Chapitre 171: The Lonely Moon Beneath the Heavens
The crescent moon was roused by hunger. When she opened her eyes, it was already dusk, and the sky was gradually darkening. From her vantage point, she could see the indistinctly colored tents illuminated by lights in the distance. Tiny figures, no bigger than a fingertip, moved about, and the aroma of food, carried on the cold, damp wind, wafted into her nostrils. Touching her flat stomach, she felt even hungrier.
Bai Pingting worked swiftly. In just one afternoon, the tents were set up, and the fifty-thousand-strong army operated efficiently, showing no signs of weariness despite the long journey.
When Xuan Yue returned to the camp, steam was rising from the pots outside the tents, and the fragrance grew even richer. As Ya'er saw her approach, she quickly handed the ladle to someone else and hurried to uncover a smaller pot. Xuan Yue, with her keen sense of smell, had already caught the scent of chicken soup from afar.
"Princess!" Ya'er turned around and was startled to find Xuan Yue right behind her; her speed was indeed astonishing.
"Princess, please go inside the tent first. I'll bring your meal right in."
It was noodles cooked in chicken broth. The rich aroma told Xuan Yue that Ya'er had put a lot of effort into it—it must have simmered for at least five hours. The white noodles were garnished with green scallions, and she could faintly see slices of chicken. Clearly, Ya'er hadn't rested much all day. Worried the food might get cold, she had kept it on a low flame to stay warm.
Xuan Yue's mouth watered, and as she turned around, she saw Ya'er watching her with a satisfied smile.
"Princess, I heard you used to have quite an appetite. But on this journey, you've barely eaten. The food must not suit your taste. You're different from the rest of us. Whatever you crave, just tell me, and I'll make it for you."
Xuan Yue felt a pang of sympathy, but she was also moved. Everyone was just as exhausted as she was on this journey, yet Ya'er, despite her young age, had never once complained. From Feng to Lan, and now to Bai Chu, Ya'er had traveled without a word of fatigue, and now, finally able to rest, she was making a meal just for Xuan Yue.
The army's food was always cooked in large cauldrons, with little more than salt for seasoning. Xuan Yue had long adopted the philosophy of eating more when the food was good and less when it wasn't. She wasn't picky, but after being spoiled by Lei Yun's cooking, the meals on the road were just fuel to keep going.
"Where did you go this afternoon?" Ya'er asked, wrapping her hands in cloth, but Xuan Yue stopped her. "I'll do it myself," she said with a smile, ignoring the heat as she picked up the pot.
"Princess, be careful, it's hot," Ya'er said, still wrapping her hands behind her.
"No worries."
When it came to good food, Xuan Yue had never been afraid of burning her hands. Her tolerance for heat and cold in culinary matters was far beyond that of ordinary people.
Eating well was a policy Xuan Yue upheld to the fullest. She finished the large bowl of noodles without leaving even a drop of broth, much to Ya'er's amazement as she stood by, wide-eyed.
Setting the bowl down, Xuan Yue licked the corner of her mouth contentedly, smiled at Ya'er, and soon let out a small burp. Leaning back in her chair, she patted her round belly. It had been a long time since she had felt so satisfied.
"Princess, what would you like to eat tomorrow? I'll make it for you," Ya'er offered, both surprised and delighted to see Xuan Yue finish everything she had prepared.
The army had just arrived in Bai Chu, and the lord had specifically instructed Ya'er to take extra care of the princess's meals.
Bai Pingting knew how much Xuan Yue could eat. Back in the palace of Lan, Xuan Yue had nothing to do but eat six meals a day, more than anyone else. Yet, on this journey, she had lost her appetite, even though she kept smiling as always. Compared to before, her face was noticeably paler, and she had lost quite a bit of weight. That's why Bai Pingting had arranged for Ya'er to prepare special meals for her.
"There's no need for anything special," Xuan Yue said, still reclining in her chair, contentedly rubbing her round belly with her eyes closed, thoroughly at ease.
Ya'er chuckled at the sight of her and said nothing, quietly tidying up the dishes. The princess had indeed lost weight recently, and Ya'er pondered what to cook tomorrow.
"Ya'er, fetch me a cup of water," Xuan Yue said, sitting in the chair, too full to move. She opened her eyes and looked at Ya'er, who was clearing the table.
Xuan Yue rose and took the cup of water from Ya'er, downing it in one gulp. After setting the cup on the table, she stood up, feeling too full to move.
"Where are Sister Pingting and Green-clad?"
Xuan Yue walked to the door and lifted the curtain. The sky had fully darkened, and the black night was strewn with stars. Outside the tent, the campfires burned brightly, their orange glow radiating a comforting warmth.
She tilted her head, gazing at the night sky, her thoughts drifting towards Lan. A hollow emptiness settled in her heart. She had arrived in Chu, while he remained in Lan, the distance between them growing wider. What was he doing now?
"Are you looking for them, Princess?" Ya'er asked, carrying a bowl as she slipped out through the gap in the curtain, turning to look back at her.
Xuan Yue quickly averted her gaze. In the flickering light, the loneliness in her sparkling eyes had not yet receded.
"Princess, is something troubling you?"
Ya'er approached and looked up at Xuan Yue, her eyes full of curiosity.
Xuan Yue habitually patted her head, gently pushing her away with an air of nonchalance. "You're missing your husband, aren't you?"
"Then why didn't you bring him along? Didn't the ministers in Lan all want him to accompany you? But it was you who refused, and now you're saying you miss him?"Ya'er couldn't understand.
"Little child, don't ask about things you don't get."
"Princess, I'm only a few years younger than you."
Xuan Yue laughed even more brightly. "Several years is enough. Where's Sister Ping Ting and the others? Call Lu Yi for me, there's something important."
Ya'er, hearing there was something serious, quickly put away her confusion and discontent. "They should be eating now. I'll go fetch them."
Leaning against the tent, Xuan Yue watched as Ya'er skipped away, a faint smile playing on her lips, an unspoken envy brewing in her heart.
On one side was Lan Yi Xuan, on the other was Feng Jiu Lan. She felt like she was stuck in between, like a sandwich cookie, knowing that even if she made a decision, it would still hurt, for she'd never feel whole.
Before long, Bai Ping Ting, Lu Yi, and the others—Yue Ying and Lü Zhu—gathered in Xuan Yue's tent.
"Princess, is there something you need from us?"
Xuan Yue nodded, her fingers drumming the table absently. "Sister Ping Ting, is everyone settled?"
"Everything is in order."
When Xuan Yue returned earlier, she had noticed the camp was vast. Aside from their own Feng army, the Bai family's troops were also stationed there. Even if Cheng Qiang's one hundred thousand men arrived, they wouldn't need to find a new spot. It was said that the place had been personally chosen by the old master of the Bai family, who had foreseen today's situation long ago and wisely selected such a large space.
"Where is Cheng Qiang's army now?" Xuan Yue glanced at Lu Yi.
"They're currently preparing to cross the Qi River. It will take about half a month to reach Ye City."
That was about what she had expected. As for Xu An, that pampered lord in Lan City, she wondered how he was faring now. Surely this journey hadn't been easy for him.
"These next two weeks, you all should rest well."
Even though they were trained warriors, without proper sleep, inadequate food, and constantly jostling on horseback, Xuan Yue felt like her own body was falling apart. Although they weren't strangers to hardship, spending every day on the road was no easy task either.
Xuanyuan was known for his bravery, and the Bai family army had a history spanning centuries. Now that her reinforcements had arrived, Xuanyuan would likely refrain from launching an attack at this moment.
"Princess, once General Cheng arrives, will we engage Xuanyuan in battle?"
Xuan Yue looked at Lü Zhu, whose eager eyes sparkled with excitement, and she sighed. Lü Zhu was a zealous warrior through and through.
"We'll see."
She hoped to minimize the devastation of war. But if both sides clashed, it seemed inevitable. Whether it was Xuanyuan, Feng Lan, or even Bai Chu, the soldiers were all innocent. And those close to her—she couldn't bear for any of them to get hurt.
The cost of war was far too great, more than anyone could bear. She didn't know what Xuanyuan Hao was thinking, but with Jun Pinyu at his side, he was surely a wise prince who cherished his people. A mutually destructive outcome wouldn't appeal to him either.
"Alright, you may leave."
The group exchanged a glance with Xuan Yue and left one after the other.
"Lu Yi, stay."
The others, knowing Lu Yi was responsible for intelligence, found nothing strange about Xuan Yue wanting to speak to her alone.
"How are things progressing?"
Without needing specifics, Lu Yi replied immediately, "Our people are already looking into it."
Xuan Yue pondered for a moment before raising her head to meet Lu Yi's eyes. "Make sure they're careful at every step. Not the slightest mistake can be allowed, understand?"
A single misstep, and all would be lost.
Lu Yi nodded seriously, but before she could ask if there were further instructions, the tent was suddenly lifted. Bai Zhanfeng entered, glancing at Xuan Yue, whose expression was solemn, and then at Lu Yi, standing respectfully beside her. He realized he had interrupted something important and awkwardly apologized. "I'll leave for now. Call me when you're done."
She was the queen of Feng and the empress of Lan. Even though they were now allies, there were matters that Bai Zhanfeng, as the eldest son of Bai Chu, shouldn't be privy to. Despite his discomfort, he knew when to be discreet.
"You may come in."
Xuan Yue addressed Bai Zhanfeng, then turned to Lu Yi. "You can go now."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone