Chapter 82: He Opened It and Was Stunned…

Chapter 82 He opened it and froze...

"What do you think?"

"I don’t know."

Tuoba Xiao grew even angrier, and he could tell she was giving him the cold shoulder—deliberately ignoring him.

If that's how she wanted to play it...

Tuoba Xiao’s long arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest.

"Today, you put others before me."

He spoke through gritted teeth, but the woman in his embrace wasn’t the least bit afraid. Instead, she let out a soft laugh, tilting her fair face up to look at him. "This is what you call neglect?"

The man stared at her without speaking, but his gaze said it all.

"I wasn't giving you the cold shoulder. I even had my maid personally deliver hot meals to you—you weren’t left hungry."

"You know that’s not what I mean."

Jiang Congyan’s expression cooled as she looked at him. "I’ve been in the royal court for so long and only just made friends—my first friends, at that. Of course I’d want to treat them well. When you were busy and didn’t come back for meals before, did I say anything?"

"Both of us had important matters to attend to. Is it only unacceptable when it’s me?"

Tuoba Xiao could hear the pout in her voice, and since she had a point, he couldn’t maintain his stern expression. He hadn’t actually been angry to begin with—he just wanted her to soothe him with sweet talk. But she stubbornly refused, as if extracting sweet nothings from her was harder than winning a war.

This temperament of hers was something he both loved and hated.

His large hand cupped her soft, fair cheek, the frost in his jade-green gaze fading as his expression softened. "You know Tuoba Wuxi and I don’t get along. Yet you still invited his wife and sister here. What if they have ill intentions?"

That was another reason for his displeasure.

Seeing him soften first and hearing the concern in his words, Jiang Congyan stopped bickering with him.

"They wouldn’t." After a pause, she added, "Tuoba Wuxi wouldn’t stoop to such methods."

"How do you know?" A dangerous edge returned to his voice.

"Because you're the King."

"Hm?"

"You’ve kept Tuoba Wuxi around despite knowing he opposes you—not out of fear for his troops or the Helan tribe behind him, but because you trust him. He'll oppose you honorably, not with underhanded schemes."

"He’s a proud man. He wouldn’t use women to fight for power."

Tuoba Xiao was impressed by how accurately she analyzed the situation and understood him. Logically, he should have been pleased. But her words also carried a hint of admiration for Tuoba Wuxi, and hearing his wife praise another man in front of him left a bad taste in his mouth. Yet he knew she didn’t actually have feelings for Tuoba Wuxi—which only made the contradiction more frustrating.

Jiang Congyan watched as the man’s expression darkened and cleared, unsure what he was imagining. Growing uncomfortable in his tight grip, she pushed at him. "Let’s eat."

Only then did he release her, though his hand couldn’t resist giving her a light pinch.

Jiang Congyan glared at him.

When A Fei and the maids finished laying out the meal, Tuoba Xiao noticed nearly all the dishes were his favorites.

He wasn’t picky—he ate whatever she served—but he had his preferences. His tastes leaned toward bold, savory flavors, while hers were milder, favoring vegetables. Normally, the meal was split evenly between their preferences, but tonight, his preferences took center stage.

This was a bit like coaxing him.

Tuo Baxiao turned his gaze toward her, his eyes locked onto her.

In her heart, she didn’t think preparing a few extra dishes he liked was a big deal, but the man’s gaze was so intense that under his scrutiny, her cheeks burned with heat, her delicate skin turning jade-pink.

Tuo Baxiao watched as her face gradually reddened, his spirits lifting, the earlier gloom vanishing without a trace.

Then he dug into his meal.

Jiang Congyan finally exhaled quietly in relief.

After the meal, they rested briefly before the man couldn't wait to drag her off to bathe.

"Let's try that thing from last time?"

"..."

—

Several days passed, and the atmosphere in the royal camp grew increasingly tense.

Since three days prior, large troops of cavalry had been arriving continuously from the east, north, and west, raising dust clouds and shaking the earth as they gathered on the grasslands south of the royal camp. Tents spread thick across the plains, black banners blocking out the sky, stretching endlessly like a colossal beast crouched upon the earth.

Along with them came long trains of oxcarts transporting provisions and tens of thousands of live sheep.

Five days earlier, Chigan Balie had personally led twenty thousand cavalry to the Helan Mountains, throwing up defenses there to guard strictly against the Xiongnu.

Yesterday, Zhang Zheng and General Modolou had also returned from Tumochuan.

Jiang Congyan summoned the two and pumped them for details about the situation there.

With Yu Wentuo dead and Du Gubo weak, no one in Tumochuan dared openly oppose wheat cultivation anymore. Under the intimidating presence of General Modolou’s three thousand cavalry, they'd fallen right in line, with efficiency far surpassing before.

Following Ruo Lan’s plan, she had split the Yuwen Tribe into two. The new leader chosen was a weaker faction leader with a pliable nature, leaving him entirely dependent on Ruo Lan—or rather, Tuo Baxiao. If his performance proved unsatisfactory, he could be replaced at any time, forcing him to obey Ruo Lan’s orders.

The other half consisted of Yu Wentuo’s loyalists and subordinates. A few nobles involved in flooding the wheat fields had been executed, while the rest—mostly ordinary tribesmen—were rounded up under Ruo Lan’s watch. Yu Wentuo had it coming, and they would have been implicated as well, at the very least demoted to slaves. Now, under Ruo Lan’s control, their situation was slightly better than slavery.

Everyone was now actively planting wheat, and the surviving crops were thriving, changing by the day, already coming into head. In another month, they would be ready for harvest.

General Modolou left a portion of his cavalry in Tumochuan to continue assisting Ruo Lan in keeping dissenters in check while he returned to the royal camp with two thousand men.

Having received the earlier message, he already knew the king had assigned him to remain in the royal camp to protect the Khatun. Though a bit let down, he bore no grudge—he would follow the king’s arrangements without question.

As for Zhang Zheng, he hadn’t expected the lady to land him such a sweet deal. Beyond surprise, he felt mostly gratitude and admiration.

Back when he decided to follow the lady north, he had already prepared himself for the possibility of not seeing the battlefield for the next two or three years. To the Xianbei, they were outsiders after all, and military authority wouldn’t be entrusted to them lightly.

Though the lady hadn’t assigned him a high-ranking position, Zhang Zheng understood her intentions.

"My lady, rest assured, this subordinate will show what he's made of, earning the king’s recognition through skill. I will never betray your efforts."

As long as he won battles, with the lady’s methods, she would surely secure him command over troops.

Jiang Congyan nodded. "I believe you won’t disappoint me."

After the questioning, the two left the tent together.

General Modolou threw an arm around Zhang Zheng’s shoulder. "Brother, I admire your skill. You must fight well under the king—here's to you making general."

Zhang Zheng shot a sidelong glance at General Modolou. Despite suppressing his excitement upon receiving the news and deliberately avoiding any display of it in front of Modolou—worried Modolou might resent it that an "outsider" like him was heading to battle with the Prince of Mobei while Modolou remained at court—the general showed no resentment. Instead, he actively encouraged Zhang, making Zhang feel guilty for doubting him.

Modolou truly regarded him as a brother.

Zhang Zheng collected his thoughts and gave Modolou a light punch on the chest. "Alright, thank you for believing in me, Brother Modolou. I’ll make general soon, and then we’ll fight side by side."

"Good, I’ll be waiting."

"Once the Prince wipes out the Jie, I’ll see if they have any fine liquor in their tribe. If they do, I’ll bring some back for you."

"That’d be perfect! Remember to bring plenty..."

...

The vanguard had already set off, and the main army would march at dawn the next day.

The Xianbei troops were fired up, certain their Prince would crush the Jie without fail.

Hmph! The Jie must have a death wish to dare ambush the Prince’s convoy. This kind of insult could only be answered with their total destruction to vent the Xianbei’s fury. They’d been itching to march on the Jie since the Prince got back.

Even the children playing with wooden swords and arrows had begun acting out battles in advance—all fighting to play the Prince, refusing to take the role of the Jie. This led to several quarrels until they reluctantly took turns playing the enemy. The children who played the Jie were "defeated" by the Prince, then switched roles in the next round, charging back with ferocity.

The royal court hummed with wartime energy, and Jiang Congyan wasn’t her usual self either.

Though she knew the man was peerless in battle and the Jie were barely a threat to him—that he would at least live until the year after next—she still couldn’t shake her unease.

The closer the departure loomed, the busier Tuo Baxiao became. Jiang Congyan waited up late for him so they could dine together.

Catching this, he allowed himself a small smile.

After the meal, they went to the study. When he moved to embrace her, she batted his hand aside.

"This is serious—we need to talk."

"Mm, go ahead."

They sat facing each other on the couch, his large frame dwarfing hers.

"I’ve decided to send Zhang Fu with you. He’s a highly skilled physician—an expert in combat injuries and plagues. Since you’re campaigning south, where the climate differs from the grasslands, disease could gut the army. With him along, I’ll feel more at ease. He’s a scholar—make sure your men show him respect—no ordering him around."

"Noted."

"I also had Zhang Fu prepare medicines in advance—fever medicine, anti-inflammatories, diarrhea cures, hemostatics, blood tonics, antidotes, burn treatments... They’re all properly labeled and stored in bottles, entrusted to A Long. Remember to use them. I know you’re generous, but these were made from the finest ingredients and are in limited supply. Don’t go giving them away—keep them for emergencies."

"Noted."

"Also, even though you’re at war and I won’t be there, don’t get sloppy about cleanliness. Don’t be careless—especially with drinking water. Boil it first."

"Got it." Tuo Baxiao gazed down at her, listening to her earnest instructions, each word brimming with concern for him. His heart felt full.

"I also want Lingxiao to go with you."

"Oh?"

"Lingxiao is clever—it’s already learned commands from me. I want it to accompany you as a messenger. It’s faster than a horse, so if anything happens, we can stay in touch."

Tuo Baxiao had never been fond of that overeager bird, but he reconsidered and nodded.

"Will do."

"And one more thing..."

Jiang Congyan had never thought of herself as such a talkative person, yet she had gone on for over an hour before finally finishing. The man never seemed impatient, listening to her words attentively.

"Did you remember everything I said? Just agreeing to everything? You're not just placating me, are you?"

"Would you like to test me? Should I repeat it back to you?"

As he spoke, he actually prepared to recite it all again. Jiang Congyan clapped a hand over his mouth—still joking around at a time like this, and who knew how much time it would take if he really repeated everything? It was already so late.

Once done speaking, Jiang Congyan prepared to bathe. The man wanted to follow, but she gave him a warning look.

Tuo Baxiao knew she wouldn’t let him have his way tonight. It was his own fault—he'd gone too far the past couple of days, which had annoyed her.

He averted his gaze, looking at the row of bookshelves behind her, and suddenly said, "I want to take a few books."

Jiang Congyan was taken aback, but she had no reason to refuse a few books. "Take whatever you want, pick them yourself."

Then she headed to the bath.

Tuo Baxiao also stood up and walked over to the tall bookshelves.

He remembered she had a few geographical surveys here. Since they were launching a campaign against the Jie, and he didn't know the terrain of Henei and Hedong well enough, he figured he’d check if she had any relevant books.

The shelves were tall, but just right for Tuo Baxiao—he could easily reach the highest spots.

He pulled out a book from the very top, leaving a slim gap. Normally, this wouldn’t have caught his attention, but his eyes lingered.

His eyesight was sharp, and even through that tiny slit, he spotted something odd.

Tucked against the back, there seemed to be another book.

Everywhere else was neatly arranged, but here, there was an extra one—as if it had been hidden.

Suddenly curious, he pulled it out.

It was no bigger than his palm, very thin, maybe a dozen pages at most. The cover was plain, completely unmarked.

He opened it—and froze.