The complete annihilation of the Yue Kingdom's army, the scale of troop deployment and planning required for such an feat was beyond comprehension.
Upon hearing the news, the Emperor's first reaction was not joy, but a furrowed brow.
"Who accomplished this?"
The imperial messenger nodded. "It was the Grand General Who Guards the Nation."
"The Yue Kingdom's forces attacked the pass. The Grand General feigned defeat, luring them into the Luoyuan Tianqian chasm, and then led his troops to surround and annihilate the rebels!"
Utilizing the natural terrain and meticulous pre-emptive deployment, this was indeed an achievable task.
The Emperor's expression flickered slightly upon hearing this, and he said, "I understand."
As the Emperor's retinue returned to the palace, Feng Yin Wan was in Shou Kang Palace attending to the Empress Dowager's wounds.
The slash across her neck, while not fatal, was extremely deep. Fortunately, Jiang Ru Mo had already provided basic treatment in the sleeping chambers, so Feng Yin Wan did not have to expend much effort.
Just as she finished removing the needle, the Emperor entered, his gaze fixed on the Empress Dowager, his expression filled with concern.
"How is the Empress Dowager's condition?"
Feng Yin Wan reported truthfully. The Emperor nodded for a moment and then said, "This battle was a great victory. I have already issued a decree for the Grand General Who Guards the Nation to lead his troops back to the capital. You and your daughter will be reunited by the day after tomorrow at the latest."
Feng Yin Wan's heart stirred upon hearing this, and the fingers of her hand, hanging by her side, tightened.
The Emperor glanced at her and continued, "Your contributions, along with Jing Yuan's, were indispensable in eradicating the Yue Kingdom's rebels. When your father returns to the capital, I will personally host a banquet to commend this achievement. On that day, before all the court officials, I will announce a decree, publicly re-establishing the Grand General Who Guards the Nation's mansion."
This was something he had promised her from the beginning.
Feng Yin Wan had waited for this day for a long time. A surge of emotion welled up within her, and she cupped her hands in a bow, "This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your profound grace."
The Emperor nodded, glancing to the side, and said, "The Empress Dowager's injuries are not light. I trust your medical skills. Please take good care of her for these next few days."
Feng Yin Wan agreed.
With the unrest subsiding, there were still many matters to attend to in the palace. Before long, the Emperor departed for the Imperial Study.
Now that her identity was known, Feng Yin Wan no longer needed to act covertly. She had initially planned to move back to Jiuzhou Xiangxie, but out of consideration for the Empress Dowager's injuries, she stayed in a side hall of Shou Kang Palace, nearby.
The next morning, guards from Chang Le Palace arrived, stating that the Empress had been restless all night and had specifically requested to see her.
Feng Yin Wan's eyes darkened upon hearing this, but she was not surprised.
The Empress's ambition was evident. Although Ye Ting Zhu had died early, preventing her from successfully usurping the throne, the evidence of her tampering with the imperial edict was irrefutable, and she would surely not survive.
Currently, the Emperor, prioritizing the royal family's reputation, had confined her to Chang Le Palace. It was likely that in a few days, an announcement would be made that she had suffered a fright and passed away suddenly.
At this juncture, she undoubtedly had something she wished to say.
After breakfast, Feng Yin Wan checked on the Empress Dowager's injuries and then set off for Chang Le Palace.
The guards stationed at the entrance, seeing her arrive, immediately opened the palace gate. Feng Yin Wan stepped inside. In just one day, Chang Le Palace had been transformed.
The Emperor's command had been decisive, and everyone knew the Empress had no chance of recovery. Before the palace was sealed, all her belongings had been removed.
The vast palace hall was now empty, evoking a sense of desolation and decay.
As Feng Yin Wan walked in, she saw the Empress, impeccably dressed, sitting upright on a broken wooden chair.
In the midst of the palace's ruin, she attempted to maintain a semblance of elegance, unaware that her appearance was hollow and defeated, only serving to highlight her stubbornness and the absurdity of her situation.
Feng Yin Wan's gaze fell, and she heard the Empress say, "You've come."