The zither’s melody was like wine, pleasant and lingering, as if it transported one to verdant mountains and white clouds, so unrestrained and gentle, as if wishing to soar away on the wind.
Suddenly, the zither’s notes soared, reaching the highest heavens, like ten thousand horses galloping, each sound resounding, trampling over people’s hearts. Everyone felt flustered and uneasy, cold sweat streaming down their faces, struggling to breathe as if suffocated. At this point, soldiers began to fall from their horses, rolling on the ground. Slowly, more and more people began to tumble.
In an instant, the entire mountainous terrain changed color. No one knew what had happened.
Why, while listening to a piece of music, could it almost cost them their lives? What was going on?
In the distance, the sound of horse hooves approached like a tide, with billowing dust like a vast mist. Figures were indistinct. The person at the forefront charged forward, falling from his horse in the lead, followed by twenty thousand troops. He shouted, “Your Highness, please spare them this once.”
An Dingfeng’s words struck all the soldiers like thunder. Those who had been rolling on the ground struggled to kneel, pleading, “Your Highness, spare our lives, Your Highness, spare our lives.”
Qingyao abruptly stopped playing the zither.
The mountains and waters were clear, and the heavens and earth were peaceful. The scorching sun pierced through the leaves, casting its light upon everyone. The soldiers looked utterly disheveled, their hair matted with sweat, their clothes covered in dust.
Qingyao sat proudly on her horse, sweeping her gaze over them coldly. The killing intent surrounding her enveloped the entire world like Mount Tai pressing down. These people now understood the ruthlessness of this woman.
She had come prepared. In that brief moment, they had teetered on the edge of life and death. Had they not been useful, their lives would have been forfeit.
At the thought, everyone’s hearts turned to ash, and they no longer dared to underestimate the Empress.
Mu Qingyao swept her gaze over them coldly, her magnetic voice ringing out, “Lu Zhanyun.”
Lu Zhanyun dared not be careless and quickly replied, “Your subordinate is here.”
“Take your men and kneel on the open ground to the west for two hours.”
“What?” Many below cried out. However, recalling the woman’s previous ruthlessness, they immediately fell silent. Even the deputy general, Lu Zhanyun, dared not say another word, respectfully accepting the order, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Lu Zhanyun rose and herded his contingent to the side. A large group of people knelt in the vast forest.
Qingyao had just dealt with Lu Zhanyun. She raised her head and surveyed the scene. Apart from General An Dingfeng and his twenty thousand troops, a portion of the people seemed to be missing. A quick glance revealed that the people from the Huangmu Field were absent. Her face immediately turned grim. It seemed this man was truly arrogant.
If she did not deal with him today, she would not be Mu Qingyao.
In the vast forest, not a sound could be heard. Everything was deathly silent. No one dared to speak unnecessarily. Having just experienced life and death, who would dare to be reckless?
From afar, the sound of horse hooves once again echoed. Huang Muyang arrived with his troops, but he was late. If this were during a military march, such tardiness would be punishable by death.
Huang Muyang led the charge. The vast training ground was deathly silent. Deputy General Lu Zhanyun and his men knelt in the distance. Huang Muyang raised an eyebrow in surprise. They had conspired the night before to deliver a blow to the Empress and force her to retreat. If the seven kingdoms were to be unified, it was a man’s affair, and the position of commander should belong to General An, not a woman. What was happening now?
Huang Muyang blinked. Before he could even speak.
Qingyao’s black whip, held in her hand, shot out like a dried water dragon, carrying a sharp killing intent. Before Huang Muyang could react, the whip had ensnared him. Mu Qingyao flicked her wrist, and Huang Muyang was flung from his horse. Qingyao’s voice suddenly deepened.
“Take him.”
As her words fell, Mo Chou Bingxiao moved. Two treasured swords, carrying the chill of a deep pool, were placed at Huang Muyang’s neck. Huang Muyang, still unclear about what was happening, trembling, asked, “Your Highness, what does this mean?”
“What does it mean?” Qingyao snorted coldly, her posture arrogant and disdainful. She glared at Huang Muyang, her voice as cold as ice.
“Huang Muyang, how dare a mere deputy general be so presumptuous? Do you think this commander is unaware of your petty schemes? If I capture you today, do you believe someone else won’t take your place tomorrow as my loyal subordinate?”
Though the Empress’s words were light, they struck the hearts of ten thousand men like a drumbeat. Huang Muyang’s heart trembled. He realized the situation was becoming serious. This woman was not easily fooled. Furthermore, why were Lu Zhanyun and the others kneeling under the scorching sun? They were likely being punished. Huang Muyang dared not utter a word.
Seeing the current stalemate, and knowing Huang Muyang was one of his men, An Dingfeng did not dare to hesitate and respectfully knelt.
“This old subject is willing to bear the punishment in his stead. I beg Your Highness to spare him this once.”
“General An,” Qingyao raised an eyebrow slightly, glancing around. She saw many faces filled with unease, seemingly shocked by her iron-fisted methods. Her message had been delivered, and there was no need to truly kill Huang Muyang, which would alienate these ten thousand soldiers. However, while his crime was punishable by death, it could be mitigated. Her pupils darkened slightly as she slowly spoke.
“Guards, take Huang Muyang down and have him beaten thirty times with a plank.”
“Yes.” This time, without Qingyao needing to say more, soldiers rushed forward, dragging Huang Muyang away.
Qingyao dismounted and helped An Dingfeng up with one hand, respectfully saying, “General An, please rise. Huang Muyang violated military discipline and deserved death. Since General An has pleaded for him, this commander will spare him this once. Should anyone else commit such an offense in the future, they will not be lightly dealt with.”
These words were directed at both An Dingfeng and the ten thousand soldiers, to prevent any thoughts of leniency. Even with General An’s plea, this was a one-time exception.
An Dingfeng was pleased rather than angered. This showed that the Empress’s military discipline was even stricter than his own. Such a person was indeed more capable of holding the position of Grand Marshal of the Army than he was, as these were men he had led, and he was sometimes too soft-hearted.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
An Dingfeng received the order and rose. Qingyao stood straight and looked at the thirty thousand soldiers under Huang Muyang. Those men, previously stunned by the sudden turn of events, were still mounted on their horses. Seeing the Empress’s gaze, they were terrified and immediately dismounted, kneeling one after another. No one dared to speak. Their deputy had been punished; how could they escape?
However, Qingyao did not make things difficult for them. She slowly said, “A soldier’s laxity is the commander’s fault. Since your superior has been punished, you are excused, but each of you will do one hundred push-ups.”
Under the scorching sun, doing one hundred push-ups. Was this considered no punishment? Many were stunned, wondering what the Empress’s punishment truly entailed. Everyone felt cold sweat trickling down their spines. It was better for them not to face punishment themselves.
No one dared to say another word. They immediately obeyed the order and went to do push-ups. Lu Zhanyun watched the situation from his side, a schadenfreude flashing across his flushed face. It seemed the punishment for their side was indeed lighter.