Chapter 77 (First published on Jinjiang) (2nd update) "Prince Chen of Youzhou,..."

After listening to what Ruan Yu said, Chao Lu fell silent.

Ruan Yu asked softly, "What do you think about this?"

Chao Lu squinted: "Naren?"

Ruan Yu pursed her lips: "I suspect it, but I'm not sure. If it really is her, isn't she Saren's younger sister? That's too much..."

But Ruan Yu thought of the inner quarters of Chang'an, where countless sisters had turned against each other.

That's not surprising.

Chaolu pondered for a moment: "Indeed, I didn't expect that, but I wonder what Father Khan thinks."

Ruan Yu lowered her eyes and said, "Mother went to see Father Khan, but who Father Khan will suspect is unknown."

"With a major battle imminent, Father Khan will seek stability. Even if this matter is to be investigated, it will be done in secret."

Ruan Yu: "Yes, that's what I think too."

Chao Lu suddenly sighed and pulled her into his arms.

Why are you sighing?

"The grasslands are unstable, and suddenly I don't want to go on the expedition."

Ruan Yu smiled and asked, "So what do you want to do?"

"I'll stay by your side and not go anywhere else."

"But what if wolves come in, surrounded by enemies outside?"

Chao Lu was silent for a moment, then said, "Then I'll go kill the wolves for you."

Ruan Yu chuckled and snuggled closer to him: "You have the ability. I'm staying at home right now, not going anywhere. With so many people around, I won't be in any danger. But you, I'm very worried about you going out this time."

"Didn't I say I wouldn't..."

"Don't say anything discouraging, I don't want to hear a single word of it."

Chao Lu silently shut up.

If he won't say it, then he'll do it.

The army would be leaving the day after tomorrow, and he was truly reluctant to part with the people beneath him. Ruan Yu suddenly hugged his shoulders tightly as well.

The couple cherished these few days together.

…………

"Haha, welcome, envoy of Chang'an!"

The next morning, Pei Du arrived at the Chaha tribe, where Hurile hosted a banquet in his honor.

The fact that Chang'an sent someone at this time was undoubtedly a good thing.

They had previously sent wheat seeds and seed drills. This was a symbol of the friendly relations between Chang'an and the Chaha tribe.

The arrival of the Pei clan in person has further boosted the morale of the Chaha tribe.

Aohan were always traitors and rebels; they were only trying to quell the rebellion.

It is impossible to replace Chaha.

Pei Du indeed brought many gifts again and was treated as an honored guest by Hurile.

Chaolu and other Taijis were all inside the tent, and everyone was very friendly.

Ruan Yu heard that a banquet would be held that evening.

She was writing a letter to her mother at her desk when she paused, looked up, and said, "These past few days have been really busy. During the day, we're busy sending troops out, and at night we have to host banquets."

Xuan Niang: "The Khan probably considered this too, and only made simple arrangements. After all, it has to be a respectable affair."

"That's true. Then you should prepare some hangover soup in advance. I'm afraid Chaolu will feel unwell if he drinks too much."

"yes."

Dinner tonight.

Naren has already attended the banquet as Grand Khatun.

This is clearly a signal.

The Great Khan has not yet been formally appointed, but after this victory, it makes sense that Prince Char is the commander-in-chief.

In the evening, Hela came to find Ruan Yu, who had also gone to the banquet, but they didn't have to attend formally, so they just looked around nearby.

Hela couldn't help but exclaim, "Look at Naren, she looks almost like a peacock! She's really not to be underestimated. Even Baoyin looks much better than before, and so does Yuzhu."

Ruan Yu: "...No, the etiquette of Dahadun has always been like that."

Naren is smart and won't overstep the boundaries, but she is indeed dressed much more elaborately than usual, which is a bit unusual.

"As for Yuzhu, I've heard that she's been looking down on people lately."

Ruan Yu lowered her eyes. That's true.

After returning from Lingzhou, Yuzhu stopped looking for her and didn't even go to Qiqige's place.

In fact, Ruan Yu understood. Yu Zhu was pregnant and had been poisoned before, so it was only natural for her to avoid the topic.

But how can there be no boundaries in one's heart?

That's fine for her, but Qiqige is also pregnant, yet she's depressed because of Bayar's injury.

Even Ruan Yu was worried about the baby in her belly and sent her supplements several times.

Yu Zhuzhen has never been there.

This way of doing things is a bit petty.

But she always seemed to be like this.

Ruan Yu wouldn't offer any guidance.

She and Hela walked around outside the tent and suddenly saw Chaolu's figure.

Hela smiled and was about to call for help when she suddenly saw Pei Du's figure walking out.

Hela's words came to an abrupt end.

Ruan Yu naturally saw them too, but the two people over there clearly didn't see them.

The two stopped in their tracks.

Even though Chao Lu was unconventional in front of Ruan Yu, he didn't show it at all in public, especially in front of Pei Du. The two exchanged polite greetings and began to talk.

It was all just polite talk, which Ruan Yu could guess, but for some reason, Chao Lu's expression suddenly turned serious.

The place was secluded, and there was no one around. Pei Du lowered his voice and said, "I heard that Your Highness will be setting off for Aohan tomorrow."

Chao Lu nodded: "It's no secret anymore, everyone knows it."

"I was a little surprised that the commander-in-chief this time was Prince Charles. I thought it would be His Highness."

These words carried a hint of probing. Chao Lu wasn't stupid; he wouldn't let outsiders pry into his private affairs. So he smiled, gave a vague reply, and Pei Du didn't press the matter.

“Actually, this trip is not just to pay homage to the Great Khan,” Pei Du suddenly said, lowering his eyes.

Chao Lu was a little surprised and glanced at him: "Oh? Is there anything else?"

Pei Du seemed to hesitate for a moment before saying, "Do you know the Prince of Chen of Youzhou?"

Chao Lu: "I have heard a little about it. I heard that he moved to Youzhou in his early years."

"That's right... Youzhou has raised an army; it's a rebellion."

Chao Lu was greatly alarmed!

He was genuinely surprised and couldn't believe that Pei Du would tell him this.

This is considered a secret of Chang'an.

Pei Du fully understood Chao Lu's thoughts and said calmly, "It's nothing. Everyone in the Central Plains already knows. It's just that the grasslands are too far away, so the news hasn't reached His Majesty's ears. Youzhou is in the east and closer to the Central Plains. Prince Chen's aggressive approach this time caught us off guard. His Majesty never expected that Prince Chen's strength had reached such a level. That's why I received a secret report overnight and went to the grasslands."

Chao Lu understood, and frowned, asking, "Does the Emperor want us to provide support?"

"That's one way to understand it, but it's not necessary right now. His Majesty has been keeping an eye on your civil war."

"Will you lend a hand to us in Chaha?"

Pei Du: "I did not bring any troops."

Chao Lu frowned: "What do you mean?"

After asking the question, he understood immediately without Pei Du needing to say anything.

"The emperor is observing?!"

A surge of anger suddenly rose in Chao Lu's heart! It is said that the emperors of the Central Plains have unfathomable hearts, and at this critical juncture, he was sitting on the sidelines watching the tigers fight.

Chaha and Aohan.

Whoever wins or loses this battle will become the emperor's ally.

Chao Lu's face was extremely ugly.

Pei Du: "Your Highness, I shouldn't be telling you these things, but in our time together in Lingzhou, in my humble opinion, I've come to regard you as a friend, which is why I'm saying a few more words. In fact, the Central Plains has a higher opinion of Aohan, do you understand?"

Chao Lu gritted his teeth, his fists clenching so tightly they cracked.

Pei Du's words indeed crossed the line of their relationship.

Chao Lu's expression was complicated.

Why?

"Perhaps I'm biased and hope you win." Pei Du smiled and even patted him on the shoulder.

"But I must remind you that Dao'er from Aohan is very powerful."

Chaolu suddenly smiled and said, "My Chaha tribe is not to be trifled with either."

Pei Du nodded: "Yes, I know."

Chaolu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Will you be staying for a long time this time?"

Pei Du smiled: "It should."

"Okay, I'll be leaving tomorrow. Please take good care of me. Things have been a bit unsettled lately."

When he said this, his eyes seemed a little unfocused, and he didn't say a word about what he was referring to or who he was referring to.

But Pei Du laughed.

She laughed very softly.

"Wait for His Highness to return."

Chao Lu gave a somewhat awkward "hmm".

A grown man, what's with all this talk about waiting or not?

He is, after all, a scholar; he is very refined and literary.

He shouldn't have said that extra word!

-

When Chao Lu returned, Ruan Yu was already in the tent.

Although she saw Pei Du talking to him, she didn't hear what he said.

But in the end, when Chao Lu's expression turned serious, with a hint of coldness she had never seen before, and Pei Du was the same, Ruan Yu realized it.

Just how serious is this expedition to Chaolu?

Perhaps there are many more difficulties that she could never have imagined.

After much thought, Ruan Yu felt even more uneasy. She had the small kitchen prepare all the dishes that Chao Lu liked, and she also personally cooked milk cakes. Finally, she brought over a jar of wine.

When Chaolu returned to his room and saw it, he was stunned for a moment.

Ruan Yu: "Shall we take a bath first or eat first?"

Chao Lu's gaze shifted from the table full of fine wine and meat to her.

Then he noticed that Yu Yu was very different tonight.

She wore bright red lipstick and her most exquisite ruby ​​jewelry. Her light and delicate silk dress made her look like a fairy who could float away at any moment.

She hadn't even taken off her earrings; they swayed under the light, completely...

It's about seducing him.

Chao Lu suddenly smiled and threw away the knife in his hand.

"I'm not eating, I'm eating you."

As he spoke, he went to untie the belt around his waist.

Ruan Yu: "..."

"Go take a bath." Her sharp eyes lacked their usual intensity, and her smile towards Lu carried a roguish air. She leaned forward, and Ruan Yu lowered her eyes.

"Okay, wait for me a moment."

Chao Lu's pronunciation was a bit heavy, clearly carrying a hint of anger.

Ruan Yu didn't blame him; she did it on purpose.

Tomorrow, Chaolu will set off on his expedition.

She wanted to make him happy tonight.

But... it washed way too fast.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Ruan Yu gave him a disdainful look: "Are you wet or not?"

Chao Lu chuckled and leaned closer: "You're with a bunch of civil officials all day, and you don't sweat... You can smell it if you don't believe me."

Ruan Yu didn't want to ask, so she held the book to his lips, not wanting to listen to his nonsense.

"Let's eat first," she said, a little nervous, trying to change the subject.

Chao Lu glanced at the food: "I'll have to rinse my mouth after eating, too much trouble. Let's finish making it first. Or... let's continue making it after we finish eating..."

Ruan Yu: "...Shut up."

Chaolu laughed and bit his ear, while his hand reached out to tug at her skirt.

"This dress is so beautiful, it's like I'm not wearing anything at all. I'll wear it again when I get back."

Ruan Yu had no desire to talk to him anymore.

The moonlight on the grassland was beautiful tonight. Chao Lu was dissatisfied with the lack of enjoyment on the couch, so he picked her up and carried her. Ruan Yu whimpered and bit his hard shoulder.

Two or three marks were left on my fingernails.

Chao Lu glanced at her sideways and then kissed the corner of her red lips.

"Good girl, you didn't complain about being tired today."

Ruan Yu's eyes filled with tears, and she gritted her teeth.

The army will assemble at 5:00 AM.

Chaolu barely slept all night.

As dawn approached, Ruan Yu was too exhausted to see him off.

He stood before Ruan Yu, fully dressed in his battle armor. Ruan Yu struggled to sit up, but he gently put her down again.

"Yu Yu, stay home and wait for me. We will win this battle."

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Author's note: That's all for today.