Chapter 839: Chapter 588: Meeting by the Beacon Fire_3
"I came here, not to trouble you."
Pei Jue, knowing that she hadn’t slept well on the wagon, gently stroked her face.
"I’ll make arrangements. You should rest well tonight, and we’ll talk tomorrow."
Feng Yun nodded, her mind already turning over how to break the current stalemate. After a simple wash, she wrapped herself in the bedding.
Traveling with the army, the lodging conditions were quite "basic."
Even after becoming Emperor, Pei Jue continued to adhere to past traditions, eating and sleeping in the camp, just like before...
Feng Yun, following his lead, naturally would not make herself an exception.
-
The next morning, Feng Yun squirmed out from her cocoon-like bedding, glanced at the bright camp, and yawned as she asked Xiaoman.
"Where is His Majesty?"
Just as Xiaoman lifted the curtain and entered, a rush of cold air accompanied her.
"Your Grace has awakened?"
The joy from last night’s reunion was still plainly visible in her brows and eyes, impossible to conceal.
"His Majesty is discussing matters with the generals. He instructed me that once Your Grace wakes, you should have something to eat. You’re free to walk around the camp but must not leave it under any circumstances."
Feng Yun chuckled.
"Then what am I here for? It would have been more comfortable back in Xinjing."
Xiaoman pouted slightly and gave her a light glance.
"His Majesty certainly didn’t summon you here. Wasn’t it Your Grace who insisted on coming yourself?"
This cheeky girl.
Feng Yun couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
"Did General Zuo fill your head with sweet talk last night? One evening, and you’re already thinking of changing loyalties?"
Xiaoman’s face immediately reddened.
"Your Grace speaks without propriety."
Feng Yun paused for a moment, then couldn’t suppress her laughter. She threw off the bedding and sat up.
"Prepare water for washing. I won’t leave the camp, just stroll around here."
-
After the snow had cleared, the cold wind swept through.
Even during the ceasefire, the camp was far from idle. Soldiers were either clearing snow or conducting drills.
Rather than calling it a ceasefire, it was more of a pause in large-scale battles, as the skirmishes along the border continued unabated.
Just last night, it had been the same.
The two sides clashed at Suo Yue Ridge without saying a word, immediately drawing weapons to engage. The skirmish ended with over ten casualties on both sides.
At present, Xiao Cheng’s army was stationed just south of Suo Yue Ridge.
Both sides were gearing up for an inevitable conflict. At this rate, a full-scale war might erupt even before spring...
Feng Yun glanced at the falling snow and walked slowly to the highest point of the camp, accompanied by Xiaoman.
There stood a watchtower, and the soldier on watch called out softly when he saw her approaching.
"Your Grace, please halt."
Feng Yun tilted her head to look at him and smiled faintly.
"I won’t go up, just here to take a look at the terrain."
The soldier acknowledged her and returned to his post, standing silently.
Feng Yun brushed her robe lightly and walked to a large boulder by the roadside. She gazed into the distance at the Suo Yue Ridge mountain range.
Snow cloaked the undulating ridges, and beneath the tranquil snowy landscape, it felt as if an unseen storm was brewing...
Feng Yun stood there for about a quarter of an hour. Just as she was about to turn away, she saw Pei Jue approaching.
She decided to stop walking and waited.
Pei Jue ascended the slope, removed his wind-gown, and draped it over her shoulders.
"What are you doing out here in this cold weather?"
Feng Yun pouted slightly. "Look over there."
Pei Jue followed her gaze, his eyes falling on Suo Yue Ridge.
"Xiao San is over on that side."
Feng Yun glanced at him sidelong, amused.
"Is Xiao San all you ever see?"
Pei Jue’s expression didn’t change much. He raised an eyebrow slightly, scrutinizing her.
Feng Yun pulled the wind-gown tighter around herself and took his hand to lead him back to the boulder, gazing out once more.
"Look," she said, "the Suo Yue Ridge valley—doesn’t it resemble a natural snake-shaped pouch?"
"A pouch?" Pei Jue murmured, furrowing his brow as he looked over.
Feng Yun smiled faintly. "If we lured Xiao San into that snake-shaped entrance and leveraged the flanking positions, wouldn’t we have an absolute chance of victory?"
Pei Jue cast a long look into the distant scenery.
"Why would Xiao San foolishly walk into the snake’s mouth?"
Feng Yun replied, "With bait to draw him in."
Pei Jue asked, "Where is the bait?"
Feng Yun said, "Why, me, of course!"
Pei Jue’s face darkened. "I would never stoop so low."
Using his own woman as bait—no matter the victory, such an act would leave him condemned for life. It was something Pei Jue simply could not do.
Feng Yun chuckled, gently turning his face to meet her eyes.
For a moment, their gazes locked before she pointed to her head.
"I mean... the bait is in my mind! What were you thinking?"
