Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 546: Rumors (Part 1)

The Rouran cavalry charged forth in full force, as fierce as wolves and tigers, unmatched in ferocity.

After a minor victory, the border army suffered a major defeat, followed by a series of losses. General Fan, despite these setbacks, showed some aptitude, preventing a total collapse and hastily rallying the soldiers to defend the city, relying on the tall and sturdy walls of Si State to barely hold onto it.

Among these battles, some unexpected achievements emerged. For instance, the Nanyang Army, who delivered grain to Si State, held off the Rouran cavalry in the initial skirmish, and their leader Yu Chong killed a major Rouran general, boosting morale and earning great merits.

Unfortunately, tens of thousands of Rouran cavalry later attacked Si State, causing heavy casualties and low morale among the border army. Despite the prowess of the Nanyang Army, they only had four thousand elite soldiers and couldn’t turn the tide, only retreating with the border army.

In the subsequent siege, the performance of the Nanyang Army was outstanding, earning repeated accolades.

The Rouran cavalry split into two; half surrounded Si State while the other half plundered everywhere. Several small counties outside Si State suffered, reliving the massacre and burning scenes seen in Peng City. Young men and women were taken away, the specific numbers uncountable.

The battle reports were horrifying, causing unrest among the court ministers. Some even secretly started rumors that they should have agreed to the peace marriage with the Rouran Khan back then, sending Princess Bao Hua with more dowry. Wasn’t that better than exhausting the country’s resources, resulting in countless soldiers and civilians dying?

If the fighting continued, and the border army was defeated, the entire North would fall to the rampaging Rouran cavalry, the territory lost, and the country in ruins. Who was to blame for this?

Princess Bao Hua refused to marry far away for the peace of the country, and then there was that ambitious Nanyang County Princess who insisted against the peace marriage...

These meaningless rumors drifted from the court to outside, quietly making their way into the palace. It seemed several invisible hands were pushing them in secret, spreading to everyone’s ears in just a few days.

"Ridiculous!"

In Zhaohai Palace, the young Emperor Taihe’s face turned livid, furious: "The issue of peace marriage was my insistence not to agree, also discussed by the civil and military ministers of the court. How can it be blamed on my elder sister? What does it have to do with cousin Shao Hua?"

"Someone is definitely stirring trouble in secret, intending to disrupt the palace and court, causing instability among the people."

The secretaries beside him immediately cupped their hands and spoke: "Your Majesty, please calm down!"

"We ask Your Majesty to prioritize your health, don’t be so impulsive and angry."

"Rumors are a minor matter, I will immediately have someone thoroughly investigate inside and outside the palace to find out who is irresponsibly spreading lies and causing trouble."

Emperor Taihe looked at Zheng Chen, whose eyes glistened coldly, and nodded: "Alright, I entrust this matter to you. You have five days to find out who caused the trouble."

Zheng Chen accepted the task with cupped hands.

Last year, Zheng Chen "fell ill" for a while, recuperating in Duke An’s Mansion for half a month. Since then, Secretary Zheng’s speech and actions have become increasingly composed.

Wang Jin was slow to react, secretly regretting.

At this moment, Eunuch Ge quietly entered, reporting softly: "Your Majesty, Princess Bao Hua requests an audience outside."

It’s obvious, the rumors have already reached Princess Bao Hua’s ears.

Emperor Taihe sighed: "Invite my elder sister in."

The secretaries, sensing the moment, cupped their hands and withdrew. While leaving, they encountered Princess Bao Hua, whose eyes were slightly red and face haggard.

Princess Bao Hua was in turmoil, uninterested in exchanging pleasantries, slightly nodding in indication, she entered Zhaohai Palace.

Jiang Yi poked Li Boyuan with his elbow: "The Princess is distressed, have cousin Wanhua come to the palace to comfort her."

Last December, Li Boyuan and Jiang Wanhua got married. The young couple was still in love in their honeymoon period. Jiang Wanhua stayed with Princess Bao Hua in the palace, their sisterly bond deep. Facing such matters, it was right to comfort her in the palace.

Li Boyuan nodded in agreement, turning to remind Zheng Chen: "You should also send a message to your fiancée, asking Miss Fan to come to accompany the Princess."

The Zheng Family and Fan Family were already engaged, coincidentally, the wedding date was in April, same as the Nanyang County Princess.

Zheng Chen nodded slightly: "I will arrange this."

Wang Jin frowned, speaking softly: "These rumors are very unfavorable to Princess Bao Hua and even involve the Nanyang County Princess. At this time, the border army is fiercely battling and the court needs the ministers to work together. The one spreading rumors behind the scenes harbors ill intentions and has considerable plans. Secretary Zheng must uncover this person."

Zheng Chen curled his lips with a dual meaning: "Indeed, Secretary Wang is a loyal minister, devoted to both the Emperor and Princess Bao Hua, showing such concern for the Nanyang County Princess as well."

Wang Jin responded indifferently: "The Nanyang County Princess donated a large batch of military grain and sent the Nanyang Army to deliver it, essentially dispatching four thousand Nanyang Army to support the border army. This time, the Nanyang Army made great contributions in the border army. Such a loyal Commandery Princess should not be slandered. As a secretary, how could I stand by?"

Zheng Chen’s mocking smile grew more pronounced: "The wedding date for the Nanyang County Princess and Elder Changning is in April, too bad for Secretary Wang’s deep feelings."

Wang Jin’s expression remained unchanged: "Secretary Zheng is about to marry Miss Fan’s daughter, achieving a splendid marriage. Yet still has the leisure to care about me, how touching."

The sarcasm was clear.

Seeing the two about to clash again, Li Boyuan hurriedly coughed: "Time is tight, we all should be busy!"

The Nanyang County Princess is already about to marry. You two unrelated outsiders have no reason or need to bicker here!

Zheng Chen sneered at Wang Jin, flicked his sleeves, and left.

Wang Jin’s gaze darkened as he stared at Zheng Chen’s back, lost in thought.

...

"Don’t cry, elder sister."

Inside Zhaohai Palace, Emperor Taihe gently comforted the tear-stained Princess Bao Hua: "I expected border turmoil the day I decided to expel the Rouran envoy. The current situation is already much better than I anticipated."

"Rouran harbors ambitions, coveting our Da Liang’s country. What does this have to do with you, elder sister? You should ignore those baseless rumors outside."

Princess Bao Hua cried: "The border army is suffering heavy casualties, and many innocent civilians have been killed and captured, turned into Rouran slaves, living worse than death. All these sins began because of me. Everyone secretly blames me, and I also blame myself."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng believes in Buddhism, and Princess Bao Hua, raised by her grandmother since childhood, naturally followed and believed in Buddhism. She couldn’t help but feel that all these killings were due to her unwillingness to marry, filled with guilt.

Emperor Taihe comforted for a long time before stopping Princess Bao Hua’s tears.

After Princess Bao Hua left, Empress Dowager Li, who had been "resting quietly" for two months in Ning An Palace, arrived.

Unaware of who was gossiping, Empress Dowager Li said: "Had I known, I should have agreed to the marriage back then. Even if it could delay Rouran’s military actions for a few years, Da Liang could enjoy a few more peaceful years."