Chapter Twenty-Five: The Army’s Morale Is Gone

Chu Nan was slightly taken aback, a sense of unease stirring within him. Although this "young lady" was consistently refined and elegant, she seemed different tonight, carrying an oppressive air that made him suspicious.

"Well, it is quite alright," Chu Nan replied briefly, stepping aside to let her in.

Cheng Lingyu walked into the shop with light steps, noting that the interior did not feel cold or desolate, but rather possessed a cozy atmosphere. She scanned her surroundings, her gaze drifting between the books and antiques.

"It must be tiring for you, Young Master Chu, to manage this shop all by yourself." She walked to the center of the shop and said in a low voice, "You have a discerning eye, and you run your business quite well." She smiled slightly, the expression filled with genuine appreciation.

Chu Nan was momentarily stunned, but he soon brushed it off with a faint smile. "You are too kind, My Lady. It is but a small business; I hardly possess any special discernment."

Cheng Lingyu lowered her head, unable to hide the distress in her heart. She sighed softly, and when she looked up, her eyes held a trace of helplessness. "Sigh," she murmured, "it is truly a headache."

Curious, Chu Nan narrowed his eyes as he studied her. "You seem to be troubled by something, My Lady. Would you be willing to share it with me?"

Cheng Lingyu looked up at him, a flicker of complex emotions passing through her eyes. She seemed hesitant, but eventually spoke slowly: "It is... my elder sister. She mentioned the arrival of an envoy from the imperial court."

Chu Nan’s brows lifted, and his heart skipped a beat. An envoy's visit was likely a matter of grave importance. His mind raced, eager to learn more.

"Your elder sister?" he asked, his tone laced with confusion. "That is..." He paused, suddenly realizing that the woman before him might not be an ordinary noble lady, but someone with deep ties to the imperial court.

Cheng Lingyu smiled slightly, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "My elder sister is... the current Empress Regnant."

Chu Nan was stunned, a tempest rising in his heart. The sister of the current Empress? He had not expected the woman before him to be someone of such significance. He was dazed for a moment before regaining his composure. "May I ask your name, honored lady?"

Cheng Lingyu lowered her gaze, her lips curling slightly. "My surname is Cheng, and my name is Biyu."

Chu Nan nodded inwardly, though his mind was filled with questions and curiosity. Cheng Lingyu's true identity sparked a cascade of implications.

"Is the envoy's visit related to state affairs?" Chu Nan finally asked, his tone revealing a trace of concern.

Cheng Lingyu frowned slightly. "Indeed. The purpose of this visit has not been made public, but it clearly carries an air of threat. Many high-ranking officials in our court are debating the matter, yet no one has proposed an effective strategy." She paused, a flash of exhaustion in her eyes. "I am also troubled by this, and no matter how I think it through, I cannot find a suitable solution."

Upon hearing her, Chu Nan immediately understood. The woman before him was a member of the royal family, and the dilemma she faced was a matter of national survival. Her current anxiety was clearly more than just a personal emotional outburst.

Cheng Lingyu’s eyes suddenly turned sharp. "Do you have a way to resolve this?"

Chu Nan smiled calmly, seemingly aware that she already had an intuition about him, though he did not rush to provide an answer. He feigned mystery and said, "Perhaps, I do have a way."

Cheng Lingyu felt a stir in her heart, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, though she remained rational. "Can you tell me what your solution is?"

Chu Nan smiled, a touch of cunning at the corner of his lips. "I have a solution, but it is not something I can disclose just yet. Tomorrow, at the training grounds of the Northern Grand Camp, I will be paying a visit there."

Cheng Lingyu was slightly startled, but realizing he might be guiding her to think in a certain way, she nodded. "Very well, I shall be there tomorrow."

With that, she took an object the size of a gemstone from her ear and handed it to Chu Nan. "Keep this for now," she said in a low voice, her tone carrying a hidden sentiment.

Chu Nan accepted the gem, puzzled but asking no further questions. "Thank you, My Lady." He accepted it respectfully and watched as she turned and left.

Early the next morning, the air in the capital was crisp. Chu Nan locked up his shop, donned a simple robe, and set out for the Northern Grand Camp.

As he entered the camp, he felt an intense sense of pressure. The sound of horse hooves and the shouts of soldiers wove through the air, and a heavy atmosphere bore down on him. Chu Nan walked slowly toward the gate, a thought stirring in his mind—in this land of blood and iron, his own identity seemed remarkably insignificant.

However, as he reached the entrance to the training grounds, he was stopped by a captain in armor. "Halt! Who goes there? This is a restricted military zone, no unauthorized entry!"

The captain’s tone was stern, his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s. Chu Nan smiled calmly and cupped his hands. "I am here to see the General of the Northern Grand Camp. I am Chu Nan."

The captain frowned slightly, clearly skeptical of Chu Nan’s status. He pondered for a moment before finally speaking. "Chu Nan? I have heard your name. The General did indeed mention you, but before you proceed, we must verify your identity."

Chu Nan did not argue; he simply stood quietly to the side, having anticipated this. He was not impatient; if the other party wanted him to wait, he would wait.

"Stay here," the captain commanded, waving a hand to indicate that Chu Nan should remain aside, before turning to walk into the camp.

Chu Nan scanned his surroundings. The soldiers in the camp were moving with mechanical order, and horses galloped past from time to time, kicking up clouds of dust.

A while later, the sound of hooves echoed from outside the gate. Soon after, a soldier walked briskly into the training grounds, followed by several officers and captains.

When Chu Nan saw one of them, his eyes lit up. It was Shangguan Ya’er. She leaped gracefully from her horse, scanned the area, then smiled slightly as she looked at Chu Nan. "Young Master Chu, sorry to have kept you waiting."

Chu Nan felt a surge of realization. "It really is her," he thought. Although Cheng Lingyu hadn't explicitly stated who would come, Shangguan Ya’er’s arrival provided an unspoken confirmation for the entire situation. The hints in Cheng Lingyu’s words from the previous night had finally seen substantial progress today.

"Miss Shangguan, why are you here?" Chu Nan feigned surprise, though his eyes held a faint smile.

Shangguan Ya’er smiled, a spark of intelligence in her eyes. "The Second Princess said that I should come to escort you inside."

Chu Nan followed Shangguan Ya’er through the Northern Grand Camp’s training grounds, the sights around him leaving him shocked. The military camp, which should have been imposing and disciplined, was in a state of utter slackness. Soldiers were either leaning against walls or napping at will, with almost no signs of combat readiness. The air was filled with a sense of lethargy, a stark contrast to the military atmosphere he had envisioned.