Third-person POV
A week later, as Meiyun said, war broke out in Dong Fang. The Di family swore to bring down the tyranny ruler in front of the commoner and announced that they joined hand with Da Qi. The good thing is the commoner didn't mind that their country ruled by Da Qi cause Da Qi has a better ruler than theirs.
And since the war broke out in the middle of winter, many of the soldiers were low in morale. They weren't sure that they could survive the biting cold winter, not to say the war. Weisheng pondered this matter for quite a while and decided that he would join the frontline to enhance the soldier's morale and confidence.
Having the undefeatable prince to lead them in the war extremely boosted their fighting spirit. Weisheng departed from Da Qi a few days ago with his troops and elite forces. He left behind a quarter of his elite forces to protect Hong er and his family.
However, another battle broke out in the southwest part of Da Qi. The emperor of Dong Fang isn't stupid, if so, then he wouldn't be the emperor. He joined forces with the pirates and bandits that were once suppressed by Weisheng. They wanted to take revenge on Weisheng and agreed to team up with the DF emperor.
Weisheng noticed his plan for quite a while and had prepared reinforcement in various places that he predicted that they would infiltrate. Despite that, there wasn't enough support as a quarter of the reinforcement had to evacuate the citizens and protect them.
Therefore, the number of soldiers at the frontline decreased and the pirates use the on-going blizzard to their advantages. They were afraid that they couldn't withhold the fort.
Meiyun just got a message from the southwest that they need more reinforcement to defeat the ruffians, without any delay, Meiyun reported to Hong er.
(A/N: They used a magical beast to send message, that's why the letter arrived faster compared to human's speed.)
Meiyun: "Your Majesty Empress, what should we do?"
Meiyun asked with a stern expression, unlike her usual self.
Hong er: "How is the condition at His Majesty Emperor's side?"
Meiyun: "Although they are doing fine, they can't send reinforcement from their side. They (southwest) also had sent a message to His Majesty Emperor but still, no response from the other side."
Hong er: "Probably the magical beast was noticed and shot down by the enemy. Since it has become like this, Huayun, inform all of the Xu elite forces that are available to gather in front of my palace in 1 minute and Meiyun, get my armor ready."
The Yun sisters: "Yes!"
Ming Yu: "But Your Majesty Empress, you are pregnant! You must not!"
Hong er: "So what if I'm pregnant! Ben Gong is the empress of Da Qi, I will never let anyone harm my citizens."
Hong er rose from her seat and walk towards her dressing room to change her clothes. Ming Yu anxiously paced back and forth. She grabbed Meiyun's arm and asked with disbelief expression.
Ming Yu: "Why Meiyun Jiejie and Huayun Jiejie didn't stop Her Majesty Empress?! Do you know what would happen to Her Majesty Empress if she went to frontline with that big stomach?! Do you know how dangerous the frontline is?!"
Meiyun: "I'm very aware of the risk. But what should we do? His Majesty Emperor went to the frontline himself to boost the soldiers' morals, usually, the royal family sent one of their princes. But we only have one young prince that doesn't know anything about the battlefield."
Ming Yu: "How about sending another general? Her Majesty Empress doesn't have to go personally."
Meiyun: "She is a general!"
Meiyun said with a firm voice.
Meiyun: "Our empress is the general! We don't have any time to dilly dally or else thousands of life will be gone just because of our cowardice!"
Ming Yu: "But that doesn't mean it has to be Her Majesty Empress!"
Meiyun: "The other generals couldn't leave their bases, they have to be always on guard and protect their own citizens in case of surprise attack. Even if the nearby generals send reinforcement to them, they would still be outnumbered."
Ming Yu: "You are really not helpful at all! I will go convince Her Majesty Empress myself."
Ming Yu roared and stomped her way to Hong er's dressing room.
Meiyun: "You can't."
Then Meiyun went into the dressing room to help Hong er change into er armor. Weisheng had prepared armor for the pregnant Hong er in case of unforeseen circumstances that put them into a corner. Ming Yu kneeled in front of Hong er and begged with a desperate voice.
Ming Yu: "Your Majesty Empress! Please reconsider this once again! You will endanger yourself and the baby inside if you go to the frontline."
Hong er: "Ming Yu, listen carefully."
Ming Yu: "Yes, Your Majesty Empress."
Ming Yu looked at Hong er with hope that Hong er would change her mind.
Hong er: "Ben Gong would rather sacrifice the baby and one's life if Ben Gong can save thousands people's life."
Ming Yu sat on the floor in shock and disbelief. Hong er sighed and patted her head.
Hong er: "Ben Gong has a task for you. You are one of Ben Gong's most trusted maids."
Ming Yu clenched her hand into a fist as she determinedly spoke.
Ming Yu: "This servant will do its best to fulfill the task."
Hong er: "En. You go report this to Her Majesty Empress Dowager and tell her to be cautious. And the last."
Hong er put on her iconic bloody red mask as she stared at Ming Yu.
Hong er: "I leave Xue Lang in your care."
With that, Hong er walked off with a burning spirit in her eyes. Ming Yu stared at Hong er's back and bowed her head.
Ming Yu: "Yes, Your Majesty Empress."
.
.
*Outside of Hong er's palace
About a couple dozens of black-clothed people kneeled to the woman in fiery red armor. Though she looked a bit peculiar in armor with her bulging belly, her burning spirit only made her appearance fiercer and intense.
Hong er: "Three of you stay here and protect Her Majesty Empress Dowager, Princess Yue, and Xue Lang. The rest of you, follow me."
Hong er mounted Xiao Bai. The elite forces also mounted their own magical beast.
Hong er: "It seems like the world had forgotten about me, Xu Feihong."
Hong er spoke with her cold voice.
Hong er: "With this battle, Ben Gong will show them who to not mess with."