There Is Something I Am Unsure Whether to Say

Henry Tuoba sighed helplessly and said, "Fine! Anyone who just took part in the fight will be dismissed, investigated, and expelled from the army. Is that enough?"

Those who had barged in aggressively just moments ago were now all stunned, their previous arrogance gone.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for handling this fairly," Grace Zhu said with a beaming smile. "I suppose no one will dare force their way into the Spirit Alliance again!"

"Hmm..." Henry Tuoba glanced up at the mountain. "I've heard the snowy scenery on the Spirit Alliance Mountain is beautiful, and it just so happens it's snowing these days. I'll go have a look—surely the Alliance President won't mind?"

"You're more than welcome!" Grace Zhu replied with a smile.

Henry Tuoba lifted his leg and started walking up the mountain.

Grace Zhu turned and followed him.

...

Spirit Alliance Mountain, Cangjing Terrace.

"A thousand miles of layered clouds, snowy peaks at dusk—who am I heading toward, all alone..." Grace Zhu and Henry Tuoba stood side by side, gazing into the distance. "The snowy scenery here really is stunning."

"You've seen it a million times. Aren't you tired of it yet?" Grace Zhu asked, sounding a bit bored.

In their last life, he was always running to Spirit Alliance Mountain—he'd seen it in every season, spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

"Can you not kill the mood?"

"Go on, keep looking," Grace Zhu said, falling silent.

But Henry Tuoba stopped looking at the view and turned to her instead. "You've become the Alliance President so quickly. Impressive."

"Heh!" Grace Zhu chuckled. "When you've walked the same road once, it's only natural you're familiar with it the second time around! How have you been lately, Your Majesty?"

Henry Tuoba looked at her. "With you working so hard to get rid of my rivals, how could I not be well? I'm doing great!"

"You've got it all wrong, Your Majesty! Prince Zane Tuoba came looking for trouble himself—I didn't do it on purpose."

Henry Tuoba smiled. "Anyway, I should thank you. He didn't get to be Grand General, so he's resentful and acting out, always scheming and trying to divide the army. I was just worried I didn't have anything to nail him with, and you handed it right to me..."

"By the way, who's that Rina Chu of yours?" Henry Tuoba asked. "I don't recall anyone like that."

"She wasn't around me in the last life," Grace Zhu said. "Someone with such high cultivation, yet willing to be a menial worker—it's definitely odd. But... my gut tells me she's harmless."

"I'll help you look into her background."

"Hmm..." Grace Zhu glanced at him and said, "Your Majesty, there's something I don't know if I should say."

"Why are you talking like those old ministers now? Just say it!"

"You... should appoint an empress."

Henry Tuoba's expression darkened as he looked at her.

Grace Zhu didn't dare meet his eyes and said, "A country can't go a day without its ruler, and it's not good to go so long without an empress either!"

Henry Tuoba's first wife died before he ascended the throne.

After becoming emperor, he never appointed an empress.

Henry Tuoba was silent for a moment before saying, "I'm not appointing an empress."

"Why not?" Grace Zhu frowned. "You once said you owed Consort Lily. This life, you could make it up to her! And Consort Grace is clever, Consort Sophie is virtuous, and then there's Consort Elaine—last time, after Yanjing fell, she died for you, which shows how deep her feelings were—"

"Grace, you don't need to worry about my personal life!" Henry Tuoba interrupted her. "I know what I'm doing."

"Then tell me, what's on your mind?" Grace Zhu asked. "I bet the ministers have been nagging you nonstop to appoint an empress!"

"I just don't want to appoint one, that's all," Henry Tuoba said.

"So tell me, is it still because of—me?" Grace Zhu looked him straight in the eyes.