From cute to empress

Chapter 320 A New Crisis Approaches Quietly

"Your Majesty, something bad has happened! Something terrible has happened..." The guard's panicked voice interrupted the monk's words, and made me feel nervous.

"Why are you so panicked? Speak slowly!" Zhen Youcai's usually calm voice rang out outside the hall, carrying with it some soothing power.

The guard took a deep breath, knelt on one knee and reported: "Your Majesty, General, a large number of locusts suddenly appeared outside the city and are approaching the capital!"

A locust plague! My heart sank. The locusts had wiped out every blade of grass, a disaster for a country that had just experienced turmoil and was in dire straits.

"Why are you panicking?" Zhen Youcai growled, "Your Majesty has long anticipated this disaster and has already ordered plans to exterminate the locusts!"

I looked at him in surprise. When had I… Then I realized he was trying to appease the people. Calming myself, I said to the guards, "Pass the order down. Immediately initiate the locust extermination plan. We must minimize the losses!"

"As you wish!" The guard took the order and left.

I turned to look at the monk. He clasped his hands together, muttering something, but there was no sign of panic. Suppressing my anxiety, I asked, "Master, is there anything else?"

The monk opened his eyes, clasped his hands together, and said, "Amitabha, natural disasters are also man-made disasters. Only with compassion can we resolve the crisis. I wish to pray for Your Majesty and the people, and pray for God's protection to quickly dispel the locust plague."

I was deeply moved and quickly said, "Thank you, Master."

The monk smiled slightly, turned and walked into the inner hall, and began to pray for the country and the people.

Over the next few days, Zhen Youcai and I fought side by side, leading the people in a full-scale fight against the locust plague. Following a pre-planned plan, we organized manpower to exterminate the locusts, allocated food supplies, comforted the people, and did everything possible to minimize the losses.

Thanks to our efforts, the locust plague was quickly brought under control, causing minimal damage. Throughout the capital, civilians could be seen rebuilding their homes. Zhen Youcai and I walked the streets, seeing faces brimming with hope and smiles, and our hearts were filled with joy.

The celebrations went on as planned, the streets adorned with lanterns and streamers bustling with people, filled with laughter and joy. Having weathered many storms, the people cherished this hard-earned peace and prosperity all the more, and the entire capital was immersed in a festive and peaceful atmosphere.

A prayer ceremony led by a high-ranking monk was held under the watchful eyes of the public. With the sound of Buddhist chants and the burning of incense, the people knelt devoutly in prayer, praying for peace for the country and happiness for themselves. At that moment, I seemed to see an invisible force tightly uniting everyone's hearts, forming an indestructible wall to protect our homeland.

As night fell and the lights came on, the palace was ablaze with light and music filled the air. Outside the palace gates, groups of well-dressed, dusty people were approaching the palace...

Outside the palace gates, teams of well-dressed, dusty people were marching towards the palace. They were envoys from various countries. Since we quelled the civil unrest and our national prestige spread far and wide, these countries that once avoided us now came one after another, hoping to establish diplomatic relations with us.

"Congratulations, Her Majesty! Congratulations, Her Majesty!" The envoys spoke in various languages, bearing different gifts, but all expressed the same message: friendship. I watched all this with a smile, feeling a surge of emotion.

"You all have come from afar and have worked hard." I raised my hand to disarm everyone. "Today is a day of great joy. I hope to witness this prosperous and peaceful era together with all the envoys and the people of the world!"

After some pleasantries, envoys from various countries signed friendship agreements with me. I clearly felt that our country's international status was significantly improving, and all of this was inseparable from me and Zhen Youcai, and from all the people who worked hard for this country.

As the night deepened, the celebration reached its climax. Under the gaze of the crowd, Zhen Youcai took my hand and slowly walked up to the stage. He was handsome and tall in his red wedding gown, and I was elegant and regal in my phoenix coronet and bridal robe. We were a match made in heaven, the perfect witness to this grand occasion.

"Mengmeng, will you marry me?" His voice was still clearly audible in the noisy crowd, and my figure was reflected in his deep eyes, where there was love, commitment, and determination.

"I do." My voice was soft but firm. I had finally waited for this moment.

Under the auspices of the ceremonial officer, we completed the wedding ceremony and received blessings from all sides. I looked at the cheering people in the audience and Zhen Youcai, whose eyes were full of smiles, and my heart was filled with happiness and satisfaction.

I know this prosperous era is just the beginning, and there is still a long way to go in the future...

"Youcai, what do you think our child will be like?" I snuggled up to him and asked softly.

He looked down at me, his eyes full of fondness, "What do you think?"

"Well... smart and brave like you, or like me, uh..." I paused deliberately and winked mischievously, "cute and confused?"

He laughed heartily and hugged me in his arms. "I hope our child will be as kind as you and bring more beauty to the world."

I looked up at him, the starlight reflected in his deep eyes, which were full of expectations for the future and love for me.

Our married life was busy and fulfilling. During the day, I discussed state affairs with the ministers, while Zhen Youcai commanded the army, training soldiers and defending the country. We diligently implemented new policies, abolishing a series of outdated customs, reducing taxes, and encouraging agricultural and commercial development. At night, we snuggled together, discussing state affairs and family matters. I shared my experiences handling government affairs with him, and he recounted interesting stories from the military camp.

As the days go by, the country becomes stronger and stronger under our governance, the people live and work in peace and contentment, no one picks up things on the streets, and no one locks their doors at night. The land that was once ravaged by war is now filled with laughter and joy.

A few years later, I gave birth to our first child, a lovely little princess. We named her "Zhen An", hoping that she can grow up safely and happily, and that this prosperous and peaceful era can continue forever.

In the blink of an eye, An'er was already five years old, lively, cute, smart, and very much like Zhen Youcai. One day, I was playing with An'er in the Imperial Garden when Zhen Youcai hurried over, with a rare solemn look on his face.

"Mengmeng, I have something important to discuss with you." He walked towards me with a serious tone.

I was startled and handed An'er to the wet nurse and walked into the study with him.

"What's wrong?" I asked with concern, "Is the border war starting again?"

He shook his head, pulled out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to me, "Take a look for yourself."

I took the letter and unfolded it for a closer look. It was written in a special symbol, signed "Ying." "Ying" was a spy we had planted in the enemy country, and for years, he had been delivering important intelligence to us. This time, he brought us this news...

My expression gradually grew serious. The letter clearly read: The enemy monarch is secretly gathering troops, seemingly plotting a massive conspiracy against our country...

I took a deep breath, alarm bells ringing in my heart. This prosperous world may appear peaceful on the surface, but hidden dangers are lurking everywhere. It seems that Zhen Youcai and I have more important things to do...

I put the letter down, stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and reached for the Ancient Art of War. However, my fingertips touched a secret letter hidden in the back of the book...