Chapter 1385: Chapter 802: The Emperor Leads the Expedition Personally! (Part 3)

"He didn’t refuse, but he also didn’t give me a clear reply. I actually understand His Majesty’s considerations, but I truly cannot rest easy about the battle at the border. To stay in the Imperial Palace is merely to be a living corpse. I beg Mother to plead with His Majesty on my behalf, to allow me to go to the border to fight."

An Ning nodded, understanding Qianyun’s feelings as well.

Moreover, Ruotong is indeed not young anymore. Having been at the border for so many years, she also cannot rest easy.

If Qianyun could go, it would naturally add another fierce general to Ruotong’s side.

"Leave it to Mother, Mother will persuade him for you. However, Qianyun, no matter what, war is dangerous. You are now the Empress. Even if you do go to battle, you must take care of your own safety." An Ning advised.

"Please rest assured, Mother, I will certainly take care of myself and not let you worry."

"Then return to your quarters and wait for news."

"Thank you, Mother." Xie Qianyun knelt in gratitude.

She truly liked her mother-in-law very much.

Simply too sensible.

Just couldn’t understand how such a good-natured mother-in-law could have such an obstinate son.

Upon further thought.

Xiao Luming was very much like the Supreme Emperor.

Thinking about the Supreme Emperor back in the day, he should not have been an easy person to manage either.

How formidable the Empress Dowager must have been to have handled the Supreme Emperor so thoroughly!

Simply admirable.

...

After Xie Qianyun left.

An Ning started contemplating going to the Qiankun Hall.

"It’s best if you don’t interfere in the matter of Qianyun wanting to go to the border," Xiao Jinxing sipped tea and played chess, looking every bit like an old man enjoying life.

No mention of how leisurely and carefree he seemed.

"I won’t interfere. I just want to hear Luming’s thoughts. If he has considered everything carefully, I won’t obstruct his decision." In major matters of principle, An Ning was more mindful of the bigger picture than anyone else.

Xiao Jinxing said no more.

Before An Ning left, she glanced back at Xiao Jinxing, "The country is at war, and you’re still drinking tea! What tea are you drinking, go exercise! Just in case, be prepared to go out and fight!"

"..." Holding the half-drunk cup of tea, Xiao Jinxing suddenly found it tasteless.

Isn’t going to war quite a normal thing?!

Even he was getting furious with him.

Moreover, Daxuan Kingdom being stable for so many years was already pushing the limits.

Besides.

Occasional wars strengthen the military power of the nation’s defenses.

What’s bad about that?!

An Ning didn’t know what Xiao Jinxing was thinking, given that ancient people’s ways of thinking differ completely from modern people’s.

Some things are truly ingrained and cannot be changed afterward.

She walked into Qiankun Hall.

Xiao Luming saw An Ning arrive and quickly stood up, "Your son pays respects to Mother."

"I’ve heard the border is in urgent need?" An Ning asked directly.

"Yes, the Tatars launched a surprise attack, killing over 2000 of our soldiers before retreating. General Xie ordered Wu Huahao to return and report immediately."

"Qianyun just came to me, asking me to agree for her to go to the border to fight."

Xiao Luming’s eyes flickered.

"I just want to ask you, what are your plans?" An Ning asked directly.

"I don’t oppose the Empress going to the border. When the nation is in trouble, everyone is responsible, especially the Empress. Her willingness to protect the nation naturally gains my approval." Xiao Luming replied.

An Ning was still somewhat surprised.

She hadn’t expected Luming to be so agreeable.

She also thought that given Luming’s personality, he would have been somewhat hesitant.

"Did the Empress request you to persuade me?" Xiao Luming asked.

"Mm." An Ning nodded, not hiding it from Luming.

"The Empress doesn’t trust me." Xiao Luming said indifferently.

"Qianyun doesn’t trust you because you haven’t given Qianyun a sense of trust." An Ning commented.

In that moment, she felt a slight sense of assurance, thinking that Luming might indeed care about Qianyun’s feelings towards him.

Was it just a mistaken impression?!

Hopefully not.

Xiao Luming pressed his lips together, unwilling to say much about his and Xie Qianyun’s matters.

He changed the subject, "Mother, since you’re here, I’d like to tell you my thoughts."

"Go ahead." An Ning looked at Luming.

"When Father was on the throne, he personally led campaigns twice and both times achieved great victories, winning the hearts of the military and the people. From the time I was born in the Imperial Palace until now, I have always been in the palace. Now that the border is in urgent need and the country is in danger, though I have never led troops in battle, I have read many military books and studied countless campaigns. I also wish to emulate Father and personally lead a campaign. I wonder what Mother’s opinion is?"

An Ning was surprised.

Truly unexpected that Luming would have the notion of leading an expedition personally.