Wen Yuesheng had sent a small force to Fuzhou initially just to capture Yang Gu, but after receiving a report from Zhou Yuandu, she had ordered Li Qingyuan to bring Yang Gu back to the capital while the other officers remained in Fuzhou.

Now, Fuzhou had fallen to rebels, and the emperor summoned all the key ministers for a meeting in the palace.

Among them was Wen Yuesheng, who had to be present.

The situation had escalated, and the emperor needed to decide who would be sent to support the military efforts in Fuzhou.

The emperor had initially sent General Zhang Yulin with only 5,000 troops to avoid drawing attention, but now the situation had changed.

The rebels in Fuzhou had grown in strength, and the capital’s forces were stretched thin.

As the emperor discussed the next steps, Wen Yuesheng found herself once again at the center of the storm, facing not only her responsibilities but also the ever-growing political intrigue.

Apart from the loyal and valiant Marquis, the three major imperial guards in the capital were the line of defense for the imperial city, and they could not easily leave Beijing.

The emperor initially wanted to send Lu Qinghuai, but there were two reasons against it.

First, Lu Qinghuai’s injuries hadn’t fully healed; he had been poisoned by a strange toxin, nearly fatal, and according to Zhou Manniang, he would need at least six months of recovery.

Second, the year-end was approaching, and someone had to go to the frontier to care for the soldiers there.

Since Lu Qinghuai had previously been stationed at the frontier, it made the most sense for him to go.

After much discussion, the Great General of the Nation recommended that Wen Yuesheng lead the troops to Fuzhou for support.

This decision caused many debates in the court.

However, Wen Yuesheng currently held a military position, so it was only natural for her to lead troops into battle.

The Great General of the Nation’s strong backing helped settle the matter.

When Jiang Lu and Zhou Manniang heard the news in the mansion, they were both taken aback.

Zhou Manniang hurriedly left to pack Wen Yue Sheng’s things, as she was also uncertain about the situation in Fuzhou and would accompany her to the battlefield.

Jiang Lu and Lu Hongying remained in the mansion. Wen Yuesheng also ordered Ye Qiuyun to return from the military camp to handle affairs in the capital in her absence.

The information Wen Yuesheng controlled in the capital partly came from Jiang Lu.

With so many enemies in the capital, Jiang Lu could not be left unprotected while she was away.

Ye Qiuyun, who had spent some time in the military camp, was not very strong, but she had more physical strength than most women and knew some basic martial arts.

More importantly, she commanded several soldiers, who remained in the capital.

Ye Qiuyun entered the mansion and noticed Zhou Manniang working busily. Her expression paused for a moment before she spoke to Jiang Lu.

Jiang Lu was sitting quietly in a pavilion brewing tea, her expression calm.

After a long silence, Ye Qiuyun couldn’t help but ask, “I have one thing I don’t understand.”

When Jiang Lu’s gentle eyes fell on her, Ye Qiuyun paused for a moment before continuing, “With the princess’s ability, why would she have to take care of court affairs?”

In her view, the imperial court was full of corrupt officials, such as Liang Wenhao, Wu Anhou, and even the current Kong Rui.

The court was full of filth, and the princes were brutal and unworthy of loyalty.

After everything, Ye Qiuyun, having been a victim of these intrigues, had grown to believe that Wen Yue Sheng, with her ability, should not be limited to serving the emperor.

The court had reached this state because the emperor was not without fault. Wen Yuesheng’s achievements were many, but she might not receive any rewards; she would only provoke jealousy and fear.

The more Ye Qiuyun understood, the more she felt that the princess should not be in such a position.

She had studied some books and recently began reading military and historical texts with Jiang Lu.

The more she read, the more she felt that Wen Yuesheng could, like the figures in history, directly correct the chaotic situation.

Especially now, with rebellion brewing, her thoughts on this grew stronger.

“The emperor and empress do not treat the princess well, and now they only see her as useful,” Ye Qiuyun said, influenced by her time in the military, now speaking more bluntly. “Instead of serving them, why not…”

Before she could finish, Jiang Lu gave her a glance that silenced her.

Ye Qiuyun knew that what she had said was treasonous, but it was what she truly believed.

Moreover, the princess’s mansion was filled with their people, and she didn’t believe she was the only one thinking this way.

“Does Miss Jiang not feel the same?” Ye Qiuyun asked.

Jiang Lu set the teapot aside and said nothing at first.

In fact, she had asked the same question not long ago, but to Lord Yan.

Because she handled the capital’s information, she often dealt with the indifferent and distant Yan Ling, who possessed the most knowledge.

However, when she asked him, he did not elaborate, only telling her, “The timing is not right.”

She pondered this for a long time, and now, she had some understanding.

Jiang Lu raised her eyes to look at Ye Qiuyun and said, “In the court, among the civil and military officials, aside from people like Liang Wenhao, there are still loyal and virtuous ones.”

“Not to mention, in our mansion, there is the family of Young Master Zhang and General Lu. Also, there are good officials like Master Yan.” Jiang Lu paused, her eyes flashing slightly. “If a rebellion arises, how should we handle these loyal ones?”

Ye Qiuyun opened her mouth, but after a long pause, she said, “Well… not to mention, the Young Master Zhang and General Lu would surely listen to the princess.”

Jiang Lu said, “Young Master Zhang listens, General Lu listens, but can you guarantee that the Loyal and Brave Marquis and General Lu feel the same?”

“Can you guarantee that the soldiers at the frontier feel the same?”

Ye Qiuyun paused but still said, “At worst, we can start a rebellion ourselves. The princess does not lack people at her side.”

“With the rebels still watching us, starting a rebellion now would only push the already unstable Da Hui into an even worse situation,” Jiang Lu sighed. “If we start a rebellion, what should we do with those officials and soldiers who don’t share our views? Should we kill them all?”

“If we kill them all, how are we any different from a tyrant?”

Ye Qiuyun was struck dumb and bit her lip, unable to respond.

“The princess is a person of great righteousness.” Jiang Lu softened her tone, her eyes shining when she spoke of Wen Yue Sheng. “What she does is not to protect the emperor or anyone else.”

“To clear the court, to reorganize the military, to eliminate corrupt ministers and evil officials—do you think this is only because the emperor likes her?” Jiang Lu stood up and gazed at the distant mountains.

The snow had melted in recent days, and the mountaintop was bathed in a soft golden light.

She looked at that golden light with soft eyes. “In times of turmoil, the common people suffer the most.”

These words resonated deeply with Ye Qiuyun.

Because, from the beginning, the women saved by Wen Yuesheng, including herself and the women from Liang Wenhao’s household, were not noble or royal—they were just ordinary people.

“Qiu Yun, I am very lucky,” Jiang Lu turned back and looked at her with a smile, “When I was at my lowest, the person I met was the princess.”

Ye Qiuyun nodded, and Jiang Lu continued, “I believe you feel the same.”

Ye Qiuyun nodded, but before she could say anything, Jiang Lu added, “Moreover, some things can’t be rushed…”

This was just her speculation. She didn’t know for sure what Lord Yan thought.

But one thing she was sure of was that Lord Yan’s ideas aligned with theirs.

When he said the timing wasn’t right, he likely meant that Wen Yuesheng had only just entered the court and currently controlled only the palace guards and the imperial army. These were not enough to support the large-scale change she envisioned.

Lord Yan, it seemed, was preparing to help Wen Yuesheng gain the true power that could topple the entire court.

Yan Ling was a man of great depth, and she could only catch glimpses of his plans. But knowing that he was loyal to the princess was enough.

One thing, however, she was curious about: what exactly did Lord Yan hope to gain from all his efforts?

Jiang Lu had some guesses but couldn’t be sure.

After all, Yan Ling didn’t seem like someone who would dedicate everything purely out of love or affection.

With his cold, indifferent demeanor, he almost felt like a different person entirely.

Her words had eased Ye Qiuyun’s unease, and by the next day, when Wen Yue Sheng was about to leave the capital, Ye Qiuyun had adjusted her mindset.

No matter what changes came, she would stand by the princess’s side, and that was enough.

At dawn, the expeditionary force had assembled. Wen Yuesheng stood at the front, wearing a black cloak.

Just before the troops departed, Lu Hongying hurriedly arrived.

She hadn’t slept the night before and had spent months preparing a gift for Wen Yue Sheng, meant for the New Year.

It was a sword, unlike any regular one—thin and long, with a sharp edge that could cut through iron like clay. It was a finely crafted weapon, and the moment Wen Yuesheng took it in her hands, she knew it would be invaluable.

After receiving the sword, Wen Yuesheng didn’t speak much and quickly organized her troops to head out of the capital.

A few days after their departure, Zhang Yulin and Yan Wei arrived at Fuzhou.

The city had already been taken by rebels. When they attempted to enter, they were met with arrows raining down from the walls.

Zhang Yulin and Yan Wei had no choice but to retreat.

The situation was dire, and with the rebels inside the city, they could hardly hope to break through.

Yan Wei, realizing the odds were against them, asked, “Young Master Zhang, should we retreat?”

Zhang Yulin’s gaze darkened.

After reading a letter earlier that day, he decided there was no retreat.

“Kill the rebels!” he commanded.

With that, he charged into the enemy’s ranks, wielding a massive hammer, causing the rebels to retreat.

But as he advanced, a deadly arrow flew from the city walls, piercing a commander’s throat.

The atmosphere was tense, and the rebels paused in fear.

In the distance, a figure appeared, speeding toward them, and behind her, a large contingent of soldiers from the imperial army.

Wen Yuesheng, having thrown her bow and arrows to the soldiers, commanded, “Da Hui’s soldiers, follow me and kill the enemies!”

The soldiers roared in unison, ready for battle.