After parting ways with Yan Zhao, Xue Zining devoted herself entirely to the nation.
Lightening taxes, reforming the imperial examinations, a series of policies were implemented. Though facing some difficulties, she persevered.
News about Yan Zhao also arrived repeatedly.
Yan Zhao reached an agreement with the Han Kingdom, where the Han Kingdom would submit to the Xue Kingdom as a tributary state. The Han Emperor abdicated, and King Xi of Han ascended to the throne.
In just half a year, the Xue Kingdom had incorporated the surrounding smaller nations into its territory one by one.
The Xue Kingdom had now leaped to become a superpower.
As the Xue Kingdom's territory expanded, the items Yan Zhao sent became increasingly diverse.
Products from various countries were sent to her.
From the top of her head to the soles of her feet, not even rouge and powder were spared.
Ink wash paintings, ancient zithers, and sword scabbards – everything was there.
Eventually, her imperial chambers could no longer hold them all, and they were moved to the national treasury.
In the latter half of the year, a severe drought struck Jiangbei. Xue Zining opened the granaries, but the number of refugees was too great, and many still starved to death.
Later, one day, Jiangbei received a large quantity of grain, sent by the Xue Kingdom.
Xue Zining finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The events in Jiangbei had left her physically and mentally exhausted. Fortunately, Yan Zhao had sent the grain; otherwise, she would have truly struggled to cope.
"Your Majesty, you have been working for days, please eat something!" Xue Yan walked over with a tray of food.
With the matter resolved, Xue Zining finally felt a pang of hunger.
Looking up at Xue Yan, she asked, "Xue Yan, you will be sixteen after the New Year, won't you?"
Xue Yan blinked, looking up at her, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Xue Zining took out a letter and said, "Xue Song wishes to marry you. Xue Yan, do you agree?"
Xue Yan's hand trembled, and her face visibly blushed. "Your Majesty, this servant will not marry."
Xue Zining smiled, "If you answer Xue Song like this, he will go mad."
Hearing this, Xue Yan bit her lower lip. "This servant cannot bear to leave Your Majesty."
Xue Zining smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes, "Who said you must leave Huangze when you marry? Leave my side?"
Xue Yan was startled, looking at the young Empress in confusion. "Your Majesty, you..."
"I cannot do without you either. Even if you marry, you will remain here with me. It's just a pity for Xue Song," Xue Zining shook her head.
Xue Yan's eyes lit up. "Your Majesty, this idea is excellent. Even if this servant marries, she will still serve Your Majesty."
Xue Zining smiled. "Then I shall reply like this and make Xue Song angry."
As expected, when Xue Song learned that Xue Yan would still serve the Empress even after their marriage, he was so angry he nearly jumped out of his skin. He looked at his master, then hesitantly shuffled closer and said with reluctance, "Your Majesty, this is not fair to me."
"What is unfair about it? You serve me here, and Xue Yan serves Ah Ning there. I think it's very fair," Yan Zhao said calmly.
"It's unfair," Xue Song said with a mournful face. He had wanted to snuggle and be intimate in the same bed.
Yan Zhao looked at Xue Song's unconvinced expression and slowly said, "Since they cannot come over, I will go to them."
Xue Song was stunned, looking at his master. "Your Highness, you..."
Yan Zhao replied, "The entire realm is the betrothal gift, and the entire realm belongs to Ah Ning. I can only be with her."
Xue Song suddenly understood. "Your Highness, the devil is a foot high, and the Tao is ten feet high. You truly are thorough in your thinking."
Yan Zhao glanced at the memorial in his hand and sighed inwardly, The entire realm as a betrothal gift?
"Xue Song, see how many countries have not yet been incorporated."
Xue Song said with great spirit, "Reporting to Your Highness, there are still three countries. However, a new nation, An, has recently emerged."
"An Kingdom?" Yan Zhao frowned slightly.
Xue Song nodded. "It has risen recently and is developing rapidly, having already absorbed a small nation."
"Do you have any news about Hua Yunjin?" Yan Zhao asked.
Xue Song shook his head. "After the Han campaign, there has been no news from Hua Yunjin."
"Keep an eye on him. I suspect he will not give up easily."
"Your Highness, rest assured."
Yan Zhao looked at the territory he already possessed, knowing that the pace was still a little slow.
Time passed, and Xue Zining became very proficient in managing the affairs of Huangze. As the end of the year approached, there were many matters to attend to.
Xue Zining used her spare time to handle state affairs.
News from Yan Zhao also arrived; he had incorporated two more countries.
The An Kingdom withdrew, and the entire nation relocated to an island in the sea. Due to its defensibility, Yan Zhao abandoned the An Kingdom.
By the end of the year, most matters were settled, and Xue Zining finally had some leisure time.
Xue Yan instructed the palace staff to hang lanterns in front of Zhaoyuan Palace. The large red lanterns enhanced the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
"Xue Yan, come with me out of the palace to take a look!" Xue Zining walked out and said to Xue Yan.
The bustling streets outside the palace were crowded with people, significantly more than usual.
With the reduced taxes, the common people's lives had improved considerably. They had more money in their hands and naturally bought more goods.
Joy and festivity were evident on everyone's faces.
"Xue Yan, let's buy some things too!" Xue Zining stepped forward and bought many items.
"Your Highness, Madam Li appears to be pregnant," Xue Yan whispered.
"Really?" Xue Zining asked in surprise.
Xue Yan smiled and nodded. "Feng Wu told this servant this morning."
In the latter half of the year, Li Chenxuan suddenly requested an imperial decree for marriage. This young lady was a refugee from Jiangbei, the daughter of a scholarly family from Jiangbei. Her grandfather had once served as a fifth-rank official, but having offended the Regent King years ago, the entire family was forced to flee the capital.
Later, her grandfather passed away. Although the male members of the family had aspirations for the imperial examinations, they only managed to reach the final palace examination.
Subsequently, the family gave up on that ambition and established a school, which later developed into an academy.
However, with the severe drought in Jiangbei, people couldn't even afford food, let alone send their children to school. The academy could no longer sustain itself. Furthermore, due to sheltering refugees, in a conflict, the family suffered a tragic calamity. This Miss Jiang was protected by loyal family retainers, which allowed her to escape Jiangbei and travel to the capital to seek refuge with her clan relatives.
Miss Jiang's clan relative was now Jiang Xiaochuan, who served as the Left Court Minister.
Unfortunately, Minister Jiang did not acknowledge this relative. Coincidentally, Li Chenxuan encountered her while returning from court. After an investigation, he discovered that Miss Jiang's ancestors and Jiang Xiaochuan's ancestors were cousins.
With Li Chenxuan's intervention, how could Jiang Xiaochuan refuse to acknowledge his niece?
Through their interactions, Li Chenxuan and Miss Jiang began their relationship.
"I should bestow something upon his child," Xue Zining said joyfully.
Li Chenxuan marrying and having offspring so quickly would bring peace to Princess Huimin.
"Your Majesty, do you see the lady in front? Isn't that Madam Li?"
Following Xue Yan's gaze, Xue Zining saw a woman.
The woman looked somewhat weary, and with the support of her maidservant, she entered a teahouse.
"How can she drink tea when she is pregnant?" Xue Yan frowned.
"Perhaps she is meeting a friend," Xue Zining said.
After about half a cup of tea, Jiang Xinqin emerged, her face even paler, her steps unsteady. One hand was firmly supporting her arm.
"How dare you! Is this person allowed to touch my lady?" The maidservant pushed away the person supporting Jiang Xinqin's arm.