In the imperial palace, Huang Liansheng, clad in white, sat at the main seat, her expression gentle and leisurely.
After hearing the soldiers' report, Huang Liansheng was so shocked that she leaped to her feet, "What did you say? The Qing Huang National Preceptor and the National Princess are at the southern border? Waiting to verify their identities?"
"Precisely," replied Soldier A respectfully. He felt a bit puzzled, wondering why the Saintess wasn't happy at the news of her sister's return.
A cold glint flashed in Huang Liansheng's eyes. She tried her best to calm herself, then smiled gently and said indifferently, "The Qing Huang Princess died long ago, and the National Preceptor has been missing for over a decade. Where did these imposters come from, daring to impersonate this Saintess's princess sister? They must be spies from Great Xia. You two, return to the south immediately and relay this Saintess's decree: have Deputy General Li execute these fraudsters on the spot!"
The two soldiers knelt on one knee, their faces etched with difficulty. "But, Saintess, that National Preceptor possesses the National Preceptor's Golden Token, it... it doesn't seem fake. Moreover, Deputy General Li said we must let the Grand Protector of the Nation see them before making a decision."
Huang Liansheng raised her eyebrows, her voice turning colder, "What, are you questioning this Saintess's judgment?"
The two soldiers were terrified and immediately prostrated themselves on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing. "Your subordinate dares not. But, Deputy General Li and Captain Jin both said we must find the Grand Protector of the Nation. Only the Grand Protector of the Nation can discern the true identities of the Princess and the National Preceptor. Regardless, it's just an investigation, there's no harm in it. After all, they are our Princess and National Preceptor."
Now they were certain, the Saintess was not happy at all to hear this news. If they had known, they wouldn't have come to report it to the Saintess.
It was very strange, they felt the Saintess didn't seem to want the Princess to return at all? Hmm, a bit peculiar...
"The Grand Protector of the Nation is busy with military affairs and has a packed schedule. How could he have the leisure to pay attention to a few swindlers? Guards! Prepare the horses at once. This Saintess will personally go to the southern border to verify their identities. I want to see who is so foolish as to dare impersonate the Qing Huang Princess and the National Preceptor!" Huang Liansheng placed her hands on the armrests of her chair, her knuckles turning white.
Outside the door, a thin, dark-skinned youth, who was about to report military affairs to the Saintess, stopped in his tracks. At that moment, he was greatly shocked. There was news of the Princess and the National Preceptor at the southern border!
However, it seemed the Saintess did not believe them. This matter was of great importance and could not be decided by the Saintess alone. He had to report it to Deputy General Shi Sheng and the Grand Protector of the Nation!
The thin, dark-skinned youth immediately turned, left the imperial palace, mounted a horse, and galloped swiftly towards the military camp outside the city.
Bai Sheng and the others might have to wait for several days at the military camp, so Captain Jin ordered tents to be brought for them. Bai Sheng refused the offer of meals.
The military camp was already short of food, and Bai Sheng did not want to add to their burden.
On a clearing not far from the military camp, two large tents were erected for Bai Sheng's family to reside in.
Outside the tents, ten large pots were set up. Five large pots of white rice were steamed, and five large pots of "stewed all-in-one" were prepared.
The so-called "stewed all-in-one" involved throwing chicken, ribs, and lamb into a pot, along with carrots, mushrooms, and other side dishes and various seasonings, and stewing it all together.
The aroma of rice and the fragrance of meat wafted to the military camp, making the soldiers' mouths water.
For years, the people of Qing Huang had lived on the edge of a knife. Both the Qing Huang Army and the common people lived extremely difficult lives. A decent, filling meal was hard to come by, let alone a delicious one.
Therefore, smelling such delicious food made them yearn to cry out loud.
The soldiers guarding the Princess and the National Preceptor were even closer to the food and, smelling the rich aroma, felt they could no longer stand guard.
Once the food was ready, Bai Sheng had people deliver a large bowl of rice to each of them.
At the bottom of the bowl was densely packed white rice, and on top was fragrant meat.
Looking at the bowls of rice, the soldiers could not control their saliva, yet not a single one of them reached out to take it.
They all held their hands tightly, afraid that their fragile will would be broken by the bowls of rice in an instant.
They were warriors and must not be tempted!
Tian Guihua saw that the soldiers were not taking the rice and said with a smile, "What? Afraid we'll poison you? Our madam is the true Qing Huang Princess. How could she poison her own soldiers? Eat up quickly, it won't be as delicious if it gets cold."
Seeing that they still refused to take the rice, Tian Guihua and the others placed the bowls beside them and turned back to eat.
Bai Sheng asked a soldier to call Captain Jin and ask him to bring out the soldiers from the camp to eat. The soldier stood still and did not move.
Bai Sheng's people could not move around freely either, so they could only wait for the people from the military camp to come out on their own.
Bai Sheng did not believe that Captain Jin could resist coming out to take a look.
Within the encirclement, everyone held a large bowl and ate with great enjoyment. The clanging of bowls and chopsticks and the sound of chewing made the soldiers' gazes uncontrollably fixated on their quickly chewing mouths.
Ah, how they wished those greasy mouths were their own!
One soldier was tempted and said to another soldier beside him, "This rice should be fine, I watched them serve it."
Another soldier hesitated, "But... but what if it's poisoned? And without the Captain's orders, we can't eat it."
"Right, even if we starve, we can't eat it!" another soldier swallowed hard. His stomach was almost full of his own saliva.
Just then, Captain Jin walked over with dozens of soldiers. He was actually drawn by the tempting aroma, hoping to smell more by being closer.
As for the dozens of soldiers behind him, there was no need to mention them. Their intentions were written all over their streaming saliva, their integrity completely shattered.
Captain Jin's expression shifted slightly when he saw the large bowls of rice placed beside each of his soldiers.
Such good food – plain white rice and meat dishes – given to soldiers could only mean two things: care or deception.
If they were the true Princess and National Preceptor, it was a generous gift stemming from their care for the soldiers.
If they were imposters, they would either poison them or use food to win over hearts.
As Captain Jin was lost in thought, his mouth watering, he saw the Princess and National Preceptor walk over with a group of people, each holding a bowl of rice.
"Captain Jin guards the border with extraordinary hardship. This humble bowl of rice is a small token of our appreciation," Bai Sheng said, handing the bowl to Captain Jin.
Captain Jin swallowed hard and did not take it. "Thank you, Princess and National Preceptor. Your subordinate is not... not hungry." Saliva flowed uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth.
Captain Jin wished he could flee on the spot.
Bai Sheng smiled brightly, "Is Captain Jin afraid this rice is poisoned?"
"Not at all, Princess has misunderstood. It's just—" The Captain was a bit embarrassed, and his overflowing saliva made him hesitant to speak.
"It's just a bowl of rice. Even if we were enemy spies, we wouldn't dare to poison anyone here. Moreover, I am the true Qing Huang Princess. Captain Jin, please accept it. Eating well will give you more energy to guard us," Bai Sheng said, and forcefully placed the bowl into Captain Jin's hands.