I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

"Why are you back?"

Late at night, in the camp at Liujiawan.

Qin Li, who was just about to fall asleep, frowned involuntarily when he saw the Empress return.

During this time, the Empress was on the opposite side, and she left out of jealousy.

I heard that she vented all her anger on the Western Regions allied forces in the Great Reed Sea, and she's almost become a female killing machine.

"What, have I disturbed His Majesty and Consort Lu's bedtime? I'm so sorry."

The Empress unfastened the sword from her waist, placed it on the table with a "bang," and poured herself a cup of tea.

"Consort Lu, where did this 'Lu' come from...?"

Qin Li didn't finish speaking before realizing what he was saying and said irritably, "I may not care about my reputation, but doesn't that young lady care about hers too?!"

The Empress glanced at Qin Li's bed and, not seeing Lu Shushu, realized that she had misunderstood Qin Li.

But if you want her to admit her mistake, you'll have to wait until the next life.

After taking a sip of tea, the Empress said:

"I have good news for His Majesty."

"What good news?"

"The Western Regions have surrendered."

For a long time after he finished speaking, Qin Li did not offer any opinion.

The Empress looked over and saw Qin Li's mouth slightly open, his face showing surprise.

The Empress couldn't help but smile; she knew Qin Li would have that expression.

But the next moment, Qin Li suddenly stood up, his voice loud:

"They lowered their prices? Who told them to lower them?!"

"This is hardly good news; it's absolutely terrible news."

Upon hearing this, the Empress nearly spat out the tea in her mouth.

Has Qin Li lost his mind? Why would he say something like that?

The Western Regions have surrendered, isn't that a good thing?

"Quickly, quickly, convey my decree: do not accept the surrender of the Western Regions, continue fighting them," Qin Li urged.

In the past few days, scouts have reported that Wang Long, who is far away in the capital, seems to be tempted and is about to send 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry over.

At this critical juncture, how could the Western Regions surrender? This would ruin his grand plan.

Qin Li ordered people to send them things in order to prevent the Western Regions from surrendering too soon.

I never expected the Western Regions to be so disappointing, surrendering so easily.

The Empress did not move and said, "It's too late. Commander Huangfu is already receiving the surrendered soldiers from the Western Regions."

"The roster should be delivered tomorrow."

"Actually, the surrender of the Western Regions is not necessarily a bad thing."

"Now that the Western Regions have surrendered, they are easier to control. We can make them do whatever we want. At worst, we can all cooperate and continue fighting in the Great Reed Sea."

"If we don't want to fight, we can head north at any time. With the surrendered troops from the Western Regions and 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry, we are not invincible."

"That seems to make sense..." Qin Li thought to himself.

However, things still went beyond his expectations.

Everything needs to be rearranged.

"Alright, you may leave. I know everything." With a wave of his hand, Qin Li was about to dismiss the Empress.

He needs to be alone to think things through and figure out what to do next.

Seeing that Qin Li had given her the order to leave, the Empress stood up.

However, when they left, they walked very slowly, as if they didn't want to leave.

However, Qin Li was lost in thought and didn't notice her little actions at all.

After a while, Qin Li noticed that the Empress was still in the tent and said, "Why haven't you left yet?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress gritted her teeth in anger and quickened her pace to leave.

Before leaving, he added menacingly, "Fine, you want to kick me out? I'll remember you. Don't even think about setting foot in my house again!"

After saying that, the Empress left.

Watching the Empress's departing figure, Qin Li exclaimed, "What's wrong with the Empress this time?"

……

After the start of spring, the weather warms up and all things revive.

In the Imperial Garden, Wang Long and Empress Pei Qingluan were enjoying the scenery.

Of course, Pei Qingluan didn't come willingly on her own.

She'd rather spend that time playing chess with that silly girl, Xiao Xue'er.

Wang Long wanted her to enjoy the scenery with him because he had something to tell her.

"The scouts report that the Western Regions surrendered before the New Year. After so much reorganization, the rebel army of hundreds of thousands has finally marched north, heading straight for the capital. Does Your Majesty have any good ideas?"

Wang Long asked calmly.

Pei Qingluan already knew about this, which is why she was unwilling to come. Now she just needed to wait for Qin Li's army to defeat Wang Long.

She even feels nauseous just looking at Wang Long's face now.

Wang Long is like a grasshopper in autumn; he won't be able to hop around for long.

Pei Qingluan first tidied her hair, tucking any stray strands behind her ears, before saying, "I'm just a sheltered woman. Even Your Highness doesn't have any good solutions, so how could I possibly have any?"

Wang Long gave a wry smile: "I remember Her Majesty the Empress once said that one should always find a way out."

"If Her Majesty the Empress won't even help with this small favor, then we have no way out."

This is a blatant threat.

Pei Qingluan glanced at Wang Long, her eyes revealing undisguised disgust, but she still said, "I do have a method, but I don't know if it's a good one."

"explain!"

Wang Long spoke in a commanding tone.

Pei Qingluan said, "Why don't you take your men back to Liangzhou? With 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry at your disposal, and having cultivated your influence in Liangzhou for many years, even His Majesty wouldn't dare to easily touch you or set foot in Liangzhou."

Anyway, if she were Wang Long, she would make the same choice.

The capital cannot be defended; it would be better to return to Liangzhou quickly and preserve our strength.

"The capital is so beautiful, I can't bear to go back," Wang Long sighed.

Going back now would be no different from being a stray dog. Wang Long would not be a stray dog.

Besides, if they go back, they will really lose. Qin Li can't solve Liangzhou in a short time, but there's plenty of time, and he'll be able to solve it eventually.

He wanted to settle things with Qin Li in the capital, even if he lost, it would be worth it.

"If Your Highness doesn't go back, then there's nothing I can do." Pei Qingluan spread her hands and couldn't help but shrug.

Wang Long replied, "If Your Majesty has no other choice, and the rebel army is at the city gates, then don't blame me for hanging Your Majesty outside the city."

His biggest trump card was never the 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry.

Instead, it was Pei Qingluan and Xiao Xue'er, Qin Li's closest and dearest people.

Pei Qingluan wasn't afraid at all; instead, she had time to admire her own delicate nails.

She said, "Using me as a hostage, Your Highness's wishful thinking isn't very good. His Majesty knows how to choose between the world and women. If I die, another woman will immediately become Empress. Does Your Highness understand what I mean?"

Wang Long looked at Pei Qingluan: "Does Your Majesty mean that Your Majesty is worthless in the eyes of that traitor Li?"

Pei Qingluan remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"Then let's make a bet on just how much the Empress means to that scoundrel Li."