From cute to empress

Chapter 153: Moonlit Vow

"Report——"

A hurried voice shattered the stillness of the night, and I was startled awake from Zhen Youcai's warm embrace. A guard hurried over, knelt on one knee, and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, victory news from the border! General Zhen has achieved a resounding victory, successfully repelling the invasion, and will soon return to the capital!"

"Great!" I couldn't contain my joy and stood up excitedly. Zhen Youcai also showed a relieved smile on his face. He patted my hand gently and said, "Mengmeng, I knew I would return triumphantly."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my excitement, and ordered the guards, "Pass the order and prepare a grand welcome ceremony immediately. I want everyone in the capital to know that their hero has returned!"

"As you wish!" The guard took the order and left.

For the next few days, the entire palace was bustling with activity. Palace servants came and went, decorating the palace with lanterns and colorful decorations, preparing for Zhen Youcai's triumphant return. I personally oversaw every detail, from the decorations on the city gates to the banquet dishes, striving for perfection.

Finally, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhen Youcai led his army back to the capital. The city gates were thrown wide open, and the people lined the streets in a deafening cheer. Standing atop the city walls, I watched the triumphant procession, the figure atop the majestic horse, my heart filled with pride and emotion.

After the welcoming ceremony, I hosted a banquet for the triumphant soldiers. As we drank, I noticed the weariness in Zhen Youcai's eyes, and my heart ached. I raised my glass, walked over to him, and said softly, "Youcai, you've worked so hard."

Zhen Youcai took the wine glass, drank it all in one gulp, and said with a smile: "I will not refuse even if it means death, even if it means helping your majesty and serving the country."

I looked at him, my eyes filled with tenderness, and said softly, "I'll wait for you in the bedroom tonight..."

After the banquet, I suppressed my excitement and anticipation as I watched him return to the General's Mansion. I knew he needed rest, time to adjust to the quiet life after the intense battlefield.

It was late, but I had no desire to sleep. The palace was magnificent, yet empty and desolate. I threw on a veil and walked to the window. Moonlight poured down like water, shrouding the entire palace in a quiet, silver glow.

"Mengmeng, wait for me to come back." His words seem to still echo in my ears, carrying the smoke of the battlefield, the joy of victory, and his promise and love for me.

I looked up at the bright moon in the sky. It was so clear and bright, as if it could illuminate all the darkness in the world and connect two hearts thousands of miles apart.

"Yue'er, Yue'er, did you see that? My general has returned in triumph. He is brave and good at fighting. He defends our country. He is a hero of the entire Wei Dynasty and also a hero of me, Niu Mengmeng." I murmured to the moon, as if it could understand my thoughts.

"Yue'er, Yue'er, I want to tell you a secret. I love him very much. I hope he can be happy forever. I hope we can grow old together and never be separated." My voice became lower and lower, and in the end it almost became a silent prayer.

Thousands of miles away in the frontier, Zhen Youcai also found it difficult to fall asleep. He walked out of the tent and looked up at the bright moon in the night sky, his heart filled with tenderness and longing.

"Mengmeng, what are you doing? Are you looking at the same bright moon as me?" He stretched out his hand, as if he wanted to grasp the unreachable light, and wanted to cross thousands of mountains and rivers to touch her gentle face.

He knew that she must be worried about him, working hard for him, and preparing everything for him. The only thing he could do was to end this war as soon as possible, return to her side as soon as possible, give her a warm hug, and tell her that he loved her more than anything else.

Thinking of this, Zhen Youcai smiled gently. He turned back to the tent and took out an exquisite jade pendant from his arms...

This jade pendant is our token of love. My name is engraved on one side and his name is engraved on the other. I have always kept it close to me, as if it can bring me strength and courage.

To welcome his return, I ordered the palace to be decorated inside and out. The joyous atmosphere dispelled the uneasiness I had been feeling for days. I also wanted to prepare a special gift for him, one that expressed all my love and longing.

I ordered someone to find the finest Shu brocade, and I personally sewed a battle robe for him. Stitch by stitch, I sewed my love and longing for him into the robe, hoping it would serve as a talisman for him on the battlefield, and bless him with a safe return.

After the battle robe was completed, I folded it carefully and placed it in an exquisitely carved sandalwood box, then placed it in the most conspicuous place in the bedroom, looking forward to handing it to him personally.

Just as I was immersed in the joy of the upcoming event, a sudden piece of news broke the peace.

"Report—" A guard ran into the bedroom in a panic and knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, urgent news from the border!"

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

"Tell me quickly, what happened?" I suppressed my inner anxiety and tried to make my tone sound calm.

"Your Majesty, General Zhen was ambushed by a small group of enemy troops on his way back. The situation is unclear..." The guard's voice became lower and lower, as if he did not dare to say the rest of the words.

"What?!" The teacup in my hand fell to the ground with a "bang" and shattered into pieces. The tea splashed on my skirt, but I was completely unaware.

My mind was blank, with only the words "ambush" and "unclear situation" echoing in my ears.

No, that's impossible! He promised me he would come back safely!

I grabbed the corner of the table and tried to calm myself. "Send the order and summon all the ministers to the imperial study to discuss this matter immediately!"

"Yes!" The guard took the order and left.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm my panic.

Now is not the time to be sad, I have to cheer up and go save him!

I walked quickly to the bronze mirror and looked at the pale-faced woman in the mirror with extremely determined eyes. A sneer appeared at the corner of my mouth.

Wait for me, here I come...

"Come here! Prepare the horses!" I turned around suddenly and spoke in a firm tone, leaving no room for doubt.

"Your Majesty! You want to..." The maid beside me exclaimed, but was stopped by my eyes.

"I will personally go to meet General Zhen!" I said in a stern tone, leaving no room for doubt. "Pass the order down and gather the elite imperial guards. Set out immediately!"

I know the journey is long and dangerous, but my heart tells me that I must go, my lover and my general are waiting for me!

I quickly changed into my armor. The cold metal against my skin gave me an unprecedented sense of security. I held the jade pendant engraved with the word "Talent" and could almost feel the warmth of his palm.

"Your Majesty, do you really want to go there in person? It's too dangerous!" The Prime Minister rushed over after hearing the news and dissuaded him with a worried look on his face.

"I have made up my mind, no need to say more! I'll trouble the Prime Minister to take care of the affairs of the court." Without any hesitation, I jumped on my horse, led the royal guards, and galloped towards the border.

Along the way, my mind kept replaying the memories of meeting, knowing, and falling in love with Youcai. His hearty laughter, resolute eyes, and warm embrace all became an invisible force that supported me to move forward.

"Youcai, you must wait for me, wait for me..." I prayed silently in my heart, praying that God would bless him to be safe and sound, and praying that we could meet again soon.

The sound of horse hooves crushed my worries and the silence along the way. I looked up into the distance and saw that the sky was already turning pale. A new day was about to arrive.

"Pass the order down, speed up and make sure to reach the border before dark!" I tightened the reins, with only one thought in my mind: hurry up, faster!