Chapter 104

Chapter 104: I’m Going to War Ling Taian stared at Ling Jiayue in astonishment. He had never imagined that she would be so proficient in military strategy as well. Ling Jiayue gave Ling Taian a faint smile, as if telling him: Father, don’t worry. Seeing how exceptional his daughter was, Ling Taian could no longer bring himself to grieve. Instead, he felt deeply impressed by Ling Jiayue’s courage. General Luo, who was standing nearby, saw how outstanding Ling Jiayue was as well. Stroking his beard, he nodded approvingly and said, “Miss Ling is so young, yet she was able to decipher the Eight Trigrams Formation. Even this old minister could not have done so. I believe there could be no better choice than sending Miss Ling into battle.” “Your Majesty, this minister lost his composure just now. Since my daughter is capable of deciphering the Eight Trigrams Formation, then let her lead the army into battle and eliminate the threat at the border for Dayi. It is what she ought to do.” Ling Taian had also come to understand that there was no way he could stop Ling Jiayue from doing what she wanted. “Since that is the case, I hereby appoint the First-Rank County Lady as Grand General and command her to lead an army of one hundred thousand to the Northwest border frontier to repel the Sheyu Kingdom.” Mu Yuye issued the imperial edict. “This minister accepts the imperial edict. Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long, long live Your Majesty!” Ling Jiayue accepted the edict, expressed her thanks, and kowtowed. “Good, good, good! Guards, bring the rewards! She is to be rewarded handsomely!” Having found a general capable of resisting the Sheyu Kingdom, Mu Yuye was overjoyed and bestowed generous rewards upon Ling Jiayue. Ling Jiayue was delighted as well, having finally been given this opportunity. Mu Yuyang saw Ling Jiayue display extraordinary military ability and earn Mu Yuye’s praise. It was as though he had helped Ling Jiayue in the process, and this left him somewhat frustrated. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He had never imagined that there could be a woman so capable in every respect—so capable that he could not find a single weakness in her. The matter came to a temporary conclusion, and Ling Jiayue’s departure to lead the army was now set in stone. Everyone appeared delighted, but Mu Yuheng spoke up at that moment. “Father, I also wish to accompany General Ling into battle.” Mu Yuheng’s tone was calm and even, but his words left no room for objection. Mu Yuye, however, was curious. “Why don’t you remain in the capital properly? What are you going to war for? If your Empress Mother finds out, won’t she come after me?” Mu Yuheng smiled and spoke in a clear voice. “Your son went to war at the age of fifteen and fought against the Empress of the Ye Kingdom. With Father’s divine might protecting me, I have never suffered a defeat. Today, General Ling, a woman, is willing to risk her life for the sake of the nation. How could I, a fully grown man, possibly allow myself to fall behind the County Lady?” Mu Yuheng paused at this point before continuing, “Besides, General Ling is a woman, and she may have difficulty winning the army’s respect at first. If I accompany her, it will greatly benefit the soldiers’ morale.” After hearing Mu Yuheng’s words, Mu Yuye nodded repeatedly. “The Seventh Prince is right. Even if General Ling’s military ability is outstanding, we absolutely cannot allow anyone to look down on her. Since you will be accompanying the army, what title should I bestow upon you?” “Since I am following General Ling into battle, I am willing to serve as General Ling’s deputy commander, remaining at her side and helping Dayi eliminate the threat at the border!” Mu Yuheng said, his gaze resolute. When Ling Jiayue heard this, she could not help glancing at Mu Yuheng. As it happened, Mu Yuheng looked over at the same moment. Their eyes met, and in the shifting depths of their gazes, both understood the feelings they held for each other. Ling Jiayue suddenly felt that having someone like him was truly wonderful, and she smiled. When Mu Yuheng saw her smile, he smiled as well. Mu Yuye was quite pleased that Mu Yuheng had neither fought nor competed for anything. “The Seventh Prince is growing more and more sensible. This father is deeply gratified. You may accompany General Ling as her deputy commander, then. May the two of you eliminate the threat at the border, restore peace to Dayi’s frontier, and bring tranquility to its people. The people at the border are all counting on you!” “This minister and your son obey the imperial edict!” Mu Yuheng and Ling Jiayue stepped out from among the assembled officials and kowtowed together to Emperor Mu Yuye. “Your Majesty, the matter at the Northwest border frontier has been settled for now. What should we do about the movements of the Ye Kingdom’s soldiers near Mulan Horse Ranch?” Seeing that the border crisis had been resolved, Ling Taian began worrying about the matter at Mulan Horse Ranch. “General Luo, I appoint you to investigate this matter thoroughly at Mulan Horse Ranch. You must find out exactly what the Ye Kingdom’s soldiers are doing there. Once you have uncovered the truth, return immediately and report to me. Do not delay.” Mu Yuye issued his command to General Luo. “Yes, Your Majesty. This old minister will certainly not fail Your Majesty’s trust!” After accepting the order, General Luo did not delay for even a moment. He hurried toward Mulan Horse Ranch at full speed. “Is there anything else to report today? If not, the court is dismissed,” Mu Yuye said. “We take our leave, Your Majesty.” Ling Taian and the other officials withdrew. Ling Taian walked slowly ahead, while Ling Jiayue followed behind him at the same pace. She remained quiet, not daring to make the slightest sound, afraid that Ling Taian would blame her. Unexpectedly, he merely walked along, sighing from time to time. Hearing his sighs, Ling Jiayue felt increasingly distressed. “Get into the carriage.” By then, the father and daughter had reached the carriage. Ling Taian led Ling Jiayue inside, and the two of them rode home amid the carriage’s creaking and rattling. Inside, Ling Taian merely leaned against the carriage wall with his eyes closed, seemingly trying to digest everything that had happened that day. Ling Jiayue did not dare disturb him. In silence, the two of them rode home. As usual, Madam Liu had risen early and was waiting at the entrance for the father and daughter. Today, however, when they climbed down from the carriage, they did not look as they usually did. Each appeared more troubled than the other. Madam Liu had no idea what had happened, but she still ushered them inside first. After entering the residence, Ling Taian and Ling Jiayue remained silent. Madam Liu finally could not bear it any longer and asked, “Yue’er, did something happen at court today?” “Mother, I’m going to war,” Ling Jiayue said seriously. “What?! You’re going to war?” Madam Liu seemed startled. She stared at Ling Jiayue in disbelief. Ling Jiayue was also surprised by Madam Liu’s intense reaction, but she silently nodded and said, “Yes, I’m going to war. The Sheyu Kingdom is causing trouble in the northwestern part of Dayi, and His Majesty has ordered me to lead the army and eliminate the threat at the border.” Madam Liu’s mouth fell open. She seemed to want to say something, yet felt unable to utter a word. She stared at Ling Jiayue in astonishment. “Madam, Yue’er is going to war. She has military ability—she even deciphered the Eight Trigrams Formation. His Majesty has also affirmed her abilities. This matter is settled.” Ling Taian sighed as he spoke. “Yue’er, you’re a girl. What are you going to war for? I was already unwilling to let you become a First-Rank County Lady. Now you’re going to war as well—aren’t you trying to take your mother’s life?” Madam Liu said anxiously. “Mother, I have made up my mind, and the imperial edict has already been issued. Your daughter has no choice but to go.” Although Ling Jiayue could not bear to see Madam Liu so distressed, once she had made a decision, she would certainly carry it out.