The next day.
Guan Zhiyue was woken up by Li Qiji before it was even light.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just wanted to hug you." Li Qiji's voice was somewhat low, with a hint of longing.
Last night's madness left Guan Zhiyue unable to lift her arms, feeling as if her whole body had been run over by wheels.
"Yue'er, we need to prepare to set sail again."
Guan Zhiyue let out a weak groan.
I don't want to take you with me!
Guan Zhiyue perked up upon hearing this and immediately asked, "Why?"
Li Qiji sighed and said, "Because this trip involves a war between nations, I think Japan will send many capable and extraordinary people. I don't want you to go on this risky trip with me, you know that."
Guan Zhiyue turned around and faced Li Qiji. The two lay facing each other.
"But if you don't take me with you, won't I be unsafe here?"
Li Qiji thought of Yuan Ningsu, and then of the cruelty of the Japanese!
He shook his head and said, "Compared to the Japanese, I trust Yuan Ningsu more. After all, he won't harm you, and I can fight better at sea."
Guan Zhiyue found Li Qiji's words somewhat amusing, and then teased, "You trust your good brother that much? Aren't you afraid that if I spend too much time with your brother, we'll both lose and go home together?"
Li Qiji reached out and touched Guan Zhiyue's cheek, saying affectionately, "My Yue'er is still so young. If I were to be harmed by this accident..."
Then Yue'er should, with her hair styled anew, her eyebrows beautifully painted, skillfully displaying her graceful figure, choose a high-ranking official as her master, playfully posing in the courtyard, beautifully mimicking the harmonious interplay of music, and so on…”
Guan Zhiyue quickly raised her hand to cover Li Qiji's mouth, gently shaking her head and saying, "Don't say such unlucky things. You'll be fine. We have powerful weapons, you should understand. Besides, I didn't agree that I wouldn't go, did I?"
Li Qiji was well aware of the danger of this battle, and he also understood that the Japanese pirates were determined to fight a decisive battle with their Nan Ding Kingdom.
So, starting yesterday, he had no intention of keeping Guan Zhiyue by his side. He wanted to leave her at the camp or send her to Ningjian Kingdom, where Yuan Ningsu would protect her.
Although Yuan Ningsu is usually carefree and irresponsible, he can still distinguish right from wrong when it comes to matters of principle. After all, Xiao Yue'er is his playmate, and he will surely take good care of her in the future.
"Yue'er, listen to me, I'm not joking with you, I'm telling you the truth. No matter what, you are not allowed to come with me this time."
I will write you a letter of divorce shortly, and I will also write the edict of abdication. If anything happens to me, you should leave.
Upon hearing this, Guan Zhiyue found a tear unknowingly rolling down her cheek. She had originally thought that this man's feelings for her were only because of her father.
Perhaps it was because he had his own space that he was so accommodating to her, but he never expected to hear this now.
"Silly Yue'er, don't cry. It's a pity we don't have any children, otherwise I could have passed the throne to my son."
After hearing Li Qiji's words, Guan Zhiyue flipped over and straddled him, looking down at him.
"Let's have a baby."
Li Qiji chuckled and put Guan Zhiyue down, lying on his side as he continued to face her, saying, "Silly girl, you can't just have a child whenever you want. You're still so willful and mischievous!"
"I can give birth now! I'm twenty years old this year! Have you forgotten? I'll be twenty next month!" Guan Zhiyue said eagerly.
Li Qiji reached out and hugged Guan Zhiyue, stroking the top of her head as he said, "I know, my little girl has grown up. You won't be afraid of rainy and thundery weather anymore. You're a grown-up now, so you need to take good care of yourself."
Guan Zhiyue pushed Li Qiji away, then turned over and sat on his lap, saying very seriously, word by word, "I'll be twenty next month, I can give birth now."
Li Qiji held Guan Zhiyue's arms with both hands, looked up at her, and said softly, "Yes, my Yue'er has grown up and can reproduce. Be good, let's not be lewd during the day."
Guan Zhiyue was furious. Imitating Li Qiji's usual domineering manner, she pulled the blanket over both of them and then said softly, "Look, isn't it nighttime now?"
Li Qiji smiled helplessly and could only agree with Guan Zhiyue, letting out his inner thoughts.
The room was completely dark, but soon a very harmonious sound came from inside...
******
Military camp.
"Why hasn't the Emperor arrived yet? Didn't we agree yesterday that there would be a meeting today?"
"I don't know, maybe something tripped them up?"
"Hey, is that even a question? It's definitely the Empress! Didn't you see her yesterday? She's so beautiful!" Chen Jianjun said.
The other generals all nodded in agreement and looked at the three members of the Guan family.
The father and his two sons were all imposing figures, and their daughter was stunningly beautiful. If he were lucky enough to marry such a woman, he would never want to leave his room.
Guan Hongsheng, his face contorted with rage, rushed up to the generals and said, “Generals, I heard you talking nonsense right at the door.”
Why are you gossiping like a woman in the inner quarters of the house?
The generals touched their noses somewhat awkwardly, and one of them retorted, "Lord Guan, don't be angry. We were just praising your daughter and didn't say anything else. Please don't misunderstand!"
Just as Guan Hongsheng was about to say something in rebuttal, he heard Ji Wu's voice coming from the doorway.
"His Majesty has arrived."
Everyone fell silent, bowed their heads, clasped their hands, and shouted in unison, "Greetings, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be blessed!"
Li Qiji felt a headache just looking at them, and now his body ached too. Little Yue'er was also quite unpredictable when she started to cause trouble. "Hmm, rise!"
Everyone looked at Li Qiji, feeling that their emperor seemed very tired today, and it seemed that the emperor was also worried about this!
"Your Majesty, the Japanese have sent a declaration of war, military provisions have been prepared, and five large ships have also been prepared," a general said, bowing deeply.
Li Qiji nodded, sat down in the armchair, and then said, "I have some thoughts about this battle that I would like to share with you generals."
Everyone bowed and waited for Li Qiji's instructions.
"I think this battle must be a gathering of experts. Japan has always had hermits, and I'm sure all of you generals have heard of the Shogunate army."
Japan has long been controlled by the shogunate army, but now the shogunate army and the emperor's faction have issued a declaration of war, meaning both sides will deploy troops, making this battle extremely dangerous.
"We are willing to sacrifice our lives for our country!" Before Li Qiji could finish speaking, everyone in the room clasped their hands and bowed.
Li Qiji shook his head. "Those who have only one son in their family, leave the child behind. Those who have two children in their family and both are in the camp, leave one of them behind. The rest who are not afraid of death can come with me to kill those traitors."
Some of the children were already in the military camp, and they were very gratified to hear Li Qiji's words. Others, who were all alone, were even more excited to hear them.
"Your Majesty, this humble general is willing to sacrifice his life for the country." The young generals all clasped their hands and volunteered, including Guan Zhiyue's two older brothers.
Li Qiji shook his head. "As soldiers, we must follow orders. That's all. No need to say more. Go and make preparations. We'll set off in two days."
Everyone in the room had left, and Li Qiji sat slumped inside, dejected.
His eyes were glazed over, somewhat lost in thought...
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