RWNEFE -Chapter 683 An Insider!

“My army has never lacked female warriors. This time, as I personally lead the campaign, I’ve brought many female guards with me.”

“I am a woman. I will never belittle women. What I dislike most is when men claim that women do nothing at home and rely entirely on them for support.”

“If women did nothing at home, where would their clothes, shoes, and daily meals come from? Who prepares the food they eat when they return home?”

“While men struggle outside to make a living, women at home are hardly idle. Don’t you agree?”

Shen Lanxi looked at Wei Yan with a faint smile.

Wei Dongzhuo finally realized the meaning and immediately scolded him:

“In the presence of Your Majesty, how dare you speak nonsense!”

Shen Lanxi said, “Enough, child. Sometimes youth speaks impulsively; I can understand that. Who hasn’t been young once?”

After a few words, she let the topic drop and returned to the council proceedings as before.

“Do you remember when you used to attend council sessions with me?” Shen Lanxi suddenly asked mid-discussion.

Many began to recall those past times.

Shen Lanxi raised her hand: “Bring out the large biscuits.”

Wei Dongzhuo snapped back to attention; the others did as well.

“At that time, we’d discuss matters while roasting biscuits over the fire. In summer, we’d just eat them plain. Those who liked scallions and pickles could have a few inside the biscuit.”

Her words easily brought the veteran generals back to those memories.

“Those biscuits were so fragrant!”

“Roasted buns smelled so good too.”

“I remember Your Majesty liked hu-style biscuits the most.”

“You also liked dipping buns in chili oil.”

“You could eat the most—you’d eat eight biscuits in one sitting.”

“Don’t talk about me—you could also eat seven or eight buns in one sitting. We were there to discuss matters; you were there to eat.”

“Hahaha…” Shen Lanxi laughed heartily, holding the hu-style biscuit.

Wei Yan took a bite. It was nothing special—just like the ones they always ate!

The council reached a decision: the fire attack would be carried out three days later.

…

“Yan’er, I heard Your Majesty has arrived.” Qiao Niang had waited late into the night, several times nearly succumbing to sleep, but finally her son returned.

“Mother, Your Majesty just finished the council session.”

Qiao Niang instinctively touched her face, voice hoarse: “I heard the emperor is very young.”

As a son, Wei Yan knew exactly what his mother was thinking.

“Your Majesty is a few years older than you, not so young.”

Though technically true, the emperor’s appearance looked about thirty.

If his parents stood beside her, it would be like two generations together.

“Mother, go to sleep. We must rise early tomorrow.”

Qiao Niang lowered her head, her voice tinged with complaint: “Why must you rise early whenever Your Majesty arrives? Can’t it be like usual?”

Wei Yan said, “We can’t. Tomorrow we need to prepare materials for the fire attack. Your Majesty has decided to launch it against the Xiongnu in three days.”

Qiao Niang’s expression shifted: “Isn’t that dangerous?”

Wei Yan did not think much of the fire attack.

“The grass on the steppe is so green it’s wet. You can’t even light it. I really don’t understand why no one opposed Your Majesty’s fire attack plan.”

Qiao Niang spoke softly: “Son, that is the Nine-Five Supreme. Because she is the emperor, everyone must obey. If they don’t, it’s treason.”

Wei Yan sneered: “I don’t know what Father thinks. I tried to stop—”

Before he could finish, the main gate was kicked open with a loud clang.

“Young General, we have orders from your father to enforce military law—fifty strikes with the military rod!”

Qiao Niang’s face instantly went pale.

Wei Yan’s expression darkened.

“Why is Father hitting me? What did I do wrong?” he demanded repeatedly.

The soldiers, following orders, merely tied him up and carried him off, ignoring his shouting.

“Stop! Where are you taking my son?” Qiao Niang was terrified and hurried after them.

Before she reached the gate, it was locked from the outside.

Qiao Niang was filled with grief, wailing.

No matter how her husband treated her, she never complained. But she could not allow her son to be beaten just to please the emperor.

Fifty strikes with the military rod could kill her son.

Recalling the letter she had received a few days earlier, Qiao Niang stumbled back inside.

…

It had been a long time since someone had tried to poison her.

Shen Lanxi’s gaze fell on the food on the table. Some people were simply too eager to find death.

“Summon Wei Dongzhuo.”

Wei Dongzhuo was called immediately.

“Your Majesty.”

Shen Lanxi said, “Someone tampered with today’s meal. If nothing unexpected happens, the fire attack we discussed yesterday has also been leaked.”

Wei Dongzhuo was shocked.

“Your Majesty, I will investigate immediately.”

Shen Lanxi: “You have only one day.”

Wei Dongzhuo’s heart sank. Though he hadn’t seen her for years, he knew from her tone it was someone from their own side.

The chef preparing meals for the emperor had been personally hired from the city’s best restaurant. Three generations of chefs from the northwest, they would never sabotage their own work.

Wei Dongzhuo walked to the kitchen himself to investigate, careful not to alert the culprit.

“Who entered the kitchen today? If anyone hides the truth, you will share the traitor’s punishment!”

“Those delivering the dishes came.”

“The wood suppliers came too.”

“Feng Gang and Zhang Liao came asking for food.”

Wei Dongzhuo’s veins bulged. “Didn’t I tell you? Only those preparing the emperor’s meals may enter the kitchen—no one else!”

Suddenly someone added: “Madam came too today.”

Wei Dongzhuo had a bad feeling.

“Which Madam?”

“The general’s wife!”

Wei Dongzhuo went pale. He didn’t need further questioning—he knew immediately.

…

Qiao Niang had been uneasy ever since returning from the kitchen.

She regretted listening to that person’s words.

If something happened to the emperor, the northwest would fall into chaos. If the Xiongnu attacked at this time, her husband and son would be in grave danger.

She had been foolish to believe such lies.

The door was kicked open; soldiers cleared the way. Wei Dongzhuo entered carrying a meal box.

Qiao Niang’s heart sank.

“General, why have you returned so suddenly?”

Wei Dongzhuo opened the box and placed the food before her.

“Eat. This is the food Your Majesty left over.”

Qiao Niang’s expression changed, forcing a smile: “I’ve already eaten.”

Wei Dongzhuo said: “Gifts from the emperor cannot be refused. Even if you’ve eaten, you must take it.”

Her face went pale.

“General, that is food left by the emperor. Do you think I’m only fit to eat leftovers?”

In the general’s mind, she would always remain a servant.

Thinking of this, Qiao Niang wept uncontrollably.