"Is Pugan truly the strongest among the Seven Kingdoms?"
A flicker of light stirred in Yun Shu's gaze. "Very well. Then let us strike them."
General Wei Yuan blinked in disbelief."…?"
Something felt off about Her Highness the Crown Princess's tone. Was it just his imagination?
It must be.
Reinforcing Ningzhou and striking Pugan—how hard could it be?
Though a faint unease pricked at him, General Wei Yuan dismissed the feeling. After leaving Yun Shu's command tent, he quickly began arranging the march to Ningzhou.
The Capital
Ever since General Wei Yuan's last eight-hundred-mile urgent report arrived, the entire court—Emperor Xuanwu included—had been waiting for news of a great victory in Yongzhou and a ceasefire with Annan.
They had all assumed the second report would come within a few short days.
After all, if even the Crown Princess could command the heavens, how could Annan possibly hold?
But to everyone's surprise, ten days passed in silence. No new dispatch came from Yongzhou.
Instead, alarming reports arrived from the borders of Ningzhou.
And not just Ningzhou. Reports came one after another from Zhuzhou, Liangzhou, and elsewhere. Though not all sounded the alarm as severely, they each described dangerous stalemates—fragile balances that could collapse with even the slightest outside interference.
Tension seized the court.
Those officials who had criticized Yun Shu when the Seven Kingdoms first went to war now seized the moment to revive their old grievances.
"Your Majesty, the border at Ningzhou is now in peril. The other provinces have no troops to spare. Even Yongzhou, once our greatest hope, has yet to send word. The situation can no longer be delayed."
"Indeed, Your Majesty! If Ningzhou falls, the consequences may become irreversible."
"With respect, our Tiansheng holds no deep enmity with the Seven Kingdoms. Much of this conflict stems from misunderstandings. Seeking peace and negotiations would be the most advantageous course for our realm."
"Your Majesty…"
"Enough!"
Emperor Xuanwu sat high upon the dragon throne, his expression growing darker with each plea for peace.
At last, his patience broke.
"Peace? Peace, peace, peace! Is that all you know to say?
Are We, the sovereign of this great and mighty nation, to bow our heads in apology before those petty kingdoms who once violated our borders, slaughtered our people, and now dare to unite against our very sovereignty?
Peace? What sort of peace? Shall We cede territory? Pay reparations? Or perhaps arrange a marriage alliance?"
His palm slammed the armrest of the throne, the thunderous sound echoing through the hall. Emperor Xuanwu nearly jabbed a finger toward those ministers.
"And who shall be sent for this marriage alliance? You?"
"Your Majesty, please calm your fury! We never intended such offense!"
Still, some officials persisted, unwilling to yield.
"What this minister means is that this war with the Seven Kingdoms arose from misunderstanding. If we dispatch an envoy to explain—"
"An envoy?"
Emperor Xuanwu sneered.
"Then tell Us, Aiqing, who do you think would be most suited to serve as this envoy?"
"That…" The answer, unspoken but obvious, hovered in the air.
It was, of course, Her Highness the Crown Princess.
It was she who first proposed war with the Wa Kingdom. She who, during the New Year banquet, spoke so boldly that foreign envoys left shaken.
More importantly, she was already stationed in Yongzhou. In terms of rank, standing, and presence, no one else was more suitable.
Except…
No one dared voice it.
Such a proposal offered nothing but peril to the Crown Princess herself. And given how deeply the Emperor favored her, suggesting such a thing might well provoke his wrath.
The court fell momentarily silent.
Just as those peace-advocating ministers struggled to find a tactful way to broach the subject again, an imperial courier burst into Xuan Zheng Hall, bearing an urgent eight-hundred-mile dispatch.
"Report! Great victory in Yongzhou! The King of Annan has submitted a letter of surrender and requests to yield to Tian Sheng!"
What?
Not a ceasefire. Not negotiations.
A full surrender?
No wonder it had taken longer than expected.
The entire court reeled in astonishment. Prime Minister Liu was first to recover, quickly stepping forward with joy.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! A thousand blessings! Our Tian Sheng has now taken another great stride southward!"
Emperor Xuanwu laughed heartily.
"We knew it! Our daughter may be quiet when she stays her hand, but once she acts, the world must take heed!"
The fury that had burned in his chest moments earlier now melted into pure elation.
He cast a cold glance at the ministers who had clamored for peace, his tone sharp with mockery.
"What troubles you, Aiqing? Why such long faces?
What is it? Are you disappointed that peace talks are now off the table?"
"Your servants dare not! We are only… deeply astonished…"
Cold sweat broke across the brows of those ministers caught in the Emperor's gaze.
Fortunately for them, Emperor Xuanwu was now in such high spirits that he could not be bothered to deal with them further.
After delivering that one barbed remark, he turned eagerly to receive the war report.
Naturally, he first read the King of Annan's letter of surrender.
Its wording was sufficiently humble. One could tell at a glance that he had been utterly broken by the campaign.
Even when the letter requested that he be allowed to remain in Annan in a different capacity to assist in governing the newly conquered territory, Emperor Xuanwu's delight remained unshaken. If anything, the suggestion only drew a faintly derisive smile.
Then came the blunt, unvarnished war report from General Wei Yuan.
There was no doubt—this victory belonged to Xiao Wu and the General. Their merits were undeniable.
But… that Annan commander named You Yu had offered little in the way of worthy opposition.
To surrender before the incense had even finished burning?
Where was his resolve? His backbone?
Had he fed it to the dogs?
Thank the heavens this man was not one of Tiansheng's own generals. If he were…
Emperor Xuanwu snorted and set the report aside. The final item was the letter from Xiao Wu.
That rascal had not written a single word since departing for Yongzhou. Only now did she remember her Imperial Father
At least she still had some conscience.
Pride rose unbidden in Emperor Xuanwu's heart as he unfolded the letter. And though he tried to keep his expression composed, the corners of his mouth lifted with a will of their own.
"To Father Emperor, all is well.
It has been too long since we last met, and Your Daughter misses you greatly.
The conditions at the Yongzhou military camp are far from ideal, yet Your Daughter has adapted well. Each day, I study formations and battlefield tactics alongside General Wei Yuan and his men, and I find it truly fascinating.
As it turns out, Your decision to send me to Yongzhou was exceedingly wise and farsighted.
I have learned so many things here that I could never have gained within the walls of the capital."