For a moment, both were overcome with emotion. They thought of what the histories recorded about the Grand Taran Empire at its zenith—how its power dominated the four seas, how wherever its banners pointed, all the surrounding nations submitted. In those days, the Grand Taran Empire truly received tribute from all under heaven. Even distant overseas states, separated by thousands of miles, had to cross the seas to pay homage every year. Often, one group of envoys had not yet departed before the next group set out. For back then, the Grand Taran Empire was not only invincible on land—its navy also swept the seas without rival.
But such glory is long gone. Though overseas merchant fleets still come and go, those foreign states no longer send tribute. The fractured Grand Taran Empire is now four kingdoms locked in endless war. East Qi, ruled by the Cao clan, is the strongest, but even it is checked by the combined resistance of the other three and must focus its gaze on the continent. Its overseas strength has shrunk year by year, and thirty years ago, the last overseas territory of the Grand Taran Empire declared independence from East Qi. Now, East Qi’s navy is just a tenth of what it was at the empire’s height. Of the other three kingdoms, only South Chu still maintains a navy, but all it can do is chase pirates—there’s no strength left for expeditions across the seas.
"If someone as gifted as Great Emperor Leander Lee were to appear again, perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad thing. The might of the Great Taran Civilization would once more overawe the world—wouldn’t that be something to cheer for?" Aurora Min said half-jokingly.
"Your Highness, please be cautious with your words. If such a person really did appear, according to the old imperial edict, he would have to be a descendant of the Lee clan. In his eyes, the royal houses of Qi, Chu, Yue, and Qin would all be traitors—rebels who betrayed the Grand Taran Empire. If he rose to power, his first act would likely be to exterminate the royal families of all four kingdoms." Walter Grant said with a grave expression.
Aurora Min shook her head in disappointment, thinking that Walter Grant had no sense of humor and was terribly dull.
"Your Highness, may I come in?" came a gentle, deferential voice from outside the tent. It was the young guard who had lost face in the council tent earlier, thanks to Gabe Quinn.
Hearing this, Aurora Min’s expression darkened slightly. The young man’s behavior in the council tent today had been a real embarrassment. Aurora could see the scorn in the eyes of the assembled officers.
"Your Highness, Eric Yang is still young. With his family background—young, handsome, and talented—a bit of arrogance is inevitable. Please, for the sake of Chancellor Yang, show him some leniency. There’s no need to be too harsh." Walter Grant advised gently.
Aurora Min gave a dry smile. Eric Yang was the son of Left Chancellor Harold Yang, apprenticed since childhood to the Myriad Swords Gate, the foremost sword sect in Chu. By talent, he was among the best of his generation, and he had mastered the sect’s notoriously difficult sword-controlling art to a respectable degree. In the capital, he was hailed as a prodigy. But Aurora knew exactly why Harold Yang had arranged for his son to be assigned to her escort on this western tour. Ever since the journey began, Eric had strutted like a peacock, always eager to show off his so-called feathers in front of her. She was thoroughly tired of it.
As the head of Jiying Hall, Aurora Min had met plenty of deep and reserved masters. She had little respect for someone like Eric Yang, who became smug after a few minor achievements and had no sense of his own limits. In the capital, thanks to his father, he was the object of endless flattery, but out here in the army, where strength was all that mattered, his behavior only made him a laughingstock. Today, Gabe Quinn had thoroughly humiliated him, and Aurora found it deeply satisfying.
"Come in," Aurora Min said, nodding slightly to Walter Grant. Harold Yang, the Left Chancellor of Chu, was someone both her elder brothers were eager to win over, yet so far he showed no clear allegiance. With Eric Yang accompanying her to the Western Frontier Army, plenty of people in the capital had started speculating.
Just thinking about it was exhausting.
He’d only been gone a short while, but the Young Master Yang had already changed outfits again. The sapphire-blue tunic was gone, replaced by a pale moon-white robe, with a jade belt at the waist and a golden crown on his head. As he walked past Walter Grant, the old man caught a strong whiff of perfume and immediately frowned.
When leaving the capital, the Left Chancellor had "accidentally" met Aurora Min on the imperial road. Walter Grant knew full well it wasn’t a coincidence. For someone as powerful as the Left Chancellor, learning Aurora’s movements was hardly difficult.
But to stroll the imperial road with the Left Chancellor and have a pleasant conversation—Walter Grant had been happy to oblige. Not because he wanted to curry favor, but because it could help build momentum for the Second Prince. Everyone in the capital knew Walter Grant was the Second Prince’s man; letting certain people witness such a scene would naturally set their minds spinning, which was exactly what he wanted.
But the words that came out of the Left Chancellor’s mouth made Walter Grant, who was smiling and nodding to passing officials, feel a little bitter inside.
His son Eric Yang had just returned from Myriad Swords Gate and was looking to start a career in government, but lacked experience. So the Left Chancellor hoped that Walter Grant, who was in charge of the princess’s tour, would assign Eric as Aurora’s guard.
That wasn’t difficult. Walter Grant knew perfectly well what kind of person Eric Yang was, but the princess’s safety was never going to depend on him. He agreed immediately. But then the Left Chancellor’s subtle hints left Walter Grant feeling bitter both in heart and mouth.
The Left Chancellor wanted Walter Grant to create opportunities for Eric Yang, so he could win the princess’s heart.
Walter Grant knew it was impossible. He knew exactly what kind of person Princess Aurora was—not some sheltered girl ignorant of the world. She had seen every sort of person in Jiying Hall, and her ability to run it for years wasn’t due to her status or martial skill, but her cunning and intellect. Such a brilliant and inwardly strong woman would never be interested in a showy lightweight like Eric Yang.
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But Harold Yang was not someone you could afford to offend. If the Second Prince could win the Left Chancellor’s support, he would instantly dominate the civil officials and gain powerful backing from both civil and military factions. Right now, the Crown Prince only holds his own because the civil ministers are supporting him. These old hands have deep roots and tangled influence—even the king himself can’t act rashly.
Walter Grant pulled himself out of his memories, rubbing his nose as he watched Eric Yang stand before Princess Aurora, beaming. The scent of perfume made the princess’s brow crease slightly.
"Your Highness, I’ve already coordinated all the arrangements for your expedition with Grand Marshal Marcus Lawson. Your carriage will travel with the central command tent." Eric Yang, oblivious to the princess’s impatience, smiled as he spoke.
"Thank you. Is there anything else?" Aurora Min lifted her teacup. If he had any sense, he’d take the hint and leave, but clearly Eric Yang lacked such awareness.
"Your Highness, I’m fortunate to be here in the army. My father always taught me to serve the country, so I asked Grand Marshal Marcus Lawson to let me see action in this campaign. He agreed to let me personally lead a battalion in battle when the time is right." Eric Yang said proudly.
Aurora Min and Walter Grant exchanged a glance, both seeing a trace of amusement in each other’s eyes. Marcus Lawson was a veteran who’d spent decades in the army, slippery enough that no one could pin him down. ‘When the time is right’ meant ‘when the time isn’t right, you won’t get your chance’—likely, after this battle, Eric Yang would still be waiting. Marcus might want to please Harold Yang, but he’d never joke about matters of state.
"Congratulations, Young Master Yang," Walter Grant said with a smile, though he was thoroughly tired of the fellow and wanted to send him off so he could talk business with the princess. "With that outfit, are you headed out somewhere?"
"Exactly. First, I’m reporting to Her Highness, and second, I’d like to request a day off to go out." Eric Yang nodded eagerly.
"Approved. Go on," Aurora Min waved him away, eager to be rid of him.
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