Chapter 509: The Emperor and the Virtuous Consort Are Captured

Chapter 509 The Emperor and the Virtuous Consort Were Captured

By the third day, as expected, word came that the Lü army had returned.

"The Lü army is back, but where is garrison General Lü?" Xiaoyu Heng glanced at the troops and asked curiously.

"Hmph!" The returning commander snorted coldly.

"How did the troops become so ragged? Why are so few returning?" The Virtuous Consort stepped forward, her expression grave as she surveyed the disheveled ranks.

"My lady, you're back at last!" The commander approached and bowed to His Majesty the Emperor. "Your Majesty, I must report General Lü for dereliction of duty and colluding with the enemy!"

"What?" The Virtuous Consort gasped in shock.

"What exactly happened?" Xiao Yin asked.

"We were stationed outside the pass, having no contact with East Ming. Trade between the two nations has long ceased. Over the years, though East Ming has always had designs on our territory, every attack they launched ended in defeat!"

The commander explained to Xiao Yin and the others that General Lü had reached out to make peace with the enemy, cultivating friendship with the Princess Royal. The two often drank together, and soon, more and more people from East Ming began appearing in the border towns.

The people of East Ming were cunning, making their living as weaponsmiths. They were barbaric and unreasonable, nursing deep resentment toward Great Wei.

Thus, for years, there had been no interaction between Great Wei and East Ming.

The Grand Princess Dongming had carried a torch for Xiao Yin, remaining unmarried all these years for his sake.

Xiao Yin had no desire to visit East Ming or engage with them extensively. This time, he had only come because of the unrest at the border and East Ming’s threatening movements.

Of course, with Xiao Xi'er by his side, he also wanted to bring East Ming to heel. Otherwise, if Xiao Xi'er grew up and inherited the throne of Great Wei, he couldn't rest easy unless East Ming was pacified.

"My father would do such a thing? I don’t believe it!" The Virtuous Consort gritted her teeth. "I arrived a few days ago and couldn’t find him—only to learn he was consorting with the Princess Royal beyond the pass? Impossible."

Xiao Yin looked at the Virtuous Consort, patted her shoulder, and shook his head.

"Don’t rush. Let’s go and see for ourselves before making any judgments," Xiao Yin said.

"Mm," the Virtuous Consort nodded.

"How could my grandfather possibly do such a thing? It’s impossible!" Xiaoyu Heng also refused to believe it.

His grandfather’s family—his uncles and aunts—had all been generals in the past, dying on the battlefield years ago. His cousins had met the same fate, buried in their battle cloaks. Later, his grandmother was taken to the Imperial City but passed away within two years. Only his grandfather remained, steadfast at the border. How could he betray them now?

"General Lü is an upright man. I’ve met him a few times before—how could he do this? Even if others might, he never would!" Yuan Hui declared.

Setting aside everything else, the Lü family had sacrificed so much, leaving only Lü Yuanyuan for Xiao Yin to take away—the last of their line. Given such circumstances, how could General Lü possibly act this way?

"But we all tried to persuade him. We even knelt and begged him to return, but he refused. He said that for Great Wei, his entire family had died, yet all Great Wei gave him was the position of garrison commander—especially in this desolate region near East Ming. What use were all the gold in those mines?" the general said.

"I don’t believe it. I refuse to believe it. My father would never do such a thing. He would never betray us!" The Virtuous Consort shook her head, snatching up a weapon and charging out.

Xiao Yin raised his hand to stop her. "Yuanyuan, I’ll go with you."

This time, Little Ruo Xi didn’t beg to come along.

As if these past few days spent with her master had made her forget everything else, all she cared about was staying to play with him.

Back at the border, all was quiet. Not long after the emperor and the Virtuous Consort departed, word came.

"The matter is decided. By order of the Wise King—His Majesty the Emperor and the Virtuous Consort have been captured."

"What?" Xiaoyu Heng was playing with Xiao Xi'er while Qiu Chanzi, Xiao Yuze, and Xiao Ruilin were playing chess nearby. Upon hearing the report from outside, they were all startled and looked up at Xiaoyu Heng.

Baby Ruo Xi pondered for a moment and said, "Let's head to East Ming now!"

Whether they went now or later, it made little difference. However, Baby Ruo Xi hadn't yet decided whether to wipe out the entire East Ming royal family and take over or negotiate peacefully for their surrender.

Over the years, the gold and iron mines in East Ming had yielded fewer resources, and many mountains had been hollowed out. It was said that many East Ming citizens had starved to death, which had hardened their hearts, making them eager to attack Dà Wèi and Beiling.

In the past, East Ming had seized much of Beiling's territory, but they had struggled to breach Dà Wèi’s borders, largely due to General Lü—a formidable opponent who had been on the battlefield since the age of fifteen. For nearly forty years, he had remained at the frontier, mastering the art of war.

Yet, for some reason, General Lü had recently grown close to the East Ming princess, and rumors about their close relationship had spread in countless versions.

Baby Ruo Xi boarded the carriage with her second brother, third brother, and eldest brother, heading toward East Ming.

"If we go to East Ming like this, this should lull them into lowering their guard!" Xiaoyu Heng remarked, observing the scene inside the carriage.

"Yeah!" Baby Ruo Xi nodded. Inside the carriage was also her teacher, who was brewing tea for them.

The mention of tea excited Baby Ruo Xi. Kneeling on a cushion, she watched as her teacher placed tea leaves into a small pot. She then tossed in a slice of tangerine.

"Xier, meddling again?" Xiaoyu Heng teased.

"Xier isn't meddling! When brewing tea over the fire, adding something special creates a unique flavor. In the past, Xier liked adding flowers, herbs, or even tossing in a couple of fruits—it made the taste truly special!" Qiu Chanzi explained.

"Mhm, so that's why Xiao Xi'er always thinks of her teacher—because the teacher spoils her rotten!" Xiaoyu Heng said.

"I've heard these past few days that you're not much better!" Qiu Chanzi chuckled.

During his time in the city with Xiao Xi'er, he had truly felt the people's affection for Xier—especially the stories of how the emperor took her everywhere, even carrying her to court before her postpartum recovery ended.

Dà Wèi’s customs had also changed because of Xiao Xi'er, which thrilled Qiu Chanzi even more.

"Xier is family by blood!" Xiao Ruilin said.

"That's true!" Qiu Chanzi nodded.

East Ming was now in sight.

"Father and Mother must have disguised themselves to enter," Xiaoyu Heng said.