Returning after a three-year escape from death, the tyrant has turned evil.

Chapter 139 A Newfound Respect for the Imperial Concubine

This was the first time Jiang Lanye had been so openly flirted with by Song Yi. He raised an eyebrow, decided to stop eating, grabbed her hand and pulled her down the stairs, asking, "Want to continue?"

Song Yi quickly struggled to pull her hand back and said, "Eat something, I'm starving."

It's already noon. We have two dishes, a soup, and two bowls of rice.

Song Yi swallowed hard, picked up her chopsticks and started eating. She was so full that she could barely lift her head. She didn't forget to tell Jiang Lanye, "You're so busy right now, you need to eat more meat. You can't skip it."

As if she had already anticipated that Jiang Lanye would only eat some bland dishes, she quickly picked all the meat into his bowl and frowned, saying, "Jiang Lanye, don't act like a child. At least eat some, otherwise I'm afraid you'll suddenly faint one day."

Jiang Lanye: "."

He glanced at Song Yi's thin frame and chuckled meaningfully.

She was even lectured by Song Yi one day, even though she had become thinner and her chin looked sharper these past two days.

Song Yi glared at him.

After the two finished eating, Song Yi wrapped herself in a thick cloak and followed Jiang Lanye outside.

Song Yi noticed that there were many soldiers practicing swords. She had never seen such a sight before. She had seen people practicing swords before, but most of them used soft swords, which were far less impressive than the real and sharp hilt of this sword.

She couldn't help but glance at it a few more times, and even slowed her pace a little.

Suddenly, Xie Ling presented Jiang Lanye with a sword held in both hands.

"Your Majesty, your sword."

Jiang Lanye accepted it.

Xie Ling looked up and saw Song Yi following behind Jiang Lanye. He said respectfully, "Greetings, Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness rested well last night? If there was anything inconvenient, Your Highness, please let me know, and I will send someone to try my best to meet your needs."

Song Yi had a good impression of this General Zhenbei. He was humble and polite, without any arrogance. She smiled and said, "There's really no need for that. I didn't come here for fun. You don't need to mind me."

Jiang Lanye looked at Song Yi and suddenly handed her his sword without saying a word.

Song Yi was taken aback.

"doing what?"

"Don't you like watching it?"

He was clearly walking ahead of Song Yi just now, and Song Yi didn't understand how he noticed that she was watching the soldiers practice swordsmanship with great interest.

Song Yi reached out and took it. He didn't expect the sword to be so heavy. The moment he took it, his hands sank down.

She looked down and examined it closely. The scabbard was black, with a faintly visible raised dragon and python pattern on it. It felt exceptionally cool in her hand. The scabbard opening was edged with a dark gold cloud pattern, not ostentatious at all.

Song Yi gripped the sword hilt, wanting to draw the sword to take a look.

With a soft "whoosh," the sword slid out slightly, its cold light flashing and dazzling her eyes.

Jiang Lanye was afraid of hurting her, so he took it back and casually held it by his side with one hand.

Song Yi couldn't help but say, "You told me before you came that you were only staying here to handle important military matters."

Jiang Lanye knew what she was worried about, and patiently said, "A king's word is his bond. He is only giving me a sword for self-defense."

Xie Ling, being knowledgeable and exceptionally observant, noticed a hairpin tucked into Song Yi's black hair and said:
"Your Highness's hairpin seems unusual; could it be a hidden weapon?"

Song Yi was taken aback, not expecting him to see through it. He pulled it off and said, "Yes, but I don't think I can use it well." Xie Ling was somewhat surprised, glanced at Jiang Lanye, and said, "Your Majesty is truly ingenious."

Jiang Lanye looked at Song Yi and said, "Let's go."

Song Yi didn't know where Jiang Lanye was taking her, and followed him blankly.

As we walked through a long corridor, we suddenly heard the clanging of weapons clashing, along with the occasional low shouts of soldiers.

Xie Ling whispered from the side, "Your Majesty, the soldiers are still quite motivated, but our supplies are insufficient. They can last for a month, but after that, I fear..."

Jiang Lanye remained silent, lost in thought.

It was quite cold today, and puffs of white steam rose from their mouths.

Song Yi asked, "In this cold weather, you keep practicing swordsmanship like this to warm up your body?"

Xie Ling responded, "Yes, after all, there are so many people, and the charcoal supply is insufficient. It's fine to burn charcoal at night, but during the day, they can practice their swordsmanship, so they won't be cold."

Song Yi noticed the clothes on the soldiers' clothes and frowned, saying, "The Northern Qiang nomads live off cattle and sheep. Even in winter, their food supply is endless, not to mention they can get things like cowhide and wool from cattle and sheep. The temperature difference between day and night is large there, and animal wool is an excellent way to keep warm, which is something we don't have here."

Xie Ling was taken aback.

Although Xie Ling was aware of what she was saying, he never expected that a young lady from a secluded family who was about to be married, and who later became a concubine in the imperial harem, would know these things.

After all, she may have never left the capital in her entire life; this is the first time.

"Your Majesty is right."

Xie Ling subconsciously looked at Jiang Lanye.

But she found Jiang Lanye looking at Song Yi with a face full of doting affection, not at all surprised that these things would come out of her mouth.

Xie Ling continued, "Therefore, we usually have soldiers hang wine pouches on their waists. Ginger soup mixed with strong liquor can also ward off the cold."

Upon hearing this, Song Yi opened her mouth, but hesitated to speak.

She looked up at Jiang Lanye.

Jiang Lanye smiled, gently tucking a stray hair behind her ear, and said in a calm voice, "Just say it. I know you've always been smart, so it's okay even if you're wrong."

Xie Ling observed Jiang Lanye's attitude. He knew perfectly well what kind of attitude his emperor had towards this imperial concubine, and he should respond accordingly. His emperor's wishes were the most important thing.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We often gather to discuss things, and sometimes we say absurd things. But we are afraid that if we don't speak up, we can only find a solution through discussion."

Song Yi's eyes were bright as he looked at the soldiers not far away and said in a low voice, "It's not snowing yet, and the water on the ground hasn't frozen. If it's like this now, then when it really snows heavily in the future, even if you have a wine bag hanging at your waist, it won't be of any use."

"The armor is heavy and cold. If it were to be placed on the skin, it would probably freeze the flesh blue. If a felt lining could be added to insulate the skin from the armor, it would be much better."

Xie Ling frowned and said, "We have considered this, but it would hinder the movement of the joints, and the body would not be as agile as before."

"Therefore, detachable straps should be used to secure the device while walking and remove it before moving around."

"Also, places like wristbands."

Song Yi spoke earnestly, and was about to raise his wrist to demonstrate when he paused, remembering that Jiang Lanye was wearing a robe with a constricted opening today. He grabbed Jiang Lanye's hand and pointed to his wrist.

(End of this chapter)