Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 231 Ripples in the Harem

Chang'an, Weiyang Palace, Fengyi Hall.

It was late autumn, and the leaves of the few paulownia trees in front of the palace had turned golden, appearing serene and solemn in the afternoon sun. Inside the palace, the elegant fragrance of pear blossom incense burned in the incense burner, the wisps of smoke intertwining with the beams of light streaming through the carved windows, adding to the tranquility. However, Murong Mingyue, seated on her phoenix couch, held a copy of the routine military report from the southern expeditionary camp in her hand, making it difficult for her mind to find peace amidst the incense in the palace.

The military reports maintained their familiar format, meticulously and thoroughly reporting on the frontline situation, troop movements, and resource consumption. However, in the intervals between the routine texts, and in the accompanying "Brief Records of His Majesty's Daily Life" compiled and excerpted by the Inner Palace Attendants Bureau, some more personal information, transcending matters of national importance, inevitably emerged.

For example, Lin Wan'er, a talented woman from Jiangnan who was exceptionally promoted by His Majesty and appointed as "Hanlin Attendant" and "Military Advisor," made great contributions in pacifying Danyang and other prefectures. Recently, she accompanied His Majesty to Miao territory and is said to have offered many suggestions on dealing with the Baiyue religion.

For example, Lan Fenghuang, the holy maiden of the Miao Jiang Baiyue sect, not only led her sect to submit to the emperor, but was also personally appointed by the emperor as the "chief physician of the army," a rank equivalent to the fifth grade, in charge of medical affairs for all armies in the southern expedition. The emperor even personally inspected the medicine house she managed and praised her highly.

Lin Wan'er... Lan Fenghuang...

Murong Mingyue put down the military report, her slender fingers unconsciously tracing the smooth brocade couch. She hadn't just learned of those two names today. Since His Majesty's southern campaign, the Censorate and the Inner Palace Secretariat had been reporting to her every ten days on important personnel changes at the front and matters related to His Majesty. This was a rule established when the Emperor left the capital, to show respect for the Regent Empress and to guarantee her right to know.

At first, she didn't pay much attention. His Majesty was a man of great talent and ambition, employing people without regard to background. During wartime, he recruited talent regardless of gender, as long as it benefited the country. Lin Wan'er's map and strategy demonstrated her ability to appease the gentry of Jiangnan; Lan Fenghuang's submission and skills helped to resolve the malaria in the southwest—both were beneficial to the southern expedition. As Empress, she should be pleased that His Majesty had found such capable people and that the country had gained new talent.

However, as these names appeared repeatedly in military reports and daily records, and their interactions with His Majesty became increasingly frequent and... intimate, a subtle emotion, which she herself tried to deny, eventually began to quietly grow like an undercurrent.

Lin Wan'er, a talented woman from Jiangnan, possesses a refined temperament and quick wit. She can advise His Majesty on important matters and spends her days with him... Lan Fenghuang, a holy maiden from Miao territory, is lively and mysterious, possesses extraordinary abilities, and can serve His Majesty at his side, taking care of him meticulously...

Murong Mingyue closed her eyes, and what came to mind were scenes from many years ago in the snowstorm of the northern frontier, where she and Chen Xing rode side by side and fought bloody battles; the scene of the two of them talking late into the night and planning for the future in a simple house when Xinghuo Fort was first built; the scene of Chen Xing always taking time to accompany her for a walk and gently stroking her belly when she was ten months pregnant, even though he was busy with political affairs... Those years of sharing joys and sorrows and supporting each other were the most precious treasures in her heart and the cornerstone of her status as empress.

She never doubted Chen Xing's feelings for her. They were not only husband and wife, but also comrades-in-arms who had shared life and death, and partners in building an empire together. She could feel Chen Xing's respect, trust, and love for her.

But... the human heart is always greedy. Having experienced the deep affection of fighting side by side, one will crave more possession and companionship. Especially when she is in Chang'an, shouldering the heavy responsibility of overseeing the country, thousands of miles away from her husband, while new, outstanding women who clearly admire him keep appearing around him... that feeling of being pulled apart by space and time, that loneliness of being alone in her empty room, only able to learn about her husband's movements through cold words, becomes particularly clear.

She knew she shouldn't act this way. As Empress, she should be tolerant. His Majesty was the Son of Heaven, possessing the entire realm; it was only natural that his harem would be filled in the future. When Su Xiaoxiao entered the palace, she felt a pang of bitterness for a moment, but she quickly adjusted, prioritizing the greater good and maintaining a facade of harmony with Su Xiaoxiao, jointly governing the country. This was because Su Xiaoxiao had made outstanding contributions to the empire's finances and, being relatively reserved, knew how to maintain appropriate boundaries.

However, Lin Wan'er and Lan Fenghuang... seem somewhat different. They did not enter the palace through conventional selection or political marriage, but rather, during His Majesty's campaigns, they directly entered His Majesty's field of vision and the core of his work based on their "talent" and "ability." This connection, born of "tasks," is perhaps closer than a title determined by "etiquette," and is also less bound by "harem rules."

"Your Highness," the personal maidservant stepped forward lightly and, seeing Murong Mingyue's dazed expression, cautiously said, "The Imperial Physician Liu has come to inquire about her pulse and is already waiting in the side hall."

Murong Mingyue snapped out of her daze, composed herself, and regained her usual calm and dignified demeanor: "Let him in."

Physician Liu, with his white hair and beard, possessed superb medical skills and was the pillar of the Imperial Medical Bureau. He carefully examined Murong Mingyue's pulse and inquired about her recent diet and daily life, especially the sensations of her old injuries.

"Your Majesty's health is recovering well. The blood and qi in the old wounds have flowed smoothly. You only need to continue taking your medicine on time, avoid overexertion, and maintain a peaceful state of mind, and there will be no major problems," Physician Liu said, stroking his beard. "However... there seems to be a frown between Your Majesty's brows. Is it because you have been too busy with official duties lately, or... are you preoccupied with something?"

Murong Mingyue smiled faintly: "Thank you for your concern, Physician Liu. Although I am busy with state affairs, I am assisted by the ministers. As for my worries... His Majesty is on a personal campaign abroad, how can I, as his wife, be completely at ease? This is only human nature."

Doctor Liu nodded, said no more, wrote a prescription to calm the nerves, and then bowed and took his leave.

After seeing off Physician Liu, the female official returned to find Murong Mingyue picking up the military report again, her gaze fixed on a certain spot for a long time. She softly advised, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is blessed with great fortune and is a brilliant strategist. With the assistance of the generals, he will surely return victorious soon. Counselor Lin, Physician Lan, and others are all capable ministers who will help His Majesty pacify Jiangnan as soon as possible. Your Majesty should put your mind at ease."

Murong Mingyue put down the military report, walked to the window, and gazed at the few golden sycamore trees in the courtyard. After a moment of silence, she slowly said, "You're right. They are all people who assist His Majesty. I... should be happy that His Majesty has gained such talented people." Her voice was calm, but carried a barely perceptible sigh. "However, this Phoenix Palace... has felt rather empty lately. Go and fetch the Crown Prince's homework for today; I want to take a look."

She suppressed that subtle sense of loneliness and jealousy deep within her heart, focusing instead on her immediate responsibilities—governing the country and educating the Crown Prince. This was her duty, and also the foundation upon which she and His Majesty shared. Personal emotions seemed insignificant in the face of the great cause of the empire. Yet, those quietly rippling waves had already left their mark deep within her heart, waiting only for the right moment to resurface.

Meanwhile, on the front lines in Jiangnan, thousands of miles away, Chen Xing, who was working with Jia Wen and Chen Wei to refine the details of the final offensive, might, on some weary night, think of his beloved wife in Chang'an, whose fate was inextricably linked to his. But with the war raging and countless other matters at hand, that longing and guilt could only be temporarily buried deep in his heart, transforming into an even stronger resolve—to pacify Jiangnan as soon as possible, return to Chang'an, and reunite with his family.