Chapter 416: A Different Consort Zhen

Chapter 416: A Different Consort Zhen

The border was in chaos, with refugees lying on the ground on one side.

Soldiers from both sides would kill refugees upon sight, fearing that enemy spies might be hiding among them. They were driven by bloodlust, intent on continuing the slaughter.

Thus, after crossing Xi Yue, Xiao Yin and his companions changed into civilian clothes.

Carrying bags of rice and flour, they headed straight for the military camp, as if delivering supplies.

"Seeking death, are you?" A woman's voice rang out, her robes fluttering. Her armor was somewhat tattered, but it gave her a broken beauty, a sharp and decisive beauty.

"My... my husband!" Seeing the approaching figure, Consort Zhen immediately let out a soft cry. However, after glancing at the ongoing battle, she didn't recognize the emperor. Fearing for his safety, she swiftly stabbed her opponent and then turned to run towards the emperor.

Ruo Xi Baby observed Consort Zhen. This woman was bold and daring, unafraid to throw herself at a man in such a society. Ruo Xi Baby had never seen anyone else do such a thing, except for herself.

Moreover, the emperor had more than one woman, so it was clear that Consort Zhen truly loved the emperor. Ruo Xi Baby was now certain of this.

Initially, Ruo Xi Baby believed her uncle's harem didn't have many concubines, and Consort Zhen was often absent, always returning to her family, suggesting she might not have much affection for the emperor.

But now, it appeared that wasn't the case.

"You've lost weight; you're much lighter!" Xiao Yin spun Consort Zhen around once before setting her down.

"I was overfed by my brother and sister-in-law recently, so these days I've been trying to lose weight. Oh, the Imperial Tutor is here as well!" Consort Zhen finally noticed Ci Xin and smiled. "I heard the Imperial Tutor hasn't been wandering around lately, that's good!"

"To visit Consort Zhen, naturally, I can't be wandering around," Ci Xin replied with a smile.

"This is... Xier, Xier, this is Xier!" Ruo Xi Baby, who had been held by her disciple, was suddenly snatched away by Consort Zhen without a second thought.

Ruo Xi Baby was kissed on the cheek as Consort Zhen laughed and carried her away.

Ruo Xi Baby blinked her big, fluffy eyes at the woman, finding her quite interesting.

"Zer, come over here!" At the call, a ten-year-old boy turned his head and, after dropping an enemy he had thoroughly beaten, ran over.

The approaching group was merely a small squad, and together, Xiaoyue and Consort Zhen managed to defeat them without even needing Yuan Hui's help.

"Sister, sister!" Xiao Yuze eagerly reached out.

"Slap!"

Consort Zhen immediately slapped her son's hand. "You're dirty; just look for now. Wait until you've bathed before you can hold her."

"Sister, do you like fighting? Brother will go take a bath and then take you to battle the enemy!" Third Prince Xiao Yuze said.

"Girls shouldn't be involved in fighting and killing!" Ci Xin interjected from the side.

"Oh, so girls should be engaged in killing and fighting!" Xiao Yuze replied before running off. "Mother, I'm off to take a bath!"

"Xiao Yuze!" A shout halted Xiao Yuze in his tracks. He turned and immediately approached. "Greetings, Father!"

"What, just noticed me now?" Xiao Yin pretended to be displeased.

"Father, you're mistaken. I was truly focused on my sister just now. Father, when will you give me a sister?" Xiao Yuze asked.

"Zer!" Consort Zhen immediately stopped her son.

"Isn't having Xier as your younger sister enough?" the emperor asked.

"I haven't fully appreciated Xier's kindness yet, but I do feel that Xier is more beautiful than all the girls I've seen!" Xiao Yuze said.

"Hmm, that's quite enough, very good!" the emperor nodded.

"Well, Father, I'm off to take a bath. I really didn't notice you earlier, but Father, your disguise is really good; it was impossible to tell." After saying this, Xiao Yuze immediately ran off.

"Your Majesty, don't pay him any mind; he's just a mischievous little monkey, always on the go!" Consort Zhen said.

"So, I shouldn't be concerned about my own son?" the emperor looked at Consort Zhen, smiled, and said, "You have such a big heart, but letting Ze'er roam free like a shepherd is also good!"

Xiao Yin sighed softly.

Beside them, Ci Xin and Jing En remained silent.

Consort Zhen pursed her lips and said, "Your Majesty, let's head to the camp first. There was a small group of enemies here earlier, now it's mostly over, we just need to clean up the battlefield. Let's go to the barracks first."

Consort Zhen carried Ruo Xi Baby, chatting with her as they walked.

"Xier, I've heard your story for a while now. I was supposed to come back earlier, but then I found spies in Ten Thousand Flowers City, and it kept getting delayed until now, delaying the important matters."

As Consort Zhen spoke, her eyes showed a hint of fatigue.

Ruo Xi Baby gently placed her small hand on Consort Zhen's back, a subtle energy slowly infusing into her.

Consort Zhen's eyebrows twitched slightly, gazing at the little girl in astonishment.

Behind them, Jing En was excited: "I told you, our young master is truly remarkable, really good, especially good, she's such a benevolent little fairy!"

Soon, Ruo Xi Baby was carried by Consort Zhen to the military camp.

Her mother had returned as well.

"Yue'er, you've brought forth a wonderful daughter—beautiful and adorable!" Consort Zhen said with a smile.

"Of course!" Xiaoyue walked over to hold her daughter.

"No, let me have a turn holding her, I've never held a daughter before. My brothers all have sons, and our emperor seems only capable of having sons—when will there be a daughter!" After saying this, Consort Zhen's eyes flickered, then she turned and said, "Your Majesty, are you planning to take more concubines?"

"No more, let's just continue as we are!" Xiao Yin said.

"That won't do. You're the emperor, you need to maintain balance in the entire harem, right, Yue'er!" Consort Zhen said.

"How did my brother find such a broad-minded woman like you?" Xiaoyue said with a smile.

"Otherwise, since I love the emperor, I must think of myself as part of the emperor's harem and not dream of a life with just one person!" Consort Zhen said.

"If everyone had your mindset, my brother's harem would be absolutely perfect!" Xiaoyue sighed.

If it weren't for Lin Rou's jealousy, if it weren't for Lin Rou's tactics, why would she have married Shangguan Jinghong, and why would so many things have happened afterward!