Gold Medal Mediator [Quick Transmigration] 25p3

Chapter 25: I Conquered This Empire for You (Part 15-3)

The moment she stepped out of the courtyard, she said to the System in her mind, “System-boo, I just took a look. The Empress’s progress bar is starting to soar again. It’s already at 75.”

The System thought for a moment and said to her, “Then you can now consider matchmaking them from the perspective of a divine physician.”

Hua Baihe thought for a moment. That made sense.

She was still a little suspicious about whether the Empress had recognized her. For the sake of the hard-won-back plot, she tried her best to avoid Jiang Yao in the time before the Emperor returned with his troops. She stayed in her courtyard all day, pretending to be a maiden who never stepped out.

Jiang Yao also showed no intention of seeking her out. It was said that she was also not in the prefectural residence all day, often leaving before dawn and returning very late from the military camp.

After about fifty sunrises and sunsets, news came that the Emperor was returning to the city.

Jiang Yao’s trips out became less frequent. In contrast, Hua Baihe began to leave early and return late.

Because she had the Emperor’s special token, she no longer needed to use Jiang Yao’s private seal as a command. She could come and go from Jian City as she pleased, returning every day with a large bundle, its mysterious contents unknown.

On the steppe.

Liu Ye led his troops in pursuit of the Yelu Di tribe for several hundred li. He thought of Yang Yicheng, who was best at pursuing the enemy, and his expression remained unchanged. When the army made a temporary stop, he sat in his royal tent and stared grimly towards the north.

Jiang Zhenhai served by his side. He had been a simpleton since birth and couldn’t hold back a single word. Seeing the Emperor hesitate to give the order to advance, he cupped his hands and said to him:

“Your Majesty, the overall situation is now decided. Although we have not yet found the whereabouts of Yelu Di, it is only a matter of time. Your Majesty’s status is noble. It is best to leave such pursuit to us, your subjects.”

Liu Ye’s expression did not change. He only said a cool “Oh?” and asked in return, “And who do you think is more suitable?”

Jiang Zhenhai was silent for a moment before answering honestly, “General Yang Yicheng’s literacy charts from childhood were hand-drawn maps of the lands beyond the pass by his father’s subordinates. When it comes to catching these cunning and elusive tribes, he is the most suitable.”

Liu Ye’s gaze was like lightning, quietly watching him, his emotions unreadable.

Jiang Zhenhai’s heart pounded. He began to feel uncertain whether it was a good idea to plead for Yang Yicheng at this time.

After a long time, Liu Ye asked coolly, “You have been good friends with him since childhood. Now that you are pleading for him, how am I to know if you are doing so for public or private reasons?”

“Your Majesty—”

“You have been with the army for many days and are familiar with all the troop movements. The merit of encircling Yelu Di’s allies and supporting the main army from the rear a few days ago, I still remember. What, do you think only Yang Yicheng can claim this merit, and you do not have the ability?”

Liu Ye stared at Jiang Zhenhai before him.

Hearing his intention to let him claim the merit, Jiang Zhenhai’s mind buzzed. On one hand, Yang Yicheng was a breath of fresh air among his usual crowd of debauched friends in the capital, and the only one among the many upright second-generation nobles who looked up to the unlearned him. He wanted to help him.

But on the other hand, the words Jiang Yao had said to him when she sent him with the army repeatedly appeared in his mind.

The future of the Jiang Royal Manor and this precious friendship gradually emerged before him. A short while later, he was heard to say:

“Your Majesty, this subject is being audacious. If this subject returns with Yelu Di’s head, I ask Your Majesty to first grant this subject a promise.”

“You are quite capable—to dare to ask me for a reward before the merit is even achieved.” A hint of a smile appeared on Liu Ye’s lips.

Jiang Zhenhai lowered his head. “Yes. If this subject returns victorious, I implore Your Majesty to show mercy to General Yang.”

Liu Ye stared at him for a long time, then clapped his hands. “Good! I shall await your news.”

**

“His Majesty has returned!”

“The army has returned victorious!!”

“Yelu Di has been defeated!”

“Lan City has been retaken!”

The news of victory spread through the streets of Jian City. The people of Jian City happily carried baskets of fruits and vegetables, waiting at the city gates to welcome the triumphant army.

From time to in the crowd, one could still hear people discussing the might of the Great Yong army. The descriptions were so vivid that one might have thought someone from the front lines had already returned.

The army, returning from a bloody battle, even the cold glint of their armor had a compelling aura. Liu Ye sat on the leading horse, like a treasured sword that had already tasted blood, exuding an air that commanded submission from afar.

He rode all the way from the city gates back to the prefectural residence—

He had heard long ago that the Empress had arrived and had been staying in Jian City for many days.

Jiang Yao had received the news early and had dressed herself with dignity and composure, waiting with her people at the entrance of the prefectural residence for his return. Sensing his majestic presence from afar, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but narrow her eyes.

The Emperor had successfully accumulated the prestige he needed in the army. For her… was this a good thing or not?

The thought flashed through her mind like lightning. By the time Liu Ye was near, he was greeted by Jiang Yao’s graceful smile. “This consort welcomes Your Majesty.”

She curtsied to Liu Ye, and when she looked up, the man on horseback was already smiling.

“The Empress has been waiting for a long time.”

After saying this, he raised his voice and commanded the people behind him, “Relay my decree—tonight, a banquet will be held in Jian City!”

His face was filled with obvious joy. After the eunuchs had loudly proclaimed the decree, he dismounted and personally took the Empress’s hand, wanting to lead Jiang Yao into the prefectural residence.

It was a moment of high spirits, but Jiang Yao’s hand, being held by him, stiffened for a moment.

Amidst the celebratory sound of gongs and drums in the city, Liu Ye smiled and leaned in to ask, “What? Did I frighten you?”

He thought that after leading troops for so long, the ‘do not approach’ aura on him had startled the Empress.

Jiang Yao’s smile was flawless. “How could that be? Your Majesty is this consort’s husband. Your Majesty has won a great victory. This consort has no time to be anything but happy for you.”

Liu Ye didn’t notice anything wrong and led her inside by the hand.

**

Because Liu Ye had returned, the quality of the food and drink in the prefectural residence immediately improved a notch. Hua Baihe was summoned by someone from the Emperor’s side and personally invited to the main hall to dine with the imperial couple.

Hua Baihe thought for a moment, tucked a treasure into her pocket, and then followed the person to the banquet.

Upon entering the room, she first glanced at the progress bar above Jiang Yao’s head. It was steady at 75, and had not moved at all in the past two months.

She looked at the Emperor, puzzled, and thought, does this progress bar have a delay?

But then she thought of the treasure she had brought with her and was confident again, feeling that she could push this progress bar to 80 tonight.

Liu Ye was also very happy to see her and didn’t mind her mask. He gestured to a seat. “For me to have this victory, Divine Physician Hong’s merit is indispensable. A seat!”

Hua Baihe sat down steadily, looked around, then moved her stool closer to the Emperor.

Seeing this familiar action, a glint flashed in Jiang Yao’s eyes, who was on Liu Ye’s other side.

Hua Baihe was oblivious and, with a grin, took out—a porcelain bottle from her robes.

“This is…?” Liu Ye looked at her, a little puzzled.

Hua Baihe revealed the lower half of her face, gave him a mysterious smile, and lowered her voice. “A gift for you. A special product from my grasslands. Godly oil. It will guarantee you and the Empress a loving night!”

The expression on Liu Ye’s face froze.

The surrounding eunuchs and palace maids were also all stunned—

It was the first time they had seen someone so brazenly present an aphrodisiac to an emperor in his prime.

While everyone was shocked by the divine physician’s outrageous move, only Jiang Yao’s face darkened.

Hua Baihe took a look—

The progress bar above Jiang Yao’s head moved.

As if startled, it slowly went from 75…

And shrank back to 70.

Hua Baihe: “…”

Hua Baihe: “…???”

This can’t be, right? How can it even go backwards?!

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Hua Baihe: Hey, little progress bar buddy? What’s wrong with you?