Shang Hongye, Audience with the Emperor (Two-in-One)

The Imperial Palace.

Dragon towers and phoenix cities, pearl palaces and shell pavilions.

Magnificent and imposing.

Like a colossal beast ready to devour, anyone who entered felt an immense pressure.

"Presenting Princess Anyang, Shang Hongye, for audience."

The clatter of scales echoed in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

As steady footsteps approached, Shang Hongye knelt on one knee, bowing with clasped hands.

"Your humble subject greets Your Majesty."

"Rise and be seated."

Emperor Yuanchu's authoritative voice resounded in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

His deep, dark gaze assessed the spirited young woman before him. A woman truly capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with men.

"Anyang, for these many years, you and your father have guarded the Northern Border, rendering invaluable service."

"The battle at Wind and Snow Pass, reclaiming three thousand li of lost territory, was truly gratifying!"

"Your Majesty exaggerates."

"It is only because of Your Majesty's wise governance, bringing peace and prosperity, that we achieved such a great victory at Wind and Snow Pass."

Shang Hongye replied with clasped hands, appearing humble and showing no sign of seeking credit.

Eunuch Su subtly glanced at her.

Rumor had it that the Shang father and daughter were arrogant due to their achievements, often considering themselves the guardians of the Northern Border.

Now, it seemed they weren't as conceited as the rumors suggested; they understood proper etiquette.

No matter how great the credit for the victory at Wind and Snow Pass, before His Majesty, the primary credit would always belong to His Majesty's wise governance and proper deployment of talent.

"The Northern Border has always been a harsh and desolate land, and the frontline against the Northern Barbarians."

"If there are any shortages in provisions or supplies, simply inform the court. The court will not mistreat the soldiers of the Northern Border."

Emperor Yuanchu spoke grandly.

However, Shang Hongye took his polite words seriously.

"Your Majesty, Hongye has a request."

"I have heard that there is Sacred Emperor Rice in the capital that yields a thousand catties per mu. I humbly request Your Majesty to bestow the seeds of the Sacred Emperor Rice upon the Northern Border."

"The common people of the Northern Border have endured years of war and hardship. If they could obtain the seeds of the Sacred Emperor Rice, it would bring them great relief."

Upon hearing Shang Hongye request the Sacred Emperor Rice, Emperor Yuanchu showed an approving expression.

He seemed to be praising Shang Hongye for prioritizing the people and caring for their well-being.

However, inwardly, he grew more vigilant.

What are this Shang father and daughter planning?

With such great merit, they don't ask for rewards, nor do they seek favors for the Shang army.

Instead, they plead on behalf of the common people, asking for Sacred Emperor Rice.

Are they trying to win over the people's hearts?

Although wary, Emperor Yuanchu knew he could not refuse this request.

Otherwise, if word got out, wouldn't it appear as if the Emperor was suppressing the people of the Northern Border?

"Anyang, rest assured, the Northern Border will certainly receive a share of the first batch of Sacred Emperor Rice seeds."

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your benevolence on behalf of the Northern Border people."

After Emperor Yuanchu inquired further about the situation in the Northern Border, he changed the subject and asked, "Anyang, you are no longer young; it's time for you to marry."

"What are Prince Zhenbei's plans?"

"My father is open-minded and lets Hongye decide for herself."

Shang Hongye replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Is that so?"

"I wonder, Anyang, do you have someone in mind?"

Emperor Yuanchu smiled vaguely, his eyes flickering, as he recalled Prince Zhenbei's confidential letter.

Prince Zhenbei wants to arrange a marriage with the Crown Prince.

What about you, Shang Hongye?

Will you obey your parents' wishes, or do you truly intend to choose for yourself?

"Hongye is new to the Jade Capital and doesn't yet have someone she fancies."

"I humbly request Your Majesty's grace to allow Hongye to choose a suitable partner from among the imperial clan's younger generation."

Seeing that Shang Hongye was sensible and didn't resist a marriage alliance with the imperial family, Emperor Yuanchu nodded with satisfaction.

"I grant it!"

"I wonder which young man from the imperial clan will be fortunate enough to marry a beauty like you, Anyang."

"Settle the marriage before the end of the year; don't let your father wait too long."

"Hongye respectfully abides by Your Majesty's command!"

It was already the dead of winter, with less than a month until the year's end.

Emperor Yuanchu's intention was for her to finalize her marriage within a month.

Shang Hongye knew that this was Emperor Yuanchu showing special favor because of her "docility," not directly bestowing a marriage but giving her some room to maneuver.

Emperor Yuanchu gave Eunuch Su a look, and Eunuch Su understood, taking out the imperial decree he had prepared earlier.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

We, by the will of Heaven, see the four seas as one family, relying on loyal and courageous officials to expand our territory and secure the nation.

Now, Princess Anyang, Shang Hongye, with a loyal and steadfast heart, has commanded the three armies, campaigned against the Northern Barbarians, expanded our domain, and enhanced our national prestige.

Her meritorious deeds are outstanding, truly a pillar of the nation and a reliance of the people. Our heart is greatly pleased.

Therefore, we hereby promote Shang Hongye to Princess Anyang, bestowing upon her a thousand taels of gold, a thousand qing of fertile land, ten bottles of Eight Desolations Dragon Elephant Pills, and one rare item.

Effective immediately, she is transferred to the God Slaying Department as a Battalion Commander.

May Princess Anyang continue to strive, forever maintain her loyalty and courage, assist Us, and partake in this grand endeavor.

By imperial command!"

After listening to Eunuch Su read the imperial decree, Shang Hongye's expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of joy or sorrow.

She knelt on one knee and bowed her head, saying, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your imperial grace!"

She was conferred the title of Princess Anyang.

To be elevated from a princely title to a princess was a tremendous favor.

However, for Shang Hongye, it was rather useless.

Having fought her way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood on the battlefields of the Northern Border, why would she need the title of princess to gild her reputation?

As for the position of Battalion Commander in the God Slaying Department, Shang Hongye's heart sank slightly.

A quarter of an hour later.

Led by a junior eunuch, Shang Hongye left the imperial palace.

At the palace gate, Uncle Huo San and the accompanying guards had been waiting for a long time.

"Miss, how did it go?"

"Did the Emperor make things difficult for you?"

Uncle Huo San, looking concerned, urgently asked, his voice a focused whisper.

"Uncle San, let's get into the carriage first."

The two got into the carriage, activated the soundproofing array inside, and then began to discuss everything that had happened in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Uncle Huo San was not surprised that Emperor Yuanchu wanted Shang Hongye to choose a husband within a month.

Only…

"To transfer you, Miss, to the God Slaying Department… that's truly… truly…"

Uncle Huo San wanted to curse out the words "inhumane" or "not a proper person."

But after several attempts, he swallowed them back down.

"The God Slaying Department specializes in apprehending Divine Abominations, often engaging in combat with them. It's the most dangerous among all government offices."

"Moreover, the God Slaying Department is at odds with the Three Prime Ministers and Seven Ministries. If you join the God Slaying Department, Miss, you will surely be ostracized by them."

Uncle Huo San was very displeased.

In his opinion, the God Slaying Department was a dangerous and thankless office.

The Emperor was clearly suppressing Miss.

For Miss to reclaim a thousand li of lost territory only to end up like this was truly disheartening.

"Uncle San, there's no need to be angry."

"Before we set off, I was already prepared for suppression."

"Among the four vassal kings, Father's military strength might not be the largest."

"However, the soldiers of the Northern Border, having fought year-round, are the most elite in the entire Great Qian."

"With the Emperor Yuanchu's imperial cunning, he's bound to be wary."

"Suppression is also an inevitable move."

Seeing Shang Hongye so mature, Uncle Huo couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

"Miss, you've suffered."

"It's worth it."

"If I don't suffer, then it will be my father and the soldiers of the Northern Border who suffer."

Shang Hongye's expression was indifferent, devoid of anger or discouragement.

"Go back to the manor today and rest early. Tomorrow, we'll visit father's former students and officials."

"Miss, when the Prince was young, he received guidance from the Martial Prime Minister."

"Though there was no formal master-disciple relationship, they had the substance of one."

"Tomorrow, we should start our visits with the Martial Prime Minister's manor."

Huo Yunting offered a reminder.

Over the next few days, Shang Hongye, representing Prince Zhenbei, visited old friends, making quite a stir.

While Shang Hongye was making her rounds, the various princes also began to make their moves.

Emperor Yuanchu had given an oral decree that Shang Hongye should choose a husband from among the imperial clan before the end of the year.

Although this decree wasn't written on an imperial edict, everyone of status in the Jade Capital knew about it.

Shang Hongye, with her unparalleled beauty, family background, and capabilities, was naturally a top choice, attracting the pursuit of many princes.

"Miss, the congratulatory gifts sent by the princes have all been inventoried."

Huo Yunting said, handing a gift list to Shang Hongye.

Shang Hongye looked at the densely packed gifts on the list, shook her head, and paid no attention to what was on it.

Until...

She saw that among the congratulatory gifts sent by the Second Prince, there was actually a book on military strategy.

The most crucial thing was that she had never read this book before.

"Uncle, keep this Master Qian's Art of War. All other congratulatory gifts should be returned."

"Understood, Miss."

Shang Hongye picked up Master Qian's Art of War and began to read it.

From the title of the military treatise, one could tell that this work was completed during the period of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

During the Hundred Schools of Thought period, prominent strategists often titled their military treatises with names like Master [Name]'s Art of War.

She instructed her guard, "I'm going into seclusion. Do not enter without my command."

With that, Shang Hongye went to her cultivation chamber, activated the formation to isolate it from the outside, and then.

She took out a black battle banner. There were several cracks on the banner's pole.

"Granny, I've found another new military treatise."

As Shang Hongye's soft call faded, spiritual light surged on the black battle banner.

A faint image of an old woman emerged.

"Hongye, you've worked hard."

"You've collected so many military treatises to heal me."

"Granny, if it weren't for saving me at Wind and Snow Pass, you wouldn't have been so severely wounded."

"Ultimately, it was my recklessness."

Shang Hongye's heroic brows furrowed tightly.

Outsiders didn't know the inside story of the battle at Wind and Snow Pass, but she knew it clearly.

She had been reckless and fallen into a Northern Barbarian trap.

In the end, Granny Tao had made her move, turning the tide and reversing the battle.

But the cost was immense.

Granny Tao was severely wounded, almost unable to maintain her spirit body.

To make matters worse, Granny Tao's true form was that of a powerful strategist from ancient times, who, after death, sealed herself within the Military Immortal Banner, existing as an artifact spirit.

Granny Tao's current state was quite profound, somewhere between a ghostly spirit and an artifact spirit.

Ordinary healing methods were completely ineffective for Granny Tao.

The only thing that worked was the literary energy contained within military texts.

Thus, during this period, Shang Hongye had been collecting military texts.

As the daughter of Prince Zhenbei, it was perfectly normal for her to collect military texts, so it didn't arouse any suspicion from outsiders.

Granny Tao glanced at the military text and said faintly, "Master Qian's Art of War. So it's this military text."

"Though it's not the original, the person who copied this text was no ordinary individual."

"Their cultivation in the Military School is at least at the Tenth Realm."

"Granny Tao, with this military text, your injuries might…"

"At most, they'll improve by twenty to thirty percent."

Shang Hongye sighed.

She watched Granny Tao's spiritual body float above the military text.

A wisp of white energy from the text was absorbed by Granny Tao.

Her spiritual body, originally as pale as paper, solidified slightly.

Second Prince's Residence.

"Shang Hongye returned all the other gifts."

"Only the military text I sent was kept by her?"

Upon hearing this news, the Second Prince's face glowed with excitement as he paced back and forth.

She only kept his military text.

Was Shang Hongye hinting at something to him?

The thought of winning the beauty's heart and gaining the support of the Northern Border's million elite soldiers made the Second Prince's lips curl into an irrepressible smile.

A surge of ambition swelled within him.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, congratulations!"

"Winning the beauty's heart is now within reach."

"With Prince Zhenbei's support, how can the Crown Prince possibly contend with Your Highness?"

"Well said!"

"Oh, right. Have that Northern Border merchant come see me."

The Second Prince commanded.

Originally, the Second Prince hadn't even considered sending a military text as a gift to Shang Hongye.

But a couple of days ago, a Northern Border merchant named Feng had paid him a visit.

While trying to curry favor, he mentioned that Shang Hongye had a deep fondness for military texts.

He suggested that if a military text were given, it would surely win Shang Hongye's favor.

The Second Prince had only tried it as an experiment, and unexpectedly, it actually worked.

Before long, the merchant Feng arrived in the study.

Seeing the Second Prince's glowing face, he knew his plan had succeeded.

He smiled knowingly and clasped his hands, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness. Marrying Princess Anyang is just around the corner."

"Hahaha, this is all thanks to your guidance."

"What was it you said you wanted last time…?"

"Your Highness, the Northern Border is cold and harsh, and food is scarce."

"We humbly request Your Highness's mercy to bestow upon us, the people of the Northern Border, Sacred Emperor Rice."

The merchant Feng bowed deeply to the Second Prince.

His posture was extremely humble.

"Sacred Emperor Rice? That's a small matter."

"However, you do have sharp eyes."

"Currently, the Sacred Emperor Rice seeds are limited. It will take at least three to five years before everyone can have Sacred Emperor Rice seeds."

"You've made a huge profit by getting Sacred Emperor Rice from me."

The Second Prince said faintly, finding the merchant Feng more and more pleasing to his eye.

He had vision and connections.

"Taking him as your dog, not bad, not bad!"

The merchant, surnamed Feng, said fawningly, trying to curry favor.

"That's just me basking in the Second Prince's glory."

"Otherwise, who knows when I'd ever get to plant Sacred Emperor Rice."

"Butler, take him to the warehouse and get him ten catties of Sacred Emperor Rice."

"Understood, Your Highness."

The merchant, surnamed Feng, followed the butler to the storeroom.

Along the way, he slipped the butler ten thousand taels in banknotes and subtly said, "Esteemed Butler, these Sacred Emperor Rice seeds are not easy to preserve."

"Could you perhaps give me a few catties of the spoiled seeds?"

The butler rolled his eyes when he heard the merchant, surnamed Feng.

Merchants are all devious.

Spoiled seeds?

It sounded nice, but he just wanted to use him to get his hands on more Sacred Emperor Rice.

The butler took the banknotes and let out a cold snort.

"Hmph—"

"Give up on that idea."

"The Second Prince only received fifty catties of Sacred Emperor Rice."

"It's precious; how could any of it be spoiled?"

Seeing the butler take the banknotes but refuse to help, the merchant, surnamed Feng, stiffened, cursing inwardly.

How shameless.

Although there was some friction in the process, the merchant, surnamed Feng, still got the Sacred Emperor Rice he had been longing for.

Then, he thanked the Second Prince profusely before leaving the imperial residence.

After he left the imperial residence, the Sacred Emperor Rice seeds in his hands changed hands several times before finally ending up with the ethereal young woman.

The ethereal young woman, her fingers like scallion roots, held the Sacred Emperor Rice seeds, a smile playing on her lips.

"These are the Sacred Emperor Rice seeds?"

"They can yield a thousand catties per mu?"

"They don't look any different from ordinary rice."

"Someone, send one catty of seeds to each of the other five factions and have them plant them as soon as possible."

"Understood, Saintess!"