Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Geng Shuning had been busy managing palace affairs and the selection of imperial consorts, and out of propriety, she had never actively inquired about the situation at the border or the related court politics.

It wasn't until she traveled north through Zhangjiakou, passing the northern patrol route on the way to Ulan Butong, that Geng Shuning learned that before the selection of imperial consorts had even begun, the Dzungars had already launched several small-scale border raids.

In the imperial carriage, Geng Shuning faintly heard Dong'e Zengshou reporting the pursuit of Gali, stating that the three thousand soldiers led by Gali had, with the help of Tseling, the leader of the Dzungar eastern army, joined forces with Tsewang Rabtan in Hotan and began a fierce attack.

Yinzhen, unable to contain his anger, immediately summoned Yun Ti, Minister of War Zhang Tingyu, and General Fucha Mawu from the Jingjiao camp to discuss matters in the imperial carriage.

Geng Shuning, in the bedroom partitioned behind a screen, quietly drank tea, feeling somewhat conflicted.

At this point, her relationship with Yinzhen, ignoring the minor disturbances in the harem and the targeting by the Empress Dowager and others, was no different from that of a couple in her previous life.

There were small quarrels, mostly considered as playful banter, and their relationship had surpassed any romance Geng Shuning had experienced in her past life.

So she was conflicted about whether to tell Yinzhen certain things.

If she told him, she might be seen as a monster. Even if Yinzhen had feelings for her, he wouldn't allow someone who knew his entire life to look down on him like a monkey.

If she didn't tell him, given Yinzhen's meticulous yet overly suspicious and thoughtful nature, completely different from Emperor Kangxi, the history of two defeats and two small victories, and even having his son avenge his disgrace, was too disheartening.

With several years of repeated delays, Fourth Master also exhausted himself to death in the imperial study, leaving many hidden dangers for future generations and causing too many deaths. She couldn't just stand by and watch.

She was used to trusting herself but could never fully trust others.

After tormenting her lips for a while, upon hearing Yinzhen order the edict to be issued, Geng Shuning took a deep breath and finally made up her mind.

Let her act up one more time. This was her final test for her boyfriend. If he didn't disappoint her, she would entrust him with her trust.

If... the result was not as expected, Geng Shuning turned her gaze to the window, looking at the increasingly desolate scenery. From then on, she would have to rely on herself, just like in her previous life.

*

After meeting Zengshou, Yinzhen quickly issued an edict, ordering the army to split into two routes.

One route, led by Yun Ti with Zengshou assisting, would head straight to the northwest, stopping in Ningxia to join Nian Gengyao in attacking the Mongolian army and Gali in Tibet.

The other route would be led by Yinzhen himself, heading north directly to the Dzungar stronghold, catching Tseling off guard from behind.

The army rested for half a day, divided the troops, and then began a rapid march, continuously joining forces with the Green Forest Army and the Northern Mongolian Army in Qinghai.

Yun Ti stepped down from the imperial carriage and ordered his deputy to gather the troops heading west.

After jumping down from the imperial carriage, his gaze swept over Zhao Song and Xiao Chengzi guarding the door outside. His steps hesitated for a moment, and he frowned for a few seconds before leaving, still not seeing the person he wanted to see.

Just as he reached his tent at the rear and before he could have his deputy summon the leading commanders for a meeting, a small pouch was thrust into his hand.

A thin, small eunuch with an indistinguishable face bowed and whispered in a low voice.

"General, my master has been thinking of you for a long time and wishes to meet you. The time and place are in the pouch."

"The master said, with this parting, the time apart is unknown, so please make sure to come and not leave her with regrets."

Yun Ti: "..." At first glance, the words seemed fine, but upon closer thought, they felt strange.

Even Yun Ti's guards were puzzled, looking at their master in surprise. At such a critical time, did the master still have time to be entangled with someone?

The little eunuch didn't care about Yun Ti's reaction, turned around, and quickly hid in a corner.

Yun Ti, realizing what had happened, chased after him but could no longer find the figure.

Of course, Yun Ti didn’t put much effort into pursuing the matter, otherwise the cross-dressing young eunuch wouldn’t have been able to get close to him.

The guard following Yun Ti hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “Shall I investigate?”

Yun Ti tightened his grip on the pouch and stepped into the carriage. “No need, you may leave. This matter is unrelated to the war.”

Since receiving Geng Shuning’s letter, he had been restless, constantly pondering its contents day and night.

At first, he thought it was his brother’s intention, so he instructed Wanyan to cease her foolish actions and cooperated with his brother in a ruse to force their mother to back down.

However, after the army set out, he discreetly probed his brother several times and found that his brother had no knowledge of the letter’s contents, confirming it was Geng Shuning’s personal message.

This made Yun Ti even more alarmed.

He had thought about reporting it directly to the emperor, but given his brother’s eagerness to force him back to the capital and even strip him of his military power, he remained wary and indecisive.

Now, there was no need for that. It was more fitting to confront Geng Shuning directly and question her!

*

Yinzhen didn’t command the erection of an overly ornate imperial tent, resting instead in a modest, carriage-like imperial vehicle, continuously conferring with the ministers and troops preparing to march north.

Geng Shuning discreetly alighted from the carriage.

Su Peisheng was inside attending to duties, Zhao Song and Xiao Chengzi were guarding the door and running errands respectively, leaving no one to handle the midday meal.

Geng Shuning assumed the responsibility, leaving the more perceptive and detail-oriented Qingfang to manage the inner court affairs, and brought along Qiao He and Qiao Jing.

“Qiao Jing, go oversee the royal chefs,” Geng Shuning instructed.

“If anyone asks about me, say I went to consult the Imperial Physician to collect some fresh herbs for alleviating heat.”

Qiao Jing respectfully complied and departed. After she left, Geng Shuning instructed Qiao He.

“Instruct Qingjin to escort one-third of the Nine Guards to accompany the Imperial Physician to gather herbs, another third to be on alert near the small hill three miles away, and the rest to protect me under your command.”

Qiao He asked no questions, merely nodded and assigned some guards to protect Geng Shuning, then went to carry out her duties.

Previously, when conveying that peculiar message to the Fourteenth Prince, Qiao He hadn’t asked any questions, and naturally, she wouldn’t speak out of turn now.

Geng Shuning had taken this into account when deciding to bring Qiao He instead of Qingfang.

Soon, Qiao He brought two horses, and others also led horses, with some followed by several Imperial Physicians, including Imperial Physician Chang.

Geng Shuning mounted her horse. The places where she and Yinzhen spent intimate moments were increasing, and the horse riding ground was one of them.

For a time, that rogue had grown fond and frequented the place often. Though she often returned exhausted, she had also mastered horseback riding.

*

After riding quickly for a quarter of an hour, they arrived at the small hill three miles away. The Nine Guards continued to escort the Imperial Physicians to the surrounding areas, while the rest dispersed, leaving only Qiao He and a few female guards following Geng Shuning.

As they rounded the hill, they spotted Yun Ti approaching alone. Geng Shuning hesitated briefly, then approached with a smile.

“Fourteenth Prince, thank you for keeping our secret. Sui Ning is grateful here.”

Yun Ti remained expressionless. “How does a woman like you know so much about the arrangements of the generals in the army and the people behind them?”

Geng Shuning smiled brightly. “Perhaps you’ve heard, there are some unknown informants in the capital. As long as you can afford the silver, it’s not difficult to get some information from the inner court.”

Yun Ti sneered. “Stop beating around the bush with me. I truly didn’t know there were people in the capital bold enough to inquire about such matters. Moreover, how did you know about the army’s deployment arrangements?”

Yue Shenglong’s eye condition was severe. Although he was still the Governor of Sichuan and the leader of the Green Forest Army, in reality, his twenty-year-old second son, Yue Zhongqi, was in charge of the specific military affairs.

Moreover, Dafu, the grandson of Ao Bai, was also exiled to Sichuan due to Ao Bai's downfall.

Yun Ti had just been promoted to the position of Deputy Military Governor of the Qinghai garrison due to his military talent when Nian Gengyao arrived.

He was certain that even his imperial brother was unaware of this, yet Geng Shuning knew.

She even pointed out that Zhang Guangsi, the Governor of Sichuan, was a member of Prince Yue Le of the An clan's faction and had close ties with Ga Li. Ga Li's ability to pass through Ningxia and enter Hotan was greatly facilitated by Zhang Guangsi's assistance.

If this were true, once the military deployment was leaked, even with a large garrison in Qinghai, the battle would be doomed to fail.

"I have my own methods. Fourteenth Prince, do you know that the training methods currently used in your army were secured through my means?" Geng Shuning smiled.

"I want to ask you, Fourteenth Prince, if I tell you that I have learned an important piece of information that could determine the duration and outcome of this battle, but it might result in your imprisonment, would you dare to listen?"

After shocking Yinzhen, Geng Shuning didn't wait for him to speak and directly said, "Think carefully before you answer. I serve the Emperor, and if necessary, I will not hide anything from him."

Yun Ti no longer questioned where Geng Shuning got her information.

Geng Shuning had become a woman envied by all the women of the Eight Banners, holding a steadfast position by the Emperor's side, even accompanying the army on campaigns.

The Emperor had shielded her from all opposition, so it was no surprise that she had remarkable capabilities.

It was even less surprising that she wouldn't disclose her methods to others.

He turned to look at the distant barren land and fell silent.

As a general, he naturally wanted to win and gain military accolades to secure the title of Iron Hat Prince.

But if the cost of victory was being distrusted by his elder brother and imprisoned indefinitely... was it necessary for him to win this battle?

*

When Geng Shuning returned to the Emperor's side, the army had already set off.

Yinzhen was still frowning, standing in front of the map and sand table, occasionally moving the flags on them, lost in contemplation.

The meat dragon and mung bean porridge placed beside him had gone cold, but they were still suitable for the hot summer weather.

Geng Shuning, dusty and tired from her journey, wiped her face and hands in a nearby copper basin and sat down on the soft daybed, and began eating at once.

As she ate, she licked her lips a few times: "Ah, this meat dragon is so delicious. Earlier, I smelled the instant noodles, and they were very fragrant too."

"The mung bean porridge is good for cooling down. I remember someone who often suffers from heatiness, with toothaches and blisters. If you don't drink it, I will. The further we go, the drier it gets. Better to drink it early to prevent it."

Yinzhen didn't look up, merely remarked casually, "I've eaten. This was prepared for you."

"Thank you for collecting medicinal herbs for me. The Imperial Physicians have returned, and I was about to send Su Peisheng to look for you."

Geng Shuning's eyes sparkled, still smiling sweetly, showering Yinzhen with compliments.

"I knew Your Majesty would be considerate. Serving you, I can tell that the Geng family's ancestors' good fortune must be radiating prosperity."

Yinzhen moved a few more flags, still unsatisfied, and finally pulled them out and placed them back at the location representing Ulan Bator. He then approached and sat down opposite Geng Shuning.

He asked, "Is there nothing you wish to tell me?"

Geng Shuning looked at him innocently, "What do you want me to say?"

Yinzhen narrowed his eyes slightly, "I want to ask you, when you said that my imperial carriage would surely return victorious from this campaign, completely annihilating the Dzungars, was that really something you saw in a dream?"

Geng Shuning took a bite of the meat dragon and hummed, "Of course, I told you, I won't lie to you again. I will never go back on my word."

Although this battle was originally supposed to be lost, and it is still not certain now, she has done everything she could.

The words described did indeed appear in her dream, but it was not her 'dream of Zhuang Zhou' (a reference to the philosopher Zhuang Zhou's famous butterfly dream).

It can be considered her best wishes for her beloved... or perhaps the wishes that an imperial concubine of the Qing Dynasty should give.

Yinzhen took a sip of tea and remained silent. After Geng Shuning finished eating, he called Su Peisheng in to clean up, and then he reached out to Geng Shuning.

"Come here."

His tone had already turned icy.

Geng Shuning pretended not to notice, even though Su Peisheng's eyes were darting around. She acted as if nothing was wrong and sat in Yinzhen's lap following his gesture.

Yinzhen stared at her: "Geng Shuning, have I ever told you not to wander off, or do you have something you must do?"

Yinzhen hadn't called her by her full name in a long time, and the sudden formality made Geng Shuning's heart skip a beat. Her body stiffened slightly.

But she was no longer the reckless person she used to be, and she quickly relaxed her body, shifting the blame with a grievance.

"I only wanted to serve you faithfully. Do you not trust me, or do you think I would betray you?"

Yinzhen's expression was expressionless: "I want to hear you say it!"

Geng Shuning huffed: "I won't say!"

Yinzhen's eyes grew colder: "Do you think you have me under your spell, that no matter what you do, I can't leave you?"

Geng Shuning looked up at him, "Isn't that so? Then I'm going to cause a fuss."

"What you said to me before at the hot spring manor, and when we went south of the Yangtze River, after I was kidnapped, were those all just... ahem, empty words?"

Yinzhen frowned and lightly tapped her head: "You know what I'm saying—"

"I don't know!" Geng Shuning suddenly pushed him away and stood up, her anger flaring.

"I don't like to mince words. If you want to confirm something, just ask me. I won't lie to you."

"You are the Emperor. If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I can only accept it. There's no need to test me so much."

Yinzhen's face grew increasingly stern, "I asked you to say it yourself because I didn't want to pressure you with my status as the Emperor. How could you..."

Feeling that his tone was too harsh, Yinzhen rubbed his aching forehead and paused.

"I remember, isn't it almost your monthly cycle? Come here, let's talk properly."

Geng Shuning refused, "We can talk standing, so I don't have to endure this twice. Just ask whatever you want to know!"

The two stared at each other, tension crackling in the air. The carriage, as large as a palace, felt suffocatingly stuffy.

Yinzhen was momentarily lost in thought, as if he had returned to the first time he argued with this little fox at the hot spring manor.

They hadn't really fought for a long time. He couldn't bear to punish this scoundrel, and being too calculative would only upset himself.

But today his anger was indeed hard to suppress, and it only kept mounting.

He suppressed his temper, his gaze gradually turning cold and stern: "What should be done and what shouldn't, and why I hold you back, don't you understand in your heart?"

"I think I've been good enough to you. Whatever you want to do, I've tried to accommodate you."

"Whatever you ask of me, I hold it close to my heart, cherishing and protecting it. What more do you want?"

Geng Shuning's nose tingled, and her eyes began to well up with tears.

He was right about her.

Back when she was on her own, navigating the world, she wasn’t this fragile. She’d dealt with harsher clients before and never let it bother her.

But after being spoiled by him for a few years, even the slightest criticism left her heartbroken and resentful.

She gritted her teeth, determined to keep up the act, her stubbornness fiercer than ever.

"If I ask for something, will you give it to me? What if I want to interfere in state matters?"

Yinzhen’s face turned cold: "Are you tired of living?"

Tears suddenly streamed down Geng Shuning’s face. She wiped them roughly with her sleeve, her cheeks and eyes red.

She nodded: "Yes, I’m tired of living. These six months in the palace have nearly driven me insane!"

Her eyes and brows were laced with sarcasm. "You’ve been good to me, I won’t deny that. But ask yourself—have I given any less? Have I not been good to you?"

"You know how much I value freedom. Since I came to the palace after the New Year, have I stepped outside even once?"

"If a regular mother-in-law gave me trouble, I could go back to my parents’ house, and if it got bad, I could even stand up to her. But the Empress Dowager has tried to kill me more than once. What am I supposed to do?"

"Oh, I forgot. I don’t even have a title now. I’m just a lowly servant." Geng Shuning sneered.

"Your kindness to me is the most you can manage as the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, with everything else on your plate."

"I could’ve had a husband who put me first, a family who had my back. Why should I put up with this? Don’t you get it?"

Zhao Song, overhearing the argument, sensed something was off.

The two hadn’t fought like this in ages. These words… they cut deep!

He shot an uneasy glance at his godfather, Su Peisheng, who stood motionless, eyes fixed on the ground.

He turned to Qiao He, who stood just as silently, her face unreadable.

Zhao Song’s unease grew. What in the world was happening?

*

Yinzhen wanted answers too. Seeing Geng Shuning’s distress, his expression softened, and he pulled her into his arms.

"What’s really going on with you?" Yinzhen frowned. "You’ve been off since we left the capital… Has someone been whispering in your ear?"

Geng Shuning struggled against his tightening hold but couldn’t break free. She gave up, lowering her head in silence.

Yinzhen knew something was wrong. He tilted her chin up and saw her—usually so defiant—now crying, her face red and tears streaming, gasping for breath.

He sighed helplessly: "I was worried that with so few guards, you’d be vulnerable to a Dzungar ambush on the road. It’s too dangerous."

Geng Shuning cried and scolded: "You’re lying! You just don’t trust me!"

Yinzhen patted her back soothingly, "I won’t let you meddle in state affairs because you’re not… experienced enough. Do you want to be remembered poorly, unable to rest beside me?"

Saying she wasn’t well-versed was being polite. She still didn’t understand how the Eight Banners of Manchu, Mongol, and Han balanced each other.

"I’ve made you suffer, and that’s my fault. When we return to the capital after the war, I’ll give you an explanation."

"You claim I'm not being open with you, but have you been open with me?"

Geng Shuning lowered her head again, tears falling as she said, "I want Your Majesty to trust me as much as you trust yourself. You always say I am like your other half. I want us to love each other equally, promising that no matter what happens, you'll never hurt me, and I'll never hurt you."

Yinzhen was profoundly moved by Geng Shuning's words.

What she described was exactly what he longed for.

But... he knew his own nature—always suspicious, always overthinking, sometimes even doubting himself. Achieving this was too hard.

However, there was one thing he could promise: "In the name of the Qing Dynasty and my honor as emperor, I swear to you that no matter what happens, I... will never harm you."

Geng Shuning looked at him with tear-filled eyes, "Then why were you so hot and cold earlier?"

Yinzhen gently wiped her tears, "...I was worried about your safety, so I had Lin Fu assign secret guards to follow you. Why did you send that message to Yun Ti, and why did you meet him?"

Geng Shuning took a deep breath, pulling out a handkerchief to dry her tears, and muttered, "You only explain yourself after I go through all this trouble. Is being jealous really that embarrassing?"

Fourth Master was as good as his word, and she finally got her 'get-out-of-jail-free card.' The evodia in her sleeve was irritating her.

She covered her eyes and lightly pushed Yinzhen, "Master, tell Qiao He to bring me some water to wash my face and prepare some mung bean porridge. I'm exhausted from crying. Let's rest and discuss this later."

Yinzhen took a deep breath, gazing at Geng Shuning's swollen face. The anger in his chest mostly faded, but he couldn't help wishing other parts of her were the same.

"...Just wait!"