The empress heard this and was slightly taken aback, her beautiful autumn-water-like eyes flashing with a stern light.

  "Is it that child...?"

  She sank into thought, recalling the day under the stairs, a steady and elegant young woman, in plain dress and simple makeup, answering with humility, but with a pair of clear eyes like the sea.

  Unbeknownst to her, the heartache began again... The Empress felt a little dizzy, gazing at the sea of cheering people below the city wall, and an ominous feeling arose in her heart.

  "How did she enchant the emperor?!"

  She asked, her voice calm and collected, yet with a hint of fatigue.

  The queen bit her lip, but couldn't say anything reasonable, and could only hatefully say: "A woman who is always dancing with knives and rods, the emperor's behavior must be taught by her!"

  "Oh? So according to you, the current emperor is actually an incompetent puppet controlled by a woman's charm?"

  The Empress Dowager's voice was cold and mocking, and the Empress knew that her words did not bode well. She quickly composed herself and fell silent. The Empress Dowager gazed out at the departing troops, seeing only the bright yellow imperial carriage and the Emperor riding his horse with great vigor and spirit. Behind him, about half a foot away, there seemed to be a slender figure following, but in the midst of the surging crowd, it was impossible to get a clear look.

  She felt even more uneasy, but she forced herself to calm down and glanced at the empress. She didn't speak until beads of cold sweat appeared on her back, then slowly said: "Your words just now not only showed jealousy, but also damaged the dignity of the imperial palace. If they were to spread, it would be extremely disadvantageous... You're not a three-year-old child anymore, do you still need me to teach you how to control your tongue?!!"

  Her voice was soft and gentle, yet every word struck the queen's heart like a loud drumbeat.

  The queen lowered her eyes and listened quietly to the lecture, gritting her teeth in her heart. But there was no need to say anything.

  "The Emperor has gone to the front lines this time, and several cabinet ministers are temporarily in charge of state affairs----but after all, they are outsiders. This prosperous country is mine (the Empress Dowager's). State affairs are complicated, I am an old woman. It can't be helped, so I have to take care of things for a few days."

  The empress's heart lit up as soon as she heard it. The empress dowager's words were meant to prepare for grasping all the power of state affairs in her own hands!

  She was thinking quickly in her mind... The emperor personally conquered the vast grassland of the desert. Snowy peaks 'rushed' forward, but there were endless dangers and strong enemies lurking around, if there was a single mistake

  She was shocked by this dark and bloody idea, but she could no longer control her own heart, and began to indulge in fantasies.

  If it's really like that... then the unborn fetus can be of great use...

  But with her mother-in-law there, the 'jade' throne and beaded curtain were still her domain of power and prestige. How could it possibly be my turn?

  Her thoughts were getting more and more sinister, she stole a glance at the empress dowager, but saw that she seemed to be completely unaware. She stroked her ceremonial robes and continued: "It's precisely because of this. You're in charge of the harem, but you must be even more diligent and frugal, careful and cautious. Speech like earlier is simply a humiliation to the imperial palace's reputation - the emperor is on a distant campaign, you need to take good care of his household for him to have peace of mind!"

  The empress listened to her, and in the midst of her words, she was actually quite defensive of Yuan Qi. The empress was shocked in her heart, and looking at her aunt, for a moment, she couldn't find any words to say.

  "I know... the Emperor is heartless and cruel to you, but this is no trivial matter. One misstep and the barbarians will invade. You must prioritize the greater good!"

  The empress dowager seemed to see through her thoughts and said lightly.

  Her slender eyebrows furrowed slightly, apparently recalling her youthful years.

  At the time of Jingyue's change, she was only twelve years old, but had already moved the capital city. Those who wore fur coats and rough, dirty barbarian clothes rushed into Lin's house, shouting loudly to offer her to the Tartar prince.

  The horror and terror of that time, she could hardly forget for her whole life!

  Until she took power, she still had lingering fears and treated the Tartars with courtesy, but these savage and bloodthirsty barbarians were making gradual encroachments, and now they actually wanted to invade the entire northwestern region!

  She recalled the emperor's sincere and earnest request before he left, and sighed secretly: This time, it really has to be put in a heavy position... Really 'playing' with the nest covering the broken egg, what honor and glory, mother style heaven, is also a mirror flower water.

  She recalled her childhood hiding, still with a lingering fear, and thought to herself: Those barbarians were really too rude...... Fortunately, there was "her" to replace...

  The empress dowager thought of "her", her face instantly turned pale, as if she had seen a ghost in broad daylight, and her lips were bitten until they bled.

  The empress was waiting for her to continue speaking, but saw the empress dowager suddenly turn around, ignoring the shock of the large group of attendants, and walk away.

  "Return to the palace!"

  Her voice, sharp and piercing, startled even the queen. The originally lush trees and houses gradually became sparse, and in front of them was an endless grassland, dense and luxuriant, with a bright blue sky reflecting the distant horizon, making one feel carefree and expansive.

  The military officers and men endured the scorching sun, initially unaware of it, but after three days, they were all drenched in sweat, unbearable heat, while the emperor sat calmly on his horse, with a steady expression.

  Twenty thousand capital camp soldiers, do not often get to see the emperor's face, are very solemn and respectful. Among the ten thousand imperial guards, there were previously dispatched 'attendant' guards who were extremely familiar with the emperor. One of them was named Guo Sheng, nicknamed "Hua" Sheng, extremely clever and witty. Relying on a few points of imperial favor, he squeezed in front of Yuan Qi and playfully teased: "The Emperor is the true dragon son of heaven, with all the spirits in the sky protecting him, yet his whole body is cool and clear!"

  Yuan Qi had always known that he was poor with words, but his nature was extremely loyal and chaste. Upon hearing the words, he didn't take it as a provocation, but only smiled slightly, opened his cloak, revealing the protective leather armor underneath.

  "Hua" was admiring the exquisite armor, nodding in praise, when her eyes caught sight of the intricate lace holes and she exclaimed, "Huh?" in surprise. "What's with all the fuss?"

  The emperor sneered, " 'Flower' life" and then carefully looked at it again, before solemnly saying: "Look at the arrangement of these stitches, they are actually from an old military man's hand. Without many years of practice, the position can't be so accurate!"

  He fondled it again, and said more firmly: "Look at this style, it's from the old general who was in charge of the dragon guard back then. My father had one too, but he never let me touch it." Yuan Qi listened to him talking nonsense, thinking he was just bragging, until he saw his face full of reverence and solemnity, then he restrained his smile and asked in surprise: "This is made by the imperial tailor, set by the Empress Dowager herself----"

  He had hardly finished speaking when a slight rustling sound was heard from the front, and suddenly someone exclaimed: "There are barbarian soldiers ambushing here!"

  The shouting had not yet subsided when a large number of men wearing sheepskin coats and hats, with high noses and deep-set eyes, and dark yellowish skin, all dressed in Tartar attire, came rushing out from the slope below, yelling loudly as they charged up the mountain.

  The army was suddenly in a state of chaos and confusion ---- these forbidden troops who welcomed the generals, although they were well-equipped and skilled in martial arts, but only guarded the capital and had never really fought with swords and guns, so when they encountered the enemy for the first time, they couldn't react for a moment.

  At this time, the main road was wide, but it was also blocked by people and horses. Some people hastily picked up their weapons, while others urgently mounted their horses, unexpectedly startling the mounts of their companions. The scene was filled with people shouting and horses neighing, extremely chaotic.

  All that could be heard was a continuous "whooshing" sound in the air, as black arrows with icy glints flew densely towards the troops.

  Yuan Qi hastily dismounted his horse and used his shield to block the attack. In his heart, however, there was only one thought...

  "Is this a trap?!"

  (Continue to ask for recommendation votes, 55555)