From cute to empress

Chapter 164 The Mystery of the Anonymous Letter

"I seem to have seen the handwriting on this letter before..." Divine Doctor Sun's words resonated like thunder in my mind. I grabbed his arm and asked anxiously, "Where have you seen this before? Tell me!"

Divine Doctor Sun was startled by my sudden action. He gathered himself and tried to recall, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I can't remember it at the moment, but I am certain that I must have met the person who wrote this letter, and I believe I have met him more than once..."

My heart sank. If Divine Doctor Sun had met the person who wrote the letter, then that person was likely in the palace! Who was it? Who was trying to sow discord between Zhen Youcai and me?

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, then turned to Mr. Zhao and asked, "Mr. Zhao, what about you? What do you think of this letter?"

Coroner Zhao took the letter and examined it carefully, but found nothing unusual. He pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, this letter contains no clues other than the handwriting. I am incompetent and cannot infer the identity of the writer from this."

My heart grew heavier. This letter was like a fog, enveloping Zhen Youcai and me, making it difficult for me to see the direction. The letter mentioned that Zhen Youcai might have unknown connections with powerful officials in neighboring countries, which plunged me into deep confusion and pain.

Zhen Youcai is the person I trust the most. I absolutely don't believe he would betray me! But how do I explain the contents of this letter? Is someone really deliberately framing him?

I clutched the letter tightly, my knuckles turning white from the strain. Suppressing my unease and suspicion, I said to Dr. Sun and the coroner, "You two must not reveal a single word of what happened today to anyone. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

"We obey your command!" Doctor Sun and Coroner Zhao responded in unison.

After the two men left, I could no longer suppress the turmoil within me. I slumped into my chair, the contents of the letter replaying in my mind, my heart aching. I had to get to the bottom of this! I had to know if Zhen Youcai had betrayed me!

I stood up suddenly and ordered: "Come here! Prepare the horses, I want to leave the palace!" I want to find Zhen Youcai, I want to ask him clearly in person!

The night was as dark as ink, and I galloped away, with only one thought in my mind: I wanted to see Zhen Youcai! I wanted to hear his explanation in person!

Finally, I arrived at Zhen Youcai's camp. I dismounted and rushed straight into his tent.

"Talent!" I shouted breathlessly, with a hint of trembling in my voice.

Zhen Youcai was reviewing documents at his desk. When he heard my voice, he suddenly looked up, his face full of surprise and worry. "Your Majesty? Why are you here?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my excitement, then walked forward and threw the anonymous letter in front of him, "Look for yourself!"

Zhen Youcai picked up the letter and unfolded it for a closer look. His brows gradually furrowed, and his expression darkened. After reading it, he threw the letter onto the table and abruptly stood up, his tone filled with anger and helplessness. "Your Majesty, this is a divisive plot by the enemy! I am completely loyal to Your Majesty and have no second thoughts!"

He walked up to me, looking me straight in the eyes with a firm expression. "I have followed Your Majesty for many years, risking my life. What for? For Your Majesty's grand ambitions and for the people of the world to live and work in peace and contentment! Everything I have done is witnessed by heaven and earth, and the sun and moon can bear witness to it! This letter clearly aims to sow discord between you and me. It has sinister intentions!"

His tone was so sincere, his eyes so open, I almost believed everything he said. However, the contents of the letter were like a thorn, deeply piercing my heart, and I couldn't let it go.

"But..." I hesitated, my doubts flooding in like a tide, drowning me. "This letter says...about you and the powerful minister of the neighboring country..."

"Your Majesty!" Zhen Youcai interrupted me, his tone tinged with pain. "I know Your Majesty has doubts in his heart, but I can guarantee with my life that I have never done anything to let Your Majesty down or to let the Daliang Dynasty down! This letter must have been deliberately forged by someone to drive a wedge between you and me!"

He held my hand, his hand warm and strong, as if wanting to convey his firmness and sincerity to me: "Your Majesty, please trust me! My loyalty to you is witnessed by the sun and the moon!"

I looked at him, his eyes were sincere and eager, and I wished I could trust him without reservation. However, the contents of the letter were like a huge rock, pressing down on my heart and making it difficult for me to breathe.

I gently pulled my hand back and forced a smile: "I believe you are talented. It's just..."

"Just what?" he demanded, a hint of anxiety in his tone.

"It's just..." I avoided his gaze and lowered my head, "I'm tired and want to rest."

I didn't dare look at him again. I was afraid that I would see a flaw or hesitation in his eyes, which would completely shatter the last bit of trust in my heart.

I turned and walked out of the tent, and I heard his anxious voice behind me: "Your Majesty..."

I didn't dare look back, for fear I would burst into tears. I mounted my horse and galloped away, letting the night wind blow against my face, carrying my tears away.

I felt like there was an invisible film between Zhen Youcai and me, and we could never go back to the way we were before...

"Your Majesty..." He chased out, his voice sounding a little vague in the wind.

I reined in my horse but didn't look back. The night wind whipped, stinging my cheeks, but it couldn't clear the fog from my heart. I ran furiously, wanting nothing more than to escape this suffocating oppression.

"Your Majesty!" Zhen Youcai's voice came from behind, with a hint of panic and helplessness.

I tightened the reins, the warhorse beneath me stamping its hooves restlessly. I didn't look back, I didn't dare. I was afraid that if I did, I would burst into tears, revealing my vulnerability and doubt to him.

Doctor Sun and Coroner Zhao rode their horses side by side to catch up with us. They looked solemn and had obviously noticed something strange between Zhen Youcai and me.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?" Divine Doctor Sun asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"

I shook my head and forced a smile: "I'm fine, I just want to be alone."

"Your Majesty," said Zhao the coroner in a deep voice, "If there's anything, please speak up. Keeping it in will only make you more uncomfortable. The general's loyalty to you is obvious to all. Please don't let these villains sow discord between you!"

Their comfort and persuasion were like fine needles piercing the tenderest part of my heart. I knew how much Zhen Youcai had loved me, and I understood the sinister intentions of this anonymous letter. However, once doubts arise, they are like the venom of a poisonous snake, slowly corroding your sanity, rendering you unable to think or judge.

At this moment, a scout rode up, knelt on one knee, and said in a hurried tone: "Report! Your Majesty, urgent news from the border! The enemy army is invading in large numbers, and our border defense is in danger!"

My heart trembled, and all my hesitation and uncertainty were replaced by this sudden military intelligence. The plan to lure the enemy deep into our territory has reached the most critical moment, and I can no longer hesitate!

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. I dismounted and handed the reins to the guard beside me. My eyes swept over the three people in front of me, finally landing on Zhen Youcai's face.

His face was filled with anxiety and worry. When he saw me looking at him, he immediately knelt on one knee and said firmly, "I am willing to lead the troops to defend our country!"

I looked at him, a mixture of emotions welling up in my heart. The enemy was pressing in, the country was in danger, and I had to make a choice...

I closed my eyes and pushed the contents of the anonymous letter out of my mind. Although the seed of doubt had been planted, whether it would take root and eventually grow into a towering tree depended on the choice I made at this moment.

I opened my eyes, looked at Zhen Youcai with a determined gaze, and said in a deep voice, "General Zhen, quickly assemble the three armies and set out immediately to support the border! I will go with you!"

"Your Majesty!" Doctor Sun and Coroner Zhao exclaimed in unison, their faces full of worry.

"Your Majesty, your body is worth a million dollars, how can you take risks so easily?!" Doctor Sun hurriedly dissuaded him.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhao the Coroner echoed, "The battle at the border is dangerous. It would be best if you stayed in the palace to take command."

I waved my hand, signaling them to stop talking. My tone left no room for doubt: "My decision is made! The enemy's advance this time is so fierce, it must have been premeditated. I must fight alongside the soldiers to boost their morale and inspire them!"

After that, I ignored their dissuasion and turned to walk towards my warhorse. Zhen Youcai glanced at me, a complicated look flashing in his eyes, then he knelt on one knee and said, "I obey your order!"

Zhen Youcai and I sped along, neck and neck. A biting cold wind whistled past, blowing away my thoughts but unable to dispel the heaviness in my heart. I secretly observed Zhen Youcai beside me. His profile was sharp and angular, and his gaze was fixed firmly ahead, as if nothing could shake his resolve.

"Your Majesty," Zhen Youcai finally spoke after a long silence, his voice low and hoarse, "Is there something on your mind?"

I shook my head and forced a smile: "No, I'm just thinking about how we can win this battle."

Zhen Youcai didn't say anything, but just looked at me deeply. His eyes seemed to see through everything, which made me feel even more uneasy.

"Pass the order down," I said in a deep voice, trying to appear calm. "All troops, speed up and make sure we reach Black Wind Pass before dark!"

Black Wind Pass is the only way to the border, and it's also the best place for us to set up an ambush...