A Pharaoh and Her Beloved Queen - Chapter 4

The urgent need for military supplies had not affected the extravagant lifestyle of the Egyptian nobility in the slightest. As the foundation of the Golden Empire, Egypt’s heritage remained unshaken even after ten consecutive years of war.

Faced with such a powerful empire, she was insignificantly small—like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating her own strength.

A trace of desolation flickered in Ye Zhiqing’s expression before vanishing instantly. She leaned outward against the railing with both hands, her wind-blown hair fluttering past her waist and shaking off the shimmering moonlight.

Punt, the place that had held her joys and sorrows for twenty-three years, was truly perishing before her eyes. Now, the final task she could perform for Punt had been achieved…

However, before Ye Zhiqing could continue her lament, Edith walked up behind her at some unknown moment and coolly dictated the status Ye Zhiqing would hold in Egypt from now on.

A clear, pleasant voice, the kind that easily wins people over, fell beside Ye Zhiqing’s ear.

“Would you be willing to become my concubine and return to Thebes with me?” Though phrased as a soft inquiry, the tone was laced with naked seduction.

The deep blue lake shimmered with vast mist and flecks of gold. On the distant shore, gentle sand dunes stretched to the horizon, as if the desert itself were breathing softly in the silence of the night.

Turning around, Ye Zhiqing nearly bumped into Edith’s chest. A cold, crisp fragrance invaded her nose. Her pupils constricted slightly as she looked into Edith’s beautiful eyes without speaking. Edith’s “inquiry” was less a question and more a threat.

She thought privately of the golden scepter that had brought her to this world. She had sent people to search all over Punt and its neighboring countries, but they had found nothing. Although the scepter bore no symbolic markings, Ye Zhiqing’s intuition told her it was connected to Egypt. In the past, her plans to visit Egypt had fallen through for various reasons; perhaps this opportunity would lead to clues.

Furthermore, for the Queen of a defeated nation, staying as a royal concubine would meet with the least resistance.

Once she understood this, there was nothing to hesitate about. Ye Zhiqing replied frankly, “Fine.”

Both women understood exactly why Edith wanted to keep her; it was simply to squeeze out her remaining value.

With a casual, light laugh, Edith leaned further toward Ye Zhiqing. She braced both hands on the ship’s railing, her arms surrounding Ye Zhiqing’s slender waist in a domineering embrace.

Frowning imperceptibly, Ye Zhiqing looked up into Edith’s somewhat flirtatious smile. “Your Majesty, I am well aware of the reason for your ‘mercy’ in keeping me. I also know the status of concubine is merely an excuse. I ask that you uphold royal etiquette.” Her words were marked by undisguised indifference and distance.

“And if I say it isn’t an excuse?” Edith countered with a smile, looking Ye Zhiqing in the eye with complete composure.

Pale gold pupils swirled with radiant light and unmasked ambition. Ye Zhiqing thought that few people could look into those eyes and remain unswayed.

Using a bit of force to push away Edith’s bracing arm, Ye Zhiqing nimbly retreated to the table, stopping only after putting a significant distance between them.

“You are drunk,” Ye Zhiqing said, standing gracefully by the table, dismissing the topic.

Edith laughed in spite of herself and did not press further.

That night, Ye Zhiqing did not return to Edith’s room. Instead, she was assigned a cabin on the top level. Opening the window revealed a magnificent view of the Nile. For the next few days, she did not see Edith again. Aside from the female official who followed her everywhere, Ye Zhiqing lived quite leisurely.

Relieved of responsibilities as heavy as a mountain, Ye Zhiqing grew more at peace each day. Since the trajectory of history could not be changed, she would accept it and strive to find a way back home as soon as possible.

The bizarre arrival here twenty-three years ago—the shock, terror, confusion, and pain—had once tortured her to the point of near-madness.

But when pushed to the limit, people often develop an extreme response. A strong will to survive had forced her to tirelessly absorb everything about this world, molding her into the calm, rational, almost unnervingly composed person she was today.

It was the relief of a phoenix rising from the ashes.

When her expression relaxed, she was more beautiful than the water lilies in the palace. Beside her, the official Lamassu marveled at Ye Zhiqing’s beauty while silently recording her every move. This was the only royal prisoner she had ever seen receive such good treatment; in the past, regardless of rank, the Queen had always executed them immediately.

After deliberating for a long while, Lamassu finally spoke: “Miss Ye, we will arrive at Tanis in two days.”

Tanis was a major military stronghold in northern Egypt, located in the fertile delta of the lower Nile. It faced the Hittites across the Mediterranean. Due to geographic constraints, the two nations usually fought at sea. The loss of warships was immense, placing a heavy financial burden on both countries.

Ye Zhiqing nodded gracefully to show she understood, though she was slightly surprised. Edith was bypassing Thebes to go directly to the Mediterranean front. Had the war with the Hittites worsened?

The leisurely days on the boat flashed by. The cold, murderous army stood firm against the raging winds as the towering gray-white walls of the city gradually appeared. Further off, the riverbed opened up abruptly, pouring into the Mediterranean in an inverted triangle.

Early that morning, Lamassu woke Ye Zhiqing. After a quick bite to eat, she waited on the deck. Edith stood in golden armor on the highest protruding terrace, the longsword at her waist flashing with a piercing cold light in the sun.

She was majestic and powerful, inspiring both fear and awe.

Standing in a corner, Ye Zhiqing could only see Edith’s profile. Standing there alone, the Queen easily suppressed the blood-soaked killing intent of her soldiers.

In an era of great conflict, Ye Zhiqing had to admit that Edith was an exceptionally outstanding monarch—ambitious, visionary, and decisive.

A grand salute followed. The army’s suppressed fighting spirit surged forth; the cold iron armor and clashing weapons jolted the nerves of everyone present. Even Ye Zhiqing felt her blood racing through her veins, her whole body growing warm.

After disembarking, Ye Zhiqing and Lamassu tacitly stayed at the back of the crowd. The welcoming party mounted their horses in an orderly fashion and galloped toward the city gates, leaving clouds of dust in their wake.

“Miss Ye, would you like to ride a horse, or enter the city with the cargo carriages?” Accompanied by a squad of royal guards, Lamassu wasn’t worried about accidents. Seeing Ye Zhiqing standing still, she waited patiently.

As Edith, surrounded by her army, blurred in the distance, Ye Zhiqing pursed her lips in silence. Her current status was sensitive; it was best to be ignored if possible. However, not knowing Edith’s next move left a trace of unease in her heart.

Today, Ye Zhiqing wore a plain linen robe with a veil over her face and her dark hair loose. Although her curly hair was somewhat unusual, no one paid much attention in the bustling crowd.

The cargo carriages moved slowly. Lamassu eventually found an empty one, and they drove toward the city of Tanis at a steady pace.

Halfway there, the sudden sound of rapid hooves approached, kicking up sand that pelted the carriage. Ye Zhiqing, who had been resting with her eyes closed by the window, opened them to see Edith returning, followed by a squad of well-equipped cavalry.

Having taken off her armor, Edith was wrapped in a hooded robe. She reached out a hand to Ye Zhiqing, her tone still indifferent and forceful: “Get on the horse.”

…

Riding a horse in such a harsh environment offered Ye Zhiqing absolutely no joy. Just as she was thinking of how to refuse, a firm, strong arm scooped her directly onto the horse, giving her no chance to decline.

The coarse wind poured into her mouth. Her gasp was choked off in her throat. “Cough—slow down—!”

The only response was a low shout from the person behind her. With a crack of the whip, the horse jolted even more violently. The wind, carrying grit, slapped her face directly. Ye Zhiqing opened her mouth to speak, but the wind was so strong it was difficult even to breathe.

Before she could suffocate, a robe warmed by body heat was pulled over her, blocking the raging wind and tucking her securely into a warm embrace.

She could clearly feel the steady, powerful heartbeat behind her, as well as the suppressed, joyful laughter echoing in the chest pressing against her back.

…

The usually self-restrained Ye Zhiqing was uncharacteristically flustered and annoyed. She twisted around, tilted her head back, and bit down hard on Edith’s jaw.

“Hiss.” A sharp pain and a warm sensation came from her jaw simultaneously. Edith pulled the reins tighter, and the horse ran even faster, showing no intention of slowing down.

Ye Zhiqing bit very hard until the taste of iron spread in her mouth…

Locked in a silent contest, the two of them entered the city in a stalemate.

Only when the horse came to a complete stop did Ye Zhiqing release her grip. A clear, sharp female voice came from beside the horse: “King, everything is ready.”

Completely muffled inside the robe, Ye Zhiqing couldn’t see the situation outside. Her cramped body ached, her stomach was in knots, and her head was spinning. She leaned honestly against Edith without moving.

The world spun. Before her eyes could adjust to the bright light, she fell from the horse into a familiar embrace. Edith’s powerful arms held her in a tight grip, making her completely unable to move.

The violent jolting of the horse required quite a while for Ye Zhiqing to recover from. She caught a glimpse of the owner of the female voice—it was the female general she had seen at the harbor. The general kept her eyes forward as she followed Edith, ignoring Ye Zhiqing in the Queen’s arms as if she were invisible.

Looking up at the prominent tooth marks on Edith’s chin, Ye Zhiqing’s eyes flickered. She simply closed her eyes—out of sight, out of mind.

Seeing Ye Zhiqing lying so submissively in her arms, Edith was in a great mood. The corners of her lips curled up as she quickened her pace.

Upon entering the courtyard, a refreshing coolness met them. Edith placed Ye Zhiqing on a soft couch in the veranda. “Ye Zhiqing, Lamassu will be your personal official from now on. Until the battle with the Hittites is over, you will live here.”

A shimmering glow danced in her amber eyes, perfectly masking the schemes deep in her heart. Ye Zhiqing said nothing, turning her gaze away and ignoring Edith entirely.

Standing outside the corridor, Heshi silently watched Edith’s unusual behavior and the abrupt tooth marks on her chin. There was no doubt they were from the woman lying on the couch. Her gaze toward Ye Zhiqing grew guarded.

As Egypt’s most courageous and battle-hardened general, she had to remain vigilant against any lurking dangers around the Pharaoh.

“Heh, heh…” The lazy laughter bubbling from Edith’s throat indicated she was in high spirits. She didn’t mind Ye Zhiqing’s coldness at all as she turned and walked away quickly.

The grain from Punt was enough to solve the immediate crisis, but the Hittites were still reinforcing their troops on the north coast of the Mediterranean. The situation was growing even more severe.