Holding Prosperity slapped her forehead: "Where was I just now?"
Guo Mao politely reminded her: "I very much appreciate this point about you."
Both ignored Cui Yi, letting him command the Anti-Corruption Army to capture the Hu Mongolian puppet king's royal guards. They stood amidst the chaos and began chatting leisurely.
"Move aside," Holding Prosperity shooed away the hesitant soldiers who were considering capturing Guo Mao. "I've always had a question. The late emperor was ruthless and liked to burn bridges after crossing them. With your foresight, why did you choose to serve him? Weren't you afraid of ending up like the Third Prince, poisoned after achieving fame and fortune?"
Guo Mao laughed bitterly: "One wrong step leads to many more. I'm just a coward, unlike Brother Shan who dares to gamble without fear of loss. Even knowing there would be no good outcome... How many loyal subjects throughout history have met a good end? The Empress Dowager may seem well now, but who knows what will happen in the future? I doubt even Her Majesty can control that."
Cui Yi rode slowly on Jin Wu and provocatively stared at Guo Mao.
"I understand your concerns, but since the late emperor is dead, what do you plan to do next?"
Guo Mao lowered his head in thought and didn't speak. Cui Yi grumbled: "Plans? You're going to die anyway. You can figure out your next life on your way to the underworld."
Holding Prosperity turned to him with a smile: "Your Majesty, do you know the best way to punish someone?"
Cui Yi replied sullenly: "No. But I know something else. You never intended to kill him, right? What was all that talk about dismemberment?"
"The harshest punishment isn't death, but making him work for you for free his entire life," Holding Prosperity pointed at Guo Mao with a mischievous grin. "As the saying goes, the one who created the mess should clean it up. He incited the Western Regions; it only makes sense for him to fix it. The position of Liangzhou Governor is vacant. Why not assign him this difficult task? When he stabilizes the northwest, then he can receive his salary."
Guo Mao gave a bitter laugh and pleaded: "Please, Your Majesty, execute me instead."
Holding Prosperity ignored him and looked calmly at Cui Yi: "Your Majesty?"
Cui Yi frowned suspiciously, sizing up Guo Mao: "A scholar who can't carry heavy loads. If the countries of the northwest attack, what can he do? Scold them back?"
Holding Prosperity sighed: "Indeed, I wonder what he can do. If he fails, he'll die anyway. King Hu Mongolian must hate him deeply. Why not make things easier for yourself and let Jialibeishan deal with him?"
Cui Yi crossed his arms and thought for a moment before nodding and turning to leave. Only then did Holding Prosperity order the soldiers to bind Guo Mao and take him down the mountain with the other prisoners.
Despite being exposed, Holding Prosperity insisted on riding her own horse rather than getting on Jin Wu's back. This made Cui Yi frown again, feeling both frustrated and annoyed: "It's really strange. Whenever you want to do something, I can't say no."
Holding Prosperity nearly fell off her horse laughing: "Your Majesty understands reason and knows my words make sense. Naturally, you can't refute them. That's the breadth of a wise ruler, and you should be happy about it."
They rode side by side at the front of the procession.
Cui Yi said: "I've already ordered someone to cut off his head and send it to Yangming Pass. As long as Jialibeishan has any brains, he'll know better than to provoke me. The smaller countries will follow suit. Who cares about him unless he's a royal descendant? Just a bunch of rabble."
Holding Prosperity smiled: "Oh, you called him 'brother' on the way up the mountain, and now he's 'that guy.'"
Cui Yi glanced at her, a slight smile on his lips: "He's just a puppet. Calling him 'that guy' is generous. Otherwise, it should be 'scum.'"
Holding Prosperity agreed: "He was cunning and ruthless, deserving of his fate."
Cui Yi was silent for a moment, then asked suddenly: "Did he truly love you? And what about you?"
"No! What nonsense are you thinking?" Holding Prosperity laughed in exasperation. "Aren't you tired of asking this question after six years? Are you unhappy because we don't have any romantic past?"
Cui Yi frowned, showing none of the relief expected from having defeated his greatest rival:
"Holding Prosperity, I won't hide it from you. These six years with you have been genuinely happy. We've argued and fought, but I... am glad to have married you. Even if you had ulterior motives, or it was all just a dream, I felt... truly happy."
"... Don't you trust me?" Holding Prosperity asked helplessly.
"You're too good, too excellent. You changed my life. From the first time we met, I felt you were distant, like a kite in the sky. One day, the string might break, and you'd leave me."
Cui Yi pouted, seemingly uncomfortable with such formal speech: "This isn't just my feeling. I've asked Wen Yu, Zhong Xing, everyone around me, including Second Uncle. They all feel the same. Shan Fu once said you don't belong to this world, just as he would eventually return to heaven. You would ultimately leave me."
Holding Prosperity was surprised by their—especially Cui Yi's—keen sensitivity. Shan Jian's words weren't entirely wrong. Someone like her, who knew the past and future and could guide Cui Yi, was unique. Even strategists like Bai Lichan, Shan Jian, or Guo Mao couldn't match a reincarnated person with foresight. Without this advantage, she wouldn't have been able to help Cui Yi so much.
She realized something important. She had been focused on whether Cui Yi would face danger during his campaign, especially at Baitulong Ridge, where he died in the previous life. Now, not only had he killed Cui Jie at Baitulong Ridge, but she had also unknowingly passed the critical date of six years later. The predetermined part of her life was over, and the new chapter was completely fresh, without Cui Jie or the Changsun family. She could live like an ordinary person.
"Holding Prosperity?"
"Ah!"
Cui Yi reached out worriedly and waved his hand in front of her eyes: "Are you tired from the journey? Once we reach the foot of the mountain, rest a bit before dinner!"
"No... I'm not tired, just happy." Tears welled up in Holding Prosperity's eyes, her voice trembling with excitement.
Cui Yi asked puzzledly: "Happy about what?"
Wiping away tears, Holding Prosperity smiled at him: "Now, I can tell you the truth."
Cui Yi immediately tensed: "What truth? If it's not good news, don't say it."
"It's good news," Holding Prosperity laughed at his turtle-like caution. "When I was young, my father invited a Taoist to read my fortune. He said I had two paths: sweet first, bitter later, or bitter first, sweet later. If I chose the former, though rich and powerful, I'd fall hard and die. If I chose the latter, enduring hardship, I'd enjoy peace in the end."
Cui Yi believed her: "Such a high-level master exists?"
Holding Prosperity smiled beautifully: "Indeed. He also said the choice would come after I turned fifteen, within six years. If it was sweet first, I'd die at twenty-two. If it was bitter first, as long as I endured, all hardships would pass after six years."
Cui Yi's heart bloomed with joy: "Really? That's great! Where is this Taoist? I must reward him handsomely."
"Who knows? Such enlightened masters wander the world. Maybe we'll meet again someday." Holding Prosperity dismissed the matter lightly, ready to fully embrace her present life.
After Cui Jie's head was sent to Yangming Pass, Xu Cheng hung it on the city gate's flagpole, successfully intimidating the small countries of the Western Regions. King Hu Mongolian Jialibeishan, despite resenting the loss of his son-in-law, had to surrender after several defeats.
In April, Emperor Chengguang returned to the capital. The Empress Dowager, who had been bedridden, recovered quickly upon hearing of his victory. Few knew the true story behind her recovery.
With his main threat eliminated, no one in the court dared challenge Cui Yi. The former Empress Dowager Rong was treated respectfully, and everyone praised Emperor Chengguang for his filial piety and benevolence.
However, with internal and external threats resolved, officials began focusing on Cui Yi's lack of concubines. Memos poured in, urging him to expand his harem for the sake of imperial lineage.
"Oh."
After hearing Xiao Qiu's report, Holding Prosperity gave only one-word feedback and continued teaching her daughter to write.
Xiao Qiu was frantic: "Majesty! The portraits have already been sent to the Imperial Study. Aren't you worried? What if His Majesty accidentally takes a liking to someone and threatens your position?"
Holding Prosperity looked at her maid helplessly: "Xiao Qiu, do you think so little of me? Can a mere flower compare to me? Even if you don't trust His Majesty, trust me."
Before Xiao Qiu could argue further, Cui Yi's laughter echoed outside: "What are you talking about, trust or not?"