With wives as numerous as clouds and soldiers as numerous as a million, you say he's a useless

Zhao Xuefu was startled; she had no doubt that Ye Chengan truly possessed this ability.

Therefore, as long as the Emperor and his elder brother dare to detain Ye Cheng'an and plot to attack the northern border, the Great Qian Dynasty will once again be plunged into bloodshed.

She can only hope that her father will see the situation clearly and stop dreaming of taking back the northern border.

Unexpectedly, when the group arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a eunuch from Emperor Qian's side came to deliver an imperial edict: "His Majesty has ordered that Ye Cheng'an, the Prince of the Northern Border, be summoned inside."

Zhao Ji'an and Zhao Xuefu wanted to go with them, but the eunuch blocked their way with his whisk. "His Majesty's intention is to summon only the King of the Northern Border to enter."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji'an and his companion immediately frowned.

Could it be that Father Emperor is still eyeing the northern border even now?

He doesn't even realize that if it weren't for Ye Cheng'an, the Great Qian Dynasty would have fallen into the hands of three treacherous villains!

Moreover, with such powerful weapons, wouldn't it be an easy task for Ye Cheng'an to overthrow the royal family?

Going against Ye Cheng'an now would be the most unwise thing to do!

"Step aside, I need to speak with my father personally!" Zhao Ji'an said urgently.

Zhao Xuefu also said, "I also want to see my father."

However, Emperor Qian's voice came from inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, "What? Are you worried that I'll eat the King of the Northern Border?"

"I just want to talk to him alone and see what kind of person this man is who has managed to win over my proud and arrogant daughter."

Regardless of whether Emperor Qian's words were true or false, Ye Cheng'an said to Zhao Ji'an and Zhao Xuefu, "Crown Prince, Princess, I am merely going in to meet the Emperor. You two need not worry. His Majesty will certainly not make things difficult for a meritorious official who helped the court restore order, will he?"

Zhao Ji'an had no choice but to give way.

Zhao Xuefu whispered in Ye Cheng'an's ear, "Father loves me the most. If he really wants to make things difficult for you, just tell him that we are secretly pregnant."

Upon hearing this, Ye Cheng'an felt a warmth in his heart, affectionately patted Zhao Xuefu's head, and then strode into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The Qian Emperor inside the hall was not wearing a dragon robe, but rather a very loose long robe, with his hair casually tied halfway back.

But even just that is enough to exert a tremendous sense of pressure.

"I heard that you cast Ye Jinglan and Su Wanrou into terracotta figures, making them kneel before your maternal grandparents' graves to confess your sins?"

Ye Cheng'an nodded. "Does Your Majesty consider my actions too cruel?"

Emperor Qian shook his head. "Actually... your maternal grandfather and I had some interactions."

Ye Chengan said, "I have heard that my maternal grandfather had a very good relationship with Your Majesty and once followed Your Majesty in battles across the land, laying the foundation for the Great Yan dynasty."

"That's why my grandfather became the King of the North."

"However, it seems that the imperial court has been eyeing the northern border with covetous intent all these years."

"His Majesty must have forgotten the past affection he shared with his maternal grandfather."

After Ye Cheng'an finished speaking, he stared intently at Emperor Qian with his dark eyes, not wanting to miss the slightest change in his expression.

However, Emperor Qian suddenly laughed, "Do you think that my covetousness towards the northern border all these years is because I've forgotten the past affection I shared with your maternal grandfather?"

"Oh."

"You underestimate my narrow-mindedness and the influence of your maternal grandfather."

"Indeed, I do wish to reclaim the northern border, but it is precisely because of the friendship between me and your maternal grandfather."

Ye Cheng'an was completely bewildered. "What does Your Majesty mean by that?"

Emperor Qian said, "When your maternal grandfather was in power, I never interfered with the Northern Border in the slightest. The reason why Ye Jinglan frequently interfered with the internal affairs of the Northern Border during his reign was because..."

"you."

"Back then, I jokingly told your maternal grandfather that your mother would become the Empress of the Great Yan, while he would guard the northern border. But your maternal grandfather said that once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea, and he didn't want his daughter to become one of the many concubines."

"I assured him that I could marry only one person for your mother's sake, but your maternal grandfather said that people's hearts are fickle, and the imperial family is the most ruthless."

"Only he dares to say such a thing to me."

At this point, Emperor Qian sighed heavily, "That's why I gave up the idea of ​​making your mother the Empress of the Great Qian Dynasty, but I never expected that she would be deceived by Ye Jinglan."

"I want to reclaim the northern border because I know that he married another woman shortly after your mother's death and had a son with her!"

"It's because he knows that his favoritism towards his illegitimate son over his legitimate son is not good for me, the son of an old friend."

"But as you have seen over the years, the situation within the court has become increasingly dire. With three treacherous officials in power, it is not so easy for me to intervene in matters in the northern border. Therefore, this time, I have sent Xue Fu there."

"On the one hand, they spy on the military situation in the north, providing the imperial court with an opportunity to exploit."

"On the one hand, if she goes, she can help me protect you."

"..." Ye Cheng'an never expected that there would be such a story between Emperor Qian and his mother.

So, his mother was Emperor Qian's unrequited love?

"How can I trust His Majesty?" He remained skeptical as to why the Qian Emperor would suddenly say these things to him.

Emperor Qian said, "If you don't believe me, you can come and see for yourself in my harem."

"Your mother's shadow can be seen in all the concubines in my harem."

"Substitute literature?" Ye Chengan was taken aback.

Immediately afterwards, Emperor Qian took out several more portraits.

"These are all paintings I have painted myself over the years. Whenever I miss your mother, I will paint one."

After seeing the densely packed scrolls behind Emperor Qian, Ye Cheng'an finally believed what Emperor Qian had said.

It turns out that the imperial court had been keeping an eye on the northern border all along, but Emperor Qian simply wanted to teach Ye Jinglan, his rival in love, a lesson for not giving up what he wanted.

And he helped the son of his old friend.

For some reason, Ye Cheng'an was even a little touched.

"So, His Majesty summoned me here today because..." Ye Cheng'an asked, puzzled.

Emperor Qian said, "I am getting old, and you and the Crown Prince have both grown up."

"I have been confined to the palace my whole life. Now, I want to go out and see the world."

"Where to?" Ye Cheng'an asked subconsciously.

Emperor Qian said, word by word, "The Northern Border."

"I want to visit your maternal grandfather and mother, to walk the paths they once walked, and to feel the winds they once felt."

"Recall the days when the three of us fought side by side against the enemy."

"In short, from now on, you should help the Crown Prince more."

"...Your Majesty, I am returning to the Northern Territory," Ye Cheng'an said.

Emperor Qian laughed, "The northern border is harsh and windy, far less fertile than the capital. I will make you and the Crown Prince coexist as emperors, and then hold a grand wedding for you and Xue Fu. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"What about my troops in the north?"

"If you wish to bring them all to the capital," Emperor Qian said.

Ye Cheng'an pondered for a moment and said, "I am afraid I cannot accept the imperial decree. I still prefer to return to the Northern Border. Furthermore... I believe that my troops will also prefer their homeland."

Seeing Ye Cheng'an's insistence, Emperor Qian had no choice but to abandon the idea of ​​letting Ye Cheng'an stay in the capital. "You may return to the northern border, but the matter of having two emperors cannot be changed."

"Guards, convey my decree: Ye Cheng'an, the Prince of the Northern Border, has restored order and saved my life; from this day forward, he shall stand alongside the Crown Prince as one of the two emperors!"

"Court officials regard Emperor Ye as if he were the crown prince."

"Tomorrow, I will personally hold the enthronement ceremony for the Crown Prince and Emperor Ye in the capital, and the princess's wedding will also take place at the same time!"

"The Great Qian Dynasty hasn't had any happy events in a long time, so let's take this opportunity to have a good celebration."