The transmigrated wife is crazy and ruthless.

Chapter 115 Retirement is a Loss for the Tang Dynasty

The horses' hooves trampled through the ground, and the Pear Garden had achieved a great victory, which was very gratifying. Emperor Zhaozong issued an edict to bestow generous rewards.

At the same time, Emperor Zhaozong of Tang also summoned Qiu Ziyue to an audience.

One midday, sunlight streamed through the glazed tiles of the palace, illuminating the magnificent hall.

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang sat upright on the dragon throne, his majestic gaze sweeping over the assembled officials below.

At this moment, a eunuch announced loudly: "General Qiu Ziyue requests an audience!"

Qiu Ziyue, dressed in a striking suit of armor, strode confidently into the main hall.

She attempted to kneel down to pay her respects, but Emperor Zhaozong stopped her, saying, "General Qiu has rendered great service and is exempt from the formalities."

"General Qiu, I have heard of your recent achievements. You are brave and valiant, and have made many outstanding contributions. You are truly a pillar of our Great Tang Dynasty."

Qiu Ziyue said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. This is my duty."

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang stood up, walked to Qiu Ziyue, and carefully examined her.

Seeing Qiu Ziyue's heroic bearing, he took a great liking to her and said, "General Qiu, you not only possess superb martial arts skills but also outstanding military talent. You are truly a rare talent. I intend to summon you to the palace and bestow upon you the title of concubine. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Ziyue was startled and immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, I dare not accept such an honor."

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang was somewhat surprised and asked, "Why?"

Qiu Ziyue raised her head and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I was originally a country girl of humble origin, and I never imagined that I would achieve what I have today. I like a free and unrestrained life and I do not like being bound in the palace. The palace is nice, but it is not where I belong."

After hearing this, Emperor Zhaozong of Tang smiled slightly and praised, "General Qiu is truly an honest man. I admire your straightforwardness and sincerity. Since that's the case, I won't force you. So, what is your wish? I can grant it to you."

Qiu Ziyue knelt down again and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have no other wish than for the country to be prosperous and the people to live in peace and happiness. If Your Majesty can achieve this, it will be the greatest reward for me."

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang was moved upon hearing this and nodded, saying, "General Qiu, the current situation is chaotic, with ministers in the court harboring their own agendas and border wars raging. Although I am the emperor, I am unable to control the overall situation. I have remembered your wish. I will do my utmost to fulfill it."

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang nodded and sighed: "General Qiu, I understand your intentions. But I also hope to do something for your future."

Qiu Ziyue asked, "What does Your Majesty mean?"

Emperor Zhaozong paused for a moment, then continued, "A few days ago, Prince Jin suggested to me that I issue an imperial edict to betroth you to Qi Yuxuan. Later, he changed his mind and said that you were in love with Lu Yuan Changming. I don't know which gentleman you are in love with, which makes me very troubled."

Qiu Ziyue was startled, but didn't know how to answer.

Seeing Qiu Ziyue remain silent, Emperor Zhaozong continued, "How about this? I'll issue you an imperial edict, but without adding your name. You can fill in the name yourself if you want to marry someone in the future. Is that alright? Even if I'm useless, I can still play a role by wishing you a happy marriage."

Qiu Ziyue felt a surge of emotion. She knew that the emperor was showing concern for her in his own way and was thinking about her future.

She knelt down and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful. No matter what the future holds, I will always remember Your Majesty's kindness."

Emperor Zhaozong smiled slightly and gestured for the eunuch to hand the imperial edict to Qiu Ziyue.

Qiu Ziyue accepted the imperial edict with both hands and said loudly, "Your subject Qiu Ziyue accepts the edict and expresses her gratitude!"

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang nodded and said, "General Qiu, you have worked hard. Go back and rest well, and continue to serve the Tang Dynasty."

Qiu Ziyue said, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report."

"Tell me what it is about."

Qiu Ziyue took a deep breath and slowly said, "Your Majesty, I was originally a country girl, but thanks to Your Majesty's favor, I was able to achieve great things. Now that the campaign against Wang Xingyu has been successfully completed, my wish has been fulfilled. I wish to return the military tally and go back to my homeland."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaozong of Tang was startled and asked gently, "General Qiu, are you really determined to leave?"

Qiu Ziyue nodded firmly: "Yes, Your Majesty. My wish is to return to the Valley of Passion and live a simple and free life. In addition, I have another request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it."

Emperor Zhaozong nodded, signaling her to continue.

Qiu Ziyue continued, "I hope Your Majesty will order the historians not to record my name and deeds in the historical records. I have no intention of being remembered in history; I only wish to live an ordinary life."

After listening, Emperor Zhaozong of Tang pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "General Qiu, I grant your request. You have made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty, and I will not forget that. But since you have this wish, I will respect it."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Ziyue felt a warmth in her heart and knelt down to express her gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang stood up and walked to Qiu Ziyue.

He said gently, "General Qiu, as I prepare to depart, I have a small request. Would you be so kind as to perform a dance for me and my ministers, and play a tune using your mystical arts as a memento? My beloved ministers and I would also like to witness it."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Ziyue was somewhat unwilling, but she thought that if she did not fulfill the emperor's wish, he probably would not let her go.

So she nodded and replied, "Your Majesty, I am willing."

She stood up and went outside the palace, where a maid gently helped her remove her armor and change into a light and graceful dance dress. Then she walked to the center of the hall.

The palace musicians played music, and she danced gracefully to the melody, her movements light and beautiful, like a fairy.

After the dance, Qiu Ziyue took out a jade flute from her sleeve, closed her eyes, concentrated, and slowly began to play.

The sound of the flute was melodious, as if it possessed a magical power.

As the first note of the flute sounded, the hall seemed to be shrouded in a mysterious mist.

Gradually, a vivid scene began to appear in the mist.

Carp swam happily in the water, their bodies shimmering with golden light, as if they were about to take off.

Emperor Zhaozong and his ministers watched this scene intently, their hearts filled with awe.

"This is incredible! Such amazing skills exist in the human world!"

"General Qiu is truly a divine being, so incredibly capable."

"It's so beautiful! I feel incredibly lucky to have seen such a sight."

The ministers were discussing it.

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, in particular, had never seen such a magical scene before, as if he were in a living painting.

As the sound of the flute gradually rose higher, the carp in the picture began to swim faster.

Suddenly, the largest carp leaped out of the water like a golden lightning bolt, soaring straight into the sky.

It tumbled and rolled in the air several times before finally transforming into a lithe dragon, soaring high in the heavens.

Other carp followed suit, leaping out of the water one after another, transforming into dragons, and flying into the sky.

As the mist inside the hall gradually dissipated, the image finally settled on a giant dragon coiled in the clouds, overlooking the earth.

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang was deeply moved by this scene, and his ministers were amazed.

He stood up, walked to Qiu Ziyue, and said excitedly, "General Qiu, your flute playing and the painting are truly breathtaking. This is not only a testament to your loyalty to me, but also a blessing to the Tang Dynasty."

Qiu Ziyue put down her jade flute and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this is just a small token of my appreciation. May the Great Tang Dynasty be prosperous and the people live in peace and health."

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang nodded, his eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.

He turned to the eunuch beside him and said, "By imperial decree, bestow upon General Qiu fine wine and delicacies as a reward."

Qiu Ziyue knelt down to express her gratitude: "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang helped her up and said gently, "General Qiu, you are not only exceptionally skilled in martial arts, but also possess such talent, which is a blessing to the country. However, General Qiu's retirement is a loss to our Great Tang."

Qiu Ziyue was deeply moved and nodded in response, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Zhaozong stepped forward and exclaimed, "General Qiu, your dance and flute playing are unforgettable. Although you do not seek fame or fortune, your achievements will be forever remembered in my heart."

Qiu Ziyue smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I have no regrets in this life, I only wish for peace and prosperity for the country and well-being for the people."

Emperor Zhaozong nodded and gestured for a eunuch to present an imperial edict: "This is an imperial edict written by me personally. Take it safe. If you need anything after returning to the Valley of Passion, you can seek help with this edict."

As Qiu Ziyue walked out of the main hall, she was still unable to calm down.

She knew that this song, "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate," was not only a tribute to the emperor, but also an expectation for her future.

She hopes that, no matter where she is, she can be like the carp that leaps over the dragon gate, bravely pursuing her dreams and realizing her value.

Stepping out of the palace, she took a deep breath of fresh air, her heart filled with relief and freedom.

She planned to write a letter to her adoptive father, Li Keyong, informing him that she had resigned from her official post and retired into seclusion, with no intention of getting involved in court politics.

She mounted her horse and, along with her three senior brothers, Liu Xu, Liu Qingluo, and Xueying, headed towards the Valley of Passion along the familiar road.

The sunlight shone on her, as if bidding her farewell.

As the horses' hooves thundered and dust billowed, her heart felt as free and joyful as a bird's.

感谢您的阅读！

To be continued... Please read the next chapter to find out what happens next.