A faint light fell within the dim bed curtains.
Lan Morou’s entire body trembled with cold.
This was just like him; once he had an idea, he wouldn’t consider her at all. In such cold weather, not letting her cover herself with a blanket – was he trying to freeze her to death?
“General, it’s so cold.”
“Where is it cold?”
He looked up with a teasing smile. His eagle-like, proud pupils held a perverse playfulness.
Lan Morou’s body shivered, and she dared not speak further. Seeing that expression meant he was hatching a new wicked idea.
He always tormented her within the bed curtains. She was truly afraid of his methods.
“If you don’t speak, you’ll just have to endure it.”
The northern winds were bleak and desolate. Although it wasn’t snowing, the weather was still cold.
Li Qiongyu, dragging his exhausted body, returned. He dazedly went to eat something first. He could feel his stomach cramping with pain; if he didn’t eat, he would faint.
This was killing him.
Xiao Chizhan marrying a woman was practically signing his death warrant.
“Young Master Li, how is it going?”
Li Qiongyu bit into a flatbread as he looked at the newcomer. With cold eyes, he said, “Bloodblade is still searching the ice cave. If they don’t find anyone in another day or two, they really won’t find anyone.”
Lin Wei said urgently, “If the Prince wakes up, he’ll go mad.”
The last time Miss Ye faked her death, the Prince had almost turned the world upside down, dragging the entire realm into the vortex of war. He truly didn’t know what the Prince would do this time if Miss Ye was truly dead.
“Mad then mad, when has he ever not gone mad?”
Li Qiongyu grumbled, fiercely biting the flatbread, making him choke.
“Why are you here?”
Lin Wei was the deputy general of the vanguard. He had served General Wei for many years on the frontier and was experienced.
He had come along for the attack on Northern Qi and had been in the military camp. Why had he suddenly come here?
“Moon Cold Pass was attacked, and troops from the other nine rivers have reinforced. The twenty thousand troops sent by the General were ambushed, suffering heavy casualties.”
Upon hearing this, Li Qiongyu narrowed his eyes slightly. “Xie Beihan, that bastard is truly cunning. By the way, didn’t the Prince order someone to attack Qiling Pass in Jiuchuan earlier? How was the battle?”
“The first battle was won, but it’s been lukewarm, winning some and losing some,” Lin Wei paused, then continued, “Northern Qi had previously shown intentions of seeking peace. For some reason, they suddenly counterattacked recently. Moreover, Xiliang has also suffered repeated defeats. With General Fengyang dead, they are leaderless.”
Li Qiongyu disliked hearing these matters and continued eating on his own.
“I’m just not cut out for fighting. I’ll tell the Prince when he wakes up.”
Hearing this, Lin Wei sighed. “The doctors from the military camp have come several times, but they don’t know the reason. The Prince vomited a large mouthful of blood before he fell unconscious, which was terrifying.”
“Why else? His body couldn’t handle stimulation in the first place. He was stimulated by Ye Luan, that’s all. Pathetic.”
Li Qiongyu said, gulping down several mouthfuls of soup.
“Young Master Li, why don’t you go find the General? The military camp has sent a pile of war reports, and no one is handling them.”
Upon hearing this, Li Qiongyu flicked his eyelids. “Why don’t you go?”
Lin Wei scratched his head sheepishly. “The General just threw a huge tantrum, and this subordinate dares not approach. I’m sure to be scolded.”
“-----”
Li Qiongyu rolled his eyes impatiently. He was exhausted and wanted to sleep.
He suddenly envied Liu Rongruo in the capital. That fellow was much more comfortable. Unlike him, who was all alone and had to clean up everyone else’s messes.
“Young Master Li, go tell the General, alright? If we miss any urgent military intelligence, we’ll be beaten with military rods.”
“Alright, stop talking. I’ll go after I finish this meal.”
Lin Wei smiled ingratiatingly. “Got it.”
After eating, Li Qiongyu changed his clothes and went directly to find Tantai Ye.
He entered the courtyard and was about to kick the door open when he heard a woman’s soft moans from inside. His expression stiffened, and he immediately withdrew his foot, kicking a nearby red pillar impatiently.
At a time like this, they were still indulging in pleasure?
He glanced at the sky, pondered for a moment, and then shouted loudly, “Tantai Ye, hurry up, there’s something important.”
Inside the house.
Tantai Ye heard the voice and showed no intention of—
“General, Young Master Li is calling for you outside.”
Lan Morou’s face was flushed, her charming eyes hazy, her lips slightly parted as she panted. Red marks from being sucked adorned her fair neck.
He lowered his eyes to examine her. After a moment, he directly got up and leaned against the bedside, giving her a look.
“Get up.”
Lan Morou heard him and bit her lip slightly. Dragging her body, she got up, wrapped herself in a white gauze skirt, and sat on his lap.
Li Qiongyu waited outside for a long time, growing impatient. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he heard the door open behind him. The fellow walked out with a look of satisfied contentment.
He directly retorted, “In a good mood, I see.”
“What is it? What’s the matter?”
“A whole pile of war reports. Go look at them quickly.”
Tantai Ye’s stern eyes held a hint of sharpness. “Those noble sons from the court are all a bunch of good-for-nothings, especially that King Guangyang. He’s been giving out orders like an idiot. When I get back, I’ll definitely have his head.”
“The military camp has the Mighty General overseeing it, so there shouldn’t be any major issues.”
“Right, have they found the person yet?”
Li Qiongyu frowned. “We’ve been searching for so many days, and there’s no trace at all. I fear their bones are already dust.”
Upon hearing this, the surroundings fell silent for a moment, and the cold wind howled past.
Tantai Ye strode forward, his features etched with a desolate and cold expression. His voice grew even colder, chilling one to the bone.
“If she’s dead, she’s dead. Ye Luan is heartless and too arrogant. Her existence has already severely threatened Chizhan. If this continues, his life will be worn away by Ye Luan.”
Li Qiongyu’s steps faltered, and he directly retorted, “If he’s going to lose his life, it’s his own madness causing it.”
“Hmph, before Ye Luan appeared, look at what Chizhan was like. Now look at the ghost he’s become after being tormented by Ye Luan?”
“Shut up, I’m too lazy to argue with you.”
Tantai Ye ignored him, speaking clearly and chillingly.
“If he wakes up, he’ll likely go mad again. This time, just tell him the bones were found and buried, to save him any more trouble.”
Li Qiongyu pursed his lips. “Then what if he wants to dig up the grave?”
“Then tell him he was eaten by a man-eating whale, and only the clothes and shoes were found.”
“Will that work?”
Tantai Ye’s eyelashes curled upwards. “Then what’s your brilliant suggestion?”
Li Qiongyu rolled his eyes. “I don’t have as many rotten ideas as you do.”
The two of them walked along the corridor, talking, but after not long, they saw Long San walk out with a stern face. Upon seeing them, he immediately spoke.
“General, Young Master Li, the Prince is gone.”
“He’s awake?!”
Li Qiongyu excitedly grabbed Long San’s hand.
“I don’t know. When I went in to check, the person lying on the bed was gone. I couldn’t find him anywhere.”
Tantai Ye flicked his sleeve and turned around directly, his expression indifferent.
“Go to the ice cave.”