Chapter 36: Reunion

Chapter 36: Reunion

Emperor Lu never expected that the letter he sent to the tyrant out of goodwill would ultimately backfire.

Far from being moved by his "sincerity" and "consideration," the tyrant, infuriated, stubbornly headed straight for the border between South Chu and Bei Wei.

Given the tyrant's actions of personally leading an expedition to retrieve his runaway consort, Lu Changping reaffirmed that Xie Xuan Yuan was undeniably lovesick.

Such a person, who appears cold and ruthless but actually values emotions above all, cannot simply be reasoned with once he becomes fixated.

Consort Lu, leaning over the table and browsing through the urgent dispatches from the front line, his peach blossom eyes clouded with worry, began to inwardly lament.

With only three hundred thousand troops currently at the front line in South Chu, which is not a small number, it still pales in comparison to Bei Wei's half a million army until reinforcements arrive.

Moreover, with the addition of a frenzied Emperor Xie on the opposing side, the balance of this confrontation seems even more unfavorable for South Chu.

Having read military strategies for years, Emperor Lu knows well the necessity of employing tactics to compensate for numerical inferiority when faced with overwhelming enemy forces.

With Xie Xuan Yuan, the tyrant himself, leading Bei Wei's forces, their morale is significantly boosted.

In contrast, South Chu's troops, gathered from various regions, inevitably suffer from internal rivalry among commanders. Without a high-ranking and capable general, their combat effectiveness is bound to diminish.

The most suitable candidate for the general, naturally, is none other than His Majesty of South Chu himself.

However, the thought that the tyrant has seen his true face, knows of all the “misdeeds” he committed in Bei Wei, and even accurately depicted his appearances in both male and female attire, makes Emperor Lu feel as if he's guilty of theft...

Should Xie Xuan Yuan discover his whereabouts by chance, it wouldn't just be a matter of feeling a chill down his spine... It's feared that the tyrant, in his fury, might even annihilate South Chu along with him.

Nonetheless, orchestrating plans from the rear and not personally engaging in the battlefield minimizes the chances of being discovered by the tyrant. Ignoring the existential battle for South Chu and facing discovery after the nation's fall is far more likely.

He is well aware of this simple logic.

After a difficult afternoon of contemplation, Emperor Lu, harboring a slim hope of deceiving the tyrant, issued a royal decree to personally lead the expedition.

After all, with both South Chu and Bei Wei boasting large armies and numerous generals, a direct confrontation between the leaders of the two nations would take months to resolve.

Even if he and Xie Xuan Yuan were both at the front lines, the odds of them running into each other directly seemed slim, right?

……

After clearly planning his itinerary, Emperor Lu bid farewell to his sister and led his troops northward.

Times have changed.

He no longer needs to dress as a woman, pretending to be the reluctant bride of the tyrant. Instead, he rides a tall horse, leading reinforcements from the capital to the border.

Approaching the border, the north wind becomes increasingly fierce at the transition from autumn to winter.

Lu Changping is not a delicate person; despite nearly half a month of forced marches, he not only did not slow down the pace but often urged the leading officers to quicken their speed even more.

After days of sandstorms and scorching sun, Lu Meiren inevitably became a bit rugged. Yet, aside from a slightly darker complexion, he still looked handsome and dashing.

In the Southern Chu palace, His Majesty always preferred light-colored clothes, a habit that didn't change even after dressing as a woman to marry the Northern Wei tyrant.

But for this expedition, he voluntarily switched to the navy blue military uniform of the Southern Chu army.

The Southern Chu military attire is designed with narrow sleeves and a cinched waist, devoid of any superfluous patterns, looking very simple. However, on Lu Changping, it took on a completely different charm.

Without the unnecessary patterns and decorations, the imposing figure of Lu Meiren, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, was highlighted.

His physique is naturally tall and slender, and his demeanor is outstanding. After half a month of hardening in the ranks, he seemed more like a freshly unsheathed sword, commanding respect.

When the reinforcements he led arrived at the Southern Chu camp on the border, the Southern Chu generals and officers who came out to welcome him were somewhat taken aback.

The expected luxurious arrival of the Emperor of Southern Chu was replaced by him riding a horse, sharing meals and accommodations with his soldiers, and sitting on the ground with his officers to discuss tactics.

He did not at all seem like it was his first time personally leading troops in battle.

His Majesty's initial appearance that stunned the entire army, although no one dared to comment openly, set a positive precedent for him to take over military affairs.

The generals, used to holding power, had underestimated the young Emperor of Southern Chu, thinking him nothing more than a pretty face raised in the shelter of the palace.

But having witnessed Emperor Lu's commanding presence, they dared not act recklessly on their seniority.

Emperor Lu, tough and resilient, settled into the military camp of Southern Chu, engaging in daily strategizing and assignments, occasionally clashing with the ambitious border generals, making his life quite eventful.

For the pregnant tyrant in the neighboring Bei Wei camp, military life was far from comfortable.

After becoming pregnant, Tyrant Xie experienced morning sickness and discomfort from the journey from the capital to the frontlines, despite traveling in a carriage lined with goose-down cushions.

Ji Yue, who took care of him, tried several times to have the carriage slowed down, but Xie, stubbornly enduring the rough ride, continued to demand the drivers go faster.

Still, delays occurred along the way. Despite setting out days before Emperor Lu, Xie arrived five days later.

By the time Tyrant Xie, clutching his slightly bulging belly under loose robes, hurried into the Bei Wei camp, the standoff between Bei Wei and Southern Chu had been at a stalemate for days.

Under the decisive military command of the tyrant, Bei Wei's 500,000 troops launched relentless assaults on several strategic locations fiercely defended by Southern Chu.

Yet, Emperor Lu of Southern Chu only ordered the walls to be heightened and the production of defensive equipment to be accelerated, holding strong without initiating an attack for several days.

With the contested cities being strategically easy to defend but hard to attack, Southern Chu's defenders often triumphed against the odds, while Bei Wei's attackers suffered heavy losses.

During this time, some Bei Wei generals attempted to provoke Southern Chu into opening their gates for battle through taunts.

Regardless of their provocations at the city walls, calling Emperor Lu of Southern Chu a "timid turtle" or a "delicate pretty boy who can't fight," the soldiers atop the walls remained indifferent, carrying on with their duties with calm assurance.

Eventually, Bei Wei could only stare helplessly at the towering, impregnable walls of Southern Chu's cities.

……

Xie Xuan Yuan casually propped one leg up, leaning on the grandmaster chair padded with animal fur and velvety cushions, listening to his officers indignantly recount their struggles of wits and bravery against His Majesty of Southern Chu. He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and ask:

"After all the insults you've hurled, did Lu Changping really never take the bait?"

Hearing his sovereign pose such a question, the general reporting military affairs instantly looked even more disheartened:

"Your Majesty, we have exhausted all conceivable strategies. Yet, His Majesty of Southern Chu must be a crafty old turtle, always hiding within his city, engaging in a war of attrition from the start."

"In this general's opinion, he must have realized early on that our army's supplies would be hard-pressed to last through the harsh winter, thus he chose to wait us out comfortably, hoping we would retreat..."

Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan Yuan took it seriously, propping his cheek with his hand and falling into deep thought for a moment.

Despite his notorious reputation as a tyrant, his handsome face was fair and tender. Holding this pose a bit too long, a faint red mark appeared on his cheek.

Before the mark could deepen, Xie Xuan Yuan suddenly sat upright, smiling at the Northern Guard commander:

"In my view, Lu Changping refuses to come out simply because you have yet to truly hit where it hurts, failing to bring the humiliation to its peak."

The Northern Guard commander, accustomed to the straightforward life in the military, not quite grasping the nuances, could only sheepishly ask for guidance:

"May I ask Your Majesty, how can we hit where it truly hurts him, to bring this humiliation to its peak?"

Seeing his curiosity, Xie Xuan Yuan seriously began to count off on his slender fingers, analyzing point by point:

"First, Lu Changping is a man. Second, born into the royal family of Southern Chu, he was the Crown Prince, accustomed to a life of ease without a hint of hardship. Third, he has a dearly beloved sister. What, do you think, is such a man's greatest fear?"

The Northern Guard commander, unclear of his sovereign's intentions, could only shake his head in embarrassed confusion, pressing on, "What is his greatest fear?"

Seeing him truly clueless, Xie Xuan Yuan explained impatiently:

"Of course, it's the fear of being unable to act as a man in public! Being both the Emperor of Southern Chu and the head of his family, if he were to wear women's clothing in full view of the public, and the news spread across the world, reaching his sister's ears, he would surely be driven to a furious shame."

At this point, the tyrant curved his lips into a smile that was both sweet and malicious, instructing his Northern Guard commander:

"Arrange for someone to rush-make a few sets of women's dresses suited for a man's physique. Goose yellow, light pink, pale blue, lake blue – any soft and feminine color will do. Once ready, send the dresses to His Majesty of Southern Chu. Say that His Majesty's reclusiveness resembles that of a sheltered maiden, and even as a woman, he couldn't possibly outshine my Consort Lu!"

He couldn't help but burst into laughter at his own remark.

After regaining his composure, Xie Xuan Yuan added:

"Remember, the bigger the spectacle, the better. I want to see if this Lu Changping is truly as cunning as a centuries-old turtle, continuing to hide within his city!"

The Northern Guard commander was dumbstruck by his sovereign's audacious plan, his lips quivering without producing words for a long while, before hesitantly asking: "Your Majesty... will this strategy really work?"

Faced with his subordinate's skepticism, Xie Xuan Yuan's expression immediately soured:

"What do you know? This strategy is derived from military tactics, emulating the ancients. I doubt Lu Changping has the magnanimity of Sima Xuanwang... Should he accept, his dignity would be shattered. If not, with all of Southern Chu's soldiers watching, his reputation would equally suffer. Only a fool would not harbor a desire for revenge against me. The more he wishes for vengeance, the more likely he is to expose his weaknesses."

With the conversation reaching this point, even the most obtuse of commanders could see the genius in attacking the enemy's morale. He couldn't help but praise his sovereign's cunning.

Having been toyed with by His Majesty of Southern Chu for days, they were all too eager to retaliate with this ingenious method.

Within a day, the Northern Guard had purchased fabric and hired tailors to create several sets of delicate and graceful women's dresses, sending them en masse to the Southern Chu camp.

……

Lu Meiren, upon opening each brocade box to find them filled with familiar styles of brightly colored women's clothing, had a deep and complex look in his eyes.

If one were to gaze into those lustrous, peach blossom eyes at that moment, they might even detect a hint of deep-seated nostalgia hidden within.

The envoy from the Northern Guard, daring in his task, wore a mocking smile as he recited the tyrant's "malicious" words verbatim in front of Southern Chu's emperor and generals:

"My sovereign has said beforehand, the reason for gifting so many pieces of women's clothing to His Majesty of Southern Chu is because His Majesty's reclusiveness resembles that of a sheltered maiden. And even as a woman, cannot compare to the beauty of our emperor's Consort Lu!"

Upon hearing these words, several hot-headed Southern Chu generals immediately rushed forward, pummeling the insolent envoy to near death.

Seeing the tyrant of Bei Wei's arrogance, using women's clothing to insult Emperor Lu, who had always treated them well,

the spirited young generals under Lu's command volunteered one after another, ready to risk their lives to push back Bei Wei's 500,000 strong army and capture the tyrant.

However, Emperor Lu suppressed all petitions for battle and military orders.

Despite receiving the women's clothing, Emperor Lu continued to organize defenses and hold the city, explaining patiently to those who sought justice on his behalf:

"Military strategy states that initial momentum is hard to maintain; after the third wave, forces weaken. Despite Bei Wei's imposing force of 500,000, their supply consumption is immense. If they can't secure a quick victory or even face Southern Chu in direct combat, their morale will undoubtedly wane."

"Moreover, with Bei Wei facing internal strife between the Empress Dowager's faction and the tyrant's faction, and external conflicts with Southern Chu, just enduring another month will see them falter first. Then, Southern Chu can strike at an opportune moment, avoiding unnecessary sacrifice now."

Emperor Lu's analysis was so logical that the Southern Chu generals had to concede. Yet, some imaginative officers always looked upon Emperor Lu with a mix of pity and frustration.

Emperor Lu found their complex glances of pity, guilt, and helplessness unnerving, yet he couldn't reveal the truth:

Actually, he quite liked the clothing sent by the tyrant.

From an aesthetic standpoint, the clothes sent by Xie were exquisitely made and perfectly sized, with pastel colors that Lu had favored in Bei Wei, making them a set of excellent props for women's attire.

Even if he might not wear them again, he could bring them back to see if Zhao Ping liked them...

It was just women's clothing, after all. In Bei Wei, he had worn a new set every day, sometimes even changing two or three times a day.

By rough estimate, Emperor Lu had worn almost a hundred sets of women's clothing, so how could he be upset by it?

As Emperor Lu strolled through the camp to clear his mind, he pondered the unwarranted sighs of his subordinates over the trivial matter of dressing.

However, the admiration and sympathy of the Southern Chu soldiers for Emperor Lu remained undiminished, despite his nonchalant demeanor.

Wherever Emperor Lu goes, a group of soldiers instinctively follows, watching over him with a mixture of concern and vigilance. The number of people seeking him out for strategic discussions and military intelligence has been on the rise.

Only after persistent questioning did a young officer hesitantly reveal to him.

It turns out, some generals were worried that Emperor Lu, humiliated by the tyrant's imposition of women's clothing, might despair and act rashly, prompting them to keep a close watch and ensure his protection.

And since Emperor Lu was handsome and approachable, this "protector" role became quite coveted within the army...

The intention was good, but having someone pace anxiously outside even when using the latrine hardly felt wonderful.

These days, Emperor Lu, constantly accompanied in everything he did, longed for some alone time.

Saying he wanted to clear his mind might not be entirely accurate.

While studying the terrain map, he noticed a highland outside Yuling Pass. If Southern Chu were to build a fort there, it could support Yuling Pass in a pincer formation. However, if Northern Guard were to establish a fort there first, Yuling Pass could be at risk.

Naturally, securing such crucial terrain early was essential.

He had previously sent soldiers to map the area in detail for future fortification, but they always returned without success for various reasons.

Back in his tent, looking at the women's clothing tucked in the corner, Emperor Lu felt an irresistible itch...

Since he was closely watched in men's attire, slipping out in women's clothing through the back door to inspect the highland seemed a good idea for relaxation.

He opened the box and chose a light blue dress, finding it a perfect fit.

Delighted, he quickly applied makeup and checked his reflection in the mirror.

Xie Xuan Yuan claiming he didn't look as good in women's attire as "Empress Lu" was utter nonsense!

After dressing up, he was the spitting image of the "Empress Lu" the tyrant adored.

……

Following the map, Emperor Lu easily found the highland outside Yuling Pass.

This area, overlooked by both Southern Chu and Northern Guard forces due to its remoteness, was not chosen as a battlefield. Its abundant water, clear rivers, and dense forests made it exceptionally serene.

In the early morning, the entire highland was shrouded in mist, more like a heavenly paradise. And there, in a light blue pleated skirt, sat a figure drawing by the river, like a fairy stepped out of a painting.

Several men in Northern Guard's engineering uniforms were dumbstruck by the sight through the mist, secretly pointing and whispering about the beautiful figure.

Leading the way, Xie Xuan Yuan heard his followers whispering about a "fairy" and a "beauty," and couldn't help but mockingly say:

"In this desolate wilderness without a single household in sight, how could there be any beautiful fairy? I suspect it's more likely a female ghost out to snatch your souls. Better keep up, or before a ghost comes for you, I might just have your heads."

This threat proved to be effective.

Several officials responsible for constructing the new city hurried after His Majesty Emperor Xie and the shadow guards ahead.

Yet, among them, someone couldn't help but murmur, "I truly saw the reflection of that beauty in the river from afar, it must have been a person, not a ghost!"

Emperor Xie, with his keen hearing and sharp eyes, caught someone doubting his judgment and immediately scowled,

"Since you claim it's a person, then I shall have you go and inquire on my behalf about this woman's surname and name, where she lives, and why she appears here at dawn!"

An imperial command is hard to disobey, and even if that official from the Ministry of Works regretted his words, he had no choice but to muster his courage and approach the supremely graceful and elegant beauty, asking with a trembling voice,

"Excuse me... I am terribly sorry to disturb you. May I ask for your... your name, miss?"

Lu Changping had not expected, while quietly drawing a map by the riverside early in the morning, to be approached by someone idle.

He put down his charcoal pencil, admiring his work while distractedly responding, "Lu Ping."

When the beautiful Lu spoke, his voice was distinctly masculine, clear, and mellow.

The official from the Ministry of Works, already timid, became convinced upon hearing a man's voice from the visage of a celestial beauty that this was possession by a ghost.

With a cry of "Ah," he turned and fled.

Emperor Lu, puzzled by this explanation, couldn't help but glance in the direction of the retreating officer.

Yet, that glance was all it took for him to lock eyes with a stunning man dressed in high-collared, long-sleeved dark attire, not far away...

The man widened his beautiful phoenix-shaped eyes, seemingly in disbelief.

The dark guards protecting Xie Yuan, familiar with the face of Emperor Lu from the recent distribution of his wanted posters, were shocked to encounter the person who had vanished months ago, exclaiming aloud:

"Look! It's Emperor Lu!"

Emperor Lu, unexpectedly crossing paths with the tyrant in such a manner, scrambled to gather his belongings and flee.

Upon hearing his guards shout "Emperor Lu," Xie Yuan finally believed that the familiar figure was not a figment of his imagination.

Pinching his arm hard enough to hold back unbidden tears, he ordered with reddened eyes:

"What are you waiting for? Capture this heartless traitor from Southern Chu for me!"

Before his command could be fully processed, he had already summoned his inner strength and was chasing after Emperor Lu.

The dark guards watched as their emperor, seemingly agitated, took the lead in the chase, causing them to break out in a cold sweat.

Having served as dark guards for many years, this was the first time they witnessed their emperor act so impulsively and out of character. Concerned for Xie Yuan's safety, several skilled guards immediately quickened their pace to follow.

By this time, Xie Yuan had chased Lu Meiren into a small forest near the highlands. The forest path was covered in fallen leaves, with thorns and vines snagging on clothes.

Slowed down by the obstruction, an annoyed Xie Yuan pulled out his dagger, slicing off the snagged piece of his clothing, and continued the relentless pursuit in the direction Lu Changping had vanished.

But he was, after all, nearly three months pregnant. Despite his martial prowess, the strenuous activity soon led to discomfort in his abdomen.

Hindered by his belly, the tyrant slowed down, struggling to lift his feet over the crisscrossed roots on the ground. Yet, he refused to let Lu Meiren escape from his sight again.

After stubbornly chasing for a while, Xie Yuan tripped over a protruding root and lost his balance.

Just as he was about to fall face-first to the ground, a pale blue figure suddenly darted from behind a nearby tree.

Before the dark guards could reach him, the figure caught Xie Yuan by the waist, securing him firmly, then vanished with him out of sight...

Behind a tree in the forest, the tyrant of Beiwei's face flushed, his dark hair slightly disheveled, and his brown-gray phoenix eyes glaring fiercely at the man in green before him, as if about to breathe fire.

However, a closer look at his current posture revealed that the tyrant's anger might not find release anytime soon...

The reason was simple.

At this moment, the tyrant sat astride Lu Meiren, legs apart to maintain balance, his hands “enthusiastically” gripping the other's shoulders.

Lu Meiren's situation was hardly better. One hand supported the tyrant's waist, while the other desperately covered the tyrant's mouth.

Lest this untrustworthy Emperor Xie call out at any moment, drawing over the personal shadow guards searching nearby.

With things having developed to this point, Lady Lu was also quite embarrassed. His gaze wandered, trying to ignore the sharp and piercing looks from the tyrant's bright phoenix eyes.

However, with the two of them intimately embraced, face to face, the only thing Lady Lu could see was each other. Dodging back and forth, he inevitably met the tyrant's gaze.

He managed a strained smile, tightening the arm around the tyrant's waist to prevent any sudden movements that might tumble him off, and whispered in an attempt to make conversation:

"Your Majesty, having not seen you for several months, how have you managed to gain weight?"

Author's note:

Lu Meiren (patting Xiao Xie's waist with a satisfied smile): Hmm, you've been eating well in my absence, even gained a little weight.

Xiao Xie (struggling to resist the urge to beat someone up): Who are you calling fat?

(＞人＜;) Sorry for being late, I've been coding all night and finally finished, sorry to keep everyone waiting~