A faint smile played on her lips as she left behind only one sentence, "General Yu is smart enough to understand what this civilian woman means."
After saying that, Tang Youyou strode away and returned to the military camp. However, there was no one in the tent. Those people were probably still suffering in the training camp.
Just as she was about to take a rest, a voice came from outside the tent. It was Su Ningde. Tang Youyou gave a knowing smile.
"Eunuch Su, it's rare for you to come in person. But the emperor should still be asleep, right?"
Tang Youyou's implication was that he wasn't sent by the emperor on this trip.
Su Ningde understood Tang Youyou's words. First, he bowed respectfully. Then he motioned for a person behind him to bring forward a wooden tray. On the tray was a set of clean dark - green men's clothing and some simple accessories.
"This old servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager. May the empress enjoy eternal peace and good fortune."
Seeing that this old man, though thin - boned, was quite smart, Tang Youyou turned and walked into the tent. "Come in."
Hearing this, Su Ningde quickly got up. After the person put down the clothes, they left.
Tang Youyou was sitting on a simple wooden chair. She picked up the cold tea on the table and looked at Su Ningde with a half - smile.
"Eunuch Su didn't come here just to deliver clothes, right?"
Hearing Tang Youyou's words, Su Ningde's hand paused slightly. "Your Majesty is right. This servant has something to tell Your Majesty, but..."
Seeing his hesitation, Tang Youyou slammed the teacup on the table. The sound was like thunder in Su Ningde's ears, scaring him into kneeling again.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This matter was instructed to this old servant by someone around the emperor. This old servant saw Your Majesty return safely today, so he thought of telling you the truth."
Hearing this, Tang Youyou's expression softened. She looked up at Su Ningde. "In that case, just say it straight. If you're afraid of the person behind this giving you trouble, this palace will give you a promise."
Hearing this, Su Ningde immediately looked up. "Your Majesty will really not reveal this old servant?"
"Of course. Before the truth comes out, this palace won't say a single word. You can just speak."
With Tang Youyou's affirmation, Su Ningde told the whole story without missing a single word.
After listening for a while, Tang Youyou noticed two names, Ye Yue and Ye Bai.
She of course knew Ye Yue. She guessed that this person was one of Rong Xun's subordinates when she saw him leave with Rong Xun that day. But Ye Bai, she had never heard of.
"Who is Ye Bai?"
Su Ningde frowned slightly as if trying to recall. "This person just appeared in the palace not long ago. She's a woman in black. It's said that she's a death - servant protecting the emperor."
A death - servant. How could she have the ability to issue orders on behalf of the emperor secretly? It seemed that this person was the key to this matter. Maybe the gu worms on Rong Xun were related to her.
After they finished talking, Tang Youyou heard a commotion outside. General Yu also came over upon hearing the sound. Seeing Tang Youyou still in women's clothing, he quickly whispered, "You should change into men's clothing quickly. If the soldiers see you like this, they'll start gossiping."
After saying that, General Yu stopped the approaching soldiers, claiming it was to strengthen the training.
Tang Youyou quickly changed into the clothes and left the tent.
The originally dejected soldiers instantly got excited when they saw Tang Youyou.
"Isn't this... the young scholar who disappeared not long ago? He shows up now."
The soldiers got more and more excited as they talked, not noticing that General Yu was glaring at them from not far away.
"Do you guys think today's tasks are not enough, or do you think your lives are too idle?"
Hearing this, those who were still muttering immediately shut up and left dejectedly.
Seeing this, Tang Youyou followed Su Ningde to a newly - built tent.
After entering, she saw that the furnishings inside were very nice. Compared to her original accommodation, it was much more luxurious.
Before she could go in, she heard gasps at the entrance of the military camp. The people there were gathered together, craning their necks to look into the distance.
A troop of soldiers was coming from the border. They were wearing golden armors, obviously the imperial guards from the palace.
Who on earth could deserve the personal protection of the imperial guards? It was really astonishing.
Tang Youyou also became interested. Judging from this person's grandeur, it was hard to hide their charisma. She looked at General Yu beside her and sneered, "Is this person a family member of the emperor?"
Hearing this, General Yu was instantly stunned. Since he learned Tang Youyou's true identity, he couldn't help but feel in awe of her.
The once - famous Empress of the Ming Dynasty was actually right beside him. The female general he admired so much was chatting with him casually.
General Yu nodded. "Yes. This is the newly - promoted concubine, Consort Wen. She's the emperor's favorite concubine. Since Your Majesty disappeared, the emperor seems to have forgotten about you and instead fallen in love with Consort Wen."
Consort Wen? Probably Wen Ruxue. Her current status really surprised Tang Youyou. She was a brainless woman, yet she could make that old fox Rong Xun fall for her.
It was really not easy for her.
After a while, the imperial guards finally escorted the noble guest out of the carriage. As usual, Wen Ruxue was wearing a white dress, as if she was afraid that others wouldn't mistake her for someone in mourning.
Wearing all white, she really thought she was a widow.
Tang Youyou didn't say much. She just quietly watched this woman walking towards General Yu. General Yu subconsciously protected Tang Youyou behind him and knelt on one knee towards Wen Ruxue.
"This humble official pays respects to Consort Wen. May Consort Wen enjoy good health."
Seeing that General Yu only bowed slightly, Wen Ruxue frowned. But in her words, she showed a sense of understanding and generosity.
"Recently, General Yu has been through so much on the battlefield. It must be very hard for you. This palace sees that you seem to be haggard. You should rest more. This palace won't say anything about you not performing the grand salute today, but if it happens again next time, it won't be acceptable."
Every word of Wen Ruxue's seemed considerate, but there was also oppression and threat in them.
But General Yu was not someone who would give in easily. He retorted immediately, "This humble official thinks that he has done nothing wrong. Consort Wen is the mistress of a palace, not the empress. If this humble official really performs the grand salute, I wonder if Consort Wen can bear it?"
These words instantly made Wen Ruxue blush. She tried hard to hold back her anger and forced herself to suppress the fire in her heart before showing a smile.