Bab 210: Two Armies as One
When Chen Ruoxi arrived, she beheld a scene of stirring tension. Though she hadn't witnessed the events that transpired, she could sense the palpable excitement lingering in the air, even under the veil of night.
She pressed her lips into a faint line, her gaze unwavering as it settled on the solitary, dark figure in the center. That resolute profile was etched in her heart like a blade's mark. In all the time since their marriage, she had never seen him so alive, his gaze sharp with fervor and intensity, a hint of profound affection buried deep within his eyes. She followed his gaze, catching sight of a woman with her back turned, laughing into the night. The laughter, unrefined as it was, defied disdain, filling the air with a carefree wildness. Chen could guess who she was—only one woman could draw such a look of liberation on her husband's face.
Turning her head slightly, she let her gaze fall back on Bai Zhanfeng, her husband, a man she deeply adored. But she knew he didn't feel the same for her, a knowledge that left a pang of regret for her past impulsiveness. In his eyes, Xianyue was a sacred existence beyond reproach, yet she had dared speak against her, allowing her jealousy to override reason.
In love, the first to fall is doomed to lose. Chen knew well that this love was one-sided, that no matter her hope, the end was always in sight. She'd watched him walk to the rose garden each day, ignoring her entirely, yet since Xianyue had left for the military camp, he hadn't returned there once. She had longed to see him, but pride had often held her back. Now, even that had dwindled. Smiling bitterly, Chen recognized that pride held no place in her heart when it came to him.
With a quiet smile, she placed a hand on her abdomen, taking a step forward when Xianyue suddenly turned, her hair billowing in the firelight. Even from a distance, Chen could discern her fine brows, like the delicate crescent moon. The confident, radiant smile upon her face was unshakable. Chen had always thought of her as lazy and indifferent, yet here she was, an indomitable force, glowing with a brilliance that seemed insurmountable.
"From this day, the nations of Lan, Feng, and Bai Chu shall stand as one in both adversity and triumph."
Beneath the vast night sky, lightning split the heavens, illuminating the earth like a grand firework display. Thunder followed in its wake, a sound that shook the ground as dust swirled, revealing a figure in pale robes who spun like a butterfly, lacking vibrant hues but radiating an unforgettable presence. Watching her, Chen felt an abrupt, unfamiliar self-doubt.
She recalled an argument she'd had with Bai Zhanfeng, wondering if this brilliant woman could truly be the same Xianyue she once knew. How could one person encompass such extremes, possessing an unbreakable spirit beyond her reach?
Xianyue advanced, sword in hand, dust rising at her feet. Before anyone could grasp her words' meaning, Bai Zhanfeng had already moved to her side. Smiling, Xianyue lowered her sword, securing it at her waist as she extended her right hand toward him. Bai Zhanfeng, smiling knowingly, met her hand in a firm clasp.
"Bai Chu and Feng Lan stand united."
Xianyue's gaze swept over the assembly of soldiers below, her voice commanding yet calm: "Hear me, soldiers of Lan. Should I be absent, Grand Prince Bai's word is as my own."
Silence reigned as Lan soldiers watched their queen, the singular woman who stood as both Queen of Feng and their beloved Queen of Lan. The soldiers of Bai Chu turned to their lord, whose black armor gleamed under the dim light, and then all eyes shifted to the joined hands. In unison, the soldiers raised their spears, a silver gleam blanketing the sky.
"Long live the Princess!"
"Long live the Queen!" Lvzhu, Ya'er, and the others called with heartfelt fervor, joined even by the usually stoic Cheng Qiang and the recently arrived Xu An, who found his spirit ignited.
"Long live the Grand Prince!"
The cheers swelled, a thunderous sound that reverberated as the soldiers closed ranks, filling the chasm between them as two armies stood together as one.
Chen Ruoxi stood transfixed, her heart gripped by the sheer awe of the moment. Such a woman, commanding yet effortless in grace, as if born to stand above. That serene face held a faint smile, yet it demanded respect. In a single, electric instant, clarity struck her: the depth of Bai Zhanfeng's attachment, a realization that both terrified and saddened her. The woman she had belittled was, in fact, beyond her reach, and with this understanding came a crushing insecurity. No mastery of art, no mastery of words, could ever eclipse the space Xianyue held within his heart.
"Bai Zhanfeng."
Xianyue's hand tightened around his as she lifted an eyebrow, her gaze turning to meet Chen Ruoxi's. Following Xianyue's line of sight, Bai Zhanfeng's expression softened, and he seemed on the verge of speaking before reconsidering, allowing the silence to linger. Since the beginning, Xianyue had desired nothing more than to see him content with Chen, and an explanation now would only unsettle her further.
"Madam Bai," Xianyue greeted, releasing Bai Zhanfeng's hand as she approached. She spoke with the same casual ease as always, as though there had never been any discord between them.
"Greetings, Queen of Feng." Her face remained as unremarkable as ever, yet there was a quiet confidence that made Chen feel diminished. In those eyes, clear as winter snow, was a steady light that invited trust. With sudden clarity, Chen saw the net that had ensnared her husband's heart—subtle, yet impossible to escape.
Chen placed a protective hand over her abdomen, but found no confidence left within her.
"My lord."
Chen Ruoxi stepped up to Bai Zhanfeng, looked up at him briefly, then bowed respectfully. This display had long become routine to Xianyue.
"Hmm."
Bai Zhanfeng responded tersely, his face impassive, lacking even the slightest hint of warmth.
"Bai Zhanfeng, mind your manners."
Xianyue shot him a sharp look before turning to Ruoxi. "In two days, we set off for Biluojian. You have tomorrow off—spend some time with your wife."
Ruoxi watched Bai Zhanfeng, noting how his gaze remained fixed on Xianyue. Although she was his wife, his heart and eyes had never truly lingered on her. Even when beside her, he seemed entirely indifferent.
"I'm hungry; I'll go find something to eat."
The familiar smile, her every movement, the way her eyes lit up at the mention of food—all of it was just as it had been back at the Bai mansion. Yet now, Ruoxi could no longer see Xianyue as the same insignificant woman she once thought anyone could outshine.
"Miss Xianyue," Ruoxi called softly as Xianyue was about to leave, suddenly chasing after her.
"In the Bai mansion, I used to think there was nothing special about you, and I couldn't understand what the young master saw in you. But now I understand. Your spirit is unmatched, brilliant and unrestrained. Forgive my past discourtesy."
Ruoxi's voice was loud enough to be heard, and her words, a testament to her respect for Xianyue, served as a tacit apology to Bai Zhanfeng as well.
Xianyue, placing herself between the two, turned to Ruoxi, patting her on the shoulder. "Madam Bai, any good woman knows how to persist. Men are no different; you are his wife in name and right, so there's no need for formality. Don't call him 'young master'—he is your husband. Unlike Nian Xiaoyu, you have the right to pursue your own happiness. If he doesn't like you, all the more reason to persist until he does. I believe I've said this before."
Xianyue laughed and waved. "Bai Zhanfeng, it's late. It wouldn't be safe for your wife to return alone. Escort her back, and remember, you're excused from the barracks tomorrow. Just come early the day after."
To Ruoxi, Xianyue could only think that she was indeed an intelligent woman, though it was difficult to truly warm to her. But as Bai Zhanfeng's wife, she could offer her no more than these words. After all, with someone she didn't care for, she preferred to keep her distance.
Xianyue gave Bai Zhanfeng a brief smile, patted the Snow Jade sword at her side, and turned to leave.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone