Chapter 197

Chapter 197

On New Year's Eve, Su Yu got up at the crack of dawn as usual. However, this year, she splurged, traveling to Lishan on the outskirts of the capital to pay homage to heaven and earth, unlike previous years when she just bowed in reverence in front of the ancestral temple.

Though Lishan was no renowned mountain, the emperor’s sudden decision to ascend it for the ritual threw the courtiers off—especially since they were used to not climbing mountains on New Year's Eve. Wearing their official robes for the climb left them worn out.

By the time they reached the summit, everyone was gasping for breath.

Fortunately, the emperor wasn’t doing much better. Presumably, after this spur-of-the-moment hike, she wouldn’t repeat it next year.

Su Yu was even more out of breath than the officials. It couldn’t be helped—her ceremonial robes were too heavy, and the ten-pound crown atop her head swayed with every step, beads clinking.

Yet, she still managed to reach the summit. Su Yu felt like giving herself a pat on the back.

"Your Majesty, the ritual ceremony is about to begin. Please proceed to the altar," Yuan Ran said, now dressed in formal eunuch attire, inviting Su Yu to ascend the altar.

Su Yu stepped onto the altar and personally lit the sacrificial fire.

Flames roared to life, white smoke curling into the frosty air.

The firelight cast a glow on Su Yu’s face, like winter’s first warm ray.

She took a step forward, shifting her footing slightly—when suddenly, the flames surged higher. Without hesitation, Wei Chiyou leaped forward, drawing his blade to shield Su Yu.

As the flames subsided, a jade tablet tumbled out.

A minister exclaimed excitedly, "This is a divine omen! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

The other ministers knelt as well, chanting in unison, "A divine omen! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

"Ayou, step back," Su Yu commanded. Wei Chiyou retreated, and she stepped forward herself to pick up the jade tablet.

Exquisitely carved on the tablet were eight large characters.

Su Yu read them casually: "The Heavenly Maiden descends; the empire thrives forever."

The ministers kneeling on the ground heard these words. Heads lowered, their eyes flickered as they pondered how to interpret them.

"Proceed with the ceremony," Su Yu said, handing the jade tablet to Yuan Ran for safekeeping, as if this divine gift didn’t even faze her.

The courtiers thought to themselves—the emperor must truly be wealthy now. A heavenly jade of such size didn’t impress her, and at the New Year’s banquet, she bestowed upon every official this year’s finest Jiangnan silk.

After the banquet concluded, officials of all ranks exited the palace and headed toward their carriages.

Yao Feiming, a little tipsy, staggered toward his carriage.

"Premier Yao—Premier Yao—"

Before he could board, several men called out to him.

Yao Feiming turned and asked, "What’s the matter?"

"We heard that the Security Bureau has brought Qiantang Governor Lin to the capital. Is this true?" The officials pressed Yao Feiming urgently for confirmation. They had only just received the news and finally noticed that Cheng Heyuan, Great Qi’s most feared lawman, had vanished after the worship ceremony.

Yao Feiming did not deny it, saying only, "No shop talk on New Year’s Eve. Everyone should return home early to reunite with their families."

Once the news was confirmed, the officials were left bewildered. Just half a month ago, the emperor had transferred Qiantang Governor to Taiyuan as its prefect—why had he suddenly been arrested?

Moreover, for an ordinary rider, the journey from the capital to Qiantang took over ten days. Yet, the Security Bureau had made the round trip in half a month, even capturing a high-ranking local official. Such efficiency was downright chilling.

Yao Feiming very earnestly reassured, "Half a month ago, Governor Lin refused to go to Taiyuan. His Majesty just summoned him to the capital for questioning and reminiscing. It won’t affect your spring break. The roads are dangerous in this snow, so everyone should head back early."

The snow was falling harder by the minute.

Yao Feiming was being straightforward, but the officials who heard it felt his words must carry deeper meaning, requiring careful consideration.

Each harbored their own thoughts, yet after exchanging glances, they politely bid farewell and went their separate ways.

On New Year’s Eve, officials throughout the capital were kept awake, unsettled by the heavenly jade tablet and the Security Bureau’s arrest of the Qiantang Governor.

Meanwhile, Su Yu, the instigator, slept soundly through the night without a single dream.

The first day of the new year, the first of the lunar month.

She put on a new crimson robe and wrapped in a white fox fur cloak, taking only Yu Chiyou with her to the Yu Chi mansion.

Since giving up his command, Yu Chiyi had secluded himself, never leaving his estate, completely focused on making wine.

When he saw Su Yu, he paused for a moment before composing himself with a smile. "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

Su Yu solemnly drew a red envelope from her sleeve and handed it to him. "New Year's red envelope for Zhong Yun."

Yu Chiyi was surprised. Without opening it, he could feel that besides two gold ingots, there was something else inside.

Su Yu smiled. "Open it and see."

Yu Chiyi opened the envelope and found the military token he had surrendered. "Your Majesty?"

He looked at Su Yu, standing right before him, seemingly unable to comprehend why the token had returned to him.

Years ago, when they had made their mutual promise, Yu Chiyi had resolved that if Su Yu truly kept her word and helped him attack Luosuo, he would give up his command.

Yu Chiyi was a natural warrior, yet he understood one truth: the larger his army grew, the more the emperor would fear him—a lesson paid for with his father and brother’s lives.

His father had never understood this. When Su Yan was trapped in the Western Regions, he had rushed in single-handedly to rescue him. His brother hadn't understood either, vowing before Emperor Xuanzong not to return to the capital until the lost territories were reclaimed.

After their deaths, Yu Chiyi had held onto his anger to rebuild the shattered Yu Chi army, often cursing fate's unfairness. His father and brother’s family had been the best people you could meet—they didn’t deserve such an end. Later, he drove the Luosuo army out of Great Qi, steadily strengthening his forces, and eagerly sought out the newly crowned Su Yan.

The emperor, notorious for his cruelty, had shown fear and suspicion at Yu Chiyi’s aura of battle. It left Yu Chiyi disillusioned and finally enlightened: the emperor feared him, feared the man who held military power.

Originally, he should have given up his command after reclaiming the fifteen provinces. But the King of Luosuo still lived, and Yu Chiyi couldn’t give up.

Now, after Su Yu personally slew the King of Luosuo during the southwestern campaign, Yu Chiyi’s obsession was laid to rest. He didn’t want Su Yu to distrust him or grow distant, so he willingly gave up his command.

Truthfully, he had been a little hurt that Su Yu hadn’t uttered a single word of courtesy. Regardless of anything else, he had stood by her even before her ascension—did she not trust him at all? Did she feel no reluctance?

But then Yu Chiyi reconsidered. Su Yu’s silence had its reasons. He had promised to brew wine for her, and he would do so with utmost dedication.

"If I give it to you, take it. When I want it back, I’ll take it back," Su Yu said firmly, meeting his gaze. "At Tong Pass, I once asked if you’d make a deal with me. You agreed. Now that deal is done. Will you make another with me?"

"What deal does Your Majesty propose?" Yu Chiyi asked cautiously.

Su Yu produced the jade tablet from her sleeve and handed it to him.

Yu Chiyi stared at the eight characters inscribed on it, momentarily stunned. When he looked up again, the dazzling emperor before him was impossible to refuse—not because of gender, but because she was born to rule, commanding unwavering loyalty.

He asked, "Your Majesty wishes to…"

Su Yu took his large hand and, just as she had previously written "Luosuo" on his palm, now traced the characters "Female Emperor" stroke by stroke with her finger. "Zhong Yun, would you like to join me in another big score?"

Yu Chiyi's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he smiled and asked, "How does Your Majesty plan to pull off this big job?"

Su Yu then pulled out a crumpled map from her robe. "The capital has the Security Bureau (our secret service), Yuan Ling, and Gao Lan, so I'm not worried about it. For the western border, I've assigned Chengying (Shadowblade) to guard it. That leaves the three Hebei fanzhen commands—I want to station you in Weizhou. As long as the Central Plains, Hebei, and Jiangnan remain stable, the other regions won’t dare cause trouble."

She pointed at a few fanzhen commands on the map. "These ones are restless. Given an excuse, they might seize the chance to rebel. You’ll be in Hebei, close to them—hit them when needed. If things escalate, I can send reinforcements from the capital to trap them between two fronts."

Clearly, Su Yu had already thought everything through.

Yu Chiyi studied the markings and corrections on the map, which had clearly been there for some time, and couldn’t help but ask, "Your Majesty had this planned long ago, so why…?"

Why wait half a month after taking his tiger tally to come to him, leaving him moping around all this time?

Su Yu curved her eyes. "Ayou never asks me why."

Yu Chiyou, backing her up, grinned at Yu Chiyi.

Yu Chiyi: "..."

Still, Su Yu gave him an answer. "Zhong Yun, you must have had a gnawing doubt in your heart, no? Otherwise, without me saying a word, you’d come to hand over your troops. You turned away without hesitation—you broke my heart."

Yu Chiyi froze. Was that it? Had he unknowingly hurt Her Majesty’s feelings?

Su Yu lightly tapped a finger over his heart. "The fact that you handed over your troops so hastily, in the end, means you didn’t trust me."

Yu Chiyi hurriedly protested, "No, that’s not—I was—"

"What were you?" Su Yu’s piercing gaze locked onto him. "Did you think I was the type to discard the bow once the birds are gone? Or did you guess my secret and decide you no longer wanted to stay by my side?"

Yu Chiyi’s face flushed crimson as he vehemently denied it. "I didn’t! I wouldn’t!"

Finally, he threw his hands up in surrender, the imposing general putting on an innocent act. "I’m being framed!"

Su Yu smiled at him. "But it’s alright. I trust you, so don’t betray that trust."

Yu Chiyi perked right up, answering heartily, "Your Majesty can count on me!"

He glanced up at the sky. "Stay for lunch before you leave. I’ll have the kitchen prepare your favorite mutton dishes for Your Majesty."

Yu Chiyou looked at Yu Chiyi, who had perked right up again, then at Su Yu.

Su Yu gave him a smile, and he grinned in return. So, what was Her Majesty’s secret? It'd come to light when the time was right.