The next morning, Xing dressed in comfortable clothes and went to watch the war along with the Emperor. They were standing on a watch tower that had a good view of the vast plains the war was happening.Xing joined the Emperor even though there were some opposition to her observing the battle. Some just didn"t want her there because women aren"t supposed to be there and there were many other reasons too.
But there was one reason that made Xing roll her eyes so hard that she could see her brain... Some were actually worried that a pampered Huang daughter that too the only daughter of Huang AoTian who was raised in riches and wealth and protected with cotton padded floor growing up won"t be able to withstand watching the cruelties of War.
Seriously!
Xing wanted to scream but she couldnot since she has to maintain this hard to act role of a n.o.ble lady. How can the way she was raised any way near to being pampered? She had been to warfield when she was eleven, right? It was horrendous but still... she didn"t "faint" like they think , okay?
Cotton padded floor, my foot! I ran around without even shoes sometimes! How dare they defame me by misrepresenting my amazing childhood?
But Minister Zai, spoke on behalf of her and after the Emperor"s order was given, she was allowed to get out of her tent.
Xing looked at both sides of the army in formation ready to fight and Seiren standing beside her showed her the exact location of the trap. It was actually a big trap spanning for miles and it was also deep according to Seiren and once you fall in, you are dead.
The trained Zhong elite soldiers are already inside the tunnel and ready to get out on the other side as soon as the other part of the army receds back.
Everything went according to plan and the first set of soldiers receded and were followed by the excited tribal soldiers. As Xing was watching the other set of soldiers emerged from inside the tunnel slowly encompa.s.sing them.
Everyone in the tower were watching carefully with their heart beating in their throat to see if their plan would work properly.
The time for the collapsing of the tunnel came and as soon as the mechanisms were activated the tunnel began to collapse with a thunderous noise as if the whole world is shaking. The tribal soldiers fell inside the tunnel as the ground beneath their feet collapsed and most of them died instantly by hitting the debris of the collapsed tunnel.
There was chaos everywhere in the tribal troops and there was only a little part of the tunnel that haven"t collapsed and it served as a bridge when the tribal soldiers tried to cross it to their side. The path was narrow that caused stampede but some managed to cross that path but they were apprehended by the wind Imperial army soldiers, stopping them.
There was chaos everywhere with ear piercing shouts of men, arrows flying everywhere and the sounds of weapons clas.h.i.+ng. Xing stood in front of the Emperor fearing if any of the stray arrows might get to him as it was written in his fate making the Emperor feel awkward.
Why am I being protected like an imbecile all the time?
"You get back", he told her and Xing just shook her head and refused to move. There were already mumbles started that the Empress is blatantly refusing the Emperor"s orders and the Emperor didn"t want to force her anymore and let himself be protected by her.
Geez! Can"t this woman not forget that I am the Emperor and I have to do follow certain rules at least in public? No one can refuse the Emperor and if they did they will be punished! Even if I force her further, She"ll refuse anyway and that would only make things more sinister!
Minister Zai who was watching them from an appropriate distance saw them speaking to each other and guessed that the Empress must be protecting the Emperor by standing in front of him. She gave the credit of subduing those thugs to the Emperor yesterday too. He felt more and more confused by her.
The backside of the tribal troops were being attacked by the Zhong army under General Zhong and the tribals could not keep up.
Xing could see the bridge is causing problems as some people tried to climb out using the debris and also the standing part of the tunnel gave them the grip to get out.
"Can"t you make it fall somehow?", Xing asked Seiren who was worried too. If this continues the entire tribal army would get to their side and the war will get more intense which is not they want.
"No, all the entrances are closed and there is no way to get there to destroy it!", he shook his head.
"Why did they use strong wood for making pillars? ", Xing mumbled well knowing that they had to since the tunnel must be hidden for it to be effective. It won"t work in actual war if a part of the tunnel collapsed suddenly due to subpar quality materials.
" You can help! ", a familiar voice was heard by her side.
The one in the Crimson robes has now wrapped his head in black clothes and even wearing a mask similar to the one she used to wear in her time as Lord Táng fighting in the western province.
"You stole my mask!", she said. He used to wear a different mask but now he is copying me?
"When did Lord Táng get here?"
"Is that Lord Táng?"
The few people who were on the tower accompanying the Emperor started talking among themselves and now Xing understood why he imitated her. To confuse s.h.i.+hong more!
"Here", the Tians.h.i.+ Emperor gave her a mask that was made of exquisite leather and embroidered with gold that seemed to have been made just for her.
"For me?", Xing tried to hide her excitement but it showed by her high pitched voice.
"Don"t let everyone see that pretty face of yours. Not everyone looks at you the same way. Be more vigilant being in a place like this... For a girl you are being caress.... ", he started advising like a grandfather making Xing ignore him.
This s.e.xist, misogynistic ancient man!
Xing got that mask anyway and tried it on and it fitted her like it was made for her. She tied it kn her face to see how it does not obstruct her peripheral vision and decided to keep it for herself.
I like this! This is good!
"How can the tunnel be collapsed?", Xing interjected the Tians.h.i.+ Emperor"s advise and asked.