Xiao Luming has not appeared in Jingxiu Palace anymore.

Xie Qianyun naturally did not voluntarily disturb him, pondering that the arrangement of sending concubines to his sleeping quarters last time might still be a grudge in his heart.

Going would just be asking for trouble.

Anqi, however, frequented the Imperial Palace a lot, still coming to teach her how to win the Emperor’s favor.

Xie Qianyun earnestly learned every time.

After learning, she immediately had other concubines follow suit.

At worst, she would turn the entire harem into replicas of Xiao Anqi.

Thus, the Imperial Palace remained relatively peaceful.

Wu Huahao suddenly came to Jingxiu Palace.

Wasn’t he forbidden from entering the Imperial Palace?!

He climbed over the wall to get in.

Wu Huahao looked at Xie Qianyun’s expression and knew what she was thinking again. He explained, "I was permitted by the Emperor to enter the palace."

"Xiao Luming had a change of heart?"

"I am leaving Xun City to go to the border," Wu Huahao said.

"So soon?!" Xie Qianyun was visibly a bit reluctant. She could not help but ask, "Have you gotten married? So quickly? But I haven’t heard of you getting married, have you?!"

"Not that soon!" Wu Huahao replied speechlessly, "I have not married yet, and I haven’t settled with any girl. Then I received the military order from the Great General, and I am now to go to the border to fulfill the mission..."

"A military order from my mother? What happened? Has something happened?" Xie Qianyun suddenly became nervous.

A long time ago, the Daxuan Kingdom was constantly expanding its territory in the Hebei region. After all, the Hebei region had always been turbulent, threatening the Daxuan Kingdom. Therefore, they had to keep commanding troops forward, expanding the territory beyond Hebei, driving out the restless Tartars further away.

Suddenly Wu Huahao was called back by her mother, indicating the situation might not be simple.

"The Tartars suddenly invaded and attacked one of our armies, slaughtering more than two thousand soldiers. The Tartars quickly retreated, and we couldn’t pursue them! The Great General has asked me to return to lead the elite troops and pave the way, attacking the main camp of the Tartars," Wu Huahao answered.

"You have never led an army into battle alone," Xie Qianyun clearly was not at ease.

Does her mother not consider this arrangement improper?!

But on careful thought, back then, the charge troops were led by her, with Wu Huahao as her deputy. The two cooperated perfectly, achieving great victories. Now that she has left the military camp, only Wu Huahao is left.

"There’s always a first time." Wu Huahao was instead very relieved, even somewhat enthusiastic, "Today I come to bid farewell to you. Please await my victory report."

Xie Qianyun pursed her lips.

After all, she was not at ease, yet unable to do anything.

She couldn’t follow Wu Huahao to the border now...

Wait.

Xie Qianyun’s heart stirred.

Why couldn’t she follow Wu Huahao to the border?

Who said the Empress couldn’t go to war.

Return triumphant and then resume being the Empress, wouldn’t that be the same?!

She made a firm decision.

Xie Qianyun immediately rose and left.

"Empress, where are you going?" Wu Huahao was startled by Xie Qianyun’s sudden action.

She left abruptly as if encountering something immense.

"Petitioning the Emperor to permit my journey to the border."

"..." Wu Huahao was stunned for quite a while.

It is only Xie Qianyun who dared to be this fearless!

He quickly followed behind Xie Qianyun and entered Qiankun Hall.

Xiao Luming looked at the two, his brows deeply furrowed.

Regarding the matter of Xie Qianyun previously sending concubines to serve him, he still harbored resentment.

Hence seeing Xie Qianyun now, naturally, his expression was not pleasant.

Xie Qianyun directly kneeled down, "Emperor, I petition to go to the border to lead troops into battle, vowing to expel the foreign invaders from the Daxuan Kingdom."

Xiao Luming tightened his grip on the brush.

He thought Xie Qianyun might have repented for the matter of sending concubines that day.

But unexpectedly, her first words were about going with Wu Huahao to the border.

He shouldn’t have agreed to Wu Huahao entering the palace.

"Emperor, for years, the Tartars have repeatedly provoked the Daxuan Kingdom, leaving the people in the Hebei region suffering. This time my mother intends to completely expel the Tartars beyond Hebei, needing the vanguard to pave the way. However, Wu Huahao has never truly led troops into battle, always co-operating with me. To better achieve victory and save the populace from peril, I implore the Emperor to allow me and Wu Huahao to jointly embark on this expedition!"

Xie Qianyun’s tone was resolute.

Xiao Luming coldly looked at Xie Qianyun’s determined face.

"Your mother’s war report did not request me to let you go to the border for war, only instructed Wu Huahao to go to the border early to fulfill the mission..."

"How could my mother have the qualification to order the Empress into battle?" Xie Qianyun interrupted Xiao Luming.

Xiao Luming’s gaze was icy.

Was Xie Qianyun mocking him?!

"Anyway, in the Imperial Palace, you are annoyed by me, and I always seem to trouble you, making you unhappy. So it’s better for you to let me go to war." Xie Qianyun softened her tone, becoming somewhat insistent.

"As the Empress of a kingdom, how can you casually go to battle?!" Xiao Luming coldly refused.

"The Supreme Emperor and Empress Dowager often personally led expeditions!" Xie Qianyun retorted, "And have always been victorious."

Xiao Luming looked coldly at Xie Qianyun.

Xie Qianyun boldly said, "For years the Emperor has guided the country from within the Imperial Palace, never truly seeing the battlefield. I believe the Emperor should learn from your father, lead an expedition personally once, to understand the brutality of war better, and govern the country more effectively!"