October arrived in the blink of an eye, and Xu Yixing learned from Qin Li that Yiwen, Gao Yao, and the others had been released and returned to their respective homes. However, Yiwen was likely housed in a courtyard within the former governor's mansion, and like himself, he was restricted from coming and going as he pleased. As long as he was safe, Xu Yixing didn't expect anything more.
"Empress, His Majesty and General Ren have already set a time to march. Three days from now, they will lead their troops deep into the grasslands and attack the royal court."
Xu Yixing held Xiaobao in his arms and stared at Qin Li suspiciously: "Although I am not familiar with military affairs, I know that it is best to march and fight after the autumn harvest and end the war before winter.
Although it's October now, Miao Province is different from the interior of the country. The severe cold weather has already entered winter. The Hu people live on grass and water, and they've probably already moved the royal court deep into the grasslands. Wouldn't it be a lonely expedition deep into the grasslands if we attacked now? General Ren and the other generals didn't raise any objections.
Qin Li shrugged slightly. Was he still ignorant of military affairs? His face became even more respectful. "Your Majesty said that speed is of the essence in war, and that divine troops descend from the sky. It's precisely because everyone thinks the royal army won't send troops right now that this is the best time to do so. It's called a surprise attack."
"What bullshit." Xu Yixing muttered. He really didn't understand what Lu Anyuan was trying to do.
Qin Li pretended not to hear her curse and smiled awkwardly.
"I always forgot to ask, when Your Majesty goes to war, who is in charge in the capital?"
"Lord Wu Hou is in charge personally. Government affairs are handled by the Prime Minister and the cabinet. Palace affairs are under the control of the Empress Dowager."
"Oh..." No wonder Lu Anyuan dared to come out so freely, it turned out that he had asked Lord Wu Hou for help.
Xu Yixing had lived in the capital for twenty years, yet he had never once met the Great Xia Dynasty's only military marquis, simply because he had retired early and lived as a hermit. Unexpectedly, Lu Anyuan had invited him out. It seemed that staying in the capital was fine for the time being, but if he really did go deep into the capital alone and didn't return for several months, he would probably be in big trouble.
"Go and tell the emperor to come before he goes to war, no matter what." Xu Yixing had many questions to ask, but since the departure date had been set, she probably had no power to change it.
"Your Majesty will naturally come back without any instructions from the Queen." Qin Li smiled and Xu Yixing ignored him.
After waiting for two more days, Lu Anyuan finally stepped into the Orchid Garden the day before the expedition. Xu Yixing saw that in just two weeks, he had aged considerably, and his beard was untidy. Someone who didn't know him would have thought he had just returned from begging.
"What are you doing?"
"Oh, we have been in the military camp all these days, eating and living together, so naturally there is not much to pay attention to." Although he is the emperor, it is not difficult for him to quickly get close to his subordinates. Lu Anyuan is very experienced.
"Going to battle tomorrow?"
"Exactly."
Xu Yixing sighed worriedly, "I don't understand. The weather is freezing, and we're unfamiliar with the grasslands. If we can't find the royal court, or if we encounter a large group of grassland cavalry, how can you guarantee your safety?"
"These are matters that the general should worry about, and none of your business." Lu Anyuan had no intention of explaining to her, and Xu Yixing didn't ask any further questions. She was just surprised by his next words: "Pack up and come with me tomorrow."
"You want me to take Xiaobao with you to fight?" Xu Yixing couldn't believe it. Could it be that Lu Anyuan's distrust of him had reached such an extent that he even wanted to take a child with him?
"You're overthinking it. I'll place you in Sijiabao, the northernmost town in Daxia. It's closest to the grasslands and is where our troops are stationed. It's very safe."
Xu Yixing rolled his eyes, still confused. Sijiabao was indeed further north than Miaozhou, and indeed the last military town on the map. However, there was no real difference between going there and staying in Miaozhou, and Miaozhou was obviously larger and safer. Could it be that Lu Anyuan was just doing this for peace of mind, so that he could see mother and son as soon as he returned?
Lu Anyuan saw her confusion and didn't explain much. He just said, "All these arrangements I made are useful. You'll know when I come back from the grassland. There's no need to be suspicious. Besides, didn't you just say you would listen to me? Why are you going against your will right now?"
"Well, your soldiers don't think you're ridiculous, so what can I say?"
After hearing her say this, Lu Anyuan felt relieved. After the matter on the grassland was over, he could give her an explanation.
He gently took the little boy from her arms. He had indeed become heavier after not seeing him for half a month, which showed that he was in good health. Lu Anyuan rarely showed a pure smile: "Xiaobao is so cute, I wonder which of us he looks like?"
"Since it's pretty, then let it look like you." Humph, the child I give birth to will naturally look like me, oh no, to be more precise, like my sister. Xu Yixing sometimes felt a little regretful. He took Yi Yan's body, so the child he gave birth to would naturally look like Yi Yan. It was just a pity that he couldn't see what his own child would look like.
"Haha. When I come back, you'd better explain how you left Yanshan and came to Miaozhou, and then explain what you did behind my back."
Xu Yixing's body stiffened. Even the burning charcoal felt a chill. "Aha, I thought you had figured it all out..."
Lu Anyuan smiled. He had indeed found out something, but unfortunately, every time he found out something, she would get away first. If he hadn't left the main force behind and arrived in Miaozhou ahead of time, he would have missed her again. "Okay, pack up first, we'll leave tomorrow morning."
Lu Anyuan had too many things to take care of, so he just played with the child for a while before leaving. This trip into the grasslands was indeed dangerous, so the elder and younger brothers stayed with him, leaving Xu Yixing with eight long-sword guards, who were there to protect him but also to monitor him.
On October 4th, amid the eager eyes of the Miao people, the emperor departed to attack the Hu people. Leaving the north gate and venturing deep into the vast Gobi Desert, it took a full day to reach Sijiabao, the northernmost point of the territory.
Lu Anyuan did not come forward to arrange Xu Yixing's whereabouts, but simply separated a small team from the vast army, gradually deviated from the north and turned west to enter the tall and thick fortress.
The carriage stopped, and Xu Yixing helped the nanny get out of the carriage and entered the garden. With just one glance, she immediately figured out the secrets of the garden.
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