Chapter 59 The Expedition "I will naturally remain chaste for you."...
The following day, Xie Lanzhou announced in the imperial court that he would personally lead an expedition against the State of Lu, causing an uproar throughout the court.
The Imperial Censor said with concern, "The battlefield is dangerous, and His Majesty has no heir. This is absolutely unacceptable."
Although he phrased it tactfully, his meaning was clear: he feared that Xie Lanzhou might die on the battlefield and there would be no one to succeed him.
Xie Lanzhou curled his lips into a cold smile. These old guys were very contradictory. On the one hand, they felt that he was unworthy of his position and not a wise ruler, but on the other hand, they were afraid that if he died, there would be no one to succeed him.
One after another, officials stepped forward to object. Xie Lanzhou listened quietly, rubbing the ring on his finger and wondering if he had been too amiable lately.
Another courtier stepped forward to say something, but he waved him off.
"What you are worried about is easy to solve. If I die, the Imperial Concubine will succeed me."
Upon hearing this, the courtiers below exchanged bewildered glances, and after a moment, they revealed expressions of surprise and astonishment.
"How can the fate of our nation be treated so lightly!"
"There has never been a precedent of a concubine rising to a higher rank throughout history."
"This is absolutely absurd."
Xie Lanzhou listened to the discussions below casually, his voice deliberately lowered, but it still revealed surprise, doubt and dissatisfaction.
Until a young man from a prominent family who had just entered officialdom muttered in a low voice, "How can a lowly palace maid inherit the throne?"
Xie Lanzhou suddenly raised his eyes, coldly glanced at the man, pointed to his location, and said indifferently, "Drag him away."
Immediately, guards stepped forward, lifted the person up, and dragged him outside.
The young official first begged for mercy, but the man at the head of the table didn't even spare him a glance. Enraged, he cursed:
"The king of a nation has been bewitched by a woman; that vixen is the real scourge of the Great Qi!"
His guards rushed to cover his mouth, but it was too late; a memorial was thrown down from above, hitting him squarely on the neck.
The unfinished cursing and struggle came to an abrupt end; his head drooped limply, and he breathed his last.
The discussions in the hall suddenly ceased, and the ministers who had been filled with righteous indignation fell silent.
Everyone unanimously recalled that when this emperor first ascended the throne, he would drag things out at the slightest disagreement, and even the emperor's brother-in-law was executed on the spot. Only in recent months has he tempered his temper somewhat.
Some of the more astute courtiers realized that it seemed to have been after that imperial concubine's appearance in recent months...
No one objected anymore, and the decision to personally lead the expedition was made.
However, at Su Panyue's insistence, the news that she would also accompany them was not publicized, and no one knew except for a few close friends.
Time flies, and it's already the end of September, the day we were supposed to set off.
Xie Lanzhou got up early and went to the military camp. It was another hour before Su Panyue finally got up with difficulty.
Last night, she wanted to rest early, but this man kept her up for half the night, saying that it was inconvenient on the march and asking her to have pity on him.
Su Panyue believed his lies and remained in this pitiful state for two hours.
She almost couldn't get up today because of him. This man actually got up early to arrange the departure. She cursed him in her heart as a tireless donkey.
Feiyan combed her hair, while Feixue did a final check of her luggage.
"Isn't it a bit too little for you to bring only two boxes of clothes, my lady?"
"Quite a few."
"Would you like to bring your usual incense and incense burner?"
"Need not."
"Shouldn't we bring two boxes of jewelry? Just in case the State of Lu has nothing..."
Su Panyue couldn't help but interrupt, "You don't need to bring any of these. The ones from Lu are just as good."
Feixue nodded blankly, then Su Panyue realized she had misspoke and quickly added, "I've only heard that it's better to travel light when marching, right?"
"What you say is true, my lady." Feixue finally packed out four large boxes of things.
Su Panyue sighed helplessly, "Let's go see if His Majesty has returned yet."
Inside the Imperial Study, Xie Lanzhou was discussing matters with several ministers.
The emperor's personal expedition is no small matter; it is uncertain how long he will be gone, so it is necessary to make proper arrangements for the follow-up matters in advance.
Su Panyue could have gone straight in, but she didn't want to see the ministers, so she went to a side hall to wait.
After waiting for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xie Lanzhou came in.
"You're done talking so quickly?" Su Panyue asked.
Xie Lanzhou nodded, walked over and took her hand, "Yes, it's time to go."
As they reached the door, Su Panyue let go of his hand: "We agreed that I would follow you secretly. If you come with me, won't we be discovered?"
Xie Lanzhou asked helplessly, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
Su Panyue had already planned it out: "I'll get into the carriage behind first, and you can ride your horse if you want."
"Alright." Xie Lanzhou could only watch her leave through the back door.
On this trip, Feiyan and Feixue disguised themselves as eunuchs to accompany and protect Su Panyue. After she boarded the carriage, they left the palace together with her belongings.
Xie Lanzhou was already standing on the city wall, encouraging thousands of soldiers. Su Panyue, sitting in the sedan chair, listened and felt her blood boiling.
After the initial excitement subsided, he remembered that they were going to attack their own motherland, and he pursed his lips with mixed feelings.
With Xie Lanzhou's order, the army assembled and set off, and the carriages began to move.
The carriage that Su Panyue was riding in looked ordinary, but it actually had a lot of surprises inside.
The cushions on the couch were made of fine brocade, extremely soft, and a variety of snacks and fruits were placed in the eight-treasure cabinet next to it for her to enjoy at any time. The teacups on the table were made of white jade and glass, emitting a wisp of tea fragrance.
But Su Panyue didn't care about any of that. She reached under the table and opened a hidden compartment, taking out a human skin mask.
She obtained this from the Ghost Uncle, after much persuasion and the use of fine wine.
Xie Lanzhou was aware of this matter. After he revealed his identity while drunk last time, she told him her plans.
The excuse she used to fake her death and escape was that she fell off a cliff. It is said that Shan Mingyuan sent people to search for her for a long time, and even went to the bottom of the cliff to search for her for a day and a night.
Therefore, she must never let him know that she is still alive, otherwise he will definitely come after her.
Although Xie Lanzhou was protecting her, Su Panyue still prepared this human skin mask just in case.
If they were to encounter Shan Mingyuan by chance, they wouldn't be too passive.
Xie Lanzhou didn't take it seriously. In his eyes, Shan Mingyuan was no different from a dead man. However, he didn't stop Su Panyue's preparations and just told her not to worry.
Su Panyue put the mask on her face and took out a small bronze mirror to look at herself from left to right.
The face reflected in the bronze mirror was extremely ordinary, the kind you could find anywhere on the street, the kind you'd glance at and then forget.
She nodded in satisfaction, raised her hand and pinched the almost lifelike face, thinking to herself that Ghost Uncle was truly amazing, possessing such skill.
He accompanied her this time, and was in the carriage behind, which reassured Su Panyue quite a bit.
The carriage quickly left the city gate, the sound of its wheels rolling on the bluestone slabs disappeared, and it turned onto the official road heading north.
Su Panyue quietly lifted the curtain a crack and peeked out; the long queue stretched as far as the eye could see.
Her carriage was in the middle of the procession, with the Imperial Guards leading the way and tens of thousands of soldiers following behind. She looked back and forth several times but couldn't find Xie Lanzhou.
So she whispered "Feixue" twice. Feixue, disguised as a little eunuch, followed on the outside and, upon hearing her voice, lifted the curtain and entered the carriage.
Upon seeing Su Panyue's face, she was startled and, gripping the sword at her waist, asked, "Who are you?"
"It's me, I'm wearing a mask." Su Panyue said, gently lifting a corner of the mask to show her.
Feixue immediately sheathed her sword: "This servant was rude, please forgive me, my lady."
Su Panyue chuckled, "Looks like this mask works pretty well; even you didn't recognize me."
Feixue nodded and asked, "Why does Your Highness wear a mask?"
Su Panyue rolled her eyes and replied, "I don't want others to know that I came along too."
"By the way, where is His Majesty? I can't find him."
Feixue replied, "His Majesty is speaking with General Weiyuan in the back."
General Weiyuan was Xie Lanzhou's cousin, Ji Hongxi. He had just been awarded the title of general for his meritorious service in leading the breakout.
She then asked, "What time is it now? How much longer until we stop to rest?"
Feixue replied, "It's already early noon, it should be soon."
Su Panyue nodded, and sure enough, the group stopped shortly afterward.
"Rest where you are, distribute lunch." The steward's voice came from outside.
Su Panyue didn't need to collect her lunch herself; Feiyan had already brought it to her. It consisted of four dishes and a soup, which, although not as elaborate as those in the palace, was still very satisfying for her.
Su Panyue invited Feixue and Feiyan to eat as well. She picked up her chopsticks and ate a couple of bites when Xie Lanzhou suddenly got into the carriage.
Su Panyue deliberately raised her voice and called out, "Your Majesty~"
Xie Lanzhou glanced at her, then sat down on the low couch beside her.
Su Panyue squeezed through as well, and he naturally put his arm around her. She continued in a high-pitched voice:
"Your Majesty, what's so good about the Imperial Concubine? From now on, let me serve you instead."
Xie Lanzhou smiled and said, "Okay."
As she spoke, a large hand began to wander up her slender waist.
Su Panyue grabbed his hand, annoyed and embarrassed, and said, "Why aren't you playing by the rules! You should have firmly refused and said that you would remain chaste for the Imperial Concubine."
Xie Lanzhou easily broke free from her grasp and echoed, "I will naturally remain chaste for you."
Su Panyue still pouted unhappily, "Is there something wrong with my mask? How did you recognize it at a glance?"
Xie Lanzhou chuckled and reminded him, "The clothes you're wearing today were personally chosen by me."
"Let alone that, even if you stood here naked, I would recognize you at a glance."
Su Panyue raised her hand to cover his mouth, "There are so many people outside, why are you saying these things!"
The man's warm breath fell on my palm, and a moment later something soft vanished upon contact.
He actually licked her palm!
Su Panyue immediately withdrew her hand. Her face, covered by a mask, revealed nothing, but a hint of rosy blush quietly appeared on the tips of her exposed ears.
"You scoundrel! If I slap you, are you going to lick me while I'm at it?" she said reproachfully.
Xie Lanzhou answered seriously, "Yes, it's not like I haven't hit them or licked them before."
Su Panyue was angered by his nonsense and elbowed him.
Xie Lanzhou laughed even harder, grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, then whispered in her ear to comfort her, "There's no one outside, they've all gone to eat, they can't hear you."
Su Panyue gave a light snort and said, "I'm going to eat too."
Xie Lanzhou readily replied, "Yes, I will serve meals for the Imperial Concubine."
After lunch, the group continued their journey, but Xie Lanzhou refused to leave Su Panyue's carriage.
So on the first day of their journey, some observant soldiers noticed that one of the carriages seemed to be shaking unusually badly...
-----------------------
Author's note: Congee: Hit me here! But the fragrance arrived before the slap.
Here's the thing, a friend of mine wanted to ask if it would be possible to get more comments and "nutrients" (a form of online support/resource sharing). It's not strictly necessary, my friend just wants to see everyone's feedback. Of course, if it's inconvenient, that's fine too. My friend probably won't be upset for long, really. [Glasses]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
