Song Yunzhao heard the Emperor grit his teeth and placed her other hand over his, as if to soothe him.
Feng Yi stared ahead and said slowly, "In the time of the Founding Emperor, our dynasty's armies were vast and our generals plentiful. The Capital Guard was brimming with talent, and it was an honor for anyone to join its ranks."
Song Yunzhao listened quietly. She knew Feng Yi didn't need her to say anything; she just had to be a listener.
"During Emperor Wenzong's reign, wherever our grand armies marched, their banners stretched as far as the eye could see and their drums thundered, shaking the very heavens. Our enemies would lose heart at the mere sound of our approach. But now? The great Capital Guard is nothing but a joke!"
Song Yunzhao couldn't quite empathize with the Emperor's feelings. But then she thought about it from a different angle. 'If I had a straight-A student for a son, and his grades suddenly plummeted, I'd instantly feel the same way.'
