Fighting Bloody Battles To Defend The Border, The Love-Brained Empress Ordered The Troops To Withdraw? - Chapter 6

A glimmer of hope sparked in Wang Hai’s heart, quickly followed by steely determination.

Prime Minister Qin—he was one of their own.

As the Empress’s most trusted advisor and a senior statesman of the Dayu Dynasty, Prime Minister Qin’s voice carried tremendous weight. If he spoke in Wang Hai’s favor, could Li Yunfei really escape judgment?

Fueled by both exhaustion and rage, Wang Hai ignored his aching body and rushed to the Prime Minister’s residence with Empress Xiao Mingzhao’s summons in hand.

Upon arrival, he bowed low and relayed the Empress’s message.

“Eunuch Wang, summoned this late?” Qin asked with quiet curiosity.

Wang Hai’s tone was laced with bitterness. “Li Yunfei tore up Her Majesty’s decree and killed one of our own.”

Qin’s expression darkened subtly—he was well aware of the situation behind the scenes. He simply nodded.

“Prime Minister…” Wang Hai lowered his voice, eyes burning with hatred. “When you see Her Majesty, please speak for me. Li Yunfei must be punished—severely!”

His voice trembled, but not just from emotion.

The one Li Yunfei had slain wasn’t just any court servant. She was no eunuch at all—but a young palace maid in disguise.

His beloved.

Years ago, Wang Hai had fallen for her at first glance. But as a eunuch, his love was considered forbidden. His pay was meager—barely enough to survive—yet he scraped and stole for three long years, secretly embezzling a fraction of every subordinate’s wages. Piece by piece, he saved enough to craft a gold-threaded rouge box to win her heart.

When Xiao Mingzhao learned of their quiet romance, she’d declared their love pure and moving, and even rewarded them. She promoted Wang Hai and allowed their relationship to be acknowledged openly.

From then on, they had walked the palace grounds as a pair—unusual, admired.

But that one reckless decision to bring her to the border, to witness the Empress’s future wedding, had cost her life.

Now she was gone.

And Wang Hai wanted revenge.

But Qin Hui only paused and said calmly, “I understand, my friend. I won’t forget this. But now… is not the time.”

Before Wang Hai could object, the Prime Minister was already climbing into his carriage, en route to the palace.

“Your servant greets Your Majesty,” Qin said, kneeling upon arrival.

“Prime Minister, rise,” Xiao Mingzhao replied warmly. His presence brought her some comfort.

Qin Hui—brilliant scholar, gifted orator, and beloved minister—was her confidant.

He had passed the imperial examination in her father’s reign and had once served as Minister of Rites. He had even acted as an envoy to the barbarians and helped oversee the examinations. His poetic heart was famous throughout the court: in one exam, he made every scholar compose a florid essay praising a rotting plum—symbolizing his eternal devotion to a childhood sweetheart.

Xiao Mingzhao had once sat on the throne, quietly reading those essays. She’d been deeply moved.

She had thought: This is a man who truly understands love.

It was then she resolved to keep him close, to have someone by her side who knew not just governance—but affection, humanity.

Her father, Emperor Xuan, had always reminded her: Each generation must accomplish its own destiny.

Her predecessors had forged the Dayu Dynasty through force, wisdom, and strategy.

Now, as its first Empress, she wanted her mark to be different.

She believed in a new path: a dynasty governed not by cold laws or iron swords, but by compassion.

Love.

Love would bind the people together more tightly than any law. It would guide her subjects, nurture harmony, and elevate the Dayu Dynasty into something eternal.

Yes, there had been mistakes. Resistance. Even bloodshed. But reform always came at a price.

Had not her grandfather, Emperor Wu, expanded the territory with fire and steel, while the people starved?

But in the end, history remembered his success, not his suffering.

She would be no different.

Prime Minister Qin—wise, loyal, poetic—was the pillar of that vision. He was her right hand, her compass.

Now, with solemn trust, she explained the Li Yunfei incident.

“Prime Minister, what is your view?”

Qin sighed deeply, his eyes carrying a trace of regret. “I should’ve foreseen this. I did not expect General Li to have such powerful feelings for Your Majesty. He must be suffering greatly, watching you marry another.”

“I failed to account for that. Forgive me.”

Xiao Mingzhao waved his apology aside. “This matter surprised us all. You’ve done no wrong. But Yunfei’s defiance hurts me. I only wish to be happy. Can he not understand that?”

Qin Hui reflected, then offered carefully measured words. “Your Majesty, the general’s feelings are real, but short-sighted. He sees only his pain, not the greater love you offer the world.”

“But he is not foolish. With the right guidance, he will see beyond himself.”

“If you speak to him directly, explain that your love is for all under heaven, I believe he will come to understand—and relent.”

Xiao Mingzhao’s expression lit up with inspiration.

“Prime Minister, your wisdom is as deep as the sea! You’ve shown me a path forward.”

Qin bowed slightly. “Your Majesty honors me.”

“But…” she hesitated. “Li Yunfei is at the border. He destroyed my decree. He won’t return.”

“If I send another order, he’ll only resist again.”

Qin nodded. “True. A letter won’t reach him.”

He paused, then said with deliberate boldness, “Then… Your Majesty should go to him.”

“Speak to him face to face. Show him your heart.”

“And while there… perhaps you might also visit Lord Tuoba. I imagine Your Majesty has longed for him deeply.”

A blush rose to Xiao Mingzhao’s cheeks.

She had dreamed of that moment—flying to Tuoba Hao like a swallow in spring.

And now, perhaps… that moment had come.