Chapter 36: Empress: What were you doing with the princess?
They turned their heads, startled by the sudden voice at the entrance. Shangguan Wan’er and Wu Mingyue’s personal maid, Huamei, stood there, both looking completely stunned.
They never expected things to progress so quickly between Yang Yi and the Third Princess
Yang Yi’s eyelid twitched.
Even if I jumped into the Yellow River, I’d never wash away this misunderstanding.
Wu Mingyue’s reaction was even more intense. She practically jumped up, waving her arms frantically.
“I… I… He… That…” Her face flushed a deep red, and she struggled to find the words.
“Nothing happened between us!” Her voice rang out, sounding more like a desperate attempt to deny the undeniable.
Shangguan Wan’er and Huamei were still frozen in shock, their eyes wide. They never imagined they would walk in on such a scene.
They quickly nodded, trying to reassure the princess.
“Princess, we didn’t see anything.”
Wu Mingyue stared at them, mortified. What do you mean you didn’t see anything? I’m innocent! Her ears were burning, and the way they were looking at her only made it worse.
Biting her lip in frustration, she stomped her foot and, unable to bear it any longer, grabbed her skirt and bolted out of the hall. She couldn’t even stand to be in her own palace anymore.
“Your Highness!” Huamei called after her, rushing to catch up.
The hall fell silent, leaving only Shangguan Wan’er and Yang Yi. The atmosphere was thick with awkwardness. Shangguan Wan’er blinked, her gaze fixated on Yang Yi, a mix of curiosity and disbelief in her eyes.
Yang Yi stood there, feeling the weight of her stare. He cleared his throat, trying to break the tension.
“Lady Shangguan, what brings you here?”
Shangguan Wan’er seemed to snap out of her daze and smiled slightly, though her expression still carried a hint of amusement.
“Her Majesty requests your presence at Qianyuan Hall.”
Yang Yi felt a chill run down his spine. Great, just great. I just got caught in an awkward situation with her sister, and now I’m being summoned by the Empress herself. This is like walking into a lion’s den. He hesitated briefly, knowing that refusal was not an option.
“Please lead the way, Lady Shangguan…”
Shangguan Wan’er, now composed, nodded and gestured for him to follow.
“This way, Lord Yang.”
A few minutes later, in Qianyuan Hall.
Wu Zhao sat on her throne, a cold and contemplative look on her face.
“Qianlong accepted the challenge and even boasted that he would turn us into human sticks,” she said, her tone measured as she pushed a memorial toward Yang Yi.
Yang Yi picked up the document, glancing at it without lifting his eyes. His mind quickly analyzed the situation.
He smiled faintly and replied, “He’s overconfident. In this battle, I believe our Great Zhou will undoubtedly emerge victorious.”
Wu Zhao raised her phoenix-like eyes, observing him intently.
“Are you that confident?”
Yang Yi nodded, speaking earnestly.
“Of course. Although the Qing Dynasty is formidable, our Great Zhou is not weak. This battle is about the dignity of our nation. Our soldiers will unite with high morale, driven by a shared purpose. How could we possibly lose?”
He paused, considering his next point carefully.
“That’s the first reason.”
“The second reason,” he continued,
“Is that while the Qing Dynasty has been recuperating for years and is well-equipped, their soldiers lack battlefield experience. In contrast, our Great Zhou has continuously clashed with the Turks, and our troops are seasoned veterans. They are ready for war, and if the Qing faces us, they won’t stand a chance.”
Wu Zhao listened closely, her expression softening slightly as Yang Yi’s analysis matched her own thoughts.
I was worried about the Qing’s strength, especially their renowned cavalry, but he makes a good point. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about experience and morale.
She nodded thoughtfully, her fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of her chair.
“Do you have any thoughts on who should lead this campaign?” she asked, her voice calm but with a hint of curiosity.
Yang Yi was caught off guard by the question; it was a clear sign of how much the Empress valued his opinion. He instinctively glanced at Wu Zhao and found himself meeting her gaze, a fleeting moment of connection before she looked away, maintaining her composed facade.
He cleared his throat, steadying his thoughts.
“Your Majesty, you are wise and decisive; I’m sure your choice will be perfect. However, if I may, I’d like to recommend someone who could be of great assistance to your campaign.”
Wu Zhao’s interest was piqued.
Yang Yi responded earnestly, “I have a guard named Li Cunxiao. He’s exceptionally strong and skilled in battle. I believe he would be a valuable asset to the Great Zhou army.”
He considered recommending Dian Wei but quickly dismissed the idea.
No, Dian Wei stays with me. I’ve already made enough enemies; I need someone like him close by.
Wu Zhao pondered for a moment, then nodded decisively.
“Have him report to the army tomorrow. I’ll ensure his deployment.”
Yang Yi was touched by her trust.
The Empress might seem aloof, but she values my judgment. She didn’t even question my suggestion. For someone so cold and composed, she’s surprisingly considerate. Ice on the outside, fire on the inside.
Unaware of his musings, Wu Zhao leaned back slightly, her expression still composed but with a hint of curiosity.
“I heard you were with the Third Princess just now. Why did she call you?”