Chapter 7: The gigolo kept by the empress? - After I Left, I Became Their Obsession.

"Presently, Ningguo is indeed in complete disarray. The deceased were all high-ranking officials, and finding suitable replacements is no simple task. More troubling is the deep infiltration of spies within the city. Recently, many have taken advantage of the chaos to flee, believing Ningguo is doomed. It's a series of daunting challenges." Ning Yanxi’s tone was exceptionally calm as she spoke. Chen Li deliberately probed, "So, do you genuinely have confidence?" "Of course," Ning Yanxi replied firmly. "If we can repel Xiguo, then the other problems will no longer matter." Chen Li nodded thoughtfully, "Tomorrow, accompany me to the frontline." "Alright," Ning Yanxi agreed decisively. She had, in fact, planned to head to the front lines soon to personally oversee the battle. Although there were many unresolved issues within Ningguo, they would have to be set aside for now. ... In the depths of the palace, by a meticulously crafted pond. Ning Wanqing leaned against the railing, her exquisite features clouded with a lingering melancholy. With her slender fingers, she absentmindedly sprinkled fish food into the pond. Instantly, the pond's golden koi, worth a fortune, gathered and splashed, shattering the water's mirrored surface. Yet, Ning Wanqing's gaze remained vacant, her thoughts wandering far away; feeding the fish was merely an unconscious act. Behind her, a grayish donkey dozed with drooping head, its breathing light and steady. This donkey had been fetched from the inn by Chen Li’s orders, and upon seeing it, Ning Wanqing had volunteered to care for it. Strangely, the donkey, usually indifferent to Chen Li, behaved exceptionally docile around her. After a long while, Ning Wanqing seemed to return to her senses, her fingers out of fish food. She sighed softly, stood up, and gently stroked the donkey’s coarse mane. "It would be nice if we could go together," she whispered to the donkey. The grand palace gardens, though still adorned with intricately painted beams and carved pillars, felt empty and unsettling, with no one around to converse with, and even the rustle of the wind over the lotus leaves seemed particularly cold. She thought she had long grown accustomed to solitude, yet at this moment, a newfound loneliness enveloped her. ... Chen Li stood atop the imposing city walls, gazing out at the distant, barely visible Xiguo encampment, his mind awash with thoughts. The information he had gathered over the recent days quickly organized itself in his mind; Ningguo’s front line boasted an army of three hundred thousand, and they still had reserves. They could potentially hold out longer. However, the most critical weakness was the absence of high-level cultivators. An eighth-realm cultivator was an unquestionable stronghold in any great domain. Though three hundred thousand troops might seem formidable, most were mere first or second-realm martial artists, akin to wheat awaiting the scythe in the presence of an eighth-realm cultivator. Nevertheless, if an eighth-realm cultivator were to find themselves deep within the army, and the army possessed some secret techniques or formations, even they could suffer losses. The only silver lining was that Xiguo had yet to learn of Ning Jueye’s death. In recent days, Ning Yanxi even had someone impersonate Ning Jueye, making public appearances to maintain the facade. Chen Li’s thoughts drifted further. "In the past life, Ning Yanxi resolved this crisis through strategy. However, intellect only borrows momentum and sidesteps; it’s temporary and unremovable. Even if victorious, the cost would be exceedingly grave." "But, she is Ning Yanxi, so as long as there's a sliver of breathing room, she can swiftly develop and then rise." "What are you thinking about?" Ning Yanxi's voice came from behind him. She had changed out of her palace attire into a sleek, dark red outfit that accentuated her tall, energetic figure, her hair tied high, exuding a newfound vigor. "Thinking of a way to break the impasse," Chen Li did not turn around. Ning Yanxi stood beside him, shoulder to shoulder. "You mentioned you wished only to be a strategist and not to intervene directly. How then do you intend to assist?" "You’ll find out when the time comes," Chen Li replied with a subtle smile. He had a plan in mind but knew it wasn’t time to act yet. He needed to see how far Ning Yanxi could manage. Ning Yanxi nodded slightly, not surprised by his answer. After a brief silence, she suddenly spoke, "In truth, I am very grateful to you. Not because you saved us, but because you've brought more smiles to my sister's face." As the person who knows Ning Wanqing best in this world, even the slightest change in her sister never escaped Ning Yanxi’s notice. "She wants to come along," Chen Li mentioned. "I know," Ning Yanxi responded flatly. "Precisely because of that, I cannot let her be placed in danger." She offered no further explanation. To her, Ning Wanqing was the only person she could completely rely on in this world. The throne of Ningguo, even if she could offer it to Ning Wanqing, held no interest for her sister. Although Ning Wanqing was the elder sister, their childhood dynamic had always seen the strong-willed Ning Yanxi as the lead. Chen Li said no more. "Let’s go," Ning Yanxi refocused, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "Xiguo's next offensive is likely imminent, we should move on." ... In the ensuing days, the armies of Ningguo and Xiguo resumed their battles. Xiguo, with its fifty thousand troops, loomed menacingly, while Ningguo, with only thirty thousand, maneuvered with precision under Ning Yanxi's brilliant command, repeatedly besting the Xiguo forces. In battle after battle, Xiguo suffered heavy losses, their assaults thwarted, until they had no choice but to sound the retreat and regroup. Throughout, Chen Li remained an observer, staying by Ning Yanxi’s side without offering any counsel. During military discussions, he either leaned against a pillar with his eyes closed, daydreamed at the sand table, or occasionally dozed off, enjoying brief naps. The initial curiosity of the commanders evolved into a critical curiosity, leading to an undercurrent of doubt. Without Ning Yanxi’s influence, commanding officers might have felt compelled to question him. Rumors began to circulate quietly, like the dust on the battlefield—a mix of curiosity and speculation about the ambiguous relationship between Chen Li and Ning Yanxi. Ning Yanxi, aware of these whispers, found them utterly irrelevant. Piles of military reports crowded her desk—logistical movements, care for the wounded, fortification updates, intelligence from scouts... a tangle of urgent matters. Idle gossip, in her view, weighed lighter than a feather. Naturally, she wouldn’t tolerate anyone daring to provoke Chen Li foolishly. ... Late night, in the command tent. Candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows over Ning Yanxi’s furrowed brow as she wrote swiftly, the scratch of her pen across paper the only sound. Chen Li sat in a darker corner, holding an unknown piece of smooth wood and a small carving knife. Wood shavings rained down as a blurry figure slowly emerged beneath his fingers. Having seen the lifelike sculptures in Ning Wanqing’s room, he became intrigued himself. Each tended to their tasks, undisturbed, a serene silence filling the tent. After an indeterminate time, Ning Yanxi put down her pen, exhaling a long breath, massaging her temples wearily, fatigue evident in her eyes. "Aren’t you going to rest?" Chen Li’s voice broke the silence, though his carving continued uninterrupted. Ning Yanxi shook her head, a hint of weariness in her voice, "It’s not the time for rest yet." Chen Li paused his work and suddenly chuckled, "We have an unexpected guest."