Одинокий город закрыт - Глава 54
Chapter word count: 4223 Update time: 08-12-23 14:34
First Victory at Sizhou (Part 1)
The army's march was much slower than when I rode in a horse-drawn carriage.
Because I was too embarrassed to ask for special treatment, I finally learned to ride a horse. I only climbed into the carriage to rest when I was really exhausted. I am now Xi Lan's personal bodyguard, but I am surrounded by a large group of people. The spectacle makes it seem as if I am the Grand Marshal.
You ask who's all around me? Let me tell you: Ye Feng, Yun Yao, Yun Hui, Mu Mo, and the three guards sent by Tian Qing Wang—Wu Yin, Wu Hen, and Wu Ji—supposedly the three guards of Zhi Lan Palace. Of course, there's also Tian Xi Lan, who always goes to the battlefield in white. Yes, Ye Feng has changed his style and gone for the "White Wind" route; I also called Yun Yao and Yun Hui—I can't just leave them at some inn in Tianzhou forever, they refuse to go home obediently; and then there's Mu Mo, one of the guards sent by the fly that appears with a whistle on his bracelet. I figured it would be easier to communicate with the fly, so I brought him along too. These eight people surrounded me, one of whom was the Sixth Prince, the Grand Marshal. All the soldiers were incredibly curious about this thin, short man.
The army was stationed east of Qiqing Pass. According to the plan, the army would then pretend to join forces with the Wangyue Kingdom's army and then attack the Longyao Kingdom together.
I didn't have a separate tent because no matter how grand my entourage, my public identity remained Tian Xilan's personal guard. So every night, no matter how many eyes were fixed on me, I could only obediently go into my tent to sleep. Fortunately, Tian Xilan was a gentleman; at night, he would divide the tent in two with a thick cloth, each of us occupying one side. On the march, especially in winter, bathing was a luxury I could only dream of, so I often slept fully clothed, and nothing embarrassing happened. However, several times in the middle of the night, half-asleep, I felt someone beside me, sometimes tucking me in, sometimes wiping my mouth, sometimes doing nothing at all. Sleep is the most important thing for beauty, so since I didn't open my eyes and catch them red-handed, and I was too embarrassed to argue with Tian Xilan after waking up the next day, I didn't press the issue.
Qinglin has arranged for the troops from Qizhou to be stationed in Hezhou. The fox is probably at the front lines too, but I don't know where he's hiding. That night, he seemed to be muttering something in my ear, but I was so engrossed in his kisses that I didn't hear a word he said. Ugh, how embarrassing! I've been completely bewitched by a fox! As a beautiful woman, I should be able to make others lose their minds and be completely disoriented!
I sat opposite Xi Lan, watching him study the map on the table, strategizing his troops. The Wangyue Kingdom's army would arrive at Sizhou, which borders the Longyao Kingdom's Hezhou, this evening, and encamp at Sihe Pass. I wondered why the Wangyue King had chosen this time to launch his attack; the weather was almost freezing cold. Was it because they wouldn't have enough food until after autumn? The letter from Wangyue set the start time as Chenshi (7-9 AM) the day after tomorrow, when the allied forces would attack from three directions. However, what the Wangyue King didn't know was that the target of their three-way attack was no longer the Longyao Kingdom, but themselves.
It's strange, Xi Lan even had a smile on his face when he was studying military strategy. Sigh, when he volunteered, I seem to have forgotten to remind King Tianqing that Xi Lan has no relevant experience. What if this kid is all show and no substance, even less capable than me?
"Has Xilan ever read any military books before?" I hesitated for a long time before finally asking. This was important; if he really was a novice, I could give him a crash course on "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" or something.
He looked up at me, his smile growing even warmer and gentler, and replied without hesitation, "No."
I almost fainted. Oh my god, I knew it! I gently rubbed my forehead and cautiously suggested, "Why doesn't Xilan discuss it with the other generals?"
"To prevent leaks, the outside world still doesn't know our battle plan."
That's right, it's always better to be cautious. It seems that at this crucial moment, I'll have to step in again. I pouted and slowly got up, walked to Tian Xilan's side, glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, and then leaned on the table to study the map carefully.
Good heavens... if I'm not mistaken, this Tian Xilan is actually a military genius!
"When did Xi Lan go to Wangyue Kingdom?" I looked at the person next to me in surprise. I had seen Xi Lan at Lancai Pavilion before. Now, seeing his familiarity with the terrain of Wangyue Kingdom, could this kid have already traveled all over the six kingdoms? The route marked on the map, after careful consideration, is undoubtedly the best route to the capital of Wangyue Kingdom.
“Last year,” he answered casually.
I immediately ran back to my seat and sat down obediently. That brat was hiding his true abilities; he made me worry for nothing.
Lying on my makeshift bed that night, I pondered whether I should take advantage of the free time the next day to rush to Hezhou to check on the flies and return the silk armor to him. Hezhou and Qingzhou weren't too far apart; I should be able to make the round trip if I got up early and worked late. However, I needed a good horse, and I'd also need to take Yefeng and Mumo with me. With that thought, I immediately leaped up from the ground, displaying unprecedented agility. I flung aside the curtain separating us and ran towards where Tian Xilan was lying, taking three steps at a time.
Xi Lan had already sat up, the blanket slipping down to her waist, and looked at me with a smile, saying, "Wei Mian, why aren't you asleep yet?"
I suddenly hesitated. I wondered if Xilan would think I was running away if I told him I was going to Hezhou. Although I had thought about finding a chance to escape before, I was still a little worried before the battle started. I wanted to see Tianqing and Hanxing betray the enemy and slaughter the Wangyue army.
"Ah? I just haven't taken a bath in a long time. I was wondering if I could go to Qingzhou City to take a bath or something tomorrow." The words that were about to come out finally changed. There was no need to rush. The war was about to begin. When the three armies joined forces to attack Wangyue's army, there would be a chance to see Qinglin. I would look for him then.
“Okay, there’s a place I’ll definitely like. I’ll take you there tomorrow.” He looked at me with bright, sparkling eyes, his eyes full of laughter.
5555, why did I bring up taking a bath again for no reason? Remembering the "painful" lesson from last time, I immediately blushed and ran back to my own half of the tent without saying a word.
The next morning, Xi Lan was busy giving instructions to the generals and didn't mention bathing again, which eased my mind a little. I dismissed everyone except Ye Feng and Mu Mo, and, having nothing else to do, wandered around. The Tianqing army was disciplined and in high spirits, moving about in an orderly fashion. The patrolling soldiers nodded to me. Ah, although we were all guards, once you're close to someone, the treatment is naturally different.
I gleaned some information about the fox and the fly's current situation from Ye Feng and Mu Mo. Then, tired from walking, I returned to camp for a meal. The food wasn't as good as at Yun Mansion or Zhilan Palace, but it was quite good for the current situation. It seemed Xi Lan had specifically instructed me to prepare. Actually, I'm not some pampered princess. I understand that when you have the means and opportunity, you should enjoy life to the fullest; when you don't, you have to make do.
Xi Lan left the tent and went off to do something else. I didn't know anyone in the entire camp, and none of the people around me dared to chat. So, having nothing to do in the afternoon, I slept soundly for a long time. Starting tomorrow, things won't be so comfortable. Although I'm not worried about my safety, even if I'm hiding at the back during a march or battle, the bloody scenes are still shocking and exhausting.
When I woke up, it was already dark outside. Xi Lan was sitting to the side looking at me with his usual gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were full of tenderness. When he saw me looking at him, he did not look away, but looked at me frankly and affectionately, which made me blush with embarrassment.
"Xi Lan, are you done with your work?" I quickly stood up and asked with an awkward smile. The love in his eyes was so obvious; this was the first time Xi Lan had ever looked at me with such a naked gaze.
"Yes, now I'll take Wei Mian somewhere." He smiled and reached out to pull me along, his expression completely natural.
Huh? Is this the bathing area? I looked at Xi Lan, then looked myself up and down, and could only plead, "Xi Lan, let it go. I'm actually quite inconvenient like this, and besides, it's not good for you to leave the military camp right now."
"It's alright, it's not far." He pulled me by the hand and led me outside. Soldiers had already brought over the horse "Ma Zhongtian Xilan". Ignoring the strange looks from others, Xilan grabbed my waist and leaped onto the horse.
I could only let the horse run. To be honest, after learning to ride a horse, riding this "Horse in the Sky" felt incredibly dashing and carefree.
"Xi Lan, what's the name of this horse?" I forgot to ask last time. What kind of name would be worthy of such a handsome horse?
"Xiyue." His voice floated softly from above my head.
I almost fell off my horse. When did Tian Xilan become so inconsiderate? I was about to give him a good talking-to about how to be a decent person when he spoke first: "It is Xixi."
Is the name "Xi Lan" derived from "Yue Wei Mian"?
"Xi Lan, let's change your name. This name sounds the same as the one Father Emperor gave you, and it sounds weird," I suggested cautiously.
"Don't you like Wei Mian?" he asked instead of answering, his voice sounding somewhat forlorn. I couldn't see his face, but I had a feeling that there was probably no smile on his face at that moment.
"No, no." I quickly denied it, and asked with a bit of helplessness, "Xi Lan, why do you keep calling me Wei Mian? You know I'm Yun Yue, or you could just call me tide Yue, wouldn't that be fine?"
Wei Mian is the name of a fox! I've been so influenced by Xi Lan's repeated use of "Wei Mian" that I almost actually thought it was my own name. Oh dear.
"I'm used to it."
His voice was as clear and calm as ever, but I suddenly felt utterly despicable. Even if "Weimian" was a name I made up for myself, it would be better than this. How could I continue to deceive him when the person behind me treated me like this?
"Xi Lan, actually, Wei Mian is not my name, and it's not even a name I made up."
He didn't say anything, but simply put his arm around my waist, and with a leap, he jumped off the horse with me in his arms. Ahead lay dense, dark, and silent forest. He took my hand and led me into the depths of the forest. The moonlight was dim, but I couldn't see the expression on his face.
"Xi Lan," I stopped in my tracks. To be honest, I didn't have the guts to cross the jungle in the dark. Having watched too many Japanese horror movies, the rustling in the woods gave me a chill. "Where are we going?"
"Weimian, are you scared?" As the night deepened, he turned to look at me, his eyes filled with hope yet also a hint of nervousness. His clear eyes were particularly captivating in the darkness.
Fear? Why should I be afraid? Xi Lan is by my side. Although I can't reciprocate his feelings in the same way, he has always protected me unconditionally. To me, Xi Lan is already the most important and special person.
"Xi Lan, call me Qian Qian." I suddenly took Xi Lan's other hand, and the two of us stood facing each other, hand in hand. My heart softened, and I looked at him with a genuine smile. This man in white who was going to the battlefield was someone I had dragged into this mess. From this moment on, I should no longer lie to him about anything.
"Qianqian?" he asked hesitantly, his eyes slightly closed, making it impossible to discern his emotions.