With the arrival of envoys from both countries, Mo Beichen became even busier.

The New Year celebrations are also simple and unpretentious.

Yun Qingluo summoned Eunuch Li, "How are the expenses this year's New Year's celebrations different from previous years?"

As shrewd as ever, Eunuch Li replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has already left the palace to worship Buddha. There are only you, the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Princess in the palace—four masters in total. We haven't even used a tenth of the usual number of guests."

Yun Qingluo nodded. "After the New Year, the palace didn't need so many people, so we sent several batches out of the palace. Although the palace was much quieter, the expenses were really reduced a lot."

"It's all thanks to Her Majesty the Empress's thoughtful consideration," Eunuch Li said earnestly.

Yun Qingluo held the hand warmer in her hand and tapped it intermittently.

"Here's what we'll do: you go back and sort things out, calculate based on last year's expenses, see how much is left over, and use all of this money to buy clothes and food to send to the frontier."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li's expression shifted slightly.

He put away his smiling face, knelt respectfully on the ground, and kowtowed earnestly to Yun Qingluo. His expression was moved, and his voice was somewhat choked with emotion.

"On behalf of the soldiers on the frontier, I thank Your Majesty the Empress for your concern."

Yun Qingluo glanced at the snow falling outside and sighed, "It's my fault for not thinking things through. Logically, this should have been done before the New Year. Although we send warm clothes and food to the soldiers suffering on the border every year, those well-fed and sheltered officials never care whether they actually deliver them or how much is delivered."

"Please also inform the Emperor about this matter and ask him to send a reliable person to handle it. After all, this is a considerable sum of money, more than enough to prepare clothing for the soldiers on the border. Also..."

As Yun Qingluo finished speaking, she looked at Yun Xin, who, upon receiving the signal, turned and left.

A short while later, he returned carrying a large box.

Yun Qingluo gestured for Yun Xin to open the box, and pointed to the box, saying to Eunuch Li, "I also have some silver notes here. I have no worries about food and clothing in the palace. I could spend all this money in several lifetimes. Why not use it where it's needed?"

“Take them all. I’ll have Eunuch Wu go with you and help you get this done. I don’t trust anyone else to do it.”

Eunuch Li originally wanted to refuse, but Yun Qingluo didn't give him a chance to speak at all.

After she finished giving her instructions, he spoke, "I will obey Her Majesty the Empress's decree and will certainly handle this matter well. Your Majesty, please wait patiently."

Yun Qingluo nodded. "Yes, I believe you." Yun Qingluo emphasized "I" in this sentence, which was both a warning and an expression of trust.

Then, she changed the subject, "These past few days, have the crown princes of both countries been discussing matters with the Emperor in the Imperial Study? Have there been any results?"

Eunuch Li hesitated for a moment, but thinking of the Emperor's doting on the Empress, he simply lowered his head and replied, "Yes, there is no result yet. However, the crown princes of both countries proposed to share the gold mine with our Tianmo Kingdom, but the Emperor did not agree."

Yun Qingluo pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "The task I just assigned you needs to be completed as soon as possible. After the New Year, there will likely be another tough battle to fight."

Eunuch Li did not respond to Yun Qingluo's words, but he also believed that there was no possibility of peace talks.

"Alright, you go and serve the Emperor. Tell him that I have prepared lunch for him today and that he should come and eat."

"Yes, Your Majesty, then I will take my leave." Eunuch Li bowed and left.

Yun Qinglu waved to Eunuch Wu, who then followed her out with the box in his arms.

Yun Tao frowned. "Your Majesty, is this battle truly unavoidable?"

Yun Qingluo stood up, walked to the door, looked at the heavy snow outside, and said in a somewhat heavy voice.

"If we agree to share this gold mine, it means we have compromised and softened our stance. It will be difficult for us to be tough again later."

After all, he didn't give an inch back then, but now he has. This will not only cause Mo Beichen to lose the support of the people, but also chill the hearts of the soldiers.

In their eyes, making concessions is tantamount to admitting defeat.

"Send a message to the Divine Healer Valley, asking Yunli and Yunying to speed up their work. Also, request a large quantity of wound medicine and have them produce it immediately, as we need it at any time."

"Yes, I'll take care of it right away." Yunxin said and left to deliver the message.

"Your Majesty, Yunju is back," Yuntao said cautiously.

Yun Qinglu frowned slightly. "Where is she? Tell her to come see me immediately."

As soon as Yun Qingluo finished speaking, An Jiu walked in with Yun Ju. Yun Qingluo raised her eyes, her eyes widening slightly.

"Who hurt you?" Yun Ju's face was pale, her breathing was unsteady, and she reeked of blood.

"Where's the imperial physician? Never mind, help her to the bed next door in the back. An Jiu, hurry up." Yun Qingluo stood up, threw down the hand warmer in her hand, and walked towards the back hall while instructing An Jiu.

"Yunju, I'm going to get the medicine box. You obediently go and lie down on the bed in the next room. This is the Valley Master's order." Yun Qingluo shouted at Yunju without turning her head.

Yun Qingluo returned in a short while.

"You all go out and stand guard at the door. No one is allowed to come in." Yun Qinglu dismissed everyone in the room.

"Valley Master, it is Yun Ju's incompetence that I failed to return in time to report back." Yun Ju's tone was filled with guilt and self-blame.

Yun Qingluo said coldly, "You are indeed incompetent. Sigh, how did you get so badly injured? You should have sent Yun Ying with you back then."

Yun Qingluo unbuttoned Yun Ying's clothes, her expression growing increasingly cold as she looked at the knife and arrow wounds on her body. As she applied medicine to Yun Ju, she asked, "What exactly happened?"

Yun Ju frowned slightly. "I was safe and sound in the Southern Frontier, but on my way back to the capital, I was chased by a group of men in black."

"Do you know which faction it is?" Yun Qingluo asked hurriedly.

She had a vague suspicion that Yun Ju's identity had been exposed, and that it was because of her.

Yun Ju's voice was tinged with fear, "Those people have profound internal strength, high martial arts skills, and they know martial arts, poison, formations, and even Gu."

Yun Qingluo's expression turned solemn. "Gu?"

She knew who it was.

What a tragic fate.

"Yes, I've seen those Gu-using techniques when I was in the Southern Frontier. The Miao people are particularly skilled at using Gu worms."

That group of people should be from southern Xinjiang, or more accurately, from the Miao region.

But I stayed there, my identity wasn't exposed.

Yun Qingluo didn't say anything. She applied the medicine to Yun Ju, dressed her, and put away her medicine box.

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the snowflakes outside, and said coldly, "Do you still remember when I was young and reckless, I developed a formula for cultivating divine guards, attempting to cultivate new divine guards, which resulted in the death of a young man?"

Yun Ju looked somewhat confused, but after realizing what was happening, her expression changed drastically.

"Could it be Old Zhou?" Yun Ju asked in disbelief.