Capítulo 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.
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