847 Impatience (2/2)
A disgusted look appeared on the Second Consort's face. ”Cremation it is. I myself will also be cremated after I die.”
”A very good choice.”
The Second Consort stroked the new coffin. ”I want to talk about the Naihang Tribe with you, Dragon King.”
”I was thinking the same thing.” Although Gu Shenwei had said this, he was not interested in it at all. He just hoped that this conversation would end as soon as possible.
”I believe that the Dragon King and… the new Khan are still interested in the 100,000 soldiers of the Naihang Tribe.” The Second Consort didn't notice the Dragon King's subtle expressions. She had been starting at the coffin this whole time, as if it was so beautiful that she couldn't move her hands away from it.
”That's true.”
”I also believe that you two are just like me – all three of us dislike Zhesu and Duo Ercha.”
”There's no 'like' or 'dislike'. They're just obstacles.”
”If I can eliminate these two obstacles, then what can I get?”
This was indeed the Second Consort's straightforward style – treating conspiracies as normal transactions.
”You'll get your revenge.” Although Gu Shenwei didn't want to waste any time here, he still waited for her to make her requests.
”That won't be enough. Revenge provides only temporary closure, while 100,000 cavalrymen can be the foundation on which supremacy which may last generations.” The Second Consort smiled. She raised her head and moved her fingers away from the coffin. ”You see, I also know some words. Let me be honest with you. Duodun's dead, and the new Khan has succeeded the throne. I'm just a woman who no longer has anybody left to rely on. Sooner or later, I'll be deprived of my title of Second Consort. I need a guarantee that I'll still have powers, so that I won't be bullied by others.”
”Shulitu is willing to marry you.”
”Ha-ha, I was tricking you at that time. I won't remarry for the rest of my life. This is my bottom line.”
”Then things may be difficult.”
”Nothing is difficult to a man who has the will. Besides, you're a smart man, Dragon King. Please think about it. It would be best if you could give me a response today. And then I'll find a way to get us two heads.”
Gu Shenwei had no choice but to return to Shulitu's tent.
”All of the troops have acknowledged me as their Khan, but the Naihang Tribe hasn't yet. Can't we use this as our excuse to kill Zhesu and Duo Ercha? Do we really need the Second Consort's help?” Shulitu immediately raised some concerns.
”We can do that. But if we do it, then there will probably be another war. Not only will we not get the 100,000 soldiers, but we will also be sending them to our enemies. The cost is just too heavy. The Second Consort's a member of the Naihang Tribe and there's resentment between her and Duo Ercha, which will make for a much more plausible explanation afterwards.”
Shulitu nodded, ”I don't quite trust the Second Consort. You didn't see her holding Duodun's head. It seemed as if… as if she would take revenge whatever the cost might be.”
”Just keep an eye on her. She's not the biggest threat that we're facing.”
”Does the Second Consort want to be a tribe leader? There's never been a female tribe leader in the history of the Norland…”
”Go talk to The Second Consort yourself.”
”Me? Talk to her?” Shulitu was startled.
”Mm. You're the Khan, so you have to act like one. Prove to The Second Consort that you're not a puppet.”
Shulitu felt his cheeks burning – he himself wasn't even sure that he was not a puppet. ”I… I'll try.”
”You'll succeed.” Gu Shenwei gave Shulitu two slaps on the shoulder, turned around, and left, having shifted a heavy responsibility to this twelve-year-old child.
He walked towards his tent.
He had made up his mind that nobody would be able to stop him except for the Unique King himself.
The Guards were on duty outside the tent. Nie Zeng and Tie Linglong were practicing their sabersmanship. Han Fen and a group of soldiers were also watching and chatting to the side. Gu Shenwei glanced at the crowd and signaled the officer on duty to not let anybody in.
”What took you so long?” Shangguan Ru asked gently. The tent was heavily covered up and it was very dark inside even during the daytime.
Gu Shenwei quickly walked over and unfastened his Five Peaks Saber like a virgin about to have sex for the first time. ”Something held me up.”
”What was it? Was it very important?”
”Nothing important.”
Gu Shenwei gently put his arms around that figure. Then with a greater force, he squeezed her up against his body.
She also reacted to his movements, her hands on his back, and her breath like the fragrance of flowers at some day in May's dusk.
Gu Shenwei actually felt like his body was merging with hers.