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

Chapter 140 Only Praises Song Yi
“This place is already cramped, so if you stuff some warm things inside, they won’t fall out. Besides, this place is very narrow, so you don’t need much cotton. A person’s limbs are the easiest to get cold, while the torso is the warmest. And wielding a sword requires both arms and hands to be flexible enough.”

Xie Ling was serious, completely forgetting that the person speaking to him was the Imperial Concubine.

“Your Majesty is right, but cotton is expensive. If we really had that much cotton available, there would be no need to make them drink strong liquor to ward off the cold.”

When Jiang Lanye heard Song Yi say this, he already had his own thoughts, but he didn't say them out loud. He just looked at Song Yi and encouraged her to continue.

Jiang Lanye wanted to give Song Yi more opportunities to showcase her talents.

Song Yi hesitated and said, "Actually, it doesn't necessarily have to be cotton. Cotton is precious and ordinary people can't afford it. With so many soldiers, the supply is even more insufficient. It would be better to use common reed fluff with an inner layer of oilcloth, which is also waterproof."

Xie Ling was taken aback, and inexplicably felt that Song Yi's method was feasible.

He subconsciously looked at Jiang Lanye again, waiting for Jiang Lanye to speak.

Jiang Lanye smiled and gave Song Yi a deep look before saying in a low voice, "Consort Yun's method is feasible and has provided you with a new idea. This matter still needs to be discussed properly. Let's leave it at that for today."

"Yes."

Song Yi exhaled and gently touched the back of Jiang Lanye's hand.

Her movements were so gentle that Jiang Lanye felt as if a kitten had touched him with its paw. He suddenly leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Great job."

A flicker of excitement crossed Song Yi's eyes, then, taking advantage of Xie Ling's inattention, she deliberately asked Jiang Lanye:

"Do you usually treat them like this?"

Of course not.

Jiang Lanye chuckled, "I'm only praising you."

Song Yi snorted and said, "Let's keep going."

Jiang Lanye suddenly turned to Xie Ling and said, "Xie Ling, Consort Yun will also be going to the Sword Pavilion tonight. Remember to reserve a spot for her."

Xie Ling didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Since His Majesty was willing to trust Consort Yun, it meant that Consort Yun was indeed trustworthy, so it wouldn't hurt to let her hear it.

"Yes."

Jiang Lanye glanced at the soldiers and said, "Just practicing like this won't do any good. Remember to tell them to be careful when they practice in pairs and not to hurt their own people."

Xie Ling responded again. As a general, he was under immense pressure here. He also had to train soldiers every day, so his sword was particularly heavy.

He glanced at Jiang Lanye and suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that Your Majesty accompany me to the training ground."

He had experienced Jiang Lanye's swordsmanship long ago. Although he was an emperor and was troubled by politics all day long, his swordsmanship had never deteriorated.

Xie Ling had heard that the current emperor's swordsmanship and archery skills were all personally taught by the late emperor.

Jiang Lanye glanced at him, and Xie Ling was startled by his gaze. He hurriedly explained, "This humble subject does not mean to disrespect Your Majesty. However, as a general, and having been granted the title of General Who Guards the North by Your Majesty's decree, I train soldiers here every day, fearing that my swordsmanship will decline. If my swordsmanship is not proficient, how can I command respect with this general's position?"

Jiang Lanye stared at him intently, completely ignoring his explanation, and simply asked, "What did Zuo Sheng say to you today?"

Xie Ling was taken aback, not expecting Jiang Lanye to be so perceptive as to have already guessed it.

He gritted his teeth and said, "In short, this humble subject would like to ask Your Majesty for some advice."

Jiang Lanye nodded slightly, which was considered an agreement.

Xie Ling was somewhat pleased. He looked at Song Yi beside him and, thinking of the relationship between the two, quickly said, "Your Highness, please rest assured, this humble subject would certainly not dare to harm His Majesty."

Song Yi: "." She suddenly felt that this general was a bit too straightforward.

Fortunately, there was nothing else to do at the moment, so Song Yi followed the two to the training ground. She saw Jiang Lanye gently push the sword with his thumb, and the blade immediately came out of its sheath. He casually tossed the sheath aside, held the sword in his hand, and looked at Xie Ling.

Song Yi had known Jiang Lanye for so long and was used to seeing him as an emperor reviewing memorials in the Golden Palace, but she had never seen him wielding a sword and sparring with others. She couldn't help but feel excited and found a spot to sit and watch him intently, resting her chin on her hand.

Jiang Lanye gripped the hilt of his sword, casually twirled it, and said in a deep voice, "Come on."

Xie Ling's father was once a general under the late emperor. Xie Ling had witnessed the late emperor's swordsmanship when he was young, and now, seeing Jiang Lanye again, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Amidst the clash of cold light, the blades collided several times, producing a crisp sound.

The two swordsmen were so skilled that Song Yi was dazzled and could hardly see the position of their sword blades anymore. He could only feel flashes of white light in front of his eyes.

Jiang Lanye's posture remained exceptionally upright. His moves appeared leisurely, but in reality, they were full of tricks. His wrists were exceptionally flexible. Even as their swords clashed, Jiang Lanye could still catch a glimpse of Song Yi sitting to the side to make sure she was sitting there obediently before saying, "Concentrate."

He could tell that Xie Ling was in a state of confusion.

Xie Ling gritted his teeth, took two steps back, and his attack suddenly became fierce.

Jiang Lanye narrowed his eyes, parried with his sword, then quickly spun around, the sword twisting nimbly, and just as Xie Ling was about to turn his head, the cold blade gently pressed against his neck.

"Your swordsmanship has indeed improved."

Jiang Lanye sheathed his sword and spoke in a nonchalant tone.

Xie Ling was somewhat taken aback.

I knew Jiang Lanye was quite skilled with his sword, but I never expected him to be so cunning.

If Jiang Lanye were not an emperor, he could certainly become a general with this swordsmanship.

Jiang Lanye sheathed his sword, and as soon as he looked up, he saw Song Yi standing prettily by the fence.

He strode over; practicing swordsmanship in winter was the most comfortable thing, and his body warmed up.

Song Yi looked at him with a smile, deliberately teasing, "Jiang Lanye, you're amazing."

Jiang Lanye looked at her parting lips and commented, "Sharp-tongued and glib."

Song Yi chuckled softly, looking down at the hand that was gripping the sword. The veins on the back of his hand were bulging, and in a daze, she realized once again just how great the difference in strength between herself and Jiang Lanye really was.

It's better to try to restrain yourself and resist him less in the future.
"Let's go to Jian Ge."

Song Yi responded and saw Jiang Lanye casually hang his sword at his waist, freeing his hand to take Song Yi's hand and interlock their fingers.

"Once you're inside, don't say anything out of line. If you can't stand it, just let me know, and someone will take you out."

"I won't stay here any longer."

Song Yi couldn't help but retort, and then asked, "By the way, I guess you'll be talking for a long time again this time. You didn't get enough sleep today, so go back and catch up on your sleep after you're done, okay?"

Jiang Lanye smiled slightly, gently stroking Song Yi's hand, and whispered:

"I can only fall asleep if Consort Yun stays with me."

(End of this chapter)