Chapter 707 - 485: Anxious and Tormented

Chapter 707: Chapter 485: Anxious and Tormented

As more and more memorials from the border cities reached the Capital City, the voices at court gradually grew uniform. Beiming had begun to brazenly plunder the villages outside the border.

Fierce blizzards, mixed with hail, swept through the Capital City. The surrounding prefectures and counties were all blanketed in ice and snow.

If even the Capital City was in such a state, one could only imagine the conditions in the border cities.

Panic spread among the people as reports of snow-related disasters from all around the Capital City flooded the court.

Ji Yunting and Song Buran received orders to lead disaster relief efforts. At the same time, the Emperor issued a decree to personally lead a military campaign.

The ministers objected, kowtowing one after another in protest.

Feng Yi’s mind was made up. He had the troops sharpen their weapons and feed their horses, mobilizing his forces and appointing generals. The northern campaign was imminent.

Prince Zhenbei had been holed up in his Prince Manor all winter, "recuperating." Now that the Emperor planned to lead the campaign personally, he could no longer sit still. He once again donned his armor and went to court, requesting to serve as the vanguard and clear a path for the Emperor.

In the eyes of others, the achievements of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion were great enough to overshadow the throne. Thus, Prince Zhenbei had kept a low profile for years. But this time, with His Majesty leading the campaign in person, the Emperor’s safety was paramount. How could Prince Zhenbei possibly sit still?

Princess Zhenbei was deeply worried. After several years of training in the army, Helan Yue was no longer the young man who only cared about petty rivalries and jealousy. This time, his name was on the roster for the military expedition.

He used to be such a delinquent. People say a tiger doesn’t father a dog, but he had always been his father’s disgrace, accomplished in neither scholarly nor martial pursuits. He had trained arduously in the army these past few years. This time, he was determined to clear his infamous reputation and make his parents proud of him.

He Lan Yun was unable to stop them. Not knowing who to share her anguish with, she went to the palace and had a long cry in front of Yun Zhao.

Song Yunzhao was speechless.

’This is... shocking.’

’So Helan Yue is finally having his comeback.’

’The villainous supporting male character from the book was actually turning his life around, just like she had.’

’Then again, with Qin Xiyue gone, it made sense. Helan Yue was from the Prince Zhenbei Mansion. Under the banner of Prince Zhenbei, as long as he was willing to put in the effort, there was no reason he couldn’t make a comeback.’

But swords and spears had no eyes. Song Yunzhao couldn’t guarantee that Prince Zhenbei and his son would return from this war unscathed.

As commander of the armed forces, Prince Zhenbei wouldn’t have to fight on the front lines. But if Helan Yue wanted to make a name for himself and wash away his infamy, he would have to carve out a reputation on the battlefield, one sword stroke and spear thrust at a time. Only that would truly win everyone over.

Song Yunzhao looked at He Lan Yun and comforted her softly, "Worrying ourselves sick won’t help. The best we can do now is prepare more useful supplies for them."

Ever since the Emperor decided to lead the campaign personally, Song Yunzhao had already instructed Ling Yunhe and Xie Jinshu to begin purchasing medical supplies. These were life-saving items.

Before Feng Yi had announced he would lead the campaign, medicine prices were still stable. The moment the Emperor issued his decree, the prices skyrocketed.

Song Yunzhao was thankful for her quick thinking, having already purchased a large batch of medicinal herbs, ointments, pills, and other supplies, all of which were packed into crates. This time, she had also managed to get Song Buming a position in the expedition, to serve as a recording official accompanying the army.

The position wasn’t particularly dangerous; he just had to accurately document the events of the war.

’Being cooped up in the Hanlin Academy, reinventing the wheel, is no substitute for seeing the world. What happens on a battlefield is far more visceral than anything one could read in a book.’

She hoped the men of the Song Family would become officials in the future, and she hoped they would be *good* officials. She didn’t want to create a clan that depended on a woman, but one that was independent and self-reliant.

Feng Yi had initially disagreed. But after hearing Yun Zhao’s reasoning and mulling it over, he decided to bring along the few scholars who had been selected to stay in the Capital City that year. This way, Song Buming wouldn’t be conspicuous.

Song Yunzhao packed Feng Yi’s travel bags, making sure everything was included, especially warm clothing. As for the various pills prepared by the Imperial Hospital, the main priority was making them easy to carry.

Although Imperial Physicians would accompany the army, Feng Yi was an extremely conscientious Emperor; he wouldn’t just stay quietly in the main command tent.

Yun Zhao would not be accompanying the army, but she would make meticulous arrangements for him.

She didn’t just give Feng Yi countless reminders; she also arranged for Zhang Maoquan to accompany him. Feng Yi didn’t refuse, knowing Yun Zhao was worried about him.

Zhang Maoquan had been in the Imperial Concubine’s service for a long time and had committed all her instructions to heart. He guarded the large medicine chest the Imperial Consort had given him as if it were his own eyes, remembering her orders: no matter when, no matter where, he was to follow the Emperor everywhere.

And not just follow, but also carry life-saving medicine with him at all times.

Meng Jiuchang was so busy he was run off his feet, and had no time to spare for Zhang Maoquan. He rushed back and forth delivering imperial edicts all day, so frantic that he had already lost weight before they even left the Capital City.

Song Nanzhen was under immense pressure. As the Minister of Revenue, he had to guarantee the army’s provisions. He and the Minister of War could only exchange tearful glances; they were both on the front lines of this monumental task.

Song Yunzhao had no time to spare for her two children. After several hectic days, she finally finished preparing all of Feng Yi’s things. Anything in short supply was recorded in a register, to be sent to the border later.

Having lived with Feng Yi for many years, she knew his habits intimately. Campaigning was incredibly arduous, and the best she could do was hope that when he returned to his command tent to rest, he would find an environment that allowed him to relax and unwind.

The night before his departure, Feng Yi was still busy and didn’t return to the harem until very late.

He first went to Shou’an Palace to see the Empress Dowager. After returning, he paid a brief visit to each of the three concubines before finally settling in at Yaohua Palace.

Song Yunzhao welcomed him inside. Feng Yi took off his greatcloak, which was dotted with frozen droplets, and handed it to Meng Jiuchang. He then leaned against a warming brazier to thaw out and, looking at Yun Zhao, asked softly, "Are the children asleep?"

Yun Zhao nodded. "Ze’er wanted to wait up for you, but I knew you’d be busy, so I made him go to sleep."

In truth, the boy had waited for a long time, only falling asleep when he was too exhausted to keep his eyes open.

Feng Yi smiled. "I’ll go see them."

Song Yunzhao nodded.

Feng Yi strode into the adjoining chambers to see the children. Yun Zhao sat on the heated divan, her feelings a complex tangle. It was difficult to describe her thoughts in that moment—they were a chaotic, bewildering mess, but worry was the dominant thread.

’She had read about countless ancient battles in the history books, but this time, she was facing it directly. This time, her own husband was going to the battlefield.’

Feng Yi returned after a while, smiling at Yun Zhao. "That Ze’er is a sharp one. He opened his eyes the moment I got close. I suspect he wasn’t sleeping soundly at all, just waiting for me."

Yun Zhao tried to smile at his words, but the expression on her face looked more pained than a sob.

The smile on Feng Yi’s face froze. He walked over and pulled her into his arms. "Don’t worry. I will come back safely."

"Your Majesty is the supreme sovereign, the lord of all under Heaven. Of course you will return triumphant."

"You speak the truth." Feng Yi held Yun Zhao’s trembling body tighter. If it were possible, he would have taken her with him.

But he couldn’t.

The battlefield was unpredictable; he could not place her in such danger.

Besides, as the Imperial Concubine, she had to remain in the Capital City and oversee the harem.

Yun Zhao said nothing, simply leaning quietly in Feng Yi’s embrace.

Feng Yi held her tightly. After a long moment, he said, "Zhaozhao, my people are suffering. As their Emperor, I cannot remain in the Capital City enjoying a life of ease and luxury."

"Your heart encompasses the world, and you love your people as if they were your own children. I cannot lessen your worries, but I will not become a burden to you either. I will watch over the harem and wait for you to come back."

’This was what it meant to have one’s heart tied in knots, to feel it sizzling in a pan of oil.’

’Now, at last, she truly understood the taste of such anguish.’