may be gentle, but she’s no one’s puppet. Neither the obvious nor the hidden kind.”

“So I’ll ask you to watch your words in future. I won’t be so tolerant next time.”

Qin Hui was seething internally — a thousand curses boiled beneath his grin — but on the surface, he stayed gracious, murmuring apologies.

This was the Dayu court: chaotic, exhausting, but full of opportunity.

And this opportunity was his to seize — if Du Yuetao agreed, it would mean yet another feather in his cap.

So Qin Hui waited patiently.

Half an hour ticked by, and he was ready to spit bl00d.

This was an imperial matter! And Du Yuetao was still dragging his feet?

Back in Emperor Xuan’s time, such defiance would have earned a hundred lashes — or worse.

Still, Qin Hui clenched his fists in his sleeves and endured.

Eventually, Du Yuetao reappeared, supporting a frail woman by the arm.

Though pale and weak, she was breathtaking — like a flower on the verge of wilting. Her beauty had a haunting softness, like she might collapse with the next gust of wind.

She bowed gracefully. “Greetings, Prime Minister Qin.”

With the calm demeanor of a learned woman, she spoke slowly.

“I did not wish to go to Northern Xinjiang. The journey is long, the weather cruel. I doubt my body can withstand such hardship.”

“But my husband explained the situation — that it concerns Her Majesty’s wedding. I thought about it… Her Majesty must be lonely, waiting all these years without finding someone to share her heart.”

“I understand that feeling.”

“So… we’ve decided. We’ll go to Northern Xinjiang. Together.”

Qin Hui’s heart leapt. Du Yuetao had agreed!

Yet even as she spoke, Madam Du’s words stung with double meaning.

How dare she speak of the Empress as lonely in the dark of night? That was borderline treasonous!

But Qin Hui, naturally, didn’t correct her. He even praised her insight. After confirming the details of their departure, he rushed back to the palace with the news.

Xiao Mingzhao was delighted.

She immediately ordered a reward for Qin Hui, overflowing with satisfaction.

But news like this could never stay quiet for long.

After all, Madam Du had sisters in the capital. Word spread like wildfire.

And soon, it hit the Ministry of War — with the force of a storm.

Yang Huibin and the senior military council were livid.

“I thought the issue had been dropped,” Yang Huibin thundered. “Who would’ve guessed Her Majesty would still insist on removing General Li Yunfei?”

“Without him in Shanhe City, who’s left to protect the people? Who gives them hope? Who will keep the barbarians at bay?”

“This must not happen!”

The entire ministry erupted into furious agreement.

Shanhe City wasn’t just a city — it was the northern shield of Dayu, the most strategic military post in the empire. The dynasty’s very foundation depended on its defense.

And more than that — this was about a legacy. A vow made in the age of Emperor Wu:

“No barbarian shall ever walk freely in Dayu.”

To allow Tuoba Hao near Shanhe — to hand him the key to the kingdom’s defense — was a betrayal of everything they stood for.

It had to be stopped.

But how?

The Empress’s actions were reckless, yes — but they were also final. In a monarchy, a ruler’s word was law.

What could mere ministers do?

Stake their lives?

Maybe. But would it matter?

The room fell into a kind of hopeless silence.

That’s when someone glanced toward Yang Huibin, still seated quietly in his grand chair, and gathered the courage to speak:

“Lord Yang… This is a turning point for our empire. Please… show us the way.”

Only then did Yang Huibin stir, his gaze calm as it swept the room.

He said softly:

“Dayu has nurtured loyal officials for a hundred years. If we’re ever to speak truth to power — it is today.”

The words were light, but when they fell, it was like thunder crashing through the chamber.

Men clenched their fists. Eyes turned red.

Not from fear — but from the courage awakening within them.

. . .

“Your Majesty! Urgent report!”

The old eunuch Wang Hai rushed into the royal study, breathless.

“Dozens of ministers… outside the Gate of Heavenly Mandate. All kneeling. It’s pouring rain, the wind howling… but they won’t move.”

“There are more arriving by the moment.”

Xiao Mingzhao stood abruptly, startled.

She looked at the half-finished letter she was writing to Tuoba Hao — a love letter, soft and yearning — then placed it down with regret.

“Let’s go,” she commanded. “I want to see this with my own eyes.”

“And summon Prime Minister Qin.”

She wasn’t naïve. She knew something major had erupted — and she needed the counsel of her most trusted aide.

Moments later, Xiao Mingzhao stood atop the palace walls, flanked by the old eunuch and the ever-composed Qin Hui.

From the heights, they looked out across the outer courtyard of the palace.

Rain lashed down, the wind cutting like blades — yet the ground was filled with kneeling officials.

Soaked to the bone, robes clinging, hair plastered — but not one of them bowed their back.

They knelt like monuments. As if carved from stone.

At the front knelt Yang Huibin, unmoving.

Xiao Mingzhao narrowed her eyes.

“What is the meaning of this?” she asked coldly.

“Are they trying to shame me?”

Wang Hai trembled beside her, never having witnessed such defiance.

He quickly said, “Your Majesty, Minister Yang submitted a petition. He begs that General Li Yunfei remain in Shanhe City. He says unless Your Majesty agrees, they will stay here — in the rain.”

Xiao Mingzhao’s face turned stormy.

“This is coercion!”

“Yang Huibin—what audacity! Does he think I won’t act? Does he believe I lack the will to punish him?”

“Do they think I won’t have their heads?!”

Her anger surged — murderously so.

Qin Hui, watching calmly from the side, read her like an open book.

She won’t really kill them, he thought. Not when she’s cooled off. And even if she does — if she kills one, the rest will only grow stronger.

So he stepped in with smooth, quiet tact.

“Your Majesty,” he said gently, “they simply don’t understand the burden you bear. Nor can they feel the pain of your heart.”

“It only proves that the Dayu Dynasty still falls short of the love and unity Your Majesty envisions.”

“This is not the time for punishment, but for patience.”

“That’s why,” he continued, “on my way here, I already sent orders to prepare umbrellas and warm cloaks. The ministers will not fall ill.”

“So please, Your Majesty — let them kneel. Their petition need not be answered.”

“Let time speak.”