She Holds the World After Being Reborn-Chapter 579 - 578: Everyone is Progressing, Only She is Stagnant
Qin State. ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐ท๐๐ซ๐๐ก.๐๐ธ๐ถ
Qin Wu stood in front of the bed, gazing at the full moon overhead, her expression ethereal and her eyes deep, lost in thought.
In just a few short years, she had transformed from a princess who knew nothing into a decisive Empress renowned for her ruthlessness.
She rose at the crow of the cock almost every day, diligently guarding Qin State and ensuring that its people could live peacefully in these turbulent times.
But such days were, she feared, coming to an end.
"Your Majesty, the night is deep; you should rest," Aman, dressed in a brown robe, gently spoke from the side; her baby fat had vanished, growing into a spirited and pretty woman.
After hearing this, Qin Wu sighed, "A great battle looms, I have no desire to sleep."
"General Chaoyang will return soon, your Majesty should still take care of yourself," Aman urged.
Qin Wu shook her head, "Among the three kingdoms, our Qin State has the weakest military. I intended to take advantage when Dawei and Chu Kingdom were at war, exploiting their vulnerability. But they made peace ahead of their time, denying me that chance. What difference does it make if Chaoyang returns? The difference in military strength is too great."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she clenched her fists resentfully, "Right now, no matter who I send troops against, it would draw the attention of the others; but if we do not make a move, once their reorganization is complete, Qin State will be the first to be struck!"
This was the true reason she could not sleep at night.
Aman, who knew nothing of these turbulent political affairs, grew worried at seeing Qin Wu in such distress.
"Your Majesty... Regardless, you need to sleep and eat. If you collapse, what will become of Qinโs people... Right now, you are the backbone of our Qin Stateโs people, you must not fall first."
After hearing this, Qin Wu nodded, "You make sense. I cannot fall; if I fall, my people will be trampled upon!" Realizing the truth in Amanโs words, she immediately turned and walked towards the inner chamber.
Perhaps, at the last moment, she could still do something for the people of Qin State using her body.
...
Sleepless night.
Qin Wu tossed and turned, and upon rising, the depths below her eyes were bruised.
She stretched out her hand and massaged her swollen temples as the palace maids were helping her dress.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" A sharp, piercing voice came from outside, as though a sharp awl was thrust directly into her brain, causing momentary tinnitus, and Qin Wuโs expression nearly darkened.
The eunuch quickly jogged into the hall and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, General Chaoyang and Sir Yan have returned!"
"Really?!" As the tinnitus faded, Qin Wuโs mood lightened, and her whole demeanor relaxed, "Where are they now?"
"They were just at the city gate, and by now should have returned to the Yan Family."
Upon hearing the Little Eunuchโs words, Qin Wu clapped her hands and laughed, "Very well, very well, I shall personally visit the Yan Family. Change my clothes; go and make arrangements immediately."
"This servant is on it," the Little Eunuch quickly got up and left.
The palace maids swiftly helped Qin Wu out of her elaborate Dragon Robe and brought her informal clothes.
At that moment, Qin Wu wished she had wings to fly straight there, only seeing Hongzhao would calm her heart.
She had specifically sent Hongzhao to lead troops on a surprise attack at the opportune moment, but had yet to hear any news of her deployment, and now that she was back in the country, she certainly had to inquire about it.
Qin State Street.
Yan Wanqing stood on the street in slightly worn clothes, watching merchants and peddlers vigorously promoting their goods, a smile on the faces of the people contrasting starkly with the refugees outside.
She couldnโt help admiring Qin Wu a bit.
Being able to achieve such a feat in these troubled times, Qin Wu was truly remarkable.
She dismounted from her horse and walked forward with Wu Bie.
"Awan, look over there," Wu Bie said, a smile curling at the corner of his lips as he spotted something.
All along the way, Yan Wanqing had been looking at the stalls by the roadside; she was somewhat excited, about to meet her son soon, and she didnโt know what toys to buy later that would make the child happy.
When she heard Wu Bie calling her, she looked up.
She saw the Yan Familyโs porridge stall.
Seeing the woman distributing porridge at the stall, she was slightly stunned.
"Itโs Shen Shuyun." Her expression softened a great deal.
At that moment, Shen Shuyun was diligently serving porridge to each displaced person, and when she encountered the elderly, she would even give them an extra half of a bun to ensure they were well-fed.
"Ever since Yan Family arrived in our Qin State, they have been offering free porridge for a full three years, rain or shine. You can always see Miss Shenโs figure; she truly is a beautiful and kind-hearted Bodhisattva."
Someone praised her from the roadside.
Seeing Yan Wanqing staring intently, Wu Bie asked, "Do you want to go over?"
"No," Yan Wanqing curved her eyebrows and eyes, "Sheโs busy, letโs not disturb her. Weโll go to the clothing store to change clothes first."
Having rushed to Jinyang through wind and rain, they were about to arrive home soon, and she couldnโt continue in these clothes; otherwise, her mother would be sad to see her like this.
Yan Wanqing and Wu Bie were searching for a clothing store along the way.
"Letโs go here," Wu Bie pointed to a clothing store, "After buying clothes, we can go to the inn next door to take a bath."
This way, when they met the lady of the Township Manor, their appearance wouldnโt be too shabby.
The two agreed on this quickly.
The clothing store had many styles and the prices were reasonable; Yan Wanqing chose a pale blue long dress.
Wu Bie, as always, liked red, but todayโs choice added a hint of sobriety compared to his usual red.
After booking their room, Yan Wanqing washed up and changed into her new clothes, then heard cursing coming from downstairs.
Curiosity drove her to go down and check.
She saw a man, bigger and sturdier than a pig, cursing a servant, the chopsticks almost poking the servantโs face while the latter kept bowing and apologizing.
"Your Taste Manor is really bullying customers with its big name; this plate of green pepper and shredded pork has hardly any pork at all; is this how you cheat your customers?" the man, with his narrow eyes gleaming sharply as the servant apologized, yelled even more unreasonably, "Call your manager to come out!"
The servant sincerely said, "Esteemed guest, our Taste Manor has always been known for large portions and thin profit margins. You have already eaten most of this dish of green pepper and shredded pork, and now you complain there isnโt enough pork..."
The guest, hit squarely by the servantโs retort, became angered out of embarrassment; he thrust the chopsticks at the servantโs chin, leaving a red mark and causing such pain that the servant staggered back, almost falling.
But he was steadied by a strong hand.
"Are you alright?" Yan Wanqing asked softly.
The servant shook his head gratefully, "Thank you, madam."
