Chapter Six
Mo Yinghuo rested one hand on the table, her head on her forehead, pondering the mysterious man Zhao Shu, who had been incredibly well-behaved for the past few days. Ever since he stepped into the tent, Zhao Shu had never left the tent, remaining completely rooted there.
Then, eat and sleep on time every day.
They treated the military camp as their own home, seemingly recuperating and resting.
Military life is often characterized by irregular eating habits, with soldiers not necessarily eating at specific times. However, this imprisoned man was a different story. The cooks who brought him food nearly coughed up blood and collapsed in front of Zhao Shu's tent.
The cook, with his two long, thin legs that looked like chopsticks wobbling around on a dining table, was practically the thinnest and most unsightly sight in the army, even though he spent all his time eating. With a mouthful of blood in his heart, he took two steps at a time and ran to Mo Yinghuo's tent several times to complain.
"General, that man is making things too difficult for our subordinates!"
"Oh, what's wrong?"
"Eating late is not allowed, and eating early is not allowed either!"
"..."
"Send it over early, and say it's not time yet, and tell the soldiers to withdraw! Send it over late, and tell the soldiers to report back!"
"..."
"General, are these tents holding prisoners or dignitaries from the imperial court?"
"..."
"What's even more infuriating is that none of the brothers can beat him, which is a real hardship for us cooks! General, tell me, what country has an army that demands meals on time during its marches and battles?"
"..."
In the end, nothing came of it.
Because, Mo Yinghuo found that every time she went to this person's tent to ask questions, she sometimes wanted to bring up this matter, but for some reason, she always felt that his innate domineering aura made her feel a little suffocated. He was solemn and polite all over, and his arrogant indifference was a rare beauty in the world!
She smiled bitterly to herself, "Perhaps he really is a benefactor."
Over the past few days, the cooks had resigned themselves to their fate, after all, even the usually forthright princess was stammering. Under the guidance of this newcomer, whether a prisoner or a noblewoman, the soldiers had all started eating at fixed times, so punctual it was almost unsettling.
As he pondered the many strange things about this person, Mo Yinghuo found it increasingly interesting. Lost in thought for so long that he didn't even realize he had dozed off slightly.
"My love, my lord, Ah Huo misses you so much."
The voice came so suddenly, yet she would recognize it even if it turned to ashes.
What happened? Why am I having this dream again? Why is it happening to me again...? But shouldn't dreams happen to you? Why am I always just an observer?
Could it be that this person isn't me, but an illusion?
Mo Yinghuo looked at what was in front of her with a hint of panic, but compared to her dream on the night of her coronation, she was much calmer, and even seemed to have developed a certain leisurely ease. She twirled the hem of her clothes with her fingers, observing with great interest. The scene, with the two of them being affectionate and one of them watching from the sidelines, was truly bizarre.
Mo Yinghuo was gently lifted and placed on the table. The table was cleared of its contents, and several books were scattered on the floor. The four large characters of "Nian Que Qiao Xian" (念鹊桥仙) immediately caught Mo Yinghuo's attention, and her pupils contracted and then dilated. A familiar fragrance wafted from the incense burner, carrying the scent of sandalwood and the delicate fragrance of peach blossoms, a scent that soothed the mind and spirit.
The Princess's residence, Mo Yinghuo's room, filled with a unique fragrance.
Everything felt so real!
"Mo Yinghuo" smiled lightly, her long legs swinging back and forth, kicking at the person in front of her. Mo Yinghuo and "Mo Yinghuo" faced each other, standing beside the person, their faces obscured.
The person in front of her grabbed "Mo Yinghuo's" ankle to prevent her from kicking wildly.
"Ah Huo, don't be angry, it was my fault."
Mo Yinghuo was stunned for a moment; why did that voice sound so familiar?
"What did you do wrong, Zhao Shu?"
Zhao, Yao! Mo Yinghuo's breath hitched! His previous composure and calmness had turned into fear, anxiety, and being caught off guard.
It was Zhao Shu! A handsome and elegant man of unknown identity, with a haughty look in his eyes!
They had only just met, yet she appeared in his dream! And they were even being all lovey-dovey with each other!
Mo Yinghuo felt a cold sweat break out on her back. The pent-up desire she felt as a bystander had been doused with a bucket of cold water! She remembered that figure; it was him in the starry night.
But he had never seen this person until recently.
“If Ah Huo says I’m wrong, then I’m wrong.”
The voice was extremely gentle, yet calm and composed, urgent and restrained.
With one hand supporting his forehead, Mo Yinghuo, who was dozing off against another table, frowned and drifted into another dream.
However, this dream was different; she was a participant, not an observer.
The northern barbarian demons have reappeared at the princess's residence.
Mo Yinghuo instantly drew the Chang Geng from his waist. Just as he was about to shout, he was captured by the two men and kicked to the ground.
Young Mo Yinghuo was no match for these men, each wielding a saber and possessing immense strength. But she was stubborn and unyielding, managing to struggle to her feet. Her white clothes, cuffs, and face were stained with blood and dust, and she stood disheveled before the group of people who had suddenly reappeared in the princess's residence.
Mo Yinghuo gritted her teeth, the veins on her hand gripping Chang Geng were slightly visible, and her eyes were bloodshot as she stared at the group of demons in front of her who were grinning slyly as if they had spotted their prey. She was both afraid and resentful, and she only regretted that she was not yet fully grown and mature. Even though she had worked hard in her daily life, she could only stubbornly endure being bullied by others because of her youthful arrogance.
Those earth-red boots landed on the back of Mo Yinghuo's hand, which was holding Chang Geng's hand.
Mo Yinghuo already knew that this man was their leader; from their conversation, he was called Hunxie Wang. This man was powerful and had strange moves. One of them provoked her and knocked Mo Yinghuo to the ground again in a few moves. Suddenly, he sneered, his boots rubbing and stomping on Mo Yinghuo's palms, and then he kicked her in the stomach.
Mo Yinghuo's face turned completely pale with pain. Another northern barbarian, carrying a saber that gleamed white, walked over.
"Don't harm our Princess's life," Hunxie Wang said ominously, sitting on the table with his arms crossed.
Mo Yinghuo smiled coldly. Ever since these people always appeared out of nowhere in the palace, and after the tragic deaths of the Third Prince, Fifth Prince, and Sixth Prince, she insisted on moving out of the palace and into her own residence.
From then on, these people never appeared in the palace again, and gradually, Mo Yinghuo guessed that the matter might have passed. However, in just three months, the Northern Barbarians treated the Princess's residence as if it were the northern frontier, appearing and disappearing without a trace, tormenting Mo Yinghuo. It was then that she truly realized that these people were after her.
All those who died tragically did so because of their own actions! This included her imperial brother, and even her mother…
From then on, living in the Princess's residence in the capital, she was haunted by a group of northern barbarian demons and burdened with guilt for those who had died tragically because of her. Therefore, young Mo Yinghuo had already learned to endure, and even when her father asked, she never mentioned anything about what happened in the residence.
She knew it was no use!
Otherwise, her father would not have agreed to let her move out of the palace; otherwise, her father would have sent troops to attack the northern frontier long ago, instead of sending the Marquis of Beiding to guard the border and not daring to set foot in the northern frontier.
Since we can't stop her, let's just go after her alone.
Mo Yinghuo simply kept instructing Granny Shen to increase the number of guards in the princess's mansion. The entire princess's mansion was now devoid of maids, consisting entirely of highly skilled guards. To the uninitiated, it would have been mistaken for a general's residence.
From then on, she alone swallowed all her fear and resentment, enduring a life tormented like a frightened bird, fighting these people to the very end. However, there was one thing she didn't understand: why didn't these people take her life? Why did they keep toying with a child from a young age, enjoying it so much?
"What, you don't dare to end this princess's life with a single stroke!"
Mo Yinghuo had a half-smile on his face, and his youthful, fair face also had a sinister aura, similar to that of Hunxie Wang.
Hunxie Wang looked Mo Yinghuo up and down with great interest, as if he were looking at a sheep, or a wolf cub being tamed.
"The Princess is becoming more and more composed. She is a woman who is just as capable as any man. What a heroic young man! Before, you used to cry and beg for your father, and you would call for guards at the drop of a hat. What, now you don't call for him anymore?"
Mo Yinghuo dusted himself off and said leisurely.
"You probably dealt with the guards at the gate a long time ago. Do you really want to kill me? If I call now, will all the guards in the mansion be able to come in time?"
"The Princess is truly wise." Hunxie Wang, carrying his saber, walked slowly towards Mo Yinghuo, one step, two steps, three steps... The northern barbarians behind him bared their teeth and grinned. If they weren't afraid of startling the Princess's guards, they would have already started banging drums and gongs to cheer.
The several knife scars hidden under the white clothes were left from waking up in pain from a nightmare. Time had passed, but now they still stung faintly.
Mo Yinghuo turned her head, her gaze sweeping past the window and silently looking in that familiar direction. There were no stars or moon, only a bottomless darkness. She counted the number of times these people had come, knowing that they were still wary of the palace guards. That's why she would increase the number of guards in the princess's residence whenever she had the chance.
Hunxie Wang seemed to be enraged by her indifference. His previous sinister expression instantly turned into a ferocious one, and he said angrily, "Princess, how about I leave you something? You can't come here for nothing."
Before Mo Yinghuo could react, someone behind her handed her what appeared to be a wine container. Two people suddenly pressed down on her shoulders. As soon as Hunxie Wang took the container, he grabbed Mo Yinghuo's chin with one hand and tightened his wrist. She immediately broke out in a cold sweat and opened her mouth.
Hunxie King picked up the container in his hand, grinned coldly, said something in the Xiongnu language that Mo Yinghuo couldn't understand, and then poured wine into her mouth.
Instantly, a burning, pungent sensation filled Mo Yinghuo's nose, throat, and chest... Through the corner of his eye, Mo Yinghuo saw the wine container, which, like those people, was eerie and strangely pale in color, and was actually made of human skulls.
"The princess is not young anymore, she can also try the taste of our Xiongnu strong liquor..."
Mo Yinghuo's pupils dilated in terror, but returned to normal in a moment. She tried her best to suppress the bitter taste in her mouth and swallowed hard, even catching a hint of a refreshing aftertaste.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
