In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

Empress Wu swept her gaze across the military officers in the hall. Rows of armor gleamed with a cold metallic sheen, yet all of them bowed their heads in silence.

A cold glint flashed in her eyes.

General Cheng Wuting of the Left Valiant Guard suddenly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to the southwest in person."

"That's not appropriate. The defense of the northern frontier is more important and cannot be done without you." Empress Wu said calmly. "Since no one else is speaking, you will recommend someone."

After a moment's thought, Cheng Wuting announced in a loud voice: "I recommend Cui Yutang as the commander-in-chief for suppressing the rebellion in the southwest."

The hall fell silent instantly, followed by a commotion as everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

It was almost unprecedented since the founding of the Tang Dynasty for a civil official to be appointed as commander-in-chief in a major battle of suppressing a rebellion in the southwest.

"Cui Yutang? That top scholar?"

"How old is he? Where did he get his experience leading troops?"

"General Cheng, what is the meaning of this—"

Ignoring the discussions in the hall and without waiting for the Empress to inquire about the reason, Cheng Wuting continued to speak loudly.

"The evidence of Prince Rong'an's treason was collected and brought back by Cui Yutang from the southwest, which shows that he is familiar with the local situation. This man has personally captured Gu soldiers and is well-versed in how to fight against such enemies. Moreover—" His voice deepened, and his gaze swept over the crowd.

"Furthermore, when the eldest son of the Prince of Rong'an plotted a rebellion, it was he who calmly deployed the Imperial Guards to protect His Majesty and the Empress. In terms of knowledge of the strategic location and the war situation in the southwest, as well as strategy and courage, Cui Yutang is the best choice."

"I object!" A hurried voice rang out from the ranks of civil officials, echoing throughout the hall.

Cui Zhinuan almost staggered out of the line, and knelt down immediately, showing how anxious he was.

"Your Majesty, Cui Yutang is a civil official with no experience in leading troops into battle. I believe that a veteran general with extensive battlefield experience should be chosen instead."

Empress Wu stared at him intently, all eyes in the hall focused on him, each with their own thoughts.

"Lord Cui, you are mistaken," Cheng Wuting continued in a deep voice. "The terrain and customs of the Southwest are complex, and poisonous insects are rampant. It is very different from ordinary battlefields. The commander-in-chief values ​​wisdom and the ability to coordinate and respond to changes. If you are worried about the lack of combat experience, you can send two deputy generals to assist you."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider." Cui Zhinu knelt on the ground with her hands on the ground, her eyes red-rimmed.

Empress Wu was silent for a moment, then her voice softened: "Minister Cui, I know you only have one son, Cui Yutang, but parents who love their children will plan far ahead for them."

Cui Zhinuan's shoulders tensed suddenly, and tears fell onto the cold hall.

"In ancient times, wise ministers could all rise to the ranks of generals and prime ministers. Cui Yutang's talent should not be confined to the imperial court."

Her gaze sharpened as she looked down at the assembled civil and military officials, her voice suddenly rising.

"Cui Yutang was exceptionally appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of the Southwest and Military Advisor, thus taking overall command of the war situation in the Southwest as a civil official."

"Cheng Chuliang and Li Zhige were military officers and deputy generals under his command, assisting him in suppressing the rebellion in the southwest."

The court officials fell silent for a moment. After exchanging glances, they bowed in unison and chanted, "Your subjects obey the decree; the Empress is wise and benevolent."

After the court session ended, Cui Zhinuan stood alone in the same spot.

When the civil officials saw him, they were unsure whether to congratulate him or pity him, so they all avoided him and dared not walk with him.

The idea of ​​civil officials commanding military affairs was an unprecedented move, and the generals all had different expressions, exchanging glances but daring not to speak out of turn.

After all, nobody wants to be sent to the southwest to die.

Dusk is falling.

The dining hall of Chaoyi Villa was warmly lit, and the stream outside the window was tinged with a dark orange by the last rays of sunlight.

Cui Yutang was coaxing the dejected Xie Yige.

"Baby, can you have another bite?" He picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and brought it to her lips.

She had been practicing hard these past few days and hadn't had much of an appetite. She would only take one bite before shaking her head, which made him very distressed.

Just as he was about to coax her again, Baoyu suddenly walked in: "Master, your husband is here."

Xie Yige instantly came to her senses. She sat up straight and tidied her hair and clothes.

Cui Yutang patted her little head: "Baby, you can sit here, you don't need to go out. I'll go greet your father."

He got up and walked towards the entrance of the villa, his pace quickening slightly compared to usual.

Xie Yige waited for almost the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before she saw them approach.

Cui Zhinu's expression was unreadable, but the weariness in her eyes was undeniable. She had already been standing at the entrance of the dining hall to greet him, and upon seeing Cui Zhinu, quickly stepped forward and gave a curtsy: "Father."

Cui Zhinuan's expression softened, and she nodded slightly, gesturing for the two of them to sit down together.

He turned to the dining table and saw that the food hadn't been touched much, so he knew that neither of them had eaten more than a few bites.

"Let's have our meal first."

Cui Zhinuan came over without even taking off her official robes, and Cui Yutang knew that there must be trouble in the court.

The three of them finished their meal quietly.

After serving tea and remaining silent for a short while, Cui Zhinuan told Cui Yutang about the debate that had taken place in the main hall that day and the Empress's decree.

He took out an imperial edict from his sleeve and handed it to Cui Yutang.

Cui Yutang unfolded the imperial edict, his gaze quickly sweeping across the entire document. He raised an eyebrow, his eyes lingering for a moment on the names "Cheng Chuliang" and "Li Zhige."

"It seems the Empress and General Cheng had planned this all along." He closed the imperial edict and placed it back on the table, a helpless smile playing on his lips. "They put on a show for you all in the palace."

Cui Zhinuan paused for a moment, then fell silent. He pondered the back-and-forth in the hall, Cheng Wuting's recommendation, the Empress's go-with-the-flow, and even the fact that the deputy general was already in place—this was clearly a pre-arranged scheme.

"I never expected that I wouldn't even have the chance to refuse in person." Cui Yutang forced a bitter smile.

He quietly took Xie Yige's hand under the table, gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.

Cui Yutang and Xie Yige had been on tenterhooks for days, and now they were finally dead.

Cui Yutang's eyes hardened with a calm and determined seriousness as he looked solemnly at Cui Zhinuan.

"Father, this may be an opportunity for our Cui family. The aristocratic families have been stripped of their military power for a long time. The Empress's move must be to break the existing balance. We must seize this opportunity."

"Don't worry," he softened his voice, "I still have to take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days, I won't let anything happen to myself."

Cui Zhinu looked at him for a long time, then nodded: "Things have come to this point, your father will support you. Prepare yourself well."

He said no more, stood up, patted Cui Yutang on the shoulder, and then returned to the Prime Minister's residence with Cui Zu.

The footsteps faded into the night, like ripe fruit falling to the ground, heavy and silent.

As Xie Yige watched his departing figure, she felt a lump in her throat. Cui Yutang walked up from behind and put his arm around her shoulder.

"My husband, I want a hug."

Xie Yige was very restless at night. She kept clinging to him and calling his name in her sleep, asking for a hug.

Cui Yutang lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, holding her and gently coaxing her, but his heart was being stung by a dense, persistent pain.

His eyes gradually reddened in the dim candlelight.