Blood-Sucking Empress

Chapter 35: Inside and Outside the Imperial Court

Just after noon on the next day, intelligence from the frontier’s garrisons was rapidly delivered by messengers who traveled as fast as they could on horses.
The Imperial Court was both surprised, but pleasantly so.
The court was surprised that war had finally broken out, but was more pleasantly surprised knowing that the enemy’s night raid had been so easily resolved.
The officials were stirred, waiting for the Empress’ summons, extremely curious about the Empress’ next set of plans.
However, the Empress only presented information about the war to the rest of the officials and did not give any orders.
Only the Three Departments and Six Ministries’ high-ranked ministers could speak up, but they remained silent.

Compared with the silent anticipation of the court officials, the people of the Qianhe Dynasty were not in such a good mood.
For a while, the commoners were in a panic, anxiously wagging their tongues about the current situation.
Because the Qianhe Dynasty had not yet fully recovered from the aftermath of the quelled rebellion, the mood in the capital once again dropped to its lowest point.
Many people, especially the people residing in the Imperial capital, once again reverted to no one setting a foot outside their homes.

War was like a terrible pestilence in the hearts of the common people, once it started, there would be no end to the extent that it would spread and affect their lives.
Regardless of whether one’s Empire triumphed or lost in a war, the common people would definitely be the most unlucky.
This so-called genuine prosperity was really the common people’s suffering; death was the result of the common people’s suffering.

However, after three to five days, even the commoners, who had no access to frontier intelligence discovered that something was different about this war.
Why was it different? No taxes were levied, no conscription notices were drafted and there was no tension hanging in the air like it usually did during wars.
The Imperial capital stayed the same as it did before the start of the war.
The common people slowly discovered this point, and gradually began to drift out from their homes.
At every corner, one could find a gaggle of people discussing the war.

But above, at the Imperial court, while the various ministers and courtiers were still quiet, they all looked at the Empress with different gazes…

Excessive licentiousness and shamefulness, cruel and tyrannical, these adjectives could no longer be used to describe the current Empress of the Qianhe Dynasty.
Deeply subtle, yet sophisticated, enigmatic and unfathomable.
Her hands seemed to overturn the clouds and block the falling rain.
In the hearts of the officials, Qianhe Liyou had become a true ruler, and she controlled everything in apathy, making people fearful.

“Empress, Your Majesty really makes this minister admire you more and more.
Your Majesty has everything under control, even thousands of miles away.
What arrangements is the Empress planning on enacting next? Does Your Majesty need this minister to contribute to war plans?” In the Imperial Study, Long Xizhao’s entire face exuded excitement.
She was initially a militant intellectual and strategist, but it was a pity, ever since the war started, she had no say in military matters, making her feel very anxious. 

“Xizhao, although there are many people on the frontline, there are not that many.
If you want to go, zhen can grant you your wish.” Although the frontlines had indeed secured a great victory, it did not mean the end of the war.
Rather, it was only the beginning.
The Sang Empire continued to deploy troops and the two countries should be facing each other at this time.
Another battle could break out at any moment.

“This minister wants to go, but is afraid that this minister will be of little importance in the overarching plan that Your Majesty has in mind.
Even if this minister was willing to be a soldier, it is not assured that this minister will be able to directly go to the battlefield.
Empress, there is no need to make fun of this minister.” Long Xizhao bitterly smiled.
The current Empress really liked to tease people more and more.
The playfulness was hidden within a gloomy exterior, making her act prudently and cautiously.
Before, when she interacted with the Empress, she could guess the Empress’ thoughts.
But now, she felt that the Empress was becoming more and more profound.
She thought that the previous Empress’ acting skills had been really too advanced.
Her Majesty had actually deceived everyone, but now that her original character had been restored, she turned out to be so powerful that people would have no choice but to admire it.

Long Xizhao sincerely felt honored that she could have the privilege to vow loyalty and devotion to such a ruler.
She truly believed that the Qianhe Dynasty would become increasingly prosperous under the Empress’ leadership.
She also felt especially honored to be a stroke* in this glorious era’s history 

*stroke is referring to a brush stroke when one is writing; she feels honored to be written down in the history books

“Minister Long, there is no need to probe the Empress.
If there is anything that needs your assistance, the Empress will naturally order it.” Li Yao watched amusedly as the two who stood in front of her bickered, but every time, it resulted in Long Xizhao getting teased by the Empress.

“Li Yao, Xizhao, zhen has summoned you because there are some matters zhen wants you to handle.
I have received news that apart from the battlefields in the frontier, the Sang Empire is continuously sending spies to our Empire, as well as the other three empires.
Although it is a long-standing phenomenon that the other Empires send spies to infiltrate other countries, the Sang Empire has not sent ordinary spies this time around.
Obviously, these spies are used in preparation for the war.
These battles, this war, no matter what the outcome, it will not be the end, but rather the beginning of a real war among all five of the great powers. Zhen has a hunch, years of the carefully kept and balanced peace is coming to an end.
Now, zhen wants you to mobilize all the troops you can secretly, as well as amassing warfare and military supplies.
Train these troops, brainstorm war formations and counter strategies, be prepared for all possible scenarios.
You must not be caught off guard by the enemy.
Moreover, zhen absolutely disdains being passively beaten.
As long as zhen can prepare everything, this war will no longer be under the control of other parties.
Do you understand zhen’s meaning?”

Li Yao and Long Xizhao scared a glance, even for the usually calm Li Yao, there was a trace of visible anticipation in her eyes!

“….These ministers will comply with the order and do our best to not disappoint Your Majesty.
These ministers will do our best to complete the Empress’ command!”

“Good.
Go, do what you need to do!”

After Li Yao and Long Xizhao left, Qianhe Liyou also stood up, walking out of the Imperial study.
Feng Ying followed behind, but with a quick wave of Qianhe Liyou’s hand, she was ordered to stay behind.
The Empress wanted to take a walk, alone.

Walking out of the Imperial Study, there was a small garden located outside.
Although it was not as magnificent as the Imperial Gardens, it was very stylish and refined, carefully maintained so that the Empress could relax while handling court matters.
Qianhe Liyou walked over to a rattan chair located in the garden and sat down.
The Imperial guards were close by, but did not approach, leaving a quiet and solitary space for the Empress.

“Anhui, what do you think is the meaning of war?” Anhui had already been following her for a couple of days, and she had already adapted.

“War is both a weapon and a type of strategy.
Victory is important, but also not important.
The most significant is whether the goal has been achieved.”

“Good, very good.
Anhui, zhen admires you more and more.” Qianhe Liyou was not stingy with her praise, especially for those who needed to be appreciated.

Anhui’s expression contained a little bit of embarrassment.
It was the first time the Empress had praised him so, which made him feel both bashful and astonished. 

“This subordinate’s opinions are trivial.”

“No need to be humble…En? There is someone?” Qianhe Liyou looked at a rock trail not far away, a figure walking along with it.
The figure looked familiar, as if….

“Halt, who are you?” The Imperial guards guarding the small garden courtyard stopped the visitor.
It was a man dressed in a palace uniform, around 17 or 18 years old, a panicked expression etched onto his youthful face.

“Guard Sister, this servant is Qingzhou, one of the servants serving the Enchanting guifei.
This servant requests an audience with the Empress.
Can Guard Sister please report this matter to the Empress? This servant is begging you…”

Guifei: Imperial Consort of the highest rank and is below the Empress

The Enchanting guifei’s attendants…” The two Imperial guards looked at each other, and saw the blatant hesitation in each other’s eyes.
If it was like before, they would not have dared to stop the Enchanting guifei’s attendants, but now it was different.
They did not want to make things difficult for the attendant, but it was hard to say how the Empress would react.
They did not want to infuriate the Empress all for a consort who had been banished to the Cold Palace.

“Guard Sister, please, I beg you, there is something wrong with niangniang.
The child in her belly is definitely the Empress’ and the Empress would definitely visit the niangniang. Please go and inform the Empress of this servant.
This matter cannot be delayed anymore, if we are too late, the dragon heir may not be able to last….” The little palace attendant claiming to be Qingzhou began crying out of frustration.
He had not a choice but to request an audience with the Empress, he had to see the Empress.