69 The Great Kitchen Conference 2 (1/2)
”Why didn't you just come in and take a seat on the kitchen table? Gives you a better chance to hear everything,” An Ning's words dripped with sarcasm.
The emperor laughed a hollow laugh and with the help of Kang Jun stood up. The people behind him were also quick on their feet. They were smoothing their clothing as casually as if nothing had happened and waited for the emperor to say something.
Made the impromptu spokesperson of the eavesdropping lot, Gu Sheng was put in a tight spot. Staying meant acknowledging that yes, he was listening in on a private conversation that had nothing to do with him and everything to do with his stepmother's business. While retreating meant that he couldn't hear anything anymore, which he didn't want to do because he was actually very interested in the relationship between his general and An Ning.He knew the two of them hadn't even met before but she called him Du Lu and the general was equally casually familiar when he called her An Ning. What the heck was going on?
The emperor opened his mouth to offer an explanation but his hungry belly suddenly emitted a growl. The growl was so loud, the emperor flushed when he met An Ning's amused eyes. An Ning wanted to laugh but she was still annoyed so stopped herself. Even so, she also saw the comedic part of it and finally relented with a sigh.
”You'd better come in then. Yi Ying, start dinner, will you? Everybody's hungry.”
The kitchen table was a long wooden one that could fit about twenty people. With the ten of them taking their seats around it, dinner that night actually became quite a cozy affair.
An Ning and Du Lu, who took the seat farthest from the group, continued with their conversation while speaking in low voices. Of course, everybody was trying to eavesdrop in on them but were glared at by Gu Sheng, who nonetheless inched closer to An Ning in the pretext of filling her bowl with meat.An Ning threw him an exasperated look but didn't say anything.
”So, where's Richard?” Du Lu said, also ignoring the emperor.
”Don't know. Don't care.” An Ning said, spearing the meat on her bowl with her chopsticks.
”If what you say is true, then he's going to come after you.”
An Ning looked at him and laughed.
”That's why we're here, Du Lu,” An Ning pointed out. ”Your friend is nothing but vicious.”
”So what are we going to do?”
”We?” There was a mocking yet gentle smile on An Ning's lips.
”I assume it's going to be us since we're here together,” Du Lu pointed out wryly.
”Who's this Richard again?” Gu Sheng suddenly butted in, an innocent look of inquiry in his eyes.
”None of your business,” An Ning said succinctly.
”Oh, come on,” the emperor protested. ”If this Richard is an enemy, I have every right to know, An Ning.”
”Why?”
”What do you mean why? How else can I protect you?”
An Ning lifted a disbelieving eyebrow.
”I don't need protection.”
”You actually do, you know,” Du Lu suddenly cut in.
An Ning eyed him with annoyance.
”Nonsense.”
”Think of it. We're going to need people, like spies, surveillance, platoon guards. You can't do it alone.”
”Did you forget? I took out the entire nobility and won. What are you talking about?” An Ning suddenly frowned. ”By the way, what the hell are you doing here, Du Lu? And by 'here' I mean here,the palace. I thought you never leave the barracks.”
Du Lu laughed.
”Somebody told me about a girl using a monster vehicle to blow off a rich man's house of course I'll be very interested. Where did you get the tank?”
”None of your business,” An Ning repeated with a smile.
Du Lu studied her with a frown on his face. His next words were uttered in a serious tone utterly foreign to the acerbic Du Lu An Ning have come to know.
”Can you at least give me your trust to keep you safe while we're fighting this thing, whatever it is? You are not alone in this, you know. I'm on your side, An Ning, I hope you know that.”
An Ning was silent then an ironic smile split her face.
”You are a friend of Richard's. Of course it's natural to be cautious.”
Du Lu's handsome face hardened, his cold eyes boring into An Ning's.
Watching them, Gu Sheng suddenly felt uneasy. He waited, unsure how these two powerful people would settle their differences.
”Why?” An Ning asked after a while.
Du Lu frowned.
”What do you mean why?”
”You said something about needing troops. We don't even know where Richard is.”
Du Lu acknowledged the change of topic with a grunt.
”But we both know he's moving to find us, rather you. It didn't take me long to hear about you and that trick you pulled with that tank. It wouldn't surprise me if Richard had ears all over this place. It wouldn't be long before he hears about it, too.”
”But why does this Richard want to find you? Who is he, An Ning?” Gu Sheng again inserted himself in the conversation. The worried expression on his face stopped An Ning from shutting him down. She looked at him, her eyes soft and gentle. Du Lu saw her expression and frowned.
”Someone that I used to know,” she said.
”In your previous life?” Gu Sheng said in a whisper, careful not to be heard by the others.
”Uhm.”
”You told him?” Du Lu was surprised.
”I married his father. Of course, he knows.”
”But...”
”General Chen, can you mobilize our army to help An Ning? If this Richard finds out where she is, then it is safe to assume he'll invade the kingdom to get her, no?”
”In a heartbeat,” Du Lu answered.
”He wants you that much?” Gu Sheng was surprised.
”He hates me that much,” An Ning corrected.
Gu Sheng frowned but An Ning turned to Du Lu before he could say anything.
”Send out a scout,” she ordered. ”We'll find him before he finds us.”
”And then?”
”And then I'll kill him,” An Ning said matter-of-factly.
The dryness of her tone sent shivers down Gu Sheng's spine. Du Lu studied her for a moment then nodded.
”Sei Sei,” he called out.