Mercenary Princess - Chapter 85
"Where there's a will, there's a way! I never believe there's nothing in this world that can't be accomplished. Nothing is difficult if you set your mind to it!"
Tuoba Chen choked with anger, his starry eyes widening, now blazing with fury in their once-bright gaze. Rong Yue raised her head, glaring back defiantly, her clear almond-shaped eyes filled with stubbornness and determination.
Rongyue's dark, deep eyes were like a bottomless spring, drawing six of Tuoba Chen's seven souls away. Staring intently into the depths of Rongyue's eyes, Tuoba Chen's thoughts wandered; deep within his heart, it seemed as if light, cheerful music was playing…
The dazed and confused look in Tuoba Chen's eyes made Rongyue feel a little awkward. She wasn't an ignorant young girl; how could she not know what that expression meant? Although she had spent so much time among men that she sometimes forgot she was a woman, she was still, at heart, a woman. Facing a man who was showing her such ambiguous feelings, she couldn't help but feel a little awkward and shy.
Looking away, Rongyue pretended not to notice and continued wiping the sweat from her neck: "Your Highness, call me stubborn, call me ungrateful, or don't know what's good for me, but once I've made up my mind, there's no reason for me to change it. Now that my mind is made up, please don't say anything more! If there's nothing else, Your Highness, it's getting late, you should go back to your residence soon. It's late, and the road might be difficult to travel."
After a short pause, Rongyue was surprised to hear no reply from Tuoba Chen. She looked up at him, only to be met with his piercing, intense gaze.
"Second Prince..."
"Look, you haven't even wiped the sweat off yet! How can I trust you to go to the Northern Frontier alone when you're so careless?" Taking the towel from Rongyue's hand, Tuoba Chen ignored Rongyue's embarrassed expression and calmly wiped the remaining sweat from her neck.
The ambiguous glances, words, and actions made Rongyue's cheeks flush. She quickly escaped Tuoba Chen's aura, coughing a few times and saying awkwardly, "Second Prince, such a small matter is not worth troubling..."
"If Your Highness doesn't find it troublesome?" Tuoba Chen chuckled softly, fiddling with the towel in his hand.
"Your Highness... please stop teasing me..."
Tuoba Chen suppressed his smile, took a large step forward, and leaned closer to Rong Yue: "Little San, you know what I'm thinking, don't you?"
The masculine aura emanating from him made Rongyue want to flee again. Seeing Rongyue's intention, Tuoba Chen hooked his long arm around her and pulled her close.
"Little San, do you really want to live like this forever? All alone, don't you feel lonely? Little San, being a man is too tiring and too difficult. No matter how strong you are, you're still a woman, and your shoulders can't bear too much weight. Little San, you... just come with me! I promise I'll treat you well for the rest of my life!" Seemingly the first time he'd ever proposed, Tuoba Chen spoke lightly, but the stiffness on his face betrayed his nervousness. The arm resting on Rong Yue's shoulder trembled slightly, a thin layer of sweat beading on her palm and forehead.
After a brief moment of surprise, Rongyue's heart gradually calmed down. Gently pushing away Tuoba Chen's arm, she smiled slightly at him: "Your Highness, please don't say such foolish things that are inconsistent with your status. Jokes are fine, but if they go too far, they might not only harm others but also implicate yourself. I disagree with your earlier statement that I was wasting my life, because I am someone who cherishes my life very much. Unless absolutely necessary, I would never do anything that might endanger my safety, and I will stay as far away as possible from those who pose a threat to my safety. So, Your Highness, if you continue to make jokes that could cost me my head at any moment, then don't blame me for not treating you as a friend, for not giving you face, and for avoiding you like a mouse avoids a cat, running away as fast as I can."
A fleeting look of disappointment crossed his face. He casually shrugged, using a smile to mask the disappointment in his eyes: "What Xiao San said is absolutely right. It was I who was too unrestrained, making such outrageous jokes! Oh, by the way! If I heard correctly, Xiao San, you just said you consider me a friend?"
"Could it be that I, an official, am worthy of your status?"
"No, no, how could that be! I'm really glad you consider me a friend!" Even if it's just a friend...
"Then this humble official will try to climb the social ladder by associating with the prince!"
"Aren't you being too formal? Since we're friends, from now on, in private, you need to speak to me like a friend. Also, you need to change how you address me. Always calling me 'Second Prince' feels so distant..."
"That……"
"Why don't you just call me Chen?"
"Your Highness, how could you do this..."
"Why not! Aren't we friends? What's wrong with friends addressing each other like that? Could it be that you, mistress, never considered me a friend at all?"
"How could this be!"
"Then call me by my name."
After a long pause, Rongyue managed to squeeze out a single word through gritted teeth: "Chen..."
Tuoba Chen's body trembled slightly, then he patted Rongyue's shoulder and smiled, "That's right!" He stared at Rongyue for a while, then his tone became serious, "Little San, have you decided to go to the Northern Frontier?"
Raising her head, Rongyue's eyes gleamed with unwavering determination: "I absolutely must go!"
Taking a deep breath, Tuoba Chen revealed an inscrutable smile: "Very well."
...
The following day, another clash occurred in the court: the Second Prince Tuoba Chen and Prime Minister Tuoba Jie simultaneously submitted memorials requesting the position of military supervisor for the upcoming expedition to the northern frontier. In the Zichen Hall, Tuoba Chen and Tuoba Jie refused to yield, each vying to explain why they were suitable for the position. They also frequently gestured to court officials who were on good terms with them, urging them to step forward and say a few words on their behalf, hoping to increase their chances of obtaining the post.
Watching the two engaged in a fierce verbal battle in the hall, observing their relentless determination to achieve their goals, Rongyue felt a growing unease. She understood Tuoba Chen's behavior somewhat, but Tuoba Jie's obsession with the position... seemed truly a bit unreasonable...
Why would the Prime Minister, a man second only to the emperor and above all others, focus his attention on a mere military supervisor position? What are Tuoba Jie's true intentions...?
Annoyed by the two of them, the old emperor simply tossed the burden to Rongyue, who was deep in thought: "Minister Jian, tell me, who is the best choice for the position of military supervisor?"
He quickly composed himself, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said, "Your Majesty is wise and has made your own judgment. How can I, a humble subject, be allowed to confuse Your Majesty's understanding?"
“Please speak freely, Minister Jian. I would like to hear your opinion.”
Four pairs of eyes, plus two from the throne, a total of six gazes were fixed on Rongyue, who stood with her hands clasped in respect. Thinking to herself, 'A cunning old fox,' Rongyue glanced at the two men out of the corner of her eye, pondering who would be the most suitable choice, and how to answer without offending anyone…
Choosing Tuoba Chen? Spending months in a military camp teeming with wolves and women, even a sow would look stunning! Besides, Tuoba Chen harbors ambiguous feelings for her. As the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry. If things were to escalate, the issue wouldn't be as simple as "adults, let's part amicably!"
Tuoba Jie? This unpredictable man constantly gave her a strange sense of oppression. Her sixth sense told her he was far too complex, and it was best to stay as far away from him as possible. Although he hadn't done anything to harm her so far, and even her first job in Yangcheng was thanks to his promotion and appreciation, she still couldn't bring herself to like him. As the saying goes, one should always be wary of others. If she chose him to accompany her on the expedition, she wasn't afraid of anything else, but rather that he might sabotage her at a crucial moment… She had worked so hard to secure this opportunity; if he ruined it, wouldn't her dream of military power be shattered?
"Is it necessary to have a military supervisor during a military campaign?" Rongyue's casual question made the cautious and shrewd old emperor's mind jump.
Because the Grand General holds military power, to prevent any disloyal Grand General from seizing the opportunity to rebel during campaigns, the Emperor always dispatches his most trusted advisors to accompany the army as supervisors. In short, the position of supervisor doesn't have a specific group of people; anyone trusted can serve as a supervisor. Now, Rong Yue, as a Grand General, doesn't want a supervisor to accompany her. While the speaker may have said it unintentionally, the listener is quite intrigued!
The old emperor couldn't help but wonder if he was still angry about the last time he took his wife, and therefore wanted to seize his throne. His old eyes gleamed, and he squinted at Rongyue, whose face was expressionless below the platform, his thoughts racing.
Upon hearing Rongyue's question and glancing at his father's expression, Tuoba Chen's heart sank. He thought to himself, "Oh no! That little bastard is just asking for trouble!"
With a stern face, Tuoba Chen pointed at Rong Yue below the platform and shouted, "Jian Xiaosan, do you know your crime! A general with a million troops under your command, yet you march and fight without a supervisor. Do you intend to rebel?!"
These words were like a wake-up call! Realizing she had just made a fatal mistake, Rongyue broke out in a cold sweat. She quickly regulated her breathing, forced herself to calm her mind, and instantly composed herself.
Adopting a fearful and trembling expression, Rongyue hurriedly knelt down and cried out, "Your Highness, I am innocent! I am loyal and devoted, and I wholeheartedly hope to serve the country and the Emperor. How could I have harbored such treasonous thoughts?"
"Then why don't you want to take the military supervisor with you on the expedition?"
Feigning confusion: "What does bringing the eunuchs have to do with rebellion?"
Tuoba Chen raised his voice: "Don't you know the rules of our Southern Kingdom?"