From cute to empress

Chapter 274 A Promise Between Life and Death

"How could this happen..." I muttered to myself, the speech slipping weakly from my hands. Zhen Youcai rushed to my side and held my hand. His palm was warm and dry, but it couldn't dispel the chill that welled up in my heart.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" His brows were full of worry, and his deep eyes were fixed on me, as if he wanted to see through all my anxieties.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my panic, and told him the news brought by the palace servants: "The war on the border is tense, and the military pay is urgently needed..."

Months of preparation had been devoted to the grand art event, intended to promote cultural exchange between the two countries and demonstrate the country's strength and prosperity, while also ensuring the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. Now, with war reignited on the border and the treasury empty, this grand event seemed like a magnificent castle in the air, poised to collapse at any moment.

"Your Majesty, don't worry, I will find a way!" Zhen Youcai said decisively, his tone revealing a firmness and strength, as if all difficulties were not worth mentioning in front of him.

I shook his hand, a mixture of emotions welling up in my chest. I knew full well that as a frontier commander, he should be donning his armor and galloping across the battlefield right now. However, the current predicament also required him, and we needed to face it together.

"At this point, we can only take things one step at a time." I forced myself to appear calm. "You go take care of the military pay first. I'll do my best to maintain the event."

Zhen Youcai hesitated to speak, but finally nodded, turned around and walked away. His back revealed a determination that was unswerving.

Over the next few days, I suppressed my inner anxiety and continued to work on the art event. I called together ministers to discuss countermeasures, cut unnecessary expenses, and even used my own private money to hope to fill the funding gap as much as possible.

However, it was a drop in the bucket. As the event was about to open, the preparations came to a standstill due to funding issues.

Just when I was exhausted and almost in despair, a surprised voice came: "Your Majesty, happy news, great news!"

I looked up suddenly and saw the wealthy businessman's wife walking in with a beaming face. Behind her were several guards carrying several heavy boxes in their hands.

"This is..." I looked at her in confusion.

"Your Majesty, this is a small gift from your humble servant. Please accept it." The wealthy businessman's wife smiled and opened the box. The glittering gold bars came into view, almost blinding me.

"How can this be? It's too expensive. I can't accept it!" I was surprised and quickly refused.

"Your Majesty, please don't refuse. This money is nothing. As long as I can do my bit for the country, I will not refuse even if it means death!" The wealthy businessman's wife spoke in a firm tone, not allowing any refusal.

I was deeply moved and ultimately accepted this heartfelt gift. With this financial support, the preparatory work was able to proceed smoothly, and I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Masters of painting and famous opera actors led their teams to work day and night, carefully preparing works for the exhibition, striving for perfection and living up to everyone's expectations.

However, on the eve of the opening of the art festival, I received an expedited letter from the border...

"Your Majesty..." My personal maid walked in in a panic. "Urgent news from the border!"

My heart sank suddenly, and an ominous premonition came over me...

The handwriting on the letter was a bit messy due to the hasty writer, but I didn't care. I quickly scanned the contents with trembling hands. The letter said that the army led by Zhen Youcai encountered the enemy and fought fiercely, eventually repelling the enemy, but...

"Your Majesty, General Zhen..." The palace maid's voice was tearful, but I didn't dare to listen any further. I snatched the letter and stared at the last line.

"General Zhen is seriously injured, and his life or death is uncertain..."

The letter slipped from my hands, my vision went dark, and I almost fainted.

"Someone, call the doctor!" I slumped down in my chair, clutching the armrests tightly, my nails digging deep into my flesh, yet I felt no pain. My mind was blank, only Zhen Youcai's resolute face and his promise before he left, "Wait until I come back," echoing over and over again.

I don’t know how long it took, but I heard hurried footsteps. I looked up suddenly and saw Zhen Youcai appear at the door, looking exhausted.

"Talented!" I could hardly believe my eyes. I rushed over desperately and threw myself into his arms.

"Mengmeng, I'm back." His voice was a little weak, but with a hint of smile. His big hand gently stroked my back, as if comforting a frightened deer.

I hugged him tightly, feeling the warmth of his real presence, and my tears burst out, wetting his clothes.

"Why are you so badly injured? Why don't you care about your own safety..." I choked and looked at the bandage on his arm with heartache.

"Silly girl, I promised you that I would come back alive." He gently wiped away my tears, "Look, I'm back, aren't I?"

I burst into laughter, my heart filled with joy of surviving the disaster.

The art event was held as scheduled.

The day after Zhen Youcai returned, I invited famous art critics to serve as judges.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will make the judgment impartially and impartially." He promised me solemnly.

I know that his professionalism and fair and rigorous attitude are obvious to the entire art world. With him sitting on the jury, I am full of confidence in this event.

With the grand event just around the corner, I'm personally involved, paying attention to every detail. From the stage construction to the placement of exhibits, the lighting, and even the floral decorations, I personally oversee everything, striving for perfection and showcasing our country's cultural heritage and artistic achievements to the world.

However, just as everything was ready, on the eve of the art festival's opening, a sudden and unexpected storm swept across the capital... I stood at the window, almost completely obscured by a curtain of rain, anxiously staring out. The wind and torrential rain raged, turning the once adorned streets into a shambles. Branches were snapped, flower pots were overturned, and the carefully arranged colorful flags were torn and scattered in the wind and rain.

"Your Majesty, please take a rest. You have hardly slept a wink from yesterday until now." The palace maid Xiaotao brought a cup of hot tea and comforted him softly.

I took the tea but didn't drink it. I just sighed softly, "This rain comes at a really bad time. Tomorrow is the opening day of the art festival. I don't know what's going on at the venue..."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I have already sent people to the venue to check. Everything is fine there. There are officials from the Ministry of Works supervising on site. Even if there are some minor problems, they will be dealt with in a timely manner." Xiao Tao comforted.

I nodded, but my heart remained restless. This art festival is the first large-scale cultural event I've organized since ascending the throne. Its success or failure affects the morale of the people and the reputation of our nation. I will not tolerate any mistakes.

"Prepare the sedan chair and go to the venue!" I put down the teacup and said decisively.

"Your Majesty, this..." Xiao Tao hesitated, "It's so windy and rainy outside now, you should..."

"No need to say more, I have made up my mind." I said in a firm tone, leaving no room for doubt.

Along the way, the wind howled and the rain poured down, and the carriage struggled to move forward on the muddy road. My heart was also up and down with the bumpy ride, and various possible situations at the venue kept appearing in my mind.

Finally, the carriage stopped. I lifted the curtain, but the scene before me stunned me...

"This...how could this happen..." I looked at the mess in front of me in disbelief. The originally magnificent conference hall had now been ravaged beyond recognition by the storm.