Chapter 746: The Return

"Without their leader, the army truly is a mess of loose sand! They scatter with a single touch!" Zhao Junyao exclaimed with emotion.

General Xiao and General Liang, however, laughed.

"It is also due to the Emperor’s unparalleled bravery and leadership in battle!"

"With such high morale among the soldiers, we could achieve a great victory so quickly!"

Zhao Junyao felt somewhat helpless.

"Enough of that, you don’t need to flatter me!"

Inside, however, he was beaming with joy.

"You may leave now. I will go and see Tingfeng!"

Speaking of which, this fellow also played a huge role in our success.

Had he not led his men to infiltrate the enemy camp repeatedly, uncovering all clues and the layout of the cabins, how could we have eliminated them so easily?

After all, even without Arubasi, there were still many other leaders among his subordinates.

With the Monarch dead, it didn’t necessarily mean they lacked ambition.

Yet, in the end, they were eradicated in one fell swoop. How exhilarating!

Zhao Junyao was in a great mood.

He strode into Xia Tingfeng’s tent and found it empty. After pondering for a moment, he turned and headed to another tent not far off. That was where Ye Tang was receiving treatment.

Since Ye Tang was brought back two days earlier, the Military Doctor had been treating her continuously. Her face was battered, and she had also bitten her own tongue. When she was brought back that day, her face and neck were covered in blood. Unexpectedly, she showed such strong willpower and endured through it all.

Impressive!

When Zhao Junyao entered, he saw Xia Tingfeng speaking with the Military Doctor. Upon seeing him, the two hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Emperor!"

Ye Tang, who was lying on the bed with her head wrapped in bandages, also became somewhat anxious.

Zhao Junyao waved his hand to dismiss the formalities. He sat down at the rudimentary table beside him and inquired of the Military Doctor.

"How is it now? How are Miss Ye’s injuries?!"

The Military Doctor dared not refrain from answering and sincerely reported Ye Tang’s condition.

"Your Majesty, General Ye has suffered skin-deep injuries, with no harm to the bones. The swelling will subside, and with some days of recuperation, she will recover!"

"As for the wound on her tongue, because Miss Ye lacked the strength, she didn’t bite down too hard!"

"Thus even though she bled, the wound is not deep, and it won’t leave a scar!"

These words were incredibly comforting.

Zhao Junyao listened with great pleasure.

"Good! There will be a substantial reward! General Xiao Ye has made great contributions this time, and I must reward her generously!"

"Yes," an attendant at his side quickly responded.

Xia Tingfeng also cupped his fist in salute.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Junyao chuckled, patted his shoulder, and then cast a sly glance at Ye Tang before leaving.

Xia Tingfeng was somewhat baffled by his gaze, but he didn’t dwell on it. After watching the Military Doctor change her bandages and apply medicine, he also left.

That night, lying in bed, Xia Tingfeng tossed and turned.

What did the Emperor really mean? What did he really mean?!

He pondered all night but couldn’t figure it out.

The next day, when he asked, Zhao Junyao was taken aback and pretended to be unaware. Xia Tingfeng, thinking he had misread the situation, didn’t inquire any further.

...

With the battle over, evidence of collusion with the enemy and treason had also been found. Min Tu and Zhao Junqi had both survived and were locked up. Discovered alongside them were detailed maps of Guangnan within the enemy ships, as well as stacks of correspondence. Perhaps out of overconfidence, Min Tu had not burned these letters.

Ironclad evidence indeed!

Zhao Junyao didn’t hesitate and ordered two prison carts, one for each. Crimes of colluding with the enemy and treason typically required a trial by the Three Judicial Offices before a conviction could be issued. So, for now, these two couldn’t be executed. They had to be taken back for a court trial, to confess and so on!

However... Zhao Junqi was, after all, his own cousin.

Zhao Junyao felt some turmoil in his heart; it was painful for him too.

But... wasn’t the taste of being betrayed even more unbearable?! Moreover, it was such a grave sin—colluding with the enemy and betraying the nation! In full view of the public, how could one not deal with it?

This time, even a deity might not be able to save Zhao Junqi. Not even the Empress Dowager could intervene,

Zhao Junyao thought solemnly.

Several days later, the battlefield and the spoils of war were all registered and catalogued before being incorporated into the national treasury. After that, the army then prepared to embark on their journey back to the capital.

...

The great battle had lasted over two months. By the time Zhao Junyao and the others departed from Guangnan, it was already mid-August.

「In the palace.」

The news of the frontline victories had already arrived, and the entire Harem, including the Empress Dowager, was elated.

「That day.」

When the Noble Consort led everyone to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager took the Noble Consort’s hand and said, "This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival must be celebrated with more fanfare, for this is indeed a momentous occasion!"

The Noble Consort smiled. "Mother Empress, I am aware. Although the Emperor won’t be able to return, we must still celebrate properly, mustn’t we?!"

"Yes, indeed, so wise, Empress Dowager! So wise, Noble Consort!" Some liked to flatter. Of course, there were others who stayed indifferent to matters that did not concern them and showed no particular reaction.

After sitting for a while, the Empress Dowager expressed her weariness, and everyone took their leave.

Noble Concubine Shih led her entourage out of Ningshou Palace, her heart barely concealing her delight. But when she thought about that despicable Lady Xia about to give birth, her mood darkened again.

"Why must she give birth now, at such a time to steal the limelight!"

Lady Xia is truly despicable!

「Speaking of Xia Ruqing.」

She had almost turned into a ball.

She couldn’t understand what was wrong with these two little rascals, why they just refused to come out. She was utterly fed up.

"Didn’t they say it would be any day now? Why is there still no movement?"

She was desperate to deliver, to get these babies out now!

With such a big belly, she couldn’t even think about going out; even getting up was difficult. She couldn’t bend over, she couldn’t sit comfortably, and usually could only lie down. Getting up and walking a few steps would cause back pain, mainly because her belly was just too heavy!

By now, she had long pushed Zhao Junyao to the back of her mind. Her entire focus was on giving birth.

Zi Yue, however, said with a smile, "Mistress, don’t be anxious. Be careful not to get too agitated!"

"Perhaps the Little Prince is waiting for the Emperor to return!"

Xia Ruqing rolled her eyes. "He has been gone so long, do they even remember him? Besides, it’s me who’s carrying them, I’m the one who’s suffering!"

"They’re not coming out just because they’re mindful of their Imperial Father?!"

That made no sense at all!

Zi Yue realized she was becoming irritable and quickly changed the subject. "Mistress, since the Emperor has started his journey back, he should be entering the capital in a few days. Shouldn’t we send a message?"

"Perhaps it really might be useful!"

Xia Ruqing frowned. "’Perhaps... we shouldn’t,’ she hesitated. ’He’s so busy!’"

Seeing her indecision, Zi Yue asked, "Do you have any concerns?"

Xia Ruqing caressed her belly, looking somewhat dazed. A moment later, she replied, "Send what message? Anything sent out of the palace has to go through the Noble Consort!"

"Hasn’t she caused enough trouble recently?"

"Let’s not look for that kind of trouble!"

During these times, she was truly frightened. She didn’t even know how she had made it through. To protect her children, she had no choice but to stay confined to her own palace. Not going out—yes, she didn’t dare to go out.

Zi Yue felt a certain bitterness in her heart. "My lady, the Emperor will be returning soon. They should..."

"Let’s just forget it. A few more days won’t make a difference."