Marrying a Disabled General and be His Wife

The Central Plains was divided into two parts by the Lingjiang River. To the north were Qi Kingdom and Jing Kingdom, and to the south were Zhao Kingdom and Dayong Dynasty.

If Cui Yuanqing wanted to go south, he had to cross the river.

The most troublesome problem for Cui Yuanqing at the moment was the army in his hands. Although the people recruited from Qi Kingdom and Xibo were all good soldiers and generals, they were not skilled in water warfare. The same was true for the generals who followed him from Dayong Dynasty.

But there were many people proficient in the water in the South, and naval battles were predominant.

Cui Yuanqing sat in the tent with a solemn expression, looking at everyone: “Does anyone here have experience with naval warfare?”

Everyone exchanged glances but remained silent.

Throughout the entire Central Plains, the Feng Mingyuan’s mother clan possessed the most elite navy, which enabled them to expel Cui Yuanqing from Dayong Dynasty solely with the power of their naval forces.

After a long silence, someone unexpectedly stood up.

Tuoba Rou stood tall among the gaze of countless men. Her posture was upright, and her voice neither humble nor arrogant: “I have knowledge in naval warfare.”

As Xibo was located in the grasslands with few lakes and rivers, how could she understand naval warfare?

Cui Yuanqing regarded her suspiciously: “Do you truly understand?”

Tuoba Rou remained composed: “I served in the Feng Family Navy for three years.”

Her revelation stunned everyone.

Cui Yuanqing leaned forward, resting his chin on his crossed arms, curious: “Please, elaborate.”

Tuoba Rou began to speak softly.

.

This matter must started from seven years ago.

Seven years ago, Tuoba Rou was sixteen years old. Not surprisingly, she received news once again that Feng Chilie had refused to marry her.

Due to Tuoba Rou’s age, she couldn’t wait any longer. Tuoba Zheng planned to marry her off to Qi Kingdom.

However, Tuoba Rou plainly that she would marry no one except Feng Chilie. She also understood Tuoba Zheng’s ambitions well. He desired not just the small piece of land in the Jing Kingdom, but also control over the entire Central Plains to sustain the grasslands and its thousands of inhabitants.

Dayong Dynasty’s naval forces were known for their strength. If Feng Mingyuan were to use her advantage to contain them, how could they succeed?

Tuoba Zheng had always desired to acquire Dayong Dynasty Navy’s military training methods to find its weaknesses and defeat them decisively. To accomplish this, Tuoba Rou devised a plan, and she and Tuoba Zheng made an oath by high fiving each other.

She vowed to bring back the Navy’s military training methods to Xibo.

Subsequently, Tuoba Rou went to Dayong Dynasty alone incognito.

When Tuoba Rou arrived in Dayong Palace, the Feng family happened to be recruiting new soldiers for the navy.

Being taller and having sharper features compared to the girls from the Central Plains, she relied on her advantages to disguise herself as a man and sneak into the military camp.

As it was customary for newcomers to the military camp, Tuoba Rou started as a soldier, which suited her just fine. She personally underwent every aspect of military training and became intimately familiar with the process.

However, she did not anticipate staying in the military camp for three years, and upon returning to Xibo, she felt out of place.

Once she readjusted to Xibo’s lifestyle, she summarized the navy’s military training methods and presented them to Tuoba Zheng.

Tuoba Zheng, a man of his word, not only refrained from interfering in Tuoba Rou’s marriage but also showered her with affection, spoiling her.

For a long time, Tuoba Rou had been accustomed to Tuoba Zheng’s pampering, doing as she pleased and speaking in a coddled tone.

However, upon learning that her biological aunt and father were willing to sacrifice her to provoke a war between Xibo and the Jing Kingdom, she experienced nightmares for several days before finally awakening.

It became apparent to her that there was no true familial affection within the royal family; anyone could be reduced to a tool in the struggle for power!

Unwilling to succumb, Tuoba Rou made a resolute decision. Faced with the abyss, she stepped into it without hesitation.

Her resolve was strengthened by the training she had undergone over those three years.

Henceforth, she could either remain a pampered princess or become a formidable ruler.

She vowed to exact retribution from all those who had betrayed her. Tuoba Rou thought.

.

Dayong Palace.

Upon entering the palace gates, Feng Chilie and Tan Chuyan overheard someone saying, “The emperor has gone to the Empress Dowager to kneel down and ask for punishment!”

The maids and eunuchs speculated about why Baili Chengzhi knelt down to beg for punishment, but Tan Chuyan and Feng Chilie had some insight.

Upon reaching Mingguang Hall, they halted.

The Jinyi guards, who had previously served Baili Chengzhi, had all been replaced by the Ouchi guards under Feng Mingyuan’s command, and the oppressive atmosphere was palpable.

“Swish—”

An Ouchi guard drew his knife from his waist, the setting sun’s light reflecting off it, dazzling and blinding.

“Who goes there?”

The Ouchi guard’s voice was cold, devoid of any emotion, almost merging with the blade in his hand.