A cloud passed by, gently covering the full moon, revealing only a faint glow. The earth was shrouded in darkness, and it seemed as if something shattered in an instant, then scattered all over the ground, and with the sudden wind, drifted away to the ends of the world.
Xuan Mo nodded and said in the darkness, "I obey your command."
Nalan Hongye was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Notify Sima Yang to reorganize the three armies and be ready to cooperate with Yanbei to send troops to Daxia at any time."
The man in the darkness immediately raised his head and stared at her with eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
Nalan Hongye breathed calmly, seemingly not noticing his emotional fluctuations at all. Instead, she said calmly, "Xuan Mo, there are bandits invading the East China Sea again. This time, I still have to rely on you to defend the East China Sea for me."
For a moment, the white tower was silent, and Xuan Mo's body stood tall and straight, like a poplar tree. He just looked at her like that, his gaze traversing the tender time of more than ten years, finally condensing into the silent silence at this moment.
As her childhood playmate, he served as her personal bodyguard despite his status as a prince, watching her grow up with innocence and beauty.
After the emperor passed away, he knelt in front of his father's door for three days and three nights, trying hard to persuade his father to give up the idea of treason and usurpation of the throne, and instead assist the young emperor and her, the eldest princess.
Over the years, he had always stood behind her, obeyed all her orders, and been her most loyal subject and most trusted subordinate. Even when he was ordered to marry the daughter of a powerful minister, he never objected.
But now, the emperor is in danger, the Song Dynasty is in jeopardy, and the Yanbei cavalry is attacking. But at this time, she has to release him to the border of the East China Sea.
However, in just a moment, he figured out the connection. His eyes gradually calmed down, and he returned to his usual calm and composed self. He knelt down and said in a deep voice, "I obey your command."
For a moment, Nalan Hongye's heart was in suspense, until he knelt quietly, until he said in his usual calm voice "I obey your command", then she suddenly loosened her clenched fists. She turned around, her unparalleled face was as beautiful as a painting, the corners of her eyes were painted with gold powder, and she was so beautiful and dignified that one could not bear to look at her closely. She felt the need to explain, so she said, "There will be a fierce battle between Yanbei and Daxia, and the fighting will be brutal. You are the only person I can trust, and I don't want to see anything happen to you."
Xuan Mo still lowered his head and said calmly, "I understand."
Nalan Hongye took a deep breath, chuckled and said, "Okay, get up. There's no need to be so formal between you and me."
Xuan Mo did not stand up, but knelt there. There was silver moonlight above his head, and crows were flapping their wings and flying across the silent sky. The night wind blew through his billowing robe embroidered with a nine-curved python dragon. The pattern of the highest official in the country was like a cold knife in his hand, which could hurt others or himself.
He slowly took out a few things from his arms and placed them one by one on the white jade steps.
Nalan Hongye frowned when he saw this, and was about to speak, but heard Xuan Mo quietly say: "I don't know when I can return from this trip, so the military power of the Jingji Army and the Xuanzi Army will be returned to Your Highness."
She wanted to refuse immediately, but when her eyes fell on the two tokens, she was stunned for a moment. The Jingji Army originally belonged to the Ministry of War. After she and Xuan Mo joined forces to defeat the Minister of War, she took the Jingji Army into her possession. It has been led by Xuan Mo over the years. As for the Xuanzi Army, it is Xuan Mo's personal guard, with extremely strong combat effectiveness, and can be regarded as Huai Song's first-class army. As if possessed by some mysterious force, she actually walked forward, smiled and helped Xuan Mo up, and said, "Okay, I'll keep it for you first, and I'll give it back to you when you come back."
Xuan Mo was tall and straight, standing in front of Nalan, a head taller than her. His narrow eyes were like a cold lake, just looking at her quietly, without disrespect, but also a little bold.
Nalan Hongye tilted her head up, her pointed chin had a soft curve, she looked at him with a faint smile, her eyes sparkling and shimmering.
"Although Prince Taiping has defected, Prince Jinjiang and his men are no ordinary people. Your Highness, please take care of yourself after I leave."
Nalan Hongye smiled and said, "Xuan Mo, how many years have you known me? Are you still unsure of me?"
Xuan Mo bowed his head and said, "Your Highness is a genius, I am sorry for my words."
"Okay, no need to be so formal. You and I have known each other for many years, and have supported each other all the way. We are both monarch and subject, and close friends. I promise you that no matter what fate Huai Song will face in the future, as long as I still have the power to speak for one day, I will grant you the full honor of the Xuanwang Mansion."
The night dew slowly climbed up the corners of the clothes and wet the python's scales. Xuan Mo bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. It's late at night. If you have nothing else, I will take my leave now."
Nalan Hongye originally wanted to give him a few more instructions, but when it came to this, he didn't know what to say. She nodded and said, "It's dark at night. Ask the servants to bring an extra lantern."
"Yes, I remember it."
After saying that, Xuan Mo bowed to her, turned around and walked towards the corridor. The moonlight shines through the lattice on the passage, casting white streaks. Xuan Mo's back is straight and his steps are steady, appearing and disappearing in the spots of light and shadow step by step. After a long time, he finally got down from the White Tower and walked on the huge square. The night was like a thick fog, wrapping his figure in it. Nalan Hongye could only see a vague shadow standing on the tower.
The night wind was very strong, blowing her hair. She just stood there like a white jade statue, not moving at all for a long time.
She recalled the time when she was very young and pirates from the East China Sea were causing trouble for the border, and her father personally led the army to fight. At that time, the empire was strong, had sufficient military force, and was prosperous. She didn't understand why her father would go to the battlefield in person to guard such an army. The young girl pulled her father's sleeve and asked in confusion: Father, why do you want to go to the battlefield in person?
At that moment, my father's eyes were like a vast ocean, with no end in sight. He patted her head lovingly and said calmly, "No reason. If you don't take responsibility for some things, no one will."
At that time, she didn't understand what her father said, but now, she suddenly understood.
In this world, everyone has their own helplessness and everyone has their own reasons.
Her carelessness allowed the King of Taiping's followers to succeed and poison the already deaf little emperor. This poor child is not only deaf, but also has not much time left due to the poisoning. Once the emperor passes away, Huai Song will surely be in chaos, and the Prince of Jinjiang, the Prince of Huai'an and others will all be ready to make a move. By then, her Nalan lineage will be wiped out from the world.
She was unwilling to accept this. Over the years, she had worked hard to handle state affairs and devoted all her energy to assisting the young master, but every one of the royal family members was looking forward to her death every day. Did her ancestors fight on the battlefield just to make wedding dresses for others? She has worked diligently for many years, how could she let her kingdom be ruined in the hands of those scum?
Yanbei's dominance is a foregone conclusion. There was civil strife in Bian Tang, civil strife in Huai Song, and Daxia was in a mess. At this time, instead of waiting for Qing'er to die and handing over the country to those royal relatives with ulterior motives, it would be better to use the country as a capital in exchange for the safety of the people of Huai Song and the preservation of her Nalan lineage. After all, she still has a seriously ill mother, Yu'er still has three young daughters, and a group of loyal old ministers who are loyal to the royal orthodoxy...
It would be better to agree to his proposal. In this way, the Nalan family's honor would remain unchanged, the two countries would form an alliance and pursue great undertakings, which would better fulfill her ambitions. What's more, isn't this the wish she has been looking forward to for many years?
The nine-story palace gate opened wide, and Xuan Mo's figure gradually disappeared into the boundless darkness.
She suddenly felt a little flustered, as if something had left and disappeared into the dark night, quietly vanishing.
She was also helpless about sending Xuan Mo to East Frontier. The opposition to this war in the army was too strong, and it would be difficult to deter them without the power of thunder. However, Xuan Mo was too lenient in commanding his troops, and it was difficult for him to accomplish this task. His presence would only hinder Sima Yang, making it impossible for him to reorganize the army and cooperate with Yanbei.
What's more, the rebellion of Prince Taiping also made her realize the importance of military power. However, Xuan Mo's prestige in the army was far beyond her reach. In times of peace, she could still rely on the power of the government and the public to control him, but now that the situation was so chaotic, she had to be on guard.
Hopefully, he wouldn't blame her.
Xuan Mo walked quietly on the empty imperial road, his personal attendant Jiang Wu followed carefully on one side, and the carriage followed behind, making a creaking sound.
The eldest princess trusted Prince Xuan, so Prince Xuan's mansion was very close to the imperial palace. Before arriving at the mansion, one could see from afar several lanterns lit in front of the door, all in a warm red color, which made people feel warm at the sight of them.
"The prince is back." Princess Yushu was wearing a moon-white dress, looking simple and tranquil under the light. She took the lantern from Xuan Mo and asked in surprise, "Why is the prince holding an unlit lantern?"
Xuan Mo was slightly stunned and looked down, only to see that the white lanterns in the Jade Palace were not lit. The thin jade wall looked like colored glass under the other lights, as if it would shatter if touched lightly.
He whispered, "I forgot."
After saying that, he went to the palace first.
Yushu took a cloak and tried to put it on his shoulders, but accidentally touched his hand and couldn't help but exclaimed, "Why are your hands so cold?"
Xuan Mo said nonchalantly, "It's okay." Then he walked straight towards the study.
Yushu stood there, watching his back disappear into the garden after a few turns. The soft white cloak was held in Yushu's hand, like a kite, blown by the wind and floating up lightly.
"Princess?" The maidservant standing by was a little embarrassed and whispered, "It's windy at night, let's go back to our room first."
Yushu nodded very slowly, then turned around, with that gentle look again, and said with a faint smile: "Your Highness must be hungry after coming back so late, go to the kitchen and ask the cook to make a few light dishes."
The maid nodded helplessly and said, "Yes, I will go right away. Princess, you should go to bed early. You are not in good health and cannot stay up late any longer."
Yushu did not answer, but urged: "Go quickly."
The maid left, and Yushu turned around, only to see candles lit in the study across the corridor. A very thin figure stood in front of the window, with light and shadow flickering, and he looked handsome and extraordinary.
Yushu watched and suddenly laughed. She pursed her lips and went to the tea room with a few maids. There were a few boxes of good tea that had just arrived. She could make some for him to try later.
In the study, Xuan Mo spread out a piece of fine Lanling Xuan paper, dipped the brush into ink, but left the tip of the brush hanging in the air for a long time without writing.
With a "puff" sound, a drop of ink fell and spread out a big ink spot on the rice paper, but he didn't notice it, as if he was thinking about something.
Jiang Wu stood aside and said carefully, "Your Majesty, may I change a piece of paper for you?"
Xuan Mo glanced down, then crumpled up the paper without changing his expression and threw it on the ground.
Jiang Wu couldn't help but shrink his neck. He had been serving Xuan Mo for seven or eight years and knew the temper of this master who never showed his emotions. Seeing him like this, you can tell that he must be in a very, very bad mood at the moment.
After Xuan Mo threw away the piece of paper, he pulled another piece of paper, stared at the blank rice paper for a long time, then lowered his head and began to write.
He wrote very quickly. In just a moment, he had written a long and eloquent article. After finishing it, he handed it to Jiang Wu and said, "Send it to the Ministry of Rites tomorrow morning and give it to Lord Yu. Ask him to send someone to deliver it to Baizhi Pass and hand it over to Yan Xun personally."