Chapter 9 Mei Xi (9) Battle Report
The simple "tributes" at the temple gate were like pebbles dropped into a calm lake, creating subtle ripples in Lin Jiaojiao's heart. She looked at the brand new futon, fresh wild berries, warm goat cheese and soft linen, feeling mixed emotions.
In the palace of a tyrant who regards human life as worthless, this fearless, almost cautious kindness seems particularly precious, and also particularly... unreal.
External Environment Analysis: Host influence has been initially established. Individual (Kudin) Loyalty: Significantly increased (not driven by fear). Threat Level: Low (temporarily). The system's analysis remained calm.
"My Lady! Look! This cushion is so soft! These berries look sweet, and this cheese smells so fragrant!" Chun happily carried the things into the hall one by one, her face filled with the pride of "My Lady is truly beloved by everyone." "It must be sent by Lord Kusi. He looked at you differently just now!" She picked up the roll of linen and caressed it lovingly. "This material is much better than what we have. It's just right for making you a close-fitting lingerie."
Lin Jiaojiao didn't say anything, but just picked up a plump wild berry.
The deep purple fruit rolls on your fingertips, feeling cool and refreshing, emitting a sweet fruity aroma.
She took a light bite, and the sweet and sour juice instantly burst in her mouth, bringing a rare fresh breath in winter, dispelling some of the haze in her heart.
Well, that's so sweet. She narrowed her eyes and put aside those complicated thoughts for the time being. Never mind. When there is something good to enjoy, just enjoy it first.
In the next few days, Lin Jiaojiao's life finally felt like a "patient recuperating".
The injury improved at a visible speed due to Officer Zhao's regular, silent but efficient dressing changes. The pain in the right shoulder changed from a constant dull ache to a pulling sensation during occasional movements, and the arm could be raised slightly.
Every time Zhao came, he was still as calm as water, his movements were precise and neat, and his eyes were sharp but no longer carried the cold scrutiny from before, but more of a pure doctor's observation.
Only occasionally would his deep, pool-like eyes fall upon Lin Jiaojiao's face, which had noticeably improved, even sporting a healthy blush thanks to the improved diet. He would linger for a moment, a faint, elusive flicker of... inquiry seeming to cross his gaze. But every time Lin Jiaojiao glanced over in confusion, he'd already averted his gaze, as if it were only an illusion.
[External Individual (Zhao) Behavior Pattern: Continuous Observation. Emotional Fluctuation: Extremely Low. Intent Analysis: ...Unknown.] The system's label for Zhao always carried the "Unknown" tag, which left Lin Jiaojiao feeling a bit uneasy.
But her physical recovery was real. She was no longer satisfied with just basking in the sun at the door of the side hall, and her range of activities began to expand.
She began to walk with Chun's support in the relatively "safe" area of the royal harem.
Although it is called a harem, it is actually far less exquisite and luxurious than the palaces of later generations. It is mostly a group of palaces built with huge stones and in a rough style, occasionally dotted with some cold-resistant pines and cypresses and bare vine racks. The palace roads are wide but cold. Slaves and low-ranking palace servants walk hurriedly, but whenever Lin Jiaojiao appears, those hurried footsteps will involuntarily slow down and pause.
On sunny afternoons, she would even walk to a slope with a wide view near the edge of the palace garden. There were several relatively flat rocks there, covered with thick thatched mats by Chun.
She sat there, wrapped in a thick cloak, looking at the rolling, desolate mountains covered with light snow in the distance, feeling the chill of the winter wind brushing across her cheeks, which brought a sense of spacious freedom. It would be better if she were not trapped here. Lin Jiaojiao couldn't help but sigh.
Her appearance gradually became a unique landscape in the royal court's back garden.
The palace servants and eunuchs who once only dared to glimpse her from afar, their eyes filled with fear, now saw her with something else in their eyes. It was astonishment, curiosity, cautious respect, but deeper still, an indescribable desire...to protect her? It was as if she wasn't a high-ranking concubine, but a fragile, rare treasure that needed the protection of the entire royal court.
The old servant who was responsible for cleaning the path near the slope where she often went would clear the gravel and snow on the road in advance.
Occasionally, slaves carrying firewood would pass by pushing heavy wooden carts. When they saw her sitting on the stone, they would stop at a distance and wait until she and Chun walked away slowly before they dared to continue pushing. The sound of the wheels rolling over the stone slabs was extremely light.
There was even one time when a little maid who was responsible for feeding the few remaining skinny birds in the palace saw her coming from afar, her face turned red, and she quickly took out a bird's egg wrapped in clean leaves, which was still warm, from her arms, stuffed it into Chun's pocket, and then ran away like a frightened deer.
Lin Jiaojiao looked at the small, warm egg, feeling a little amused but also a little warm in her heart.
Her influence permeates silently, like water dripping through stone.
That afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, and Lin Jiaojiao came to the slope again. Chun spread out the mat as usual and helped her sit down. The snow on the distant mountains was flashing a dazzling white light in the sun.
Lin Jiaojiao looked at the empty space, her thoughts drifting away.
How many days have I been in this world? It's been three or four days since the Tyrant went on his expedition, right? I wonder what's going on out there... That thirty-day countdown the system mentioned hangs like a sword of Damocles over my head... And that Doctor Zhao... what on earth is he...
At this moment, a burst of rapid horse hoof sounds came from far away, breaking the tranquility of the back garden. The horse hoof sounds were unusually hasty and flustered. They did not come from outside the palace, but from inside the royal court, near the front court.
Lin Jiaojiao's heart sank suddenly, and an ominous premonition instantly gripped her.
Haruya stood up nervously, tiptoeing to look around: "My Lady Consort... seems... to be a messenger?"
Sure enough, a moment later, a dusty knight in dusty leather armor galloped to the back garden entrance, only to be stopped by the armored guards. The knight dismounted, pulled out a scroll of bamboo slips tied with blood-stained hemp rope, and shouted hoarsely, "Urgent news! Urgent news from the south! Report... Report to the important officials who remain behind."
Although the distance was too far to hear the specific content, the anxious expression on the knight's face and the blood-stained hemp rope were like a silent declaration.
The air in the entire back garden froze instantly. The blood drained from the faces of all the palace servants and slaves who witnessed this scene, their eyes filled with immense fear. Something happened on the front line...?!
Lin Jiaojiao felt a chill rising from her feet, instantly freezing her limbs. Urgent news... blood-stained news. King Jie of Xia... was defeated? Or...? Either way, for her, the imperial concubine known as the source of disaster, it was definitely not a good thing. If he won, the tyrant would triumph, and her situation would only be more dangerous.
Lost... When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? The countdown to the fall of the Xia Dynasty... The cold countdown numbers of the system instantly flashed wildly in her mind.
[Warning! External environment has changed dramatically! Threat level being reassessed...] The system alarm sounded again, with an unprecedented sense of urgency.
She stood up suddenly, ignoring the pain in her right shoulder, and said with a barely perceptible tremor in her voice: "Chun... let's go back!"
Chun was also frightened and hurriedly supported her, and the two of them hurried back.
The leisurely pace they had taken when they arrived now became heavy and frantic. The palace servants they met along the way all wore the same look of panic and bewilderment. Seeing Lin Jiaojiao, their eyes, besides their usual awe and pity, were filled with a layer of deep worry and... a subtle hint of dependence? It was as if everyone was saying, My Lady Concubine... what should we do?
Just as he returned to the side hall door, before he had time to catch his breath, he saw a middle-aged official in a dark hemp robe with a solemn expression, accompanied by two armored soldiers, standing outside the hall door. Seeing Lin Jiaojiao return, the official stepped forward, bowed, and said in a low and hurried voice:
"Your Highness! Urgent news has arrived from the south. Your Majesty... Your Majesty has encountered the main force of the Shang army at Yousuo Ruins. The battle... The battle is going badly! Your Majesty has led his troops to retreat to Mingtiao!" The official's voice was filled with an unconcealable heaviness. "The Shang army is powerful, and there's a risk... a danger of overthrow. The entire royal court must prepare immediately for any eventuality."
The ruins of Yousuo and Mingtiao—these two place names rang out like thunder in Lin Jiaojiao's ears. The cold words in the history book instantly transformed into a surging wave before her eyes. Xia Jie's main force had been defeated! Retreating to Mingtiao… they were only one step away from their final destruction.
The official's voice continued, carrying a subtle hint of temptation and pressure: "During this critical moment, the entire royal court should work together! The Yuan Concubine is the master of the harem, and her life is crucial to the safety of the royal court. I hope... I hope that the Yuan Concubine will give instructions to calm people's hearts!"
To calm people's hearts? Lin Jiaojiao smiled bitterly in her heart.
How could she reassure people? She couldn't even protect herself! This official seemed respectful, but in reality, he was forcing her to make a statement, or perhaps... he wanted to see what this "troublemaker" Princess Yuan could do at a critical moment? Perhaps he was even testing her reaction, preparing for someone else's next move?
She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart and the slight trembling of her body. She knew that she must not show any fear at this moment. She must make good use of her identity as "Princess Yuan" and the subtle influence she had accumulated during this period.
She straightened her back and looked at the official calmly. Her voice was low, but it carried an undeniable calmness: "Your Majesty is valiant and will surely defeat the enemy. We, who are in the rear, must do our duty and not distract Your Majesty!"
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the equally worried-looking soldiers behind the officials and the palace maids peeking in from afar. Her voice rose a bit, carrying a soothing force: "Order: Each member of the royal court shall perform his duties. No one shall make irresponsible remarks about military affairs or leave his post without permission! Anyone who spreads rumors, stirs up trouble, or disturbs the people will be severely punished!"
Her words were clear and powerful, echoing in the silent side hall. A hint of surprise flashed in the official's eyes. He seemed to have not expected that the Yuan concubine, who was famous for her beauty, could remain so calm in such a sudden change, and could say such flawless words to stabilize the situation.
[External individuals (officials) experience emotional fluctuations: surprise → scrutiny → temporary cessation of pressure.] Systematic and calm analysis.
The official bowed and responded: "Yes! I obey the order of Princess Yuan!" He said no more and hurried away with the soldiers, obviously to convey orders and arrangements.
Looking at the official's departing back, Lin Jiaojiao felt her back soaked with cold sweat. The words she had just spoken had almost exhausted all her strength and courage.
"My Lady Concubine..." Chun's voice was filled with tears as he supported her shaky body.
Lin Jiaojiao waved her hands to indicate that she was fine. She looked at the palace servants in the distance who had calmed down a little because of her orders, but whose eyes were still full of fear, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
She knew this was only a temporary calm. The storm had just begun. And her time... was truly running out.
[Core mission countdown: 719:59:35 remaining → 358:20:34...] The system's countdown ticked silently, coldly reminding her of the fate hanging over her head.
She looked up at the sky in the south that was blocked by the mountains, as if she could hear the roar of swords and horses and the desperate roars on the distant battlefield.
Mingtiao... Nanchao... The trajectory destined to end is clearly unfolding before her eyes, and she must find a glimmer of hope on this trajectory for herself and for those around her who depend on her.
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