C24 (1/2)

Huo Yanrann was the first female god and the only female emperor in the thousand years of history of the Fire Phoenix Empire, because after her, Fire Phoenix Empire no longer existed. But towards such a ”ruler of a dead nation,” whether it was the person in question or a bystander, most of their attitudes were vague and unclear. They all felt that the matter of the dead nation could not be completely blamed on Huo Yanrann. After her father had disappeared, she had taken over the massive empire from her grandfather at the tender age of twenty-three. The next moment, she encountered the most powerful enemy in the empire's history. At that time, Huo Yanrann's response could not be said to be perfect, but it could not be said to be beyond her ability. It could only be said that the reason the Fire Phoenix Empire had encountered such a drastic change was due to fate rather than the ability of humans to change it.

The only thing was that the current Huo Yanrann was not the emperor of a nation, nor was she the ruler of a nation. She was only walking by Kong Sheng's side as she received the cheers of the people of Phoenix City Pass, the empress who had just ascended the throne.

The ceremony to enter the city was extremely simple. Her Majesty rode her horse into the city under the guidance of Kong Sheng, and after receiving cheers from the citizens at the entrance of the Castellan Mansion, she gave a passionate speech.

However, no one blamed Kong Sheng, since this was an extraordinary period. Furthermore, the person who berated Kong Sheng had not arrived, and it was only after the Queen had finished her speech and rested for another hour, did the civil and military officials who accompanied her to the battlefield finally arrive. The Her Majesty was too impatient, leaving their friends and leaving the county immediately after them. As for the remaining old men, they had to look at the logistics, guarding, and other big and small matters. They didn't dare to say that they were in dire straits.

Since this group of people were here, they naturally didn't dare to get angry at His Majesty. Since they couldn't find Kong Sheng, they could only go and complain to old commander Shi Keren. Commander Elder Shi accompanied them to drink tea with a smile on his face while muttering to himself, ”If you guys knew what His Majesty is doing now, you guys would probably complain even more.”

This was because the Empress of Fire Phoenix Empire was currently following Kong Sheng around the city.

The two of them donned a gray cloak made of Border Army, and just like that, they slowly walked on the streets of the inner city. The female horsemen had also hidden themselves, leaving two people far behind.

The current Huo Yanrann did not have the same demeanor as she had when she was in the Her Majesty. Looking at the broken streets, the houses with the roof beams torn off, the old dog who was so skinny that only bones remained, and the hungry crying child, the corners of her eyes were already moist. Kong Sheng followed behind her without a word. He knew what this kind-hearted girl was thinking. This was the border, not the imperial capital, not the imperial palace. There weren't so many songs and dances, nor so many peaceful times. This was the situation that the people living in the borders could face at any time. This was the real and cruel life. This was war.

The two of them turned a corner and arrived at the small academy. The academy no longer had any students, so it had been turned into an injured barracks. The wounded soldiers were brought here for medical attention. As there had been too many sick and injured people before, the doctors were already too busy to do anything about it. Therefore, many women from the government came over to help. In an instant, this place became the busiest place within the Phoenix City Pass.

Huo Yanrann looked at the commoners who were going in and out busily, and the wounded soldiers who were lying on the bed and had lost their arms and eyes, and who were completely wrapped in white bandages. She covered her mouth with her palm, trying her best not to make a sound. However, large tears still flowed out from her eyes, landing on the ground with a splash.

Kong Sheng sighed softly, but he did not plan to advise her otherwise. As a Monarch who had personally come to the front lines, this was indeed the only scene he could see. It was a place that he had always been bitterly guarding, a place where there was a lack of food. He was even glad in his heart that His Majesty had not yet gone to Wulian Mountain Range Camp, where he had fought with the ferocious Demonic Beast almost every day. Not to mention a girl in her twenties like His Majesty, even a man who had never been to a battle before might not be able to bear the sight of such a scene.

Right at this moment, a young lady raised her head and saw Kong Sheng. She put down the cloth in her hands, and with a smile and timidness, she came up to the two and greeted them.

Kong Sheng also smiled and nodded at her, ”There's nothing wrong, I'll have to thank you that day, Lady Xiu’er.”

Seeing Kong Sheng smiling at her, Xiu'er's face immediately turned red. She quickly changed the topic.

Kong Sheng looked to his left and right, to Xiu'er's ears, and said in a soft voice, ”Don't make any noise, this is Her Majesty, she just came to the Phoenix City Pass and came out to take a look.”

”Ah?!” Xiu'er's face became even redder because of Kong Sheng's unexpected action, and only after a while did she react. She subconsciously covered her mouth with her hands, and sized up the woman that Kong Sheng called Her Majesty from head to toe. Because she was taking care of the wounded soldiers, she didn't go to the Castellan Mansion Plaza, but she never thought that this woman who was not older than his by more than a few years, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying, would actually be the empress dowager of the strongest nation in the continent, Fire Phoenix Empire!

Huo Yanrann also sized up the girl in front of him. She was of medium height and wore the red jacket that the women of Fire Phoenix Empire usually wear. Although there was still a hint of childishness on her face, there was no doubt that she would become a devastatingly beautiful woman in a few years time.

Everyone liked beautiful things, men were the same, women were the same, and as the empress, Huo Yanrann was also not exempt from it. She casually extended her hand towards Xiu'er and lowered her voice as she said, ”The ministers have not arrived, so you can just call me Yanran in private.”

Xiu'er was stunned at first, but then her face was filled with joy. No matter what, it was good to be so close to the emperor even once. She carefully wiped her hands on her clothes a few times, then extended her hands out with a heart full of joy, and gently held Huo Yanrann's hands.

Just as the two jade hands were about to touch each other, Huo Yanrann's expression changed. Her smile disappeared in an instant, and she stared at Xiu'er with a weird expression for a while, before forcing out a smile. Then, she let go of Xiu'er's hand and turned around to leave.

This change of hers stunned both Kong Sheng and Xiu'er. No one knew what had happened. Kong Sheng could only shake his head and smile bitterly at the Xiu'er, before hurriedly turning and following. This was the Her Majesty, no matter what, he couldn't let anything happen to her here.

She quickly caught up to Huo Yanrann, who gently asked, ”Your Majesty ~ ~”

”surrogate commander Kong.” Without waiting for him to finish speaking, Huo Yanrann had already cut him off, her tone cold and stern.

Kong Sheng was startled, he knelt down on one knee, then lowered his head and replied, ”This subject is here.”