Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 79: Returning to the Capital, Bao Shu Meets Qianqian

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Returning to the Capital, Bao Shu Meets Qianqian

The military camp.

Lu Lingxiao spotted Meng Qianqian from afar, sitting by the campfire with a group of fierce and battle-hardened soldiers. Zhang Feihu seemed to have said something to her, leaving her dazed and wide-eyed, which elicited laughter from everyone around her.

To Lu Lingxiao, this version of Meng Qianqian was completely foreign. It felt as if he had never truly known her.

What kind of life did she lead growing up in the Meng Family? Where did she learn her martial arts skills? Why did she keep it all hidden from him?

"General Lu," a young soldier passed by, carrying two jars of wine and offering a polite bow. "Would you like to join us for a drink?"

Lu Lingxiao looked in Meng Qianqian’s direction. "I..."

The soldier noticed the bandage wrapped around Lu Lingxiao’s head and hurriedly added, "Oh, you’re still injured. Never mind, better head back to your tent and rest up properly!"

Lu Lingxiao felt he was choking on his own breath, neither able to swallow nor spit it out.

Meanwhile, Meng Qianqian clasped the wine jar handed to her by Zhang Feihu and took a hearty swig.

She frowned and asked seriously, "Why is this rice wine?"

Zhang Feihu chuckled, "What? You were expecting stronger liquor? Look at you, a little whelp trying to drink like an adult? Wait a few more years!"

Meng Qianqian turned her face away in feigned grievance.

Suddenly, she leaned over toward Qing Shuang, who was seated between her and Han Ci, and blinked. "Qing Shuang, give me a sip of yours."

Qing Shuang gulped down several large swigs. "Gone."

Meng Qianqian: "..."

Zhang Feihu gave Qing Shuang a thumbs-up. "Wow! Master Qing Shuang, impressive drinking skills!"

The two began a drinking competition.

A group of soldiers then joined in to compete with Qing Shuang.

Qing Shuang emerged utterly unbeaten.

Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian rose to head back to their respective tents.

As Lu Yuan’s guard, her tent was right next to Qing Shuang’s, making them de facto travel companions.

Lu Yuan remarked casually, "There’s no battle to fight for now. I’m giving you a few days off. We’ll head back to the Capital City in three days."

Meng Qianqian thought for a moment and asked earnestly, "If something happens to you, will I lose my stipend?"

The corner of Lu Yuan’s mouth twitched. "Can you, for once, wish me well instead of thinking about my misfortune?"

The Capital City.

The civil and military officials gathered once more for the morning court assembly.

The young Emperor sat in the Jinluan Palace, listening quietly as ministers presented their reports.

It had been two months since Lu Yuan left the court. Other than a few letters early on reporting that the court’s cavalry had arrived at the border, there had been no further communication for more than a month.

If not for the fact that it was Lu Yuan leading the army, many might have suspected that the border had already fallen.

But then again, with Lu Yuan, it felt equally plausible that he was deliberately ignoring the Emperor and disdained reporting the battle situation.

Daily impeachment memorials against Lu Yuan piled up like mountains in the court. Out of ten officials, nine called intensely for his dismissal.

After yet another elderly minister finished cursing Lu Yuan with spittle flying, the young Emperor lowered his gaze in silence.

"Your Majesty! Please issue a decree!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! Lu Yuan holds no respect for the throne, acts arrogantly, and now conceals military intelligence, delaying timely reinforcements from the court. If the Beiliang forces reach the Capital City one day, we won’t even have defenses ready!"

"In my humble opinion, Lu Yuan likely met with defeat and is hiding it, which will only lead to disaster in the end!"

A military general stepped forward, holding his memorial tablet. "Your Majesty! I request permission to lead reinforcements to the border!"

Voices of agreement echoed throughout the court.

Lu Xingzhou listened in silence, also inclined to believe Lu Yuan had most likely lost the battle. His son, holding the rescue orders for the Black Armor Guards, should be capable of turning the situation around.

This would be an opportunity for his son to achieve great accomplishments.

Faced with the court’s overwhelming condemnation of Lu Yuan, the young Emperor hesitated for a long time before finally speaking with great difficulty, "Gentlemen, are you certain I must punish the Grand Commander?"

"Your Majesty! The fate of the empire should take precedence! We cannot allow a treacherous minister to endanger it!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, if you do not remove Lu Yuan from his post today, I... I will throw myself to death here in the Jinluan Palace!"

"Report—"

An Imperial Guard rushed into the Jinluan Palace in haste.

The young Emperor stood abruptly, asking excitedly, "Is there news from the border? How fares the battle?"

The Imperial Guard cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, the envoy case has been resolved, and Beiliang has retreated!"

"They... They retreated just like that?"

It was the military general surnamed Yao, who had just volunteered for the northern campaign, who spoke up.

The Imperial Guard nodded. "Not only did they retreat, but the Grand Commander also secured an additional payment of one hundred thousand taels of gold in reparations, and... as a pledge, the Seventh Prince of Beiliang will be sent to the Capital City as a hostage!"

At this, the entire court was dumbfounded. The officials who had been clamoring for Lu Yuan’s dismissal suddenly found themselves speechless.

General Yao quickly asked, "What were our casualties? How many soldiers remain from the original hundred thousand troops?"

The Imperial Guard replied, "One hundred and twenty thousand."

General Yao’s body trembled in shock!

Most armies dwindle with each battle, but Lu Yuan’s forces actually grew larger?

General Yao was incredulous. "Could you have misheard?"

The Imperial Guard presented the intelligence reports with both hands. "The information is here. Your Majesty, please review it."