After Crossing Over, I Marked the Empress

The medium-sized assault ship could accommodate thousands of people and was known for its swift action and flexible attack capabilities.

If dealing with Li Jianye hadn’t been so crucial, Gu Junwan wouldn’t have been able to use such military equipment normally in the Northern District.

Of course, Yu Xiao had always been wary of Gu Junwan, constantly keeping her authority and military strength within a controllable range.

At present, Gu Junwan had only about six hundred combat personnel accompanying her.

On the way to the border, Shen Han also learned a lot of intelligence about Li Jianye, Zhang Qi, and the fake wife.

Numerous information fragments came pouring in, eventually piecing together a distorted and incredible picture.

Li Jianye and Zhang Qi once had a touching love story amidst the flames of war, with a deep emotional bond.

During their years of mutual support, whether Li Jianye’s inner self was split remains unverifiable, but Zhang Qi truly lived very happily.

Until she discovered her husband’s secret as a Yin Country spy.

That day, White Ant came to deliver intelligence to Li Jianye.

Zhang Qi accidentally overheard their conversation, and in her panic, she accidentally tumbled down the stairs.

Before completely losing consciousness, the last image she saw was: that female apprentice grabbing her husband’s sleeve, indicating that he shouldn’t save her.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Li Jianye still bent down and lifted her from the pool of blood.

Zhang Qi thought she would die then and there, but unexpectedly, she continued to survive in a “vegetative state”.

She first spent some time in the hospital, then was brought back home.

Then came the “miraculous” awakening story in the eyes of outsiders.

White Ant moved into the rest home with Zhang Qi’s appearance and mannerisms, serving Li Jianye more closely.

Meanwhile, Zhang Qi was transferred to the basement, beginning the darkest period of her life.

Li Jianye would personally go to the basement almost every day to take care of her, massaging her and talking to her.

White Ant was only occasionally allowed to come down and help. Perhaps out of jealous revenge, she would also “share” a lot of information with Zhang Qi every time.

Every word the other said was like a blunt knife torturing Zhang Qi’s heart, until it was riddled with wounds and scars.

Pondering this, Shen Han felt her own back slightly chill.

Li Jianye had an emotional foundation with Zhang Qi, which is why he kept her in the basement.

But at the same time, he had hidden bombs in his villa as a backup plan, used to cover up traces of his past life and to challenge the Federation authorities.

‘Too ruthless, this person is completely a cold-blooded machine. For his own interests and survival rights, whether it’s his first wife or his devoted disciples, they’re all dispensable pawns!’

Just as Shen Han’s thoughts were in turmoil, the assault ship they were riding was about to approach its destination.

The military and political officials of New Li’s border defense forces were still strongly condemning Gu Yuwei’s previous military action.

When they heard reports that the Empress’s fleet was heading their way, everyone immediately became cowardly in their hearts.

Regardless of whether the Empress was bringing a small team or the entire army group, in any case, the New Li officials who had been righteous and stern just a moment ago immediately cut off communication with the Federation’s Northern Command team the next moment.

When Gu Junwan led her people into the temporary camp at the border, many soldiers from the Northern District felt a very peculiar sensation in their hearts.

A feeling of being well-grounded, which didn’t match their position.

For the vast majority of soldiers, this was their first time seeing the Empress up close.

Under focused gazes, Gu Junwan, dressed in a white military uniform, walked at the front. A gold badge was pinned below her left collar, echoing her majestic golden eyes.

The appearance of that badge was a sign of the Empress temporarily taking over as supreme commander!

Shen Han wore a black combat suit, half a step behind Gu Junwan, closely following her right rear.

Her clear eyes no longer held the gentleness she showed to friends in daily life, but had become deep and cold, full of killing intent.

The dominance of a top-tier Alpha was fully revealed at this moment.

Shen Han at this moment was like a sharp sword hidden in its sheath, ready to drink blood once drawn.

“Where is the Northern Commander? Have her come see me.”

Entering the central tent representing the command post in the camp, Gu Junwan didn’t see Gu Yuwei.

She slightly furrowed her fine brows, turning to question a major from the Fifth Army Group.

The Fifth Army Group was Yu Xiao’s core force, which, all things considered, was actually in an opposing camp to Gu Junwan at this stage.

But when the major heard the Empress’s words, he chose to follow orders immediately.

After giving the Empress a military salute, the major immediately turned and left the central tent, going to another tent not far away.

A few minutes later, Gu Yuwei’s assistant, Chi Xuan, came running over with a head full of sweat.

He briefly recounted what had happened earlier, then pleaded in an extremely low voice: “Your Majesty, the Commander isn’t in a good state right now. Could you maybe move to-”

Before he could finish the second half of his sentence, Gu Junwan had already interrupted him sternly.

“Do you understand the current situation? Wasting time on the battlefield is the greatest desecration of life!”

After speaking, she no longer paid attention to Gu Yuwei’s assistant and instructed Xu Zhao: “Immediately contact the highest administrative officer of New Li’s border defense forces.”

After a short wait, a brigade commander from New Li’s border defense was pushed out to reluctantly connect a holographic video call with Gu Junwan.

On New Li’s side, many people were secretly participating in this communication, including the president himself.

But only a few people appeared in the connected video.

On the Free Federation side, this communication was made public to the entire camp.

Gu Junwan stood in the center of the camp, her posture straight, her demeanor elegant and noble.

Behind her, the morning sun had just leapt over the horizon, its pale warm light rendering the entire border area vibrant and beautiful.

The military spotlights in the camp further accentuated the omega in military uniform as capable and tough.

In contrast, the New Li military officer sitting formally in an office environment on the other side of the video appeared somewhat tense.

He was a middle-aged man with dark skin.

His fingers were tightly interlocked, resting flat on the table in front of him, his lips stiff, his expression slightly uneasy.

Gu Junwan had no intention of bantering with him. As soon as the video connected, she got straight to the point: “I won’t repeat what happened before. Takeda Tatsuya is a serious military criminal of the Free Federation, yet your country has provided protection and shelter. Is your country intending to declare war? If so, we will certainly oblige!”

When he was pushed out to talk with the Federation’s Empress, the New Li officer had prepared several sets of rhetoric in his mind.

After all, the task given to him by his superiors was to muddle through, even if it meant bearing the brunt of the Empress’s anger, he had to grit his teeth and take it.

Now, face to face with the Empress’s questioning, the New Li officer belatedly realized why his colleagues and superiors had scrambled to avoid this communication earlier.

Damn! The Empress’s anger was not something a small character like himself could handle!

Declare war on the Free Federation?

Was this a topic that a mere brigade commander like himself had the authority to discuss?!

Seeing no response from the other side, Gu Junwan continued: “If you can’t talk, then go and bring someone who can make decisions for your country.”

Hearing this, all the soldiers in the camp focused intently on the holographic projection in the center of the open space.

They were very curious how the New Li officer would respond next.

The New Li officer squirmed uncomfortably. He slightly averted his gaze, no longer daring to meet those golden phoenix eyes in the holographic video.

He couldn’t speak out, nor could he stand up and leave. He could only concentrate on waiting for instructions to come through his earpiece.

In this situation, the New Li officer didn’t dare to respond to the Empress’s words.

If she really wanted to fight, anything he said could potentially become the spark that ignited a declaration of war.

Concerning national prestige, he also couldn’t follow Gu Junwan’s suggestion to bring in a higher-level official to complete the conversation.

Time passed in silence between the two sides.

The New Li officer felt this might be the longest, most unbearable moment he had experienced in his life.

Gu Junwan didn’t speak again, just quietly watched the video communication screen.

She knew that many people hidden in the shadows were also participating in this call on the other side.

She was also very clear that Takeda Tatsuya had already completed his withdrawal. Even if she really offended New Li, she couldn’t get him back.

This might even be the situation the Yin authorities wanted to see.

But since Gu Junwan had rushed here, it wouldn’t do not to give them a shock and a warning.

So, she waited, waited for the New Li president to come out and continue to muddle through.

The current person in the video was just a scapegoat and a transmitter. After conveying her message, there was no need to further pressure or force him.

Half a minute later.

The video signal from New Li’s side began to flicker and distort.

Accompanied by an unstable “buzz” of electric current, the communication was “technically” interrupted.

Gu Junwan was slightly startled. She hadn’t expected the other side to end the conversation in such an ostrich-like manner.

But it did fit New Li’s usual style of “submitting to preserve peace”.

After the video call ended, all the soldiers who had witnessed this conversation in the camp were stirred with passion in their hearts.

This is the Empress! The undisputed sovereign!

Having resolved one matter, Gu Junwan didn’t relax at all.

She had Chi Xuan called over, asked him a couple of questions, then had him lead her to the military tent where Gu Yuwei was.

Shen Han and Xu Zhao both followed, but when they reached the outside of Gu Yuwei’s tent, they were stopped by her guards.

Shen Han pressed her brows, her expression like lead clouds, exuding a suppressed and dangerous aura.

“Captain Shen, you all wait for me outside the tent. Don’t worry.”

Gu Junwan’s voice came from nearby, causing Shen Han to slightly retract her imposing manner.

“Alright, if anything happens, just call out. Special Assistant Xu and I will be guarding right outside the tent flap.” Shen Han nodded, watching her enter the tent.

It was somewhat dim inside the tent. When Gu Junwan first entered, she took a few seconds to adjust before seeing a familiar silhouette sitting behind a desk not far away.

Gu Yuwei sat woodenly in her chair, her eyes downcast, lost in thought.

Even when Gu Junwan walked up to her, she had no reaction.

“Gu Yuwei.”

Suddenly hearing someone call her name, Gu Yuwei was stunned for a moment before raising her eyes to look towards the source of the voice.

Her pupils had also inherited her mother’s golden color, but the spirited look that usually carried a touch of hot-blooded youth had now become extremely dim.

Gu Yuwei’s voice was muffled and hoarse. After recognizing for quite a while, she finally opened her mouth to ask: “Why did you come?”

Gu Junwan didn’t answer her question, nor did she explain much about the current situation.

She parted her red lips: “Come with me.”

The Empress’s voice was as cool as ever, but falling on Gu Yuwei’s ears, it was like a bright lamp in the bitter cold and snow, making her feel a hint of warmth, and also helping her find a path in the bewildering darkness.

She stood up from her chair as told, following Gu Junwan step by step, moving towards the outside of the tent.