After this incident, Qin Yue Zhao directly drafted an agreement with the Northern Barbarian Princess, bringing half of the Northern Barbarian territory under the control of the Princess.

The Northern Barbarians and Liangcheng established a trade route, never to be separated again.

Peace was restored to the border, and Qin Yue Zhao returned in glory for her outstanding military achievements.

However, the rulers of the Great Wei Kingdom and the Yelang Kingdom were greatly alarmed upon hearing this news.

Qin Yuezhao not only had water and food, but also wiped out the Northern Barbarians?

If they continue to resist, will their country also be destroyed?

As a result, the countries that initially wanted to oppose Qin Yue Zhao surrendered one after another, bringing gold and silver treasures in hopes of forming an alliance with Qin Yue Zhao.

In just a few days, Qin Yue Zhao joined forces with the Great Wei, Great Liang, and Yelang Kingdom, amassing a million mercenaries.

Thinking of her family members still trapped in Kyoto, Qin Yue Zhao led her troops back to Kyoto overnight.

From afar, one could see the First Prince leading over 100,000 elite troops gathered at the foot of a mountain about 30 miles outside the capital.

Seeing them arrive, it was as if they had been prepared for everything, just waiting for her return.

"Qin Yue Zhao, how dare you rebel! Don't you care about the lives of your grandmother and aunts?"

"Even if you don't care about these women, what about your nephews and nieces? Don't you care about them either?"

Qin Yue Zhao sneered as she listened to the eldest prince's words:

"What does Your Highness mean by this? I led troops back to the capital only to protect my country. How can this be considered treason?"

"But what about you, First Prince, who brought so many soldiers here? What are you planning to do?"

The eldest prince's face stiffened, and he immediately retorted, "You hold a large army in your hands, who knows if you have any disloyal intentions?"

Qin Yue Zhao glanced around at the soldiers and said loudly, "Fellow soldiers, I, Qin Yue Zhao, am devoted to the country. Now that the foreign enemies have been defeated, someone in the country is framing me."

"I only want to save my family. Are you really going to listen to slander and help the wicked?"

The soldiers looked at each other, and some began to waver.

Upon seeing this, the eldest prince became enraged.

"Qin Yue Zhao, stop spreading rumors and misleading the public."

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, a fast horse galloped from the direction of Kyoto, and the rider shouted:

"By imperial decree, General Qin has rendered great service and is hereby ordered to come to the capital for commendation. No one may obstruct him."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in the Crown Prince's eyes.

Qin Yue Zhao smiled and led her troops toward the capital.

She knew that the emperor and the eldest prince each held their own faction, and history would neither kill her nor favor her.

But for her family, for the loved ones of all the soldiers, she would go even if she knew there were mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead!

After entering the capital, Qin Yue Zhao did not go directly to the palace to meet the emperor, but instead returned to the Qin family residence first.

Everyone in her family was overjoyed to see her return safely and wept with joy. After comforting her family, Qin Yue Zhao went to the palace to express her gratitude.

In the main hall, the emperor praised Qin Yue Zhao's achievements with apparent kindness and bestowed many treasures upon her.

However, Qin Yue Zhao sensed a deeper meaning hidden behind the emperor's gaze.

Not long after, Qin Yue Zhao discovered that there were always some suspicious-looking people spying outside the mansion.

She realized that the danger was not over and the eldest prince was still unwilling to give up.

So she secretly trained her household servants to protect her, and at the same time joined forces with several ministers she was on good terms with in the court to guard against any unforeseen events.