Side Story 2: The Frail and Powerless Regent

Side Story 2: The Frail and Powerless Regent

The Black Armor Guard's main camp on the outskirts of Beijing.

The north wind howled, and the banners fluttered in the wind.

Thousands of elite cavalrymen stood in square formation, exuding a fierce aura, like a drawn sword awaiting the commander's inspection.

On the command platform, Pei Yunjing, clad in heavy black iron armor, sat astride a warhorse named "Mofeng".

Logically, this should be a majestic and awe-inspiring scene.

However, at this moment, Pei Yunjing was shrinking his neck tightly, trying to bury his noble head in the fur collar.

It's so cold! Tang Li roared inwardly.

Why is this damn armor made of iron? It absorbs so much heat! It feels like ice against my skin!

And why is this horse so tall? Sitting on it feels like I might fall off and break my leg at any moment!

Achoo!

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the regent, who was feared by all, suddenly sneezed inelegantly, then sniffed and wrapped his cloak tighter around himself, looking somewhat aggrieved.

That movement... no matter how you look at it, it exudes a sense of fragility.

The black-armored guards below looked at each other in bewilderment.

What's wrong with Your Highness?

Normally, the prince wouldn't even flinch at this little bit of wind and snow, so why is he acting like a little wife who's afraid of the cold today?

"Your Highness."

Han Zheng rode his horse down to the stage. Although he felt that his master was acting strangely today, he still braced himself and asked for instructions:

"The three armed forces have assembled! Shall we begin the assault drill?"

Charge? Are we still practicing?

Tang Li looked down at the group of burly men below, armed with real knives and guns, who looked very dangerous, and her heart skipped a beat.

If they really charge forward, and the horse gets spooked, wouldn't she be thrown to pieces?

"Cough cough..."

Tang Li cleared her throat and, in Pei Yunjing's deep, magnetic voice, uttered something utterly incongruous:

"Um... Commander Han."

She waved her hand dismissively.

"This kind of fighting and killing is too damaging to harmony. Besides, the wind is so strong, it wouldn't be good if everyone caught a cold."

Han Zheng: "???"

A cold? Or a quarrel?

Your Highness, have you been possessed? These are Black Armor Guards! They're Black Armor Guards who've been through piles of corpses!

"No rush, let's rest for a while first."

After thinking for a moment, Tang Li decided to find something to talk about in order to ease the awkwardness (mainly to avoid training).

Thus, under the horrified gazes of Han Zheng and thousands of soldiers...

The aloof regent slowly pulled a brocade pouch from his bosom (behind the breastplate of his armor).

Open it, and it's full of spiced melon seeds.

"Crack".

Pei Yunjing skillfully cracked open a sunflower seed, spat out the shell, and then looked at Han Zheng with a gossipy expression, his eyes sparkling:

"Come on, Xiao Han, don't stand so far away, come closer."

"Your Highness, what military secrets do you have to give?" Han Zheng asked nervously, his palms sweating. He thought they were going to discuss some grand plan to destroy the country.

"What do you mean by secret or not?"

Tang Li sprawled out on the horse's back, completely lacking proper posture, and lowered her voice, but because Pei Yunjing's voice was loud, it carried throughout half of the training ground:

"I just wanted to ask... how things are going between you and that Physician Su from the Imperial Hospital?"

"I saw she embroidered a purse for you last time, was it a token of your love? When are you two getting married? May I sit at the head table?"

"..."

Han Zheng froze on his horse, completely petrified.

His dark red face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, and his mouth gaped open wide enough to fit an egg.

What did he hear?

Is the prince asking him...gossip?

And in front of the three armies? And he was even holding sunflower seeds in his hand?

"Your Highness..." Han Zheng's voice trembled, "It's...time for training..."

"What's the point of training soldiers! Marriage is the real deal!"

Tang Li tossed the melon seed shells on the ground, looking like a disappointed "auntie," and poked Han Zheng's chest with her large, calloused hand:

"You blockhead! The girl has been so proactive, and you're still acting all high and mighty? Want me to teach you a few tricks?"

"Back in the day, when I was pursuing the princess..."

Tang Li was about to boast a bit when she suddenly realized she was currently using Pei Yunjing's persona, so she quickly changed her tune:

"Ahem, back when the Princess Consort was pursuing me... no, well, anyway, that's the gist of it!"

The more she tried to explain, the worse it got, so she simply waved her hand dismissively:

"In short, listen to me! I'll propose marriage tonight! If you don't dare, I... I'll have Da Bai block your door for you!"

Han Zheng: "..."

The surrounding lieutenants: "..."

The soldiers below: "..."

Everyone looked at the "Regent" on the stage with the eyes of someone looking at a "monster," who was still eating sunflower seeds, gossiping, and acting coy.

Where did that decisive, ruthless, and cold-blooded war god go?

Is this man in front of them, who looks like a matchmaker and shrinks back at the slightest sound... really their prince?

"It's over."

An old soldier closed his eyes in despair:

"Your Highness... has become effeminate."

"And...she's become so fond of gossip!"

The sky over this great empire is about to collapse!

Just as Tangli was happily munching on melon seeds.

Achoo!

She sneezed again, rubbed her nose, and muttered, "I can't take it anymore, it's too cold. Han Zheng, you handle the rest. I'm going back to my residence now."

"Oh, and remember to bring me two roast chickens back, fresh out of the oven!"

After saying that, Pei Yunjing turned his horse around. His riding posture was crooked and awkward, like a novice who had just learned to ride a horse. Under the gaze of thousands of broken eyes, he sped away...

Han Zheng was left standing alone, bewildered in the wind, still clutching the knife he hadn't drawn.