From cute to empress

Chapter 130 Feelings of Home and Country

Golden sunlight shone on my armor, casting a cold glow. Astride my warhorse, I gazed at the rolling hills ahead, my heart filled with worry. News of the border crisis was like a thunderclap, shattering the tranquility of the capital.

"Mengmeng, don't worry, we will definitely be able to repel the enemy." Zhen Youcai rode his horse to my side, his dark face full of determination, and the veins on his hands holding the reins were bulging. I knew that his heart was also full of worries, but more of it was the determination to defend his country.

I nodded and turned to look at the mighty army behind me. Each soldier had a resolute expression, their eyes filled with the courage to face death. The scene of the people spontaneously seeing me off was still vivid in my mind, and I secretly vowed to live up to their expectations and protect this land.

After several days of forced marching, we finally reached the border. The scene before us was shocking: the once bustling town was now in ruins, smoke billowing, and the cries of battle shook the earth. The enemy was advancing with great force, having already breached several of the border's defenses. The situation was extremely critical.

"Pass the order down, the entire army prepare to fight!" I drew the sword at my waist, pointing the tip of the sword straight ahead, my tone was sharp, and revealed an irresistible majesty.

"Kill!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky like thunder, and their morale was high.

Zhen Youcai and I fought side by side, leading our army into a fierce battle with the enemy. Blades flashed, blood and flesh flew everywhere. The battle was extremely brutal, and everyone was fighting for survival and for their homeland.

At this moment, a team came galloping from a distance, led by the Black Wind Hall Master and Fairy Caiyun.

"Your Majesty, we are late!" The leader of the Black Wind Hall clasped his fists and saluted, his tone full of apology.

"You've arrived at the perfect time!" I looked at the righteous men behind them, and a glimmer of hope ignited in my heart. "My fellow righteous men, today our country is in trouble, and every citizen has a responsibility. Thank you for your help!"

"It is our duty to defend our country!" Fairy Caiyun's clear voice sounded, and the heroes behind her responded and joined the battle.

The leader of the Black Wind Hall and Fairy Caiyun not only brought troops, but also brought important intelligence, which provided great help to us in formulating our battle plan.

The battle raged for a full day and night, with both sides suffering heavy losses. My sword had become blunt, and my armor was stained red with blood, but I remained steadfast, knowing I could not fall. Behind me lay millions of people waiting for me.

"Mengmeng, be careful!" Suddenly, I heard Zhen Youcai's anxious cry, followed by a sharp pain in my shoulder...

A warm current flowed down my shoulders, and everything in front of me seemed to become blurry. I clenched my teeth and tried to stay awake. My ears were filled with deafening shouts, the sound of weapons clashing, and the soldiers' groans of pain.

"Mengmeng!" Zhen Youcai's anxious voice came again. He threw down the spear in his hand and rushed to my side desperately, supporting my body. "How are you? Where are you hurt?"

I shook my head and tried to speak, but my throat was dry and I couldn't make a sound.

"The emperor is injured! Come quickly! Protect the emperor!" I don't know who shouted, and the surrounding soldiers immediately surrounded us, protecting Zhen Youcai and me in the middle.

Zhen Youcai, not caring about anything else, tore off the armor on my shoulder, revealing a hideous wound with blood gushing out. His face changed, and he quickly pulled out a wound medicine and gauze from his pocket, expertly cleaning the wound, applying the medicine, and bandaging it.

I gasped in pain, but held back my words.

"Bear with it, it will be fine in a while." Zhen Youcai comforted me softly, his tone full of heartache and self-blame.

I looked up at him. His face was also covered in blood, and his armor was scarred. He had obviously been injured in the previous battle. A warm feeling welled up in my heart. I took his hand in my own and shook my head gently, indicating that I was fine.

After a simple bandage, I struggled to stand up, but Zhen Youcai held me down.

"You are injured, rest well, leave this to me." His tone left no room for doubt.

I looked at his determined eyes and knew I couldn't refuse, so I nodded and let him help me sit down in a safe corner.

"Your Majesty, are you okay?" The Black Wind Hall Master and Fairy Caiyun also rushed over and looked at me with concern.

I shook my head, indicating that I was fine. "How's the battle going?"

"The enemy's attack is fierce, and our soldiers are fighting hard." The leader of the Black Wind Hall said in a serious tone.

"Where is General Zhen?" I looked around but didn't see Zhen Youcai.

"The general said that you can rest assured with him around," Fairy Caiyun replied.

I nodded and looked ahead. I saw Zhen Youcai, spear in hand, leading the troops bravely in the fight. He seemed tireless, each strike carrying the force of thunder and lightning, the enemy retreating before him.

Watching his brave and fearless figure on the battlefield, my heart was filled with pride and emotion.

Suddenly, I saw a commotion in the enemy camp. A general wearing black armor and holding a long sword came out on horseback. Judging from his attire, he should be the enemy's main general.

"Zhen Youcai! Do you dare to fight me?" The enemy general's voice was loud and echoed throughout the battlefield.

Zhen Youcai sneered, picked up his gun and rode out, "Why not?"

The soldiers of the two armies automatically separated to make room for them.

My heart tightened as I stared intently at the two men in the center of the battlefield, my heart in my throat... The shouts of the soldiers from both armies were deafening, and my heart pounded with Zhen Youcai's presence. He and the enemy general engaged in a fierce, clashing battle, swords flashing and sabers darting, each a match for the other. Zhen Youcai's moves were fierce and brutal, yet graceful and composed, like a graceful dance on the battlefield. Meanwhile, the enemy general, despite his fierce momentum, was losing ground with each blow, sweat gradually beading on his forehead.

After an unknown amount of time, a scream was heard, and the enemy general was knocked off his horse by Zhen Youcai's spear. Seeing this, the enemy troops were immediately thrown into disarray, abandoning their armor and weapons and fleeing in panic. Our army pursued them, ultimately completely defeating them.

Peace had returned to the border, and the afterglow of the setting sun cast a particularly desolate and tragic light on the blood-stained battlefield. I dragged my exhausted body to Zhen Youcai's side. His armor was torn in many places, and his face was stained with blood, but it couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes.

"We won." He looked at me with a victorious smile on his face.

"Well, we won." I nodded, but my eyes couldn't help but become moist.

Upon returning to the capital, Zhen Youcai and I were warmly welcomed by the people. The streets were packed with people, and the cheers and the beating of gongs and drums were deafening. Seeing faces filled with joy and gratitude, I was deeply moved and gratified. I knew it was all worth it.

After the triumphal ceremony, Zhen Youcai held my hand and we strolled through the Imperial Garden. As the sun set, its golden afterglow cast a blanket over us, as if covering us with a golden veil.

"Mengmeng, marry me." Zhen Youcai suddenly stopped and looked at me affectionately.

I looked at him, my eyes became wet again, and I nodded slightly.

Our wedding was held amidst the blessings of the entire nation, a celebration filled with joy and excitement. I know that the story of Zhen Youcai and I will be passed down through the ages.

However, just as we were immersed in the joy of our wedding, news came from the palace...

"Your Majesty, urgent news from the border!" The eunuch's shrill voice shattered the tranquility of the palace, shattering the brief sweetness between Youcai and me. My heart tightened, and a sense of foreboding settled over me. I took the memorial and quickly unfolded it. The tension and fear revealed between the lines made my breath catch.

"What's wrong, Mengmeng?" Youcai noticed that something was wrong with me and reached out to hold my hand, but the warmth of his palm could not dispel the chill in my heart.

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my inner anxiety, and handed him the memorial. "Look."

Youcai took the memorial, his brow furrowed as he read. News had arrived from the border that a previously tranquil river in the northern border had dried up overnight, revealing a cracked riverbed. Meanwhile, villages near the border were experiencing strange phenomena: livestock mysteriously dying and crops withering.

“How could this happen…” I muttered to myself, and the scene of the people in panic emerged in my mind.

"It seems like this peaceful time won't last a few days before we're all busy again." Youcai put down the memorial, his eyes gleaming with determination. He reached out and pulled me into his arms, "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

His embrace was warm and strong, giving me strength as always. Yes, no matter what happens, we will face it together.

The next morning at court, I urgently informed the ministers of the border situation, and the court immediately began to discuss the matter.

"Your Majesty, this matter is too strange. I think we should send someone to investigate as soon as possible to find out the truth!" An old minister stood up and said.

"I second the proposal!"

"I also second the proposal!"

I looked around at the ministers and said in a deep voice, "Okay, then..."

Before I could finish my words, there was a sudden commotion outside the palace, and then a guard rushed in, "Your Majesty, the Black Wind Hall Master and Fairy Caiyun request an audience!"

I was moved. They were both well-known figures in the martial arts world. Could their uninvited arrival be related to the border issue? I exchanged glances with Youcai and said in a deep voice, "Announce!"

The Black Wind Hall Master and Fairy Caiyun walked into the hall, both with solemn expressions. After bowing to me, the Black Wind Hall Master spoke first...