Chapter 51
The bright moon hung high, and the wind in Yunxiu Kingdom turned from cold to cool.
At the Princess's residence, the peach tree was still in full bloom, showing no signs of wilting. Suddenly, a figure in white quietly slipped into a room not far from the peach tree. The figure gently pushed open the door, revealing a spacious and clean room with only a large bed standing quietly inside.
"Zhao Shu," Mo Yinghuo called softly to the person on the bed.
Zhao Shu slowly opened his eyes, propped himself up with his hands, and glanced at Mo Yinghuo. "Your Highness, what is it?"
Mo Yinghuo smiled and said, "Zhao Shu, why are you resting here tonight instead of going back to Xingye?"
Zhao Shu glanced at her and simply hummed in response.
Mo Yinghuo: "Shall we go to Shurong's place and see how Yun Zhaojun's Xuan Tie Arrow training is going?"
Zhao Shu: "Your Highness, do you all prefer to do things in the middle of the night?"
Mo Yinghuo rubbed her temples. "No, it's not that. We'll sneak away, otherwise Granny Chen will start nagging again."
Zhao Shu: "Why are you talking about it?"
Mo Yinghuo recalled the Emperor's sudden bestowal of marriage a few days ago, and thought to herself, "I can't very well say I ran away from the marriage, can I? That would be too..."
While still pondering, Zhao Shu suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, is it because of Huang Zhifan?"
"Huang Zhifan?" Mo Yinghuo murmured, not quite understanding for a moment.
Zhao Shu: "The eldest son of Lord Huang of the Hanlin Academy."
Mo Yinghuo was taken aback. "Zhao Shu, I can't even remember the name of someone else's eldest son, but you do, and you even know the name of Young Master Huang's father."
Zhao Shu straightened his clothes. "The other day, Steward Pang mentioned it, and Granny Shen has also brought it up quite often."
Mo Yinghuo quickly explained, "I don't have a very good memory."
Zhao Shu: "Shall we leave now?"
Mo Yinghuo: "Yes, to the Northern Camp."
A month ago, the remaining soldiers of Yunzhao Army, along with 50,000 surrendered Iron Pagoda soldiers, led by Shurong, marched in a grand procession to support the Northern Camp.
Xu Yong and Suo Qian each held a longbow in their hands, with three black iron arrows tucked into their waistbands, practicing archery while chattering away.
Xu Yong: "Alas, what a pity. Gongliang Zhong died so tragically and inexplicably. I was hoping to spar with him. Wasn't the Yunzhao army already victorious at that time?"
Suo Qian shook her head. "I don't know, but I always feel that there are many strange things around the Princess, things that are shrouded in secrecy and hard to explain."
Xu Yong naturally understood what he meant. Even though they were far from the capital, the two of them still had trusted confidants or friends there, especially Suo Qian, who knew almost everything about what was happening in the capital. His voice was still loud and clear, "Those assassins, and the tragically murdered Third Prince and Fifth Prince, and the missing Imperial Concubine..."
Suo Qian coughed hurriedly, "Xu Yong, could you please keep your voice down a little? Not to mention whether people in the capital can hear you, Shu Rong is currently at the Beida Camp."
Xu Yong then lowered his voice and asked, "By the way, when is the Princess coming?"
He had barely finished speaking when Mo Yinghuo and Zhao Shu appeared before them. Xu Yong had no time to react; the arrow flew towards the two of them like a snake.
A sudden gust of fierce wind blew, and the black iron arrow was instantly cut in two, falling to the ground with a clang.
Xu Yong's face turned pale, and he hurriedly knelt on one knee, cupping his hands in a gesture of apology, "Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Mo Yinghuo waved his hand and laughed, "It's alright, Vice General Xu reacted very quickly."
Seeing that the princess was not angry, Xu Yong breathed a sigh of relief, "Even my quick reflexes are not as good as the one beside the princess..."
Just now, he didn't even see when the man drew his knife.
Zhao Shu held a black sword steadily in his hand; the cold blade lay still, as if it had never been drawn.
Mo Yinghuo said with a proud expression, "This is Lord Zhao... a Grand Councilor."
Suo Qian stepped forward, "Your Highness, Lord Zhao."
Mo Yinghuo nodded slightly, "Thank you for your help, Vice General Suo, in preparing a tent for the two of us."
Suo Qian: "Your Highness, Lord Zhao, please come with me. Everything here has already been prepared."
The next day, when Mo Yinghuo walked out of the camp, the soldiers of the North Camp almost lost their footing and couldn't help but dazzle, wondering if they were hallucinating in broad daylight.
Prince Hongwei, travel-worn and weary, led a troop of men into the camp; Marquis Beiding, having finished breakfast, was on his way back. The three of them, by sheer coincidence, bumped into each other.
Mo Yinghuo was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening and said with a smile, "My lord, seventh brother."
Marquis Beiding stopped in his tracks. "The Princess has finally arrived." Early this morning, Xu Qian and Suo Yong had rushed over to report this matter as if facing a formidable enemy. He already knew that Mo Yinghuo had suddenly come to the Beida Camp.
The Seventh Prince, Mo Chonghua, remained seated on horseback and coldly asked, "Princess, are we preparing to send troops?"
Mo Yinghuo's lips twitched, and he slowly said, "His Majesty has no decree at the moment."
Mo Chonghua gave a cold "snort," kicked the horse's belly a few times, and charged towards his tent.
Mo Yinghuo: "..."
Marquis of Beiding: "Has Your Highness had breakfast?"
Mo Yinghuo: "I was just about to go." She looked at her uncle, who had been serious and loyal since childhood and whose temples were already gray, and awkwardly didn't know what to say. She felt a little uncomfortable.
Marquis of Beiding: "Now that the Princess has arrived, the subjugation of the Northern Frontier should be just around the corner."
Mo Yinghuo suddenly cupped his hands in greeting, "Royal Uncle, you've worked hard these past few years."
Marquis Beiding smiled wryly, "Your Highness is too kind. I am merely a figurehead."
Mo Yinghuo's tone suddenly changed, "My lord, if the Northern Frontier were not defended by the Beida Camp, how could the Yunzhao Army be free from worries? From now on, the Yunzhao Army will be incorporated into the Beida Camp and await your command."
Marquis Beiding remained silent for a long time, seemingly still not understanding the meaning behind Mo Yinghuo's words. Shu Rong, Xu Yong, and Suo Qian, who had just walked over, also happened to hear it and suddenly froze on the spot.
Shu Rong: "General."
Mo Yinghuo walked over to Shu Rong and patted him on the shoulder. "I was just looking for you. Come to my tent for breakfast and we can talk while we eat."
Shu Rong nodded and said "Mmm".
Several days after Mo Yinghuo completely disappeared from the capital, the truth finally came out and exploded in Shuqing Palace. Inside Shuqing Palace, there was a mess, with writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones scattered all over the floor. Some were fearful and uneasy, some were secretly relieved and happy, and some knew what was going on. What they all had in common was that they all turned a blind eye and communicated with each other.
"Just because she has the surname Mo, does she think she can act recklessly? How dare she defy the imperial decree!" Emperor Zhaoming roared in fury.
"Running away from the marriage! Has the princess lost her mind during the war and treated the capital like a battlefield, leaving without a second thought?"
"Very well! She dares to disobey orders! Imperial Uncle... Chief Eunuch Pang... you two, go and convey my decree: let the Princess spend the rest of her life eating yellow sand at the Northern Camp, keeping her company with yellow sand, and don't let her come back to me!"
Yu Guojiu was stunned, completely at a loss for words when Emperor Zhaoming spoke. He had never seen the emperor so distraught!
Because Li Fenglu had slept in late, he rushed to the morning court session. Just as the session ended, he intended to report to the Emperor on the recent revenue and expenditure of the Ministry of Revenue, but unfortunately, he stumbled upon the news of the "eldest princess's elopement."
At first, he didn't know what was going on, but after listening to a few sentences, he gradually figured it out. He didn't feel any bad luck at all; on the contrary, he felt a sense of relief. Finally, he could watch that ridiculously round-faced Imperial Uncle Yu make a fool of himself.
The head steward was quick-witted. "Your Majesty, please calm down. The Princess is also concerned about the war in the Northern Frontier. The Northern Barbarians have been preying on the people of Yunxiu Kingdom, and the Princess cannot bear it. Right, Your Majesty?" He knew, of course, that Emperor Zhaoming's anger was only nine-tenths feigned and one-tenth real.
Yu Guojiu hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, the Princess is wholeheartedly devoted to the people, the Emperor, and Yunxiu Kingdom, and..." He stammered as he hurriedly sang praises to Mo Yinghuo, fearing that he might lose more than he gained by trying to win her over with this marriage.
The First Prince smiled gently, “Your Majesty, the reason why the Eldest Princess is like this is all because Your Majesty has spoiled her. Moreover, I believe that the Eldest Princess’s trip to the Northern Camp this time was not to escape the arranged marriage.”
"Your Majesty's words..." Emperor Zhaoming's anger lessened considerably.
The First Prince said, "I heard that the Eldest Princess has already followed the Emperor's decree and incorporated the Yunzhao Army into the Beida Camp, awaiting the command of the Marquis of Beiding."
Emperor Zhaoming said, "This is also the eldest princess's idea. She mentioned it to me before, saying that the imperial uncle is familiar with the terrain of the northern frontier, and it would be most suitable for him to command." He paused and said to the chief steward beside him, "Make preparations. I will go to the northern camp with the imperial brother-in-law and Lord Li. The northern frontier cannot be defended to the death any longer."
Mr. Li: "..."
In his heart, there were only four words: "The emperor's command cannot be disobeyed!"
Emperor Zhaoming: "Brother, I'll have to trouble you with the affairs of the capital these next few days."
The Prince: "Your subject obeys the decree."
At the North Camp, the north wind blew, flags fluttered, and tents stood in neat rows. Since the Yunzhao Army was incorporated into the North Camp, its size had increased considerably. Although many Yunzhao soldiers were stationed in surrounding areas to subdue various states, and considering the losses suffered in recent years, few remained. Fortunately, the Dongliang Iron Pagoda could fill the gaps in numbers.
At first, Marquis Beiding was a little teary-eyed, his serious face showing a hint of excitement. However, after Suo Qian and Xu Yong finished counting the number of Yun Zhao's troops and reported it to him, Marquis Beiding felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Something is better than nothing.
It turns out that the archers of the Yunzhao Army that Shurong had previously led had been incorporated into the Military Affairs Bureau and included in the Imperial Guard, practicing Xuan Tie Arrows every day at the training ground in the capital; and in order to stabilize the morale of the newly subdued Tie Fu Tu soldiers, Mo Yinghuo did not include this weapon in the Beida Camp.
Marquis Beiding smiled wryly, "The Princess is truly generous."
Xu Yong: "My lord, no matter what, this result is better than I originally expected."
Suo Qian: "Yes, my lord, this is unexpected. It seems that the emperor is preparing to recover the northern frontier. When that happens, my lord will command the entire army, and the credit will naturally go to my lord."
Marquis Beiding remained silent, his face still stern. Although he had long been accustomed to fame and fortune, a man, especially a general, felt he would be letting down heaven and earth and the soldiers who served him if he didn't leave behind at least one great achievement. Thinking of this, though his brow was furrowed with worry, he couldn't hide his joy. Marquis Beiding said, "His Majesty should arrive at the Beida Camp in a few days. You two, make sure the military discipline is up to standard."
"Yes!" the two replied in unison.
Shu Rong looked at Zhao Shu standing in her tent with some surprise. When he lifted the curtain to enter earlier, Shu Rong naturally assumed there should be another person behind him. After waiting for a long time, however, she didn't see a single person.
Zhao Shu: "Deputy General Shu, are you waiting for someone?"
Shu Rong finally came to her senses. "Ah...no, Lord Zhao, is there anything I can help you with?"
Zhao Shu: "Has Vice General Shu ever heard of Hunxie Wang?"
Shu Rong: "I've heard of him. He's the leader of a tribe from the Northern Barbarians."
Zhao Shu: "Is there a specific location?"
Shu Rong didn't know why he would ask about this person, and dared not ask further. After thinking for a moment, she walked to the wall, pointed to the map on the wall, and said, "The tribe led by Hunxie King often stays here, but the Northern Barbarians are a nomadic people with no fixed abode, so it is not easy to determine their location. If Lord Zhao wants to know more details, he can ask the Marquis. In the Northern Frontier, no one dares to contradict him."
Zhao Shu's gaze was fixed on the spot Shu Rong was pointing to, and he nodded slightly, saying, "Thank you, knowing this is enough."
Shu Rong watched the man's departing figure, a cold sweat breaking out on her back. Just now, those light-colored eyes had overflowed with a chilling killing intent. Only when Zhao Shu lifted the curtain and stepped out of the tent did Shu Rong recover from the intense feeling of suffocation.
"Huh! That's strange, how come there's a peach tree here in the Northern Frontier too?" After finishing his archery practice, Mo Yinghuo had nothing to do, so he took his horse for a ride around the Northern Camp.
"By the way, what has Zhao Shu been busy with these past few days? I haven't seen him for several days." Mo Yinghuo muttered to himself as he rode his horse. "Could it be that he's plotting something big behind my brother's back again?"
Suddenly, she pulled on the reins, her heart skipped a beat, and a few drops of sweat trickled down her forehead. She thought to herself, "What's wrong with me? It's only been a few days, and I'm already nagging." Mo Yinghuo rubbed her temples vigorously until they turned red and hot before stopping, muttering, "He must be bored out of his mind lately. Right, right, where has he been these past few days? He didn't even say goodbye..."
"Your Highness, Your Highness..." Xu Yong shouted at her. Ever since Mo Yinghuo incorporated the Yunzhao Army into the Northern Camp, Xu Yong's attitude towards this young princess had completely changed. If it weren't for the difference in their status, he would have almost run over to become sworn brothers with the dignified princess.
Mo Yinghuo felt a jolt in his eardrums, spurred his horse over, and frowned, saying, "Deputy General Xu, the Star Division would never dare to take someone as gifted as you."
Xu Yong asked, puzzled, "Why?"
Mo Yinghuo raised an eyebrow and smiled, "It's alright, I guess the Marquis won't want to let you go either."
Xu Yong suddenly said very seriously, "I want to be the Marquis's subordinate for life."
Mo Yinghuo: "What is it, Vice General Xu?"
Xu Yong slapped his forehead. "I almost forgot the important matter. Princess, the Emperor is here. He... wants you to come over."
"Do you know who's inside?" Mo Yinghuo asked the two soldiers at the door in a low voice.
Soldier: "His Majesty, Chief Eunuch Pang, and Lord Zhao."
Upon hearing that Zhao Shu was also inside, she perked up, waved her hand, straightened her clothes, and went inside.
Mo Yinghuo: "Your Majesty, the Yunzhao Army has been incorporated into the Northern Camp and can be deployed at any time..."
Upon seeing him, Emperor Zhaoming was furious. Without letting him finish speaking, he slammed his fist on the table. "You... how could a princess say such a thing? Even if you have a thick skin, you should still remember your status as a member of the imperial family. After years of fighting on the battlefield, how can you still act like a child?"
Mo Yinghuo was stunned, not knowing what he had said that had angered the usually composed emperor of Yunxiu Kingdom. He quickly knelt on one knee and said, "Your subject knows his crime."
“You know your crime.” Emperor Zhaoming said, pointing at her while seated, “Judging from your appearance, I guess you don’t even know what crime you’ve committed.”
Mo Yinghuo glanced at the steward beside him, only to see him mouth three words, "Huang Zhifan," but he still didn't understand.
"I heard from Huang Zhifan that the Princess said she dislikes men." Emperor Zhaoming rubbed his temples, his head throbbing. "Well, I didn't know the Princess had such a preference. As expected of the Princess! It just so happens that I brought some imperial physicians with me. Let's take the Princess's pulse and give her a diagnosis."
However, could the imperial physician possibly diagnose her fondness for both men and women? It seems the Emperor was truly angered by her.
Mo Yinghuo knelt on one knee, tears welling up in her eyes. Her head felt as if it were being held down, too heavy to lift, and she inwardly groaned in despair. She had met Huang Zhifan twice before. Once, they bumped into each other on the street, and he greeted her. After chatting for a few minutes, she noticed that he was indeed well-mannered and distinguished.
The second time, Huang Zhifan took the initiative to visit. Mo Yinghuo didn't know how to politely refuse, and Granny Shen was extremely enthusiastic. Taking advantage of the two of them strolling in the garden alone, Mo Yinghuo came up with a plan.
“Young Master Huang, I don’t want to hold you back, actually…” Mo Yinghuo hesitated.
Huang Zhifan was considerate, saying, "Your Highness, it is Zhifan who is not worthy of your status."
Mo Yinghuo: "No... to tell you the truth, this princess is actually not fond of men, umm, you know what I mean. I hope Young Master Huang will keep this unspeakable matter a secret for this princess."
Huang Zhifan: "Your Highness, I will keep my mouth shut."
Finally, Mo Yinghuo, beaming, saw off the pale-faced Huang Zhifan. She believed Huang Zhifan would keep his promise, but why did the Emperor find out?
Emperor Zhaoming: "Fortunately, the Imperial Uncle told me, otherwise, I would not know why Lord Huang suddenly burst into tears and rambled on about how his son was not good enough for the Princess. Sister, how could you say such a thing? How will you find a husband in the future if you do this?"
Mo Yinghuo glanced at Zhao Shu unconsciously, and seeing that his expression was still indifferent, she slowly said, "Your Majesty, my elder sister already has a cold ailment and does not want to burden others."
Emperor Zhaoming suddenly stood up. "I have already said that I will definitely find a way."
Mo Yinghuo smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Your Majesty."
Emperor Zhaoming sighed. "Let's get down to business. Steward Pan, summon Lord Wu. You stand guard outside and don't let anyone in."
Steward Pang: "Yes."
Emperor Zhaoming walked to Mo Yinghuo's side, looked at Zhao Shu, and asked politely, "Prefect Zhao, are you getting used to your stay at the Northern Camp?"
Zhao Shu nodded.
A deathly silence fell over the three. Fortunately, Lord Wu entered with two spies from the Starry Sky Division, carrying a rectangular mahogany box. That box was the one that the King of Dongliang had given to Mo Yinghuo by the Queen Mother. Because the box had a mechanism, if it was forcibly opened without breaking the mechanism, the box and its contents would automatically burn to ashes, leaving no trace of the body.
Lord Wu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Princess, the mechanism on the box has been unlocked, and it can be opened safely."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaoming exclaimed excitedly, "Excellent!"
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