The Cang Kingdom dispatched a mighty army of two hundred thousand troops, confronting the Mo Kingdom's forces with imposing grandeur.
Cang Yixuan, intending to persuade Qiao Ci to abandon her resistance, was startled by an object hurtling towards him, nearly causing him to fall from his horse.
Upon clearly identifying the projectile as the thoroughly deceased Princess Nanping, Cang Yixuan’s fury ignited, and the great battle was imminent.
Qiao Ci skillfully employed various military strategies on the battlefield. Her peerless martial arts, combined with soaring morale, decimated the Cang Kingdom's two hundred thousand strong army in just one month, leaving them in disarray.
The King of Cang was greatly alarmed and urgently requested reinforcements from other nations. However, the Mo Kingdom's generals grew fiercer with each battle. Faced with their combined elite forces, the allied armies seemed like mere rabble, utterly unable to withstand them…
Seeing the unfavorable turn of events, other nations retreated, withdrawing from the conflict.
There was no alternative; the Empress of Mo was too formidable. She alone could hold back thousands of soldiers. Who wouldn't be terrified?
Moreover, she did not overextend herself. When it was time to fight, she attacked with all her might. When the moment was right, she would swiftly retreat, faster than a rabbit, never lingering for prolonged engagement.
She employed tactics such as rolling rocks from mountains, setting traps underfoot, feigning an empty city, flooding, and arson… Her methods were varied and overwhelming, her cruelty and ruthlessness chilling!
Adding to this, the Empress was accompanied by a stunningly beautiful Imperial Husband. They would frequently display their affection, showering the onlookers with romantic gestures, only to turn and instantly eliminate dozens of people…
It was a torment to the heart and body, a tragedy beyond compare…
Seeing that victory was impossible, the Cang Kingdom had no choice but to surrender.
Everyone thought the conflict was finally over, and a period of recovery and recuperation would ensue.
However, the Empress of Mo did not accept the surrender. She pressed on to the capital of the Cang Kingdom, and from then on, the Cang Kingdom became a prefecture of the Mo Kingdom, directly managed by officials appointed by the Empress of Mo.
Overnight, the entire royal family of Cang became commoners, like Xiao Ren, no longer receiving the sustenance of the populace and needing to fend for themselves.
The monarchs of neighboring countries trembled, hastily tearing up their alliances with the Cang Kingdom. They decided to tuck their tails between their legs and refrain from provoking the Mo Kingdom for the time being.
Surely, peace could be maintained now.
Who would have thought that this madwoman would turn around, seize the alliance treaties between the King of Cang and them, and proactively seek retribution?
Witnessing the arrogance of the Mo Kingdom, these monarchs were pushed to their limits and decided to openly unite.
The Mo Kingdom, having just engaged in a fierce conflict with the Cang Kingdom, was in a state of weakness in terms of both military strength and morale. Why not strike while she was vulnerable and deliver a fatal blow?
Thus, the nations mobilized their forces, preparing to teach this young Empress a lesson!
Qiao Ci, unfazed and fearless, readily accepted the challenge!
Under her leadership, the Mo Kingdom's cavalry, as if tireless, trampled over one city after another.
However, this behavior of the Mo Empress did not cause widespread panic among the populace.
With every city conquered, the Empress would dispatch people to appease the local residents. As long as they did not resist or commit any offenses, they could enjoy the same treatment as the citizens of Mo.
For the common people, as long as they could live their lives well, it made little difference who their ruler was.
Furthermore, the Mo Kingdom had developed rapidly in the past two years, with its citizens living in peace and prosperity. Many from other countries envied the Mo Kingdom for having such a ruler dedicated to the nation and its people, wishing they were born in Mo to enjoy the new benefits.
This war resonated deeply with these people. Some even voluntarily provided information to the Mo soldiers, helping them avoid many detours.
Under the leadership of Empress Qiao Ci, this campaign was unstoppable, unifying the surrounding countries, both large and small, in less than three years.
This was historically known as the War of the Blue Companion.
Qiao Ci pointed at the vast expanse of territory before her, gesturing imperiously to Su Mo beside her, "See? This is the empire I conquered for you."
"From now on, you are the one and only Imperial Husband."
"Happy?"
Su Mo’s gaze never left Qiao Ci. Watching her arrogant and spirited demeanor as she schemed to please him, his heart melted.
He slowly lowered his head and gently kissed Qiao Ci's forehead, like the most devout of believers yearning for their deity.
Suddenly being kissed again by her little husband, Qiao Ci’s eyes sparkled.
Sweet love was truly wonderful!
This was her first romance, and she had little experience. Her little husband was so obedient and well-behaved, so naturally, she had to give him the best!
If he wanted to be with her, then they would be together openly.
When he was neglected and bullied by his family, she gave him the most noble status and strongest backing in the world, ensuring no one dared to look down on him or bully him.
When neighboring countries invaded, and he feared for her safety, he was willing to be used as a bargaining chip. So, she unified the neighboring countries, removing all his worries.
"He is just an ordinary person among the three thousand small worlds. Please, host, do not become too deeply involved." Xiao Jiuzi, who had witnessed Qiao Ci actively undertaking missions for love, fighting for power and influence, and even launching a crusade for her blue companion, sweeping across the Zhou Kingdom, kindly reminded her, worried that Qiao Ci would fall too deeply and be unable to extricate herself.
"It's merely raising a little pet," Qiao Ci replied lazily, her scummy girl aura causing Xiao Jiuzi to tremble!
Xiao Jiuzi, who had been worried about Qiao Ci, immediately felt indignant on behalf of the well-behaved and obedient Su Mo, "You, you, you! How could you say such a thing! Su Mo would be so heartbroken if he knew! He thought you loved him so much. If he knew it was all an act, all a deception, wouldn't he weep tears every day?"
"He won't be sad."
"Ah?"
"Because I can deceive him for a lifetime," Qiao Ci said expressionlessly, her tone indifferent.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiuzi fell into an unusual silence…
"I peeled an orange for you. Want a bite?" A hand with well-defined joints held out a peeled segment of orange towards Qiao Ci's mouth.
"Eat!" She opened her mouth and ate the orange segment. The sweet and sour juice washed over her taste buds, and Qiao Ci narrowed her eyes in enjoyment.
"Is it delicious? Su Mo's voice was clear and crisp, looking at the languid woman before him with doting eyes, starlight gathering in them.
"Delicious, very sweet, I want more," Qiao Ci said righteously.
"Let me taste…" Su Mo curved his lips, lowered his head, and gently kissed her lips…
While murmuring to Xiao Jiuzi about how clingy little puppies were, Qiao Ci efficiently shut it away in the small dark room.
Xiao Jiuzi: …Scummy girl!
*
Since the two were married, they had no children, causing great concern in the court. Qiao Ci explicitly stated that she would provide them with a qualified heir, which finally pacified the officials.
In their fifth year of marriage, Qiao Ci and Su Mo went on a private tour to Jiangnan and brought back a young boy, whom she immediately declared the future Crown Prince. Qiao Ci suppressed all the ensuing controversies.
Seeing the young Crown Prince diligently studying and exhibiting upright character, the officials were finally at ease.
Ten years passed in the blink of an eye.
Everyone witnessed firsthand the growing power of the Mo Kingdom and the Empress's unwavering affection for her Imperial Husband over the decade.
For decades, countless men had vied for her favor. Regardless of how handsome or outstanding they were, the Empress never gave them a second glance. Her harem had always consisted solely of Su Mo.
Su Mo did not abuse his favor; he cared for the Empress even more meticulously, being faultless in every aspect.
Except for the lack of an imperial heir, no one seemed more suitable to be the Imperial Husband.
One day, it began to snow, and Su Mo prepared to take Qiao Ci to see the plum blossoms he had personally planted.
Entering the imperial study, he saw Qiao Ci resting on a nearby couch and shook his head helplessly, assuming Her Majesty was playing her "sleeping beauty" game again.
He walked over and placed a kiss on her cheek. Su Mo's smile slowly stiffened, and his eyes showed a rare hint of panic.
Mustering the courage, he placed his trembling fingers beneath Qiao Ci's nose. The starlight in Su Mo's eyes began to shatter, to fall…
She had no breath.