Chapter 197: "Mandated by Heaven, Longevity and Eternal Prosperity.

In mid-October, heavy snow blanketed Fengxue Pass. As far as the eye could see, a vast expanse of white blurred the line between heaven and earth.

The soldiers of Da Wei struggled with the severe cold. Even bundled in cotton-padded armor, their fighting ability was compromised.

After reviewing countless scouting reports, Xiao Yang made a decision: she ordered Li Wei to halt the campaign.

If they kept pushing, they’d end up fighting all the way into the Frozen World.

’What’s the point of conquering it? In that bitterly cold land, wildlife vanished in the winter and survival itself was a struggle.’

’Governing it would be a drain on both resources and manpower. Even as a place of exile, it’s doubtful anyone would survive the journey there. Better to use those people for mining.’

Communications were poor in this era. Even if she conquered these lands today, they would be difficult to manage in the future.

A vast and unmanageable empire, with no external threats to unite it, was bound to decay from within, plagued by internal strife until it inevitably collapsed.

Xiao Yang couldn’t care less about unrealistic fantasies of an eternal dynasty. She simply didn’t want to make more work for herself.

So, using the map Mu Yunlian had provided, she incorporated all the mining regions into Da Wei’s territory. Along this new border, she would build a great wall.

"Your Majesty is returning to the capital?"

Prince Jing exclaimed as he entered.

Xiao Yang glanced at him. "Haven’t you been nagging me to return to the capital?"

Prince Jing said urgently, "I do want Your Majesty to return to the capital, but aren’t we supposed to be fighting the King of Huainan right now?"

"The King of Huainan is treacherously ambitious, and with that Su Wu aiding him, we absolutely cannot allow them to grow stronger! Otherwise, the future consequences will be endless."

Most importantly, the Huainan Land was a land of plenty. The very thought of such a fertile region being occupied by the King of Huainan to fuel his rebellion was infuriating.

Heavy snow was falling outside. Xiao Yang was dressed in a fox-fur cloak and a brocade sable hat, bundled up so much she looked like a fluffy ball. She appeared docile and beautiful, but the words she spoke were the complete opposite of her looks. "I’m returning to the capital, but that won’t stop me from killing him."

The royal procession returned to the capital with an escort of ten thousand soldiers. It was a vast and mighty column, but because the Emperor rode in a carriage, their pace was not fast.

Xiao Hong rode beside the Emperor’s carriage. This time, the one inside was the real Emperor.

Leaning on an armrest, Xiao Yang shot him a look. "What’s with that look in your eyes?"

Xiao Hong asked, "Why is Your Majesty being so cooperative this time?"

Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow and suddenly leaned closer. "Are you wishing Xiao Ziling was the one sitting here right now?"

Xiao Hong choked on his words, awkwardly averting his gaze.

A wicked grin spread across Xiao Yang’s face. "You like her."

"I don’t..." Xiao Hong subconsciously tried to deny it, but he just couldn’t bring himself to lie.

"A gentleman is naturally drawn to a fair lady. She’s so exceptional, it’s perfectly normal for me to like her."

Xiao Yang sneered. "If you like her, you like her. Why all the excuses? What are you so nervous about?"

Xiao Hong’s face flushed. "I’m not!"

After a long silence, he suddenly leaned in again. "Does Your Majesty know if Miss Zi Ling has anyone she fancies?"

Xiao Yang answered instantly. "She does."

The light in Xiao Hong’s eyes dimmed. ’He knew. It has to be Mu Yunlian. But... doesn’t Mu Yunlian like Your Majesty?’

Suddenly, his eyes lit up again.

"You don’t actually think you have a chance just because she can’t be with the one she likes, do you?"

Xiao Yang’s devilish voice sounded in his ear, striking the very thought in his mind and making his heart leap in shock.

"And why shouldn’t I? I’ll work hard to build a meritorious career and devote myself to her completely. I’ll become a man worthy of her."

Xiao Yang snorted, making no effort to hide her contempt. "You’ll never compare to the one she loves."

Xiao Hong was instantly displeased. "Even if Your Majesty favors Mu Yunlian, there’s no need to degrade your own brother like this, is there?"

Xiao Yang asked, "Who said she likes Mu Yunlian?"

Xiao Hong was startled. "The person she likes isn’t Mu Yunlian?"

Xiao Yang put on an enigmatic expression. "She’s in love with someone who reigns supreme over the world, possesses the wealth of the four seas, is wise and divinely valiant, and is peerlessly beautiful."

Xiao Hong: "..."

He realized he looked like a complete fool for taking her seriously.

"Your Majesty isn’t about to say that person is the Emperor of Da Wei, is she?"

Xiao Yang held her head high. "And who else would it be?"

’This is the Emperor, the Emperor, the Emperor!’

Xiao Hong took a deep breath, suppressing the desperate urge to roll his eyes.

"Your Majesty, a relationship between two women... is impossible."

What he really wanted to say was, ’Xiao Ziling could never like a woman, so stop your wishful thinking.’

Xiao Yang shot him a disdainful glance, not deigning to argue the point.

’How is it impossible? My own orientation just isn’t bent enough. Otherwise, I’d definitely marry Ziling and make her my Empress.’

Xiao Hong let out a short laugh and said no more. He appeared calm, but internally, he’d been screaming for some time now.

The procession traveled toward the capital for two days. As they were passing through a canyon, a sudden explosion rocked the ground, sending sand and rocks flying.

"Protect His Majesty! Ambush!"

Xiao Yang’s lips curled into a smirk. "Tsk. They’re finally here."

On the opposing mountain peak, Su Wu stood dressed in white, his face as black as thunder.

"Who detonated the explosives?! Who was it?!"

’The Emperor had only just reached the entrance to the canyon. What’s the point of setting off the explosives now? Are you trying to *inform* her there’s an ambush?’

Before the sound of Su Wu’s roar had even faded, a series of explosions rang out one after another.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"

Staring at the billowing smoke, Su Wu closed his eyes in despair, unable to bear watching any longer.

’There must be a mole in the army. Now we’ve tipped them off and lost the element of surprise.’

"Mr. Su, what are your orders?"

Su Wu opened his eyes, which were filled with hatred. He clenched his fists and commanded sharply, "Sound the drums! Charge! We must bury the Emperor here, no matter the cost!"

They had no path of retreat.

"Yes, sir!"

On one side, the war drums sounded and the King of Huainan ordered the charge. On the other, the Emperor’s retinue had already turned tail and fled the moment the first explosion went off.

"..."

That’s right. They turned and ran.

The Emperor abandoned the royal carriage, mounted a horse, and galloped away.

She moved with incredible speed. By the time the rebel troops gave chase, they could only see her party disappearing in the distance.

The rebel vanguard: "..."

They had all resolved to throw their lives away in this charge. What was the meaning of this? The enemy just... ran?

Morale is everything in battle. The vanguard’s role is to charge relentlessly, to kill without fear of death. But now there was only charging, no killing!

What kind of army runs the moment they see the enemy?

How could an Emperor be so shameless?!

As it turned out, an Emperor really could be that shameless.

The archers couldn’t get a clear shot. Just as the vanguard finally managed to catch up, a series of pre-planted explosives detonated—BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

They fled like this for a full hour.

Finally, the Emperor stopped running. Her party halted on a mountainside, looking back down on them from their superior vantage point.

The rebel soldiers: "..."

The roles of attacker and defender had been reversed. Now, they were the ones who needed to run.

They didn’t dare advance; the situation made it obvious the enemy had been prepared all along. Charging forward was certain death. But they had no orders to retreat.

Just as they hesitated, Prince Jing stepped forward. Holding a loudspeaker made of copper, he shouted, "Brothers down below! I am Prince Jing, the Emperor’s own uncle! Calm yourselves and listen to what I have to say!"

"We are all people of Da Wei! Why must we fight our own countrymen?"

"Her Majesty is the True Dragon Emperor, acknowledged by all the ancestors of the Xiao Family! You cannot successfully rebel against her. The fates of Xirong and Beimeng are clear lessons—rebelling against Her Majesty brings nothing but ruin. How many of you are there? Can you compare to the great army of Xirong or the iron cavalry of Beimeng? Why throw your lives away for another’s ambition?"

"Think of your families! Think of your futures!"

"Her Majesty is merciful. She is giving you one last chance. Lay down your weapons and withdraw now, and your past transgressions will be forgiven. But if you insist on this foolish path, this mountain pass will become your grave!"

"BOOM!"

A cannonball landed with a deafening blast right in front of the vanguard, gouging a massive crater in the ground.

Then, from all sides, war drums thundered as soldiers began to chant in unison, "Oh, hallowed is our sovereign, her great works we continue!"

"Manifest is the will of Heaven, for Heaven’s will is the Emperor!"

"Her auspicious reign is everlasting, her blessings upon us are without limit!"

"She has received the Mandate of Heaven; may she reign long and prosper forever!"