The Possessive Villain Is Too Clingy [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 51.1

All founding monarchs were military commanders, and Empress Ninghua was no exception.

There were still those in the court who refused to submit to the empress, eagerly awaiting the return of the Fourth Prince, the Prince of Cheng.

No sooner had the Prince of Cheng received news of his ninth sister ascending the throne than he was summoned back to the capital.

He made his decision immediately—how could a mere woman stand in his way? The throne was his for the taking!

On the day the palace eunuch delivering the decree left the city, he brushed past one of the Prince of Cheng’s trusted aides.

The aide whipped his horse into a gallop, racing southward.

After the eunuch departed, the Prince of Cheng himself took a shortcut at full speed toward the capital.

In less than five days, he settled in a small town not far from the capital, waiting for his troops to arrive.

Yet half a month passed, and not only did his army fail to appear, but even the trusted aide he had sent to deliver messages vanished without a trace.

One day, while drinking at a roadside stall with his guards, the Prince of Cheng overheard commoners at the next table discussing the situation in the south.

A laborer, his voice booming, said, “Did you know our army is being held back at the southern border by the combined forces of Xiling and Daxia?”

A frail-looking scholar beside him asked curiously, “Didn’t the envoys from Xiling and Daxia bring tribute to congratulate the new emperor? Why are they now clashing with our forces at the border?”

The laborer spread his hands. “How should I know the reasoning? But merchants coming from the south say our army is retreating, while the allied forces press forward, keeping our troops on high alert.”

“And what’s more…”

The scholar and an old man nearby leaned in. “And what?”

Even the stall owner’s daughter eavesdropped discreetly.

Though the laborer lowered his voice, his natural vigor made it still audible. “Grain shipments to the border have suddenly dwindled. Rumor has it suppliers are only willing to deliver three days’ worth of rations to our troops.”

The stall owner’s daughter quickly interjected, “Why? Do the suppliers have a grudge against the new emperor?”

The old man shook his head. “The major grain supplier from the Western Regions is currently negotiating with Her Majesty in the capital. There’s no way they’d cut off our provisions.”

The scholar scratched his head. “Then the border situation is truly baffling…”

Everyone at the stall fell into puzzled silence—except for the Prince of Cheng, whose face alternated between pale and flushed, his grip on his sword hilt trembling uncontrollably.

“Your Highness…”

A guard tried to console him, but the prince raised a hand to stop him.

“We’ll discuss this in private.” Though furious, he hadn’t lost his senses—now was not the time to reveal his identity.

As the crowd chatted, two men in tight-fitting attire slammed their hands on the table in anger, tossed down payment for their tea, and stormed off.

“Why are those two more anxious than the emperor himself?” the laborer wondered aloud.

The scholar shook his head sagely. “Every common man shares the burden of his country’s fate. No doubt those two are noble souls concerned for the realm.”

In a corner of the tea stall, Ye Zhixia, dressed in plain clothes, chuckled softly and shook his head as he watched the Prince of Cheng’s retreating figure.

–

An hour later, a knock sounded at the door of the finest guest room in the town’s inn.

“Who’s there?” a guard barked.

“Imperial Guard Ye Zhixia requests an audience with His Highness the Prince of Cheng,” Ye Zhixia declared loudly, without hesitation.

The Prince of Cheng frowned deeply, yet it made perfect sense.

Over half a month had passed since Empress Ninghua summoned him to the palace. Sending someone to retrieve him now was only natural.

“Enter,” he conceded reluctantly.

[1] Qianniuwei: A prestigious imperial guard unit in ancient China, responsible for the emperor’s personal security.

The guard stood up and opened the door for Ye Zhixia.

Ye Zhixia strode in confidently, then offered a polite bow. “Greetings, Your Highness the Prince of Cheng.”

“At ease,” the Prince of Cheng replied coldly.

When Ye Zhixia straightened, she saw the prince seated by a wooden table, his expression even darker than when she had last seen him at the tea stall.

She suppressed a smirk, guessing that the prince had spent his time reflecting and finally realized he was no match for Ninghua.

The room was bright and clean, but the chilly wind blowing in lent it a desolate air.

“Did the Ninth Princess send you?” the Prince of Cheng asked, seeming slightly more at ease but still suspicious.

Standing before him, Ye Zhixia nodded with a smile. “Envoys from other nations and major merchants from various regions have already gathered in the capital. His Majesty is preparing to host a banquet in their honor. Knowing that Your Highness has returned to the capital, he sent me to extend an invitation.”

Seeing her courtesy, the prince casually gestured for her to sit.

Ye Zhixia took a seat opposite him with effortless grace, then spoke respectfully yet solemnly. “There are some words I wish to share, though I hesitate on their appropriateness.”

The Prince of Cheng was in a foul mood. He waved his hand impatiently. “Speak freely. At this point, what is there left to hold back?”

Her tone carried no disrespect—only deep sincerity.

“After the deaths of Prince Jing and Prince Ke, the late emperor sent Your Highness to the northern frontier. The reason behind this, I suspect, Your Highness has long understood.”

Uncertain whether subtlety would convey her meaning, she elaborated plainly. “Prince Liang, disregarding kinship, murdered his own brothers. The late emperor, bound by sentiment, was unwilling to punish him. Yet, fearing Prince Liang’s growing power and Your Highness’s safety, he sent you away for protection.”

At this, the Prince of Cheng’s brow furrowed slightly, his lips pressing together.

Ye Zhixia surmised he had grasped the truth—that he stood no chance against Prince Liang. She straightened her posture and continued. “That day, Prince Liang, in his madness, assassinated the late emperor. Neither I nor His Majesty could save him. We had no choice but to slay Prince Liang to avenge the late emperor and the two fallen princes.”

The Prince of Cheng was stunned.

He had assumed Ninghua had merely seized the capital when defenses were weak. He never imagined she and Ye Zhixia had personally struck down Prince Liang.

Noticing fine wine on the table, Ye Zhixia poured a cup for the prince and herself.

Raising her cup in toast, she said, “Prince Qin has already been granted his title and now enjoys family reunions with the dowager consort and his household. His Majesty will surely treat Your Highness with equal generosity. Allow me to offer my congratulations in advance—Prince Cheng!”

The Prince of Cheng sat frozen for a moment before slowly lifting his own cup. “Then I shall also express my gratitude in advance. Long live His Majesty!”

–

With the support of General Xie and Ye Zhixia, Empress Ninghua ascended the throne in the first month of the following year, adopting the era name Yuanheng.

By summer, a severe drought plagued the southern regions, triggering food crises in multiple areas.

Ninghua acted decisively, opening granaries across the kingdom to distribute rations per capita, ensuring the people’s survival.

Meanwhile, in Nansheng, the defeated state struggled under the weight of reparations to neighboring nations. The court wallowed in extravagance, and taxes soared to unbearable heights, leaving the people destitute and resentful.

In the imperial court, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue jointly reported:

Along the border between Li and Nansheng, countless Nansheng families were fleeing under cover of night into Li territory.

The Ministry of War remained vigilant, suspecting Nansheng might exploit the chaos to infiltrate spies.

The Ministry of Revenue, however, feared the influx of refugees would deplete border cities’ grain reserves.

Yet when General Xie heard this news, he was overcome with exhilaration.

“Your Majesty! The time has come!” General Xie stepped past the assembled ministers, positioning herself closest to the Empress.

Ninghua pondered for a moment before speaking. “Today, Generals Xie and Ye shall remain. We will discuss this matter further with the rest of you at tomorrow’s court session.”

In the early days of the empire, Ye Zhixia had preferred to stand by Ninghua’s side as a military officer. But to remain close to her, Ye had also taken on the role of a palace guard.

Ninghua still maintained her habit of dismissing attendants. As they walked toward the imperial chambers, Ye Zhixia strode beside her, discussing the situation in Nansheng.

Slowing her pace, Ninghua spoke softly, “Did you understand General Xie’s meaning today?”

Ye Zhixia clasped her hands behind her head. “Of course. General Xie believes it’s time to march on Nansheng.”

Under the scorching sun, even the plants within the imperial city drooped listlessly.

Squinting, Ninghua tested Ye Zhixia. “You were once a great general of Nansheng, sworn to defend its cities to the death. Don’t you wish to dissuade me?”

At these words, Ye Zhixia suddenly realized that for the past half year, Ninghua had never once brought up the state of Nansheng with her.

So Ninghua had been worried she might resent the idea of coveting Nansheng’s lands.

Seeing Ye Zhixia hesitate, Ninghua attempted to reassure her. “If you’re unwilling, I’ll reject General Xie’s proposal.”

As she spoke, she carefully studied Ye Zhixia’s expression.

Ye Zhixia lowered her hands, then turned to face Ninghua, gripping her shoulders firmly. “Thank you for your consideration, Qingqing.”

Ninghua’s eyes flickered with disappointment at the words.

But then Ye Zhixia paused, took two steps back, and clasped her fists in a formal salute. With utmost gravity, she requested in honorific speech, “If we are to wage war against Nansheng, I beg Your Majesty to send me as the vanguard. Allow me to personally execute the treacherous officials of Nansheng’s court and avenge the fallen garrison soldiers of those days.”

Ninghua halted mid-step, her face a mix of delight and astonishment.

In the imperial study, sandalwood incense curled upward from the qilin-shaped burner.

When General Xie arrived, she could barely contain her excitement.

She even forgot to bow, bursting through the door with fervor. “Your Majesty, do you know why refugees have been flooding across the border?”

Ninghua frowned. “Since ancient times, the root cause of refugee movement has always been survival. External factors—natural disasters, war, disease, heavy taxes and corvée—could all be to blame.”

“Exactly!” General Xie grew even more animated. “Nansheng is plagued by disasters and crushing taxes. A portion of the border taxes was meant to supply the military, but the Nansheng court has seized all of it. Among the refugees now are many soldiers who can no longer survive!”

Ye Zhixia raised an eyebrow. “Such able-bodied refugees—wouldn’t it be a shame to turn them away?”

General Xie dropped to one knee, fists clasped. “Your Majesty, now is the perfect time to subdue Nansheng! The Nansheng court has lost the people’s hearts. According to our scouts, garrisons in multiple cities have risen in rebellion, only to falter due to lack of provisions. We—”

Ninghua glanced at Ye Zhixia, who narrowed her eyes and nodded.

General Xie’s face lit up with joy upon receiving approval.

Watching her retreating figure, Ye Zhixia finally voiced the question she had held back all morning. “Does General Xie have some deep grudge against Nansheng?”

Clad in her bright yellow dragon robes, Ninghua thought long and hard, even tracing General Xie’s lineage back three generations. In the end, she shook her head in confusion. “No, not at all…”

–

The next day, Empress Ninghua first revealed the true identity of the long-term grain supplier.

Whether civil officials or military generals, upon learning the true identity of the grain merchant who helped Ninghua seize the throne, they all soberly realized how fortunate they were not to have caused trouble back then.

Ninghua’s ascension to the throne was the result of perfect timing, geographical advantage, and popular support. Even in a direct confrontation, she might not necessarily have lost to that father and son pair back then.

Her strategic wisdom merely prevented widespread suffering among the people while minimizing her own losses.

The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, originally worried about refugees affecting grain distribution, breathed a quiet sigh of relief upon hearing this news.

However, the next announcement would excite them even more.

Empress Ninghua summoned Princess Jiarong to the court and declared that the princess would oversee state affairs henceforth.

The court immediately buzzed with speculation about the empress’s intentions.

“Silence, my ministers!” Ninghua roared in a low voice.

The hall fell quiet.

“With natural disasters plaguing the land, the people of Nansheng suffer unbearably. I shall lead Generals Ye and Xie eastward to conquer Nansheng and rescue the people from their misery!”

The Minister of War was the first to respond: “Your Majesty is most wise!”

The other ministers followed suit, bowing in unison: “Your Majesty is most wise!”

–

The kingdom of Li marched east with fifty thousand troops.

With Princess Jiarong providing support from the rear, the Li army could manage its own provisions.

Ye Zhixia remained wary of General Xie throughout the journey, fearing that his past grudges with Nansheng might lead him to vent his anger on the common people.

After consulting with Ninghua, she established a military order—not a single hair on the people’s heads was to be harmed!

Not only did General Xie not oppose this, he actively promoted the rule among the troops, leaving Ye Zhixia utterly perplexed.

Along the way, the people of Nansheng, upon seeing the Li army, numbly retreated into their homes.

Witnessing the people living like walking corpses, Ninghua and Ye Zhixia couldn’t bear it.

Whenever they passed through small towns, they would distribute portions of their grain to the locals.

While inspecting the area, Ye Zhixia overheard a conversation among the people.

A young woman with five children said to an older woman beside her, “Did you know? When the court sent the families of loyal officials to Li, it was this empress who took pity and let them go!”

The older woman quickly nodded. “Who doesn’t know that! Those escaped slaves cultivated fields at the border, trading grain for goods and saving many lives around them. I say this Empress of Li is far better than our wretched emperor!”

Then the older woman asked with concern, “A-Juan, can you really afford to raise these orphans you’ve taken in?”

A-Juan adjusted the child in her arms and replied firmly, “Yes!”

At that moment, General Xie hurried over to Ye Zhixia. “General Ye! General Ye! The empress needs to see you urgently. Go quickly.”

Ye Zhixia noticed the gourd ladle in General Xie’s hand, still containing a few grains of coarse rice.

This General Xie was quite enthusiastic about distributing food to the people of Nansheng.

But what exactly was he so happy about?

Inside the temporary lodging in the city, Ninghua wore a grave expression.

“General Ye, we have a serious problem now.”

Instead of stopping after entering, Ye Zhixia listened to Ninghua’s words while slowly walking over, embracing her from behind and holding her close.

“You can call me General Ye in front of others, but there’s no one else here now. Still ‘General Ye’?”

With that, she swayed Ninghua gently in her arms.

“Ah! I’m talking about serious business here!” Ning Hua pouted as she pried her hand free, then turned to face her before taking her hand again. “The grain we have is barely enough to share with the small towns. When we reach the larger cities, how will we afford to distribute any more?”

Support