She is the Side Character! — Watch Her Change her fate!

The envoy said, "No, I haven’t."

This lack of clarity left Song Chong feeling restless, already considering how to respond if Canglan Country posed any challenges.

Half a year later, it was winter.

The Barbarian Tribe invaded Canglan Country, but the troops of Canglan Country utterly defeated them.

Both Ah Chen and Fan Shi were wary of them. Whenever those Barbarian Tribes faced difficulties, they would come to plunder. They were just waiting for them to come so they could give them a good beating to intimidate the Barbarian Tribe and also to deter Nan Qi and the eastern rebel army.

Since the establishment of Canglan Country, Fan Shi often visited the military, making numerous preparations.

Ah Chen had no particular feelings toward wealth or power. An immortal being clearly wouldn’t care much about external possessions.

As for enjoyment, she didn’t pursue it. Her lifestyle was naturally not extravagant, as there was no real need for it. The state’s resources were taken from the people and used for them.

Although she was indifferent to these matters, she was generous to her subordinates. Ordinary people’s aspirations are nothing more than peace, stability, and prosperity. Fulfilling their reasonable desires made them useful to her.

She was especially generous to the border guards. Since Canglan Country was founded, she ensured they were well-fed and clothed. Now, each of them was robust and especially loyal to her. At word of the Barbarian Tribe approaching, they excitedly prepared to act, eager to prove themselves as more than just freeloaders. Besides, when they achieved merit, Your Majesty was never stingy with rewards. Following such a Monarch King, where they could live well and have hope, how could they not be utterly devoted?

This was the Monarch King worth following.

Canglan Country was the nation worth protecting.

News of Canglan Country’s soldiers easily repelling the Barbarian Tribe spread, and all sides quieted down.

The Barbarian Tribe close to Canglan Country wouldn’t easily give up, as lacking food and resources meant they’d rather fight desperately. After suffering several losses, they finally realized there was no advantage in Canglan Country and eventually gave up.

The days of Canglan Country’s people were still quite ordinary, and truly improving them was not something that could be solved in half a year or a year. Ah Chen now couldn’t be bothered with the Barbarian Tribe. If they could endure, let them endure. She would deal with them once she unified the land and her people were well-off.

As the Barbarian Tribe dared not invade, all aspects of Canglan Country were moving in a positive direction, and the situation finally stabilized.

Ah Chen planned to return to Nan Qi.

She summoned Fan Shi, Xue Shanhuai, and some other important ministers in Canglan Country to inform them of her decision.

These ministers had witnessed her abilities that night and weren’t worried about her being in danger.

They knew she would surely go to Nan Qi and didn’t dare to stop her too much.

"With you all here, I am at ease."

"When you face difficult decisions, consult the Prime Minister and the Think Tank often."

"If even you two can’t decide, send word to me." Ah Chen instructed, "This time, my trip to Nan Qi might take some time, but when I return, it should be about time to take over Nan Qi."

"Don’t slack on the eastern front; make the necessary arrangements."

Fan Shi and the others replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Half a month later, Nan Qi received a letter from Canglan Country mentioning the matter of the Nan Qi Ninth Princess and requesting arrangements to receive her.

Since Canglan Country displayed its strength, the previous resolve of Nan Qi crumbled instantly, with many fearing an unexpected attack.

Despite the letter not mentioning any conditions, it still left everyone in Nan Qi anxious.

Song Chong dared not hesitate; after consulting with his ministers, he immediately arranged for an envoy to receive her, naturally preparing generous gifts to avoid any fault.

Shortly after Canglan Country was founded, Nan Qi had already prepared gifts to send over, the same when the envoy went to inquire about the Ninth Princess.

The envoy arrived smoothly in Canglan Country, met only by an official of moderate rank, still not meeting the Canglan Country’s Monarch King, only asked a couple of questions, and dared not express the slightest dissatisfaction. Now, they feared Canglan Country picking a fault with them as a pretext for attacking Nan Qi.

After presenting their generous gifts, they soon saw the Nan Qi Ninth Princess and were not made difficulties. Of course, Canglan Country had no other indication, simply allowing them to take her back.

Those who initially followed Ah Chen to Bei Qi did not all return with her. Some had already held official positions at court and couldn’t simply leave. Those who did return appeared healthy and unharmed.

Though there were fewer people, the envoy naturally did not mind, presuming that they had been lost to the hands of Bei Qi people earlier.

The return of the Ninth Princess alone was satisfactory; the others were of low rank and unimportant.

Canglan Country arranged for some people to escort them.

The envoy still couldn’t ascertain Canglan Country’s intentions but dared not question and only obediently brought Ah Chen back.

The messenger had left earlier to report back soon.

When Ah Chen’s convoy was halfway, the messenger had reached Nan Qi, met Song Chong, and relayed the envoy’s experience in Canglan Country along with Ah Chen’s situation.

"The Nan Qi Ninth Princess seemed to be doing quite well, not troubled, and even those close to the Ninth Princess were all fine." The messenger said, "With fewer people, they probably suffered at the hands of Bei Qi people from the start."

He said this because Song Chong always outwardly expressed his love for the Ninth Princess, thinking Song Chong cared about these matters.

He had no idea that upon hearing this, Song Chong felt not pleased but rather upset and angry.

This Cui Chen indeed had good fortune.

As for the number of palace staff, he truly didn’t care much and had no interest in mentioning it. Of course, when the convoy returned, in front of everyone, he still had to praise a few words.

"What do you all think of Canglan Country’s behavior?" Song Chong asked.

If one said Canglan Country was unfriendly, yet they did not trouble them.

If one said they were friendly, the envoy visited several times yet never met Canglan Country’s Monarch King.

Song Chong naturally felt suffocated and angry inside, but considering Canglan Country’s strength, he immediately suppressed all his rage. There was no choice, as Canglan Country was no weakling; it was a strong tiger that should not be angered.

"In the minister’s view, Canglan Country is unlikely to attack Nan Qi. Willingly returning the Ninth Princess shows friendliness. If they wanted to stir trouble, they definitely wouldn’t send back the Ninth Princess."

"The minister believes their behavior aims to give Nan Qi a show of force."

"Don’t look at Canglan Country having repelled the Barbarian Tribe; it must have come at a significant cost, preventing them from any hasty actions."

"Since the Ninth Princess has been received and Canglan Country did no harm, we should not initiate conflict. It’s best to let things be as they are, with neither side interfering with the other."