Xi Feiyan was not easily intimidated, but he was drawn to the attention by the name Ayuan that Ning Yue spoke.
He remembered that this empress's name seemed to be just that, and it seemed this person must have a close relationship with the current emperor.
Xi Feiyan had no intention of causing more trouble. He smiled and said casually, "Don't worry, young general, I have no such intentions."
"It's best if that's the case! Otherwise..." Ning Yue flicked her dagger and threatened, "I think I can still take your life."
Ning Yue returned to the general's mansion, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Her mother, the former general, had passed away a few years ago. Otherwise, she would not have been able to fully support the person she wanted to support.
She had no military achievements, and the so-called young general was merely a respectful title obtained because of her mother. She was naturally unwilling to accept it.
Therefore, she tried every means to go to the border battlefield. She was her mother's legitimate daughter and had a responsibility to protect the safety of Fengnian Kingdom.
Moreover, this was what she had promised her mother, and she could not break her word.
Xing Yuan woke up, ate a little, and then leaned lazily on the bed.
Because of this poison, her physique had become weaker and weaker in recent years. She just didn't expect to fall asleep directly in front of the ministers this time. Although no one noticed anything unusual, it would eventually be exposed if it continued.
Xing Yuan felt annoyed and couldn't help but issue a search warrant in the capital, apprehending most of the people related to the high-level officials of Xi Kingdom.
She couldn't kill her own people. Killing a few enemy spies to liven things up wouldn't be a problem, right!
The next day, Xing Yuan received a pile of memorials, both openly and secretly stating that she had disrupted the peace and order of the people, causing great panic in the capital, and requesting her to appease the public.
Xing Yuan disdainfully swept these memorials to the ground and then said to her confidant, "Take them to the imperial kitchen to burn as firewood! It will save them from being an eyesore here."
The confidant's greatest strength was obedience, and he actively helped the imperial kitchen add firewood and fuel.
Xing Yuan ordered wine to be brought over and drank it in the room without any pretense, living a very comfortable life.
"Your Majesty, the person from next door has arrived," someone suddenly said respectfully.
Oh, the medicine delivery has arrived! Xing Yuan said happily, "Announce them!"
Xi Feiyan entered and saw Xing Yuan drinking. His brows twitched, and then he unceremoniously took the wine from Xing Yuan's hand and said, "If Your Majesty wants to die, just say so directly, there's no need to use such an indirect method."
Xi Feiyan was very angry. He worked hard every day to research the antidote, but this person seemed not to care about her body at all. If that were the case, why should he go to so much trouble?
Xing Yuan frowned and said displeasedly, "Why are you so nosy?"
"Besides, I only drank a little. How long has it been since I last drank?"
"Does Your Majesty have any worries?" Xi Feiyan sat down and asked.
Even though Xing Yuan said that, Xi Feiyan had no intention of returning the wine to her. He was a qualified and good physician.
"Of course, I do, but it has nothing to do with you!" Xing Yuan was slightly tipsy, not affecting her sanity much, but she was very impolite.
"It's related to the person Your Majesty likes, isn't it! It's understandable. Who else could Your Majesty like but someone of such status and position? No matter how you calculate it, the possibility of you being together is slim."
Xi Feiyan rationally analyzed the pros and cons with Xing Yuan, hoping that this potential collaborator was not a love-struck fool.
"It seems you've met her!" Xing Yuan suddenly said.
Before Xi Feiyan could answer, Xing Yuan continued, "That's right. You are both so intelligent. Once you meet, you will know certain things."
"But! This is my private matter. If you want to cooperate with me, don't interfere!" Xing Yuan was displeased.
Could she not know what everyone else knew? Did she need him to speak?
Xi Feiyan frowned. He was never one to meddle in other people's affairs, but he was reminding this person out of humanitarian concern.
He said, "I'm missing something!" This was considered an explanation for his previous words.
"Oh! I'll send a few people to help you. Tell them whatever you need." Xing Yuan said generously.
But there was another meaning in her words: don't bother her when you have nothing to do.
His objective achieved, Xi Feiyan didn't care about Xing Yuan's overly dismissive attitude. He bowed politely and continued to research the antidote.
A few days later, Xing Yuan attended court again, her attitude as perfunctory as ever.
The Prime Minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, how should those traitors from Xi Kingdom be dealt with?"
Yes, after the "attack" on His Majesty, those Xi Kingdom envoys were quickly branded as traitors.
Fengnian Kingdom had always been warlike. If it weren't for the severe internal strife before, coupled with the ascension of the new emperor, they would not have spoken politely and would have already gone to war.
Now that they had recovered, the ministers of Fengnian Kingdom had their minds set on it again.
In their eyes, negotiating with those shameless hypocrites from Xi Kingdom was an insult to them.
Moreover, General Yu had guarded the border for many years and had not yielded an inch of land. This was enough to prove that the enemy was not invincible. Since that was the case, why should they condescend to negotiate?
Many of them had already planned to sabotage the peace talks, but His Majesty's unexpected situation had made their plan even smoother.
Xing Yuan knew these people's little thoughts, but she didn't care.
She held almost all the military power of the entire country. No matter what schemes these ministers came up with, they would not threaten her rule, and besides, she also found Xi Kingdom displeasing.
A bright smile bloomed on Xing Yuan's radiant face, and she retorted, "What does the Prime Minister think should be done?"
The Prime Minister said with a serious and righteous expression, "The Crown Prince of Xi Kingdom dared to attack Your Majesty in court. His crime is punishable by death!"
"However, considering that Your Majesty is unharmed, let's send a national letter to Xi Kingdom and ask them to exchange it for a city!"
Xing Yuan readily agreed, "As the Prime Minister said, this negotiation will be fully handled by the Prime Minister!"
Although Xi Kingdom intended to depose the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince could die in any way, but not in this manner, because it would damage the reputation of the entire Xi Kingdom.
Moreover, Xi Nanshan's mother was the Empress of Xi Kingdom. Even if the emperor did not want this son, the Empress would naturally not be willing.
Xing Yuan casually said, "Is there anything else to report? Let's say it all at once! I'm too lazy to go back and read your memorials."
The officials looked at each other. Although they had long known that the empress did not abide by etiquette and laws, no one would say it directly.
The last person who said that His Majesty's etiquette and laws were not in order was directly imprisoned.
Ning Yue's expression was calm, she stepped forward, straightened her back, knelt directly on the ground, and said respectfully, "Your subject implores Your Majesty to grant permission. Your subject is willing to go to the border to defend our dynasty's territory."
Xing Yuan instantly stood up, her eyes filled with overwhelming rage. She actually... forced her to agree to go to the border in this grand hall. Did she think that she would agree just by doing this?