Bai Sheng smiled coldly and raised her voice, "Everyone, don't be in a hurry. Let me introduce myself. I am Princess Huang Lian Sheng of Qing Huang."
"Princess Qing Huang? Didn't Princess Qing Huang become an idiot? And was thrown to Da Xia as a slave?" The Emperor of Bei Qiang, with a swollen cheek, looked at Bai Sheng in disbelief.
Bai Sheng snorted coldly, "Emperor of Bei Qiang, I regret to disappoint you. This princess has recovered and successfully returned to Qing Huang. Moreover, in just a few months, I have reclaimed all the territories of Qing Huang. The Bei Qiang invading forces stationed in Qing Huang have all been captured and made slaves of Qing Huang."
"What... What did you say?!" The Emperor of Bei Qiang was so shocked that he collapsed to the ground. The other royal family members were also astonished.
"How... how did you do it? Why didn't we receive any news?" The Crown Prince of Bei Qiang glared at Bai Sheng.
"How did we do it? That's our secret, and I won't tell you," Bai Sheng said with a triumphant smile. "Years ago, you used spies to wreak havoc on my Qing Huang, kill my entire royal family, destroy my country, and trample on my people. Do you remember? You were triumphant for over a decade, and today is the day of your retribution!"
The Crown Prince of Bei Qiang sneered, "Even if Qing Huang has recovered its lost territories, your population is scarce, extremely poor, and your military strength is insufficient. You won't be able to defend such a large country! My Bei Qiang is a nation of horse riders. If our soldiers knew that their royal family had been captured by you, they would surely lead their troops to attack Qing Huang. With your mere handful of soldiers, you definitely won't be able to defend the border!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Sheng burst into laughter, "What a boast! I'm afraid you don't know yet. All of Bei Qiang's military provisions, warhorses, and weapons have been stolen by us. Now, tens of thousands of Bei Qiang soldiers have trouble even getting enough to eat. What makes you think you can attack Qing Huang?"
The royal family of Bei Qiang were so shocked that their eyeballs almost popped out. The Emperor of Bei Qiang pointed at Bai Sheng and said, "You... you are the 'Treasure Boy' who stole from the Da Xia royal family, aren't you?!"
"Precisely, this princess!" Bai Sheng said with a wicked smile.
On Bai Sheng's side, everyone, except those who knew about her spatial abilities, was also quite surprised. Shen Tian Jun was so moved that tears streamed down his face. A few years ago, they heard that the Da Xia military camp in Qing Huang had been plundered, which gave them the opportunity to counterattack and reclaim a large territory. They never expected that it was Little Snowball who did it! This was heaven's will! No wonder there were auspicious signs from heaven when Little Snowball was born, and even though she later suffered mental damage, she could still miraculously return!
The royal family of Bei Qiang looked at Bai Sheng as if they had seen a ghost, their faces filled with terror. Bai Sheng walked closer to them, causing them to shrink back. "Tell me, who were the culprits who invaded Qing Huang and killed my royal family back then? For the culprits, I will make them die a very painful death! If you did not participate in this matter, I will spare your lives and let you be slaves in Qing Huang for the rest of your lives. Those who actively report and make significant contributions will not have to be slaves and will be granted house arrest. So, whether you die or live, you choose yourselves!"
The royal family of Bei Qiang exchanged glances but remained silent. "Yang Ming, Lu Tong, escort them all down later and interrogate them one by one!" Bai Sheng commanded sternly. "Yes, Your Highness Princess!" Yang Ming and Lu Tong replied respectfully.
Knowing that his sister-in-law was the "Treasure Boy," Zuo Yun pleaded with her to help bring all the disciples of the Street Gang from the capital of Da Xia to Qing Huang. Bai Sheng took Zuo Yun to Qing Huang, brought all the Street Gang disciples over, incorporated them, and enlisted them into the army. Zuo Ye also confessed to Bai Sheng that he was actually the leader of the Ye Sheng Sect. Since he had become the Protector of the Nation General, it was decided to incorporate the Ye Sheng Sect as well. Bai Sheng had the disciples of the Ye Sheng Sect serve as the Imperial Guards of Qing Huang's imperial city, with Qing Yu as the commander of the Imperial Guards, and Wei Han and Qian Ye as deputy commanders.
One day, the western border guards captured a ten-year-old child attempting to cross the pass. The child was ragged, his skin as dark as charcoal, his feet were raw and bloody from a long journey, and he was so thin that a gentle squeeze of his finger would crush him. Seeing his pitiful state, Captain Jin gave him a bowl of thin porridge. The child practically poured the porridge into his mouth, and after finishing, he seemed eager to gnaw on the bowl. Captain Jin felt a pang in his heart and his voice softened, "What is your name, and why are you trying to cross into my Qing Huang territory?"
After eating the bowl of thin porridge, the child gained some strength to speak, "My name is Little Bitter Gourd. A few years ago, when Bai Sheng sister passed through Qing Cheng in Da Xia, I delivered a letter for Bai Sheng sister on behalf of a lame beggar named Lu Da Gang. Bai Sheng sister took pity on me and gave me some food and one tael of silver, so I survived. I am very grateful to Bai Sheng sister and wanted to repay her when I grew up, but I didn't know her name at the time. So, I worked for free for a month at the inn where Bai Sheng sister was staying, and the innkeeper told me her name. Later, wanted posters were posted all over Qing Cheng, saying that Bai Sheng sister was the princess of Qing Huang and a bad person. But I didn't believe Bai Sheng sister was a bad person. So, I begged for alms everywhere and worked odd jobs, saving some money, and wanted to come to Qing Huang to find Bai Sheng sister."
After hearing Little Bitter Gourd's story, Captain Jin was greatly moved and immediately sent someone to escort Little Bitter Gourd to Feng Cheng. Bai Sheng didn't remember who he was when she saw Little Bitter Gourd. Little Bitter Gourd recounted their past encounter, and only then did Bai Sheng realize. She never expected this child to be so sentimental. Little Bitter Gourd knelt before Bai Sheng, his eyes, particularly large due to his emaciation, looking at her earnestly, "Bai Sheng sister, oh no, I should call you Your Highness Princess now. Little Bitter Gourd is willing to be your little eunuch, to serve you for life."
Bai Sheng smiled, "Our Qing Huang country does not have eunuchs. Little Bitter Gourd, you will first study and learn to read in the academy, and in a few years, you will be assigned to the palace's internal affairs department." "Thank you, Bai Sheng sister, thank you, Your Highness Princess," Little Bitter Gourd cried profusely. Bai Sheng had a doctor give Little Bitter Gourd a comprehensive medical examination, then found a room for him in the internal affairs department, and took good care of his meals and lodging. After some time, Little Bitter Gourd regained his vitality and busied himself in the mansion, helping with tasks within his capabilities.
Half a year later, the imperial palace of Qing Huang was completed. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Qing Huang held the enthronement ceremony for the Empress. Bai Sheng officially became the Empress of Qing Huang—at five months pregnant with her second child. Qing Huang rejoiced universally. Qing Huang's high-ranking officials were all allocated large mansions in Feng Cheng. Zhao Da Zhuang, Ma San, Huang Gou Sheng, and others looked at the spacious mansions, feeling as if they were floating. They had never imagined they would have such a day. To go from a starving, illiterate refugee to a high-ranking official in the Qing Huang court sounded like a dream.