Qin Yu had certainly heard the story of how three people could manufacture a tiger out of thin air.
She knew Luo Shangyu had no rebellious intent, but when so many people were saying it… ‘What if…?’
Anxiety filled Qin Yu’s heart as she paced back and forth within the hall.
Although she did not believe the rumors, she did not take any steps to stop them either.
***
By the end of the afternoon, Luo Shangyu had already selected 5,000 strong, loyal, and brave soldiers to leave Zhong Changgong’s military camp.
Before leaving, Zhong Changgong suddenly grabbed the reins of Luo Shangyu’s horse and said, “My Lord, I am loyal to the Emperor and the Crown Prince. You must protect me! By following the Crown Prince, I will inevitably offend Qin Yi…”
“Rest assured,” Luo Shangyu said as she patted her chest.
“I will certainly do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
Luo Shangyu led the 5,000 Yulin Elite Soldiers as they returned toward the East Palace.
***
Qin Yu stood atop the gate of the East Palace, gazing into the distance.
The sky had already grown dark.
A cacophony of sounds echoed from afar; it was the noise of a marching army.
She strained her eyes and saw that the command banner of the army bore a massive character for “Yu”—her own name.
It was clear that Luo Shangyu had successfully persuaded Zhong Changgong and brought the troops back to the East Palace to serve as her own armed force.
This should have been heartening news, but the reports from everyone earlier had already left Qin Yu somewhat panicked.
Luo Shangyu had originally been her enemy.
She had only surrendered to the Chengji Empire out of necessity due to the circumstances.
Would she truly be loyal to her?
Qin Yu listened to the noise within the East Palace, knowing that the rumors had already spread.
Everyone must have been terrified by them.
Even though Qin Yu had developed a sort of Stockholm-like affection because she had been captured by Luo Shangyu, she also knew that Luo Shangyu was likely just playing with her throughout the process.
‘Can I really trust her?’
In the distance, the troops led by Luo Shangyu drew closer.
Standing on the palace gate, she saw the grand and imposing formation, which made Qin Yu feel a bit uneasy.
‘If Luo Shangyu really decides to rebel, I truly will be dead without even a place to be buried.’
Soon, the army led by Luo Shangyu arrived outside the East Palace gates.
The gates had been shut because the guards had believed the rumors.
Luo Shangyu settled the soldiers, letting them rest outside for the time being, and then approached the gate alone to knock.
The East Palace guards were terrified.
They did not dare to open the gates, yet they also did not dare to drive Luo Shangyu away.
They hurriedly asked Qin Yu how to handle the situation.
Qin Yu went behind the palace gate and said in a deep voice, “Open the gate!”
Standing there, Qin Yu’s heart calmed down significantly.
Things had come to this point, and there was no way to avoid it.
She believed that Luo Shangyu was loyal to her.
The palace gates slowly opened, and Luo Shangyu walked in alone.
Passing Qin Yu, she saw the nervous guards standing behind her.
Luo Shangyu saw what was happening at a glance, but she did not say much.
Instead, she returned the Crown Prince’s token that Qin Yu had given her earlier and said, “I have completed the mission. Left Yulin Commander Zhong Changgong is willing to serve us. He has provided 5,000 soldiers to serve as your personal guards, stationed at the East Palace.”
Qin Yu was overjoyed.
She stepped forward and embraced Luo Shangyu.
“You are truly wonderful!”
Luo Shangyu patted Qin Yu’s back and whispered, “It is nothing. Since you trust me so much, I should not fail your expectations.”
Hearing this, Qin Yu froze, ‘I trusted Luo Shangyu so much before she left, yet I actually doubted her because of the false accusations of a few people. I even let the rumors spread and caused panic in the East Palace.’
Thinking back to their escape from the Kingdom of Yiyong’s military camp, Luo Shangyu had been the one protecting her, risking her life to bring her out.
‘What reason do I have to doubt her?’
In the forest, the gentleness Luo Shangyu showed while helping her bathe was still fresh in her memory.
That tender touch could not have been faked.
Qin Yu’s lips moved slightly, just about to say “I’m sorry,” but Luo Shangyu suddenly asked, “Then, how should these soldiers be handled? Should they be stationed inside the East Palace, or somewhere else?”
“Um…” Qin Yu snapped out of her thoughts.
Now was not the time for an apology.
“Let them be stationed in the empty space to the north, outside the East Palace. That was originally the barracks for the East Palace guards. It is very spacious, and it will be no problem for 5,000 people to live there.”
Luo Shangyu nodded and released Qin Yu.
“Will you come with me to announce this?”
“All right.” Qin Yu nodded.
She allowed Luo Shangyu to hold her hand as they walked out of the palace gates together.
When everyone saw the Crown Prince come out, they cheered in unison.
Qin Yu waved her hand to quiet everyone down and said, “From now on, you are my personal guards. You will be stationed in the empty space outside the north gate of the East Palace.”
“In the future, as long as you follow me, I will never mistreat you. Fine food, strong drink, gold, and silver—you will have it all!”
The soldiers were thrilled when they heard this.
They had come to serve as guards in the Capital City precisely for the good treatment.
Now that their treatment was going up a level, how could they not be happy?
“Loyalty! Loyalty!” the soldiers shouted.
“Wherever the Crown Prince points, we will go!”
Qin Yu nodded, feeling very satisfied.
After she told the colonel the specific location of the barracks, the handover of the army was basically complete.
“Let’s go back. Dinner is ready,” Qin Yu said to Luo Shangyu.
Luo Shangyu nodded, and the two walked back into the East Palace.
Inside, the guards, maids, and officials were in a mess, running around the palace.
Only when they saw Qin Yu and Luo Shangyu returning hand-in-hand did they finally relax.
“Everyone, go back! Do not make a fool of yourselves by making such a ruckus here!” Qin Yu shouted at them, fearing that Luo Shangyu would notice something was wrong.
Luo Shangyu was so loyal to her, yet she had still doubted her.
This made Qin Yu feel an unbearable sense of shame.
The dinner was steaming and delicious, but Qin Yu, sitting at the table, had no appetite.
Looking at Luo Shangyu across from her, she felt increasingly ashamed and did not dare to look her in the eye.
Luo Shangyu had lived for 1,000 years and understood the scene from earlier at a glance.
She could understand Qin Yu’s thoughts very well.
After all, the bond between her and Qin Yu was not yet deep, and she had returned with such a large number of soldiers.
It was only natural for Qin Yu to have some doubts, leading her subordinates to think she was going to rebel.
It was understandable that they feared her.
Luo Shangyu felt that if she were in Qin Yu’s position, she might have thought the same thing.
Looking at the bashful Qin Yu across the table, Luo Shangyu did not point it out.
She saw the shame and regret in Qin Yu’s heart.
Since Qin Yu felt embarrassed, Luo Shangyu felt there was no need for her to point it out and make her feel even worse.
Qin Yu kept her head down, eating the food in her bowl.
She had not yet built up enough mental strength to admit her mistake directly to Luo Shangyu; she was still a bit shy.
She had betrayed Luo Shangyu’s trust, and that was difficult to speak about no matter what.
She thought about what she could say to break the impasse between them.
“Luo Shangyu, Imperial Father summoned me this afternoon,” Qin Yu said, “He ordered me to oversee the state as the Crown Prince.”
Luo Shangyu nodded upon hearing this and said, “In that case, you will have immense power, which will be excellent for rooting out Qin Yi’s group.”
Seeing that Luo Shangyu had answered her and did not seem angry, the burden in Qin Yu’s heart lightened significantly.