Chapter 099: The Quest for a Consort (Please Subscribe)

“Host assisted the Eldest Princess in repelling a formidable enemy; the system rewards the Strategy Volume One.” Fang Xian promptly opened the reward and discovered that Strategy Volume One comprised an extensive collection of stratagems from ancient to modern times, encompassing the comprehensive tactics of the various dynasties throughout this world’s history.

It turned out that after mastering the Governance Scroll, Fang Xian’s knowledge rivaled that of the greatest scholars. Yet, despite his extraordinary worldly insight as a transmigrator, his life experience was somewhat lacking. His strategic thinking had its limits, and Strategy Volume One bridged this gap, enabling him to devise plans effortlessly with just a single thought.

“People always say ‘literary strategy and martial tactics.’ Since Volume One covers various stratagems, Volume Two must be about commanding armies and battlefield formations,” Fang Xian mused upon learning Volume One, his anticipation for Volume Two growing.

In the dead of night, Wu Qingluan patrolled the Imperial Guard camp. After arranging defenses, she rested briefly before rising at dawn. Given the gravity of recent events, she planned to enter the palace to pay respects to the Emperor.

“Princess, all the wounded sisters have received treatment, and those with severed limbs have been fully reattached. The Prince Consort worked tirelessly until dawn and only just went to rest,” Wu Lanxin reported as she attended to the princess’s grooming.

“Prepare some fine wine and dishes at noon. I want to share a few drinks with Lord Fang to thank him. How is the Crown Prince’s situation?” Wu Qingluan instructed.

“He is well. The Crown Princess returned late last night and has been with him. Princess, now that all the court officials and generals know you have become a Realm Master, do you think the Emperor will return your command seal?” Wu Lanxin asked.

“Though I have lost the seal, I have gained something far more precious. Even if the Emperor returned it, I would not accept it,” Wu Qingluan replied, shaking her head.

Previously, commanding the troops was to support the Crown Prince, but since he has abdicated, and she has found her ideal Prince Consort, the seal has become a burden.

More than that, Wu Qingluan even contemplated relinquishing command of the Military Guards, but considering their vital role in protecting Wudu, entrusting them to the wrong hands would harm the Wu dynasty. So, for now, she dismissed the thought.

“An attack on the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess within Wudu City, the Emperor’s very seat! What are you ministers and generals doing? What good are you to the court? With so many departments and city guards on patrol, how could bandits strike the Crown Prince’s clinic without anyone noticing? Or did everyone turn a blind eye?”

In the imperial court, Emperor Wu Qing’s fury roared, pointing fingers at the Left and Right Chancellors, civil ministers, and military commanders alike, berating them one by one. Terrified, the officials knelt, unwilling to meet the Emperor’s wrathful gaze.

“The city guards have gravely failed. Order the Imperial Guards to take control of the city guard camp, seize all city guards under Commander Lei Gang, imprison the entire patrol on North Street last night, and interrogate them thoroughly to uncover why they abandoned their posts.”

After venting his anger, Emperor Wu Qing paused briefly before beginning his reckoning. Starting with the city guards, he had hundreds of officials on duty that night imprisoned and investigated.

“Dispatch the Investigation Bureau to hunt down and capture Chou Qianqiu. Deliver his head to Wudu within half a month. Simultaneously, issue a nationwide manhunt for the remnants of the Golden Sword Alliance and Five Poison Sect. No accomplices shall be spared; all involved will be executed on the spot as co-conspirators.”

Emperor Wu Qing issued over ten edicts consecutively, not only holding officials accountable but thoroughly suppressing the Golden Sword Alliance and Five Poison Sect remnants involved in the attack, along with their connected factions.

“Eldest Princess Wu Qingluan has already reached the Realm Master level and is fully qualified to command the border armies. I hereby appoint her as Marshal of the Flying Phoenix Army. Are there any objections?”

Having ruthlessly dealt with many people moments before, the Emperor now sought the ministers’ opinions. Even those who had previously impeached the princess, such as Vice Minister of War Li Shanghua, dared not object at this time. Silence lingered.

“Your Majesty, I object,” a clear voice suddenly rang out, breaking the stillness. Everyone was stunned when they saw who it was.

“Eldest Princess, what did you say? Repeat that,” Emperor Wu Qing, equally startled, asked Wu Qingluan with a surprised expression.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I cannot accept the position of Flying Phoenix Army Marshal. I have more important matters to attend to,” Wu Qingluan stepped forward and bowed gracefully.

“Nonsense! What could be more important than commanding the Flying Phoenix Army?” the Emperor said sternly, secretly winking at her to encourage acceptance.

“Your Majesty, I intend to choose a Prince Consort,” Wu Qingluan said calmly. Her words immediately sparked a flurry of whispers among the ministers.

“What? The Eldest Princess is going to select a Prince Consort?”

“Who’s the lucky man? Ugh, or rather, who’s the poor soul?”

“Isn’t the Eldest Princess the widow of Marshal Liu? How can she choose her own Prince Consort?”

“The Eldest Princess refuses the marshal’s seal to pick a Prince Consort herself—is this good or bad news?”

As the ministers murmured, Emperor Wu Qing’s expression shifted from anger to astonishment, then to delight. Compared to commanding the Flying Phoenix Army, his sister’s lifelong happiness mattered more.

Yet, he was puzzled. Not long ago, he had asked Wu Qingluan if she had a suitor, and she denied it. Now, her proposal clearly meant she had someone in mind.

“Very well, the seal shall remain with you for now. Qingluan, how do you plan to select your consort? Have you chosen anyone yet?” the Emperor inquired.

“Please wait, Your Majesty. After the palace examination, all will be revealed,” Wu Qingluan replied composedly.

She knew that if she named Fang Xian now, the court would likely oppose, as he was a commoner, skilled in medicine but not yet recognized as a talent by the ministers.

Once Fang Xian performed outstandingly in the palace examination—regardless of whether he earned the top rank—she could name him Prince Consort. Given his talents, she could marry down to him rather than him marrying up to her.

“Hahaha, finally some good news today. Dismiss the court,” Emperor Wu Qing laughed heartily, waving his hand.

After the court adjourned, two pieces of news quickly spread throughout Wudu, shaking its residents profoundly. First, the Eldest Princess and Crown Prince had been attacked last night, prompting the Emperor’s furious imprisonment of hundreds. Second, the Eldest Princess would select a Prince Consort after the palace examination.

Along the banks of the Qingyue River in Wudu, inns and taverns flourished. Because of the nearby Imperial Academy, these establishments had been fully occupied half a year in advance by scholars from all over the Wu Kingdom coming to take the palace examination.