Chapter 454: Chapter 454

In the twenty-first year of Jingyuan, the great army marched northward. The twenty-nine-year-old Crown Princess personally took command and led the expedition. The entire court and populace were in an uproar, and the emperor personally led all civil and military officials to see her off at the Shenwu Gate!

The following month, after the army's departure, aside from her constantly worried parents, the reigning emperor was advanced in years, and with his successor away on campaign, some turbulence within the court was inevitable. However, unexpectedly, this military campaign concluded more swiftly than anyone had imagined.

The current emperor himself had a military background, and his prestige had grown over time. After ascending the throne, he had been a stabilizing force for the border troops. Furthermore, he repeatedly overhauled military discipline and placed great importance on military officers. In terms of official governance, he completely changed the chaotic style of the late emperor's reign.

Economically, there were also improved high-yield seed varieties.

With ample provisions and supplies, complete equipment, strict military discipline, and the Crown Princess, the future sovereign, personally taking to the battlefield—where she shot the enemy commander with a single arrow amidst the three armies, completely igniting the morale of all soldiers present!

Accompanied by thunderous war drums, this war, or rather this so-called probe, ended earlier and more brutally than anyone had anticipated.

Raised from childhood as an heir, Shangguan Jun was by no means of a gentle disposition. Not only did she employ unexpected strategies on the battlefield, beating the enemy back step by step, but she also pressed the advantage with one vigorous effort, striking directly at the enemy's heart. She personally slew countless enemy soldiers and captured their leader.

Instantly, the entire nation erupted in celebration!

Upon receiving the news, the ailing Emperor Jingyuan was immediately overjoyed. He not only personally led his ministers to welcome the army at the Xuanwu Gate, but half a year later, feeling his body could no longer hold out, he announced his abdication in favor of the Crown Princess.

Let's set aside that latter point for now. At this moment, in the Tingquan Hall:

Seeing their daughter, who looked considerably rougher yet also much stronger, appear before their eyes, not only did the tear-swollen Shangguan Huai cry, but even An Ning couldn't help but heave a huge sigh of relief.

Even though, long before this, she had ordered the system to monitor the situation constantly. She had even discreetly engraved an array onto the jade pendant her daughter carried, using carvings as a disguise.

Of course, given her daughter's intelligence, this array was certainly not some heaven-defying artifact. It was merely designed to, when her life hung by a thread, mobilize the spiritual energy stored within the jade as much as possible to nourish her body and barely keep that last breath going.

Unless her daughter was truly on the brink of death, An Ning herself hadn't even planned to truly activate it.

That evening, the family of three had a warm, affectionate dinner together. Watching her daughter's retreating back, right up until bedtime, aside from the overly excited, sleepless, and constantly chattering Shangguan Huai, An Ning herself was also uncharacteristically restless.

"What's wrong, Host?"

"Nothing, just feeling a bit novel. This is probably the first time I haven't had the complete ability to protect the other party, yet still placed them in such a perilous situation."

Thinking of the large and small wounds on Jun'er's body, a rare sigh flickered in An Ning's eyes in the darkness. But it was only brief. As for anything else, there really wasn't any!

No matter how dangerous, no matter how arduous, being the sovereign of a nation, standing above tens of thousands... who would truly refuse such a position?

Of course, while having her own trump cards, not having to toil hard all day and directly enjoying the privileged life of an empress dowager obviously suited this lazy fish's taste quite well.

So at this moment, An Ning was only briefly sentimental. Early the next morning, the couple still slept beautifully until daybreak, completely casting aside the worries they had earlier.

Even after automatically being promoted to Grand Emperor and Grand Empress half a year later, the couple's daily life didn't change much.

As for their newly ascended daughter, Shangguan Jun was originally exceptionally capable. Now, after this campaign, not only did she command immense authority in the military, but her fame among the common people was also resounding. Her imperial throne could be said to be extremely secure. Where would she need An Ning and her husband to worry?

As for the remaining days... well, just enjoy them beautifully.

Regarding the heir, Jue'er, at first, Emperor Tianqi felt some slight regret that her son hadn't completely inherited her excellent intellect. But ten years later, twenty years, even thirty years later, feeling her own body was still exceptionally robust and she could keep going strong for several more decades, the current emperor looked down at the "not-so-bright" crown prince below...

And at the countless grandsons below, even great-grandsons...

Actually, this isn't bad either!

Practicing with a new account is indeed more satisfying!

After sighing with emotion for a moment that she too was about to step into the same path as her Imperial Grandmother, Emperor Tianqi quickly perked up again.

Until her later years, witnessing a wave of grandsons vying for the succession, with fresh youngsters daily trying to curry favor through clever means, An Ning: "..."

This operation feels quite familiar!

But what does that have to do with an old lady like her, a grand empress?

As usual, she beautifully collected a large wave of flattery from the younger generation and all sorts of fine goods from across the land. As for putting in a good word with her dear daughter? Sorry, not a single bit!

Yet even so, the daily parade of great-grandsons and great-granddaughters, each trying to outdo the other with clever tricks, still formed an endless line.

One can only say, this realm, it truly holds such allure!

It's just a pity. Given her Jun'er's constitution, plus the health-preserving swordsmanship she had refined over decades, and Jun'er's own masterful medical skills... looking at these youngsters before her now, tsk!

Her gaze swept over the crowd of younger generations below. What An Ning actually wanted to say was: Alright, stop busying yourselves with the succession struggle for now. Everyone, focusing on nurturing your health is more practical...