Joyful Ten

Song Muzhi stepped out of the hall with a heart full of trepidation, and only after he had lifted his sleeves to wipe the sweat from his forehead did he take a deep breath

Song Mu was taken aback and said, "Since Ye Qi has already established a good relationship with Tai Lun, if he were to further engage with the other three nations, I fear that..."

Radiant and dazzling, captivating the hearts and minds of people

General Lin Fengnan of the Right Guard was appointed as the Commander of the Northern Road Operations, leading a total of 180,000 imperial troops from the capital, Fengqing, and Huning to march north to suppress the bandits

She is very tired

He straightened up and looked closely, noticing that his front was soaked with sweat and his face showed signs of panic.

That day and that night ultimately could not withstand the interests of the family and the nation

In the midst of chaos, all the heroes aspire for power

The young palace maid carefully smoothed the cloth, wiping away all the impurities that had stained his lower abdomen. She then went to the other side to fetch clean garments to assist him in dressing. Only then did she say: "Lord Song has arrived. I heard that His Majesty is in the inner chamber, and out of concern for disturbing His Majesty's mood, he has been waiting outside the hall."

Pingde Road is located to the north of Taizhen. Since the beginning of autumn last year, it has suffered from months of drought, affecting the other two roads, causing great concern for the livelihood of the people

Xu Yanjin's collar was damp with sweat, dried and then wet again. "Your Majesty..." He gritted his teeth, as if he had made a tremendous decision. "Beijian mobilized troops to Yun Gu Pass three days ago, reportedly numbering one hundred thousand.

At her most difficult and painful moment, the one who dealt her a heavy blow was precisely him

She felt a deep pain in her heart, wanting to speak but unable to do so, when she heard Xu Yan's urgent words: "The military situation is critical and cannot be delayed; I hope Your Majesty will make a decision soon"

In just twelve short characters, it seemed as if he had exhausted all his strength to convey this to her; his low voice, however, caused a great shock within her heart

Ying Huan's face turned pale; once the Jialing Pass is lost, the mob can easily seize the land and establish their own rule. To the north of Pingde, it could easily become a small nation, and if one wishes to quell the chaos, it will only become more difficult.

As a result, this concern became a reality

However, she did not expect it to come so suddenly and fiercely, leaving her unable to defend herself

In the year when the Ninth Prince was fourteen, he accompanied the late Emperor on a spring hunt for ten days, after which he was never able to see his biological mother again

Song Muzhi's face grew increasingly awkward, "Your servant..." he moved his lips for a long time but could not utter a word

She is running

The man opened the umbrella to shield her from the rain, bent down, and gently patted her head with his hand

Ying Huan's expression remained unchanged, yet the color in her eyes dimmed, standing there in silence for a long time.

Now, he has been added to the mix

Like a gentle breeze, it comes and goes without leaving a trace, as if in a dream

Believing that for a decade one has won the hearts of the people, who would have thought that the people's hearts are even thinner than paper

Song Muzhi nodded slightly, his brows furrowing, "We all believe that the dispatch of personnel from Zhongwan this time indeed carries significant implications."

On the night of the Qixi Festival, the streets of Beijing remained lively throughout the night

Her brow was pale and clear, her complexion gradually turning white. After a long pause, she finally asked: "Where is Lin Qiran?"

The Empress Dowager, fearing the power of the maternal relatives, heeded the words of the Empress and thus devised this strategy. However, it was unexpected that upon returning to the palace, the late Emperor was greatly distressed upon hearing this and fell ill, remaining unwell until his death, still reminiscing about the grace of Consort Hua

Ning Mo extended his arms, wanting to embrace her, but she pushed him away

The edge of the cloud blue sleeve, a shocking sight of red, blood color reflecting in the eyes

Let alone him

In the era of the Four Nations contending for supremacy, who can bear to part with the rich territory of Taizhen, and who can afford to miss this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity

Xu Yan knelt for a moment longer before silently rising and slowly exiting the hall

He turned around and said softly, "All wealth is received, beautiful women are to be enjoyed, and all who come are neither blocked nor rejected"

He congratulated and said: "How do you know that Tai Tun would not secretly befriend the Three Kingdoms behind Ye Qi's back?"

Ning Mo furrowed her brows slightly, placing her hand on her shoulder, "Your Majesty need not worry; although the drought is severe, it will certainly not lead to any major troubles"

Not knowing where to run, I only feel an overwhelming sense of fear in my heart, tears welling in my eyes, and the scenery before me becoming increasingly blurred

Although the court is engaged in warfare, the families of some wealth within the city have built colorful pavilions. The daughters are seen stitching under the moonlight in their courtyards, while the streets are adorned with red silk and green canopies, filled with countless exquisite trinkets

She bit her lip, stepped forward to embrace the person's waist, her hand tightly gripping the side of their skirt

Only because she is a woman

Warm lips pressed against her face, gently kissing away her tears, the movement tender, as if afraid to break her.

Within the imperial palace, everyone knows, yet no one dares to speak

Ying Huan felt a heaviness in her chest, the pain from her dreams still lingering in her heart. Her mind returned to that night ten years ago, a night when she wept until she fainted, and since then, she had never shed another tear

Ying Huan's eyelids suddenly twitched, her throat became dry, a surge of anxiety rushed through her heart, and her head throbbed painfully.

Xu Yan felt uncertain and was about to speak again to report, when Ying Huan suddenly waved her sleeve, dismissing the eunuchs and palace maids in the hall

Ning Mo tightened her grip on her hand, "The ugly times will pass."

As she stumbled over a stone beneath her feet, she fell forward, landing on the hard ground. Tears could no longer be restrained, suddenly rolling down, increasing in number.

Ning Mo's hand reached in and gently grasped hers, "Your Majesty, have you been having a nightmare?"

The woman leaned against the wall, feeling utterly weak, and slowly slid down to the ground, her calves still trembling lightly. She gazed at his back and softly called out, "Your Majesty..."

Ning Mo got up and took a robe to drape over her, comforting her: "Your Majesty, it is of no use to be anxious. The drought encountered along the Pingde route is not your fault; it is truly the will of heaven. Lord Lin has already taken people to carry out the relief efforts as ordered. Even if news from the north returns, it will be at the earliest tomorrow. It is still early now, Your Majesty, so it would be best to rest a little more..."

She looked at that person, her eyes becoming warm and painfully hot

The road ahead is very dark, filled with thorns, yet she must walk forward alone, with no one to accompany her, no one to support her, in this ghostly darkness, only she remains.

Underfoot is muddy and unbearable, the cold wind cuts through the skin, thunder and lightning are intertwined, and heavy rain pours down.

Ying Huan was suddenly startled, coming to a halt underfoot

He looked back at him with a gaze that was both deep and shallow, "How do you know that the Three Kingdoms did not secretly send envoys to the side of Tai Tun?"

Before his words had finished, he had already knelt down, his head bowed, and said: "Your Majesty has inquired, and I would never dare to deceive my sovereign. I can only respond with the truth, but I hope Your Majesty will not take offense at such absurd words. Your Majesty has devoted great effort to governing the country, and the loyalty of the old ministers in the court is known to all..."

The three kingdoms of the north and south are eyeing each other covetously, and the ambitions of Ye and Qi need not be mentioned. If there were to be internal strife in Tai, then this world...

Ying Huan turned her head, lightly wiping the damp corners of her eyes against the pillow, and said in a hushed voice: "What time is it?"

The lips of Ying Huan formed a line, resembling blood congealed on skin, the pale face accentuating the hue to a more alarming degree, "Is there more?"

He chuckled softly, "Everything you have mentioned has crossed my mind. At today's grand banquet, the envoy's few probing words were understood by all. Given the longstanding animosity between Ye Qi and Tai Tan, it is only natural that they would not trust the sudden proposal of mutual trade. However... it seems that Zhong Wan has other matters to discuss with Ye Qi."

The palace maids lifted the gauze curtain and entered in single file, leaving one person outside to attend to the congratulations

The young palace maid agreed, saying, "I will go and speak to Lord Wang right away."

Xu Yan said again: "There are still several states west of Zibu, but within the Pingde territory, there are many mountainous areas. Tens of thousands of bandits are attacking from north to south. The remaining local forces are completely incapable of suppressing them and can only rely on the court to send reinforcements... Your Majesty, messengers from Cangzhou have been sent to Beijing day and night, but the information they reported is from five days ago. It is feared that the situation has worsened since then."

With eyes downcast, I was at a loss for words for a long while

Lin Fengnan encountered obstacles while heading north, and Tai Tondong faced pressure from the heavy military presence of the three kingdoms. Within ten days, an imperial edict was issued, commanding General Yu Hong of the Left Vanguard and General Gong Mingde of the Cavalry to each lead 80,000 imperial troops to the front lines in the central and southern regions to resist foreign enemies

The shadows of the palace lanterns sway dimly, the great hall is empty, and the dragon-patterned golden wall has also lost some of its luster.

Recently, there have been rumors circulating that the ascension of the Empress Da Tai to power is an act against the heavens, and that the severe drought in Pingde is indeed a punishment from the heavens

Song Muzhi remained silent

He congratulated with a flick of his sleeve and said with raised eyebrows: "Have you come here to seek me because of the matter of the envoy from Zhongwan visiting?"

Upon first hearing of the drought, the court was taken aback. In the past seventeen years, the country of Tai has not experienced a drought, yet this time the drought is so severe that it has left the ministers in the capital unprepared

Her heart shattered suddenly, overwhelmed by this sweet, almost real voice, as memories surged forth like a tidal wave, causing her entire body to tremble

The warmth emanating from the solid palm gradually dispelled the chill within her heart

In recent days, my heart has been consumed by thoughts of the disaster, yet it is only in the stillness of the night that these trivial words from the marketplace come to mind, causing me great sorrow

Over the years, she has been fully aware of his ambitions; how could he let such a great opportunity slip away without taking action

After the young palace maid lowered her head and exited the hall, he strolled over, reached into the box, and picked up a few pearl necklaces adorned with gold flowers. After examining them for a moment, his gaze turned slightly cold, and he tossed them back into the box.

With a frown, she tightened her outer robe and quickly made her way to the outer hall

The Deputy Minister Xu Yan has been brought in by the inner court attendants, and upon seeing her, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty!"

In the second year of the reign, Empress Hua gave birth to a son, who was ranked ninth in line. The late emperor was overjoyed and did not assign him to the same generational name as the other princes, instead bestowing upon him the name "Xi" to express his joy at having a beloved son.

Fearing that this drought will inevitably lead to chaos, fearing that the displaced will ultimately become bandits

Hugging her knees, curling her body, she knelt on the ground, buried her head, and cried uncontrollably.

The new emperor ascended the throne, abolishing the system of concubines, making everyone in the harem equal, and swearing not to establish a consort in the future

She cried even harder, as if her heart had been pierced by something, causing unbearable pain

On the desk before me lies the memorial that was just received during the day, submitted by the eastern room of the Ministry of Personnel.

The Emperor has placed the heavy burden of this kingdom upon her shoulders, and she finds no place to hide, nor can she escape.

Upon opening it, the silver bottle inside gleamed brightly, and the four characters engraved on it came into view.

Ultimately, she is just worried about that person... Therefore, she wants to keep Di Feng until the end

A flash of lightning suddenly passed overhead, followed immediately by a deafening roar of thunder

Her voice was quite hoarse, speaking a few words slowly, yet each word was powerful

Urgent report from the central government? What matter does the central government report at this time!

Song Muzhi lowered his head and said, "Yes"

She and he ultimately ended up in a situation of mutual hostility

A low sigh from a man sounded in my ear, "Your Majesty..."

Ying Huan's lips curled slightly, her head tilted back as she took a deep breath, and her smile was filled with irony

Congratulations, please invite Song Muzhi in

The dark clouds gather increasingly, pressing down the sky into a deep black. Within the thick layers of clouds, a seam appears, and a burst of golden light suddenly emerges, dazzling to the eyes, only to vanish shortly after, leaving only darkness between heaven and earth, with nothing but the wind.

Song Muzhi could not help but smile wryly and said: "The Empress Dowager mentioned that Lord Liu's granddaughter has reached the age of marriage, and it is rumored that her character, appearance, and talents are all exceptional. She wishes for us to persuade His Majesty..."

The expression on He Xi's face instantly turned frosty, and he coldly said: "Return and report to the Empress Dowager, if she insists on establishing a consort for me, I will depose this consort. I speak with conviction."

At this time, Bei Jian is mobilizing troops, and it is feared that the countries of Zhong Wan and Nan Kou will follow suit.

Everyone in the palace knows that the late emperor loved only one person throughout his life, and that person was Consort Hua

The late emperor was a rare romantic in the world, yet he happened to be born into a royal family

Only in times of great chaos can the true essence be revealed

The world is undergoing dramatic changes, the situation among the five nations is precarious, internal and external turmoil in the state of Tai is rising, and war is about to break out, causing widespread anxiety among the people of the nation

A heavy rain is about to fall, yet she cannot find a place to take shelter from the rain

For several days, I have not closed my eyes, and day and night I am concerned about the disaster in the north; it is not that I am not afraid.

On the 18th, General Huang Shikai of Zhongwan led 80,000 elite troops to the border stronghold of Dianliang, calling out to the Northern cavalry across the mountains.

Apart from matters concerning women, He Xi can be regarded as a wise ruler

Your Majesty

Domestic banditry and riots are difficult to quell, while foreign enemies take advantage of the situation, amassing troops at the borders. After one chaos follows another, she has long understood that if Tai Tun is in turmoil, the other nations will certainly not let such a good opportunity slip by

The wind at night strikes against the window frames outside the hall, touching the human heart again and again

Since he became a successful candidate at the age of twenty-two, he has been in office for twenty-five years, holding the position of Left Chancellor and ranking first among the ministers. He is one of the trusted confidants left by the late emperor to He Xi. For the past ten years, he has assisted in governing the state and has gained He Xi's deep trust. Although he is well aware of He Xi's temperament and understands that He Xi is extremely indulgent in matters of men and women, it is indeed difficult to remain calm when witnessing He Xi in an intimate encounter with a woman.

He Xi looked at him and smiled, saying: "Song Qing is already forty-seven this year, and there are quite a few wives and concubines in the residence, so why is he still not accustomed to this matter?"

It is the Ninth Prince who offers congratulations

As Song Muzhi thought of this, a heavy weight settled in his heart. He lowered his eyes, let out a deep sigh, and stepped forward.

One year after the late emperor's death due to illness, the Ninth Prince ascended to the throne by imperial decree, granting a general amnesty and changing the era name to Chonghe

The Huafei was granted death by the then Empress Dowager, executed in confinement, strangled with a white silk ribbon, and her body was submerged in the palace well

There are rumors that the Emperor has not married or established an heir after ten years of ascension to the throne, and that the spirit of the late Emperor is displeased, which has led to this calamity

Song Muzhi lowered his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, please see clearly. Although the envoy at the previous banquet did not speak directly, we suspect that the mission from Zhongwan is indeed aimed at the trade relations between Ye Qi and Tai Dun in the border provinces. Among the three kingdoms of the north and south, Bei Jian is still far away, and in recent years, Guo has had frequent friction with Ye Qi, which is why they had to send an envoy from Zhongwan. They must be afraid that Ye Qi and Tai Dun will truly form an alliance..." Among the three kingdoms of the north and south, Bei Jian is still far away, and in recent years, Guo has had frequent friction with Ye Qi, which is why they had to send an envoy from Zhongwan. They must be afraid that Ye Qi and Tai Dun will truly form an alliance...

Yuhong and Gong Mingde together have only 160,000 men, yet they must confront an army of 300,000 from the three kingdoms of the north, south, and central regions. How can one not feel anxious? How can one be at ease?

At the age of thirteen, he was conferred the title of King of Qin and left the palace; by the age of fourteen, he was established as the heir apparent, with no opposition from the ministers in the court.

The person spoke softly, their tone as gentle as the flowers at the edge of the clouds, delicate and fragrant, dear one

The woman's delicate and soft body was pressed firmly against the cold wall, with beads of fragrant sweat dotting her skin. Her slender waist arched forward, exuding a sense of both resistance and invitation.

With her fingers adorned with nail polish resting in her palm, she closed her eyes and spoke: "General Lin Fengnan of the Right Guard is to lead the northern expedition, drawing upon 100,000 imperial troops from the capital and 80,000 troops from the Qing and Huning regions, to quell the unrest in the Pingde region. The ministers of the Secretariat are to discuss the details tonight, and by tomorrow morning, the Hanlin Academician is to draft an edict to announce it to the people of the world."

Her heart tightened, and she hurriedly got off the ground and walked outside

On the 25th, Prince Shao Yuan of Nanhu led 120,000 royal troops, marching through the night to the western border of Xunsang, where they stationed their troops and set up camp

That person has already arrived at the Kai Ning Yan Palace

Song Muzhi made a difficult expression and said, "Your Majesty, please do not make it difficult for your servant. Why not go and speak with the Empress Dowager yourself?"

On the 8th day of the first month, in Pingde, Qingzhou, a group of people gathered to become bandits, killing the magistrate of Kangcheng County in Qingzhou. They plundered the official granary to distribute food to the starving populace. Later, in defiance of the Empress, they rallied the masses and marched south, raising their banners. They subsequently captured Jianyang and six other towns, stopping only at Jialing Pass.

She was truly anxious for the first time, ordering people to open the national treasury for disaster relief, while also worrying that local officials in Pingde might embezzle funds. Therefore, she commanded Lin Qiran, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to personally go to the disaster area to oversee this matter

On the 10th day of the 6th month, Lin Fengnan's troops initially arrived at Jialing Pass, where they encountered an ambush by bandits. In a single battle, they suffered losses of over 20,000 men, and thus they dared not advance. They constructed a fortified camp outside the pass to devise future strategies

When the disaster surveyor returned to the capital to pay his respects, his body trembled uncontrollably

The combined forces of the Northern and Southern Three Kingdoms, totaling 300,000 troops, are pressing in from all sides, while the 180,000 imperial guards of Tai are held in check in the north. The military strength in the central and southern regions amounts to less than 200,000, causing great concern among the people in the court

It is indeed a lively occasion

Having ascended to the throne for over ten years, the absence of great turmoil in the country is indeed a blessing from heaven. It is also understood that governing a nation is never a smooth path, and there will inevitably come a day when disasters and chaos will be encountered

As Song Muzhi entered the palace, he happened to pass by a young eunuch carrying a woman out. The disheveled hair brushed against him, and an unusual fragrance wafted through the air, causing him to instinctively step aside. When he looked up again, he met He Xi's gaze, which held a hint of amusement, making him feel a flush of embarrassment on his face "Your Majesty"

Ying Huan's thoughts were heavy as she looked at Xu Yan and asked, "What urgent matter is it?"

As for Ye Qi

Her pupils constricted slightly as she watched that person prepare to leave, reaching out but grasping at nothing. Struggling to rise, she stumbled forward, yet the shadow of that person slowly faded away

Ying Huan, feeling dejected, glanced sideways and gently waved her hand, saying, "It is already late at night; you should return to the main residence promptly, lest you delay important matters."

The bark has been completely consumed, the fields are filled with the dead, and the corpses lie in heaps.

But ... ...

That person gently withdrew their hand, their tone still gentle, the world must not be chaotic, the country must not be toppled... Huan'er, you have suffered...

Her heart was in agony, her chest felt like it would burst, crying and shouting in the rain... yet no one responded.

Suddenly, a light appeared outside the hall, the shadow of a lantern flickering rapidly as it approached, and the sound of palace attendants running echoed from afar, growing louder until it stopped at the hall's entrance

Ying Huan closed his eyes and when he opened them again, there were traces of blood at the corners. "What is the current situation in Pingde? Report the facts in detail, without any concealment."

The palace gate has been knocked upon, and the voice of the palace maid is urgent, "Your Majesty, urgent report from the Central Office..."

He walked over, his expression slightly cold, and said: "What news is there to report from outside just now?"

Cold, extremely cold

Xu Yan gritted his teeth, "The commoners along Pingde Road have revolted."

Such disregard for the court's etiquette must indicate an urgent matter

Xu Yanzheng was about to speak, glanced at Ning Mo behind her, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Doctor Ning."

Di Feng had previously requested to go into battle several times, but had not received her consent, and had remained in the capital on standby.

Ying Huan struggled to get up, rubbing his temple, "It's frustrating to wait. Has no one come to report all night?"

Ying Huan caught a glimpse of an object on the table out of the corner of her eye, slowly straightened her body, and reached out to take it.

In the eleventh year of the Dali era, during the summer month of May, a severe drought occurred, causing famine among the people of Pingde Road. The emperor appointed Lin Qiran, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, as the envoy for relief efforts, to go to Pingde for disaster relief.

She is not afraid of the conflicts and struggles among the four nations, but is only fearful of calamities arising within her own country

Cold sweat broke out on Song Muzhi's body, and he lowered his head, not daring to look at him. After a long while, he said: "As for matters within the palace, Your Majesty does not speak, how can we know..."

He pressed his hands around her waist, sweat trickling down his forehead. With a brief closing of his brown eyes, he suddenly released her, went to a nearby mica screen to take a robe and draped it over himself, leaving the gauze tent without looking back

He looked at He Xi, remaining silent for a long time, and suddenly chuckled softly, "Only in times of great chaos can the true essence be revealed"

Do not mention his fifty thousand cavalry; even if it were only twenty or thirty thousand, she would still be utterly powerless to resist at this moment

Xu Yan's face was dark and gloomy, "When Lord Lin left, the situation along Pingde had already become chaotic, but it was unknown within the capital. As soon as they entered Jialing Pass, Lord Lin and his party were captured by bandits."

Yet she was still unwilling to let him see her in such a disheveled state

The surroundings are tranquil, with echoes lingering in the hall

The Ninth Prince has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, and as he grew older, his broad-mindedness and talents became even more evident, bringing immense joy to the late Emperor

The rain, as large as soybeans, fell from the sky with a loud patter, striking her shoulders and back, instantly soaking her dress.

He Qi suddenly stepped forward two paces, lowered his head slightly, and fixed his gaze on Song Muzhi, speaking each word clearly: "Song Qing is also an elder from the previous emperor's reign. At this moment, when you say this, do you truly not know, or are you pretending not to know?"

Rumors arise in a flurry, unstoppable like a flood, spreading unchecked across the world

Song Muzhi lowered his head, thinking of the years of mutual suspicion between He Xi and that woman, and could not help but sigh, "Since Your Majesty has said so, I have no other words. However, if this continues, when will it come to an end"

Jialing Pass

Heishi's expression darkened, and he asked him, "What is it?"

She cried until she was exhausted, leaning against that person, Mother, you have been gone for so many years, I... thought I would never see you again

On the 13th, King Xiang Yu of Beijian Rui led an army of 100,000 iron cavalry to Yun Gu Pass, setting up camp to await defense

The empress of the late emperor, who is now the dowager empress, has not received a visit from His Majesty for ten years since that time, nor has he ever taken the initiative to speak a word to the dowager empress

Xu Yan nodded, his expression slightly eased, "Yes, I shall return to the central government and discuss this matter with the other ministers."

The gauze curtains rise, gently swaying within the hall, unable to conceal the alluring spring colors within.

Ning Mo, aware that he needed to avoid the situation, glanced at Ying Huan and then withdrew.

Tears stain the brocade quilt, and my temples are also damp

He Xi glanced at the corner of the wall, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, "Indeed, a great deal of effort has been put into this; even exotic beauties have been sent to me. Not only have they sent me beautiful women, but they have also delivered such a wealth of gold, silver, and jewelry to my harem, truly a thoughtful consideration." Looking at Song Muzhi again, his gaze suddenly turned sharp, "I am well aware of my own thoughts, and I believe you are even more clear about yours. Since you have come specifically to seek an audience, do not beat around the bush any longer; speak plainly."

That person's warm palm brushed against her face, wiping away her tears, the gesture was exceedingly gentle, reminiscent of a long-forgotten memory, evoking deep sorrow.

... ...

... ... ... ...

Only tonight

Xu Yan's complexion changed from pale to red, and then from red to black. After a long while, he finally spoke in a low voice: "The commoners claim that Your Majesty is the calamity of Tai Tong, and that the natural disasters are a result of the Empress's rule. They seek to act on behalf of heaven..."

Ying Huan's body was extremely stiff, her fingers unable to move even an inch for a long time, and she stood in the hall as if frozen solid

While pondering in my mind, I heard someone congratulate and ask him: "I have heard that the Empress Dowager summoned you for an audience the day before yesterday?"

He smiled subtly without leaving a trace, and after ensuring his attire was in order, he glanced at the brilliantly shining treasures at the corner of the hall and instructed, "Distribute these later, and remember not to forget any courtyard like last time, as it left me unable to find peace."

Currently, the two provinces and three prefectures have reached a decision, instructing the Ministry of Revenue to send personnel to assess the disaster and provide relief, exempting the labor service for one year along the Pingde route and completely waiving taxes for three years

The sound of the wind rustled, like a blade slicing through the air, causing her ears to ache painfully

He glanced at the palace maids outside who had long prepared hot water and clothing, and said in a muted voice: "Go in."

In a haze, I began to awaken, and in that moment of awakening, I realized that I was still in tears

Run desperately

A faint bitter smile appeared on his face; how could he truly be unaware of the events from back then

Ying Huan raised her eyes and looked at him for a moment, her delicate brows slightly moving, yet she did not speak

Joy as if it were a lifetime, ha, joy as if it were a lifetime

Since then, the Ninth Prince has transformed into a different person

The chill persists unrelentingly, yet only the gaze remains capable of warming others

The memorial submitted below states that along the Pingde route, the common people have consumed the grass and dug up the soil, exhausting the roots and bark of the plants, leading to a near-total depletion of resources, with the displaced populace filling the roads

For the past ten years, her exhaustion, her suffering, and the various grievances she has endured, how could the world possibly know of them

A figure slowly approached from a distance, shrouded in mist, with indistinct features. Their movements exuded elegance even in the rain, as they held a plain oil-paper umbrella, coming towards her

Ying Huan gazed at him, her expression desolate, and softly inquired: "Why are the refugees in turmoil? Lin Qiran was ordered to provide disaster relief; has the court ever wronged them..."

Ying Huan's heart trembled slightly, for she had actually cried! It had been a long time since she last shed tears, yet how could it be that tonight in her dreams she wept so bitterly to this extent

Ying Huanxin understood that the feelings expressed in the script were certainly exaggerated by three parts. As for the true situation along the way of Ping De, it is likely to be even worse.

... ... ... ...

If it is merely to go to the Yan Palace for summer leisure and hunting, why bring an elite force of fifty thousand from Ye and Qi

Her smile spread wider across her face, yet her heart gradually grew colder.

That person gently stroked her hair, her face, and softly patted her back, as if to comfort her

Song Muzhi was rendered speechless

Ying Huaxin felt a sudden tightness in her throat, a metallic sweetness lingering in her mouth, and she couldn't help but cough. She covered her lips with her sleeve and took a long time to recover.

... ... ... ...

She is cold, she is tired, she is weary, she wants to escape and hide, yet there is nowhere to hide

Mingming is in the palace, yet not a single person can be seen.

It is a kind of fear that one wishes to escape but ultimately cannot avoid; pain or panic is no longer sufficient to describe the feelings deep within the heart, and a heart that is dead is no different from this.

On July 7, a report was received from the eastern office of the Ministry of Personnel in the capital, stating that Emperor Qi of Ye sent congratulations under the pretext of going to the newly constructed Yan Palace for summer leisure and hunting, leading 50,000 cavalry from Ye Qi to Kaining Prefecture, where the troops remained stationary, the intention of which was unclear

The Huafei of those years was stunningly beautiful, resplendent and elegant, possessing an extraordinary appearance and grace. Upon her initial entry into the palace, the late emperor was immediately captivated at first sight, and thus, against all opposition, he appointed her as his consort, placing her at the head of the four consorts. From that moment on, she enjoyed exclusive favor in the imperial harem, to the extent that even the empress could not voice any objections.

He did not respond to her congratulations, nor did he turn back, as if he had not heard her voice at all. His robe was casually draped over him, unfastened, leaving his bare body exposed to the outside.

Song Muzhi hesitated for a moment, "Does Your Majesty mean ... ... "

The delicate gold box fits perfectly in her palm

Her lips were frozen and turned purple, and she could no longer muster the strength to stand up

The wind howled past her ears, causing her entire body to shiver

Still leaning against the headboard in a daze, allowing the turmoil within to turn the world upside down, yet the expression on the face remains unchanged.

He Xi's eyes narrowed slightly, "You are a wise minister." He clenched the hand behind his back, "If there is nothing else, you may take your leave."

The remaining provinces still have auxiliary troops, but how can these auxiliary troops withstand foreign enemies

Tears

In her hands, apart from the three hundred and sixty thousand imperial troops dispatched to the three routes of the south and north, only thirty thousand remained stationed near the capital.

The feelings of suffocation, grievance, panic, and fear that she had experienced in her dreams once again surged from the depths of her heart. She thought that ten years had passed, and that such feelings from back then could no longer arise. Little did she know, she was mistaken.

Inside the Jinghuan Hall, Yinghuan leaned alone against the side of the desk. The windows and doors of the hall were tightly shut, and the shadows of the bamboo strips and paper flickered weakly in the candlelight. The distant sounds of street vendors selling grinding and singing outside the palace gate faintly reached her ears, making her surroundings feel exceedingly desolate and cold.

Yes. Xu Yan slightly lowered his head, clenching his fist, "At first, there were only 20,000 rioters. They first occupied Qingzhou, killed the governor of Qingzhou, and seized the official granaries within the city. Then they marched south, and by the time they reached Jianyang, their numbers had grown to 150,000. The rioters had nothing left to lose but their lives. Fueled by anger, they were even more valiant than the defending troops. After breaching Jianyang, they captured six more cities before finally stopping at Jialing Pass."