Chapter 354: Who Dares to Gossip

Bai Wei nodded and turned to say to Xiao Moting.

"Let's go back first."

She had been standing all afternoon without even a moment to drink water; she was long since so hungry her stomach was pressed against her back, and she was so tired she couldn't even stand steady.

Just as she was speaking, Bai Wei's body suddenly lifted into the air.

By the time she came to her senses, she realized she had been scooped up horizontally by Xiao Moting.

Bai Wei was startled and hurriedly gave him a punch.

"What are you doing? Put me down quickly."

This is ancient Daliang, where there are strict boundaries between men and women!

Moreover, the Beijiang Army and thousands of the Peasant Army were all around; for Xiao Moting to pick her up in full view of everyone, what kind of decorum was this?

Bai Wei said anxiously, "Xiao Moting, let me down quickly, watch out for what others might gossip about."

Xiao Moting did not let go, however, and strode toward the outside of the courtyard while holding her.

"No need, I'd like to see who dares to gossip about me."

The Beijiang Army behind him followed in succession, their palms pressed against the hilts of their Long Swords, murderous intent overflowing.

Zhang Yu also immediately shouted in a low voice, "Heads down, do not look at what is improper."

The surrounding Peasant Army hurriedly lowered their heads, all consciously avoiding looking ahead.

Someone was dazed for a moment, staring with wide eyes at Bai Wei and Xiao Moting, forgetting to lower their head.

Xiao Lujing stopped in his tracks, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

"What are you looking at? Tired of living?"

The other party was so scared they hurriedly lowered their head, not daring to look at Bai Wei again.

Seeing Xiao Moting being so ostentatious, Bai Wei had no choice; she was carried through the crowd like this and taken directly into the carriage.

After getting into the carriage, Xiao Moting still did not let go.

He leaned over to sit down, used his hand to support Bai Wei's head, gently leaned it against his chest, and said in a low voice.

"Lean on me and rest for a while."

Bai Wei leaned against his chest, the man's steady and powerful heartbeat sounding in her ears, which inexplicably made her feel at ease.

She closed her eyes.

Having stood for so long, Bai Wei was also tired, and just like that, she fell into a deep sleep while leaning in Xiao Moting's embrace.

Several carriages slowly drove away from the street.

Zhang Yu came back to his senses, let out a soft breath, and a complex expression flickered in his eyes.

"I never expected that the Prince of Zhenbei would have such a remarkable person as Bai by his side."

"It seems that the next ruler of this Daliang will not be decided by that person in Shengjing."

At this moment, someone leaned in and asked in a suspicious, hushed voice.

"Leader Zhang, what do you mean by that..."

Zhang Yu glanced at him sideways, his expression slightly mocking.

"The Jingxuan Emperor is already old, and the princes under his knees are one more useless than the next."

"The only prince with ability now is the Prince of Zhenbei in the north."

The other party was surprised, "But I heard that the Emperor does not like this son, Xiao Moting, and even exiled him to the northern frontier since he was a child, just for fear that he would compete for the throne with his other sons."

Zhang Yu gave a mocking hum.

"The Emperor is muddled and incompetent; even if he exiled Xiao Moting to the northern frontier, it would be of no use."

"The person with the best hope of inheriting the throne before was the Second Prince Xiao Rui, but he is already dead, having died in the wilderness with an unclear cause of death. There are rumors that he was killed by Xiao Moting, but no one has any evidence."

"Currently, the only person with the ability to compete with Xiao Moting for the throne is the Fifth Prince Xiao Qiyu, who is in Donghai Prefecture. Xiao Qiyu has been physically weak since childhood; under the guidance of others, he took Yang Tianhu as his master and has been in Donghai Prefecture, practicing martial arts to strengthen his body with Yang Tianhu, and has even become betrothed to Yang Tianhu's daughter under the matchmaking of the Empress."

That person thought for a moment, "But Xiao Moting's power is growing stronger and stronger, and his prestige among the common people is getting higher and higher, yet there is no movement at all from Xiao Qiyu's side. I think he probably has no intention of competing for the throne."

Zhang Yu shook his head.

"Xiao Qiyu is the Empress's legitimate son; it is impossible for him to have no intention of competing for the throne. Now the northern frontier and Yannan are at odds like fire and water, and Xiao Moting and Yuan Canghai are fighting fiercely for power. Perhaps Xiao Qiyu is just biding his time, watching the changes, and waiting for an opportunity to reap the benefits as the fisherman."

After finishing, he sighed again.

"Forget it, the affairs of the royal family have nothing to do with us common folk; everyone just wants to have food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof over their heads."

"Whether it is Xiao Moting or Xiao Qiyu, whoever lets the common people have enough to eat and wear, we will follow!"

Speaking of this, a sharp glint flashed in Zhang Yu's eyes.

He was from a peasant background and had no interest in the struggles of the Imperial Court, caring only about the immediate benefits.

The struggles of the Imperial Court throughout history have always been rivers of blood; no matter who becomes the emperor, the common people at the bottom are always cannon fodder.

Heavy taxes, conscription... these are always the hardest on the peasants.

Therefore, even though Bai Wei has now treated the illnesses and injuries of the Peasant Army, at most he only owes Bai Wei a favor. As for letting him lead the Peasant Army to submit to Xiao Moting, it still depends on whether Xiao Moting has the ability to seize the throne and whether he will seek welfare for the peasants.

If he cannot, he will never follow Xiao Moting, and might even turn against him!

When Bai Wei woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

She was stunned for a moment and scrambled up from the bed.

"How did I sleep until now?"

With a creak, the door opened.

Xiao Moting walked in carrying a wooden tray, and seeing her sitting on the bed, he smiled broadly.

"Bai, you're awake? You were too tired last night, and you didn't wake up even when I carried you back to the room, so I didn't disturb you and let you sleep until now."

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Bai Wei hurriedly got up to put on her shoes, "I promised Zhang Yu that I would send grain and clean water to the Peasant Army."

She was about to run outside when Xiao Moting grabbed her wrist and gestured with his chin toward the table.

"The porridge is still hot, drink it while it's warm. Even if we're delivering grain, there's no rush for this moment."

Bai Wei was hungry too; she had performed surgery for most of the day yesterday and hadn't eaten anything yet.

She sat down at the table, picked up the bowl and chopsticks, and began to eat.

Having been hungry for a day and a night, the vegetable porridge before her tasted exceptionally fragrant.

Bai Wei swept through the food like a whirlwind, holding the porridge bowl in one hand and a steamed bun in the other, and finished two bowls in the blink of an eye.

After she finished eating, she remembered that Xiao Moting was still by her side.

Her starving-ghost-like eating manners had all been seen by him.

Bai Wei couldn't help but blush, and she looked up at Xiao Moting.

As she looked up, she discovered Xiao Moting sitting at the table, resting his chin on one hand, staring at her intently, his pitch-black, star-like eyes holding a hint of a smile.

Bai Wei felt her cheeks flush from his gaze and feigned a fierce expression.

"What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen someone eat before?"

After speaking, she swallowed hard.

"Seeing my eating manners are so unsightly, are you very tempted to laugh?"

Xiao Moting's lips curled slightly, "How could that be? It's just that seeing you eat so heartily has made me hungry too."

After saying this, he picked up a steamed bun and took a large bite.

"Look, my eating manners now are about the same as yours."

Bai Wei burst into a laugh.

Usually, Xiao Moting was very mindful of his every word and action, and even his posture while eating was very elegant, unhurried and steady; now, he was deliberately pretending to wolf down his food, actually doing it for her to see, so as to spare her any embarrassment.

"Alright, I won't say more to you, I'm going to transport the grain now."

As she said this, Bai Wei stood up and walked out of the room.

She had promised Zhang Yu that she would ensure the two thousand Peasant Army soldiers had water to drink and grain to eat.

Fortunately, she had made preparations beforehand; the grain stored in the Warehouse was sufficient to support these people.

Xiao Moting looked at Bai Wei, his eyes filled with doting affection; he gently pulled her into his embrace and whispered, "Wei'er, as long as I am here, no one in this world shall be able to harm you in the slightest."