Chapter 323 - 104: Sitting Quietly

Chapter 323: Chapter 104: Sitting Quietly

"Your Uncle Zhong has had a rough time of it lately."

Xie Yanlai declined Chu Zhao’s invitation to talk inside the tent and sat right down on the ground.

"King Western Liang is fighting like a madman, and not all of the Five Road Generals of the Border Army are so obedient. They all have their own agendas."

He glanced at Chu Zhao, a half-smile on his face.

"This Uncle Zhong of yours... he’s still a far cry from your father."

Chu Zhao sat down beside him and nodded. "I know. Uncle Zhong was my father’s Deputy General, after all. His status can’t compare to my father’s, and he took over in a hurry. But give him some time, and his talent will be no less than my father’s."

’In her past life, Uncle Zhong had also taken over in a hurry. He was not only able to defeat Western Liang but also fight a war against the Xie family.’

’Of course, there was also Xiao Xun, who supported Uncle Zhong in the Empress’s name.’

’But that support wasn’t meant to solidify Uncle Zhong’s position. It was meant to wear him down, to use him as a blade to cut down all in his path. The Dragon Power Army, the Border Army her father had left behind—they were all divided and taken away. In the end, Uncle Zhong was surrounded by enemies and died amidst the chaos of battle.’

Seeing the girl’s eyelids lower, Xie Yanlai thought for a moment. ’Forget it. I won’t say anything too harsh.’ But just as the thought crossed his mind, he saw Chu Zhao look up and grin at him.

"Besides, didn’t I specifically leave you here to help him?" she said with a cheeky grin.

Xie Yanlai scoffed. "The Xie family’s name is both a blessing and a curse. You don’t have to be so happy."

As a son of the Xie family stationed with the Border Army, many people curried favor with him to give the Xie family face, but that same name also made many people jealous, just waiting for a chance to take a bite out of him.

Chu Zhao smiled again. "I’m using *you*, the person. I’m not afraid of the other stuff."

Xie Yanlai said coldly, "So you think that with a ’good Samaritan’ like me protecting your Uncle Zhong, you can go off and die with your enemy without a care in the world?"

Chu Zhao laughed. "I was clearly being brave and fearless. The way you say it, it sounds like I was looking for death."

"What was it if not looking for death?" Xie Yanlai said. "Do you dare say you weren’t? Did you survive because you were brave? You only survived because the King of Zhongshan is afraid of death. What if he wasn’t?"

He let out a cold laugh.

"If it were me, and you came alone to threaten me, I wouldn’t care what happened later. I’d kill you first and deal with the consequences."

Chu Zhao let out a laugh. "You wanted to kill me even when I wasn’t threatening you."

Xie Yanlai said irritably, "Are you going to bring up what happened by the river for the rest of your life? You bring it up at the drop of a hat. Is this even the same thing?"

Chu Zhao shook her head, then said, "The King of Zhongshan isn’t you."

She looked into the distance, smiling as she rested her hands on her knees.

"Ah Jiu, there aren’t many people in this world like us, who aren’t afraid of death. They have too much, too many attachments. We’re different. We have nothing. All we have is our reckless courage. We have nothing to fear. If we die, we die."

"And don’t blame me for thinking this way. For people like us, if we were afraid of death, we wouldn’t be able to survive at all."

Xie Yanlai scoffed. "Don’t keep saying ’us.’ You are you, and I am me. We’re not the same." With that, he lay back on the ground, face up.

Unnoticed, the spring grass had already carpeted the ground, a stretch of vibrant green.

"Besides, it’s not like I rushed in headfirst, determined to die," Chu Zhao said, ticking off points on her fingers. "I had Xiao Man and the others, their identities hidden and unknown to anyone. And I brought two contingents of troops with me. I’m actually very capable."

Xie Yanlai grunted but didn’t say anything.

Chu Zhao propped her head on her hand, looked ahead, and lowered her voice. "But, I have to admit, I’m a little surprised it actually worked."

’After all, in that life, even though the King of Zhongshan died early, Xiao Xun and the Xie family fought for ten years—’

’Does this count as her nipping a decade of war in the bud?’

’Of course, things aren’t over yet. The King of Zhongshan’s retreat is only temporary. Although I confiscated one hundred thousand of his troops, he still has another hundred thousand.’

’Still, I’ve managed to knock the wind out of the King of Zhongshan’s sails and keep Xiao Xun trapped in the Capital City. I really did a good job on this one!’

"I think I’m pretty amazing."

The Xie Yanlai beside her didn’t even grunt.

"How come you go quiet whenever I mention how amazing I am?" Chu Zhao huffed, turning her head. She saw the young man beside her, head pillowed on his arm, eyes tightly shut—

She was startled.

"Xie—" she started to cry out, but clamped a hand over her mouth the next moment. She watched the young man’s chest rise and fall slowly, his long eyelashes fluttering slightly.

’He’s asleep.’

’He actually fell asleep.’

Chu Zhao lowered her hand, looking at the sleeping young man.

Earlier, she had asked him why he’d come. He said it was because things had settled down, relieving the pressure on the Border Army, and also because Uncle Zhong had urged him to. She had asked when he arrived, and he’d said he had just gotten here.

It hadn’t been long since things had settled. He must have ridden day and night without stopping.

He had said earlier that Uncle Zhong had a rough time.

Uncle Zhong had it rough, but did he have it any easier?

Uncle Zhong had been with the Border Army for decades. The only difficult part for him was giving orders from the main general’s seat. In truth, he had the men he needed and knew what needed to be done.

But what about Xie Yanlai? He was young. Even if he was a son of the Xie family, on the battlefield, blades and spears have no eyes. Who would care which family you came from?

Once on the battlefield, he was just himself.

He had to rely on himself for everything.

Chu Zhao scooted closer to him, studying his face. At first glance, it was still a handsome face, but a closer look revealed it had become rough. There even seemed to be a scratch near his temple—

’What about his body?’

Chu Zhao craned her neck to look at his, reaching out to gently lift the lapel of his robe—

Ah Le tiptoed over. Seeing this, she stopped in her tracks, blinked her eyes, and whispered, "Miss, what are you doing?"

’If he had any wounds, they would have been bandaged long ago. What am I looking for?’ Chu Zhao sat up straight, embarrassed, and said, "It’s nothing. I was just looking."

"I’ll help you," Ah Le said. "He’s not wearing armor, so his clothes should be easy to undo."

Chu Zhao held back a laugh and waved her hand. "Don’t mess around, he’s asleep." She thought for a moment, then added, "Bring a cloak. I’ll cover him with it."

Even though the weather was warmer now, sleeping out in the open could still give you a chill.

...

...

When Xie Yanlai slowly opened his eyes, he saw a sky full of stars.

He was dazed for only a second, but in that same instant, his hand was already grabbing for his side as he tensed his body, ready to spring up.

His hand found no weapon, but another hand pressed down on him.

"Don’t be afraid. This is Zhongshan County," a soft female voice said.

Xie Yanlai’s mind cleared instantly, but he sat up anyway. He saw scattered campfires, the city sprawling before him, and heard the familiar din of a military camp carried on the wind.

’I fell asleep?’

’When did I fall asleep?’

’And I slept for so long.’

He looked down and saw a thick, soft, red cloak slide from his chest. Looking up, he saw the girl sitting cross-legged beside him, grinning at him.

"Chu Zhao," Xie Yanlai said, his eyebrows shooting up. "You just let me sleep out here in the open?"

Chu Zhao spread her hands helplessly. "Well, there was nothing I could do. I’m not strong enough to carry you into the tent."

Xie Yanlai stared. ’Was that what I meant?’

"Stop with the nonsense," he said, half-angry, half-amused. "Couldn’t you have woken me up? Invited me to sleep in a tent? Prepared hot water for me to wash up, a sumptuous meal, and a soft bed with three layers of bedding!"

He picked up the cloak from his lap and threw it over Chu Zhao’s head.

"Just a cloak for me, with the ground for a bed? Is this how you treat a valued minister and loyal general? A valued minister and loyal general’s heart will grow cold!"

Chu Zhao, covered by the cloak, announced loudly, "Beloved subject, do not be angry! This princess will immediately order a grand feast in your honor!"