Traveling through an ancient military camp: Bao'er's survival song

Luo Binghe, perched on the tree, dared not breathe. He even logically understood why Consort Chen always found excuses to show concern for His Highness the Crown Prince: it must be because she had an affair with Grand Tutor Wu, and then used concern for the Crown Prince and the Eighth Prince's studies as a pretext. After all, they were taught by the same teacher, and showing concern for one more child meant more opportunities to get to know each other!

Now that he had witnessed Consort Chen's secret meeting with Grand Tutor Wu, if the two of them found out, his life would be in danger! What made him even more worried was that his protectors, the Emperor and the Crown Prince, were not in the palace!

Ten-year-old Luo Binghe tried his best to suppress his trembling, held his breath and lay motionless on the tree trunk. He also endured the itching caused by the early insects that hatched in spring crawling across his neck.

"I have invited you to meet with me for two reasons. First, to thank you for your help last time." Consort Chen spoke in her characteristic gentle voice, and then instructed her head maid, Yu Liu, to bring over an exquisite box. "I come from a humble background and have little wealth. The ancient books and paintings I have are not worth looking at, and gold and silver are too vulgar to offend your eyes. Therefore, I have only prepared a box of beautiful jade. I hope you will not find it offensive."

Consort Chen adopted a very humble posture, and her unique voice conveyed a sense of gentleness and tenderness.

Wu Peng'en bowed in gratitude and accepted the box of beautiful jade without hesitation.

"Sir, you came from a humble background, yet you possess great talent. His Majesty always speaks highly of you. I am honored to hold such a high position despite my humble origins, and my only reliance is His Majesty's favor." The Consort sighed as she said this.

Luo Binghe listened intently, his heart pounding. He wondered what Consort Chen was trying to achieve by saying all this nonsense. Was she trying to bewitch and win over Wu Peng'en by feigning weakness? What exactly was she after?

Consort Chen paused briefly but received no response from Wu Peng'en, and continued, "But beauty fades and love wanes. The other sisters in the harem all rely on their powerful maternal families, and the relationship between the harem and the court has always been one of shared prosperity and decline. Over the years, I have truly walked on thin ice."

Consort Chen stopped again.

Her words were too audacious. Wasn't she implying, both openly and covertly, that the Emperor was an unreliable man? Hearing this, Luo Binghe broke out in a cold sweat. This Consort Chen dared to say such things to Wu Peng'en; what else could it be but an affair!

Wu Peng'en lowered his eyes and replied, "Your Majesty, thunder and rain." He didn't say the last sentence, but everyone present understood what he meant.

Upon hearing this, Consort Chen began to sob softly: "I know I shouldn't say these things, but Grand Tutor Wu, I am just a woman. All I want is to live a peaceful life, to see my son grow up and start his own household! But... but..." Consort Chen seemed to be overwhelmed with grief and began to sob on the body of the head palace maid, Yu Liu.

Wu Peng'en, who had been standing calmly to the side, seemed somewhat at a loss, as if she wanted to say something to comfort him but ultimately kept quiet.

Consort Chen's words and demeanor were undeniably moving. She even used the pronoun "I" in her speech, indicating her trust in Wu Peng'en and her rejection of any ambition to seize the throne for her son. It seemed that she was truly just a weak woman who only wanted to avoid being bullied and enjoy her old age in peace.

Wu Peng'en finally couldn't hold back and asked, "What does Your Majesty need me to do?"

Consort Chen raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears and filled with surprise: "Sir! I...I..." She quickly wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and continued, "Sir, you are a man of great talent, the most intelligent man in the world. I know that using your talents in the harem is a waste of your abilities, but I and my people are not very intelligent, and the harem is rife with infighting. His Majesty has placed me in such a high position, and I simply cannot cope!"

Hearing this, Wu Peng'en visibly relaxed. Luo Binghe also knew that if Consort Chen were to set her sights on seizing the throne, Wu Peng'en would certainly not dare to get involved. However, was Consort Chen's pretense merely for simple palace intrigue? Just as Consort Chen said, wasn't this a bit of a waste of her talents?

Little Luo Binghe didn't quite understand.

In the end, he could only conclude that Consort Chen wanted to have an affair with Wu Peng'en!