Chapter 867: Hua Yin's Grievance

Afraid to startle Chen Wuji, Qin Zhanhong and Lu Wanwan kept the noise extremely low.

As a result, upon entering the tent, both were dazed.

On the left-side single-person camp bed lay a stranger, a woman with extremely light sleep; they had already kept the noise extremely low, nearly soundless underfoot, yet she still turned over and sat up.

She looked at them, bewildered and wary.

Meanwhile, on the right side lay Chen Wuji's exclusive two-meter-wide, three-fold camp bed, with two people—a man and a woman—lying on it.

The man was the husband they longed for, while the woman was unknown to them, utterly unfamiliar.

Lu Wanwan tugged at Qin Zhanhong, who then stepped forward and grabbed Hua Yin's neck, pulling her and her blanket outside.

"Who are you?"

Throwing Hua Yin onto the outer room's couch, Qin Zhanhong furrowed his brows, scrutinizing her, and asked in a low voice.

"Hua Yin has met the two ladies." Hua Yin stared blankly at Qin Zhanhong and Lu Wanwan, rose and made a tentative salute, saying, "I am Hua Yin, the close attendant of the Elder Princess."

"Elder Princess? Where did an Elder Princess come from? Who declared a state? And why are you so eagerly seeking a marriage alliance with my husband?" Lu Wanwan poked her head out, astonished.

Hua Yin gave an awkward laugh, "It seems no one has declared a state; the Elder Princess is simply… the Elder Princess, and this is not a marriage alliance—the Emperor ordered the Elder Princess to marry the Marquis."

"How did another Marquis pop up?" Lu Wanwan was completely bewildered.

Qin Zhanhong, however, roughly caught the drift, "You mean the Emperor ennobled our lord as a Marquis and sent the Elder Princess to marry him?"

"... Yes."

"When did this happen?"

"Today."

Lu Wanwan drew out a long sigh, "Oh, I see now, Third Sister—it seems our return isn't timely."

"What nonsense—isn't our return exactly timely?" Qin Zhanhong rebuked, "Unfortunately, it's now a bit late; though we arrived at the right moment, we're still a little late."

Muttering a remark, Qin Zhanhong's scrutinizing gaze fell on Hua Yin again: "Palace maids are born beautiful; you look truly lovely—have you slept with my husband?"

"What?" Hua Yin gasped, waving her hands in panic, "The Marquis didn't ask me… to warm his bed."

"Looks like the Marquis has been exhausted lately." Qin Zhanhong chuckled lightly, then said, "Lu Wanwan, go sleep inside; I'll squeeze with Hua Yin outside."

Lu Wanwan instantly recalled her own painful past.

Some people started again.

Fortunately, she gave birth to a girl; if it had been a boy, who knows how many girls would suffer in the world.

Giving Hua Yin an encouraging glance, Lu Wanwan swiftly entered the tent and took over the still-warm single-person camp bed where Hua Yin had slept.

Hua Yin looked bewildered, a hint of timidity in her voice as she told Qin Zhanhong, "Madam, you may sleep; I've almost had enough rest—I can just sit."

As maids, their nightly sleep has never been whole.

Even though the Princess now sleeps very obediently at night, they still must rise several times by rule to extinguish her lights, cover her with blankets, drive away mosquitoes, and so on.

Although she had woken several times tonight, she had indeed slept enough.

"Sleep, this isn't the palace; there aren't so many rules, and the master doesn't make many demands on servants." Qin Zhanhong forcibly pulled Hua Yin to lie on the couch.

"... Yes."

About a quarter of an hour later, Hua Yin suddenly understood what that lady's gaze meant.

On the first night in this strange land.

She had not been summoned by that handsome Marquis to attend him; instead, she was… defiled by that gorgeous, alluring lady.

She very much wanted to cry for help, but dared not.

Feeling the lady's strong arm beside her, Hua Yin felt utterly wronged.

All the more shameful.

But there was nothing she could do; she could only muster her trembling body to press as close as possible to Qin Zhanhong.

Unable to resist, unable to call for help, even the Princess could not save her.

The Princess had long ago instructed her on these matters; in this place even the Princess could barely protect herself, let alone Hua Yin, who could not rely on the Princess's influence at all.

What she could do now seemed only to submit, and perhaps even to perform a little better.

That lady, who looked somewhat familiar, had tastes that were too extravagant…

Also unknown whether the Marquis knows.

……

At the Yin hour, the heavy drumbeat, carrying the earth's dull resonance, sounded through the camp.

Chen Wuji opened his eyes the moment the drum sounded.

In the army's custom, barring special circumstances, troops are mustered at the Yin hour.

As commander of the Three Armies, Chen Wuji could usually laze about, but not today.

He rose, gave Yu Yan Chu's clean butt a slap, and said, "Get up—today you can't lounge in bed; the camp tent will be taken down shortly."

"Why take down the tent? Are you trying to stop me from sleeping in, you madman?" Yu Yan Chu muttered deliriously, eyes shut tight; her speech system was awake, but her mind was still half-asleep.

Chen Wuji rose and dressed, saying, "Today the great army sets out."

"Oh… ah?!" Yu Yan Chu jumped up, "The great army is setting out? May I come watch you appoint officers? I've heard your troops are mighty—I'd love to see!"

Chen Wuji froze for a moment.

This reason took him somewhat by surprise.

"No!" Chen Wuji flatly refused.

Bringing female companions into the army already violated his own rules, even if the companion was the Elder Princess.

Taking Yu Yan Chu along to appoint officers would be even harder to justify.

Yu Yan Chu grabbed Chen Wuji's arm, pleading pitifully, "Let me look, please—I'll stand far off and peek; anyway I'm wearing your clothes, cross-dressed as a man, not conspicuous."

Chen Wuji was about to speak when the curtain flew open; disheveled Hua Yin hurried over, face flushed, head bowed, and began helping him dress: "Marquis, I deserve death—I dozed off without noticing you'd awakened; I deserve death."

Chen Wuji raised his hand to stop Hua Yin's movement, "It's fine, I'll do it myself; first tidy up your clothes. You slept like that, looks like you were bullied by someone—tidy up quickly."

Obviously she slept alone, but her upper garments were open, her skirt in disarray, the blatant whiteness making Chen Wuji feel a bit dizzy.

Hua Yin's cheeks flushed instantly, and she hurriedly scrambled to tidy her clothes.

She... really was bullied.

But she simply couldn't bring herself to say it.

Just then, Chen Wuji noticed someone else lying on the cot to the left; about to speak, Qin Zhanhong lifted the curtain and entered, saying, "My lord, since the princess wants to have a look, I'll take her—she'll dress as a man; as long as she doesn't draw too much attention, there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

Chen Wuji glanced at Qin Zhanhong, his gaze slowly shifting to the disheveled Hua Yin, and asked, "What did you do?"