Imperial Mansion

After Xiao Mingzhao appointed Lu Qing to an official position, she was still not satisfied. The court's power, especially its military force, must be controlled by her own people.

Thus, she also appointed the young duke, Lu Jun, to an official post.

"Lu Jun, from this day forth, my Yulin Royal Guards shall be under your command. You will have full responsibility for the safety of myself and Young Master Tuoba. Can you do this?"

In the ranks, Lu Jun instantly became thrilled.

He never expected such a good thing to fall upon his head.

He immediately knelt and kowtowed in gratitude, "Your Majesty, I shall gladly spill my blood and brains on the ground to ensure the safety of Your Majesty and Young Master Tuoba."

But this caused countless ministers to completely boil over in uproar.

Xiao Mingzhao appointing Lu Qing was barely justifiable; after all, Lu Qing had a decent reputation in the military. Although his recent expedition south to quell the rebellion had failed, it did not overly affect his influence in the army.

Therefore, Lu Qing's appointment could only be said to be unconventional, but still acceptable.

However, what kind of trash was this young duke, Lu Jun?

He was inept in both literature and martial arts, an absolute good-for-nothing!

Relying on his family being the Duke of Fuguo's estate, he threw his weight around for no reason. As a result, he was slapped enough times in Yunji City that he had to recuperate in the capital for three months before he could barely show his face in public again.

For such a piece of trash to command the most elite Yulin Royal Guards in the capital, wasn't this the biggest joke in the world?!

Wasn't this placing the fate of the capital in the hands of an unreliable person?!

Consequently, a chorus of opposition erupted instantly.

But Xiao Mingzhao ignored them and finalized the decision directly, "My mind is made up on this matter. My beloved ministers need not persuade me further."

"If there are other matters, report them immediately!"

"If not, court is dismissed!"

"Young Master Tuoba is arriving soon. I must prepare well and meet him looking my best, so as not to let down our earth-shattering love!"

Xiao Mingzhao asked this, but in reality, she gave the ministers no time to react and immediately stood up and left.

Leaving the hall full of ministers discussing spiritedly, many veteran officials declared they would join the Duke of Zhenguo in bringing coffins to remonstrate!

The marriage between Tuoba Xiangtai and Xiao Mingzhao must absolutely not be allowed!

But none of this affected Xiao Mingzhao.

From the moment she resolved to emulate her ancestors, she anticipated that this would be a difficult and arduous path. She had the confidence and determination to, like her ancestors, endure eighty-one tribulations, ultimately cross the chasm, and reshape a world of great harmony where all under heaven are one family, and the Yu people and the barbarians are undivided.

And now, all she had to do was wait.

Wait for the arrival of Tuoba Xiangtai.

Hoping, hoping...

Tuoba Xiangtai arrived.

Fifty thousand men and horses surged toward the capital. Under Xiao Mingzhao's instructions, Lu Qing let them pass all the way. In the blink of an eye, they arrived ten miles outside the capital.

Xiao Mingzhao had already brought her trusted ministers and, supported by the uncle and nephew—or rather, father and son—pair of Lu Qing and Lu Jun, waited at the spot.

Today was her big day, and Xiao Mingzhao was dressed exceptionally differently.

She had taken off the bright yellow five-clawed golden dragon robe and put on a bright red phoenix robe. The long gown trailed on the ground, and a pure gold coronet and cape draped over her shoulders. Standing before the imperial carriage, she gazed into the distance.

Then she saw the person she longed for day and night.

He was riding a warhorse, galloping towards her in the exact posture she had imagined.

"Luan'er!"

Tuoba Xiangtai elegantly dismounted and reached Xiao Mingzhao in a few quick strides. He was full of tender affection, his eyes so deeply loving that even a dog would feel the romance.

Xiao Mingzhao had the same demeanor.

The two stood a step apart, gazing at each other.

This look seemed as if millions of years had passed without the slightest change.

Until Xiao Mingzhao's voice sounded, "Young Master Tuoba, you... you've grown thin and haggard."

Tuoba Xiangtai shook his head and said, "Luan'er, for you, this is nothing."

Their voices were not exactly quiet.

The accompanying ministers heard them clearly.

Especially since some of these ministers had forced themselves to come along just to see what kind of mess would happen, so they could prepare countermeasures.

As a result, bombarded by these words, they all felt their blood boiling. A few of the older ones almost fainted.

The dignified Empress, the ruler of Great Yu!

The lord of all people!

Flirting with a barbarian in front of countless people—what a scandal!

The etiquette and laws upon which Great Yu relied for survival seemed to collapse with a crash at this moment, ceasing to exist.

"Xiangtai..." Xiao Mingzhao called out Tuoba Xiangtai's nickname, saying softly, "You have worked hard on this journey. I... I have already prepared a mansion for you."

"Come back with me and rest for a while!"

"Then, we will hold our grand wedding!"

"Let the whole world see that the Yu people and the barbarians can finally become one family!"

Tuoba Xiangtai nodded and asked, "Luan'er, what about the soldiers I brought?"

"I have already arranged it," said Empress Xiao Mingzhao. "Order them to camp outside the city. The Ministry of Revenue will supply all their provisions."

"They have also worked hard all the way here."

"They should get a good rest."

Tuoba Xiangtai was generally satisfied with this arrangement, but he had a special request. He said, "Luan'er, I have some personal guards who need to be by my side at all times."

"I wonder if you could let me bring them into the city?"

"What is so difficult about that?" Xiao Mingzhao simply could not refuse Tuoba Xiangtai. "Xiangtai, if you want to bring them, let alone your personal guards, even if you bring the entire army you brought into the city, it would not be a problem."

"Luan'er, I knew you would always be good to me." Tuoba Xiangtai's mouth was as sweet as honey. Making Xiao Mingzhao look bashful, he directly selected ten thousand personal guards.

He wanted to bring ten thousand personal guards into the city.

At this, the veteran officials who were already mad with anger completely lost their composure.

They jumped out one after another.

"Your Majesty, you must not!"

"Your Majesty, if these ten thousand men enter the city and a riot breaks out, our capital will fall into the hands of the barbarians in an instant. This matter is of grave importance; please reconsider, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, you absolutely must not agree. Otherwise, this old minister will smash his head against this city wall and die."

...

Xiao Mingzhao frowned.

Not because of Tuoba Xiangtai wanting to bring ten thousand men into the city, but because of these obstinate old ministers.

Great Yu and the barbarians were about to become one family; how could they still view Tuoba Xiangtai with their old mindset?

Wasn't it just ten thousand personal guards?!

Even if it were the Dragon Throne, if Tuoba Xiangtai wanted to sit on it for a while, it wouldn't be impossible!

She immediately gave Lu Qing a look, signaling him to handle it. Meanwhile, she and Tuoba Xiangtai led the ten thousand barbarian personal guards into the city, heading straight for the palace she had specially built for Tuoba Xiangtai, the Imperial Husband.

It was not far from the Imperial City, even adjacent to it. She had ordered the demolition of many civilian houses and official residences to acquire the land, and spent a long time gathering craftsmen from all over the world to meticulously build it.

And she personally inscribed the name.

"Yuchen Mansion!"

"Xiangtai, look at this mansion. Do you like it?"

...