After being divorced, she overturned the capital and seized the empress's position!

Huo Xi's words nearly enraged Prime Minister Yan to death. He said sternly, "Now is not the time to act rashly. The Northern Chu army is poised to strike, having already captured two cities. The morale of the Southern Frontier soldiers is low; they are exactly where we need..."

"Prime Minister!" Huo Xi interrupted him, his face cold. "It was just a fluke. Has the Prime Minister considered that once the Seventh Prince regains military power, he might go easy on us, or even turn against us?"

Prime Minister Yan's expression darkened, and he said in a low voice, "The Seventh Prince is not that kind of person."

The two started arguing again.

Neither of them would yield to the other.

Huo Xi didn't take Prime Minister Yan seriously at all. Even when summoned by Empress Yan, he simply said that a general in the field might not accept orders from the army.

"This humble general cannot betray His Majesty's trust. With a formidable enemy at hand, I beg Your Majesty to be patient. When the time is right, this humble general will certainly obtain the antidote for Your Majesty."

"You!" Empress Yan clutched her chest, furious.

Unfortunately, the poison flared up again, and she could only watch helplessly as Huo Xi walked away. She was in so much pain that she was covered in cold sweat, and she gritted her teeth and cried out, "Huo Xi!"

Qingzhi stepped forward to support Empress Yan: "Your Majesty, why don't we have a private talk with the Seventh Prince? Perhaps we can come up with another solution?"

Empress Yan was in excruciating pain, her consciousness gradually fading, and she could no longer recover. Seeing this, Qingzhi boldly went to find the Seventh Prince.

Unfortunately, he was stopped by the guards before he could get close.

"General Huo has ordered that no one is allowed to approach without authorization."

Qingzhi stamped her foot: "This servant is here on the orders of Her Majesty the Empress! How dare you disobey the imperial decree!"

The guards ignored him, which made Aokiji so anxious that he was about to barge in.

Wow!

The guard drew his sword, its cold light flashing.

Startled, Qingzhi immediately retreated: "You! How dare you! I will go and report to the Empress and punish you!"

The guards remained calm and composed.

They didn't take Empress Yan seriously at all.

Another day

Empress Yan slowly awoke, and upon opening her eyes, she saw two imperial physicians with worried expressions. Empress Yan was extremely anxious: "Has the antidote still not been developed?"

"Your Majesty..." The two knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

One of them said helplessly, "It is this old minister's incompetence that is the fault. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Empress Yan no longer had the strength to be angry.

She discovered that every time she got angry, it triggered toxins in her body, and each time it was more severe than the last. If this continued, she would really die from the pain.

Empress Yan took a deep breath, sat up, and glanced out the window: "Has there been any commotion outside today?"

"Your Majesty, there is none at the moment." Qingzhi carefully stepped forward to help her up.

"Where is Huo Xi?"

"General Huo and several deputies are discussing matters outside."

Empress Yan curled her lips into a cold smile: "I used to think it was a pity that such a talent was buried, but now it seems that he is nothing but a figurehead and a strategist."

No one dared to respond to these words.

The city has now been taken over by the Huo family army. Who dares to say a word against the Huo family?

"All of you, leave." Empress Yan waved her hand, unwilling to look at these people any longer.

After everyone had left, he turned to Qingzhi and asked, "Have you met the Seventh Prince?"

Qingzhi shook her head in surprise: "General Huo sent people to watch the Seventh Prince, but I have not seen him."

Empress Yan's breath caught in her throat. She forced herself to calm down, determined not to get angry. Sitting by the window, she looked at the cramped courtyard and felt a sense of suffocation.

How did she end up trapped here?

Am I really inferior to Zhao Jiahua?

No, Empress Yan took a deep breath. It was just a pity that she didn't have any military power to command; otherwise, she would have been a thousand times, ten thousand times better than Zhao Jiahua.

I don't know how long I sat there.

"Go and invite Father here."

Aokiji nodded.

A moment later, Prime Minister Yan arrived looking furious. Empress Yan knew from his appearance that he must have been angered by Huo Xi.

As expected, Prime Minister Yan had barely sat down when he began to berate Huo Xi for being arrogant and disrespectful.

"The young and arrogant general has always been suppressed by Prince A-Yin, and his skills have had no chance to develop over the years. Now that he has finally gotten a chance, how could he be willing to give it up?"

Empress Yan poured a cup of tea and handed it to him: "Father, since the Huo family is so arrogant, there are some things we don't need to tolerate."

Prime Minister Yan's eyes lit up with interest.

"Huo Xi is filial, and Huo Yun is still in Jincheng. It wouldn't be difficult to deal with Huo Yun." Empress Yan's fingers, gripping the cup, turned white. "Also... Huo Xi can't stay under our noses and get in the way."

"Huo Xi doesn't listen to us at all."

"Does he still dare to defy the imperial decree?" Empress Yan narrowed her eyes and sneered, "Father, there's no need to argue with Huo Xi these days. Just wait patiently."

Empress Yan whispered a few words, and Prime Minister Yan frowned: "What if the Seventh Prince is unwilling?"

"He has a soft heart and can't bear to see the people suffer, so he will definitely agree. Father, just do it. In short, the Huo family cannot bully me!"

Prime Minister Yan gritted his teeth: "Your Majesty is right."

Half a month later

The Northern Chu army attacked again.

Huo Xi led his troops to meet the enemy.

Just like last time, the Northern Chu army repeatedly teetered on the edge of probing, but Huo Xi, having learned from experience, took the initiative to attack.

The two armies fought.

They then sent men to encircle the Northern Chu from behind, attempting to completely surround it.

The two armies were evenly matched in battle.

After several days of fierce fighting, Huo Xi was finally surrounded by the Northern Chu army. Huo Xi's deputy general was furious: "I have sent someone to Prime Minister Yan to request reinforcements, but Prime Minister Yan is pretending to be sick and has not come to see me for a long time."

"That bastard!" Huo Xi cursed.

Seeing the Northern Chu army growing larger and larger, Huo Xi raised his hand: "Retreat!"

At a single command, countless troops from the southern frontier retreated.

The Emperor of Northern Chu raised his hand to forbid any pursuit, and with a wave of his hand, ordered that they set up camp on the spot. From the camp to the city gate, it was only a dozen or so miles.

Standing on high ground, you can clearly see the densely packed camps, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Huo Xi stood on the city wall, his face ashen.

"General, the Northern Chu army is growing larger and larger, and they don't linger in battle at all. They stop when the fighting is over, regardless of victory or defeat." The deputy general was somewhat puzzled.

Huo Xi frowned.

"General Huo."

Prime Minister Yan's voice came from behind him. He needed his guards to help him walk and looked apologetic: "I caught a cold due to the change in environment. I didn't know that General Huo had sent someone to ask for help. Please forgive me."

Huo Xi frowned and said unhappily, "Prime Minister Yan's illness has come at just the right time."

"General Huo is brave and skilled in battle. Even without my support, he would surely be able to defeat Northern Chu. Who knew..." Prime Minister Yan deliberately dragged out his words, his tone carrying a hint of disdain, which made Huo Xi's eyebrows almost furrow together.

"However, victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. It's just a matter of winning and losing. Perhaps General Huo is confident and will get his money back with interest next time."

Prime Minister Yan let out a long sigh of relief.

With a smile on his face, Huo Xi almost drew his sword: "Prime Minister Yan, a civil official, should not hold military power. He should hand over the remaining 200,000 troops to me."

Huo Xi opened his palm towards Prime Minister Yan.

"His Majesty has ordered me to take command of these 200,000 troops. How could I dare to disobey?" Prime Minister Yan said dismissively, "General Huo boasts of coming from a military family and is sure to turn the tide. If we continue to suffer defeats, we still have the God of War as our support."

After saying this, Prime Minister Yan ignored Huo Xi's ugly expression, coughed twice, covered his mouth, and turned to leave.

Enraged, Huo Xi slammed his fist into the city wall.

"Old fox!"

Without Prime Minister Yan's support, Huo Xi only had 300,000 troops at his disposal, which was already a disadvantage compared to the million-strong army on the other side.

Huo Xi gritted his teeth: "If the Seventh Prince could fight five against one back then, so can I!"

It's not too late to settle accounts with the Yan family after he wins this battle.

……

北楚

With nothing to do, the Northern Chu Emperor played chess and brewed tea with Zhao Jiahua in the army camp, enjoying himself immensely: "This Empress Yan is quite resilient."

Twenty days have passed, and Empress Yan has yet to make any move to request an antidote.

The feeling of being poisoned every day is unbearable.

Zhao Jiahua smiled and said, "She is different from ordinary women; she can endure what ordinary people cannot."

However, Empress Yan's limit will soon be reached.

Consort Xue has gained great favor and is pregnant. She has captivated the Southern Emperor so much that he has not attended court for several days. Next month, he will also confer upon Consort Xue the title of Imperial Noble Consort.

Although Empress Yan did not care who the Southern Emperor favored, after all these years, the highest rank she held in the inner palace was only that of a concubine.

And there is only one.

The remaining individuals are of low status and easy to manipulate.

Now that the pregnant Consort Xue has suddenly appeared, it's no wonder Empress Yan is anxious.

"They're all outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds. Huo Xi has suffered two defeats and refuses to ask for the antidote for Empress Yan, which has already angered the Yan family. Let's wait and see..."

Fortunately, the Northern Chu Emperor always agreed to Zhao Jiahua's proposals without hesitation, and the other states had no objections.

After all, who wouldn't want to get things done with minimal losses?

With the camps of a million-strong army laid bare outside the city, how could those soldiers not panic upon seeing it?

The longer the delay, the more unstable the morale of the troops in southern Xinjiang will become.

Wait for the right moment, then strike decisively.

Southern Xinjiang is not far from collapse.

"If my cousin were a man, the whole world would be yours." The Emperor of Northern Chu smiled, his face full of admiration.

Zhao Jiahua raised an eyebrow. "A man, huh?"

If she were a man, she would have seized power without hesitation and killed the old emperor of Northern Chu.

The mention of the Northern Chu Emperor was somewhat veiled and not brought up.

A few more days passed

News came from the southern border that Empress Yan was about to set off to return to the capital.

Empress Yan, dragging her ailing body, wanted to return, but Qingzhi tried to stop her several times: "Your Majesty, you cannot withstand a long journey, and you have not yet obtained the antidote."

Snapped!

A slap landed on Aokiji's cheek.

"If I don't go back, that vile woman will become empress!" Empress Yan tried to suppress her anger, but she simply couldn't hold back anymore.

News came from Jincheng an hour ago.

The Emperor of Southern Xinjiang bestowed the title of Imperial Noble Consort upon Consort Xue. The Imperial Observatory predicted that the child in the Imperial Noble Consort's womb was the reincarnation of a lucky star, and that once the lucky star was born, the crisis in Southern Xinjiang would be immediately resolved.

She so charmed the emperor of Southern Xinjiang that he almost decided to make the child in the imperial concubine's womb the crown prince.

How could Empress Yan not be anxious?

After walking only a few steps, she swayed and almost fell to the ground, but luckily Aokiji caught her in time.

"Mom, be careful!"

Upon hearing the news, Prime Minister Yan rushed over and stopped Empress Yan, saying, "Wait a little longer; now is not the best time to go back."

"How can I wait? That little wretch lives in my Phoenix Palace, holds my Phoenix Seal, and is practically begging to be called Empress." Empress Yan gritted her teeth, unable to calm down even as she tasted a hint of blood in her mouth.

"What use is it for you to go back like this?" Prime Minister Yan said anxiously. "Once I have power in my hands, the Emperor will definitely be wary. Moreover, that Imperial Noble Consort suddenly appeared. Perhaps it was Zhao Jiahua who arranged it. If you go back, wouldn't you be playing right into his hands?"

One sentence silenced Empress Yan instantly.

Prime Minister Yan continued, "The Second Prince's whereabouts have been exposed. The other side has sent someone to demand that the Emperor allow Huo Xi to lead 50,000 troops to rescue him, or they will kill the Second Prince. You know very well how the Emperor has treated the Second Prince all these years. Once Huo Xi leaves, I will be the one in charge here."

Empress Yan took a deep breath: "Father is absolutely right. How can a piece of flesh in my belly compare to the Second Prince?"

Before long, a guard came to deliver a message that an imperial edict had arrived in Jincheng for Huo Xi. Upon receiving the edict, Huo Xi flew into a rage and almost tore the house down.

Empress Yan scoffed, "He's finally met his end!"