Chapter 665: Already Making Their Move

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Zhang Shuming felt his scalp tingle when he heard this. Every time the Empress’s reply was a little late, His Majesty would be very displeased.

“Your Majesty, Her Imperial Highness has not replied. Perhaps Her Imperial Highness is busy and has been delayed by some matters.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Shuming felt a sense of suffocation.

He hurriedly kept quiet and tried his best to reduce his presence.

After an unknown length of time, Xiao Jin stood up after he finished reading all the memorials on the desk. “If she still doesn’t come back, I’ll go and capture herback!”

Zhang Shuming continued to play dead.

Footsteps rang out outside the door at this moment.

“Your Majesty, there’s news from the border.”

Xiao Jin recovered himself and ordered the messenger to be sent in.

Zhang Shuming received the message and brought it to Xiao Jin.

Xiao Jin opened the message and read it rapidly.

The number of troops stationed at the border of the Jin State had increased again. Judging from the state of things there, it seemed that they could attack at any time.

Xiao Jin frowned. The Jin State would not do such a thing for no reason. There must be an underlying cause.

“Did the spies in the Jin State get any information?”

“Your Majesty, there is no news from that side for the time being.”

Xiao Jin lit the message in his hand with the candle flame and burned it.

“Tell the spies in the Jin State to send more people to investigate.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At this moment, Xiao Jin had no idea that Su Ying had almost reached the capital city.

At daybreak, she rode her horse out of the forest. From afar, she could see the city gate of the capital city.

The city gate had just opened at this point, and the people waiting outside the city gate were queuing up orderly to walk through the city gate.

Su Ying was tired after a night of traveling, so she rode her horse to the tea shed outside the city gate and sat down to rest. It wouldn’t be too late to go in after most of the commoners outside the city had gone in.

As soon as Su Ying sat down, an elderly woman walked to her.

“Does Young Master want some tea or food?”

This tea shed also sold breakfast items. Right now, there were already many people sitting inside.

“Give me a bowl of tea and a plate of steamed buns.”

“Aye, alrighty. I’ll bring it to you now.”

Before long, the middle-aged woman came to Su Ying with the tea and steamed buns.

“Young Master, please enjoy. If the tea is not enough, I’ll pour more for you.”

“Thank you.”

Su Ying ate the steamed bun with the tea. She hadn’t paid much attention to food during the past few days of traveling, so her stomach was now so clean that there wasn’t any grease left. When she returned to the palace, she would have to get Hea Shouyi to nourish her at all costs.

Su Ying finished her steamed buns and was about to enter the city when she saw a man on a horse galloping in her direction.

Su Ying immediately recognized the official robe he was wearing. This was the messenger.

Did something happen?

Su Ying placed the money on the table and quickly mounted her horse to go after him.

The middle-aged woman heard the commotion and ran over. She glanced at the loose silver coins on the table and shouted at Su Ying’s departing back profile. “Young Master, you paid too much. It’s too much…”

Su Ying followed the messenger all the way into the city, but she could no longer gallop on her horse after entering the city. She had no choice but to slow down.

“Report!”

The voices discussing in the Imperial Court suddenly stopped.

Xiao Jin permitted the messenger to enter the main hall.

“Your Majesty, the Nan State suddenly sent troops to our border. The soldiers guarding the border have already attacked and fought back.”

The messenger’s words made the atmosphere in the hall tense all of a sudden.

The Nan State had previously fought with the Chu State and was roundly defeated. The matter of them coming to negotiate for peace was still vivid in everyone’s minds. It had only been a short time since then. Why had they come to court death again?

Xiao Jin had learned of the Nan State gathering their troops long ago. He had already issued an edict to reinforce the troops at the border. Food and fodder were being prepared to be sent there.

However, he did not expect the Nan State to be so impatient and make a move so quickly.

“How many Nan State’s soldiers have gathered?”

“Your Majesty, the scouts have found that there are about 100,000.”

Previously, the Nan State and the Chu State had lost quite a number of troops. After the peace negotiations, the Nan State stationed fewer troops at the border. Yet, now, they had transferred more troops here. It seemed that they were going to fight again and they even dared to make the first provocative move.

“Your Majesty, this wretched dog Nan State dares to provoke us in this manner. They have really overestimated their own strength. Your humble subject is willing to fight for our kingdom. I will definitely beat up those filthy dogs from the Nan State!”

“I am also willing to fight for our kingdom.”

Many generals stepped forward and expressed their willingness to become the main force in attacking the Nan State.

Previously, after the Nan State surrendered, there had been no war in the Chu State. These military generals were almost crushed to death by those civil officials. Now that war had broken out, they naturally didn’t want to miss this opportunity to shine.

When it came to fighting against the Nan State, no one was more skilled than Xiao Jin. However, as the ruler of a kingdom, he could not lead an army to battle in person flippantly.

Having said that, he also could not be careless when choosing the commander to fight against the Nan State.

Xiao Jin didn’t immediately pick and send out the generals. He only summoned a few veteran ministers to the Imperial study to discuss.

At this moment, Su Ying had arrived at the palace gates on her horse.

When she left the palace, she did not publicize it. Thus, outsiders thought that she was still in the palace.

Su Ying dismounted and came to the palace gates.

The Imperial Guards saw her and went forward to stop her.

“Who is it? The palace is a restricted area. You are not allowed to come near.”

Su Ying took out her palace token.

The Imperial Guards didn’t dare to stop her after seeing that token, but because Su Ying looked unfamiliar, they still warily asked her to wait for a moment while they went in to report.

Su Ying wasn’t in a hurry, and there was no harm in waiting.

A moment later, Zhou Qing followed the Imperial Guard and hurried over.

The palace token Su Ying took out belonged to the Conjugal Phoenix Palace. The Imperial Guard had to get the Conjugal Phoenix Palace staff to verify the token.

Zhou Qing followed the Imperial Guard out after listening to him.

“Zhou Qing, it’s me.”

Although Su Ying had changed her voice and put on a disguise, her two eyes remained the same.

Zhou Qing recognized her the moment she saw her.

“Your Imp… you have returned. The Empress is still waiting for you to reply. Follow me quickly.”

When they saw that Zhou Qing recognized Su Ying, the Imperial Guards did not stop Su Ying anymore and allowed the two of them in.

Zhou Qing led the way. Her footsteps were much lighter going back than when she came.

The two of them entered the Conjugal Phoenix Palace, and Zhou Qing closed the door behind her.

As soon as they entered the inner hall, Zhou Qing knelt before Su Ying.

“Your servant welcomes Your Imperial Highness back to the palace.”

Su Ying looked at her suppressed excitement and raised her eyebrows as she smiled. “Are you that happy? Are you sure it’s me?” At this moment, Su Ying had already restored her voice.

Zhou Qing smiled and raised her head. “Yes. Your Imperial Highness’s gaze is different from other people’s. I can tell at a glance.”

“Alright. Get up quickly and help me change my clothes.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”

Zhou Qing stood up and helped Su Ying dress up again.

“Did anything happen while I was away?”

“Your Imperial Highness, everything is fine in the palace. The Young Princess and the First Prince are also fine.”

Su Ying nodded. As long as the children were fine, she was relieved.

Su Ying hadn’t had a good night’s sleep these past few days, so she decided to take a rest while the day was still early.

“I’m going to sleep first. You go and tell Uncle Hea to cook all my favorite dishes tonight.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Highness. Your servant shall go now. Does His Majesty know that Your Imperial Highness has returned to the palace?”

Su Ying lay on the bed and murmured, “He doesn’t know. I want to give him a surprise.”

Zhou Qing understood and didn’t ask any more questions. She lit the calming incense for Su Ying and excused herself..