Chapter 2061: Applying the Queen's Test

“Ah, has Brother joined Lingshan?”

“It’s not impossible, but he recently sought out the God of Fate to establish diplomatic relations with Shen. So, his actions cannot be considered purely from Lingshan’s perspective.” He Chunhua sighed softly. “After your brother fell into the water and left, he returned a changed man. Even I can’t figure out what he’s thinking. Alas, your mother’s worries are quite valid.”

“Wait, when he burned the Sky Palace, was that... was that before his last return to Yuan?” He Yue was very sensitive to timelines.

He Chunhua nodded.

No wonder. That explains why Brother seemed somewhat different then.

He Yue’s mind was in turmoil, and he couldn’t speak for a long time.

He Chunhua continued, “Beijia already knows as well; they hate your brother to the bone. Chuan’er’s conquest of the Glimmergold Plain this time has also angered many Celestial Gods. So, once you’re out there, you must protect yourself wisely.”

He Yue nodded blankly. Had his brother’s adversaries escalated from Beijia to Celestial Gods?

He hesitated, then asked, “Father, since you know all this, why do you still want to establish diplomatic relations with Glimmergold? Aren’t you afraid of the gods’ wrath?”

“If I don’t establish diplomatic relations with Glimmergold, will the gods not punish Shen?” He Chunhua gave a helpless smile. “Now, Beijia already knows He Lingchuan’s origins; it knows he’s my son! The reasons it hasn’t acted against Shen are complex, but remember that this world ultimately respects strength, and there’s more than one faction of Celestial Gods. The Celestial Gods behind our Shen are not the Lingshu Gods!”

He Yue understood.

Shen openly worshipped Kshatriya Heaven and revered Naraka Heaven as its main deity. He naturally knew that Kshatriya Heaven and the Lingshu Gods were not aligned.

“So, the God of Fate supports your decision, Father?”

“Of course,” He Chunhua replied. “Your brother has just gained significant power and needs allies. Your journey there will also be crucial support for him—support from family and homeland! How can other powers or nations compare?”

At this point, he began to explain the details.

“You are representing Shen on a mission to Glimmergold. When you see your brother, refer to him only as ‘Great Emperor,’ unless he tells you otherwise.” He Chunhua reminded him of his political status. “Also, unless your brother asks, do not mention our family’s situation, not a single word!”

“Why...” He Yue blurted out, but immediately caught himself and nodded.

“If he doesn’t personally change your address or show closeness, treat this simply as a normal state visit! Observe all proper etiquette and conduct yourself officially,” He Chunhua said sternly. “Don’t treat him as your brother; he is the Great Emperor of Nine Nether, who has taken countless lives! What a person in power demands, first and foremost, is respect.”

Whether to acknowledge their family relationship must be decided by He Lingchuan himself.

He Yue agreed to everything.

He Chunhua meticulously and patiently explained every detail repeatedly until his throat was dry, then he patted his son’s shoulder. “Also, don’t tell your mother about the feud between your brother and Beijia; you might frighten her.”

“Yes,” He Yue replied and withdrew, spending the evening processing the momentous news he had just received.

He Chunhua drank some water and returned to the imperial study.

He had spent too much time on this matter and hadn’t had time to deal with his daily state affairs.

However, he was only halfway there when Queen Ying emerged from the garden, blocking his path.

He Chunhua asked, surprised, “You haven’t rested yet?”

“I can’t help but feel you’ve long intended for Yue’er to go on this mission to Glimmergold?” Queen Ying tilted her head, her eyes flashing with suspicion.

Otherwise, why would her husband tell her and their son the truth about He Lingchuan’s survival today? He could have just sent an envoy with a scepter on a ship to Glimmergold to establish relations, right?

He Chunhua sighed deeply and took her hand. “Keeping this secret has been incredibly difficult for me. Speaking it sooner brings release to my heart. Chuan’er is my child, after all, and I once loved him so dearly. Moreover, news of the great changes in the Glimmergold Plain will eventually reach us. Sooner or later, you’d all know that the powerful new leader rising in the east is called He Lingchuan. When that time comes, I feared you would resent me tenfold! It’s better to be frank now and potentially avoid a few scoldings.”

Queen Ying tried to keep a straight face, but her lips curved slightly at the last sentence.

She knew her husband still cared about her feelings; otherwise, why would he have spent the entire day with her before their talk tonight?

A monarch is incredibly busy; his time is invaluable.

Regardless of external turmoil, and no matter how ruthless He Chunhua was toward outsiders or even his own son, the affection between this couple, who had risen from humble origins and endured hardship together, remained unchanged.

Queen Ying was not an ungrateful person.

He Chunhua continued, “Yue’er has always been outstanding, diligent, and compassionate towards the people. These past few years, he’s grown quickly in the midst of war, following me through various campaigns. However, he spent his first ten-plus years in Blackwater City and still lacks some experience. Sending him on this mission to Glimmergold, where he’ll experience so many local customs and cultures along the way, will greatly broaden his horizons.”

He said earnestly, “A capable monarch needs a broad perspective and a steady mind. Yue’er requires more training to truly mature.”

“He’s your son, so you’ll always have a point; I can’t argue with you,” Queen Ying grumbled.

Knowing that her husband was sincerely grooming Yue’er as his successor made Queen Ying feel much more at ease.

He Chunhua quietly asked, “Hearing about the pact between me and the Celestial Gods, do you feel some... lingering resentment?”

He could be ruthless even towards his beloved eldest son.

Queen Ying squeezed his hand back. “I know you have unavoidable difficulties, and I know you are an excellent monarch, diligent and conscientious in governance, loving your people as your own children, to the extent that you don’t even have time to spend with me. Shen has been completely revitalized; its policies are clear, all industries are thriving, and it’s a hundred times stronger than Yuan! The common people are fortunate to have you.”

He Chunhua smiled and nodded, “Only my wife truly understands me.”

The imperial family is the most ruthless. He might not be a good father, but he was a good monarch.

“Oh, if Chuan’er achieves great success, then your He family will have two emperors, both having forged their empires through battle! Throughout history, no family has ever achieved such glory!”

As Queen Ying said this, she herself found it incredible, to say nothing of He Chunhua, whose furrowed brow smoothed out with a smile.

“Oh, by the way, let me ask you. What if...” She lowered her voice again. “What if, and I mean just what if, Chuan’er doesn’t succeed in the Glimmergold Plain? Will he come back to us for refuge?”

He Chunhua was direct: “No.”

“How do you know?”

“You’ll only hear news of him if he succeeds; if he fails in battle, he’ll disappear without a trace.” Aside from other things, He Chunhua believed he understood He Lingchuan well enough on this point.

“I don’t know what’s going on with you two, father and son! I truly hope, though, that Chuan’er can achieve unparalleled feats in the Glimmergold Plain; that would be a truly perfect outcome.” Queen Ying sighed. “Alright, I’m going back to bed now.”

Her steps back were much lighter.