Chapter 1018: Accomplishment and Retreat 2 (The Substitute B

rudeness last time. I hope you are not angry, and we have something very important to discuss."Of course, the last time I invited you to meet, it was to build a friendly relationship with you. Unfort...With the eunuchs' accompaniment, Lian Ri held onto Princess Yun'an's hand and, surrounded by Sun Mama and Lan Zhi, strode confidently into the Golden Dragon Hall. For a moment, all the officials were surprised—this was the first time the Empress had ever stepped foot in court.

Liàn Yī wore a purple robe embroidered with gold phoenixes, she walked slowly towards Emperor Qìng Hóng. The ambassador of the Hu people, shǐnà, was also observing this legendary Empress Dowager.

Emperor Qinghong immediately stood up and walked towards Lianyi, respectfully asking:

"Mother, how did you get here"

"I didn't come, and I didn't know my own daughter would become a sacrificial lamb the Great Holy Dynasty used to appease the wolf clan."

The ripples of sound weren't loud, but they reached every courtier present. Yet, no one dared to speak.

They forgot that Princess Yun'an was the only daughter of the Empress Dowager and her most beloved daughter. They wanted to marry off Princess Yun'an without seeking the opinion of the Empress Dowager, her mother. It was indeed unreasonable.

For a moment, the court was silent as if one could hear a pin drop. However, Ashina, the envoy of the Hu people, seemed displeased. He stood up boldly and said:

"Your Majesty, we Hu Lang are also a powerful nation and will not disgrace Princess Yun An."

Without even sparing Asena a glance, Li Shimin waved his green whip, drawing her out of the Golden Hall.

Ashina didn't even have time to scream before he was flung out, rolling down the steps outside the main hall and falling unconscious. Ashina's attendants were startled and immediately rushed to his aid.

Emperor Qinghong's scalp felt numb. When he ascended the throne, his mother had whipped Chang Kun severely, breaking that person's spine into three pieces. They died before they could even be questioned for their crimes.

All the court officials were taken aback. Apart from the two other regents, everyone else had never seen the Empress Dowager take action before. It was too sudden.

"Let me tell you all this, my daughter will marry whomever she wants. But she is not a tool to be used for your political schemes, understand"

"Yes, my son has taken note."

Emperor Qinghong respectfully responded.

The emperor had agreed, so the officials naturally dared not utter a word.

"I see that you have all grown complacent in your comfortable lives and have forgotten the importance of being prepared for danger. Why would the Hu Lang tribe want to marry Yun'an It is precisely to test the limits of the Great Saint Dynasty!

If the Emperor agrees this time, next they'll surely make demands on Yun An's dowry. Gold, silver, treasures, rice seeds, medical skills, craftsmanship, and even dowry personnel - these are the things they truly covet.

If they were honest and open, using their horses, cattle, sheepskin, and minerals to trade with the great Sheng Dynasty, it wouldn't be impossible. But they wanted to seize power by force, and yet used such a pretentious excuse. Don't tell me you haven't seen through them.

"If you can't even see through such a blatant scheme, how dare you call yourselves subjects of the Great Saint Dynasty! The Emperor is young and inexperienced, does that mean you have no experience yourselves"

Ripples asked, her gaze sharp as she swept over the faces of the courtiers. Those courtiers who supported sending Yun'an to marry another desperately wanted to bury their heads in their chests.

Her ripples gaze was filled with killing intent. Had she been too quiet these years, leading these people to believe that she, the Crown Empress, was nothing more than a mascot

The ripples in his eyes were incredibly aggressive, causing everyone to feel a chill down their spines.

"Your Majesty, the court also needs some fresh blood to be more vibrant."

Lian Yi turned her head and looked at Emperor Qing Hong.

"Yes, Mother. Your son has taken note."

The Hong Emperor naturally understood the Empress Dowager's meaning and immediately nodded in agreement. He announced his retirement from court and personally escorted Lianyi back to the Compassionate Harmony Palace.

Princess Yun'an remained silent throughout, appearing to have only accompanied her mother for the occasion.

"Hongji, there indeed shouldn't be only one voice in the court. You should listen to your ministers' opinions, but you are ultimately the one who makes the decision."

And some lines are unbreakable. Once they're crossed, your actions become increasingly without principle, and you once again become the one who bears the consequences."

"My son understands. He wouldn't make his own sister, who shares the same mother, suffer, nor would he require her to make such a sacrifice."

Hongji said confidently.

Only then did Yun An reveal a hint of a smile.

"In the Great Sheng Dynasty, it's not easy being a woman. A mother can only do so much, but she doesn't want Yun An to become a tool for political marriage that stabilizes the Great Sheng Dynasty."

"Mother, rest assured, this will definitely not happen."

Emperor Qihong assured this again and again.

"Hard work, Hong'er. Start deploying troops and prepare to face the wolf horde."

"Yes!"

When Emperor Qinghong had been busy preparing for war with the Hu Lang clan for a while, the new king of the Hu Lang, Moha, backed down.

This is mainly because Hongye had just returned from the sea, bringing with him overseas gems, spices, and novel seeds. He also brought powerful cannons. He only fired two shots at the Mongol troops stationed nearby to demonstrate to his mother and elder brother the Emperor, and they were so frightened that they ran away in terror for ten miles.

Ripple never expected that sending her youngest son out to explore sea routes would lead the Great Saint Dynasty to leap from the cold weapons era directly into the age of hot weapons. It's quite amazing.

Her third son is quite capable, having managed to bring back a golden-haired and blue-eyed beauty. She is said to be the countess from Otoku.

Ripple did not have any objections to intermarriage with other races. She asked her youngest son and learned that his wife's family was wealthy, and she had already inherited the title of Marquess. Whether he married in or out, their son would not be at a disadvantage, so she didn't object. She prepared a gift of special products from the Great Saint Dynasty and happily sent her youngest son off.

Only Princess Yun'an remained. This princess, with Lian Ri as her support, also refused to follow the conventional path. When King Moha was on the verge of obtaining advanced weaponry and once again showed signs of aggression, she proactively volunteered to lead troops in an attack against the Hu Lang tribe, determined to incorporate it into the territory of the Great Holy Dynasty.

A wave of astonishment swept through the court. Never before had a woman led an army into battle. Yet, Lian Ri remained composed and said:

"Well, let's just make an exception this time."

At that time, even Emperor Qihong, who had already ascended to the throne and become a father, calmly said:

"My imperial sister naturally has this ability."

Yun'an Princess is not just a pretty face. Because of the presence of Marquis An Ding, she often visits the nearby military camps and gets along well with her uncles. She has even disguised herself as a man to go onto the battlefield, proving she has real skills.

Although Lian Yi believed in her daughter's abilities, the battlefield was a dangerous place where swords were unsheathed. She still insisted that Yun An bring along the Whirlwind, as a guarantee for her safety.

Yun'an spent half a year to thoroughly incorporate the Hu Lang into the territory of the Great Saint Dynasty, and personally drew Mo Ha, the king of Hu Lang, off his warhorse, coldly stating:

"With your kind of character, you dare to think about this princess!"

He clearly harbors a grudge.

When Princess Yun'an returned to court with her troops, she already had a remarkably handsome young wolf boy by her side. When Lianyi saw this, she only said, "You be happy!" and never asked about her daughter's marriage again.

When Ripples saw that all three children had their own lives, she simply returned to the Time Management Bureau.

Welcome back!

The stone mill said with a smile.

"Well, it took a while this time. Raising kids can be such a hassle."

Ripple said helplessly.

"This time, you single-handedly stabilized the Great Saint Dynasty's foundations for a hundred years, preventing the devastation that would have resulted from the dynasty's collapse. You even earned merit. The mission was completed flawlessly."

"I see. How fast are your fingers Did you snag the task"

Ripple cares about this.

"Of course I got it, this joint mission is a little challenging, perfect for you."

How many people are on the team working with me

"Three people, you'll meet them when you enter the mission."

"Okay, when will you bring me there"

"In three days!"have been nurtured by you for twelve years, and they have reached their limit. As I grow older, the wounds in my heart remain, hindering the growth of my heart. This day will come sooner or later, so...