Chapter 221: Choice is vital for a wise bird seeking its perch
"Hmm."
Xuan Yue slowly turned around, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at Bai Zhanfeng, responding with an air of indifference.
"Our princess isn't deaf; why shout so loudly?"
Ya'er pouted in anger, her voice barely above a whisper, but the silence in the tent following Bai Zhanfeng's outburst allowed her complaint to carry.
The officers of Bai Chu shot an annoyed glance at Ya'er; how dare a subordinate disregard their master? Though they had recently sided with Xuan Yue, their loyalty to the Bai family, inherited over generations, was as unshakable as Xuan Yue's bond with Bai Pingting and the others.
"Ya'er is still young and naive. Gentlemen, you who have fought valiantly on the battlefield for years certainly would not stoop to quarreling with a child."
Before they could voice their displeasure, Xuan Yue interjected, effectively silencing them.
With her words, they had no choice but to drop the matter, all eyes turning toward Bai Zhanfeng, who sat with a darkened expression, his piercing gaze fixed on Xuan Yue, simmering with discontent.
"Ya'er, apologize to Young Master Bai."
Xuan Yue straightened, directing the order at Ya'er. The girl, refusing to meet Xuan Yue's eyes, reluctantly approached Bai Zhanfeng, but he halted her, stating, "You know that this isn't what concerns me."
His tone was serious; such earnestness was rare when addressing Xuan Yue. He stared at her, his bright eyes reflecting his dissatisfaction. Hadn't they agreed to provide her with answers before the end of the conflict? In his view, the war had just begun; how could she be so impatient?
Xuan Yue cast a nonchalant glance at Bai Zhanfeng, fully aware that he was not one to be angered by trivial matters. Nonetheless, she felt it necessary to prepare them for the truth. Regardless of the officers' opinions, they needed to face reality: this was an opportune moment, and she intended to seize it.
"Miss Xuan Yue, what do you mean by that? Do you wish to claim Bai Chu for yourself, just as Xuanyuan does?"
A few officers from Bai Chu huddled together, whispering amongst themselves. After a while, Zhou Tao stepped forward, his gaze locked on Xuan Yue, his words tinged with dissatisfaction. As soldiers of the Bai family, they were dedicated to preserving its legacy.
"Zhou, your words are rather harsh."
Xuan Yue supported herself on the arm of her chair, a smile gracing her lips, revealing no hint of displeasure.
Cheng Qiang and the others observed her, puzzled. At such a crucial juncture, Feng Lan should have been standing shoulder to shoulder with Bai Chu. Although the Lan Kingdom harbored ambitions of unifying the realm, discussing such matters now seemed ill-timed.
"What difference is there between what Miss Xuan Yue does and Xuanyuan's actions?"
Lu Su's voice dripped with discontent; whether through coercion or conquest, there was little distinction.
"The law of the jungle dictates that the strong prey upon the weak. Is it right to blame Xuanyuan Hao for this situation? Is it wrong for a man to aspire to greatness? The Zhou dynasty ruled for centuries; their golden age has long passed. Unity inevitably leads to division, and in times of chaos, who can fault those who seek to become a second Qin Shi Huang?"
Xuan Yue spoke with an air of conviction, reflecting the education she had received: the victor is king, the vanquished a bandit. She bore no ill will toward Xuanyuan Hao; rather, it was a matter of differing philosophies. The world requires its ambitious individuals; if everyone were content with mediocrity, progress would remain an unattainable dream.
"Although there haven't been any major wars between nations in recent years, the minor skirmishes over land and population have left many people homeless. If this continues, the common folk will never enjoy good days. The reason your Bai family doesn't dare to claim the world isn't that you lack Xuanyuan Hao's ambition but rather that you simply lack the strength."
Though her words might sound harsh to them, it was the truth; only the weak would find her comments abrasive.
Bai Zhanfeng regarded Xuan Yue, his hands clenched into fists. Her statements were uncomfortable to hear, yet upon reflection, he realized the validity in her reasoning. While he did not harbor grand ambitions, he was acutely aware of the Bai family's precarious position.
"Since the establishment of the Zhou dynasty and the emergence of Chu, your Bai family has been serving the King of Chu; after all, you are but subjects. Are you not acting for the sake of the common folk, so they may live in peace? When you fight bravely on the battlefield, isn't that the aim? If we are all subjects, what difference does it make who reigns? As long as the people can lead good lives, what is there to lament? If the world were to achieve peace, you could reunite with your families; what could be better than that?"
The crowd fell silent, staring at Xuan Yue. She wondered how much of her speech they truly grasped, as she did not expect immediate agreement. She merely intended to prepare them for what was to come, much like with Bai Zhanfeng. Even if they were to turn against her later, she would ensure they were not caught off guard.
Cheng Qiang studied Xuan Yue, recognizing the logic and allure in her words. These individuals, stationed on the front lines for years, faced death at any moment; above all, they yearned to reunite with their families. Yet, none of this could sway a person's resolve. Even if they were all born in the Zhou dynasty, they were citizens of Chu. If someone were to demand his surrender to Xuanyuan, no matter how eloquently they spoke, he would never acquiesce. Generations of guardianship and the blood of comrades formed bonds that transcended familial ties, becoming an inseparable part of their very being.
"A wise bird chooses its perch; you remain loyal even to such a foolish King of Chu. What of the King of Lan?"
The officers sat in silence, casting inquiring looks at Bai Zhanfeng. For centuries, their loyalty had been to the Bai family, not the King of Chu. As long as their master approved, they would not voice any objections. Although Xuan Yue's words were not what they wished to hear, they were, nonetheless, the truth. Whether they liked it or not, it remained an objective reality.
It was well-known that the King of Lan was compassionate and beloved by his people, a stark contrast to the King of Chu whom they had previously served.
"Xuan Yue, you promised to give me time to consider; the war is not yet over."
Bai Zhanfeng approached Xuan Yue, puzzled by her insistence. Did the realm truly hold that much significance for her? Was it worth all this effort to vie with Xuanyuan Hao? Now, she was pressing him; she despised being coerced or threatened—why impose her displeasure upon others?
"I am merely affording everyone the opportunity to ponder."
Xuan Yue turned to face Bai Zhanfeng, unwavering in her stance.
"This battle, the outcome is crucial. Bai Zhanfeng, I have afforded you the opportunity to choose; you may disagree, but let me make this clear."
Xuan Yue pivoted, her icy gaze sharp, sweeping over each of the Bai Chu generals. From the outset, she had no intention of confronting Xuan Yuanhao head-on. She would seize this world through her own means, even if Bai Chu and Xuan Yuan stood united.
"The consequences are yours to bear."
Bai Zhanfeng stared intently at Xuan Yue; her gaze was frigid, yet her expression remained earnest. He wished desperately to glimpse even a hint of jest on her face, but there was none. Her seriousness, the clarity in her bright eyes, and her resolve—was all this due to Lan Yixuan? She wished for a world devoid of turmoil, yet she chose to align herself with Lan Yixuan. Despite her usual languid demeanor, this fierce threat was somewhat expected; nevertheless, Bai Zhanfeng found it difficult to accept. An ominous premonition gripped his heart, as he sensed that something was amiss. She was never one to fight battles without certainty. With her intelligence, she surely recognized that her words might provoke the discontent of the Bai Chu generals—she must have foreseen the repercussions.
He wondered how those soldiers who usually followed him would react upon returning; there could only be one reason for their potential ire: Xuan Yue had already devised a strategy and felt unassailable. Suddenly, Bai Zhanfeng felt a wave of anxiety wash over him, intertwined with fear. He couldn't decipher the intentions of the woman before him.
"Gentlemen, you may consider this further upon your return."
Such words were undeniably infuriating, yet when spoken by Xuan Yue, they left no room for rebuttal.
"I'm tired; I wish to have a good sleep."
Xuan Yue stretched lazily and rolled her neck, clearly signaling the end of the discussion. Bai Zhanfeng shot her one last glance before departing, the other Bai Chu generals following closely behind.
"Your Majesty, are you not the least bit concerned?"
"Concerned about what?" Xuan Yue turned to Cheng Qiang, her expression nonchalant. "When soldiers come, we shall block; when water comes, we shall dam. The boat will naturally right itself when it reaches the bridge; there is no need for worry."
Xuan Yue chuckled, patting Cheng Qiang on the shoulder, suddenly exclaiming, "I just remembered, Ya'er, I still haven't eaten!" She caressed her flat stomach as she nudged Ya'er aside. "Ya'er, quickly prepare me something to eat; I'll sleep right after."
Ya'er smiled and complied, but just as she reached the entrance and opened the tent flap, she collided with someone entering from outside. The departing Bai Chu generals were still gathered at the tent's entrance. Xuan Yue stepped outside and asked, "What's going on?"
Bai Zhanfeng approached her, his demeanor grave. "Regarding Xuan Yuan—"
He paused, uncertain of how to articulate his thoughts, gripping Xuan Yue's arm. "You'll know when you see for yourself."
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