Although the Empress had long been prepared, emptying half of the national treasury to recruit soldiers and buy horses.
However, they never expected the foreign invaders to be so fierce!
The neighboring country also joined in, wanting to annihilate the dynasty's territory along with the foreign invaders.
Internal strife and external aggression, facing enemies on all sides!
The imperial court had barely resolved the issues with the common people when they were plunged into chaos.
The Empress's mood was grim. She was still reviewing Xiao Ye's indictment.
"Your Majesty the Empress, these are the charges collected by your humble subjects. Prime Minister Xiao will not escape this time!"
The Grand Commandant and Marquis of Lin'an revealed excited expressions. They had frantically collected evidence of Prime Minister Xiao's corruption.
Because Xiao Ye had been in poor health recently and had no time to deal with them.
The Empress could then strip Xiao Ye of his position as Prime Minister as originally planned!
However, the situation was now precarious.
The Empress slammed the indictment onto the desk, her voice heavy, "Now that the foreign invaders are attacking the dynasty, I do not wish to move against Prime Minister Xiao for the time being!"
The Grand Commandant and Marquis of Lin'an looked troubled. "Then, how does Your Majesty the Empress view this war?"
Mu Qinglan's expression was unreadable. She casually swept her gaze over the Marquis of Lin'an.
"We absolutely cannot allow them to seize my territory!"
She said to the Marquis of Lin'an, "You have considerable military power under your command. Marquis of Lin'an, how about you go to the front line to fight?"
Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Lin'an's body instantly stiffened.
He was in league with the Grand Commandant, and the old official spoke up for him, "The Marquis of Lin'an has not led troops for several years. If he were to go to the front line to fight, he might not be competent!"
"Then who else can defend my borders for me?!"
A chilling aura emanated from the Empress. Her emotions were suppressed to an extreme.
The Marquis of Lin'an rolled his eyes and quickly said, "Isn't Xiao Ye from a military background? Why don't you send him to the front line?"
The Empress paused slightly. "He can defend the front line?!"
"If there is no other candidate, Xiao Ye is the most suitable..."
The Grand Commandant and Marquis clasped their hands over their heads.
The study suddenly became very quiet.
Xiao Ye's indictment was fanned open by the wind.
Her gaze was fixed on the words in the indictment!
Damn it.
Corrupt officials must die!
The Empress's expression showed a hint of contemplation, her breathing gradually calming.
News of the pressure from the generals arrived from the front line, and the Empress summoned Xiao Ye to the imperial court.
When Xiao Ye arrived at the court, he was met with the strange gazes of numerous powerful officials.
The Empress, seated high above, looked at Xiao Ye coldly. "Prime Minister Xiao, you are from a military background and have fought for the dynasty. The front line now needs you to lead troops. I am sending you!"
"Cough cough..."
Xiao Ye stood below, neither humble nor obsequious. His face was extremely pale.
He was even weaker than before. He looked at the Empress seated on the throne.
"Your Majesty, do you believe your humble minister can defend the front line?"
Seeing Xiao Ye question her, the Empress noticed the eyes of the Grand Commandant and others.
Her demeanor became even more steady. She nodded at Xiao Ye, "Prime Minister Xiao will surely be able to defend the front line. I believe you will return victorious from this expedition."
All the ministers present could tell that the Empress was sending Xiao Ye to his death!
Given Xiao Ye's current physical condition, how could he possibly fight in a war?
However.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Ye did not refuse.
He looked at the Empress's face, a smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "Yes, your humble minister will certainly protect this vast land."
The Empress had expected Xiao Ye to make excuses and was thinking of exerting pressure on him.
At this time, most of the ministers in the court were loyal to the Empress.
Having lost their hearts to Xiao Ye, they now showed their loyalty.
Seeing how smoothly things were going, the Empress was somewhat surprised. "Esteemed Minister Xiao, has your health fully recovered?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Your humble minister is feeling a bit better."
Xiao Ye said he was better, but his heavy cough was heartbreaking.
The Empress locked her gaze on Xiao Ye in disbelief. She was startled that Xiao Ye was not resisting at all.
Could this be another new scheme?
At this moment, she couldn't help but wonder if Xiao Ye had some kind of deal with the neighboring country.
Xiao Ye stood in the hall, seeing the admiration in the eyes of numerous ministers.
Knowing he was being sent to his death, he still promised to go to war.
Xiao Ye stood straight before the Empress, calmly accepting this outcome.
"Then I shall have the imperial physicians examine you, so that your health may be nurtured before you depart for the front line."
If Xiao Ye's poison was not cured, he would certainly not return from this battle.
The Empress concluded the morning court and walked towards the palace.
Suddenly, she sensed a pair of hidden and complex eyes.
Xiao Ye's dark eyes looked towards the Empress from afar, his voice carrying a hint of ease.
"Your Majesty the Empress, this is the last thing I can do for you."
"What?"
The Empress did not understand.
However, she remained wary of Xiao Ye, narrowing her eyes. "Esteemed Minister Xiao, what do you wish to say to me?"
"Your humble minister believes that perhaps we will not have the chance to meet again in the future."
Xiao Ye's gaze dimmed, looking deeply at the Empress.
The Empress said dismissively, "Esteemed Minister Xiao need not worry, I will wait for your return."
A smile flickered at his lips. "Alright..."
The Empress admitted she couldn't comprehend Xiao Ye's emotions, nor what he might have been thinking.
Xiao Ye stood beside the Empress, actively moving very close to her.
He seemed oblivious to the wariness in the Empress's eyes.
As he coughed, something flowed in Xiao Ye's eyes.
"This is good."
The Empress felt Xiao Ye's words held hidden meaning, but he had already turned and left.
She couldn't grasp the depth of Xiao Ye's intentions, only noticing that his retreating back seemed burdened.
The Empress frowned, clenching her fists until they were tight.
She had long mastered the art of ruling, and sending Xiao Ye to his death was the correct choice.
Three days later.
Xiao Ye, accompanied by his four attendants, set off with countless troops!
The Empress stood on the city wall, having come to see Xiao Ye off.
Knowing that Xiao Ye was undoubtedly going to die, she did not exchange any words with him.
She simply stood on the city wall, watching the imposing procession of carriages.
As Xiao Ye and his group were about to disappear from the Empress's sight, the man riding on horseback suddenly turned his head.
Mu Qinglan saw the look in Xiao Ye's eyes, as if he had predicted her appearance!
His eyes held a myriad of emotions, as if there were countless words he wished to convey.
The Empress stood rigidly on the city wall, seeing Xiao Ye's lips move.
It was the same sentence, "This is good."
Good about what, exactly?
The Empress did not believe Xiao Ye would willingly go to the front line. Then, why had he been a corrupt official for so long!
Her heart grew more agitated.
The Empress turned and left with a cold demeanor.
That evening, several ministers from Prime Minister Xiao's faction.
They rushed to the palace gates in urgent haste to request an audience.
Disturbed, the Empress emerged with a cold expression.
"What is the matter that brings you to seek me?"
"Your Majesty the Empress, this is what Prime Minister Xiao wishes you to keep safe..."
A thick envelope was handed to Mu Qinglan by the trembling powerful officials.
Mu Qinglan glanced at the substantial envelope with confusion, her eyebrows raising in curiosity.
The group of ministers quickly said, "Prime Minister Xiao asked us to deliver this letter to you after he departed."
This letter was given to her by Xiao Ye before he left for the front line?