Back in the imperial harem, the Empress sat on her chair, gazing blankly at the light snow falling outside.
No one else stood around; the serving maids and eunuchs had all been dismissed by the Empress.
"Mengdie, oh Mengdie, why must it be this way? Your disposition is utterly unsuited to be a ruler, you don't even seem like a normal person."
"You couldn't even manage a regional prince, and you were so impatient to rebel. How could you possibly be fit to rule the world?"
"Did I not know that your elder sister, Baihua, was also not entirely suited to be ruler at this time? But she is the eldest daughter, and you are not. She inherently possessed legitimate status, the support of the ancestors and the noble families. Yet, why must you be so stubborn?"
The Empress muttered to herself, a sudden wave of regret washing over her. "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have let you two out. Then this scene of mother and daughter turning against each other would never have occurred."
If I had known, I wouldn't have granted you that cultivation technique. But if not for that, how could you have survived to this day?
Heavens, why is it like this? Is the path of a ruler truly one of solitude?
At this moment, the Empress lost her usual dignity, appearing like the worried mother of a child.
But no matter what, while she was a mother, she was also the ruler of a nation.
A ruler is an emperor; an emperor is a solitary figure; it is said that no one can be trusted, only oneself can endure.
"A general's success is built upon ten thousand bones; a general's success is built upon ten thousand bones! It is fate, it is destiny!"
The Empress sighed repeatedly.
If, in the past, the imperial sisters had not fought for this position, and if the nation had not been in turmoil, I might not have embarked on this path. Perhaps things would be different now?
But time, after all, cannot be turned back. The path I chose is paved with bones. I am no longer a carefree prince, but...
"A heartless monarch!"
The Empress slowly opened her eyes, which had been closed for some time. The confusion and sorrow were gone, replaced by a calm, almost cold, gaze.
"Mengdie is my daughter. Since you have chosen this path, like your mother, there is no turning back."
"Let me see if you have grown, now that you are free from my protection!"
After the morning court, Chu Chen, returning to the political affairs hall to busy himself with work, was unaware of the Empress's psychological shift. He was engrossed in handling official duties.
As for the bandits, no conclusion was reached in the court session. However, everyone knew that these bandits were being harbored by Chu Chen, and that he had instigated them to attack the convoy transporting supplies for the Second Princess, Li Mengdie.
No one knew the Empress's state of mind, and the matter was strangely put on hold.
But could the aristocratic families and the representatives of the court officials be content? It was impossible.
Several days later, an ordinary convoy continued its journey towards Mengdie County in Shizhou, appearing no different from previous trips.
"Hurry up, you pigs!"
The shouts and curses continued.
But upon closer inspection, one could see that although the leader wore different clothes, he was secretly communicating with his escorts.
"Elders, do you think the bandits will come again?"
"They will surely come. They don't know that our martial arts sects are involved in this convoy."
"That's good. It's just that I still feel uneasy."
"Manager, rest assured. With our protection, the convoy will be safe."
"Mm-hmm."
As they were secretly discussing, a faint tremor was suddenly felt again.
"They're here, the bandits are here! I can't be mistaken, this isn't an earthquake, it's the rhythmic sound of hooves!"
"They're finally here. I thought these bandits wouldn't dare to show themselves!"
The escorts of the convoy exchanged glances and quickly transmitted messages to the disciples disguised within the convoy.
Soon, the seemingly unprepared convoy had quietly made preparations for battle.
Over a hundred laborers, dressed in coarse cloth, had reached beneath the rice sacks on the carts, their hands gripping the hidden weapons.
A moment later, dark figures appeared on the horizon.
The convoy manager cried out in feigned terror, "Not good! It's bandits! The bandits are back! Run!"
Saying this, he turned his horse and fled.
Seeing this, the others dared not stay, wishing they had more legs.
Soon, the bandits reached the front of the convoy. They looked at the trembling laborers hiding under and behind the carts, but did not linger, intending to pursue the fleeing guards.
As the bandit troop reached the middle of the convoy, hundreds of the seemingly trembling laborers suddenly changed their expressions and grinned menacingly, "Bandits! Die for me!"
"?!"
The cavalry in the middle suddenly froze, filled with confusion.
But at this moment, these individuals dressed as laborers inexplicably produced swords and knives, kicked off the carts for leverage, and charged towards the bandits ahead.
Instantly, the scene descended into chaos.
The bandits were bewildered by the sudden appearance of weapons and the martial arts skills of these individuals, but they were certain they had walked into an ambush.
"Not good! Quickly inform the leader, this is a trap! The rest of you, fight with me!"
A bandit of slightly higher status in the middle suddenly shouted, and then, along with those beside him, resisted the attacks from both sides.
Facing the sudden assault and lacking the advantage of a cavalry charge, the bandit formation was cut in half and thrown into disarray.
The manager, who had been leading the escape at the front, heard the shouts from behind and his face lit up. He turned his horse and shouted, "Everyone! The bandits have fallen for the trap! Follow me and kill!"
With that, he led his escorts towards the direction of their escape.
The bandit leader's gaze turned cold. He knew it was a stratagem, but the rear was already in chaos and retreat was difficult. He could only shout, "The rear, charge to both sides! Surround their middle section! The rest of you, follow me!"
"Kill!"
The sounds of combat were deafening as both sides clashed, relentlessly striking each other with their weapons.
A bandit, having just thrust his spear through a fallen laborer, did not notice the person behind him. He was stabbed from behind and then rolled on the ground with his attacker's corpse for several rounds.
Another laborer, desperately parrying the bandit's spear with his saber, was at a disadvantage due to the short reach of his weapon. After several dodges, he was impaled by a spear and died, blood spraying out with the force of the blow.
The bandit leader, engaging with the manager, felt a difference from before.
"You're actually in the Body Tempering realm?"
"Haha, more than that! Die!"
The manager shouted, rallying his surrounding escorts to attack.
One of them, who had been silent until now, unleashed an attack imbued with lightning.
"Foundation Establishment realm! Damn it!"