Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Spring Gathering in the North: Military Formation (Part 6)

"If there are any unreasonable matters, I ask for the generals' understanding!"

As soon as Cheng TianYang finished speaking, Ye Lou immediately stood up, respectfully bowed to the other 

party, but his eyes were filled with a hint of fervor and excitement. "I am ashamed, having heard the words of 

the West Empress today, I am alarmed to realize my own shortcomings and that I have failed to meet the 

expectations of the sage!"

Saying this, he knelt on one knee and sincerely requested, "I dare to ask His Highness the West Empress, could 

you teach me the several formations you mentioned?" He quickly added, "And also the weapons of the light 

infantry of the Hongcheng Kingdom, and the blueprints of the wooden tower shield carts..."

Cheng TianYang chuckled lightly, glanced at Si Cang Qing, and said, "General Ye, there is no need for such 

grand gestures. As the Empress of the Canghuan Kingdom, it is only natural for me to share the same heart and 

mind with the soldiers of Canghuan. Being able to offer my humble assistance to Canghuan is truly my great 

fortune."

Upon hearing this, Ye Lou's face lit up with joy, wishing he could immediately have Cheng TianYang teach him 

the formation and diagrams.

At this moment, Si Cang Qing, who had been merely listening, finally spoke in a calm voice, "It's getting late, 

generals, you should rest early!" Then, looking at Ye Lou, he added, "The two empresses and I will stay here for 

a few days, so there's no need for you to worry."

Since Si Cang Qing had already spoken, the others didn't dare to linger any longer. One by one, they left the 

main tent, leaving only Cheng TianYang and Feng Lan behind.

"Master, I'll go have someone prepare some late-night snacks." Knowing that Cheng TianYang and Si Cang Qing 

might have something to discuss, Feng Lan kindly made the request and immediately stepped out.

"Your Majesty," as everyone left, Cheng TianYang softly called out, gracefully approaching him, turning around 

to sit on Si Cang Qing's lap, his arms entwining around his neck like vines, "Why did you deliberately make me 

perform like this in front of your ministers?"

Although his analysis is indeed very reasonable, let's not mention that overall, the strength of this new military 

camp should not be underestimated. Even with these external issues, with Si Cang Qing's intelligence, he would 

surely be able to see through them.

The reason those soldiers overlooked those things was also because they had never truly fought against the 

Hongcheng Kingdom, and their understanding of the Hongcheng Kingdom was only superficial.

Si Cang Qing still did not push the other person away, but merely looked at him calmly, "You are the West Palace 

Empress of the Canghuan Kingdom."

Slightly taken aback, Cheng TianYang immediately smiled. The more he smiled, the harder it became to stop. He 

wiped away the tears that had seeped from the corners of his eyes, suppressing the laughter that kept bubbling 

up, "Your Majesty..."

"Are you concerned about me?" Because before, those soldiers looked down on me and were wary of me?

Si Cang Qing merely looked at him indifferently and didn't explain further. Concern? To some extent, yes; 

although their relationship was transactional, he never denied his admiration.

He doesn't understand why the world looks at this person with colored glasses—could it be because of their 

appearance? Si Cang Qing has always been indifferent to the concept of chastity, so naturally, he doesn't quite 

understand.

But there is one thing…

Even though he didn't understand Cheng TianYang's hatred and desire for revenge, he always admired those 

who worked hard for their own goals. Good or bad, Si Cang Qing never judged these things; what he admired 

was that perseverance and courage. Although later this person wanted to use his power—since he was willing to 

trade with him, it also showed this person's capability, didn't it?

After all, in this world, there are very few people who have the courage and ability and are willing to trade 

on their own.

What happened today before entering made Si Cang Qing somewhat displeased, not because of Ye Lou's 

obstruction, but because of the emotions in the soldiers' eyes.

Those emotions were not only directed at Cheng TianYang but also at the Empress of the Western Palace 

of the Canghuan Kingdom. Even though the Empress of the Western Palace was essentially of the rank of a 

noble consort, but...

Si Cang Qing inexplicably felt a sense of his private possession being damaged.

So, he let this person speak grandly in front of his own soldiers. Of course, Si Cang Qing also had his own 

considerations; he himself only understood the art of formation, and for some specifics, especially those 

targeting the Hongcheng Kingdom's army, Cheng TianYang understood more.

"What are you thinking about?"

The voice was no longer as clear as before, now laced with a hint of softness. Cheng TianYang turned 

Si Cang Qing's indifferent face and held it in his hands, "Your Majesty really intends to let me help?"

"Mm." Si Cang Qing responded. Besides the previous concerns, if a war were to break out between the two 

countries in the future, he would definitely lead the charge again, and he would need this person's help at that 

time. So, letting him get acquainted with military affairs earlier would be a precautionary measure.

Cheng TianYang leaned against Si Cang Qing's embrace and chuckled softly, "Your Majesty really thinks highly 

of me... Actually, if it weren't for revenge, I wouldn't want to learn any of this at all. Riding horses and having 

fun with my brother, watching plays in the garden, painting landscapes and beauties, without worrying about 

food and clothing, being a carefree prince—that would be the most wonderful thing in the world."

Si Cang Qing quietly listened to his ramblings, lowering his gaze to the man's bowed head, a faint sense of 

strangeness rising in his heart again—recently, Cheng TianYang seemed to rarely put on an act in front of him. 

Although he often clung to him, it seemed to be merely a fondness for his body warmth...

Thinking vaguely, Si Cang Qing never hated these emotional issues and just let them go without pursuing them.

"I have always admired my brother," Cheng Tian Bi said, her eyes lighting up as he looked at Si Cang Qing, 

"He really understood everything. Although I don't remember clearly from back then, I know he was truly the 

pride of heaven."

"Not only is he proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but his martial arts skills were also among 

the best in the Hong Cheng court..."

"……If it weren't for revenge, I wouldn't have learned those things at all." Cheng TianYang's voice gradually 

became ethereal, "Back then, every time I closed my eyes, it was either the tragic scene of my mother's death or 

the great fire in the palace's prison, and I couldn't sleep all night..."

"In order to forget those images, I desperately read books, practiced martial arts, learned music, chess, 

calligraphy, and painting, and forced myself to memorize military strategies..."

He babbled on and on, digging up old stories, both big and small.

◇Cang◇Huan◇Seven◇Palace◇

Si Cang Qing listened in silence; these things had actually been said by Cheng TianYang long ago. But before, 

he mostly said them in a nonchalant tone, laughing as he spoke.

Today...

This person's words carried more confusion, more sorrow.

"Ah, sorry," Cheng TianYang suddenly stopped, got off Si Cang Qing, and stood up with his usual smile 

restored. "I was out of line today."

Feeling slightly embarrassed. Speaking those words with ulterior motives feels entirely different from being 

unable to control one's memories. Cheng TianYang turned and walked to the side to sit down, slightly lowering 

his gaze. The earlier lapse in composure might have been due to hearing the news of Cheng Ce's critical illness, 

or perhaps it was the hatred that arose from seeing the Canghuan soldiers training today, or maybe...

Is it a trivial maintenance for the person in front of me?

"Master," Feng Lan lifted the tent flap and walked in, followed by a few soldiers carrying trays. He gestured for 

them to place the trays on the table and smiled at Si Cang Qing, "You didn't eat much for dinner, have some 

late-night snacks to fill your stomach." Then he turned to Cheng TianYang and said, "Tianyang, these are special 

snacks made by the kitchen, you can't usually find them. Why don't you give them a try?"

"Sure," Cheng TianYang smiled brightly and sweetly said, "Thank you, Brother Feng."

Silently picking up the delicate chess piece pastry, Si Cang Qing took a few bites and leisurely said to Feng Lan, 

"We'll stay at the new military camp for five days, then Lan, you go back to the palace directly and discuss the 

preparations for the southern tour with Qiu Ping Tian."

"Alright, Master." Feng Lan hesitated for a moment, then stood up and said, "Then I'll go rest first. Master, you 

should rest early too."

Si Cang Qing frowned slightly, but before he could say anything, the other person hurriedly ran out of the tent.

Chewing the pie slowly, Cheng TianYang slightly lowered his gaze, his long eyelashes obscuring the sparkle in 

his eyes.

Staring at the tent door, Si Cang Qing thought for a moment, then relaxed his furrowed brow. He stood up and 

was about to leave when his sleeve was tugged. Cheng TianYang looked up at him, gazing deeply into his eyes, 

"Your Majesty, will you stay with me tonight..."

Si Cang Qing looked back at the other person with a faint gaze, as if trying to probe something from his eyes, 

but all he found was clarity: unlike Feng Lan's, this clarity could not reflect any worldly beauty.

The fleeting thoughts were but a blink. Si Cang Qing nodded slightly, his voice cold, "It's late, rest now!"

In the early spring deep in the mountains, unknown little insects have awakened from their winter slumber, 

chirping joyful tunes that sound exceptionally loud in the military camp at night.

Looking at Cheng TianYang, who was soundly asleep in his arms, Si Cang Qing gently struggled a bit and 

then got up—this seemed to have become a habit. Ever since marrying Cheng TianYang, he occasionally stayed 

overnight at Tianluan Palace. But it was just to sleep, and each time, after the other fell asleep, he would quietly 

leave.

……often crawl back into Feng Lan's bed.

Si Cang Qing sat up and was about to lift the quilt, but was suddenly entangled by the sleeping person. Lowering 

his head, Si Cang Qing tried to pull away the man's arm that was clinging to him tightly, but finally gave up. 

He remained seated, gazing down at Cheng TianYang's sleeping face, peaceful and calm. 

“Sizzle…” 

The candle on the candlestick burned to the end and melted into water. The flame on the candle wick flickered 

and gradually went out. 

Si Cang Qing suddenly relaxed his body, then slowly slid down and returned to the bed. As soon as he lay down, 

Cheng TianYang murmured from his throat, like a dream, and then his limbs climbed onto Si Cang Qing's body, 

holding tightly and not willing to let go. 

Without struggling any more, Si Cang Qing closed his eyes, and gradually fell into sleep while thinking about 

the problem.
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