"Should I speak for them?"

Shen Zhao suddenly spoke.

"The reason they dare not speak frankly to you is because the Empress's reputation has been ruined among the people, right?"

Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird looked shocked and lowered their heads at the same time.

Upon hearing this, Song Yanran's expression changed slightly. She forced a smile and said, "It's nothing. It's only human nature. Throughout history, emperors have come up with all sorts of tricks. I'm used to it."

After a pause, she suddenly said to Shen Zhao, "I can give up the country of the Dragon Han Dynasty. Can you take me away? I'll go anywhere."

These words startled Shen Zhao, who quickly took two steps back.

All he saw was Song Yanran looking at him with a pitiful expression, where was the demeanor and temperament that a thousand-year-old empress should have?

What a terrible thing to do.

"Well, things aren't as bad as you think, and you don't need to be so pessimistic."

Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird also advised, "Your Majesty, you must not have such thoughts. The Dragon Han Dynasty cannot be without Your Majesty."

Song Yanran sighed softly and said forlornly, "But now that things have come to this, what ability do I still have to reclaim the throne?"

The armies of the regional princes are stirring with ambition; I am now deserted by my own people and have no forces left to oppose them.

Qinglong: "Your Majesty can summon the Southern Ancestral Dragon Guard to the capital; they are absolutely loyal to Your Majesty."

"No!"

Shen Zhao suddenly objected.

"The duty of the Ancestral Dragon Guard is to guard the dragon vein of the region. If the dragon vein is lost, it will reduce the fortune of the human race in the Nine Realms. The Ancestral Dragon Guard should not be mobilized unless absolutely necessary."

Zhuque: "But apart from the Ancestral Dragon Guard, we have no other troops available."

Song Yanran also closed her eyes wearily.

Shen Zhao replied, "No, there is another army that can be mobilized."

"Which army? Currently, there isn't a single army in the entire Longhan Celestial Dynasty that can be absolutely trusted."

"It's either a lack of loyalty or a lack of fighting strength. The elite troops are all in the hands of the regional princes and generals; where are there any troops left to use?"

When confronted with Qinglong's questioning, Shen Zhao pointed towards the Great Wall.

"Why not send the Xiongnu army to the capital to defend the emperor? You should know..."

The Longhan Celestial Dynasty was the true suzerain state of the Xiongnu. Xuanhao Hongye's private entry into the capital was tantamount to rebellion.

Do you think they'd still be willing to risk their lives for Xuan Hao's cause when the Empress's decree appears before them?

Upon hearing this, Qinglong, Zhuque, and even Song Yanran were all filled with disbelief.

If Shen Zhao's abilities weren't so obvious, they would have really thought he was crazy to say such a thing.