From cute to empress

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on my face, dispelling the haze of nightmare. I strained to open my eyes, only to be greeted by Zhen Youcai's anxious face. His eyes were bloodshot, and his beard was stubbled, clearly showing he hadn't rested in days. "Youcai, you..." I spoke weakly, my voice raspy.

"Your Majesty, you're awake!" Zhen Youcai grabbed my hand with astonishing strength. His eyes were slightly red, and his voice was filled with undisguised excitement and trembling. "You're finally awake!"

"I...how long have I slept?" I struggled to sit up, but the injury on my back hurt, and I gasped in pain.

"It's been three days and three nights." Zhen Youcai quickly supported me, his tone full of heartache, "The imperial physician said you lost too much blood and were overly tired, so..."

"Silly boy, I'm fine, aren't I?" I held his hand, wanting to give him some comfort, but I found that my hands were weak and my fingertips were cold.

Zhen Youcai's eyes reddened even more. He lowered his head and rested his forehead on the back of my hand, soaking my skin with his scalding tears. I could feel his suppressed sobs, and a mixture of emotions welled up in my heart.

"Don't cry, I'm back." I gently stroked his hair, as if comforting a wounded little animal.

"Your Majesty, I thought I would never see you again..." Zhen Youcai's voice was choked with sobs, filled with relief at having survived a disaster.

"Silly boy, I promised you that I would fight side by side with you and protect this land together. How could I break my promise so easily?" I said with a smile, but tears welled up in the corners of my eyes.

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Youcai raised his head and looked at me affectionately, his eyes full of love and gratitude.

"Okay, I'm fine." I wiped his tears and forced a smile. "How's the situation in Border Town?"

"Good news! The border town has been recaptured, and the enemy general Hu has been captured alive!" Zhen Youcai said excitedly, with a gleam of victory in his eyes.

"Good! Good! Good!" I said three good words in a row, my heart filled with joy and relief.

"Pass the order down to reward the three armies and all the soldiers according to their merits!" I said loudly. Although my voice was still a little weak, it was full of strength.

"Yes!" Zhen Youcai took the order and left with a joyful smile on his face.

I watched him leave, my heart filled with warmth and satisfaction. This battle, we won, not only won back the peace of the border town, but also won each other's hearts.

"Your Majesty, Military Advisor Guo and Village Chief Zhou request to see you." A guard came in and reported.

"Let them in." I sat up straight, a glint of wisdom in my eyes. Although the border crisis has been resolved, there is still much to do...

"Your Majesty, I (the humble commoner) pay my respects to you. Long live Your Majesty!" Military Advisor Guo and Village Chief Zhou knelt together with respectful tones.

"My two dear ministers, please stand up quickly." I said quickly, motioning them to stand up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The two stood up, their faces filled with unconcealable joy and excitement.

"The successful recovery of the border town this time is entirely thanks to the generous assistance of the two of you, my dear ministers. I would like to thank you both here." I said sincerely, my eyes sweeping over the two of them, finally landing on Military Advisor Guo. "Military Advisor Guo, you are a master of strategic planning and have won victories thousands of miles away. You have made an invaluable contribution to this great victory!"

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am only doing my humble part." Military Advisor Guo bowed modestly and said, "I have a suggestion. Although the barbarians were repelled this time, there is no guarantee they won't return. I suggest strengthening border defenses and stationing more troops just in case."

"Military Advisor Guo is absolutely right. That's exactly what I'm thinking." I nodded in agreement. "Captain Zhou, do you have any suggestions for strengthening our border defenses?"

"Your Majesty, I have lived here for generations and am quite familiar with the situation along the border," said Village Chief Zhou, clasping his fists. "I believe that in addition to increasing the garrison, we should also strengthen the economic development of the border. Only when the people live and work in peace and contentment can we better resist foreign invasion."

"Master Zhou is right." I nodded approvingly. "I will order the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds for economic development in the border areas, so that the people there can live a prosperous and healthy life as soon as possible."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Military Advisor Guo and Village Chief Zhou said in unison, with pleased smiles on their faces.

"Youcai, pass the order down. We will set off for the border town tomorrow to comfort the soldiers and appease the people." I turned to look at Zhen Youcai with a firm gaze.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Zhen Youcai accepted the order, his eyes flashing with excitement.

The next day, Zhen Youcai and I led a large group of people and set off for the border town. Along the way, the people lined the streets to welcome us, and the cheers were deafening.

"Long live His Majesty! General Zhen is mighty!" The people raised their hands high, their faces filled with joy and gratitude.

Zhen Youcai and I rode side by side at the front of the procession, waving to the people from time to time. Looking at the enthusiastic faces, my heart was filled with emotion and warmth.

"Youcai, look, these are the people we protect. They are kind, brave, and enthusiastic. In order to protect their smiles, we have to work harder." I turned to look at Zhen Youcai, with a determined light in my eyes.

"Your Majesty is right. For the people and for you, I am willing to sacrifice my life for anything!" Zhen Youcai said in a firm tone, his eyes full of love and loyalty.

As night fell, the stars twinkled, and the border town was bathed in a tranquil moonlight. Zhen Youcai and I stood side by side on the city wall, overlooking the brightly lit city, feeling a surge of emotion.

"Youcai, do you remember the first time we met?" I asked softly, my thoughts drifting away...

"Of course I remember, at that time..." Zhen Youcai turned to look at me, the moonlight illuminating his angular face, his eyes filled with tenderness and doting, "At that time..."

"At that time, you were still a young boy. You rushed into my magic circle recklessly and threatened to protect me." I interrupted his recollection with a smile, my tone full of nostalgia.

"That's right. Back then, I didn't know I would be so moved by a magic circle." Zhen Youcai also smiled and reached out to hold me in his arms. "You don't know how fast my heart was beating when I saw you walk out of the magic circle for the first time. At that moment, I knew that you were the one I was destined to protect."

Under the moonlight, his eyes were deep and gentle, as if they contained countless stars. I snuggled in his arms, feeling his warm body temperature, and my heart was filled with peace and happiness.

"Youcai, thank you, thank you for always being by my side, supporting me, and encouraging me." I raised my head and looked at him sincerely. "If it weren't for you, I might not be able to get to where I am today."

"Silly boy, what nonsense are you talking about? We are husband and wife, the closest people to each other. It's too formal to say such things." He lowered his head and kissed my forehead gently. "We will continue to walk the road ahead together, until we are old and gray, with children and grandchildren."

"Yeah!" I nodded heavily, my heart full of longing for the future.

The crisis on the border was resolved, the country became increasingly powerful, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and the story of Youcai and I gradually became a legend. People said that I was the empress chosen by heaven, and Youcai was the good king given to me by God.

We govern the country together, travel together, and witness the most beautiful scenery of this era together.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." The maid's soft voice behind me brought my thoughts back to reality.

I turned around and looked at the maid's delighted smile, and something in my mind moved: "But over there in the border town..."

"Yes, Your Majesty, news of the great victory at the border town has arrived. The general..."