Silver Xuan remained silent, and Qing Yao knew that with the unification of the Seven Kingdoms, there would be many matters to attend to. He likely wouldn't have time to leave the palace again. Without another word, she watched his tall figure stride away, disappearing into the sunlight.
A mist rose in her eyes, and her heart ached slightly, for him and for herself.
Unexpectedly, the tall figure suddenly stopped, turned abruptly, and a bright, sunny smile graced his face.
"Qing Yao, I will return. Once the Seven Kingdoms are unified, I will issue a decree to pass the throne to Prince Nan'an and accompany you and Xiao Yu'er in Wuqing Valley. Then, we will never be separated again."
As his words fell, he leaped, his body flashing away swiftly.
A tear rolled down Qing Yao's cheek, her throat tightening. She couldn't help but want to call out to him. Was he mad? After all the effort to unify the Seven Kingdoms, how could he abandon it so easily? She had worked so hard all for him.
While Prince Nan'an was loyal and steadfast, he could only be a subject, not a ruler. Now that the Seven Kingdoms were unified, even greater challenges awaited him.
"Mother, will Father really…?"
Xiao Yu'er seemed startled as well. Father truly loved Mother, didn't he? After their time together recently, she could see it. Mother also liked Father, didn't she? It was just a knot in her heart that kept her in Wuqing Valley.
Because Wuqing had always loved her, she couldn't bear to leave him alone and lonely in the valley. But in her heart, she truly loved Father, didn't she?
"Mistress, what should we do? Will His Majesty really do that?"
Mo Chou also frowned, looking disapprovingly at the peach blossom-filled sky. A gentle breeze blew, scattering peach blossoms onto the ground. It was a beautiful scene, the faces of people reflecting in the peach blossoms, making them bloom red. Where have the people gone? The peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze.
"It's fine. We haven't conquered Yun Cang Kingdom and Qing Luo Kingdom yet. He won't do anything rash."
Qing Yao nodded with certainty. As for after the Seven Kingdoms were unified, perhaps he would forget what he had said today. Or maybe, by then, she would think of a way to keep him from leaving the palace.
The three turned and retracted their gazes, walking up the stone steps and into the place where she used to live.
Wuqing Valley was truly desolate. The past liveliness was gone. Although Master was no longer here, if Qing Feng and Ming Yue were present, there would still be some human presence. It was hateful that Chang Sun Zhu had captured them both.
In the room, Xiao Yu'er couldn't help but worry, "Mother, what if that b*tch really kills Qing Feng and Ming Yue?"
"He won't. He's not that stupid," Qing Yao said faintly, turning to sit on the soft couch. She was thinking of other matters now. "Mo Chou, immediately notify Lin Simiao from Feng Chen Palace to come and see me."
"Yes."
Mo Chou nodded, went out to send a signal, and then re-entered the room. However, she found it strange. At such a time, why would Mistress want to see Lin Simiao?
"Mistress, why do you want him to come?"
"The Seven Kingdoms are about to be unified, and this is the most chaotic time. Our Feng Chen Kingdom can both make money and act as a righteous force. As long as the person is utterly wicked, a worm of Xian Yue, this task must not only be accepted but also completed beautifully. Wouldn't this be helping His Majesty? And our Feng Chen Palace would also gain a reputation for righteousness."
"Yes, that's a good idea," Mo Chou nodded. Xiao Yu'er's eyes lit up, "Yes, that's a good idea."
In the evening, Lin Simiao led several capable subordinates from Feng Chen Palace over. Qing Yao convened a small meeting with them in the flower hall, arranging the upcoming plans and tasks.
From now on, Feng Chen Kingdom would be divided into an intelligence organization, an assassination organization, and an armed organization. No matter which one, profit would be the primary consideration. However, for the assassination organization, before accepting a mission, they must investigate thoroughly, ensuring that the person to be killed is utterly wicked.
They must never kill the wrong person.
Qing Yao repeatedly emphasized this point, and Lin Simiao firmly remembered this iron rule. Money could be earned in large quantities, but innocent lives must not be harmed…
Qing Yao, along with Xiao Yu'er and Mo Chou, settled down peacefully in the valley, letting go of all worries, their hearts filled with a sense of tranquility.
News occasionally came from outside the valley. Over a hundred thousand troops were rushing towards the border between Yun Cang Kingdom and Dan Feng Kingdom. They planned to attack through the outskirts of Dan Feng Kingdom, bypass Qing Luo Kingdom, and capture Yun Cang Kingdom first. This was because Yun Cang Kingdom was weaker than Qing Luo Kingdom. However, no one expected that Qing Luo Kingdom would dispatch a large number of troops to assist Yun Cang Kingdom. As a result, the border battle dragged on for a long time without any progress.
Despite having advanced weaponry, there was a river at the border of Yun Cang Kingdom that blocked the path. If any boats were launched, the enemy on the opposite side would shoot arrows to prevent their advance. An Dingfeng mobilized the thousand elite waterborne soldiers trained in the northern part of Xian Yue. Those soldiers crossed the river, but they were shot and killed before they could reach the city gates.
So far, dozens of people had died. The army came to a halt, and a stalemate ensued.
This battle lasted for more than two months with no progress. An Dingfeng sent his deputy to deliver a letter, requesting the Marshal to return to the military camp as soon as possible.
Qing Yao told the deputy to return first, neither agreeing nor refusing.
Her days were quite pleasant, and she didn't want to bother with these troublesome matters at all. However, she remembered that His Majesty had saved her several times, and she wholeheartedly wished to help him pacify the Seven Kingdoms. If she didn't go, Yun Cang Kingdom couldn't be taken. If she did go, she feared she would be exhausted for a long time.
"Mother, do you want to go?"
Finally, Qing Yao decided to help An Dingfeng once more and break through Yun Cang Kingdom's defensive line. She had planned to send a signal to teach them how to break through and win the battle, but she also knew that her appearance would truly boost morale.
"Let's go," Qing Yao led Mo Chou and Xiao Yu'er north by carriage, bringing along two servants from Wuqing Valley. Even the servants in Wuqing Valley were formidable.
The group disguised themselves, traveling discreetly and swiftly towards Yue City, located on the border between Dan Feng Kingdom and Yun Cang Kingdom.
Fifteen days later, the group finally arrived at Yue City.
The army was not stationed in Yue City but had set up camp outside the city gates.
Setting up camps in natural locations was actually a better way to protect themselves.
Upon seeing the Marshal's return, An Dingfeng issued orders, and the morale of the three armies was greatly boosted. Everyone seemed to see hope. As long as the Marshal devised a plan, they would surely be able to cross the river and break through the Shanhai Pass opposite.
"Your subordinate, and others, pay respects to the Marshal."
An Dingfeng, along with Zhang Zhaoze and other capable subordinates, respectfully greeted Qing Yao. Qing Yao took her seat at the head of the table and nodded calmly.
Inside the main tent, silence prevailed. People sat on both sides, their eyes shining with spirited brilliance as they fixed their gaze on the figure at the head of the table.
"Everyone, please be seated."
"Thank you, Marshal," An Dingfeng said with increasing respect. If he had previously believed he could handle things on his own, he no longer harbored such arrogance. He was only suited for leading troops in battle, not for strategizing.
"General An has already conveyed the situation here to me, and I have a general understanding of these matters. I did not expect this battle to last for over two months without breaking through Shanhai Pass. The expenditure is immense." Qing Yao's calm words held no hidden meaning, yet the generals below felt the pressure. No one dared to speak further.
Qing Yao scanned them one by one, a faint smile playing on her lips as she spoke coolly, "General An, immediately instruct the three armies: First, prepare large kite-like contraptions; Second, prepare large ships, the more the better; Third, craft various scarecrows."