The warm tent was filled with fragrant aromas, the brazier under the heated platform crackling as it burned, filling the entire tent with cozy warmth. Chu Li and Qing Xia’s bodies lay beneath the thin blanket, and in just a short while, a fine layer of perspiration had formed on their skin. Chu Li kept his eyes half-closed, his lips curved in a satisfied smile, displaying the sleazy expression of someone whose devious plan had succeeded. Suddenly, the man who had taken full advantage slowly extended one arm, placing it with a thud across Qing Xia’s waist, then shamelessly let out a grunt, pretending to snore as if he were asleep.

Qing Xia’s lungs nearly exploded with anger as she grabbed Chu Li’s hand and flung it away with a sharp slap.

The man was relentless. This time he went even further, actually draping a leg over her as well, his entire body following suit as he pressed against her. Through the thin layer of clothing, he pressed tightly against Qing Xia’s body.

The fabric was very thin and had already been dampened by sweat. Between their heavy breathing, Qing Xia could even feel the toned muscles of Chu Li’s body. His burning lower abdomen pressed against her waist, his thigh entwined with her legs, and the arm that had been knocked away wound around her again, crossing to clasp over Qing Xia’s shoulder. Even through the layers of clothing, she could still feel the calluses on his palms, worn from practicing with spear and sword.

A hint of ambiguous scent arose in the air. Heavy breathing brushed against Qing Xia’s neck, carrying traces of heat. As Qing Xia trembled restlessly, Chu Li’s lips suddenly brushed lightly across her snow-white neck.

It was like an electric current suddenly surging through her – Qing Xia’s entire body shuddered.

“Heh…”

A low chuckle suddenly rang out from behind her. Qing Xia’s head immediately went black with rage, her hands and feet numb with anger. With a whoosh, she threw off the blanket and sat up.

“Haha!” Chu Li laughed heartily, supporting his head with his curved arm as he lay on his side, watching Qing Xia with a smile. His handsome face wore a devilishly charming expression: “Isn’t this your room? Where are you planning to go now?”

“I refuse to waste words with you, you scoundrel!” Qing Xia shouted loudly, grabbing her pillow and blanket. Like an aggrieved little wife, she climbed down from the bed platform and went to a corner of the tent, efficiently spreading them out and lying down on the ground, staying far away from Chu Li. Without even looking at him once, she turned away, intending to sleep.

How could a man who had already become emperor act so shamelessly? Qing Xia cursed the man above her loudly in her heart, angrily closing her eyes.

Seeing that Qing Xia no longer paid him any attention, the joy from his successful scheme gradually faded. Chu Li sat alone on the bed platform, feeling rather bored, his expression quite bewildered. He had thought she would be so angry that smoke would come out of her seven orifices, but instead she had avoided him entirely. It was like preparing for a long time to throw a heavy punch, only to have it land squarely on a ball of cotton – a complete sense of defeat. But at this moment, he couldn’t shamelessly follow her down to lie on the ground either. Chu Li felt stifled in his chest, his expression growing increasingly dark. Finally, he snorted angrily, turned to face away from Qing Xia, and lay down on the bed platform.

Shallow breathing sounds gradually came from nearby. Chu Li tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Finally, he carefully turned his head back to steal a glance at Qing Xia in the distance.

She seemed to have already fallen asleep, curled up in a small ball like a little cat.

The night wind grew stronger, howling like the roar of wild beasts. The heated platform remained warm, but the corner far from the brazier seemed quite cold. Qing Xia was covered by a small blanket, looking like a hairless puppy – very cold indeed. Chu Li’s heart suddenly felt a trace of regret. In this situation, was he supposed to call out to her? How could he save face?

“Hmph!” The man on the bed grunted, indicating he wasn’t asleep yet, waiting for the person below to respond. But after quite a while, Qing Xia seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep, not moving even slightly.

Chu Li grew anxious, rolling back and forth making various sounds endlessly.

Qing Xia was truly about to go mad. She felt her anger had already swept through her entire brain – if she didn’t vent it, she might be suffocated to death.

“I’m telling you, you’re mentally ill! If you can’t sleep, go run a couple laps outside and train that frail, delicate constitution of yours, otherwise when you go to battle in the future, you won’t even know how you died!” The young woman in the corner suddenly sat up, shouting loudly.

Chu Li had achieved his goal of getting attention, but he hadn’t expected Qing Xia to come out with such words. How could this be? Where had things gone wrong? According to past experience, shouldn’t women at times like this speak tenderly like water, saying something like “Your Majesty, you’re still awake?” Looking at Qing Xia’s contemptuous gaze, Chu Li’s anger flared up high as he said furiously: “My martial skills are meant for the battlefield, not for arguing with women like you. On the battlefield, I fight one against a hundred, invincible in all directions. How could a shallow woman like you understand my prowess!”

Qing Xia sighed helplessly, looking at the man with disbelief.

My God, was this still the same gloomy and ruthless Southern Chu Crown Prince from when they first met? How could his intelligence drop so much after becoming emperor?

Qing Xia’s silent gaze was even more infuriating than cutting words, making Chu Li’s head burn with rage. Just as he was about to lose his temper with her, he suddenly noticed a corner of the curtain being lifted by the strong wind. Cold air blew in through the tent entrance, and Qing Xia, lightly dressed and far from the brazier, couldn’t help but shiver.

This woman would rather freeze than stay by my side. Chu Li thought angrily, finally standing up irritably, throwing on his outer robe, and striding out with large steps.

Seeing him leave, Qing Xia was delighted. Happily hugging her pillow, she climbed up onto the heated platform.

The blanket was thick and soft, with thick fur beneath her body and a soft mattress – how comfortable it was!

Qing Xia smiled happily, burrowing her head into the blanket like a little cat.

Chu Li, that bastard, wants to fight with me!

Qing Xia cursed silently in her heart, yawned widely, and drowsily was about to fall asleep.

Just as she was about to drift off, suddenly the sounds of weapons and martial practice rang out from outside. Qing Xia was startled and pricked up her ears to listen, hearing what seemed like someone practicing martial arts in front of her tent.

When women become curious, it’s truly frightening. Qing Xia had never discovered she had such potential before. But she was indeed curious enough to jump down from the bed platform, run barefoot to the entrance, carefully lift a corner of the curtain, and peer outside.

Chu Li wore silver-white armor, his features handsome and upright, his sword-like eyebrows flying. Standing in front of Qing Xia’s tent, he held a twelve-foot red spear, wielding it with such skill that it seemed to generate wind and water, impenetrable to drops. Seeing that a corner of Qing Xia’s curtain had been lifted, he became even more spirited, deliberately showing off as he used all his skills, moving like lightning as if divinely assisted, while signaling to the group of black-clad guards nearby.

The several men who had been dragged from their beds by Chu Li in the middle of the night were bleary-eyed, some still yawning. But since the imperial command was absolute and could not be disobeyed, seeing Chu Li’s signal, they quickly raised their voices to shout praise.

“Your Majesty, that move was truly exceptional! Spinning left and right, rising high and dropping low, like a dragon moving through clouds. Even though this humble general has practiced spearwork for thirty years, I wouldn’t last even one exchange against Your Majesty!” Xu Quan, who had reached his current position through extraordinary means, was naturally no ordinary person. Seeing Chu Li’s signal, he immediately shouted loudly first.

Chu Li’s face showed great satisfaction. With a long whistle, he made his spear flowers as large as ladles, ethereal and unpredictable, beyond the comprehension of gods or ghosts.

Le Song was not to be outdone, shouting loudly: “Excellent! This move is even more wonderful. If mounted on horseback, it would strike directly at enemy helmets with one fatal blow – truly supernatural craftsmanship!”

The other guards now understood what was happening. Everyone strained their voices to shout loudly, with cheers and praise endless.

Chu Li had boasted about his spear skills and battlefield prowess, but unfortunately had no opportunity to prove it. After leaving the camp, the more he thought about it, the more dissatisfied he became. He actually ran to his subordinates’ tents, pulled them all here to watch him practice with the spear. Now seeing praise all around him, his heart blossomed with joy as he practiced with an open heart.

Qing Xia stood inside the tent, listening to the clamorous sounds outside, her brow furrowing tightly.

This idiot! She yanked the curtain closed, walked angrily to the corner, blew out the candle in one breath, jumped onto the bed platform, covered herself with the blanket, and began sleeping soundly, no longer paying attention to the sounds outside.

Chu Li was feeling quite pleased with himself when he suddenly saw Qing Xia’s tent go dark. He immediately deflated, feeling it was very boring. He stopped his movements, angrily threw his silver spear to the ground, and stalked furiously toward his central command tent.

“Eh? Your Majesty isn’t practicing anymore?” Le Song asked in confusion, only to receive a sinister glare from Chu Li as he turned back.

“Sigh!” Xu Quan sympathetically patted Le Song’s shoulder, showing sympathy for this colleague who didn’t know how to read expressions. He waved his hand to the others saying: “Everyone go back to sleep. Who knows what His Majesty will do tomorrow? Everyone go back and get enough rest.”

The camp instantly became quiet. In a moment, it was deserted, with only the bright moon still hanging silently in the sky.

Facts proved that Xu Quan, the personal black-clad guard commander, indeed had his exceptional qualities.

Early the next morning, ear-piercing alarm bells suddenly rang thunderously. Troops from all camps gathered at the martial training ground, thinking in their confusion that enemies had attacked through the main gate.

Chu Li could be seen in silver-white armor, holding a silver spear, mounted high on his warhorse in a heroic and handsome pose. The commanders of each camp looked bewildered at the wise and mighty Southern Chu Emperor, each one staring dumbfounded. The heads of each family were racking their brains trying to guess what deeper meaning Chu Li’s actions might have, completely puzzled.

Having slept too late the night before, Qing Xia was still catching up on sleep in her tent. Hearing the clamor outside, she got dressed and climbed up, lifted the curtain, poked her head out, and asked a black-clad guard on duty: “What’s happening outside? Why is it so noisy?”

“His Majesty is drilling the troops. He’s set up an arena at the Nanyuan martial training ground to test the martial skills of soldiers from each family,” the black-clad guard soldier quickly replied.

“What kind of tricks is he up to now?” Qing Xia frowned, grabbing a large fur coat and throwing it over her shoulders.