Gu Moran's voice came through. "Who's up there?"
Zhen Meili closed her eyes.
I thought to myself, "That's it."
She gritted her teeth and forced herself to speak, "Your Highness, it's me."
Gu Moran remained silent for two breaths.
"Get down."
Zhen Meili lay prone on the beam, too afraid to move.
"Your Highness, it's not convenient for me to go down right now..."
Gu Moran sneered, "Inconvenient? Why didn't you find it inconvenient when you went up?"
Zhen Meili wanted to cry.
She moved her body, using both her hands and feet to inch her way toward the beam.
Halfway through moving it, my right hand slipped.
He fell off the beam.
She screamed and closed her eyes, waiting to land.
But it was held up by a surge of energy.
It landed steadily on the ground.
She opened her eyes and saw Gu Moran standing in front of the inner tent curtain.
His outer robe was worn neatly.
The belt was just tied a little crookedly.
Zhen Meili lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
Gu Moran stared at her. "How long have you been up there?"
Zhen Meili swallowed hard. "It hasn't been long..."
She quickly added, "I didn't see anything! Really! I just went up to measure the thickness of the beam, thinking that to improve the catapult, I needed to calculate the load-bearing capacity first..."
Gu Moran her hand to interrupt her.
"Alright."
He paused, then said, "What happened tonight, keep it to yourself."
Zhen Meili nodded hurriedly. "I understand! I'm very tight-lipped, I promise I won't say a word!"
Gu Moran stared at her for two breaths.
He turned and went back to the inner tent.
Zhen Meili heard Kim Seon-a's soft voice asking a question coming from inside the tent.
She dared not linger.
He turned and rushed out of the main tent.
He threw back the tent flap and ran out, covering the distance to his own outpost in one breath.
After entering the tent, she leaned against the door, clutching her chest and panting.
My heart was pounding like a drum.
She took a while to calm down before walking over and sitting down on the couch.
The scene I just saw is still replaying in my mind.
My face was burning hot.
She raised her hand and patted her face.
" Zhen Meili, you're really something."
"I really need to get rid of this habit of climbing on the roof beams."
In the outpost.
Qingwu returned to report.
Kneeling on the ground, he lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, Yun Shuyue has already gone to the main tent."
Gu Moli sat on the couch, holding a teacup in her hand.
"Then what?"
Qingwu hesitated for a moment. "She... she took the candied fruit and ran away. Looks like she didn't run into anything."
Gu Moli's hand tightened.
She squeezed the teacup until it cracked.
"Didn't you run into them?"
Qingwu lowered her head. "Yes. I was guarding outside when I heard the prince ask, 'Who's outside?' and then Yun Shuyue ran away."
Gu Moli placed the teacup on the table.
The cracks extended down the cup wall, and tea seeped out with a hissing sound.
She stared at the crack, a cold smile playing on her lips.
"It seems my elder brother is quite vigilant."
Qingwu didn't dare to reply.
Gu Moli stood up and walked to the window.
I lifted the curtain and looked outside.
The night was so dark it seemed impossible to see through.
The candlelight in the main tent was still burning in the distance.
She stared at the light, her fingertips digging into the window frame.
"Since this trick isn't working, let's try another one."
She turned to Qingwu: "Go and find out the name of the maidservant next to Kim Seon-a."
Qingwu replied, "She's from Goryeo, Park Roejang's younger sister, her name is Park-ssi Chunhyang."
Gu Moli nodded. "Very good. Tomorrow, you go and approach her, saying that I would like to invite Princess Kim Seon-a over to sit down and discuss some matters concerning the women."
Qingwu hesitated, "Your Highness, if the Prince asks..."
Gu Moli interrupted her, "He won't ask."
She paused, then said, "My brother is currently focused on suppressing the Japanese pirates; he has no time for such matters. Besides, I invited her over for a chat; it's not like I'm doing anything shameful."
Qingwu should descend.
Gu Moli waved for her to leave.
A person stood by the window, staring in the direction of the main tent.
My fingertips tapped lightly on the window frame.
It produced a dull thud.
She was already planning the next steps in her mind.
Since we can't find out by chance, let's start with the people around Kim Seon-a.
Maids from Goryeo would surely be extremely loyal.
But the more loyal a person is, the easier it is for them to be taken advantage of.
As long as you show even the slightest hint of dislike for Kim Seon-a, who is of a different race, in front of her.
Let me also reveal a little bit of the false information that my elder brother "is most fond of changing his affections, falling in love with every woman he sees."
The maid will surely go back and embellish the story.
When Kim Seon-a becomes suspicious, a rift will naturally develop between them.
The more Gu Moli thought about it, the more prudent this plan seemed.
The smile on his lips deepened.
She lowered the curtain, turned around, and lay down on the couch.
Even with my eyes closed, my mind is still racing.
Inside the main tent.
Gu Moran sat on the edge of the couch.
Kim Seon-a leaned against him, her face still flushed.
She asked in a low voice, "Won't that Mohist School girl... tell people?"
Gu Moran continued working, "No."
Kim Seon-a looked up at him. "How did you know?"
Gu Moran looked down at her, a smile playing on his lips, "Because although she acts rashly, she listens to me very well."
"Don't be afraid, all the women here are your sisters."
Kim Seon-a paused for a moment.
Mistaking Gu Moran's intention to give her a formal title, her face flushed even more.
She bit her lower lip and remained silent.
Gu Moran helped her tie her hair up.
He then pulled his outer robe over her and draped it over her shoulders.
"You should go back and rest. You have things to do tomorrow morning."
Kim Seon-a held onto his sleeve, but didn't move.
"I... I don't want to leave."
Her voice was soft, with a hint of coquetry.
Gu Moran raised an eyebrow. "Not leaving? So you're planning to stay here overnight?"
Kim Seon-a bit her lower lip and nodded.
Gu Moran laughed, "Aren't you afraid the whole camp will know tomorrow?"
Kim Seon-a looked up at him, her eyes full of stubbornness. "I'm not afraid."
Gu Moran stared at her for two breaths.
"Fine, if you're not afraid, then I'm not afraid either."
He got up, went to the outer tent, and blew out the candle.
He returned to the inner tent and lay down beside her.
Kim Seon-a moved closer and buried her face in his chest.
Her fingers gripped his shirt collar tightly.
Gu Moran put his arm around her and gently patted her back.
"Go to sleep."
Kim Seon-a closed her eyes.
A soft "hmm" escaped from his throat.
His breathing quickly calmed down.
Gu Moran closed her eyes with satisfaction.
Just then, the system suddenly lit up.
[Congratulations, host! Your favorability rating with all your beauties has reached 80, earning you a milestone reward.]
[Reward: Location of all Wa army camps and granaries.]
In an instant, a complete map appeared before Gu Moran's eyes.
Where are the various armies stationed, and where are the grain depots located in different regions?
He was completely stunned.
System, oh system, you've made this so thoughtful. Looks like you hate Wa too, right?
Why not just equip me with some intercontinental ballistic missiles?
[Ding, additional system reward.]
[Complete blueprints for the three-barreled gun:]
It contains detailed diagrams of gun barrel forging and wooden handle assembly, and includes instructions for making a complete set of gunpowder, lead bullets, and matchlock.
Usage: The barrel is loaded with black powder as propellant, lead pellets are inserted, the fuse is used to ignite the powder, and three shots are fired in succession. Once the ammunition is exhausted, it can be used as an iron-boned club for close combat.
[Because I haven't been feeling well lately, and I almost fainted on the street the day before yesterday, I'm temporarily unable to update at midnight. I apologize, chapters will be released intermittently.]
But unless there are special circumstances, there will definitely be no break in updates.
Hope you all don't mind, love you all~!