From cute to empress

Chapter 161 National Crisis

"Mengmeng, what's wrong?" Zhen Youcai noticed that something was wrong with me and asked worriedly.

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the turmoil in my heart, and slowly handed the letter to him, "Take a look for yourself."

Zhen Youcai took the letter and read it quickly, his expression gradually becoming serious. I could feel his breathing becoming rapid, and the knuckles of his fingers gripping the letter turned white, as if he was about to crush the thin paper.

"This..." He finally spoke, his voice hoarse and filled with a hint of disbelief, "How is this possible..."

The letter contained few words, yet each one was deeply moving. It explained that Zhen Youcai was the long-lost prince of a neighboring kingdom. A palace coup had separated him from his parents, leading him to be adopted by an ordinary family and, ever since, to wander among the common people. The neighboring kingdom's invasion plan, ostensibly for territorial expansion, was actually intended to welcome back their prince—Zhen Youcai—who had been separated from them for so long.

I couldn't imagine that Zhen Youcai, who had always been loyal and upright and had made great contributions to me and the country, was actually a prince of an enemy country! This news was like a bolt from the blue, and it left me dizzy.

"Mengmeng, this..." Zhen Youcai wanted to explain, but he didn't know where to start. He closed his eyes painfully and took a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself down.

I understand that at this moment, his inner torment is no less than mine. On one side is his beloved wife, on the other side are his blood relatives he has never met; on one side is the country he loyally protects, on the other side is his homeland he has never seen. How should he choose?

"Youcai, do you believe the contents of this letter?" I asked softly, trying to keep my tone calm, but I could feel my voice trembling.

"I..." Zhen Youcai opened his mouth, but no words came out. His deep eyes were filled with struggle and pain, as if a storm was raging in them.

"Mengmeng, give me some time, let me think about it..." He held my hand tightly, his eyes full of pleading.

"Okay." I nodded and gently leaned my head on his shoulder. At this moment, I didn't want to ask anything, didn't want to say anything, I just wanted to accompany him quietly like this, give him strength and support.

"No matter what..." After a long while, Zhen Youcai finally spoke in a low and firm voice, "I will..."

Before he could finish his words, suddenly, a hurried sound of footsteps was heard, and a guard ran in in a panic, knelt on the ground, and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, it's bad, something terrible has happened..." "Your Majesty, it's bad, something terrible has happened! The neighboring country...the neighboring country's army is approaching the border!" The guard's voice trembled with a hint of fear.

I stood up abruptly, my heart sinking. It seemed the letter wasn't just empty boasting; the neighboring country was truly planning an invasion. And at this very moment, my husband, my general, was mired in a mystery surrounding his origins. This was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. I turned to look at Zhen Youcai and said in a deep voice, "Youcai, go deal with the border issues first. Leave this to me."

Zhen Youcai gave me a complicated look, seeming to hesitate. I knew he must be feeling conflicted and struggling. But I believed in him, confident he would make the right choice.

"Mengmeng, you..."

"Don't worry, I'm fine." I forced a calm smile, "You have to believe me and believe in yourself."

Zhen Youcai looked at me deeply, and finally nodded, turned around and strode out of the hall.

I watched his back until he disappeared from my sight, then I slumped down in the chair weakly.

The guard's words are still echoing in my ears. The neighboring country's army is approaching, the border is in crisis, and I have to face all this alone. I also have to keep the secret of Zhen Youcai's life experience. My heart seems to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and I am almost suffocating.

I told myself I couldn't panic, I couldn't get confused. I was the empress, the pillar of this country, I couldn't fall!

I tried to calm myself down and started thinking about countermeasures. I couldn't just sit there and wait for death. I had to take the initiative and disrupt the neighboring countries' deployment to buy more time and opportunities.

I summoned all the ministers and held an emergency military meeting overnight.

"My dear ministers, the neighboring country's army is approaching and the situation is critical. Do you have any good plans?" I sat on the dragon throne, looking at the ministers below, my tone calm and powerful.

The ministers began to discuss the matter, but most of them were conservative defensive strategies with nothing new to say.

I frowned and felt extremely anxious.

At this moment, a bold idea suddenly popped into my mind.

"I've decided..." I stood up suddenly, my eyes blazing, my tone firm, "to take the initiative!"

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not possible!" As soon as I finished speaking, I was met with unanimous opposition from all the ministers.

"Your Majesty, taking the initiative to attack is too risky. Our army has never had such a precedent before!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Let's not even talk about the chances of success. If we start off badly, won't we be in a more passive position?"

I listened to the ministers' advice, understanding their concerns. Taking the initiative is indeed risky, but passively defending will only embolden our neighbors. I must take a gamble—my country, my dignity, and... my love.

"I understand your concerns, my dear ministers, but my mind is made up!" I said firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "I order General Zhen to lead 50,000 elite troops to set out immediately and launch a surprise attack on the enemy's food and supplies!"

"Your Majesty!" The ministers wanted to persuade him again, but I interrupted them with a wave of my hand.

"I know what you're worried about, but I believe in General Zhen and our army!" My gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Zhen Youcai, who stood at the head of the generals. "Youcai, are you afraid?"

Zhen Youcai took a step forward and knelt on one knee, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I am willing to sacrifice my life for Your Majesty, even if it means death!"

"Okay!" I nodded and threw the tiger talisman representing military power in front of him. "I'll be waiting for your good news!"

Zhen Youcai took the tiger talisman, stood up, and accepted the order, then turned and strode out of the hall. Looking at his tall and straight back, my heart was filled with worry, but also a hint of anticipation.

For the next few days, I barely slept, attending to state affairs while anxiously awaiting news from the front. In the court, the ministers continued to debate my decision, but my resolve remained unwavering.

Finally, in the early morning of five days later, a fast horse came galloping and brought news from the front line.

"Report!" The messenger dismounted and knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty, General Zhen led his troops in a surprise attack on the enemy's food and supplies, successfully destroying their morale and foraging. The enemy has retreated thirty miles!"

"Alright!" I stood up suddenly, unable to suppress my excitement. "Pass the order down and reward the troops. I will personally welcome General Zhen!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" The ministers also knelt on the ground, their faces full of joy and admiration.

However, just as I was about to celebrate Zhen Youcai's victory, I received a letter from a neighboring country...

Before the joy of victory could radiate, my heart was lifted by a letter from a neighboring nation. The king's handwriting on the letter was vigorous and powerful, yet it was filled with a desire for peace. They were willing to withdraw their troops and sign a friendly agreement, but the precondition was—that Zhen Youcai return.

"Your Majesty, what does the neighboring country mean? General Zhen is a meritorious official of our dynasty. How can we just take him away without permission?" Prime Minister Li was indignant, and other ministers echoed him, filled with righteous indignation.

I clutched the letter tightly, my fingertips white, but I couldn't utter a word. The letter also vaguely mentioned Zhen Youcai's life experience, saying that he was a descendant of the royal family of a neighboring country, who had been living among the people for many years and now deserved to return.

Zhen Youcai's life story has always been a mystery. Rescued by the legendary doctor Sun and brought back to the palace, he has no recollection of his past, only his name. I initially thought it was simply a fuzzy memory due to the passage of time, but I never imagined there lay such a shocking truth.

"Your Majesty?" Seeing that I was still silent, Prime Minister Li called softly, "Are you alright?"

I took a deep breath, suppressed my surging emotions, and pretended to be calm, saying, "I'm fine. We can discuss this later. Pass on my order to prepare the imperial garden."

As night fell and the stars dotted the sky, the view of the Imperial Garden held no allure for me. I wandered aimlessly, my mind full of Zhen Youcai.

If he is truly the prince of a neighboring kingdom, then is he leading the troops this time out of loyalty? Or treachery? Is he sincere towards me, or does he have other motives?

"Mengmeng." A familiar voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw Zhen Youcai, dressed in military uniform, rushing back overnight. His face was tired, but his eyes were full of joy. "I'm back."

I looked at him, with a thousand words stuck in my throat, but I didn't know where to start.

"What's wrong?" He noticed my strangeness and asked with concern, "Did something happen in the court?"

I opened my mouth, but in the end I said nothing and just shook my head.

"I'm glad you're okay." He smiled and held me in his arms. "Wait for me. When I return triumphantly, we'll get married."

I leaned on his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, but my heart became heavier.

what should I do?