The Whole Dynasty Spoils the Tyrant's Beloved Youngest Daughter-Chapter 462: Crying Too Hard, Eyes Not Working Right

Chapter 462: Chapter 462: Crying Too Hard, Eyes Not Working Right
The long procession was filled with a thick air of sorrow.
The townsfolk, seeing Jun Ning at the front of the procession following the coffin, who, despite not being short, was not considered tall among the princes, were both excited and earnest as they widened their eyes to look closely.
It was rumored that before the two armies clashed, the Empress duelled Marshal Fei, the commanding general of Bei Xia. No one expected her to win, yet she did, and not only did she win with grace, but she also arranged a marriage alliance with Marshal Fei.
The women, who rarely ventured beyond their homes, were exhilarated upon hearing this news!
The Empress had won a great victory for all women, becoming their role model; truly, she was a heroine among women!
Whenever someone dared suggest women were inferior to men, people would bring up the Empress’ duel with Marshal Fei to ensure no one would have the courage to speak such nonsense again.
The Empress had done a great thing for women everywhere.
Those who had not seen the noble and elegant Princess Anle might have imagined the Empress to be a robust and burly woman, given her commanding presence and ability to duel the enemy’s general.
Little did they know, upon seeing her, they would realize the Empress was slender, with fair skin and beautiful features.
At first glance, she did not appear much different from other women, but even while mourning Emperor Yongning, her gaze bore an undeniable majesty and extraordinary nature.
A person worthy of being an Empress, indeed.
The Kingdom of Dongchu is blessed with an Empress!
The predictions of the master from Huguo Temple were correct—the little princess was indeed a great blessing!
And yet, the Empress is not even twenty years old and has already achieved so much.
Her future is immeasurable!
Some even faintly felt that she could certainly elevate the Kingdom of Dongchu to new heights.
Entertaining such thoughts, someone in the crowd began to shout.
"Long live the Majesty, for ten thousand years!"
A chorus of echoes responded from all directions.
"Long live the Majesty, for ten thousand years!"
"Long live the Majesty, for ten thousand years!"
...
During Emperor Yongning’s funeral procession, the commoners were so excited, they knelt on both sides of the street to pay respect to Jun Ning. While it may seem appropriate, Jun Ning felt something was amiss.
This was not the right time to shout such things.
However, she wouldn’t blame those who didn’t know better.
Jun Ning did not dwell on it too much and let them continue their calls.
After Emperor Yongning was buried, although Jun Ning did not cry again in front of others, she still sobbed secretly several times.
Whenever she attended court meetings, had her meals, reviewed memorials, or went to the Imperial Garden to aid digestion after a meal, she recalled the presence of Emperor Yongning by her side... Then she would lose control and collapse into loud sobbing.
She cried so fiercely that one day her vision suddenly blurred, making it difficult to read the officials’ s, causing her great distress as she could not see the words clearly.
It was like looking at scribbles but not being able to discern them clearly.
After being warned by the Imperial Physician about the seriousness of the problem, she managed to restrain her emotions. After several days of medication, her eyes gradually recovered.
However, the urgent memorials she needed to handle remained unfinished, which delayed corresponding affairs for several days.
This caused some loss.
She felt ashamed and bore the lesson in mind, making sure she never cried again because of memories of the Emperor and tried not to make herself ill.
Every day she worked diligently, ensuring that under her leadership, everything in the Kingdom of Dongchu functioned as it should, with each department operating smoothly.
Days passed like this, day after day, year after year.
It felt like just a month had passed when everyone adapted to the news of Emperor Yongning’s passing.
After six months, there were hardly any who lamented his demise.
A year later, the Empress Dowager’s hair was half gray, but she no longer frequently mentioned Emperor Yongning, spending time playing cards with several concubines, living a leisurely and carefree life.
Three years passed, and though Jun Ning, as an Emperor, removed her mourning clothes after Emperor Yongning was buried, she only took off the outer garments.
The clothing beneath her imperial robe was never the yellow reserved for emperors, nor the pink favored by women; it was always a plain white garment.
In her heart, in places unseen by others, she silently mourned Emperor Yongning. As if by doing so, she could pretend the Emperor hadn’t gone far from her.
...
In three years, Qi Xiao won several significant battles, annihilating three neighboring nations and establishing the Kingdom of Dongchu’s dominance in the north. The southern small kingdoms, under such a formidable presence, became nominal entities, not worth worrying about.
What was worth pondering was why Qi Xiao hadn’t returned after the wars?
He seemed to be avoiding something, afraid to face it, deliberately evading it.
Jun Ning knew what he was avoiding—her.
But the ministers didn’t see it that way, and on this day at court, they all caused a ruckus.
"What is this with General Qi? After winning so many battles and the Majesty summoning him back multiple times, why hasn’t he returned? What is he up to?"
"Now his wings have grown strong—more victories than his father achieved, more glorious. Does he no longer wish to be beneath anyone? Does he want to hold troops as leverage and establish himself as a king?"
"If he intends this, then the court should immediately cut off all supplies of provisions and warhorses."
"Let’s see how he stirs any trouble without provisions and warhorses?"
The ministers were voicing their opinions, visibly angry with their words full of hatred, resentment, and discontent towards Qi Xiao...
Even though Qi Xiao hadn’t returned, he hadn’t committed any crime of grand betrayal, nor shown any treacherous intentions... Yet they were consumed with anger, ready to nail Qi Xiao to the pillar of shame.
Eager to spit on him until he drowned in saliva.
Jun Ning understood them.
They all cared for the future of the Kingdom of Dongchu but didn’t know the matters between her and Qi Xiao... That’s why they were so agitated; once Qi Xiao returned, their anger would dissipate.
Not only dissipate, but it would transform into admiration, reverence, respect, and submission...
It was just a matter of time.
So, this matter was not worrisome.
Yet, the ministers were all anxious, and the Grand Commandant made a proposal: "Your Majesty, please continue to issue decrees to summon General Qi back promptly."
Another minister echoed beside him: "Your Majesty, if one decree doesn’t work, then issue three decrees. After all, General Qi is Your husband. Seeing three decrees from you, he will certainly think something has happened and, out of concern for you, will surely return swiftly!"
There was even an absurd suggestion: "If it comes to it, Your Majesty, you should say you are pregnant, and he must return."
Jun Ning: "......"
Pregnant? What nonsense is this?
She hadn’t seen Qi Xiao in three years, and only Fei Yuque was confined in the harem. She visited him occasionally, not for personal reasons but to ensure people were watching over Fei Yuque carefully.
There was nothing between her and Fei Yuque.
If word got out she was pregnant, everyone would assume she was carrying Fei Yuque’s child.
Qi Xiao was her legitimate husband, and though he didn’t favor her, this would bring disgrace upon him.
Would he be happy to hear this?
Clearly not!
Jun Ning waved her hand, dismissing these absurd ideas.
Let her think of something herself, to find a good solution that wouldn’t damage their reputation as a couple, and yet bring Qi Xiao back as soon as possible.
She personally wasn’t in a hurry for Qi Xiao to return, but she couldn’t ignore the ministers’ opinions and public sentiment.
Otherwise, if someone were to exploit this issue to sow discord and create a scandal, that would not be good.