Chapter 69: Dear Son-in-Law, It's Cold on the Grasslands, Why Not Add Another Coat? - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 69: Dear Son-in-Law, It's Cold on the Grasslands, Why Not Add Another Coat? Upon hearing that the Xiongnu King was rushing to make a dragon robe, you couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt. What could this mean? The Xiongnu King, after all, had no tradition of wearing dragon robes. So who exactly was this dragon robe being made for? You were engulfed in puzzlement, even feeling a hint of danger looming over your stay in this heartland of the Xiongnu. Aina, seemingly unfazed by the situation, instructed the soldiers to lead you to a pre-prepared tent. Due to their nomadic lifestyle, the Xiongnu all resided in these easily dismantled tents. Once inside, Aina gave you a brief nod before swiftly exiting the tent, leaving you alone. Her destination remained unknown. With Aina gone, Yu Luonang made her appearance along with the Five Ghosts inside the tent. Urgently slipping into your embrace to find a comfortable posture, Yu Luonang turned her gaze towards the Five Ghosts—Black, White, Green, Red, and Purple. "The five of you, scout the area for any valuable information. And check out the king’s tent; find out why these Xiongnu are busy making a dragon robe!" "Yes!" Upon receiving the command, the Five Ghosts immediately dispersed to carry out their reconnaissance. As the Five Ghosts departed, Yu Luonang glanced disdainfully at the spartan tent environment. "My dear, these Xiongnu dwellings are too crude, not appealing at all. The floors are just dirt tamped down. It's like a place fit for beggars." Hearing Yu Luonang's dissatisfaction, you gently ruffled her hair. "It’s fine. As long as we have a place to stay, that’s all that matters. We are new here; we can't demand too much." Yu Luonang flashed a sly smile, wrapping her arms around your neck and leaning close to whisper in your ear. "In that case, my dear, if you become the Khan of the Xiongnu, could you build a grand palace for your lady here on the grasslands?" Hearing this, you remained silent. Building a palace here seemed far too extravagant, requiring an immense amount of resources. Not receiving a response, Yu Luonang playfully pouted. "Pretty please...my dear..." Batting her eyelashes with a sweet, slightly syrupy voice, she gazed up at you, her eyes full of a spring-like allure that started to wear down your resolve. "You're such a tease, always asking for so much!" Sensing your resolve starting to waver, Yu Luonang snuggled closer, breathing softly. "Just knew my dear cares for me the most..." Faced with such intoxicating charm, you felt a headache coming on. No wonder stories tell of charming consorts and muddle-headed kings—who could resist such beauty so fully steeped in enchantment? Eventually, you could only give in momentarily. "Very well, but we’ll have to wait until I actually become the Khan..." "Deal!" Yu Luonang rejoiced, planting a swift kiss on your cheek. Yet, before long, the tender moments were interrupted as the Five Ghosts hurriedly returned to the tent in disarray. Annoyed at the disruption, Yu Luonang voiced her displeasure. “What’s going on? So rash!” The Five Ghosts, realizing their blunder, hovered quietly on the side, not daring to breathe. You, however, noticed their forms seemed to fuzz slightly, as though gravely injured. Grasping Yu Luonang’s hand, you spoke, “Yu-nang, no need to fret. What happened to you all?” The Black Ghost, foremost among them, quickly recounted the events. "Masters, while gathering intelligence earlier, as we got close to the king's tent, a light enveloped us. It was a close call—had we not struggled free, that light would’ve captured us." Recalling a book, "Record of Strange Beings" you once read in the royal library, you remembered a mysterious Xiongnu profession—Shamans, who communicate with ancestral spirits and heal the Xiongnu sick. They relied on spirits contracted from a young age, borrowing abilities from these spirits. Could it be the Five Ghosts encountered a Xiongnu shaman? Contemplating, you said to Yu Luonang, “Yu-nang, doesn’t your pouch, which holds many items, have my writing tools?” “Right away, my dear.” Yu Luonang swiftly fetched your writing implements. After pondering, you wrote five characters for "Retreat," imbuing them with your power. These would repel the spirits akin to dealing with demons and ghosts. Given to the Five Ghosts, they could disperse the spirits’ strength. Inspired, Yu Luonang suggested, “My dear, I’m skilled in paper arts. How about I make some paper armor using your calligraphy for the Five Ghosts?" Recalling an innkeeper at a previous stop, you realized the paper figures must have been her doing. "Alright, I'll leave it to you, Yu-nang." Casting her spell, Yu Luonang transformed the characters into five pieces of paper armor emblazoned with "Retreat.” Magical in essence, they fit the colossal Black Ghost to the diminutive Red and Purple Ghosts perfectly. Wearing the armor, the Five Ghosts braced with renewed confidence. "Masters, we will surely return with the intelligence this time!" "Go on!" Upon instruction, the Five Ghosts vanished from sight. After roughly half an hour, they returned gleefully. "Masters, your writing truly is potent. When we returned, the light tried to ensnare us again but was dispelled by your characters, never daring to reappear." "In the king's tent, we discovered the purpose for the Xiongnu Khan's dragon robe: they intend to support you to take the throne, restoring the Su royal family’s control over the Great Zhou!" Hearing the Xiongnu Khan's intentions, a spark ignited within you. With Xiongnu backing, reclaiming the throne seemed plausible. Success would mean making Empress Xiao a fitting queen. Caught in rising excitement, your heart brimmed with anticipation. Sensing this, Yu Luonang squeezed your hand reassuringly. "My dear, if that's the case, we must rethink our strategy." “Indeed.” Despite it all, you maintained your composure. “We must be wary about what conditions the Xiongnu might impose that we can’t agree to.” Yu Luonang disagreed. “My dear, focus solely on restoration first. Once accomplished, we won’t lack means to deal with these barbarians.” With Yu Luonang’s confidence buoying you, you nodded in agreement. After concluding your discussion, the Red Ghost spoke up. “Master, earlier I saw Princess Aina instructed by the Xiongnu Khan to secure you tonight. She’s on her way here now; should we evade?” Surprised by this, you considered the Xiongnu Khan’s eagerness, already arranging for Aina. Yu Luonang chuckled mischievously. “My dear, your lucky day is here, so I’ll take my leave.” Turning into a jade spider, Yu Luonang retreated into your headdress, while the Five Ghosts flew out to guard above the tent. Witnessing this, you couldn't help but smile wryly. That little enchantress! Before long, Aina returned to the tent, her usual forthright demeanor softened with unexpected shyness, a rosy blush adorning her cheeks. Her father's words echoed in her ears. "Aina, if this succeeds, you’ll become the empress of the Great Zhou, and my grandchild will inherit its rightful throne!" Though not ambitious, if her future child could ascend to the Great Zhou throne, she was willing to take any risk. This drive was solely a woman's instinctive yearning. With a son, a woman's life is considered complete, and planning a future for her child is a responsibility to her own life. Driven by this thought, Aina approached you with the determined expression of a martyr. You found yourself unexpectedly overpowered. Aina, with the ferocity of a wild beast, devoured you entirely... Witnessing such a fiercely wild display, Su Mo couldn't help but marvel at the raw, untamed nature of Xiongnu women. It was his first experience being overtaken in such a manner. Even bewitching entities like Yu Luonang, Bai Suzhen, and Xiaoqing had never been so uninhibited. ... The battle raged on into the night, leaving you with an ache in your waist... Only with some revitalizing energy channeled from Yu Luonang did you find relief. At dawn, the Xiongnu Khan dispatched a messenger to summon you and Princess Aina to the royal tent. Aina, evidently savoring this new experience, kept you for two more meals before allowing you to get dressed. You walked to the royal tent on unsteady legs. There you found the tent surrounded by Xiongnu, each warrior appearing exceptionally bold and fierce. Their scrutinizing eyes bore into you, seemingly evaluating what kind of person you were, or perhaps judging your courage. Having been accustomed to grand occasions since childhood, you met their gaze with ease. Internally, they silently assessed you too. Upon entering the tent, you finally beheld the legendary Xiongnu Khan. Contrary to expectations, the Xiongnu Khan was not a towering figure. His frame was thin and small, with dark skin, yet he exuded an undeniable aura of strength. Immediately upon seeing you, the Xiongnu Khan ordered for a bright yellow dragon robe to be brought forth. The robe glimmered with gold thread, radiant in its splendor. Then, the Xiongnu Khan stood, personally holding the dragon robe towards you. "My dear son-in-law, it's cold on the grasslands, why not add another coat." (End of Chapter)