Le charme d'une femme puissante se répand à travers le monde - Chapitre 63
He shook his head, a fleeting look of melancholy in his eyes before quickly returning to its usual clarity. His smile was gentle, and he said softly, "I just don't want Qianqian to feel guilty every time she's with me. I don't want Qianqian to shed tears because of me anymore."
I froze, stunned. Her eyes were bloodshot; was this change in her expression due to a sleepless night? What had I done to deserve such treatment from Xi Lan?
I can't shed another tear, not even tears of joy or tears of emotion. My heart is filled with indescribable feelings. There's no need to analyze whether it's more emotion, joy, bitterness, or heartache; only one thing is certain: this person before me, I believe, will be etched into my heart from this day forward.
"Xi Lan, I want to go to the Longyao military camp." Regardless of whether Qing Lin had considered the concerns we had today, it's always good to remind him.
"Okay," he replied with a smile, but did not move.
I looked at Xi Lan with slight surprise. Huh? Is Xi Lan not coming with me? Last time I wanted to go, I hesitated for a long time, and only managed to get rid of the idea of him coming by using the excuse that I was worried about Wang Yue Zong Ning.
"Then Xilan, keep a close eye on Wangyue Zongning. I'm going now," I said, pursing my lips and looking a little sullen.
"Alright, go ahead. Ride your horse slowly, there's no rush." He stood there, smiling as he watched me walk out of the command camp, gently reminding me.
As I walked out, I tilted my head and suspiciously sized up Xi Lan, almost bumping into a support pillar of the command post. What's this brat up to? He's so strange, it's making me quite uncomfortable!
I rode my horse leisurely to the Longyao military camp, dismounted, and strolled towards the commander's camp. Perhaps because we had met the night before, the Longyao guards not only didn't stop me, but also nodded and greeted me when they saw me. The night wind was still beside me, but that kid never spoke unless there was a reason.
It was still early, and many soldiers were chatting and gossiping in small groups. I smiled as I walked past them, listening to them talk about this family and that. Military life was boring and monotonous, and going to war meant not knowing what tomorrow would bring. Being able to sit together and chat about everyday things was a great happiness for them.
"I heard that our emperor is going to take a new empress," Soldier A said mysteriously to his companion.
I stumbled, and if Ye Feng hadn't caught me in time, I probably would have fallen flat on my backside. Hey, Soldier A, your expression is so mysterious, but your voice isn't mysterious at all! It's so gruff, I could hear you clearly even from four or five meters away.
"Really? Is our emperor really going to marry an empress?" Soldier B was as happy as if he were the groom.
I held onto Ye Feng's hand tightly, preventing him from interrupting the soldiers' conversation. I wanted to hear what that fox had been up to behind my back.
"I've heard that our future empress is a princess from the Cold Star Kingdom," Soldier A said mysteriously, but I heard him clearly again.
The image of the fake man flashed through my mind. No way, would the fox be so tasteless? Besides, he went to Hanxing Kingdom, seemingly impersonating me. And judging from the fake man, he probably doesn't know the fox's true identity.
"No, no, I heard that our emperor is going to marry the princess of Ye Cang Kingdom. Before I set off, my brother who works in the palace told me that the ambassador for the marriage alliance would be Minister Bai of the Ministry of Rites. At this time, Minister Bai may have already arrived in Ye Cang Kingdom and successfully completed the marriage alliance." Soldier C spoke the most confidently.
My heart pounded with alarm, and my fingers unconsciously dug into Ye Feng's wrist. I had previously encountered the general and princess of Hanxing Kingdom, and judging from Fox's attitude, I didn't find anything suspicious. But now, hearing about the marriage alliance with Ye Cang Kingdom, why did I feel panicked and uncertain? Fox had always told me not to worry about the matter between Ye Cang Kingdom and Xiuruo Kingdom. Was he using the marriage alliance to ensure Ye Cang wouldn't interfere in this war? And what about Xiuruo? How could he guarantee that Xiuruo Kingdom wouldn't get involved, regardless of whether that involvement would benefit us or Wangyue?
"Young master, are you alright?" Ye Feng supported me, his voice filled with concern.
I looked up at the sound and it took me a while to see that it was Ye Feng. Looking down, I suddenly realized that I had somehow managed to draw blood from Ye Feng's wrist. I hurriedly let go and tried to wipe the blood with my sleeve, but Ye Feng lowered his hand, his sleeve covering the wound. He didn't even frown once. He glanced at me and said with his head down, "Young master, don't listen to these people's nonsense."
"Nonsense?" The fox's words suddenly echoed in my ears, "No matter what you hear, don't take it seriously, don't overthink it. Qianqian, just trust your brother." So, did the fox guess my current situation all along? Is the marriage alliance real, or is it a deliberately spread rumor? Could something so big be a rumor?
"Night Wind, is your hand alright?" I lowered my head and walked towards the command camp. Let's put the marriage proposal aside for now; the most important thing right now is this war.
"Young master, there's no need to worry, it's nothing serious."
He followed me until I reached the front of the command camp and stopped, then stepped aside as usual. The guards outside the camp actually saluted me. I walked in, puzzled, and saw Erlinzi sitting on the commander's seat, studying the map on the table with great concentration. He seemed to sense someone coming in, but he didn't look up. He just said in a deep voice, "Put your things down and leave."
"But I didn't bring a gift for my second brother." I walked to the table and teased Erlinzi mischievously.
He suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but it instantly turned into a respectful and complicated expression. He uttered a soft "Qianqian" but said nothing more. He got up and walked to me, actually performing a courtier's salute to me.
I jumped back a big step and stammered, "Er...Er Linzi, what are you doing?"
The kid had a light stubble on his chin. Although his appearance was reasonably neat, he looked a little haggard. But these were minor issues. The big problem was why Erlinzi was bowing to me.
"Qianqian." He called again, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped, and said nothing at all.
I stroked my chin, frowning as I scrutinized him. What day is it today? Why is everyone acting so strangely? Wait...wait, the etiquette between ruler and subject...last night? Oh my god, I'm going to cry. What's Erlinzi thinking?
"Damn it, Second Brother, your thoughts are so impure!" I jumped forward, grabbed Qinglin's shirt tightly, and said through gritted teeth.
Erlinzi let me tug at his clothes, staring blankly and asking in confusion, "Not pure?"
Ugh, how am I supposed to explain this? I let go, patted my forehead, took a deep breath, and said with a slightly flushed face, "Well, nothing happened last night."
He didn't speak, and I looked up in slight surprise, only to find that Erlinzi's face was still filled with complex and conflicted emotions. Uh, it seems he's forgotten the deeply ingrained imperial mindset of this era. Let alone having slept with a fox for a night, I reckon that if a fox were to set its sights on someone, that subject wouldn't dare to have any wicked thoughts.
"How about I call you Third Brother for now?" Fly hesitated for a long time before finally blurting out these words.
My anger flared up, and I grabbed his shirt again, yelling, "Mu Qinglin, I haven't married that fox yet! Even if I did, you'd still be my second brother. Call me Qianqian, and always call me that, understand?"
Oh my god, I'm so depressed! If I really became one of the fox's concubines, do you think Erlinzi would still dare to call me Qianqian? The emperor's concubine's given name—how could a mere subject, at most a sworn brother, just call her that? It seems even one's own father and mother have to be addressed as "Empress"—how disgusting!
"A fox?" The boy looked completely bewildered again.
I immediately felt embarrassed. I guess I got too excited. Now look what's happened! If Fox finds out I told someone about this nickname, he'll definitely be furious! 5555
"What fox? Second brother, you must be hard of hearing. Right, I have something important to tell you. Sit down, and I'll tell you slowly." I quickly pushed Qinglin in front of his seat, grabbed his shoulders and pressed him down, while changing the subject.
"Is it about the Tencel Soft Armor? This soft armor is a gift I gave to... uh... Qianqian. Besides, I have martial arts skills for self-defense, so Qianqian should wear it." He finally called out to Qianqian, and while sitting down, he kept talking about the Tencel Soft Armor.
Oops, I almost forgot I said I'd return the silk armor to him. How could I be so forgetful? Speaking of the armor, I don't think I've returned the jade pendant I gave to the soldier yesterday when he asked for an audience. I spread my hands, pouting, and said, "Second Brother, where's that jade pendant from yesterday?"
Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Asleep (Revised Edition) Volume Three: If Life Were Only Like Our First Meeting, Gossip and Rumors Will Last (Part Two)
Chapter word count: 4501 Update time: 08-12-23 14:36
Gossip and slander (Part 2)
As soon as I returned to the Azure Sky Army camp, I sensed something was off. Several soldiers were running around nervously. I grabbed one of them and quickly asked, "What happened?"
"There...there's an assassin!" He glanced at me and answered in a panic.
I immediately ran towards the commander's camp, and once I reached it, I lifted the tent flap and rushed inside. I saw Xi Lan sitting peacefully on the commander's seat, and then I put my hands on my legs, bent over, and gasped for breath.