Sun Jinyao could sense Shangguan Wanning's sadness.
He took a step forward to protect Shangguan Wan Ning, and whispered, "Ning'er, after tonight, forget about those people and things that made you unhappy... and start over, okay?"
Shangguan Wanning's nose felt sour and tears soaked her eyes.
Start over?
How to start over?
She has started her life over again, but what is the result?
The fireworks burned out and peace returned to the surroundings.
"Don't think too much. I'll take you back to your room." Sun Jinyao accompanied Shangguan Wanning to the door of the room and gently combed her long hair. "Good night."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Mu Jingrui, who had been hiding in the dark, looked at the intimacy between Shangguan Wanning and Sun Jinyao, clenched his fists, and fire burned in his eyes.
He tried his best to suppress the desire to rush forward, and watched Shangguan Wanning close the door and Sun Jinyao's back disappear at the end of the corridor.
Gradually, Mu Jingrui loosened his fists and used his lightness skills to leave the Prime Minister's Mansion.
After the first month of the year, when Mu Jingrui attended court for the first time, the emperor became furious in the hall.
Before the emperor ascended the throne, the twelve small countries on the southwestern border formed an alliance and showed off their power to the imperial court.
Although they appeared to be subservient to the imperial court of the Central Plains, they required the court to send them large amounts of money and food every year.
At the beginning of the new year, they sent envoys to deliver a joint memorial, requesting an increase in the supplies provided.
In recent years, natural disasters and man-made disasters have continued in the Central Plains, and the national treasury was already very tight. Seeing those guys being greedy, the emperor became more and more angry.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to send troops to renegotiate with them."
Mu Jingrui took the initiative to stand up when all the civil and military officials in the court were silent, and everyone looked at him with surprise.
Everyone knows that this is a very tough nut to crack and it is not a task that can be accomplished simply by passion.
The twelve small countries on the southwestern border are a powerful force when united together, otherwise the imperial court would not have allowed them to be so arrogant for so long.
Moreover, the King of Qi, the leader of their ally, was a rare military genius who had never been defeated in a military campaign since his debut.
If this matter is not handled well, colleagues and the people will complain; if it is handled well...
It will definitely not work anyway.
The emperor calmed down, looked at Mu Jingrui with a determined expression, and fell into deep thought for a moment.
Even though he was angry, he still had to weigh the pros and cons of whether it was more cost-effective to give money and food or to fight a war.
"I will leave the court first. Let me think about this matter carefully."
Mu Jingrui walked out of the hall, Xiao Yujue immediately caught up with him and pulled him aside.
"Jing Rui, why did you have such an idea? Why didn't you discuss it with me in advance?"
There was a hint of blame in Xiao Yujue's tone and he looked very unhappy.
Mu Jingrui turned his head and looked around, and seeing that there was no one around, he dismissed the two men's followers.
"Your Highness, you went to the northwest to provide disaster relief before, and you have established a very high prestige there. If the southwest border can be under your control, in the future... there will be no need to worry about not achieving great things."
Mu Jingrui's words made Xiao Yujue's heart skip a beat.
That’s right, the people in the southwest and northwest regions have been tough since ancient times, and most of the generals in the court came from there.
Controlling the northwest and southwest means controlling most of the court's military forces.
"But...if you fail..."
"Your Highness, please put it down. If I am not sure, I will never volunteer."
In fact, Mu Jingrui also has some selfish motives.
He wanted to use this opportunity to establish his own achievements and increase his power in the court.
At that time, even if Shangguan Yue refused to let Shangguan Wanning marry him, he would force her to marry him.
Xiao Yujue was still worried.
"If you have something to say, how can I explain it to you in a quiet manner?"
"Your Highness, Xiaoyan is just a woman. You don't have to care too much about her opinions and feelings on national affairs."
Xiao Yujue just smiled and patted his shoulder gently.
That being said, if he really treated Mu Jingyan badly, Mu Jingrui would probably have to ask him for an explanation.
After careful consideration, the emperor issued an edict in the court a few days later to appoint Mu Jingrui as the Grand Marshal of the Army, restore his post as the Minister of War, and allow him to lead troops to conquer the small countries on the southwestern border.
As soon as the news came out, there was an uproar throughout the government and the country.
When Shangguan Wanning heard this, the pen in her hand fell to the ground.
"Miss, are you okay?" Lu Tong hurriedly took out a handkerchief and wiped off the ink that accidentally stained Shangguan Wanning's hands.
Shangguan Wanning came back to her senses and managed a smile. "It's okay, it's just this calligraphy..."
Shangguan Wanning looked down and realized that she had written Mu Jingrui's name without realizing it.
She was in a sad mood. She picked up the rice paper, looked at it carefully, and then gently tore it into pieces.
Don't think about some thoughts that you should have given up.
"Lutong, prepare a sedan for me. I want to go to the temple to pray and burn incense."
"yes."
Lutong understood Shangguan Wanning's mood and immediately got ready.
Shangguan Wanning knelt in front of the Buddha and prayed for Mu Jingrui, and vaguely felt that there was another person kneeling beside her.
She didn't take it seriously at first, but when she got up to leave, the man called her.
"It's no use just begging in front of the Buddha. He won't know at all."
"Girl, are you talking to me?" Shangguan Wanning looked around and asked curiously.
Chu Xiaolian looked at Shangguan Wanning's stunningly beautiful face and wanted to destroy it.
She took a deep breath and tried to keep herself sane.
"Tomorrow, he will lead his troops to war. It is hard to predict whether he will be lucky or unlucky, and it is unknown when he will return. If you still have some affection for him, go and see him off, so that you can comfort him."
Shangguan Wanning didn’t know who the girl in front of her was, but she was sure who the “he” she was talking about was.
"I..." Shangguan Wanning didn't know how to answer. She was so flustered that she just wanted to leave quickly.
"Stop." Chu Xiaolian stepped forward and grabbed Shangguan Wanning's wrist.
The sudden pain made Shangguan Wanning scream out in surprise.
"You haven't answered me yet."
When Lu Tong heard Shangguan Wan Ning's cry, she rushed in immediately. When she saw someone grabbing her young lady, she screamed loudly.
"Someone come... someone come quickly..."
Soon, the accompanying guards rushed in.
"Hmph, just relying on these few guys?" Chu Xiaolian didn't take them seriously at all.
"You guys step back."
Shangguan Wanning felt great pain, but she stopped struggling.
After the guards left, she stared at Chu Xiaolian and said softly, "This is a matter between her and me. No outsiders should interfere. If you don't let go..."
"So, you're not going?" Chu Xiaolian's eyes flashed with ferocity.
"It's none of your business."
Chu Xiaolian was furious and was about to strike Shangguan Wanning when a strong gust of wind blew in from the window.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
