Qingyao ignored her and, after tidying everything, calmly gave instructions: "Bring the morning meal."
"Yes," Mochou went to the door to order the morning meal to be brought in.
Qingyao glanced at Bingxiao again, "Go and inform General An and the others to come to the main hall of the Military Affairs Camp immediately to discuss matters."
"Yes," Bingxiao also retreated. Only Xiaoyuer was left in the room. Seeing that no one else was there, Xiaoyuer looked up with wet eyes, "Mother, I'm sorry, I caused you to get hurt."
Actually, she had resolved to die yesterday. She didn't want her mother to suffer the slightest harm, and that man was sinister and ruthless, likely to be unfavorable to her mother. Therefore, only her death could protect her mother. She never expected her mother to risk her life to save her.
"What are you talking about? Xiaoyuer, you are my daughter, born of me. How could I watch you die?"
"Thank you."
Xiaoyuer's tears trickled down. She lowered her head. Qingyao reached out, picked her up, and placed her on a stool by the table. She said gently, "Protecting you is my responsibility. I gave birth to you. Don't always think about these things in the future. If you truly care about me, then be more filial to me in the future."
"Mm, I will."
Xiaoyuer nodded forcefully. She was determined to make her live happily and joyfully for a lifetime.
As the mother and daughter whispered, Mochou led two young maids from the camp and brought the morning meal, placing it on the table one by one. Mochou dismissed the maids. When no one else was in the room, Mochou took out a silver needle and tested each dish. After confirming there was no poison, she slowly spoke.
"Master, please have your morning meal."
"Mm, I know," Qingyao nodded, gesturing for Mochou to sit down and eat something too. Mochou was not particular. She had followed her master for so long that she understood her nature deeply and was often easygoing.
After finishing the morning meal, Qingyao led Mochou and Xiaoyuer towards the main hall ahead.
Along the way, many people looked over, their eyes flashing with disbelief. If not for Mochou and Xiaoyuer by Qingyao's side, everyone would have suspected their eyes were playing tricks on them. The Marshal, who had always concealed her face with a veil, finally revealed her true appearance today, which was that of stunning beauty. However, even though she was astonishingly beautiful, no one dared to disrespect her casually because she was enveloped in a layer of ice, cold and extremely sharp.
In the military camp hall, the soldiers guarding the door were once again startled, without exception. Finally, as if remembering something, they respectfully said, "Marshal, General An and the other generals have arrived."
Qingyao nodded slightly, stepped onto the stone steps, and entered the hall.
In the hall, those who were talking all looked over, their mouths collectively agape for a moment, forgetting to breathe, until An Dingfeng's questioning voice sounded, "Marshal, is that you?"
Qingyao nodded, her gaze sweeping coldly over the generals. That chilling, bloodthirsty gaze was indeed the Marshal's. No one dared to look directly at her, and they quickly lowered their heads.
Qingyao walked elegantly and unhurriedly to An Dingfeng, a slight twitch of her lips. "Does General An believe someone can impersonate this Marshal?"
"But last night?"
An Dingfeng recalled that the Marshal had a red mark on her face last night, but it was gone now. This made him feel deeply strange. Qingyao smiled faintly, "I was afflicted with Hua Wenbo's Ugly Face Gu. Now that the Gu has disappeared, I have resumed my original appearance."
"So that's how it is."
Everyone let out a sigh of relief and looked up at the woman in the place of honor.
The Marshal was truly beautiful. Such a beautiful woman, with such a sharp mind. It seemed Emperor Xian had good taste.
Everyone muttered inwardly, but their faces showed nothing. Although this woman was beautiful, her beauty was blended with something deeper. She was as cold as ice, and a bloodthirsty aura permeated the air above.
"I have asked everyone to come today because there is something to discuss. Last night, we won another battle, and Hua Wenbo was also heavily wounded. This is our best opportunity. Huacheng is currently short of troops. We must take Huacheng immediately without delay. Then we will control the southern gateway of the Danfeng Kingdom."
"Yes, your subordinates obey."
An Dingfeng was the first to cup his fist, and the rest stood up, looking uniformly at the woman in the seat of honor. Such a pleasing Marshal truly made one feel happy.
"For the attack on Huacheng this time, General An will be fully responsible."
"Yes," An Dingfeng immediately lowered his head to accept the order. Huacheng now had few troops. As soon as they attacked, it would be broken.
Just then, a young soldier ran in from outside and knelt with a thud, "Report, Marshal, someone from Huacheng has sent a letter."
"Bring it here," Qingyao said coldly. The soldier below immediately presented the letter.
Mochou took it and handed it to Qingyao. Qingyao opened the letter and read it for a while. Her brows unfurrowed unconsciously, and the corners of her lips curved into a smile. Her eyes and brows were like paintings. She gestured for Mochou to show the letter to General An. An Dingfeng took the letter and began to read it, his expression filled with disbelief. Finally, after reading it from beginning to end, his brows smoothed out.
In the hall, the other generals saw that both the commander and the general had smiling faces and did not know what had happened. Lu Zhanyun anxiously stood up and asked, "General, what is it?"
An Dingfeng spoke slowly, "This is a letter of surrender sent by the Prefect of Huacheng along with local officials. Huacheng voluntarily submits to us."
"Surrender without a fight."
Several voices rang out. Everyone seemed to be hearing something from a fantasy novel. But upon careful consideration, they realized that the Prefect of Huacheng was a person of great foresight. At this time, not surrendering meant only death, while surrendering offered a slim chance of survival.
"It seems he is a smart person," Qingyao raised her eyebrows lightly. Even she had not expected that after the battle of Chentang Pass, her reputation would be widely known. The Prefect of Huacheng was not a fool; why would he not surrender?
"This is truly excellent. However, we cannot be careless," Qingyao said coldly. Perhaps the people of Huacheng were merely stalling for time. They could not afford to be careless and lose the advantage.
"Yes," came a chorus of soft responses from below. Qingyao glanced at the deputy generals below. They would soon be heading north, and reliable people would be left to manage this place.
"Huang Muyang, heed my order."
Upon hearing the Marshal call him, Huang Muyang immediately stepped out and knelt respectfully.
"I appoint you as the main general of Chentang Pass. From today onwards, you will lead five thousand troops and remain at Chentang Pass. Rectify the troops at Chentang Pass properly. The imperial court will soon send some troops."
"Yes, your subordinate obeys."
Huang Muyang was very pleased. He respectfully accepted the order. Although five thousand troops were a bit few, there were troops within Chentang Pass, and he could cultivate new generals. Moreover, the people of Stone City opposite could be mobilized at any time, and there were his own people in Huacheng later.
"Lu Zhanyun, heed my order."
Lu Zhanyun immediately stepped forward. After the battle of Chentang Pass, he had become much more familiar and steady. He emerged steadily and knelt on the ground, cupping his fists in waiting.
"I now promote you to the rank of Commander. You will be stationed at Huacheng. You will also be given five thousand troops. The imperial court will soon allocate more troops. You will guard Huacheng well."
"Yes, your subordinate obeys."
Lu Zhanyun was very happy. He hadn't expected them all to be given important positions. Qingyao glanced at the other deputy generals and staff officers. The eyes of each of them radiated brilliant light.
Qingyao's lips curved into a faint smile, "In the future, many talented individuals will be reused. You should all exert your capabilities. The chaotic times produce heroes."
"Yes, your subordinates obey." The sound reverberated through the hall.