Biandu in spring comes at a good time when the wind is pleasant and smooth, peaches and plums are fragrant, and weeping willows are covered with fresh green, without the expected chill of early spring.
Under the promenades on both sides of the Royal Street, merchants gather, creating a scene of prosperity.
The emperor is about to conquer in person, and the people in Bianjing are all looking forward to his return in victory.
Luanqi Pixuan, a repainted three-wheeled chariot parked in front of the city gate, this chariot is driven by the emperor, driven by two horses, the wheel height is nine feet, and the overall height is nearly twenty feet. The shaft ornaments are carved into vivid and interesting antelope beasts, and the column ornaments and yoke ornaments are inlaid with agate and turquoise. You can feel the magnificence of this chariot from a distance.
Rong Xi's current status is Xiao Huangmen, who is close to the emperor, and the number of horses is limited. Xiao Huangmen can't ride horses with the army. According to the rule, he should stand by the side of the chariot, and walk with the marching team like cavalry.
She made mental preparations in advance, prepared dried meat and water bladders in advance, and wore comfortable boots.
Rong Xi thought, since he wants to go out with Mu Huai, he must not be squeamish.
She has also suffered a lot in the past, and traveling thousands of miles is not difficult for her.
The entire team of the Qi army was divided into three. The first team had to set up camp first, and marched faster. Most of them were cavalry, and Wang Huai was in charge of these soldiers.
The following teams were mostly elite soldiers, escorting Mu Huai, who was an emperor, at a slower pace, and Yin Cheng was in charge.
The army at the rear is responsible for escorting food and grass.
The military flag was rolled slightly, and the sound of the war horn was sonorous and slightly sad and desolate.
Mu Huai and Yin Cheng checked the advance army in person, and then returned to the chariot side by side.
Seeing the two of them walking towards her, Rong Xi gave a military salute respectfully.
Yin Cheng covered his lips with a smile and glanced at Rong Xi.
I can't complain that Mu Huai didn't drive the horse first, but was going to be a chariot, so it turned out that he brought this person here.
However, if the ancient and modern emperors wanted to go out to war, many would bring their concubines with them. Mu Huaida could just take his little queen with him, so why let her dress up as a man
Seeing that Mu Huai's expression was calm, Yin Cheng was also a sensible person. He knew that Mu Huai didn't want others to know Rong Xi's identity, so he didn't salute Rong Xi.
Even though Rong Xi was disguised as Xiao Huangmen, he still looked clever. Seeing Mu Huai walking towards him, he immediately found a low stool and placed it on the ground.
After Mu Huai stepped on the low stool and got on the cart, Rong Xifu put it back in the cart, and stood on the side of the cart again.
- "Come up."
The man's voice was still deep and mellow, making it impossible to discern any emotion from it.
At this time, Rong Xi deliberately asked in a rough voice: "What is your majesty's order?"
At this time, Mu Huai had already lifted the curtain of the car, and looked at Rong Xi with anger and amused, he purposely kept his face cold, and ordered: "I asked you to come up and serve me closely."
Rong Xi immediately responded respectfully, but her legs were really too short, and she struggled for a long time but failed to get into the compartment of the carriage.
Just as she was about to look for a low stool again, Mu Huai looked around and saw that no other soldiers dared to look at the chariot, so he took the woman's two small arms and dragged her in.
Mu Huai didn't wear battle armor, but a Wubian uniform of Wang Shuo, with a scorpion made for him by her own hands around his waist, and a red cape behind him.
Looking at the handsome and handsome, there is a kind of majesty of the emperor looking down on the world.
His brows and eyes are still stern, giving people a sharp and overpowering attitude.
After Rong Xi sat down, she saw that on the small sandalwood table in the car, there were various fruits for food, and Mu Huai even sent someone to buy Granny Cao's meatloaf for her in advance.
The seat is covered with soft quilt fur, and there is a thick stack of storybooks on the other side.
Surprised in Rong Xi's eyes, she couldn't help asking: "Your Majesty...this...this..."
Mu Huai replied in a gentle voice: "It will relieve your boredom."
After all, the carriage had already moved forward, Mu Huai touched the top of her hair at this moment, and said: "You can rest on my legs for a rest."
Rong Xi still kept her voice thick on purpose, and refused: "The concubine is here to serve His Majesty...not to cause trouble for His Majesty."
Mu Huai spoiled her too much.
"Your Majesty will be a concubine of the Xiaohuangmen, and you can give me orders if you have something to do."
The movement of her husky voice was extremely strange, Mu Huai frowned because of this, and ordered: "You don't need to lower your voice on purpose, the Xiaohuangmen are originally eunuchs, and there are many people who speak sharply."
Rong Xi nodded, lowered his brows and eyes, with a humble and submissive appearance, and replied in a solemn tone: "The slave knows."
After saying that, Mu Huai tugged her slender arm displeasedly, and asked her to get closer to him: "Come and sit, don't be so far away from me."
Seeing that Rong Xi hesitated to speak, Mu Huai replied, "It's just you and me here, don't hold back."
Mu Huai put the stack of scripts on the woman's lap, and then kissed her on the forehead.
Rong Xi didn't dare to act rashly anymore, thinking that he was the emperor and she was the little Huangmen, so she had to do things according to his wishes and could not go against them.
Fortunately, Mu Huai has a sense of proportion outside, and will not let her reveal her identity.
The car is on the official road, and there is no bumps.
When Rong Xi was pregnant with Mu Chen last year, he once told Mu Huai that when he was working at Yuanwai's house, he liked reading scriptures with the maids to relieve boredom.
He remembered it in his heart. He didn't expect that this was going to be an expedition, so he even sent someone to prepare some for her.
Rong Xi didn't have the heart to read these scripts, but she was afraid of spoiling Mu Huai's interest, so she flipped through the scripts without interest, and kept her spirits up, waiting for Mu Huai's orders at any time.
She didn't read the contents of the script carefully, but felt that no matter what Mu Huai did, he was extraordinarily calm and composed.
Ordinarily, war between the two countries is also a major event, but he is not nervous at all, as if he wants to take her out of Bian for a parade.
The sound of the neighing of war horses and the resounding orders of the commander of thousands of households can be heard next to his ears.
The iron armor bumped slightly, and the horseshoe also stomped heavily on the ground.
Rong Xi knew that the soldiers she saw just now would probably die on the battlefield after a battle.
But she was mentally prepared before coming.
As the monarch of Qi, Mu Huai also has her own ambitions. She wants to stand firmly by the man's side and accompany him to realize her ideals and ambitions.
So she can't be afraid, and she can't be nervous.
- "Aren't you sleeping?" Mu Huai asked again in a low voice.
The corners of Rong Xi's lips raised slightly, and he replied softly: "The slave is here to serve His Majesty, how can he sleep?"
Mu Huai was helpless, and then lay down on the beauty's knees, and said in a low tone: "Then I will sleep."
Rong Xi stroked the man's strong jaw with his hand, and said in a gentle tone: "Your Majesty, let's sleep for a while. If a general comes to look for him, I will wake you up again."
"Ok."
After Mu Huai closed his eyes, he called again after a long while: "Xi'er."
Rong Xi was puzzled and asked, "What else is there for Your Majesty?"
Mu Huai lowered his voice, and said again: "Don't worry, I will be fine."
Rong Xi immediately replied: "The concubine believes that nothing will happen to Your Majesty."
After finishing speaking, she leaned over and kissed the man's forehead with soft lips.
This superficial kiss made Mu Huai's heart gradually calm. He grasped the woman's slender hand and never let go.
Before going out for the expedition, Mu Huai naturally recalled some things from his previous life.
For him, the war also has many painful memories.
As the monarch of Da Qi, he is also the commander of the entire Qi army, carrying the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers on his body.
But with Rong Xi around, those unclear and disturbing emotions all disappeared.
—So Xi'er, I'm very happy that you accompany me on the expedition.
Mu Huai said so in his heart.
*****
The Qi army has strict military discipline, and the barracks are stationed very quickly.
Under the leadership of Wang Huai, the advance troops chose a place to camp, with clean water sources and steep valleys nearby.
In order to strengthen the defense, the pioneers also built earth barriers and dug trenches in advance.
There are no tents for military women in the barracks, and soldiers are not allowed to drink alcohol before the battle.
For the sake of fire prevention, the camps are separated by a certain distance.
It was dusk, and the military flag with the word "Qi" on it was blown by the spring breeze, and the armor worn by the soldiers had a slightly dazzling halo.
There is a great feeling that the light of the armor is opening to the golden scales of the sun.
After Rong Xi entered the camp, he followed Mu Huai and Yin Cheng all the time, but felt that although Mu Huai seemed to have a quick temper and was prone to violence, he was an extremely careful person when it came to major events.
He has to personally check all the details of the barracks' defense.
Rong Xi even felt that Mu Huai was more comfortable in the barracks on the battlefield than in the Qianyuan Palace critiquing papers.
It's not that he is not good at governing, but that he is more suitable to wear armor and hold a sharp long knife to fight with the enemy.
Rong Xi felt more and more relieved, fortunately, Mu Huai's leg disease healed early in the morning, so he could do what he really liked.
She was also fortunate that thanks to her coming with Mu Huai, she was able to see this side of Mu Huai.
After the soldiers arrived at the battalion and made some adjustments, they performed in an orderly manner in the camp. The bugles they issued were uniform and loud, and the army also beat the sound of war drums piercing clouds and cracking stones.
Rong Xi's heart was beating non-stop along with the sound of the drum.
After patrolling the camp, Mu Huai entered the main tent together with Yin Cheng and those sons with military ranks from the Wang family.
Rong Xi could feel that those Wang family sons could recognize her, but they didn't dare to say a word in front of Mu Huai.
They are usually the most naughty teenagers, but in front of Mu Huai, they are quiet and well-behaved.
Seeing that everyone wanted to discuss military plans, Rong Xi paused outside the main tent.
Once Mu Huai is immersed in official business, he is full of energy and tireless.
Rong Xi stood outside for half an hour, and then prepared to take the other four little yellow gates to bring meals for Mu Huai.
The stature of these four little yellow gates is really tall, and it seems that they are the attendants who practice martial arts.
Before going out for the expedition, Mu Huai specially asked them to dress up as Xiao Huangmen, to protect her safety.
Mu Huai's meals were specially prepared by the cook accompanying the army, and a large tent was set up in the camp, inside which were accompanying officials from Yongxi Palace, who were in charge of serving Mu Huai's daily life, food and clothing.
When picking up the meal, those attendants dressed as Huangmen took the heavy food box first, and they all treated Rong Xi respectfully.
Rong Xi shook his head helplessly.
She really couldn't count with two hands the number of people in the army who knew her true identity.
At this time, the evening sun had fallen, and Rong Xi saw the commander in charge of the army rations ringing the copper bell. It turned out that it was time for the soldiers to eat their dinner.
Seeing soldiers pouring in one after another, Rong Xi hurriedly turned around and took the attendants with him to go to the main tent.
"—Boom" sound.
There was a sudden dull pain in her forehead, and her mind buzzed.
Rong Xi ran into a tall soldier who was still wearing hard armor.
But she didn't complain in her heart that the man didn't have long eyes, because she was too short, and Mu Huai was also born tall. When he was with her, his eyes easily passed her directly, and he almost bumped into her.
When she raised her eyes to see the soldier's face clearly, the man passed her by without saying a word.
Although Rong Xi didn't see the man's face clearly, he could still clearly feel that his gaze was quite unfriendly.
Wang Huai was in charge of distributing the soldiers' rations. When he came out of the main camp, he happened to see this scene.
Seeing Rong Xi stroking his forehead in pain, he quickly stepped forward and asked, "Emperor... are you alright?"
Rong Xi shook his head and replied, "It's okay, nothing serious."
Wang Huai's eyes narrowed slightly, and he raised his voice to stop the man: "Yan Jian, stop."
The person who called Yan Jian then turned around and gave Wang Huai a military salute.
Wang Huai signaled him to come over, and when Yan Jian walked towards the two of them, Wang Huai said coldly: "This is the emperor's close servant Huang Men, don't be rude."
Rong Xi felt the pain subside, and then looked at the man who called Yan Jian again.
That Yan Jian was also looking her up and down.
Yan Jian had long and narrow phoenix eyes, thick and black eyebrows, a high nose hanging over his nose, and an extremely handsome appearance.
Even handsome and flirtatious.
But on that face, there was a hideous scar.
Above the eyebrow, there is a red mole in the shape of a blood drop.
Yan Jian said indifferently: "It's really offending."
Rong Xi looked at the red mole, but felt a little familiar.
She remembered that the little palace maid once mentioned to her that there was a blood-drop-shaped red mole on the center of the brow of the prince of Yan.
Although the rumors are not credible, but this is too coincidental.
Yan Jian...
Yan traitor, Yan country's spy!
Rong Xi's expression gradually became dignified. Such a name and such an appearance can't be a coincidence.
Seeing that Yan Jianfu was about to turn around to get the rations, Rong Xi ordered suddenly: "Stop!"
Yan Jian turned back impatiently again, only to hear Rong Xi ask again: "Are you a native of Qi?"
Yan Jian only felt that the freckles on the face of the little yellow man in front of him were really ugly, and they were densely integrated into one piece, which made him feel uncomfortable all over.
Because of this spot, he didn't even bother to take a closer look at her facial features.
But he is also clear that he is the Huangmen who is close to the emperor of Qi and cannot be offended.
Then he replied in a respectful tone: "My accent is obviously the accent of Qi State, how could it not be from Qi State?"
Rong Xi still had doubts in his heart, because things like accents could also be faked.
Wang Huai was puzzled, and asked Xiang Rongxi in a low voice: "What's wrong? What do you think is wrong with him?"
This Yan Jian's military strength is considered to be excellent, and he was just awarded the rank of eighth-rank accompanying captain a while ago.
Rong Xi also lowered his voice, and whispered to Wang Huai: "I suspect...he is a secret agent sent by Yan Guo."
When Wang Huai's eyes changed slightly, Yan Jian's expression also changed.
He could recognize what Rong Xi said just now by the shape of Rong Xi's mouth.
Wang Huai said at this time: "This...you can't talk nonsense."
Rong Xi breathed helplessly, she knew that she was a little out of her head when she said that suddenly.
But it doesn't matter if this person is Ji Xun, the eldest son of the Yan Kingdom, he won't be able to get out of this camp anyway.
She wanted to report this matter to Mu Huai and let him make a decision.
Ji Di raised his eyebrows slightly, but when he saw the little yellow gate returning to the main tent, he turned around and gave him a glare.
He secretly felt that this pockmarked little Huangmen really became a genius.
How did he figure out his identity
He stayed in Qi for a year, and in order to join the army, he bought the household registration and identity of a person of his age.
The man's name happened to be Yan Jian.
Ji Di always thought the name was quite interesting, and no one would think of it elsewhere during the year he stayed in Qi State in this capacity.
But this ugly little Huangmen is really too associative and suspicious.
However, this group of people cannot find out his true identity, and the young men of Qi who join the army must go through strict household registration checks.
Besides, he had other cover.
Ji Xun didn't care about this, so she found some familiar soldiers and prepared to line up together to lead the army rations.
— "You, that Yan Jian, come to the master account."
After Ji Di turned around, he saw the pockmarked little yellow door coming here again.
He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Why did you ask me to head the tent?"
With a slight sullen look on Rong Xi's face, he replied: "The emperor and General Yin are both in charge of the account, and they told you to come over, so they want to interrogate your background."
Ji Xun's phoenix eyes were slightly frivolous, and she didn't say any more words.
He didn't expect that this little yellow gate could speak well in front of the emperor of Qi.
He also thought that Qi State and Yan State were different.
Unexpectedly, in the state of Qi, this favored eunuch has quite a lot of power.