Free Web NovelChapter 1403: Chapter 807: War on the Brink
Marching until nighttime.
The Iron Cavalry Army took out their simple gear and rested on the spot.
Inside Xiao Luming’s tent, the resting area was naturally different from the other soldiers’ accommodations.
Wu Huahao brought dinner to Xiao Luming.
Even though they had a cook, it was just simple ingredients paired with rice.
The taste was indeed quite ordinary.
"Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal slowly. I’ll take my leave," Wu Huahao said as he prepared to leave after delivering the meal.
"What about the Empress?" Xiao Luming asked casually while eating distractedly.
"The Empress is having a meal with the soldiers, eating from the large pot," Wu Huahao replied.
Xiao Luming pursed his lips and continued to eat his dinner.
Wu Huahao waited for a while, but seeing no instructions from the young Emperor, he could only leave sullenly.
He exited the tent and walked into a group of soldiers.
Xie Qianyun was eating happily with the soldiers.
Even when marching and fighting, one must balance work and rest.
For soldiers, each meal might be their last in this lifetime.
"You’re back," Xie Qianyun glanced at Wu Huahao and casually greeted him, handing him a bowl.
Wu Huahao took the bowl and slowly said, "The Emperor wants you to go to his tent."
Xie Qianyun frowned.
Her face clearly showed some displeasure.
On this campaign, she held resentment towards Xiao Luming but found no reason to vent it, only stewing in her own bitterness.
Hence, she didn’t want to interact with Xiao Luming throughout the journey.
Of course, this didn’t mean she wouldn’t follow orders or protect his safety.
"Hurry up, or the Emperor will get angry again," Wu Huahao urged.
Thinking that it was never good for the two to be in a cold war throughout the journey.
If he could patch things up, he would.
He felt that though the Emperor said nothing when he left, the pause was surely because he wanted to see the Empress.
If he didn’t want to see her, he wouldn’t have asked about her.
Xie Qianyun put down her bowl and chopsticks and got up to go to Xiao Luming’s tent.
Upon entering, she saw Xiao Luming eating with a noble elegance.
All the same dishes, yet it seemed as if the little Emperor dined more luxuriously than the rest.
Xiao Luming noticed Xie Qianyun voluntarily coming to the tent, and his face showed subtle, unnoticeable changes.
"Did you summon me, Your Majesty?" Xie Qianyun asked directly.
Xiao Luming frowned.
When had he called for Xie Qianyun?!
Only then did he think of Wu Huahao.
Unexpectedly, Wu Huahao, who seemed straightforward and physically adept, had such delicate thoughts.
At first, he felt some goodwill towards Wu Huahao but immediately recalled Xie Qianyun’s intent to wed Wu Huahao...
"Where will you sleep tonight?" Xiao Luming asked.
To minimize the army’s burden, resources were spared where possible, so apart from him, others lacked tents for resting.
"Outside, sleeping bags with Wu Huahao and others," Xie Qianyun replied directly.
That’s how it had been the past few nights.
She couldn’t help but admire the inventor of sleeping bags—Empress Dowager An Ning.
"You’re sleeping with Wu Huahao?!" Xiao Luming’s voice suddenly rose.
Xie Qianyun was startled.
Such a loud voice all of a sudden.
Didn’t he know that during military campaigns one must conserve energy?!
"Is there a problem?"
"Do you think there is?!" Xiao Luming retorted.
"In the field, soldiers aren’t concerned with such trivial matters."
Xiao Luming suppressed his emotions.
The more Xie Qianyun seemed nonchalant, the more infuriated he felt.
He took a deep breath and slowly asked, "Can you not sleep in my tent?!"
Almost asking, "Do you think I’m dead?!
How could she sleep with another man instead of her husband?!
"Didn’t you’ve always complained about my restless sleeping, Your Majesty? I’m afraid of disturbing Your Majesty’s rest, especially during a campaign when you need to conserve energy..."
"That’s my problem, not something the Empress should worry about," Xiao Luming commanded coldly, "Starting tonight, the Empress will sleep in my tent."
Xie Qianyun truly didn’t want to sleep with Xiao Luming.
But the Emperor’s orders couldn’t be defied.
She reluctantly responded respectfully, "Yes, but I must first eat dinner and deploy the daily marching and battle arrangements for the soldiers. Your Majesty need not wait for me; when I finish my duties, I’ll naturally come."
Xiao Luming watched as Xie Qianyun left without looking back.
His grip on the chopsticks tightened involuntarily.
Wu Shen, who was nearby, didn’t dare to make a sound.
He could deeply sense the Emperor’s anger.
Though the Emperor had said nothing these days, maintaining a cold demeanor, it was evident he was suppressing his fury. The Empress’s arrival seemed to brighten the Emperor’s mood slightly, but a few words once again seemed to ignite the Emperor’s temper.
