Chapter 87: Where Shall His Majesty Sleep?; A Shura Field, Little Xie’s Jealousy, and Finally… part 1
The Quartermaster’s question caused a momentary silence to fall over the tent.
This matter was indeed something only the Emperor himself could decide.
The fact that the Emperor had brought Hua Ling back to the camp was already riddled with suspicious points. The Emperor had always been cautious, yet he had allowed this woman into the main Imperial tent and had even chatted happily with her for so long…
If the soldiers of the Longwu Army temporarily set aside their reverence for the Emperor as a god-like figure and viewed him simply as a young man—the Emperor’s career had reached its zenith; all that was missing was the induction of some agreeable young ladies into his side.
Anyone who could hold the position of Quartermaster wasn’t a fool when it came to the ways of the world.
The Quartermaster had actually been eavesdropping at the door for a few sentences earlier, just in time to hear Li Yilong mentioning the widespread recruitment of concubines to produce an heir.
The Emperor had even more reason to leave an heir than Li Yilong. It was just that his methods were too firm; since his ascension, he had killed countless people, and the ministers likely didn’t dare to speak up.
The Quartermaster thought that if he could help facilitate this beautiful match, General Xie would surely receive even greater Imperial favor, and everyone could share in the joy. Perhaps they would even form a connection with a future Consort. If the Consort gave birth to a Crown Prince, the Longwu Army’s fortunes would flourish even more.
If it succeeded, General Xie would surely reward him handsomely.
Sure enough, General Xie was currently staring at him.
That gaze made the Quartermaster feel a chill throughout his body, sensing something akin to killing intent in General Xie’s pupils.
But how could the Quartermaster have guessed the hidden truth?
The Quartermaster could only harden his heart and continue: “The military camp’s sleeping quarters are communal bunks filled with grown men. Miss Hua Ling is a woman of pure reputation; I’m afraid it would be inconvenient for her to enter.”
“To build a separate tent, there aren’t enough materials in the camp. We would have to have about ten soldiers sleep in the open.”
The Quartermaster added: “The wounded camp is full, and the kitchen camp is a vital area—it’s even less suitable for people to sleep on the floor.”
“Therefore, regarding where Miss Hua Ling should go, this subordinate requests Your Majesty’s instructions!”
This was practically the same as directly suggesting: I recommend Your Majesty take her into the Dragon Tent to warm the blankets…
Xie Qianli’s sword-like brows locked tight. It was as if a flame had suddenly ignited along the soles of his feet, spreading like a prairie fire. In moments, his entire body was in pain.
Hidden desires clashed with reality; someone wanted to snatch away the moon held at the tip of his heart.
Xie Qianli couldn’t control his gaze as he signaled the Quartermaster. However, if his beloved made a decision, no one could change it. The fate of the nation likewise gripped Xie Qianli by the throat.
The feelings he couldn’t voice were blocked in his throat, spreading into a bitter sorrow.
He made a subtle suggestion, feigning a lack of romantic awareness: “If there is no space, Miss Hua Ling can sleep in my tent. This subject will go out.”
The Emperor hesitated.
Xie Qianli had just breathed a sigh of relief.
But he was actually given a light, fluttering sideways glance by Ying Xi! Was he being resented for ruining things?
The Quartermaster actually thought General Xie was playing a “double act” with him and cooperated by saying: “General, your integrity is noble, but if Miss Hua Ling stays in your tent alone, the brothers below might not know the truth and think you are also there. A woman’s reputation is of the utmost importance.”
Ying Dang became unhappy.
If they were going to put it that way, staying in Imperial Brother’s tent meant reputation didn’t matter—just give her a title directly!
Ying Dang tapped the table, wanting to expose this fellow’s thoughts of currying favor. If a little sister-in-law really delivered herself to the door, he didn’t want a little sister-in-law.
However, the chance to strike at the “vicious dog” was rare. After striking the dog, he could go back into the tent to disturb his Imperial Brother.
Prince Yong’s eyes held a mischievous glint as he giggled and stirred the pot: “General Xie wants to invite the beauty into his tent. Could it be that you have feelings for Miss Hua Ling?”
The night wind rose abruptly, and the candle flame flickered again!
Xie Qianli clarified in a cold voice: “This subject has no such intention. I ask Your Highness to speak with caution.”
“But if I am to arrange it,” Xie Qianli said solemnly, “I must be responsible for the safety of the Imperial person. Unrelated personnel are not allowed into the tent.”
“Based on those words, I wish that you never find a wife in this lifetime,” Prince Yong cursed.
For a moment, Hua Ling was treated like a future Imperial Consort, held up high. The next moment, she became an “unrelated person” who couldn’t even find a place to stay.
Hua Ling lifted her skirt and knelt before the Emperor across the desk. Her small face was buried in the shadows, the firelight reflecting and turning her entire face a deep red.
She just kept her head lowered like that. From her feather-fan-like eyelashes, a few sparkling water droplets hung.
One couldn’t see her gaze clearly, but her grievance could be felt.
Hua Ling sensibly restrained herself, her pearly teeth biting her lower lip. Her sleeves were overlapped, and she trembled like a butterfly.
From the seat above, Ying Xi asked: “Since I have saved you, I will respect your wishes. Wherever you wish to go, you shall stay.”
Below, Hua Ling bowed deeply to Ying Xi.
The woman lifted her eyes, her gaze meeting the Emperor’s. Her eyes were like peach blossoms dipped in water. When facing Ying Xi, a small smile bloomed—both sincere and reserved.
“The Emperor possesses the majesty of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix. He has saved my life. This humble girl is willing to do everything in her power to repay him, and will abide by whatever Your Majesty arranges.”
Such words were the gentlest of hints.
When a woman of peerless beauty says to a man: “I am grateful to you, I admire you, you may treat me however you wish.”
Who could fail to hear the underlying romantic implication?
Moreover, the Emperor truly did have the necessity to continue the Imperial line. Having just learned of the rebel Li’s intentions, this matter was imperative.
Xie Qianli’s hanging heart gradually constricted, shrinking until it was as small as a bean.
The sense of accumulated pressure made him suffocate. He was like a bewildered small boat, focusing his entire mind on Ying Xi’s lips and teeth.
He was waiting for that answer, and could only wait. Perhaps Prince Yong would secretly harbor killing intent toward Ying Xi’s concubine, but he could not.
Xie Qianli had no standing to obstruct. His sense of morality was too high; he could do nothing.
The Quartermaster didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.
Ying Xi: “I understand.”
Ying Xi said calmly: “Miss Hua Ling will stay here with me. The rest of you, get out. Quartermaster, prepare the bathing utensils.”
“…”
If these words were heard by the old ministers far away in Chang’an, they would likely rush to the Great Qin Ancestral Temple on the spot, crying and shouting their gratitude to the Heavens that the dynasty finally had a successor—the Emperor was finally willing to take a consort, and so on.
But the tent was very quiet, like a dead silence.
Everyone in the tent had their own thoughts, but none could defy the Imperial decree. No one could oppose Ying Xi’s current authority. The redundant people retreated.
The guards at the door sensibly lowered the tent curtain.
Outside the curtain.
Since Prince Yong had decided to come and get rid of Hua Ling late at night, it didn’t matter where he went to rest for now.
Prince Yong arched his brows, but he didn’t reveal his plan. He wickedly slapped Xie Qianli’s shoulder and teased with a pout: “Hypocrite, what are you standing at the door for? Could it be that you’ve never tasted ‘meat’ and want to learn a few moves from my brother?”
Xie Qianli brushed that hand away.
Prince Yong couldn’t gain the upper hand in terms of physical skill.
But Prince Yong knew he was suffering. He raised a hand and grinned shamelessly: “Vicious dog, tzu-tzu-tzu.”
Prince Yong walked away into the distance.
The curtain isolated the inside and outside of the tent.
Inside the tent, Ying Xi’s soft voice drifted out: “Rise, I shall help you up.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Hua Ling gave a silver-bell-like light laugh.
Xie Qianli heard it clearly from outside the curtain.
His body cast a lonely shadow on the red carpet outside. He turned around, only to see a bright sliver of light from the gap in the Dragon Tent’s curtains. The inside and outside of the curtain felt like two different worlds, even though they were separated by only a thin layer.
Xie Qianli’s lips parted slightly.
Lead seemed to have filled his four limbs and hundred bones; the heavy sensation made it difficult for him to move.
But the two soldiers guarding the door were grinning at him, as if they had finally seen a slightly more human side of General Xie. They lowered their voices and boldly joined in the fun.
“General wants to listen to the bedchamber? Should this subordinate bring you a stool?”
“Go, go, go! Don’t make a sound. If you startle the beauty and His Majesty’s intimacy, His Majesty will make you pay for it.” The two considerately yielded the best position. The Dragon Tent was now directly facing Xie Qianli.
And he stood outside the tent, the light from the curtain gap reflecting in his pupils like two sharp thorns piercing his body.
He couldn’t hear what his subordinates were doing.
Even now, he held onto an impossible adoration, yet his beloved was about to be intimate with someone else.
—But why was he still standing here?
Why was he unwilling to leave?
Why was his body stiff everywhere…
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