They've already breached the palace, yet all they ask of me is an edict of self-reproach.

Meanwhile, in a secret military camp outside the capital.

Zhao Ji led Empress Qi to the command platform and looked down at the Shenji Battalion soldiers practicing below.

As the first round of drills ended, the expression on Empress Qi's face became incredibly interesting.

Empress Qi had served as regent for a period of time and came from a military family, so how could she not understand how terrifying the musket's role on the battlefield was?

"Your Majesty, this thing...?" Empress Qi couldn't help but ask.

Zhao Ji smiled and gave Qi Yuanqing a wink. Qi Yuanqing immediately understood and began to explain to Empress Qi.

After hearing Qi Yuanqing's explanation, Empress Qi was both surprised and delighted. It turned out that His Majesty had been hiding his true abilities all these years.

On the surface, he is practicing Taoism, but in reality, he is researching this thing.

"With this, Your Majesty will surely be able to decisively defeat the enemy army."

Empress Qi looked at Zhao Ji with excitement, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration.

What wife in the world doesn't wish her husband to be a great hero?

Zhao Ji smiled, feeling quite pleased with the adoring gaze of Empress Qi.

At this moment, Qi Yuanqing said, "Your Majesty, based on the Shenji Battalion's combat methods, I have developed a set of tactics. I wonder if they are feasible."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji became somewhat interested and gestured for Qi Yuanqing to demonstrate.

Qi Yuanqing accepted the order and walked to the front of the command platform to issue commands.

Soon, a group of Shenji Battalion soldiers on the training ground immediately split into three ranks.

The first platoon fires, then retreats to the back of the column to reload. The second platoon immediately moves forward to fire, then retreats to the back of the column as well. The third platoon then fires, and so on.

After reading it, Zhao Ji's eyes lit up.

That Qi Yuanqing is truly a genius.

Zhao Ji naturally knew this tactic, but due to time constraints, he forgot to tell Qi Yuanqing.

Unexpectedly, Qi Yuanqing was self-taught.

"Haha, great!" Zhao Ji was overjoyed.

"It is my honor to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Qi Yuanqing quickly said humbly.

"The Emperor's brother-in-law need not be modest."

Zhao Ji stepped forward and patted Qi Yuanqing on the shoulder, solemnly saying, "It is a blessing for the people of Dali and for me that Dali has a talent like the Imperial Uncle."

Upon receiving such praise from His Majesty, Qi Yuanqing immediately knelt down and said from the bottom of his heart:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to die for you!"

Zhao Ji nodded slightly, then looked at Empress Qi beside him: "Does Your Majesty know why I brought you here today?"

"I do not know."

Empress Qi shook her head. She was already overwhelmed with gratitude that His Majesty had told her such a secret, so she couldn't possibly think of anything else.

Zhao Ji glanced at the ten thousand Shenji Battalion soldiers on the training ground, pondered for a moment, and said calmly:

"The Dali Kingdom is currently beset by internal and external troubles. I am on a campaign and do not know when I will be able to return to the capital. Therefore, I need you to help me guard the capital. Of the 10,000 Shenji Battalion, I will leave 5,000 men to you for direct command, in case of emergency."

Zhao Ji had his reasons for having Qi Yuanqing form a Shenji Battalion of 10,000 men all at once.

Although Xiliang has been temporarily contained, Zhao Ji still has to be wary of Zhennan King in the southern border region.

Zhao Ji certainly didn't want to return to the capital only to find his home had been robbed.

Moreover, five thousand Shenji Battalion soldiers were enough for Zhao Ji.

"Your Majesty, this..."

Empress Qi was so flattered by Zhao Ji's trust that she was momentarily at a loss for words.

Qi Yuanqing was both surprised and unsurprised. As the head of the Surveillance Department, in charge of intelligence across the country, he was well aware of the current situation in Dali. It was reasonable for His Majesty to leave 5,000 Shenji Battalion soldiers to guard the capital.

What Qi Yuanqing didn't expect was that His Majesty would actually let the Empress take command of the 5,000-strong Divine Machine Battalion.

His Majesty's favor towards the Qi family is something they could never repay, even with their lives.

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "What, does the Empress perhaps not wish to share my burdens?"

"Your Majesty, I naturally wish to share your burdens, but I lack the knowledge to lead troops..."

The Shenji Battalion was of paramount importance, concerning the survival of the capital, and Empress Qi worried that she might not be able to handle the task properly.

"Your Majesty, please do not worry."

Zhao Ji grasped Empress Qi's fair and delicate hand and said calmly, "Isn't there also the Imperial Brother-in-law?"

Qi Yuanqing immediately declared, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to assist you."

Zhao Ji nodded: "Let's go back to the palace."

"Your Majesty is departing!"

On the drill ground, the soldiers of the Shenji Battalion immediately knelt down to respectfully see Zhao Ji off.

Upon returning to the palace, Zhao Ji summoned his ministers and convened a court assembly in the Golden Palace to discuss the upcoming expedition.

……

Now let's talk about the southern border.

In the heart of the Ten Thousand Mountains, in a secluded valley where hundreds of flowers bloom.

After learning from Zhao Kai, the heir of the Prince of Zhennan, that the Empress and the Princess were still alive, the two sisters, Chenyu and Luoyan, immediately came here.

"Master, I have something important to ask you."

Shen Yu stood outside the stone gate and spoke respectfully.

After a short while, a clear, cold voice with profound inner strength came from inside the stone gate: "Didn't I tell you? Don't disturb me here unless it's important during your seclusion."

"Master, this matter concerns the Empress and the Princess."

Chen Yu hurriedly said.

Upon hearing her master's voice, Luo Yan instinctively lowered her head.

The two sisters both respected and feared their master, who had raised them from childhood and taught them martial arts.

boom--!

The stone door suddenly vibrated and then opened.

A graceful young woman slowly walked out.

She was dressed in plain clothes and without makeup, yet she possessed a cool and aloof air about her.

Her features were exquisite, her eyes like cold stars, her clear gaze concealing a hint of fierceness. When she stood still, she resembled a plum blossom in the snow, elegant and aloof. When she moved, her figure was as light as a crane, her steps exuding a dashing and heroic spirit.

Unlike the typical delicate women of the inner chambers, she possessed a chivalrous spirit hidden between her brows, and her eyes were calm and resolute. She had both the gentle grace of a woman and the forthright character of a man of the martial world.

If you look closely, you'll notice that this woman's eyebrows and brows bear some resemblance to Li Qingguo's, but their temperaments are completely different.

Of course, this woman's beauty was in no way inferior to Li Qingguo's; she was also a rare and exquisite femme fatale.

"Greetings, Master."

The two sisters, Chenyu and Luoyan, quickly bowed.

"Fish, you say it concerns the Empress and the Princess? Where did you get this information?"

Without further ado, Li Xiuyue directly asked the question that had been bothering her.

She had never believed that the Empress was dead, so how could Li Xiuyue not be excited now that she had news of her?

"Master, it's like this..."

Shen Yu dared not delay and immediately relayed the information she had obtained from Zhao Kai, the heir of the Prince of Zhennan.

Upon hearing this, a rare smile appeared on Li Xiuyue's usually icy and beautiful face.

The Prince of Zhennan is not a fool; he wouldn't try to fool her with such unverifiable information, so this news is 90% likely true.

The queen is not dead, and the princess is still alive...

"Good, good, that's wonderful! The Queen and the Princess are still alive."

Li Xiuyue muttered something to herself, then instructed the two sisters, "You two go to the capital immediately. Remember, you only need to find out the whereabouts of the Empress and the Princess, and you must not alert them."

Li Xiuyue knew very well that the capital was heavily guarded, and with the head of the Renzong Daoist sect in charge, they would need to rely on the power of the Prince of Zhennan to rescue the Empress and the Princess.

"Your disciple obeys."

The fish that sink and the geese that fall from the sky replied in unison.

After a moment's thought, Chen Yu asked, "Master, what about the assassination attempt on the Emperor of Dali?"

Li Xiuyue thought for a moment and said, "This matter cannot be rushed and needs to be discussed at length. I will personally go to see the Prince of Zhennan. Your current task is to go to the capital to protect the Empress and the Princess. Wait for my news regarding the rest."

"Yes."

With Li Xiuyue's intervention, the two sisters, Chenyu and Luoyan, suddenly had a pillar of support.

Afterwards, the three women left the valley together.

Li Xiuyue went to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, while Chenyu and Luoyan went to the capital.