Chapter 123 His Majesty has also come to Xuanhua
The flickering candlelight in the tent illuminated Yun Chong'an's solemn and tired face.
Bai Qi stood quietly to the side, his eyes scanning the vaguely visible patrol figures outside the tent. His voice was extremely low, but every word was clear: "Master, don't worry too much. I will keep Miss Yun's identity a secret. I have had the honor of meeting her several times in the capital, so I recognize her."
Yun Chong'an rubbed his brows and sighed, "The military camp is a strategic location, and women are strictly prohibited from entering. This is an iron rule. This child Ah Zhao... is really making trouble! I will find a reason to let her go back as soon as possible."
Bai Qi slowly shook his head, a deeper thought flashing in his eyes. "I'm afraid... Miss Yun has a strong personality. Now that she's come this far, she might not be willing to leave easily. Furthermore, I suspect His Majesty... may no longer be in the capital."
Yun Chong'an suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment: "What? What do you mean?"
Bai Qi analyzed, "General, please think carefully. Your Majesty, at court, defied all odds and insisted on leading the army in person. His attitude was so resolute! Yet, in a mere cup of tea, he was easily persuaded by his ministers... This change is too swift and illogical. Based on your understanding of Your Majesty's temperament, is he someone who would give in so easily or give up so easily?"
Yun Chong'an's expression gradually changed, and his voice sank: "You mean... His Majesty openly agreed to stay in the capital, but secretly came to Xuanhua?"
"I think it's almost certain," Bai Qi nodded, his tone firm. "Your Majesty is very likely to have left the capital incognito and come to the northern border secretly."
Yun Chong'an's heart sank suddenly, and an even more shocking thought emerged: "Master Bai, do you think... His Majesty came here for Ah Zhao?"
Bai Qi chose his words carefully, "I dare not presume to judge Your Majesty's intentions. However, since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have refused to select concubines, appointed no empress, and even rarely set foot in the harem... These things are being discussed throughout the court and the country. And Miss Yun has been away from the palace for a long time... If you say that Your Majesty's trip has nothing to do with this, I find it hard to believe. Commander, what are your thoughts?"
Yun Chong'an paced the tent for two steps, his brow furrowed as he put his hands behind his back. "The Yun family holds military power, and being a big tree attracts wind. If Ah Zhao is appointed as the Empress again, the power of the foreign relatives will be too great, and they will surely be met with huge suspicion! Throughout history, you and I both know the fate of those who have become too powerful to be worthy of the throne, or have too many foreign relatives. Lord Bai's reminder today is truly a wake-up call. I must send Ah Zhao back to Jinzhou as soon as possible. We must not let them meet here!"
Bai Qi bowed and said, "Commander, you have foresight and foresight. I admire you."
Yun Chong'an became increasingly cautious, his voice lowered. "If Your Majesty truly arrived in Xuanhua secretly, then this matter must be kept absolutely secret. No word can leak out at all! Otherwise, if the dragon's body is harmed in the slightest, you and I will be blamed!"
That night, Yun Zhao was wiping her sword in her small military tent, thinking about how to convince her father to allow her to go to the front line tomorrow, but she saw Yun Chong'an walking in with a sullen face, lifting the curtain.
"It's so late, and you're still packing up your weapons. What do you want to do?" Yun Chong'an went straight to the point in a serious tone.
Yun Zhao put down his sword, stood up, and said, "Father, why do you come here so late at night? What advice do you have for me?"
Yun Chong'an stared at his daughter, silent for a moment, and finally made up his mind: "You and Zhao Ze, leave immediately tomorrow morning and return to Jinzhou."
Yun Zhao was stunned for a moment, then said anxiously, "Father! I've already come this far, why are you still insisting on sending me back? I can protect myself and will never be a burden to you! Don't you understand my intentions? I'm not here to cause trouble! I truly want to drive out the Wala, protect the country and the people, so that the people can live and work in peace... You don't know what I've seen along the way: people displaced and starving everywhere..."
"His Majesty has arrived." Yun Chong'an interrupted her, his voice low but like a boulder dropped into a quiet lake, "He may be in Xuanhua right now. If you still want to marry into the palace and step into that shameful place, then stay. He most likely came this time just for you."
Yun Zhao's body suddenly stiffened, as if frozen in an instant. It took him a while to find his voice again, with a barely perceptible tremor: "He...how did he know I would come? How could he come for me?"
Yun Chong'an looked at her, his eyes filled with helplessness and pity: "Think about it carefully, if he can go to Xuanhua, why can't he go to Jinzhou? Since he has made up his mind, how could he not find you no matter where he goes?"
"Has he arrived in Xuanhua?" Yun Zhao's voice was a little tense.
"He came incognito, his whereabouts are extremely secret, and no one knows his exact location." Yun Chong'an said in a heavy tone, "You and Zhao Ze should set off tonight. After returning, immediately arrange your marriage with Zhao Ze. Even if he finds Jinzhou in the future and sees that you are betrothed to someone else, he will not force you since it is already a done deal."
The tent fell into dead silence, with only the crackling of the candlelight.
Yun Zhao lowered his eyes for a long time, his fingertips slightly curled up, and finally turned into an almost inaudible sigh: "It seems... this is the only way. Then I will pack up and go back with A Ze."
Seeing her agree, Yun Chong'an felt relieved. His tone softened, a hint of relief in his voice. "I'm glad you've figured it out. The deep palace walls, with their strict rules and hidden dangers, are definitely not a place for you. It will only cause you suffering. Ah Zhao, you must understand your father's painstaking efforts."
Yun Zhao nodded, hiding all the emotions in her eyes, and said in a calm voice: "Don't worry, father, your daughter understands."
…
Half an hour later, Yun Zhao and Zhao Ze quietly left the military camp under the escort of Brigadier General Wu.
The night was dark, the stars and the moon were dim, and only the dull sound of horses' hooves stepping on the official road could be heard.
When they were almost at the Xuanhua city gate, Yun Zhao, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly reined in his horse and said to Lieutenant General Wu in front of him, "Lieutenant General Wu, wait a minute, my luggage seems to be a little loose."
Lieutenant General Wu had no suspicion and turned his horse back.
The moment he approached, Yun Zhao's eyes flashed with coldness, and with lightning-fast movements, he struck him precisely on the back of the neck. Lieutenant General Wu groaned, and before he could even react in surprise, he fell limply from his horse.
Zhao Ze was stunned watching from the side, almost speechless: "A Zhao! You...what are you doing?!"
Yun Zhao dismounted his horse swiftly and dragged the unconscious Lieutenant General Wu to hide in the bushes beside the road. His movements were quick and decisive.
She stood up, dusted off her hands, and looked towards the scattered flames in Xuanhua City. A complex and resolute smile appeared on her lips. "Go back? Now that we're here, how can we go back? Aren't there many civil organizations resisting Wala? We can join them. Zhao Ze, are you a coward? Do you want to go back?"
In the night, her eyes were surprisingly bright, as if they contained endless courage and were about to create waves.
Zhao Ze was depressed: "If I was afraid, why would I come? But, do you know where those organizations are?
"A Zhao, wait for me, why are you walking so fast?"
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