As soon as she passed through the gates of Yingguan, before she could even gather everyone to announce her return, she was intercepted by Hu Wensheng, who happened to be passing by, and dragged straight to the administrative office. By the time all the official matters were dealt with, dawn was already breaking.
After days on the road and handling a pile of affairs, Feng Lezhen only wanted to sleep. But the moment she stepped out of the government office, Qi Jingren came up to her.
“Your Highness, long time no see,” she greeted cheerfully, holding a riding crop and grinning.
Feng Lezhen said, “Whatever business you have, I’m going back to sleep first.”
“Sleeping at the military camp is the same—big soft beds, blankets still warm from the sun,” Qi Jingren gave her no chance to refuse, pulling her straight toward the carriage. To anyone watching, it looked like an abduction in broad daylight.
Feng Lezhen had no choice and let herself be taken to the military camp, groggily tending to the matters she had no authority to handle while away.
By the time everything was settled, it was already noon. Qi Jingren glanced up at the sky, and what little conscience she had finally stirred. “Your Highness, would you like something to eat?”
“…Yes, I suppose I should,” Feng Lezhen replied. Sleeping wasn’t going to happen, but at least she could fill her stomach.
Qi Jingren chuckled and called over a soldier to report a list of dishes. She even made a point to add, “Have Old Wang cook them—Her Highness only likes his cooking.”
“Yes, ma’am!” The soldier, energized by the honor of serving the princess, ran off enthusiastically.
Qi Jingren watched him dash away and turned back helplessly. “Your Highness’s prestige in the Qi Army is higher than mine, the head of the family.”
Feng Lezhen nodded seriously, looking a little more awake. “Since when did you become the head?”
“You didn’t know?” Qi Jingren smirked. “My father claimed illness and retired last month. The Qi Army is now under my command.”
“A big thing like that, and you’re only telling me now?” Feng Lezhen frowned. “Where is Qi Zhen now?”
“Oh, he went to find my brother,” Qi Jingren replied.
Feng Lezhen paused and looked up at her.
Qi Jingren’s expression remained calm, and after meeting her gaze, she even smiled. “Rest assured, Your Highness. I’m no longer that child crying for parental affection. If blood ties are thin, at least I inherited the family business. That’s already much better than being a daughter who looks favored but is left with nothing. I’m content.”
“Have you informed Feng Ji that the Qi Army has officially changed hands?” Feng Lezhen asked again.
Qi Jingren seemed even more amused. “What’s there to inform him about? Back when the late emperor was alive, he promised that my father could hand the Qi Army to any of his own children, no need to report it to court.”
That promise from the former emperor had stemmed from his belief that Qi Jingqing was frail and unfit to lead. He assumed the Qi Army would eventually fall back under court control. Unexpectedly, the army fell into Qi Jingren’s hands—indirectly giving the daughter he’d once guarded against with all his might a powerful ally. Fate had truly played its tricks.
Feng Lezhen’s lips curved. “That’s true. Now that everyone knows the Qi Army is mine, there’s no need to keep up appearances for Feng Ji.”
Qi Jingren pulled up a chair and sat in front of her. “Since we’re on the subject, I hope Your Highness can give a clear answer—when do you plan to return to the capital? And what do you need from me? The Qi Army has no more way out. You’ll need to keep our tens of thousands of brothers in mind from now on.”
“What’s the current political climate?” Feng Lezhen suddenly asked.
Qi Jingren paused. “About the same as two months ago. His Majesty issued strict orders to suppress all discussion, trying to cover up the crime of murdering his own kin. But the empire is vast, and public opinion can’t be silenced so easily. His many cover-ups have only made people more convinced he’s guilty.”
She then remembered something and her eyes gleamed with amusement. “By the way, Your Highness, while you were gone, a lot happened in the capital. Now everyone says the emperor is dim and incompetent, unworthy of ruling Great Qian. Meanwhile, Your Highness, though a woman, carries the presence of the late emperor—far superior to the current ruler. The emperor was so enraged by these rumors that he fell ill.”
“He grew up hearing those words. They wouldn’t sicken him now. What truly made him ill was my silence these past two months,” Feng Lezhen said quietly. She didn’t explain that it was her people spreading those rumors. “To him, it’s worse to have the blade suspended above his head than to have it fall cleanly.”
Qi Jingren froze, then understood. “So that’s why you released the news about him murdering his sister—but didn’t act further.”
Feng Lezhen rubbed her temples. “As for returning to the capital… it’ll be soon. Choose three thousand elite soldiers to come with me. You’ll stay here in Yingguan to guard the rear.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Qi Jingren responded, but then hesitated. “But from Yingguan to the capital, we’ll pass through countless cities. What if someone blocks the way… Are three thousand enough? Should we bring more?”
“No. Three thousand is the limit. The rest must stay and hold Yingguan.” Feng Lezhen looked at her.
Qi Jingren gave a wry smile. “Didn’t the Tayuan troops just put on a show? Your Highness could bring more.”
“And what if they weren’t just putting on a show?” Feng Lezhen asked in return.
Qi Jingren fell silent.
After a long while, she furrowed her brows and asked, “Really?”
“Fake,” Feng Lezhen replied.
Qi Jingren: “…”
“But people’s hearts can’t be predicted,” Feng Lezhen said calmly. “So always leave room. Never fully trust anyone.”
Qi Jingren was silent for a while, then said, “It was careless of me.”
As the two spoke, the food was brought in. Qi Jingren immediately pulled out a silver needle and tested each dish, then even sampled them all herself. Once she was fully satisfied, she finally picked up her chopsticks and looked toward Feng Lezhen. “Your Highness, you can—”
She didn’t finish her sentence. The woman who had just been calmly strategizing had already dozed off in her seat.
Qi Jingren was silent for a long time. In the end, she let out a helpless sigh and carefully picked up Feng Lezhen.
Feng Lezhen gave a soft hum and slowly opened her drowsy eyes. The first thing she saw was a suit of silver armor.
“Go back to sleep, Your Highness,” Qi Jingren whispered.
Feng Lezhen closed her eyes again and drifted off peacefully.
Qi Jingren carried her gently to the bed, pulled the neatly folded quilt over her, and remained at her side to keep watch.
She slept until dusk. After waking, she had a simple meal, then immediately returned to the residence to begin handling the past two months’ worth of correspondence from the capital.
As expected, all the chaos in the capital was Qin Wan’s doing. Seeing that nothing had happened on Yingguan’s end for some time, she feared the people’s attention would begin to shift. So she caused one incident after another to defame Feng Ji, painting his character as despicable. She even fabricated mystical omens, claiming that Her Highness the Princess was a divine being descended from the heavens.
Reading the letters, Feng Lezhen found them laughable. Had these tricks been used back before she arrived in Yingguan, the people would’ve dismissed them as madness and nonsense. But now, they firmly believed them. It was proof that in her years here, she had truly worked to change people’s views on a woman ascending the throne.
Since the momentum was on her side, she might as well strike while the iron was hot.
Feng Lezhen spent three days in contemplation at the Princess’s manor. On the fourth morning, Ah Ye brought in a cup of tea. Before she could call out, she saw Feng Lezhen already fully dressed, sitting by the bed with a faint smile on her face.
“…Why is Your Highness up so early today?” Ah Ye asked, confused.
Feng Lezhen lifted her lips in a smile. “Do you want to go home?”
“Your Highness, what are you saying? Isn’t this our—” Ah Ye suddenly understood what she meant, and her eyes went wide.
Feng Lezhen’s smile faded. After a long silence, she spoke slowly: “Proclaim to the world: His Majesty is a man of upright and gentle character, modest and respectful, and has always loved and honored me. For him to now commit such an act as plotting against his own sister, it must be the result of treacherous ministers misleading him—it was not his will. As a member of the imperial family, and the only Eldest Princess of Great Qian, I have a duty to set things right, to purge the court of traitors, to restore His Majesty’s name, cleanse Great Qian, and return justice to the people.”
“From this day forth, I will lead my personal guard to the capital. Any who try to stop me shall be treated the same as traitors—executed without mercy.”
Ah Ye was silent for a long time. When she finally spoke again, her voice was choked with emotion. “Yes, Your Highness!”
News that the Eldest Princess was returning to the capital first spread within the manor. Fan Gonggong was the first to come and ask. Once he confirmed it was true, he begged again and again to accompany her back.
Feng Lezhen couldn’t help but smile. “You’re getting on in years. Are you sure you can handle the rough journey?”
“I can! I can endure anything!” Fan Gonggong’s eyes glistened with tears. “I must see Li Tong’s downfall with my own eyes—only then will I feel at peace!”
Those who knew what had happened in the past believed Li Tong had spared him out of consideration for their shared hometown. But only he knew the truth. The two had entered the palace together. He was slightly luckier, assigned to serve the concubines, while Li Tong had been sent to the laundry bureau. Though he had helped him many times, Li Tong saw it as condescension and resented him every day. Later, Li Tong had even gone so far as to lessen the poison in his wine—not out of mercy, but to ensure he would not die quickly, so he could suffer for years to come.
He had hated for so many years. Now, finally, there was a chance for closure, and he would not let it slip away.
Feng Lezhen stared at him for a long while, then finally gave her assent.
Once Fan Gonggong left, others in the manor came one after another. Upon confirming the news, they were all overjoyed. The people of Great Qian cared deeply about a sense of belonging. Though Yingguan was good, it wasn’t truly their home. Now that they could finally return, they were naturally ecstatic.
Feng Lezhen hadn’t expected that once she made her decision, the threshold of her study would be nearly worn down by people coming in and out. But she understood their desire to go home, so she patiently soothed them while continuing to handle official business. Before long, she’d grown used to it—whenever she heard footsteps at the door, she would call out directly:
“Yes, we’re going back to the capital.”
At the umpteenth set of footsteps, Feng Lezhen didn’t even look up.
“We’re really returning? But Tayuan’s troops haven’t arrived yet,” Qi Jingren’s voice rang out.
Feng Lezhen paused and looked up with a smile. “Why are you here?”
“Of course, to ask Your Highness why you’re departing before Feizhan mobilizes his troops,” Qi Jingren asked, brows furrowed.
Feng Lezhen replied, “If I wait for him to send troops, and then leave with so many elites, wouldn’t that give others an excuse to slander me?”
“I don’t believe Your Highness wouldn’t have the words to counter such slander. Besides, have you forgotten whose jurisdiction Yue City falls under?” Qi Jingren pressed her lips together.
“I know,” Feng Lezhen said.
Qi Jingren’s brows furrowed even deeper.
“Precisely because I know, I have to set off before Feng Ji gives the order to let me pass.” Feng Lezhen looked directly into her eyes.
Qi Jingren froze, then after a moment stammered, “Then… then I’ll send people to infiltrate Yue City. If the local authorities dare to block Your Highness, that proves there are traitors within. I’ll coordinate with you from the inside, and together we’ll purge them for His Majesty!”
Seeing that she understood, Feng Lezhen smiled and nodded.
After Qi Jingren left, Feng Lezhen picked up another document, but before she could open it, Ah Ye ran in.
“Tayuan… a letter from Tayuan!” she gasped, nearly breathless, but still remembered to hand over the envelope.
Feng Lezhen glanced at it and chuckled. “Well, that came just in time.”
She pondered for a moment, then wrote a reply and gave it to Ah Ye.
Everything was ready. Since Feng Lezhen had already made her decision, everyone in Yingguan naturally gave their full support. They all knew the road back to the capital would be filled with obstacles, but still many were willing to follow. Qi Jingren handpicked the troops again and again, until finally selecting three thousand elite soldiers.
The night before departure, Feng Lezhen found herself unable to sleep. She went out for a walk in the courtyard, only to discover she wasn’t the only one awake.
The Eldest Princess’s manor was brightly lit. Everyone had packed numerous bundles; the cook even wanted to bring her favorite cooking pot, only to be scolded harshly by Fan Gonggong, to the point her eyes turned red.
“There’s no need to be upset. If you want to bring it, then bring it,” Feng Lezhen said with a soft laugh.
Before the cook could reply, Fan Gonggong spoke first. “How can that be? If everyone brings extra baggage, won’t it all become a burden for Her Highness on the road?”
“It’s just a pot,” Feng Lezhen didn’t think it was a big deal.
Fan Gonggong replied, “It’s not about just one pot. The three thousand Qi soldiers, in order to follow Your Highness, are leaving behind the homes they’ve lived in for years. Each of them is traveling light—even too afraid to bring a couple of extra pancakes their old mothers baked. If they find out Your Highness’s cook brought a whole pot, what would they think? Your Highness, you have won the hearts of the people—at no time and in no matter can you afford to lose that.”
Feng Lezhen hadn’t thought of that. Her expression gradually turned serious.
The cook quickly said, “I won’t bring it anymore. The capital is such a big city—I’ll be able to buy a better pot there. I’ll just get a new one when the time comes.”
“Your Highness,” Fan Gonggong pressed, frowning.
Feng Lezhen exhaled slowly. “Understood. We’ll do as Fan Gonggong says.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Fan Gonggong bowed respectfully.
Feng Lezhen gave a faint smile and left for a walk with Ah Ye.
“Fan Gonggong is overreacting. Your Highness has raised the Qi army’s pay and cared for their families—that’s a great kindness. It’s not like they’d turn against you over a pot,” Ah Ye muttered softly once they were some distance away.
“A dam a thousand miles long can be broken by an ant’s nest. Many things accumulate from the smallest details. Today’s oversight was mine. Fan Gonggong was right to remind me,” Feng Lezhen said with a chuckle. “He served the late emperor—naturally, his thinking is more thorough. It was the right choice to bring him back to the capital with us.”
Ah Ye blinked, then added a word in defense of the cook. “She didn’t mean any harm. She just wanted Your Highness to eat well on the road.”
“I understand.” Feng Lezhen nodded.
Seeing that she did, Ah Ye smiled.
The mistress and servant circled the courtyard twice. Ah Ye suddenly grew wistful. “When we first came, this courtyard was falling apart. One heavy snowfall and the roof nearly collapsed. Now it’s all repaired. Small, but completely transformed.”
Feng Lezhen looked up at the polished green bricks and eaves, her eyes softening with a faint smile.
“Your Highness… once we return to the capital, we won’t be coming back, will we?” Ah Ye asked.
Feng Lezhen replied, “If there’s a chance, we can always return.”
But when that chance might come—who could say?
Ah Ye pressed her lips together. “When we first arrived, I couldn’t wait to leave. Now that it’s finally happening, I feel reluctant. You came to Yingguan at twenty-one… Now it’s been four years. You’ve spent your best years here.”
“As long as your spirit doesn’t break, any time is the best time.” Feng Lezhen walked beneath a lantern, raising her hand to look at the shadow it cast on the ground.
Ah Ye was silent for a long moment, then smiled. “You’re right. As long as the spirit endures, any time is the best time.”
The two of them chatted late into the night until Ah Ye finally forced Feng Lezhen to return to her chambers. She had rarely been alone these past few days. Now, sitting at her dressing table by herself, her thoughts turned in many directions—thinking of Fu Zhixian, whom she hadn’t seen in four years… of Shen Suifeng and Qi Jingqing, now in Yunming… of Wenge, who had left decisively… of Feizhan, trapped in the royal palace of Tayuan… and of Chen Jinan, already deceased.
Her gaze dropped to the surface of the dressing table, where there sat a square box from Feizhan and a palm-sized crystal lantern someone had once bought for her with all their silver—plus an advance on their wages.
So many thoughts swirled in her head, she didn’t even realize when she’d fallen asleep leaning on the table. Perhaps because she was so uncomfortable, she slipped into a hazy dream. In it, someone was calling her:
“Your Highness… Your Highness…”
She stared at the person in silence for a long time before finally asking, “When did you get back?”
“I returned last night,” he replied. “I knew Your Highness would be returning to the capital, so I traveled day and night, hoping to accompany you.”
Feng Lezhen smiled silently. “Good. I’m glad you’re back.”
Sunlight landed on her lashes. She instinctively blinked, then opened her eyes again—only to find she was still leaning on the dressing table, and the person who had spoken to her… was nowhere to be seen.
She straightened her aching body, picked up the crystal lantern, and smiled faintly.
It was already autumn. The early morning held a chill, but once the sun rose, golden light bathed the earth, and all of Yingguan warmed with it.
The gates of the Eldest Princess’s manor slowly opened. On both sides of the road outside, crowds of townspeople had gathered to send her off. As soon as they saw the carriages pulling out, they hurried forward with food and supplies they had prepared.
Fan Gonggong, anticipating this, had already arranged for guards to hold the line and gently dissuade the crowd. The townsfolk listened and stopped pressing forward once they understood it wasn’t convenient. But as soon as one stretch of people settled, the next would surge forward again. From the Eldest Princess’s manor to the city gates, it took the entourage over an hour to pass through.
The city gates stood wide open. Outside, Qi Jingren had already assembled a unit of handpicked soldiers. When she saw Feng Lezhen, she immediately stepped forward.
“Your Highness, you’re finally here.”
“The people were too warm in their send-off—it delayed us a bit,” Feng Lezhen said with helpless amusement.
Qi Jingren burst out laughing. “Before dawn, I already saw folks waiting by the roadside. I thought about posting guards, but then figured—since it might be a long time before Your Highness ever returns—it was better to let them see you off properly.”
Feng Lezhen gave a small smile and looked up at the rows of soldiers lined neatly behind her.
“Your Highness, these three thousand men are the true warriors of the Qi family army—each one capable of holding off ten enemies on his own. They should be enough to help Your Highness overcome the dangers along the way.”
Because the army had already been delayed too long in the city, Qi Jingren didn’t waste words. She briefly gave her report, then dropped to her knees, lowered her head, and cupped her fists. “This humble servant cannot accompany Your Highness back to the capital and can only bid you farewell here. May Your Highness be invincible in every battle and forge ahead without fear.”
“May Her Highness be invincible in every battle and forge ahead without fear!”
“May Her Highness be invincible in every battle and forge ahead without fear!”
“May Her Highness be invincible in every battle and forge ahead without fear!”
The horns sounded—deep and resonant, echoing into the heavens. Amid the thunderous cries of soldiers and citizens alike, Feng Lezhen, with her closest confidants and three thousand elite troops, departed in the direction of the capital.
Yingguan was located at the extreme northern border of Great Qian. The next city, Yue City, was nearly three days’ travel away. Due to the long journey and the relatively small size of the army, Shen Suinian—wealthy as ever—had prepared several hundred carriages in advance, so that the troops could travel by cart.
“A military campaign marching in carriages—probably the first and only one in all of history,” Ah Ye said with a sigh.
Feng Lezhen was calm. “Our numbers are small, and Shen family businesses in each city have already stocked provisions for us. We only need to resupply as we go, so there’s no need to carry much. Traveling by cart is actually faster.”
“Boss Shen has really done us a great favor,” Ah Ye said, still impressed as she looked at the grand convoy.
Feng Lezhen’s lips curved slightly, but she said nothing more.
Warhorses drew the carriages, faster than ordinary steeds. The group arrived at Yue City’s gates right on time.
Back when Feng Lezhen had first issued her proclamation to “cleanse the imperial court,” Yue City had already begun tightening defenses. Now, seeing the army approach the city walls, the gates were immediately shut, not allowing even the slightest opening.
Standing atop her carriage, Feng Lezhen looked calmly at the prefect of Yue City, who appeared on the city tower, and said in an even voice, “As I have already declared, this journey to the capital is to restore clarity and righteousness to Great Qian. All who stand in my way are traitors to the realm and will be executed without mercy.”
The prefect, a protégé of the Hua family—Feng Ji’s maternal clan—sneered coldly upon hearing this. “Whether Your Highness claims to restore clarity or harbors intentions of rebellion, you know the truth in your heart. Even if I die, I will never let you through this gate!”
“So it seems,” Feng Lezhen said slowly, “you intend to resist to the bitter end?”
The prefect narrowed his eyes. “I advise Your Highness to turn back. Though Yue City’s forces may not match Yingguan’s, we hold the advantage of terrain. If you insist on attacking, I fear it will be a one-in-ten chance of survival.”
Feng Lezhen’s lips curved faintly. She glanced sideways at Ah Ye, who immediately leapt onto the carriage roof and shouted toward the city tower:
“Soldiers of Yue City! Your prefect is corrupt, incompetent, and morally bankrupt. Since arriving here, the city’s finances have been a mess, and your wages have been withheld for months. Her Highness knows your hearts are loyal to the country and wishes to avoid a civil clash. Therefore, she promises: any who surrender will receive double the back pay owed to them, and future wages will be issued promptly. Your families will receive the same benefits as the soldiers of Yingguan!”
Yue City’s troops hadn’t received pay in half a year. As soon as Ah Ye’s words rang out, though the soldiers didn’t show any immediate reaction, the prefect exploded first.
“Impudent brat, spouting nonsense! Don’t be fooled by her lies! If your loyalty wavers over such petty promises, you’ll not only fail to gain anything—you’ll be branded as traitors with wavering hearts!”
“I give my word as Eldest Princess of the Realm,” Feng Lezhen said firmly, her voice steady and strong. “What I promise will not be taken back. You may take your time to decide. I am here to rid the court of corruption—whether you resist or surrender, both are acts of patriotism. There’s no shame in either.”
The prefect, thoroughly enraged, turned and shouted at his men: “Once we drive them back, pay will be issued immediately! But if any of you betray us over a few crumbs, I will show no mercy—execution for treason and extermination of your entire families!”
With that, he stormed off.
Below the city tower, Ah Ye frowned and jumped down from the carriage. “Your Highness… will this strategy work? I don’t think they were swayed.”
“Even if they were, they wouldn’t dare show it now,” Feng Lezhen replied. “I don’t want to see Great Qian’s soldiers drawing blades against one another. Let’s wait a little longer.” She looked up at the tightly shut gates. “Give the order to set up camp outside the city.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Night soon fell. On the open ground outside the city, a vast sea of tents was erected. The soldiers on Yue City’s towers had already changed shifts three times. It would be a sleepless night.
Compared to the tense atmosphere outside the city, inside was relatively peaceful. News of the Eldest Princess and her army at the gates had spread, but the townsfolk remained calm, going about their meals and daily routines. Still, they struggled to understand why their prefect was so determined to block Her Highness—wasn’t she doing the right thing?
The moon rose, the sun followed, and two days passed in the blink of an eye. The army outside remained lightly equipped, with no fresh provisions coming in. Meanwhile, inside the city, confusion toward the prefect was gradually turning into dissatisfaction.
“Her Highness is as merciful as a divine being. What harm could she possibly do to the people? If you ask me, we should just open the gates early and avoid further trouble.”
“Exactly! If there weren’t traitors in the court, why else would the Eldest Princess travel thousands of miles to cleanse it? Our prefect refuses to let her through—maybe he’s guilty of something himself?”
“Makes sense. Look at Yingguan, also a border town—life there’s only getting better. Even in deep winter, soldiers are out clearing snow, and fresh vegetables and fruits are still on sale. But us? One snowfall and we’re stuck indoors till spring!”
The rumors spread, and the people’s discontent grew. The more they compared themselves to those in Yingguan, the more unbearable their situation felt. And most Yue City soldiers were local men—living here with their families. What the townsfolk felt, their wives and children felt too.
With half a year’s wages still unpaid, they were already feeling hopeless. Now, with the Eldest Princess making a sincere promise to compensate them, offering words that showed clear concern for their wellbeing, how could they not be moved? Their families urged them on, and it grew harder and harder for them to bear seeing Her Highness camped outside the city, sleeping in the wind and cold.
The prefect also sensed the unrest within the troops. In an attempt to stabilize morale, he emptied the treasury to issue pay to the soldiers. But just as the coins were being distributed, someone suddenly shouted, “If there was silver all along, why did you wait until today to hand it out? Are we monkeys to be played with?!”
That single sentence ignited the already unstable mood. Whispers turned to outrage, and someone else called out, “Brothers, the d*mn official doesn’t see us as human—but we must see ourselves as human! Her Highness the Eldest Princess is right. She’s come to cleanse the court. Letting her through is loyalty to Great Qian, not rebellion!”
The situation spiraled out of control. Enraged, the prefect roared for the ringleaders to be executed on the spot, but no one listened anymore. One after another, the soldiers surged toward the gates. The Hua clan’s personal guards tried to stop them, but it was like trying to stop a flood with a twig—utterly futile.
Outside the gate, Ah Ye handed a half-roasted flatbread to Feng Lezhen, her expression troubled. “Your Highness, after we eat this, there’s truly nothing left. Should we attack while we’ve still got something in our stomachs?”
“If we fail the assault, wouldn’t we be even hungrier?” Feng Lezhen replied with a laugh.
Ah Ye gave a crooked smile. “That’s true, but… didn’t General Qi say she had made arrangements within the city? Why haven’t we seen a trace of movement? Don’t tell me she failed?”
“She didn’t. It just takes time,” Feng Lezhen said calmly.
Ah Ye was just about to ask how much longer they’d need when the tightly shut gates suddenly gave a deep rumble. Her eyes narrowed as she immediately stepped in front of Feng Lezhen. The resting soldiers also grabbed their weapons and stood up, alert.
Amid the tense atmosphere, Feng Lezhen climbed atop the carriage and raised her hand to calm the troops. Her phoenix eyes were fixed firmly on the gate.
The massive doors creaked open slowly, just a gap of two palm-widths at first—then from within came an eager shout: “Your Highness the Eldest Princess! We’ve opened the gates for you!”
Feng Lezhen smiled, joy lighting her eyes and brows.
Even after all of Hua’s loyalists in Yue City had been purged, Ah Ye could hardly believe it—they had entered the city just like that?
“Whether commoners or soldiers, they are all people with eyes and hearts. Everything you’ve done over the years, they’ve seen and remembered. Today’s ease is simply the result of years of accumulated effort.” Feng Lezhen said slowly.
Ah Ye looked thoughtful—half-understanding, half-bewildered.
They stayed in Yue City for three days. By then, the army from Tayuan arrived and camped outside the city. Looking at the closed gates of Yingguan, Feizhan said lazily, “Set up camp here.”
Feng Lezhen continued on with her forces, leaving behind a trusted aide to return to Yingguan with a message for Hu Wensheng.
“What?!” Hu Wensheng nearly jumped with rage. “Her Highness wants me to issue back pay to Yue City’s troops? And repair the roads for the Yue City commoners?! Where am I supposed to get that much money?! The yamen doesn’t have that kind of budget!”
“She said she knew you’d say that. Stop pretending. Her Highness knows better than anyone how much silver the yamen has.” The aide looked completely innocent.
Hu Wensheng’s mouth twitched, the very image of someone fuming but afraid to speak up.
“She also said—if you do this job well, you’ll be in charge of Yue City from now on too.”
At that, Hu Wensheng’s eyes lit up. All complaints vanished.
The aide, having delivered the message, turned to rejoin the main army. Watching him go, Hu Wensheng was simultaneously thrilled at his promotion and pained by the cost… Funding the Yingguan garrison each year was already a headache. Now there was Yue City too. He couldn’t let the yamen shoulder this burden alone.
Hmm… that eldest Shen from the Shen family—wasn’t he loaded? And conveniently, he was technically under Her Highness’s command.
Hu Wensheng grinned to himself. Just as he felt he had struck gold with the idea, the same aide suddenly returned, scaring him half to death.
“Why are you back again?!” Hu Wensheng’s eyes bulged, and his little mustache bristled.
The aide cleared his throat. “Almost forgot—Her Highness says not to make any moves on Shen Suinian. He’s responsible for provisioning the army on the road back to the capital. It costs a fortune daily. Don’t give him any more pressure.”
“…Oh.” Hu Wensheng’s face went blank.
Meanwhile, the Tayuan army had camped outside Yingguan.
The news quickly spread—some were nervous, some were furious, and some loudly called for Tayuan’s destruction. But the people of Yingguan simply went on as usual. Even the Qi army showed no signs of tension.
Back in the capital, the already ailing Feng Ji was so enraged by the news that he knocked over his medicine bowl and struggled to breathe.
The floor was filled with kneeling officials. One of them mustered the courage to speak: “Why would Tayuan choose now, of all times, to attack? Something doesn’t sit right. Could it be… could Her Highness the Princess and Tayuan have reached some kind of agreement?”
“Impossible.” Feng Ji denied it without a second thought. “There’s only Feizhan left to inherit the throne of Tayuan—and he nearly died at our hands years ago because of Feng Lezhen’s betrayal. There’s a death knot between them. They’d never cooperate. Even if they would, Feng Lezhen would never allow such a method. She holds Great Qian dear—she would never take such a risk.”
The ministers looked at one another. After a long silence, someone finally asked softly, “If she holds Great Qian so dear… then why didn’t she take her troops back to Yingguan upon hearing about Tayuan’s invasion?”
“Maybe… she thinks General Qi’s daughter doesn’t need reinforcements,” someone else suggested.
Feng Ji’s frown deepened. “If that’s the case… it’s troublesome.”
As for how it was troublesome, he didn’t explain. Not until a sharp eunuch’s voice called out:
“Lord Fu Zhixian has arrived—!”
Feng Ji visibly relaxed. He immediately dismissed the other ministers. Though their expressions soured at seeing how much he trusted Fu Zhixian, they said nothing and left in silence.
“His Majesty is so quick to trust one side and ignore the other—disaster is only a matter of time.”
As someone passed the doorway, they deliberately raised their voice, as if making sure someone inside would hear.
Fu Zhixian entered the imperial bedchamber with a faint smile and unchanging expression.
“Greetings to Your Majesty.”
He smoothed his robes and was about to kneel, but Feng Ji quickly stopped him. “No need for that, beloved minister. You’ve already heard about what’s happening, haven’t you?”
“I’ve heard,” Fu Zhixian replied.
Feng Ji frowned tightly. “In your opinion, what should I do?”
“Her Highness the Eldest Princess has great authority at Yingguan. If anything were to happen to her, morale there would collapse. It seems Your Majesty has no other path left,” Fu Zhixian said unhurriedly.
If Feng Lezhen couldn’t return to the capital, a drastic shift was inevitable. But to stop her, they’d have to use force—blades and arrows don’t differentiate rank. If she were even slightly harmed and word reached Yingguan, it would surely shake the army’s resolve. In warfare, nothing is more dangerous than a loss of morale. If Feng Lezhen’s death led to the fall of Yingguan, the entire Great Qian would be in jeopardy.
Though Feng Ji wasn’t known for brilliance, after nine years on the throne, he’d seen enough to know there were no other options. Fu Zhixian’s answer simply confirmed what he already understood.
“So I’m just to sit back and watch her stroll into the capital and take everything from me?” Feng Ji slumped against the bed, eyes lifeless.
Fu Zhixian’s tone was even, “The victor is not yet decided, Your Majesty. There is no need to concede so soon.”
Feng Ji’s gaze shifted faintly. After a long silence, he forced a smile. “Yes… no need to give up so easily. No matter how capable Feng Lezhen is, she’s still just a woman. A woman—how can she be fit to rule Great Qian? She’s not fit to be emperor…”
“Your Majesty is right.” Fu Zhixian lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable as still water.
