Chapter 382 - 380 Do you recognize this formation?

In the blink of an eye, it was already night. In the courtyard of Weiyang Palace, on the path paved with white stones, Xiao Yunxi wore a splendid palace gown, her steps slow, with worry etched on her face.

Xiao Qing’Er followed behind, and Cai’Er, who was always ready to receive orders, saw the worry on Xiao Yunxi’s face and softly asked, "Empress Dowager, are you feeling tired?"

Nowadays, Cai’Er had completely become Xiao Yunqi’s personal palace maid.

Xiao Yunxi shook her head. Since taking part in court politics from behind the curtain, her authority had increased significantly. With the help of the Xiao Family, Xiao Yunxi no longer avoided things as she did before, and she asked, "Any latest news from the front line?"

Her question was almost rhetorical.

If there were any updates, she would have been the first to know, not needing to ask Cai’Er and the others.

Cai’Er shook her head: "Aside from the battle report sent last night, there’s nothing new."

With Chen Mo leading the troops to a victorious start, the nobles in Bianliang City felt much more at ease.

After all, many nobles in Bianliang City had connections with the Xiao Family; in prosperity or adversity, they were in it together.

If the front line were to fail, their interests would suffer, and they might even face threats to their lives.

"Has Chen Mo written a letter to anyone?" Xiao Yunxi asked again.

Cai’Er shook her head: "The person who brought back the victory report was from Anyang Duke’s men. If there’s anything, it would most likely be to the Anyang Duke."

Xiao Yunxi sighed softly and asked again, "What’s going on between the Wu Family and Chen Mo?"

Hearing this, Cai’Er was taken aback, thinking to herself, aren’t such matters of the upper echelons understood by the Empress Dowager? How would we, as servants, know...

Seeing the confusion on Cai’Er’s face, Xiao Yunxi raised her hand to her forehead: "It seems I am truly exhausted, speaking such nonsense.

Cai’Er, help me back."

"Yes." Cai’Er responded respectfully.

But Xiao Qing’Er, who was behind, furrowed her brow.

What’s wrong with the Empress Dowager?

These days, almost every time she speaks, she mentions Chen Mo.

She’s even been bathing more frequently.

She bathed three times in a row yesterday.

Upon returning to the bedroom, Xiao Yunxi, as usual, had Cai’Er bring the medicinal mud for maintenance, then evenly applied it to her face while looking in the mirror.

But each time she applied it, Xiao Yunxi felt as if she was hallucinating; she quickly dismissed Cai’Er because she saw Chen Mo in the copper mirror.

And the Chen Mo in the copper mirror was speaking embarrassing words to her.

This made her involuntarily press her legs together, her face flushed red.

"It seems I really can’t... leave you; it’s only been a few days, yet this is happening."

...

Qinyang County, Commander’s Tent.

"You... you’re not capable anymore?"

Holding a quilt, Jiang Ruoqing, her face flushed with a sheen of sweat, a few strands of hair sticking to her lips, looked at Chen Mo, who had tormented her once and then lay down, and asked puzzled.

It’s no wonder she was puzzled. The previous nights, he wouldn’t stop until she was almost passed out before he was satisfied.

Chen Mo, resting at the side, twitched his facial muscles.

The sun is shining, the rain has stopped, and now you think you’re capable again?

Don’t you remember pleading for mercy the previous nights?

Chen Mo really wanted to turn over and thoroughly teach her a lesson, but he didn’t.

"Forget it." Chen Mo sighed.

Indeed, in this world, there’s only an exhausted ox, never a spoiled field.

Seeing that she had provoked without effect, Jiang Ruoqing realized he truly wasn’t capable at the moment.

At the bottom of it, she still cared for Chen Mo. She lay on her side, the quilt forming a semicircle as she tentatively said, "I heard that tiger whip can invigorate vitality. How about I go to the market tomorrow to buy a tiger whip to supplement you?"

Hearing this, Chen Mo’s face darkened, saying, "You’ve seen my prowess. Do you think I need supplements?"

"Yes, you look worn-out." Jiang Ruoqing said quite seriously.

"I am not worn-out, just tired. Some rest, and I’ll be fine." Chen Mo said.

"That still doesn’t work."

Chen Mo: "..."

"I anticipate the enemy will return to attack the city tomorrow, so I need to rest early to conserve energy to deal with them, not waste it on you." Chen Mo said seriously.

"Really?"

"It couldn’t be false. Don’t believe me, try tomorrow night?" Chen Mo thought it necessary to explain to Jiang Ruoqing, to avoid misunderstandings.

Jiang Ruoqing coyly murmured a protest, refraining from discussing whether he was capable or not anymore.

The earlier provocation was somewhat in jest from Jiang Ruoqing’s side.

...

Celestial South Pass.

After repelling a night raid from the enemy, Zhao Qianyi leaned against the city wall, gasping for air, the enemy’s blood staining her battle armor red.

Despite the fatigue, it could not mask her gallant charm.

"Princess, the count is complete. We have one thousand five hundred dead and four thousand wounded." A female soldier in armor approached Zhao Qianyi to report.

Zhao Qianyi nodded and forced a smile: "Wei Ying, is there any wine?"

"There is." Wei Ying knew the Princess had a habit of drinking after battle, so she always carried a flask with her.

Zhao Qianyi took a swig of strong wine, her spirit revived instantly: "Strengthen the defenses. I have a premonition that the enemy will attempt another night assault."

"Another one?" Wei Ying was startled.

"These recent battles have given me some understanding of them; I’m certain they will." Zhao Qianyi said.

"Princess, shouldn’t we request reinforcements from the Imperial Court?" Wei Ying pondered and said.

"The Imperial Court?" Zhao Qianyi chuckled, then said, "Xiao Yunqi? He’s overwhelmed with his own affairs, let alone having spare capacity to concern himself with Celestial South Pass, especially given the long distance from the Capital..."

Zhao Qianyi smirked: "Wei Ying, we have no reinforcements."

"And... I’ve heard that Ling Zhi, who broke through the Celestial South Pass, has already sent troops to provide reinforcements. Once they arrive, we’ll be caught in a pincer. By then..." Wei Ying had already imagined the outcome.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianyi’s expression grew solemn, yet there was nothing she could do: "We can only take it one step at a time."

"Princess, is all of this worth it? We still have a way out." Wei Ying said.

By abandoning Celestial South Pass and retreating, there would still be a chance for survival.

"For the people within Celestial South Pass, it is worth it." Zhao Qianyi said.

"I understand, Wei Ying." Wei Ying replied.

...

Rumbling, rumbling...

On the seventy-seventh day of the great upheaval, early in the morning, Chen Mo, being in the commander’s tent, heard the thunderous drumming outside Qinyang County.

Chen Mo knew they were about to lay siege.

He had yet to even wash up when he donned his battle armor and hurried towards the city walls.

By the time Chen Mo arrived, Li Yang and the others were already there.

Not far from Li City, enemy chariots and horses surged forward, quickly forming mobile formations outside the city, advancing towards Qinyang County.

Looking at the advancing army, Chen Mo couldn’t help but ask Feng Ji: "General Feng, do you recognize this formation?"