Chapter 623: Chapter 623

Fengyu had never been a woman who lived dependent on others. Even if she had never met Xie Xun back then, she would still have lived a good life. She owned fields and shops, understood commerce, and could manage people. Though being a merchant didn’t grant her high social status, her family was no commoner either; both her father and uncle held power. She was destined for a lifetime of wealth and freedom, living as she pleased.

It wasn’t necessarily becoming the Empress and holding the mandate of heaven that defined a woman’s happiest moment. Fengyu believed that as long as her life was prosperous and healthy, it was already very fulfilling and fortunate.

At this point, she didn’t even insist on having descendants anymore—she was happy to leave it up to fate!

"The imperial decree granting me the title of Empress, it was stamped with my own seal. From the moment that decree came into existence, I became the legitimate Empress. Truthfully, I shouldn’t be showing my face anymore, shouldn’t be visiting the trading house. These matters should be handed to a specialized person to manage. I should even relinquish managing the Su Family’s Trading House business. A nation’s Empress, if she holds the lifeblood of the economy in her hands, how could the Emperor beside her sleep peacefully at night? My mother once said this to me, advising me to surrender the power and hand Su Family’s Trading House over to Zhixu. He would appoint someone else to handle it. But I didn’t want to. It wasn’t because I was attached to the money—though, of course, I like piles of gold and silver. Zhixu and I have both tasted the hardships of poverty. Back when the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry was pressing forward in haste, tens of thousands of troops were marching and eating dry rations with reserve water—not because we were pressed for time, but because we were poor. A single tael of silver had to be spent as carefully as ten taels. I’ve experienced what it’s like to be constrained by financial difficulty. Zhixu has ascended to the throne and, even with that decree appointing me Empress, what does it change? An Empress can be enshrined, but she can also be deposed. Zhixu and I have proven our love through trials and tribulations, and I trust wholeheartedly that he won’t betray me in this lifetime."

Fengyu gazed at the bamboo forest as the autumn wind swept through, rustling the bamboo leaves. "But I only trust the Zhixu of today. Life is long, with decades still to live. Who can predict what the future holds? It’s my first time as Empress, and it’s his first time as Emperor. Ambition and power have always existed hand in hand. When power reaches its peak, what other pursuits might follow? I’ve seen sages fall from their pedestals and scholars, well-read in the classics, commit acts that disgrace their integrity. Human hearts are fickle; nothing remains unchanging forever, not even love. When he loves you, you’re flawless in every way. But if one day that love disappears, then even your presence becomes unbearable. Money and power, however, do not waver. When he had nothing, I was willing to spend every coin I had for him, to go through fire and water for him. But when he stands at the pinnacle, commanding the world, I won’t give up the leverage I have. It’s not because I mistrust or fear him, but because... those things are mine to begin with. If he truly harbors fears about me, that would mean he doesn’t trust me!"

"Would you dare to share these thoughts with the Emperor?" Fang Lingjun asked curiously.

"He already knows," Fengyu replied with a light chuckle. She and Xie Xun had been through so much together—how could Xie Xun not be fully aware of who she was?

Princess Xue Lan couldn’t help but admire her. She herself wasn’t of such a mindset. All she wanted was to live a straightforward life: to listen to her parents at home, to listen to her husband after marrying, and to heed her son in her later years. To pass through life peacefully without much desire for power.

"Then we worried for nothing. As long as you’re sure of yourself, that’s all that matters. No fear of thieves entering, only fear of thieves bearing ill intentions," Fang Lingjun remarked. Neither Fang Lingjun nor Princess Xue Lan said more about Fengyu and Xie Xun’s relationship.

After resting a while in the bamboo grove, the three returned to the training field, where they found Mrs. Fang and Su Yuejiao competing in horseback archery. The two women, dressed in riding outfits, were bold and spirited.

Fang Lingjun let out a cry of surprise and hastily dragged Fengyu and Xue Lan over to watch the excitement. "I haven’t seen my mother ride or shoot in years!"

For women, the constraints of propriety and etiquette started with marriage and motherhood. It was rare for them to have such carefree moments, even for someone as noble as the long-princess.

"Back when my mother was a young woman, she was the best horseback archer in the Capital City. She always swept the competitions, facing no worthy opponent. Even my father the Marshal lost to her once," Fang Lingjun said, her eyes shining as if envisioning her mother’s once-dominant pride and glory.

Fengyu looked at Mrs. Fang and Su Yuejiao in the arena and smiled faintly. Such a competition wasn’t about winning or losing; it felt more like a symbol of women breaking free from their constraints. At some point, more and more women in the Capital City had begun to establish their independence. Increasingly, women were running businesses and engaging in public affairs, even influencing the noble clan matrons.

In the past, horseback archery competitions had never seen married women take the field.

In the first round, Su Yuejiao won.

The following two rounds were both won by Mrs. Fang.

The young onlookers applauded loudly, cheering excitedly. Inspired by Mrs. Fang and Su Yuejiao, a few noble matrons seemed eager to try their hand. Encouraged by their children, they changed into riding clothes to challenge Mrs. Fang and Su Yuejiao, creating a truly lively atmosphere.

Fengyu thought to herself, now this was what a horseback archery gathering should be.

After this event, the Capital City held a series of similar gatherings, all equally vibrant.

Soon, great news arrived from Zhongzhou—Zhongzhou City had achieved a major victory. Under the joint siege of Xie Jue and Xie Xun, General Chen raised a white flag for the safety of the entire city’s people, opening the gates and surrendering.

With that, all of Beining was pacified.

The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, led by several senior generals, returned to Ningzhou to garrison after paying respects to the new Emperor. A portion of the cavalry, along with Xie Xun, returned to the Capital City. Accompanying them were young generals such as Xie Jue and Fang Chuning.

Additionally, after stabilizing Jiangnan, Marshal Fang brought the Sangnan envoys to the Capital City.

The envoy was none other than the Prince of Sangnan, Han Ziqi.

When Fengyu received the carrier pigeon’s message, it contained just one line: "Enemies truly meet in narrow paths; we meet again."

Han Ziqi had certainly never imagined that one day he would come to the Capital City as a defeated nation’s envoy. This time, the negotiations would not be as humiliating as those with the Beiman years ago.

Fengyu sought out Dugu Jing. "Zhixu is about to arrive in the Capital City. Ninth Prince, have you thought it through? This is your only chance to seek peace."

Dugu Jing was more stubborn than she had imagined. Despite all her attempts to persuade him—even taking him to the horseback archery gatherings—Dugu Jing remained as impervious as ever.

"Fengyu, if you wish to kill me or cut me down, do as you please. Don’t bother wasting your words," Dugu Jing said.

"Fine. Then I’ll have to let Second Brother talk to you," Fengyu replied. Google seaʀᴄh N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

Dugu Jing stiffened. "..."