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85.89% The Phoenix Overwhelms the World / Chapter 201: Returning to Camp

Kapitel 201: Returning to Camp

The Bai residence wasn't far from the military camp; riding swiftly, one could make a round trip in about an hour. But as Xian Yue traveled by carriage, the journey took considerably longer, and by the time she reached the camp, it was nearly time for the noon meal.

Perhaps Bai Zhan Feng had mentioned her return, for the moment her carriage reached the camp's gate, Green Pearl and Ya'er rushed over. Yilan eagerly lifted the curtain, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Xian Yue, their faces radiating joy.

"Princess."

They greeted her in unison. Xian Yue waved a hand, signaling them to clear the way, and stepped down from the carriage.

"Princess, why did it take you so long to return? We missed you terribly!"

Yilan moved in close, ready to embrace her, but Ya'er beat her to it.

"Princess, I heard the Xuan Yuan army is nearing Biluo River."

Green Pearl, known for her battle-hungry nature, had already grown restless upon hearing Yilan's earlier reports of Xuan Yuan troops advancing. She seemed impatient, almost eager for Xian Yue to lead her into battle.

"Princess, was the Bai household's cuisine better than mine?"

Ya'er looked up at Xian Yue with wide, accusing eyes, her face a picture of mock dismay.

Xian Yue chuckled, pinching her soft cheeks. "Who told you that? Ya'er, your cooking is unparalleled. But there's no good wine in the camp. And even if there were, as the commander, how would it look if I were always reeking of alcohol?"

Ya'er pouted indifferently. "Who would dare criticize the Princess? I'd make sure they went hungry."

Xian Yue laughed. "So, the Bai army's meals are now under Ya'er's command?"

While she was aware that drinking in camp wasn't suitable for a commander, and even though the soldiers of Feng army would tolerate her eccentricities, Xian Yue understood the need for restraint. She knew her limits well enough.

"No training today? Be careful, or Sister Ping Ting will punish you."

Ya'er's lips curled slightly. "The Commander misses the Princess more than we do."

Following Ya'er's gaze, Xian Yue noticed that, amidst the cheerful crowd around her carriage, she hadn't yet spotted Ping Ting.

"Let's talk inside." She smiled, lightly tapping Ya'er's cheek, knowing her dignity had been entirely swept aside by their teasing at the gate.

Xian Yue walked ahead, noticing Yi's hesitant expression. She turned to her group, saying, "Wait for me in the camp."

"Is the Princess sharing secrets with the Commander?" They were unafraid to jest with her, accustomed as they were to her kindness and unassuming nature. White Ping Ting, however, held their respect and fear alike for her strict training regime.

"Princess, how could you stay at the Bai residence for so long?"

Xian Yue smiled at Bai Ping Ting. She hadn't informed her of this visit, knowing Ping Ting would object. After all, she was no longer the wanderer of old but Feng Xian Yue, Queen of Feng and consort of Lan. Every step she took now bore the weight of the realm's eyes. This visit, she knew, ran contrary to tradition. Ping Ting's restraint, in not demanding her immediate return, had already spoken volumes.

"Are you angry, Sister Ping Ting?" Xian Yue playfully took her hand. Ping Ting, sensing the watchful eyes around them, uneasily pulled back. "Princess, this isn't appropriate."

Unlike the others, Ping Ting held Xian Yue's authority in high regard, mindful of how the soldiers viewed her.

She wasn't angry but rather concerned that such actions would fuel criticisms from the ministers who already disapproved, hoping to have the Lan king establish a queen. Her actions might only stoke the rumors.

Xian Yue understood her meaning. She knew that Ping Ting's intentions were sincere, but right now, Xian Yue only smiled. Her heart held secrets she could not share—not even with Ping Ting. Burdens lay hidden, beyond words.

"Sister Ping Ting, I've really held back for so long." Leaning against her shoulder, Xian Yue joked, "Traveling from Lan to Ye City, rushing every day, my lips are chapped from the harsh food, and I haven't even had a drop of wine. I'm nearly out of my mind!"

She laughed, speaking of trivial reasons, while knowing Ping Ting might sense the deeper struggles. Despite Xian Yue's cheerful façade, Ping Ting, with her keen intuition, surely sensed the unrest beneath, but respected her silence.

"Princess." Bai Ping Ting gazed at her, the vermillion mark on Xian Yue's brow glinting under the sun. She hesitated, then quietly let go of her unspoken questions.

Since that night, when the Princess returned from the Weiyang Palace, she had become increasingly elusive. Ping Ting had questions, but Xian Yue was unwilling to answer, and now she, too, was reluctant to pry further.

"Princess, have you been well at the Bai residence?"

Just as Xian Yue entered the tent, Yilan hurried over and greeted her with a question that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Xian Yue released Bai Ping Ting's hand, sat down in the chair by the desk, and leaned back, resting her legs on the table. After a morning spent traveling by carriage, her legs were nearly numb.

"Ah, the food was good, the sleep was sound, and there was fine wine. Don't you see how I've put on weight? My complexion is even better, don't you think?"

Yilan, Green Pearl, and the others shook their heads. Luyi, who had just prepared tea, brought a cup to Xian Yue. "Princess, what secrets were you sharing with the Commander?"

Xian Yue accepted the tea, downing it in one gulp. "Luyi, you're so thoughtful, knowing how thirsty I was. If you're curious, go ask Sister Ping Ting what we discussed."

Xian Yue chuckled. Luyi, unlike Yilan and the others, wasn't one to gossip; she had only asked out of politeness.

"Compared to when you were on the road, you do look much better, Princess. Well-rested, yet you haven't gained any weight."

Xian Yue smiled. "What can I do? I have the type of physique that never gains weight." Back in Pear Blossom Court, even under Liu Xinyou's constant torment, she never appeared frail or gaunt.

"Did that Madam Bai cause you any trouble?"

Yilan came up beside her, bluntly asking the question. At the mention of Chen Ruoxi, she frowned in obvious displeasure. Xian Yue glanced at Luyi and the others, uncertain about what grievance Chen Ruoxi could have possibly caused Yilan.

That day, Xian Yue and Bai Zhan Feng had left the camp for the Bai residence, crossing paths with Chen Ruoxi on the road. Rising early to catch a glimpse of Bai Zhan Feng—and to see for herself the woman who had so captured his heart—Chen Ruoxi arrived at the camp only to be informed that they'd gone to the Bai household. Furious, she had stormed back, only to run into Yilan. Proud and of noble lineage, Chen Ruoxi wouldn't deign to apologize, and Yilan, flanked by the equally fiery and fiercely loyal Green Pearl, took no small offense. The encounter turned into an argument until Bai Ping Ting intervened, ordering Yilan to apologize. Though Chen Ruoxi feared Bai Zhan Feng might hear of the incident and insisted it was her fault, in Yilan's eyes, she was merely an arrogant, pretentious woman.

"Princess, I finally understand why Young Master Bai used to stay in camp every day. Living with someone like that—no one could bear it." Yilan wrinkled her nose in distaste, and the others, loyal sisters to her, naturally took her side. With Yilan's embellished recounting, they'd all developed a distaste for Chen Ruoxi. If they didn't know Xian Yue was no pushover, they would have stormed the Bai residence themselves, hoping that woman would provoke Xian Yue enough to receive her due punishment.

"Why do I detect a sour note in the air?"

Xian Yue sat up, leaning in close to Yilan, and took a playful sniff. The others joined her in laughter.

Xian Yue refrained from scolding Yilan. She trusted that Yilan wasn't being unreasonable. If what she'd described was true, then she indeed had no need to apologize. Xian Yue could tolerate Chen Ruoxi's disdain towards herself; she had her reasons. But if Chen Ruoxi sought to take out her grievances on others, that was something she would never permit.

"Princess, did you at least give her a good scolding for Yilan?"

Ya'er, who had heard of the incident afterward, was indignant. She'd been worried all along that Xian Yue would not be treated well at the Bai residence. If not for Bai Ping Ting, the group would have armed themselves and charged over.

"Oh, of course. We had a fierce argument, and I emerged victorious."

Xian Yue pinched Ya'er's cheek. It mattered little whether she'd scolded Chen Ruoxi or not. For Chen Ruoxi, simply watching Bai Zhan Feng's affection for her was punishment enough—a love without hope, dismantling the life she once knew.

"Yilan, remember, we're in Ye City. Keep your sourness in check." Her people could dislike Chen Ruoxi; Xian Yue felt the same. But they needn't display it.

Yilan pouted and muttered, "Understood." After venting for so long, she felt much better. Hearing that Xian Yue had already argued with her brought a sense of satisfaction, as though justice had been served. She wouldn't say more—Chen Ruoxi's actions only made her unworthy of Young Master Bai's affection.

"Luyi, how soon will Cheng Qiang's troops arrive?"

"According to our scouts, they've reached Ming Xiang and, barring any delays, should be here by tomorrow night."

Ming Xiang lay within Ye City's jurisdiction, and Xian Yue's smile deepened. Xu An had kept the schedule. Given the hour, they would need to hasten their pace. Xuanyuan Hao's forces were already advancing toward Biluo River. This would be the ideal battlefield, where strategy could overcome superior numbers. Once Lan's ten thousand soldiers arrived, morale would surge across the ranks. With their arrival, the time for decisive action would come; they must intercept Xuanyuan Hao's forces at the river—or, if necessary, strike during the crossing, ensuring not a single moment of opportunity slipped by.


Kapitel 202: Punishing Xu An

As dusk settled and the sky grew dark, the city walls lit up with torches, casting a faint glow over the surroundings. In the distance, something silvery and white glimmered, advancing toward them, as if intending to pierce the darkened heavens. The earth trembled beneath the weight of approaching forces, and even the skies seemed to shudder.

The gates of Yecheng swung open. Xianyue stood there, looking toward the horizon. Behind her, Bai Pingting and Luyi waited, eyes bright with anticipation. Ten thousand soldiers were drawing closer, and though obscured by the night, she could almost see each determined face—a band of scholars turned warriors, driven by their dreams of heroism.

Cheng Qiang led the vanguard. Spotting the figure cloaked in white by the gate, he raised his whip and spurred his horse forward. Dismounting with practiced grace, he knelt before Xianyue. "This humble soldier greets the Queen."

Xianyue approached him, smiling as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "General Cheng, your journey must have been arduous."

As she helped him to his feet, Xianyue continued with a smile, "And General Cheng is as handsome as ever."

Luzhu and the others stifled their laughter at her words. Cheng Qiang, unaccustomed to Xianyue's playful demeanor, stood frozen, only coming to his senses when the laughter reached his ears. Blushing furiously, he could only offer a bashful smile, the hardened soldier suddenly shy in the presence of so many women.

"And where is Minister Xu?"

Yilan's voice was quick and vengeful as she mentioned Xu An, still seething over his past antics in the court, where he'd been a leading voice questioning Xianyue's loyalty and attempting to pressure the King into taking another concubine. Her grievance had been simmering for days, eager to settle the score, and now, with Xu An arriving in Yecheng under Cheng Qiang's escort, she felt a rush of excitement, anticipation etched across her face.

At the mention of Xu An, a flicker of humor crossed Cheng Qiang's usually stoic expression. Like Yilan, he held little regard for the minister, particularly as Xu An's corruption and extortion of the common people were well known. Before their departure from Lan City, Xu An had attempted to bribe him with the ill-gotten wealth of the people—a fortune Cheng Qiang accepted, but only to be repurposed as military funds. He'd given Xu no special treatment during the journey either.

Xianyue, noticing Cheng Qiang's expression, guessed that Xu An had suffered on the road. She knew his type well—a man quick to curry favor, servile to the powerful yet merciless to those beneath him. Cheng Qiang, however, had found a more fitting use for his silver, something Xianyue quietly approved of. Better to use it for the good of the troops than to let Xu An's family keep their ill-gotten gains. 

"We would have arrived two days ago, if not for him." Cheng Qiang's tone betrayed his disdain.

On the very first day, Xu An had demanded a carriage, only to be refused. Barely managing a single day on horseback, he'd collapsed, unable to move, forcing Cheng Qiang to reluctantly permit him a carriage—but without slowing the troops' pace. Now, as they arrived, Xu lay inside, likely no better off than on his first day.

Xianyue, sensing his predicament, felt certain Xu An's condition was grim, though she knew it would have consequences if he were to perish en route. "Where is he?"

Her slight smile hinted at her satisfaction. With Xianyue's first steps forward, the others hurriedly followed, eager to glimpse the minister in his miserable state. For a man like Xu An, accustomed to comfort, such a journey would have been pure torment, and curiosity piqued as they anticipated his sorry appearance.

"Pingting, stay here and settle the troops," Xianyue instructed.

Her gaze shifted to Bai Zhanfeng, who had remained silent, watching her with an unreadable expression. She raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward the oncoming forces. "Care to join me?"

Since the prior evening, Bai Zhanfeng had been avoiding Xianyue, uncertain how to face her. Though he'd resolved to wait at the camp, the arrival of Lan's army finally offered him the chance to stand beside her once more. Having heard about Xu An's actions in the court, he knew that his recent promotion within the Bai family meant he couldn't ignore matters of state. As for Xu An, it was clear to him that the minister was an unfortunate yet appropriate target for Xianyue's display of authority.

The military carriage was hardly luxurious—a simple wooden structure, lined with only the thinnest of blankets. Cheng Qiang, at the front, lifted the curtain to reveal Xu An sprawled within, moaning piteously, punctuated by curses directed at Cheng.

In the brief month since they'd last seen him, the once-proud official had been reduced to a shadow of himself. His face was unkempt and gaunt, with dark circles under his eyes. His arms, bruised and swollen, showed evidence of many painful jolts along the road. Though his age would inspire sympathy from a kinder heart, his incessant cursing made Xianyue find him simply unpleasant.

Initially, Xu hadn't noticed her presence, craning his neck and recognizing only the hand holding the curtain—a hand he knew all too well. "Cheng Qiang!" he spat, voice full of venom. "I'll have you punished for this—I swear, the Queen will hear of your cruelty!"

As he moved to sit up, pain overtook him, and he fell back, groaning. Bai Zhanfeng, watching, found himself growing ever less patient with the man, scarcely able to restrain his disgust.

"Queen? And which Queen do you plan to inform, Minister Xu?"

All day, Xu An lay in the carriage, feeling as though he was in constant torment, with no idea of how many days had passed. He hadn't realized they'd already reached Ye City. A wave of relief washed over him, and hearing Xianyue's voice, he felt as if he had come back to life. Summoning what little strength he had, he managed to prop himself up.

The "queen" he referred to was none other than Gong Shaohua. Xu An couldn't understand why she, who had always held him in high regard, had agreed to send him to this forsaken place. Clever as he was, he knew Xianyue held a grudge against him, and hearing her voice both pleased and unsettled him. His expression grew uneasy as he looked at her, filled with apprehension.

"Minister Xu, may you be well," Xianyue remarked, her gaze piercing. She knew that Xu An, accustomed to a life of luxury, would struggle with the hardships of army travel. Confident that Cheng Qiang would not be swayed by Xu An's bribes, she had intentionally assigned him the task of escorting Xu An. If he had traveled with her, any strict treatment would have appeared as a personal vendetta or heartlessness on her part.

"Our kingdom has but one queen," Cheng Qiang said respectfully, giving Xianyue a reverent nod and a sidelong glance at Xu An.

Xianyue remained unfazed. "Ah, but I could hardly compare to the queen of Lan Yin Temple, could I, Minister Xu?"

Xu An's body ached in every joint; his hands trembled as he gripped the edge of the carriage. He dared not move again. He had, after all, insulted this queen in the Grand Hall of Lan, which had surely influenced his current predicament. To Xu An, Xianyue was someone best avoided. He'd thought that joining Cheng Qiang might afford him some leniency, but he had found none. The journey had been pure torment, and all he wished for now was to return to Lan City.

"Trembling with fear, Your Majesty," he replied with utmost respect, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

"Oh dear, Minister Xu, do you feel our princess unworthy of your obeisance? What kind of attitude is that?"

Yilan stepped forward, giving Xu An a light tap on the arm. He yelped in pain, collapsing onto the carriage.

"Ha! He looks like a dog eating dirt!" Ya'er covered her mouth, laughing heartily. None of them were the type to forget grudges, especially against those who dared to speak slander about their princess.

"Ya'er, hush! This is Minister Xu we're talking about—how can you call him a dog?" Lvzhu drew out each word mockingly, sticking out her tongue at the end to mimic a dog.

The entire group chattered and teased, leaving Xu An's face flushed an angry shade of purple. Furious but unable to retaliate, he knew that any retort would only provoke more insults from them.

"Enough! Calling people pigs and dogs—what kind of decorum is that? Don't make me call Sister Pingting over to reprimand you all." Xianyue's tone held a slight edge, as if she was fanning the flames further.

"Minister Xu, the journey has been exhausting. I commend you for your efforts."

"All of this is my humble duty," Xu An answered, fully understanding her intent. But here, he was entirely at her mercy. He had no allies, no recourse, and could only bear the silent humiliation. This was but a taste of the trials he was bound to face; Xu An was not one to die for honor—he would proceed with extreme caution.

"Yilan, find someone to take proper care of Minister Xu."

Overjoyed at this "honor," Yilan eagerly accepted. "Yes, Princess."

"Queen." Before Xu An could protest, Xianyue cut him off, turning to Yilan. "In a few days, we will set out for Bi Luo River. Make sure Minister Xu recovers quickly—we cannot afford any delays."

While she had no qualms about punishing him, she would not allow him the satisfaction of finding grounds to criticize her.


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