Amidst the flickering candlelight and the crackling of the charcoal fire, an unfamiliar emotion surged, making it hard to maintain composure.
Her arms tightened instinctively around Xiao Rongyan’s neck.
"Why isn’t there anyone guarding the entrance of the Princess of Zhen’s tent?"
"Let’s go inside and check!"
Outside the tent, the burly voices of General Zhao Sheng and Yang Wuce could be heard.
She panicked and tried to push Xiao Rongyan away, but Xiao Rongyan’s lips pressed tightly together, unwilling to cooperate.
Xiao Rongyan just felt the blood boiling in him, completely unaware of anyone approaching the tent, and being suddenly interrupted, he couldn’t help but feel displeased.
"Is the Princess of Zhen not here?"
Hearing that Yang Wuce and Zhao Sheng had already stepped into the tent, Bai Qingyan’s palm, in a panic, pressed against Xiao Rongyan’s wound, causing Xiao Rongyan to groan, clutching his chest.
Yang Wuce and Zhao Sheng, hearing a man’s voice from behind the screen, were stunned at the entrance, exchanged glances, and cautiously pressed the swords at their waists, their thumb revealing the blade, flashing with cold light.
Behind the screen, Bai Qingyan ignored Xiao Rongyan, her cheeks still red in embarrassment as she adjusted her clothes and stepped out from behind the screen. She suppressed the pounding of her heart in her throat, making a serious appearance as she cupped her hands to Yang Wuce and Zhao Sheng, asking, "Are the two generals here on official business?"
Yang Wuce and Zhao Sheng, seeing Bai Qingyan stepping out from behind the screen, quickly sheathed their half-drawn swords and cupped their hands in greeting, "Greetings, Princess of Zhen!"
Zhao Sheng noticed that there was still someone behind the screen, and through the candlelight, he vaguely saw a tall man standing inside, buttoning his clothes.
Yang Wuce happily said to Bai Qingyan, "Princess of Zhen, the commander of Daming Prefecture..."
Zhao Sheng’s old face suddenly turned red with embarrassment, quickly lowering his head, feeling that their timing was wrong, hurriedly tugging at Yang Wuce.
Interrupting Yang Wuce, who was preparing to report to Bai Qingyan that the defending general of Daming Prefecture, Cao Renyi, sought to surrender and hoped the Princess of Zhen could provide medicine to save the common people.
"If the Princess of Zhen is busy, we will retreat first! We can report back early tomorrow morning!"
Saying this, Zhao Sheng pulled Yang Wuce to leave...
"My words are not finished, such a significant event as the willingness of Daming Prefecture to surrender without a fight cannot wait until tomorrow!" Yang Wuce shook off Zhao Sheng’s hand, anxious to inform Bai Qingyan.
Seeing Zhao Sheng gritting his teeth, signaling Yang Wuce to look towards the screen, Bai Qingyan’s hand tightened behind her back, fearing that if she couldn’t explain clearly, Zhao Sheng and Yang Wuce would deem her an unscrupulous person.
She cleared her throat and, without waiting for Yang Wuce to look back from the screen, said, "Behind the screen is Mr. Xiao, a righteous merchant of Wei who once showed kindness to the Bai family."
To avoid further misunderstanding, she tightened her sweaty palms, thinking it was better to explain, "Mr. Xiao is injured... I was changing his dressing when you arrived."
After speaking, Bai Qingyan realized her words made it seem worse.
In the military, there should be military doctors, not requiring a lady to tend to a man’s wounds.
Zhao Sheng cooperated, nodding sincerely.
Since Bai Qingyan introduced him to Zhao Sheng and Yang Wuce, Xiao Rongyan buttoned his clothes, gracefully stepping out from behind the screen, nodding politely to Yang Wuce and Zhao Sheng, exuding noble and composed aura, "Rong Yan... greets the two generals."
Looking at the tall, handsome and resolute Xiao Rongyan stepping beside Bai Qingyan, both with a commanding presence comparable to the Princess of Zhen, without the flattery a merchant should display.
Zhao Sheng originally thought Bai Qingyan had summoned a soldier from the camp this New Year’s Eve but realized it was the renowned Wei merchant, Xiao Rongyan.
Shocked, Zhao Sheng felt a chill down his spine, wondering how Xiao Rongyan entered the camp unnoticed!
Perhaps, Xiao Rongyan had been in the camp all along, unknown to him?
Zhao Sheng looked towards Bai Qingyan, seemingly seeking confirmation.
Bai Qingyan calmly said, "Truth be told, Mr. Xiao and I... were matched by the Crown Prince, and we are engaged. Today, New Year’s Eve... Mr. Xiao hurried here to meet me; I arranged for his entry to the camp. Mr. Xiao is slightly wounded, and considering it’s New Year’s Eve... I chose not to trouble the military doctor and crudely attended to his injuries myself."
Zhao Sheng and Yang Wuce’s faces showed realization, Zhao Sheng respectfully bowed to Xiao Rongyan, "Mr. Xiao, forgive the intrusion."
"No harm..." Xiao Rongyan’s eyes deepened with warmth due to Bai Qingyan declaring them engaged, masking his killing intent beneath a gentle smile.
"Mr. Xiao!" Yang Wuce also respectfully greeted Xiao Rongyan, though puzzled, wondering if Xiao Rongyan sought the Princess of Zhen’s aid for Wei, considering the current grim situation against Yan.
"General Zhao, General Yang, please sit and discuss the willingness of the Daming Prefecture’s defending commander to surrender," Bai Qingyan calmly gestured for them to sit.
Zhao Sheng and Yang Wuce responded, bowing.
Xiao Rongyan, now Bai Qingyan’s fiancé, remained seated beside her.
Yang Wuce bowed to Bai Qingyan, then said, "Cao Renyi has good relations with my family. After capturing Yongan City, I discussed with General Zhao whether I should go to Daming Prefecture to persuade Cao Renyi. General Zhao worried about my safety, so I sent a letter first! There’s been no response from Daming Prefecture, making me believe capturing Daming Prefecture would be challenging."
Sitting beside Bai Qingyan, Xiao Rongyan’s gaze fell on a stack of bamboo slips on her desk, then upon an open bamboo slip... astonished to find it was "Shangzi."
Lord Shang’s "Shangzi," forbidden in various states, only available in full in Yan, known as the emperor’s book, detailing methods to rule the people.
Xiao Rongyan looked at Bai Qingyan, seriously listening to Yang Wuce’s words...
Seeing Bai Qingyan reading this book, Xiao Rongyan understood her imperial ambitions.
Xiao Rongyan picked up a partially written bamboo slip from her desk, even more surprised.
Bai Qingyan was writing military tactics, yet unfinished, Xiao Rongyan skimmed through the bamboo slip.
In Bai Qingyan’s tactics, the first Chapter emphasized the importance of morale, not just for the enemy but for her soldiers, stressing that morale is paramount.