The Northern Chu army attacked the city again.
The three city gates were attacked simultaneously, and the offensive was swift and fierce. The Southern Frontier Army was simply unable to withstand it, and Prime Minister Yan could only flee in disarray with Empress Yan.
The third city was quickly captured.
A month later, the fourth city fell.
Empress Yan had already fled back to Jincheng. Standing at the entrance of Fengyi Palace, listening to the sounds of lovemaking inside, she was filled with rage.
Bang!
The door was pushed open.
"ah!"
The Snow Empress huddled in the arms of the Southern Emperor, trembling, her eyes bloodshot, looking pitifully at the newcomer.
The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang glanced at the newcomer, somewhat surprised: "The Empress has finally decided to return?"
Empress Yan heard that the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang had suppressed all reports on the war, ignoring them and spending all his time with the Imperial Concubine, never leaving her bedside.
He had not attended court for more than three months.
"So it's Empress Sister. Please allow me not to perform the proper greeting." Consort Xue smiled shyly at Empress Yan, then gently shook the arm of Emperor Nanjiang. "Your Majesty, my sister must have come to report good news. The Empress and the Prime Minister are going to the battlefield together, along with two generals from the Huo family. They will surely be able to defeat these traitors from Northern Chu."
The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang burst into laughter: "Empress, is that really so?"
Empress Yan's face turned cold.
"Empress, how should I reward you?" The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang thought for a moment, but the Imperial Concubine Xue in his arms smiled and said, "The Yan family is lacking a title. How about granting them the title of First-Class Duke of Protectorate, which can be inherited by hereditary rulers?"
The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang nodded: "Excellent!"
Watching the two of them sing in unison, Empress Yan's anger was suddenly doused with cold water, and she looked away with a guilty look.
"Your Majesty, I see that Your Highness looks unwell; you must be exhausted." Consort Xue reached out and picked up her robe, putting it on. She slowly stood up, her protruding belly particularly noticeable. She supported her belly with one hand and asked, "Your Highness, please don't take offense. I came to Fengyi Palace seeking refuge because I couldn't sleep for a long time. Now that you have returned victorious, I will simply submit and leave the palace immediately."
Consort Xue stared at Empress Yan with a half-smile, her words of submission masking a clear provocation in her eyes, which infuriated Empress Yan.
But the thought of defeat made Empress Yan suppress her anger: "It's alright. As long as it's good for the child in your womb, it's just the Phoenix Palace. You can stay there if you want."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor of Southern Xinjiang immediately praised Empress Yan for her magnanimity.
"She is merely the mother of a nation, a role model for the world."
At this moment, a eunuch came to deliver a message: "Your Majesty, all the civil and military officials are kneeling in the Hall of State Affairs, requesting to see you."
The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang raised an eyebrow, tilted his head back, and burst into laughter: "Send down the order to hold a victory celebration banquet!"
The eunuch turned pale with fright upon hearing this. They had lost three cities in a row and were about to capture the fourth. How could they hold a celebration banquet for such a thing?
His legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees, trembling with fear.
It wasn't just eunuchs.
All the palace servants around him knelt down.
The Southern Emperor assumed they were all trying to please him, so he waved his hand and gave them rewards. He then hurried off to the main hall.
Empress Yan's face darkened again as she looked at Consort Xue. She decided to stop pretending and raised her hand to slap her, but Consort Xue smiled and said, "If Your Majesty slaps me, I won't plead for you."
Empress Yan's hand froze awkwardly in mid-air: "You already knew?"
"Besides the Emperor, who doesn't know?" Consort Xue said with disdain, "The Yan family has fled in disarray, and Your Highness is barely able to protect yourself. If I were to have any involvement in any illegal activities, does Your Highness know what the consequences would be?"
"How dare you threaten me?"
Consort Xue clicked her tongue twice: "It is indeed a threat. Your Majesty's glory is gone. In less than half an hour, the Emperor will know the truth. If I were you, I would kneel on the ground and beg you to speak on my behalf. At least we can save the Empress's face."
Empress Yan's breathing rose and fell.
The Imperial Concubine Xue looked at her with disdain, calmly put on her clothes, and let the palace servants dress her up. Her beautiful face was full of mockery: "Your Majesty the Empress?"
Empress Yan's legs trembled uncontrollably at the thought of the Southern Border Emperor's wrath.
"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war."
"Is that so?"
Imperial Concubine Xue still looked disdainful: "Then I wish Her Majesty the Empress good luck."
Just then, Qingzhi heard the palace maid's message, his expression changed slightly, and he lowered his voice: "Another city has fallen."
Upon hearing this, Empress Yan swayed and nearly lost her balance.
Imperial Concubine Xue left with a smile and grace.
Half an hour later
The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang stormed into the Phoenix Palace, sword in hand, and roared, "How could Southern Xinjiang have been defeated?"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." Empress Yan's eyelids twitched; "The Northern Chu people are numerous and powerful, with a million-strong army..."
"Even with a million-strong army, how could they lose four cities in just three months?" The Southern Emperor gripped his sword tightly, exuding a strong murderous aura. Empress Yan was so frightened that she said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was that vile woman Zhao Jiahua who stole the border defense map, which is why she helped Northern Chu win the battle."
The Southern Emperor, having lost his sword, sat down in his chair, fuming.
Seeing this, Empress Yan breathed a huge sigh of relief.
At this moment, a young palace maid brought over tea and then quietly withdrew.
Empress Yan looked aggrieved: "Your Majesty, my father and I have been holding out for so long, but the people of Northern Chu are too cunning and treacherous, which is why we have lost cities one after another. Your Majesty, the best course of action now is to select a suitable general to lead the troops into battle as soon as possible and turn the tide."
The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang watched as Empress Yan's bright red lips opened and closed, her dignified and elegant face filled with tears, which gave her a unique charm.
Suddenly, she spoke up: "The Empress has been in the palace for many years, but has she never served the Emperor's bedchamber?"
Empress Yan was suddenly stunned. She raised her head, her delicate, fair face showing complete panic.
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