She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

Emperor Jing gently brushed over the heavy memorial on the desk, his brow slightly furrowed, as if the paper carried not just text but also the remnants of the northern frontier’s frost and the heat of war.

He carefully handed the memorial from Beiguan over to Mr. Wei, his voice carrying a hint of undetectable concern.

”Take a look, this is an urgent report sent from Beiguan by Cao Xiong. According to him, he has successfully taken over the Beiguan garrison, and Zhao Zun has already set off back to the Capital City with the Commander’s Seal. Cao Xiong also reports that the Turkic people launched a second assault on the border post-winter, only to retreat inexplicably, which is indeed the case.”

Mr. Wei accepted the memorial and studied it closely. After reading, he sighed gently, his gaze flickering as though searching for a suitable solution to Emperor Jing’s concerns.

”Your Majesty need not worry, since Zhao Zun has handed over the Beiguan’s power to Cao Xiong and set off back to the Capital City, this game is already settled. Now, we simply need to plan how to reclaim the crucial Commander’s Seal. Once the Commander’s Seal is back in Your Majesty’s hands, all important positions will be trusted confidants of Your Majesty, making those old officials who haven’t been replaced naturally insignificant.”

Upon hearing Mr. Wei’s reassurance, Emperor Jing’s brow remained furrowed, becoming even more tightly knit.

”Although it has been confirmed that Zhao Zun has not evaded his return to the Capital City by citing military affairs, nor is he using tactics to demand grain from the court, I, as the Emperor, must guard against changes in people’s hearts. Zhao Zun, with his distinguished achievements and high prestige, I fear he harbors resentment and is unwilling to hand over the Commander’s Seal. By then, what should I do?”

Mr. Wei smiled faintly, confidently saying: ”Your Majesty, do not worry, Zhao Zun is but a mere subordinate. Even if he truly harbors resentment, what can he do? I will continue to secretly dispatch people to spread rumors among the populace, saying he has achieved such merits that he shocks the sovereign, and refusal to hand over the Commander’s Seal indicates disloyalty. Ask if such charges can be tolerated by Zhao Zun? The whispers across the land would surely make him fearful, forcing compliance.”

At this point, Mr. Wei paused, seemingly allowing the Emperor some space to contemplate.

Then, he continued: ”If all else fails, Your Majesty may secretly contact Zhao Zun’s family and friends, using a mix of grace and power to show him that surrendering the Commander’s Seal is the only way to ensure his family’s safety. No matter how unwilling he might be, he will have no choice but to comply.”

With this, Emperor Jing’s eyes briefly brightened before dimming again.

”Using family and friends to pressure him? Would that not... after all, Zhao Zun is a hero of Da Jing.”

”Your Majesty, what I mean is if absolutely necessary, only when no other options remain. By then, even if Your Majesty merely mentions family and friends, Zhao Zun will surely understand the implied meaning, and will naturally know what to do.”

Mr. Wei said, giving the Emperor a knowing look.

Hearing Mr. Wei’s words, Emperor Jing’s worries seemed to dissipate somewhat.

He nodded slightly, determination and resoluteness evident in his gaze: ”Very well, I shall follow the Prime Minister’s advice. I shall see whether Zhao Zun truly has a heart of stone, ignoring his family’s safety.”

Here, Emperor Jing was deeply worried whether the reclaiming of the Commander’s Seal would proceed smoothly.

Meanwhile, in the Capital City’s former Duke of the Nation Mansion.

The plaque at the door of Duke of the Nation Mansion has been replaced with Prince Xiaoyao Mansion. This happened after Zhao Zun was granted the title of Prince Xiaoyao by royal decree; Emperor Jing immediately dispatched people from the Ministry of Industry to make the change.

At this time, Zhao Zun’s sister Zhao Ling’er was holding a letter as she entered the mansion’s gates, lifting her long skirt and hurriedly running towards the old lady’s room.

Zhao Ling’er was seventeen years old, gentle and quiet. Though born into a military family, she did not fancy wielding weapons but preferred poetry, books, and needlework, possibly taking after the Duchess, yet her character was somewhat naive.

”Mother, Mother. Good news!” Zhao Ling’er called out while running.

She nearly stumbled at the threshold, as the old lady sipping tea inside gave her a reproachful look.

”A young lady shouldn’t be so reckless, whatever happened to the demeanor of a noble daughter?”

The old lady was approaching fifty. Since Duke of the Nation died on the battlefield, the old lady, who had shared a deep bond with him, had been steeped in grief, neglecting her health, appearing more like a sixty-year-old woman.

Zhao Ling’er disregarded the old lady’s reprimand, joyfully waving the letter in her hand. ”Mother! My brother sent a letter; take a look.”

”Your brother’s letter? Quickly, let me see it.”

Upon hearing it was Zhao Zun’s letter, the old lady hurriedly set down her teacup and snatched the letter.

She opened the letter tremblingly, and her eyes instantly reddened upon reading it.

”It’s Zun, it’s Zun’s handwriting.”

Heaven knows how she managed through these past two months.

The last letter from Zhao Zun was after autumn, saying the Turkic had invaded the border, and he was heading to battle. She was on edge every day, fearing Zhao Zun might suffer the same fate as her deceased husband.

Later, good news came from Beiguan, saying Zhao Zun had defeated the Turkic, the Emperor was delighted and decreed Zhao Zun as a prince with a different surname. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

But soon after, rumors circulated in the Capital City that Zhao Zun had achieved such merits that he shocks the sovereign, amassing power in Beiguan. The Emperor, in a fit of anger, wanted to revoke Zhao Zun’s military authority, summoning him back to the Capital City to report.

Rumors spread wildly outside, and as a military lady, she knew that reporting to the Capital City was false; summoning Zhao Zun back to be a leisurely prince was true.

Those things didn’t matter. What mattered was after Zhao Zun handed over his military authority and returned to the Capital City, would the Emperor treat Zhao Zun well? After all, for a military general, the accusation of amassing power could be significant or minor, depending on what the Emperor ultimately decides.

”Mother, what does brother’s letter say?”

The old lady sniffed, steadied her emotions before carefully reading. Soon, she showed a hint of joy on her face.

”Your brother says he has already set off back to the Capital City, and he’s bringing a future Princess Consort along.”

”Princess Consort? What Princess Consort?” Zhao Ling’er didn’t immediately understand.

The old lady was quite helpless with her daughter, ”Have you forgotten your brother is now Prince Xiaoyao?”

”Oh, right, right!” Zhao Ling’er had a sudden realization, ”Brother has found a lady he likes? Whose family is she from? Why was she in Beiguan?”

”Where do you get so many questions from?”

”Haha...”

”Your brother said he was ambushed by the Turkic people, and that lady saved him. Her medical skills are incredible, having saved many dying soldiers in the military camp.”

”Wow, so impressive?” Zhao Ling’er showed an expression of admiration.

”Your brother also said he likes that lady, she is his chosen Princess Consort, and he will marry her once he returns. She agreed to it, so we should start preparing for the wedding now.”

”I will soon have such a talented sister-in-law, it’s wonderful!” Zhao Ling’er, pure and adorable, showed all her emotions on her face.

”Hmm?”

The old lady noticed something and raised her eyebrows slightly before covering her lips and laughing.

”Mother, what’s the matter?”

”Do you remember your father’s Love Lock?”

”Of course, that was the gift dad gave you.”

”I gave the Love Lock to your brother, to let him give it to his future wife.” The old lady smiled gently, her eyes filled with satisfaction. ”Your brother has already given the Love Lock to that lady. However... haha...”

The old lady’s sudden pause piqued Zhao Ling’er’s gossiping interest. She pressed urgently: ”Mother, what is it? Tell me quickly.”

”It’s just that the way he gave it was quite special; maybe he coaxed that lady into accepting it.”

”Mother, you mean that lady doesn’t know the use of the Love Lock? Why didn’t brother simply tell her?”

The old lady shook her head; she didn’t know either.

”Your brother told that lady the Love Lock is his emblem. With the Love Lock, she could command all the servants in the Prince Mansion, roaming freely. He asked us to cooperate with his story and not let the truth slip.”

”Haha...” Hearing this, Zhao Ling’er also laughed. ”Brother, he really is amusing!”

After reading, the old lady folded the letter and carefully tucked it into her bosom, then sighed gently.

”Ah, once your brother returns, Ms. Qin won’t be able to stir up any trouble.”