Chapter 87 Where Does His Majesty Sleep? A Shura Field + Little Xie's Jealousy + But in the End...
The quartermaster's question caused a moment of silence in the tent.
This matter can indeed only be decided by the emperor himself.
The fact that the emperor would bring Hua Ling back to the camp is already shrouded in mystery.
The emperor is always cautious, yet he allowed this woman into the main camp and even had a pleasant conversation with her for so long...
If the soldiers of the Dragon Martial Army could temporarily set aside their reverence for the emperor and treat him as a young man.
The emperor's career had reached its zenith; all that was missing was to take in some suitable ladies.
People who can rise to the rank of quartermaster are generally not naive when it comes to interpersonal relationships.
The quartermaster had actually been eavesdropping at the door for a while, and just happened to hear that Li Yilong was taking in many concubines in order to have an heir.
The emperor should have been kept alive more than Li Yilong.
However, he was too ruthless; since ascending the throne, he has killed countless people, and his ministers probably dare not speak out.
The quartermaster thought that if this wonderful thing could be accomplished, General Xie would surely receive even greater favor, and everyone could share in the joy.
Perhaps it will even be related to the future Empress. If the Empress gives birth to a prince, the Longwu Army will be even more prosperous.
If it is accomplished, General Xie will surely reward you handsomely.
Sure enough, General Xie was staring at him intently.
That gaze sent a chill down the quartermaster's spine; he felt a murderous intent emanating from General Xie's pupils.
But how could the quartermaster have imagined the hidden story behind it?
The quartermaster had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue:
“The military camp is a shared dormitory, with many men living there. As Miss Hua Ling is a virgin, it is probably inconvenient for her to enter.”
"If we set up separate tents, there won't be enough supplies in the camp, so about ten soldiers will have to rest in the open."
The quartermaster added, "The wounded camp is full, and the cook camp is a critical location, so it's even less suitable for people to sleep on the ground."
"So, what will become of Miss Hua Ling? This humble general begs Your Majesty for guidance!"
That's practically a suggestion to His Majesty to take them into his royal tent to warm his bed...
Xie Qianli frowned deeply. It was as if a flame suddenly burned along his feet, spreading rapidly, and soon he was in pain all over his body.
A hidden longing clashes with reality; someone wants to steal the moon from the tip of his heart.
Xie Qianli couldn't help but signal to the quartermaster with his eyes, but once his beloved made a decision, no one could change it, and the fate of the nation also held Xie Qianli by the throat.
His unspoken feelings stuck in his throat, spreading into a bitter ache.
He made a tactful suggestion, feigning ignorance of romance: "If there is no room, Miss Hua Ling can sleep in my tent, and I will leave."
The emperor hesitated.
Xie Qianli had just breathed a sigh of relief.
But he was met with a dismissive glance from Ying Xi! Was she resenting him for ruining things?
The quartermaster thought General Xie was putting on an act, so he said, "General, you are a man of high moral character, but Miss Hualing lives alone in your tent. The brothers below probably don't know this and might think you are here too. A woman's reputation is of utmost importance."
Ying Dang was unhappy.
If that's the case, then living in the Emperor's tent doesn't matter about reputation; just give him a title directly!
Ying Dang tapped the table, trying to expose the guy's attempt to curry favor. He wasn't interested in a sister-in-law who was practically offering herself up.
However, the opportunity to strike the vicious dog was rare, and after striking the dog, he could then enter the tent and disturb his elder brother.
Prince Yong's eyes gleamed with a sly glint as he chuckled and stirred up trouble: "General Xie wishes to invite a beauty into his tent, could it be that you have feelings for Miss Hua Ling?"
A night breeze suddenly arose, and the candlelight flickered again!
Xie Qianli coldly clarified: "Your subject has absolutely no such intention. Please be careful with your words, Your Highness."
“But if it is up to me to make the arrangements,” Xie Qianli said solemnly, “I am responsible for the Emperor’s health, and no unauthorized persons are allowed to enter the tent.”
"Because of what you said, I wish you would never find a wife in your life," Prince Yong cursed.
Hua Ling was treated like a future imperial concubine and was praised to the skies.
Soon they were just another nobody, and even finding a place to stay was difficult.
Hua Ling lifted her skirt and knelt before the emperor across the table. Her small face was hidden in the shadows, and the firelight made her entire face turn red.
She kept her head down. Her long, feathery eyelashes were adorned with a few glistening water droplets.
I couldn't see her gaze clearly, but I could sense her grievance.
Hua Ling restrained herself sensibly, biting her lower lip tightly. Her sleeves were folded over, and she trembled like a butterfly.
Ying Xi, seated on the throne, asked, "Since I have saved you, I will respect your wishes. You may stay wherever you wish to go."
Hua Ling bowed deeply to Ying Xi.
The woman raised her eyelids and met the emperor's gaze. Her eyes were like peach blossoms dipped in water. When she faced Ying Xi, her smile was subtle and sincere.
"Your Majesty possesses the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, and you have saved my life. I am willing to do everything in my power to repay you, and I leave this to Your Majesty's arrangements."
Those words were the gentlest possible hint.
When a woman of exceptional beauty says to a man, "I am grateful to you, I admire you, you can treat me as you please."
Who could fail to discern the enchanting hidden meaning within?
Moreover, the emperor does indeed need to continue the imperial lineage, and having already learned of Li's intentions, this matter is imperative.
Xie Qianli's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, gradually tightened, shrinking to the size of a bean.
The overwhelming sense of pressure suffocated him; he felt like a lost little boat, focusing all his attention on Ying Xi's lips and teeth.
He waited for that answer, and that was all he could do. Perhaps Prince Yong would still harbor murderous intent towards Ying Xi's concubines, but he couldn't allow it.
Xie Qianli's unwavering stance and overly high moral standards prevented him from doing anything.
The quartermaster didn't dare to breathe too loudly.
Ying Xi: "I understand."
Ying Xi said calmly, "Miss Hua Ling will stay with me. You all may leave. The quartermaster should prepare bathing supplies."
"..."
If the old ministers in Chang'an heard this, they would probably rush to the ancestral temple of the Qin Dynasty on the spot, crying and shouting their gratitude that Heaven had eyes, the court had successors, and the emperor was finally willing to take a concubine, and so on.
But the tent was quiet, as if dead still.
Everyone in the tent had their own thoughts, yet none could defy the imperial decree; no one could stand against Ying Xi's current authority. The rest of the people withdrew.
The guards tactfully lowered the tent flap.
Outside the curtain.
Since Prince Yong had decided to come and get rid of Hua Ling late at night, it didn't matter where he rested for the time being.
Prince Yong raised an eyebrow but didn't reveal his plan. He smacked Xie Qianli on the shoulder mischievously and teased, "Hypocrite, what are you doing standing at the door? Haven't you ever tasted meat yet? Want to learn a few tricks from my brother?"
Xie Qianli pushed the hand away.
Prince Yong did not have the advantage in terms of physical strength.
King Yong knew he was suffering, so he raised his hand and grinned shamelessly, "You vicious dog, suckle suckle."
Prince Yong has gone far away.
The curtains separated the inside from the outside of the tent.
From inside the tent, Ying Xi's soft voice drifted out: "Get up, let me help you up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Hua Ling smiled sweetly, like the tinkling of a silver bell.
Xie Qianli heard it clearly from outside the curtain.
His figure cast a solitary shadow on the red carpet outside the curtain. He turned around and saw a sliver of light shining through the dragon tent. It was as if there were two worlds inside and outside the curtain, even if they were separated by only a thin layer.
Xie Qianli opened his lips slightly.
His limbs and bones were already filled with lead, and the heaviness made it difficult for him to move.
But the two soldiers outside the tent were grinning at him, as if they had finally seen a humane side of General Xie. They lowered their voices and boldly started to jeer.
"General, would you like to listen in on the room? Shall I get you a stool?"
"Go away, go away, don't make a sound. If you disturb the beauty's intimacy with His Majesty, he'll make you regret it." The two considerately gave up the best spot. The dragon tent now faced Xie Qianli directly.
As he stood outside the tent, the light filtering through the curtain into his pupils seemed like two sharp thorns piercing his body.
He couldn't hear what his subordinates were doing.
She still clings to an impossible love, while the person she loves is about to enjoy happiness with someone else.
—But why are you still standing here?
Why won't you leave?
Why is my body so stiff all over...?
Should we continue listening and let reality slap us in the face?
Obsession turned to madness, pride shattered into countless pieces!
Yet he remained unable to extricate himself, focusing all his emotions on the tiny gaps between the curtains.
If Ying Xi truly has a wife in the future, he will only ever be able to gaze at his moon through the cracks in the curtain, looking at the emperor who only has a semblance of loyalty to him.
A loud commotion erupted inside the tent.
A sudden, loud noise shattered the night, jolting the two soldiers awake.
The soldiers dared not trespass and hurriedly reported, "General Xie, there's movement!"
"It sounds like... fighting...!"
Xie Qianli ripped open the curtain!
Light shone through the tent.
Inside the curtained room, Ying Xi, impeccably dressed, had already stepped aside.
Hua Ling's almond-shaped eyes sharpened, and her delicate expression was no longer charming. Her seemingly soft and boneless right hand actually pierced through the wooden board several inches long that held the military map, and her palm got stuck inside.
Hua Ling said coldly, "You tyrant! Give me back my brother's life!"
***
"Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!"
"Protect the Emperor!"
Flower Spirit Hand pulled out the wooden plank behind the map, and the plank made a cracking sound.
An ordinary woman's hands would have been covered in blood by now, but Hua Ling didn't even change her expression as she took the second blow.
However, the emperor managed to escape and stand outside the circle, while the emperor's guards had already arrived, not just the two who had originally been standing at the door.
Upon seeing Xie Qianli, Hua Ling was extremely surprised, never having known that this general was so loyal that he would even have the emperor's intimate moments kept outside.
Hua Ling's second palm strike was already set in motion, but it was intercepted by Xie Qianli. The two palms collided in mid-air, and a heavy collision sound erupted from the camp!
Hua Ling felt as if her blood was about to explode, and Xie Qianli's heel sank half an inch into the ground of the tent!
He calmly blocked the way, saying, "Take His Majesty away."
Two Dragon Warriors immediately stood in front of the emperor and escorted him away from the camp.
Hua Ling's lips curled into a smile, and she spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered onto the ground, leaving a trail of blood.
Only during the fight did he fully understand how much the imperial henchman had held back against Prince Yong. Now, she was bursting with fierce energy. Perhaps Xie Qianli had been somewhat polite to her earlier, but now he saw Xie Qianli as a dead man.
Hua Ling gritted her teeth: "Get out of the way—" She took half a step back, raised the table she had been using for meals with her right hand, and swung the table forward to break through.
That table must weigh over a hundred pounds, no lighter than the Youlong Sword. When Hua Ling twirled it, it hummed and swirled in the wind.
The two Dragon Warriors were dumbfounded!
Everything in the tent that could reach the battlefield was deflected. The keel supporting the tent snapped!
The main tent collapsed with a loud crash.
The sound was earth-shattering.
No wonder this woman dared to assassinate someone unarmed; she was a highly skilled expert with terrifying strength.
More Dragon Warriors surrounded the dragon tent, their bows and arrows arrayed high. The tent flap covered the two fighters, and the tent flap itself was torn open.
Hua Ling and Xie Qianli appeared at the same time, each holding a corner of the table.
The hard tabletop, suspended in mid-air, seemed to lack its proper weight, yet it emitted a creaking sound as if it could not bear the weight.
The world of martial arts is all about brute force overcoming all techniques. The Dragon Martial Army soldiers secretly wondered if they could last a few more rounds in this situation.
At that moment, the two exerted their strength simultaneously, and the table collapsed!
Broken pieces of wood shot out in all directions.
Suddenly losing her footing, Hua Ling's feet lost their footing.
"Capture her alive."
The Longwu soldiers surrounded Hua Ling, offering her ropes as thick as an arm. The ropes intertwined, forming a spiderweb-like array around Hua Ling, and the soldiers exerted force simultaneously, binding her tightly!
Hua Ling was completely unable to move in Gai Xin.
Torches illuminate the night, swords and blades are awe-inspiring.
Having lost the initiative and suffered a complete defeat, Hua Ling gritted her teeth and cursed, "You dog emperor! Come here!"
"How dare you! How dare you be disrespectful to His Majesty!!!" Since the Imperial Noble Consort candidate had become an assassin, the Dragon Martial Army would naturally not be polite.
Having been given a second chance at life, Ying Xi was basically desensitized to the insults directed at him.
He spoke calmly from a distance, behind the wall of people:
"Among Li's twenty-four advisors, there is indeed one surnamed Hua. Perhaps all your information matches up. However, the daughter of this traitorous minister ran away from Xindu to Linchuan alone and happened to run into my entourage. Even if it is true, I do not believe it."
Ying Xi was already somewhat wary of Xie Qianli, let alone a girl she had never met before.
He had long considered her an assassin and was prepared, which is why he was able to strike her first.
Ying Xi's act was just too convincing.
Hua Ling said in a hoarse voice, "You tyrant! Were you just making fun of me?!"
The entertainment was used inappropriately.
Ying Xi shook his head: "I want to hear intelligence about the new capital."
Hua Ling was speechless.
In order to gain Ying Xi's trust, she became so immersed in the role that she did indeed reveal a lot about the Jiangnan army.
As for Li Yilong's private affairs, only people of a certain status in Xindu could know about them.
Because of her extraordinary beauty, Hua Ling has always been highly sought after, and she even looks down on ordinary people in the mortal world.
Little did she know that all her secret schemes were nothing more than a show to this man!
How cold-blooded and callous the emperor of Jiangbei was.
Hua Ling shouted:
"Brother, I can't avenge you. I'll end up like you, torn to pieces by this dog emperor."
"Brother, walk slowly on the road to the underworld, little sister will find you, hold your hand on the Bridge of Helplessness, and be family again in the next life."
"Go ahead and kill him, you dog emperor!"
Hua Ling closed her eyes.
Ying Xi found it strange and sensed something was amiss, so she pressed for an answer: "Who is your brother? When did I ever execute him by a thousand cuts?"
Hua Ling paused slightly before uttering those bold words, ready to die a martyr, only to find that the other party did not acknowledge her.
Hua Ling retorted even more angrily, "You dog emperor! You killed someone, don't you dare admit it?!"
Ying Xi: "I've killed too many people, I don't know which one I should be."
The emperor of Jiangbei answered calmly, his composure suggesting no denial whatsoever.
Finally, Hua Ling's anger turned to calm, and even on her deathbed, she still argued with him about this: "Around last year, just when you ascended the throne, my brother came to the capital with a sword to assassinate you."
"He is widely known as the Thunder Sword, a name that resounds throughout Jiangnan!"
"He disappeared without a trace after that. Later I heard that he was captured in Chang'an."
Two streams of clear tears fell from Hua Ling's almond-shaped eyes, her voice thick with sobs: "The king said, 'If you're willing to risk your life, you can pull the emperor off his horse.' Since the emperor is still alive, my brother must have been skinned alive by that dog of an emperor."
"People of the martial world are quick to avenge their grievances. The emperor killed my brother, so I'm here to take your life."
"I'm not afraid of you, you can skin me alive!"
This girl is not only beautiful and highly skilled in martial arts, but also has a certain amount of courage.
The men of the Longwu Army couldn't help but feel sorry for them. However, the nature of war is cruel, regardless of the enemy's appearance.
Ying Xi waved her hand: "Let it go."
The soldiers were stunned: "...Your Majesty?"
Before the assassination attempt came to light, they thought the emperor would be seduced by beautiful women. But the emperor was quite clear-headed.
This beautiful woman is clearly an enemy, yet the Emperor wants to let her go?
"Your Majesty, please reconsider," the generals said.
“No need to think about it,” Ying Xi said calmly. “It’s a misunderstanding. I never killed her brother.”
Ying Xi had a good memory. In the first few days after his rebirth, he ordered the release of the people who insulted the emperor, including the assassins who attacked the palace. He personally ordered Yu Jing to do this when he visited the capital.
And with him personally supervising from nearby, who would dare not carry out the orders?
The generals had their own concerns, but they could not disobey the emperor's order, so they had no choice but to loosen the ropes and remove their swords.
Hua Ling's body suddenly felt light, and her figure froze.
Looking around, she saw that the Longwu Army was only surrounding her from a distance, but no longer pointing their swords at her; they were actually going to release her.
Hua Ling was even more shocked.
Could it be that... assassinating the emperor wouldn't result in being torn to pieces?
Or does this heartless emperor have some other scheme up his sleeve?
But he had already gained the upper hand and extracted the information he wanted. What else could he possibly gain from me?
Hua Ling couldn't help but recall that inside the main tent, the emperor of Jiangbei was diligent and frugal, governing the country despite his illness, and he didn't even have a single concubine to serve him. Compared to the ruler of Jiangnan, who had a multitude of wives and concubines, the emperor of Jiangbei seemed much more like a wise ruler.
Hua Ling's heart trembled: "His Majesty never killed my brother. Is my brother still in Chang'an?"
"If... if I go north to find out where my brother is, and discover that what you said is false, I really... I..."
"Then I'll come back to kill you!!!"
That flower spirit uttered a harsh remark.
She finally etched the emperor's face deeply into her mind. For some reason, after this emotional rollercoaster, all that remained was a sense of utter panic.
Hua Ling's face flushed slightly. She hurriedly leaped away.
It's unclear whether she really went to Jiangbei to find her missing older brother, or where she went.
The campsite went from being noisy to being completely silent again.
The Dragon Warriors exchanged bewildered glances, fearing the female assassin might return. Unable to devise a next plan, they awaited the Emperor's instructions.
The emperor's dragon tent was originally the most magnificent in the camp, tall and spacious, like a small mountain. Now, because of the female assassin's chaos, the tent has been completely dismantled.
Just a moment ago, it was the beautiful assassin who had nowhere to stay, but now the tables have turned, and it's the emperor who has nowhere to go.
As the night grew deeper, where would the Emperor sleep?
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