Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Return Victorious to Court Ling Jiayue took the letter and went to find Mu Yuheng. Handing it to him, she said, “Yuheng, look. The alliance has been established, giving us another advantage. Sheyu Kingdom is no longer an ally of Chu Chaoci’s. It is our ally now.” “That’s right, Yue’er. Now that the Northwest border frontier has been pacified, we have no immediate worries at our backs. We should be able to return to the capital soon, and you’ll be able to go home and see your parents sooner,” Mu Yuheng said. “However, although the Northwest border frontier has been pacified, we’re still trapped here because of that claim about the celestial omens. I’m afraid returning home won’t be so simple,” Ling Jiayue said. “You don’t need to worry about that. If I calculate correctly, we’ve been away for nearly three years. During this time, Imperial Brother has already gathered the various forces in the imperial court beneath his wing. Moreover, Third Brother has grown increasingly deranged, and he has completely lost the hearts of the court officials. It won’t be difficult for us to return. We simply need to make careful plans.” Seeing Ling Jiayue’s concern, Mu Yuheng consoled her. “Then we do need to plan carefully. There’s no need for us to rush,” Ling Jiayue said. “Mm. I’ll contact Imperial Brother first. Yue’er, you should get in touch with the sovereign of Sheyu Kingdom as well. It would be best if you could make sure they don’t turn against us again. We both need to make further preparations before we can return to the capital with peace of mind,” Mu Yuheng said. “You’re right. We do need to plan everything properly before we can return without worry,” Ling Jiayue said thoughtfully before leaving to attend to her task. Mu Yuheng watched her go, then instructed Feng Yan to grind the ink. He, too, needed to begin making preparations for their return to the capital. After leaving Mu Yuheng, Ling Jiayue returned to her room and wrote a letter to the sovereign of Sheyu Kingdom. She intended to sever the connection between Sheyu Kingdom and Ye Kingdom completely. She would break apart, piece by piece, the wings Chu Chaoci had painstakingly cultivated. She wanted Chu Chaoci to experience the same pain she had suffered, and in the end, she would make him live on in disgrace after losing everything. Ling Jiayue ordered Danyun to grind the ink while she spread out a sheet of xuan paper and began writing with her brush. After some time, Ling Jiayue finished the letter. She summoned Cheese Lord and instructed him to deliver it to the sovereign of Sheyu Kingdom. In the letter, she promised that Sheyu Kingdom would not need to send a single soldier. As long as Sheyu Kingdom severed its ties with Ye Kingdom, she would guarantee ten years of peace for the kingdom, giving it sufficient time to recuperate and rebuild its strength. This would prevent further wars from leaving Sheyu Kingdom impoverished and weakened. Ling Jiayue believed the sovereign of Sheyu Kingdom would certainly be tempted by these terms. After all, the wounds left by war needed time to heal. Mu Yuheng also wrote a letter to the Crown Prince. He hoped the Crown Prince would resolve the crisis surrounding the celestial omens so that they could return to the capital to handle an important matter. At the same time, Mu Yuheng wrote that Ling Jiayue had already formed an alliance with Sheyu Kingdom. The Northwest border frontier was now temporarily secure, and all that remained was to focus on dealing with Ye Kingdom. Once Ling Jiayue and Mu Yuheng had finished writing their letters, they had them sent out at full speed. Now, all they needed to do was wait quietly. Neither Ling Jiayue nor Mu Yuheng remained idle. Instead, they devoted themselves to training their troops. The Crown Prince and the sovereign of Sheyu Kingdom both received their letters. After reading Ling Jiayue’s letter, the sovereign of Sheyu Kingdom pondered. Severing their alliance with Ye Kingdom in exchange for ten years of recuperation seemed like a good bargain. After all, Dayi bordered Sheyu Kingdom, while Ye Kingdom was separated from Sheyu Kingdom by Dayi. After thinking it over, the sovereign of Sheyu Kingdom muttered to himself, “Ling Jiayue’s terms are quite favorable. Sheyu Kingdom has suffered heavy casualties in this war. If we can truly recuperate for a while, that would be excellent.” Having made up his mind, the sovereign of Sheyu Kingdom went to write a reply to Ling Jiayue. The Crown Prince appeared even more delighted upon receiving Mu Yuheng’s letter. At that moment, the Crown Prince was in his study, with the commander of the guards of the Crown Prince’s Residence standing at his side. Seeing the Crown Prince so happy—something rare indeed—the commander could not help asking, “Crown Prince, what does the letter say? You seem exceptionally pleased.” “This is a letter from Seventh Brother. Ling Jiayue truly is capable—she actually managed to form an alliance with the sovereign of Sheyu Kingdom. The Northwest border frontier is now secure. I must find a way to bring them back,” the Crown Prince said. “Allow me to congratulate you, Crown Prince. Since the Northwest border frontier is now secure, Seventh Prince and General Ling should be returning victorious to court soon, shouldn’t they?” the commander said. “Last time, Third Brother used the celestial omens as an excuse to keep Seventh Brother and Ling Jiayue at the border frontier. At the time, it did not matter, since the war was not yet over. But now, it is time to overturn that claim about the celestial omens and have them return as soon as possible,” the Crown Prince said. “Master, the person who confined Seventh Prince and the others to the border frontier was the Director of Astronomy. If we want to change the interpretation of the celestial omens, shouldn’t we find him first?” the commander asked. “There’s no hurry. That Director of Astronomy has always been willing to do anything for money. Someone like him occupying such a high position ought to be replaced.” As the Crown Prince spoke, a ruthless glint flashed through his eyes. Seeing that the Crown Prince had made his decision, the commander said nothing more. He simply stood silently to one side. During morning court the following day, the Deputy Director of Astronomy suddenly arrived outside the imperial court, claiming that he had an important matter to report. When the emperor heard that the Directorate of Astronomy had an important matter to report, he immediately summoned the man inside. When Mu Yuye saw that it was the Deputy Director, he asked, “Why have you come to report today? Where is the Director?” The Deputy Director first bowed respectfully to the emperor before saying, “The Director made reckless claims and was injured after suffering a backlash from fate. He has since been bedridden. Because there was an important matter to report today, this humble official took the liberty of coming here.” “Oh? Then tell me—what reckless claims did the Director make?” Mu Yuye asked. “Your Majesty, the Director claimed that a general bearing murderous energy needed to guard the Northwest. That was why he suffered the backlash of fate,” the Deputy Director said seriously. “Explain it in detail,” Mu Yuye said. “The Northwest has always been a land of auspiciousness. Though bloodshed occurs from time to time, it is quickly brought under control. As for the claim that a general bearing murderous energy is needed there, that is even more absurd. After observing the stars at night, I saw that a lucky star shines brightly over the Northwest. I fear that if this continues, all the blessings of our Dayi Kingdom will flow to the Northwest, which would be detrimental to the capital,” the Deputy Director said. “Oh? How should this be resolved?” the emperor asked. “Your Majesty, I have calculated that the bloodshed in the Northwest has already been resolved, and two lucky stars now shine brightly there. At present, all that remains is to summon those two lucky stars back to the capital,” the Deputy Director said. “Nonsense! The Director clearly said that people needed to remain there to guard it, yet you insist on summoning them back. What are your intentions?” Third Prince shouted angrily at the Deputy Director. “Third Prince, this humble official would never dare speak falsely. The claim that they must remain there to guard the Northwest is the reckless statement. That is precisely why the Director suffered the backlash of fate. Every word I have spoken is for the sake of Dayi Kingdom,” the Deputy Director said. “Third Brother, since the Deputy Director is acting for the sake of Dayi Kingdom, why do you criticize him so harshly? Could it be that you cannot bear to see Dayi Kingdom prosper?” the Crown Prince asked sharply. “Of course I have no such intentions. Crown Prince, you should be careful with your words,” Third Prince said darkly. Just as the emperor, Mu Yuye, was about to speak, an urgent report suddenly arrived. Mu Yuye took it and read it. He could not help but rejoice. “Esteemed ministers, the Northwest has been pacified!” The ministers all began to congratulate him. “May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!” “In that case, let Seventh Brother and General Ling return,” Mu Yuye instructed before ending the court session.