Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

......

Northern Mang.

Inside the tent, Helian Yunni was now furious.

The fire was so intense that it could set the tent ablaze.

Helian Xiong, his face covered in mud, was kneeling in front of him.

"Last time I gave you five thousand men, and you came back on your own. This time I gave you two thousand men, and you came back on your own again."

"Helian Xiong, do I owe you anything?"

Helian Xiong was ordered to raid Lulong, leading two thousand elite cavalry.

It can be used for both offense and defense.

They were already in an invincible position, but in the end, they were completely wiped out in Lulong.

Helian Yunni was furious.

"Five thousand men were swallowed up by Chen Shao. I admit it. Chen Shao is indeed not easy to deal with."

"But you, a military commander and a bandit general who surrendered, are both top warriors of Northern Mang, yet you can't even defeat a bandit?"

Helian Xiong also looked aggrieved.

"Your Majesty, this humble general originally... originally had the upper hand..."

"Wu Song led his troops out of the city to meet the enemy. I fought him for more than thirty rounds and defeated him in succession."

"Just when we were about to capture him alive, that bastard suddenly said, 'If you're so capable, dismount and fight me on foot.' I was careless for a moment..."

"But I never expected him to be so formidable off the horse..."

Helian Xiong explained that he was captured alive due to carelessness, and Wu Song led his troops to launch a surprise attack, wiping out the two thousand men who had lost their commander.

Helian Xiong claimed that he killed dozens of guards to escape.

But the Empress could tell from his expression that he had been released to humiliate the Northern Barbarians.

"Your Majesty, please give this humble general another chance..."

"Get out! Let me have some peace and quiet!"

Helian Yunni sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

She even suspected that Helian Xiong had been driven mad by Chen Shao.

She used to be a very shrewd person.

He was a bit reckless, but not stupid.

How could someone who's been leading troops for so long fall for such a provocation?

It's really a headache.

She stood alone in the tent, her gaze returning to the enormous map.

"Go south! Go south!"

Helian Yunni slammed her fist on the table.

At that moment, the tent flap was lifted, and the voice of her personal guard interrupted her thoughts:

"Your Majesty, Mr. Wu has returned."

Helian Yunni turned around abruptly, the gloom on her face vanishing instantly.

A slender figure strode into the tent and knelt down.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

It was that familiar voice.

Wu Xingyun quickly went to meet him and personally helped him up.

They couldn't contain their joy.

"How are you? You weren't wronged, were you?"

Wu Xingyun did not get up, but remained kneeling there.

"What happened? Did the mission fail?"

The Empress noticed her unusual behavior and immediately burst into laughter:

"It's a mistake, it's a mistake, it's not a big deal."

"It's good that he's alive; life is more challenging when he's alive."

"You don't need to blame yourself. I still need to discuss the matter of heading south with you. Rise and speak."

Wu Xingyun remained kneeling there.

She took a deep breath and looked up.

"Your Majesty...I have failed in your trust..."

"Why are you being so indecisive today? I've already said it's nothing. Actually, I don't want Chen Shao to die so easily. That would make the southward journey much less enjoyable."

She reached out to help him up again, but Wu Xingyun knelt even deeper.

"Your Majesty, could we... perhaps not head south...?"

Helian Yunni's hand froze in mid-air, her brows furrowing slightly before relaxing again.

"Oh, you think the timing isn't right? Your concerns are valid; I am also waiting for an opportunity."

"Chen Shao has been making too many moves lately, killing aristocratic families, bestowing titles of princes, and even planning to go south to take action against the vassal kings. The Central Plains are bound to be thrown into chaos."

"Rest assured, I will not act rashly without absolute certainty."

"No."

Wu Xingyun's eyes were already brimming with tears.

"What I mean is, could we...stop going south in the future and instead establish friendly relations with the Great Yan through trade..."

"Wh...what?"

Helian Yunni's smile vanished completely.

She looked down at the woman she trusted most.

Slowly, his gaze turned cold.

"So, you've come back this time to act as an intermediary for Chen Shao?"

"So, this time, your attempt to use your feminine wiles not only failed to kill Chen Shao, but actually led to his surrender?"

"But...that's unlikely. I know you, Wu Xingyun, better than anyone."

"A person like you is naturally cold-blooded, ruthless, and devoid of emotion. How could you... be willing to turn against me to advise me?"

Wu Xingyun shook his head.

"Your Majesty, it's because I understand what he said."

The combination of a Chinese-style succubus and a golden kidney is irresistible to most.

"He gave me hope for civilization."

"I saw a world where everyone has food to eat, everyone has land to cultivate, and everyone has books to read."

"There..."

"That's enough!"

Enraged, Helian Yunni clutched her chest and took several steps back.

She pointed at Wu Xingyun, her hand trembling.

"How...how could you say such a thing?"

"How much blood have the warriors of the grasslands shed, how many have died, and you expect me to cease hostilities with just a word?"

"All talk of civilization is bullshit; it's just a pie in the sky painted by someone else."

"You, Wu Xingyun, have gone out for a while, and look what's happened! You! You've disappointed me greatly!"

Tears streamed down Wu Xingyun's face.

"Your Majesty, quite the opposite, it is precisely because I have Your Majesty in my eyes that I offer this advice."

"If Your Majesty insists on the southern expedition, the grasslands will surely be annihilated!"

"shut up!!!"

The Empress could no longer contain her anger and drew her dagger with a clang.

He took a few steps forward and pressed his hand against Wu Xingyun's throat.

"Do you believe I'll kill you right now?!"

"I owe Your Majesty a life. If Your Majesty wishes to take it back today, I will have no complaints."

"I hope that my death will awaken Your Majesty's senses."

"You! You! You!"

Clang.

The dagger fell to the ground.

The Empress held her forehead with both hands, forcing herself to calm down.

No, no, no.

Wu Xingyun is definitely not the kind of person who likes any kind of civilization.

Did she make a deal with Chen Shao?

That doesn't seem like it, otherwise she wouldn't have been so direct.

They would try to secretly hinder his southward journey.

Such frankness shows that she is reluctant to part with her sisterly bond, and her willingness to help Chen Shao only proves one thing.

She fell in love with him?

Even the coldest woman has a passionate heart.

So, the Empress suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Wu Xingyun, oh Wu Xingyun."

"Are you in love with him, or are you in love with him?"

"If it's the former, don't worry. As long as you change your mind, I'll catch all the hunks in the world for you."

"If it's the latter, then you're truly beyond help."

........................

(Thanks to user 30922490)

Hooray for the amazing update from the master!