Chapter 129: Zhao Shi Jiu, have you thought of me?

  Yu Wei patted the dirt off his hands, gazing at her increasingly beautiful face, his eyes narrowing slightly. She didn't notice his gaze, still carefully arranging her wooden box, her eyes focused and distant, as if looking through the box at something else.

  She soon wrapped the wooden box in brocade, tied a flower on it, and made it look like an exquisitely packaged gift box. The wooden box was made by her from the carpenter in the armory, with her own drawings, and the brocade was embroidered by the best embroiderer in Kaiping at her request. She took these things very seriously, just as she studied firearms, seriously to the point of being sacred.

  "Ah Qi."

  Yuanyou shouted, saw her looking over, the corner of his mouth curved slightly, and suddenly felt a little dry in his throat. The two had been together for more than two months, spending every day together, and at this moment when they were about to rush to Lulong, some inexplicable emotions seemed to have burst out suddenly, coming fiercely, he was caught off guard, but couldn't hold back.

  "Why make only two of such exquisite and domineering wrist guards?"

  "In early summer, Qī answered matter-of-factly, 'Because I want them to be unparalleled in the world.'"

  Yuan You smiled and his eyes curved into a crescent shape, "Can I take a look at the blueprint, brother?"

  At the beginning of summer, Qi Zhi rushed to him and smiled, "I've destroyed all the drawings."

  "Isn't it too much? Is it necessary? You're so petty!"

  Seeing the "loss" in his eyes, Xia Qiuli burst out laughing and reopened the brocade, opened the wooden box, took out two exquisite iron arm guards inside, one red and one black, and talked eloquently.

  "These two wristbands are named 'Locks of Love'. In the future, in history, they will be one-of-a-kind. They represent my love for Zhao Jinmai. Now, this big black one is for Zhao Jinmai, and this small red one is for me to use myself. Understand? It's not that I'm being petty, but they have different symbolic meanings, so they can't be replicated."

  "Isn't a weapon that takes lives like this too bloody to symbolize love?" Yuan Yu sneered and hummed, then smiled fawningly. "If I bring something to exchange with you, can you also make one for me?"

  At the beginning of summer, on the seventh day, Chong Yuanyou squeezed his eyes and said, "No, don't bribe me, no matter how much silver you offer."

  "You think you're so clever, will I give you silver?"

  "Go, I didn't think you'd spent all your money on guns and ammunition? You still have money?"

  "Little aunt, you've gone too far! All of our family's possessions were swindled away by you, isn't that right?"

  "Does it sound too deceitful?" Xia Chuyi lovingly stroked the pair of arm guards again, then put them back in the wooden box and tied the brocade back to its original state. The floral pattern on the brocade was roses, which were actually a bit tacky, but she was just a common person, and among all the flowers, only roses represented love, so she thought that roses were the most suitable for her and Zhao Shijiu.

  For the past three months, she and Zhao Zhuo were almost "weekend spouses". She had been living in Kaiping, working on firearms research with Yuan You all day. Zhao Jiu would occasionally come to see her when he was free, about once a week. Now that the war has finally begun, she can be by his side again, and thinking about it, a smile unknowingly hung on her lips.

  "I'm telling you, Ah Qi, you quack doctor got me into such a mess, making a wrist guard to compensate me is the least you should do, right? This demand isn't excessive, is it?" The two of them walked out of the workshop, Yuan You turned his head to look at Xia Chuqi, his tone full of amusement and also a bit defiant.

  Xia Chuqi pouted her mouth, with a "what can you do to me" look on her face.

  "How did I become a mediocre doctor?"

  "This scar on my left arm from an arrow wound is so big. You're no ordinary doctor?"

  "You're a man, why bother with so many trivial things?"

  "Nonsense! There are villainous gentlemen who are as sharp as a knife, as refined as jade, and as polished as a gem."

  With a look of nausea, Xia Qiuli let out a "puke" sound, then blinked her eyes and smiled slyly: "Don't worry, I'll definitely get rid of it for you. Lately, I've been studying new medicines to remove scars, but my scar is on my face, you know, a girl's face is the most precious, can't just randomly try out medicines, so using your arm as an experiment is the best... Sacrifice a little."

  "You've got a good deal and yet you're still being arrogant, Chu Qi, how can there be such a despicable woman like you in this world?"

  Yu Xiao Gong Ye's handsome face, which had been smiling and scolding without any intention, slightly sank, glancing at her obliquely, as if very dissatisfied. However, Xia Chu Qi didn't think much of it, and didn't have a hint of "guilt" in her heart. Taking advantage of the people in the workshop packing up their things, she dug out another box of ointment from her own bundle, smiling slyly as she lifted Yuan Yu's arm.

  "Come on, brother, it's time to apply the medicine. This one is a bit different from last time, I've made some slight improvements. The good thing is that it smells better, the bad thing is that it might itch a little."

  "Does it itch?"

  "Just a little bit."

  "Probably not just a little bit?" Yuan Yu looked at her disdainfully.

  "Cough! Just hold on a bit and it'll be over. As long as you have faith in your heart, that's all that matters. Think about it, once the scars are gone, you can go back to being as fair and tender as before, with arms that can rest on thousands of people... Hehe, then the itch won't be so itchy anymore."

  "Are you resting your jade arms on a thousand people? You really dare to say that?"

  "Come on, don't be angry, I'll wipe it for you myself, isn't that righteous enough?"

  Yuanyou gazed at her silently.

  These days, the scars on his arm have become Xia Ziyu's experimental field for medicine.

  She was carefully applying the ointment to his arm, her eyes fixed intently on the task. As she had said, the smell of the ointment was quite pleasant, with hardly any medicinal scent and no pungent smell of drugs, just a faint fragrance that tickled his nostrils without being sharp. He sniffed it deliberately, leaning in to take a whiff from her body.

  "It smells so good, just like the scent on you."

  "Go! Are you looking for death?" Xia Chuqi raised an eyebrow, slightly furrowed his brow, and looked at him with a hint of understanding in his eyes. "Brother, I think you've been eating vegetarian lately, are you thinking about women? Do you want to find a girl to spice up your life before going to Lulong Pass?"

  She asked very seriously and then lowered her head to apply medicine after she finished asking.

  "Ah Qi..."

  "What?" She didn't raise her head.

  Yuan You watched as her hand rubbed his left arm, rubbing and stroking slowly, he felt that the scar was not only itchy, but also a little hot. Savoring her previous words, he thought that maybe it had been too long since he last found a woman, which led to such improper thoughts.

  "Alas!" He let out a deep sigh, closed his eyes and refused to look at her.

  But her delicate eyebrows and eyes are still in front of me. Bright and shiny eyes, red and lovely lips...

  Having been through too many women, Yuan You knew better than anyone that a truly delightful woman wasn't someone like Dongfang Amur, who was stunning at first sight, nor was it the beautiful woman who would satisfy his carnal desires when he was drunk. Instead, it should be someone like A Qi, quietly living her life, unassuming and yet radiant without needing to dress up. Living with her made him happy, and the more he looked at her, the more pleasing she became. Whether she wanted to or not, she could shine brightly among the six palaces of beauties, or blend in unnoticed among the crowds. It was only then that he realized his nineteenth uncle truly had an eye for women, knowing how to appreciate the beauty of a wildflower by keeping her at home and savoring her quietly to himself.

  "What's there to say? I hate it when people hang around my mouth."

  The sudden rebuke on the seventh day of summer brought Yuanyou's thoughts back.

  Hehe, with a mischievous glint in his eye, "I was going to say that you're getting prettier and prettier, cousin. But to prevent you from becoming too proud, I've decided not to say it."

  "Really? You're not kidding?" Xia Chuqi's eyes lit up, and she was so excited that her eyebrows danced with joy.

  Her smile was genuine, as if looking at her brother, the smile rippled on her face, and the small dimples seemed to be spinning in circles, with a tone of complete trust in him.

  In her eyes, he is her brother.

  Yuanshu's mind was a bit distracted, as if he couldn't stand her. He glanced at the medicinal paste on his left arm and snorted in disgust, "Stop being so pretentious, teasing me like that, and you actually believed it?"

  "Get out!"

  Xia Zhicheng's face turned red with anger as he pulled down his sleeves and glared at him.

  Yuanyou suddenly had the urge to tease her, "Hey, I'm asking you, what's this love thing you were talking about earlier? You said it's like us being together today, we both like each other, is that considered love?"

  At the beginning of summer, I almost got choked to death by him.

  Originally wanted to strike him, but thought about it and became serious again.

  "We two, apart from familial relationship, are at most friends."

  "Love? Friendship? Is there a difference? Aren't they both just thinking the other person is good?"

  "Didn't you used to be known as the 'Love Saint'? Don't you understand?" Xia Chuqi picked up the ointment and stuffed it into her bundle, then enthusiastically explained to him, "The biggest difference is——expressing friendship can only be done during the day, while expressing love can be done at night, in bed..."

  "......" Yuan You smiled wryly and said, "If you were a man, you would definitely be more charming than me."

  "Hmm, with a smile, Xia Qi said, "Just kidding, my understanding is that love is the fusion of two people's flesh and soul. Friendship can be mixed with many things, but love cannot. The Bible says that woman was made from man's rib, so for men and women, each other is their flesh and blood. Yeah, it's about like that, until one day, when you meet a woman, she hurts, you hurt too, she gets injured, you get injured too, then she is your love haven."

  "What's the Bible?" Yuan You looked at her with doubt.

  "Oh, it's about the same as Buddhist scriptures." Xia Chuyi casually replied.

  "What did you say? I didn't quite catch it?"

  "It's nothing, just a small matter..."

  ……

  ……

  Two days later.

  On the seventh day of summer, he followed a team carrying heavy military equipment across the Luan River and would soon arrive at the Lulong Pass. Yuan Xiaogongzi was in high spirits today, riding on horseback and playing "Drunken Fisherman's Song" on his jade flute all along the way. The melody was profound and elegant, with a carefree and refined tone, and the sound of the flute spread across the sunset glow, making the already slow-moving military equipment team feel even more refreshed.

  In the north, autumn is approaching, and although the sunset is still warm, the wind in the morning and evening is cool. Xiaoyi tightened her clothes and looked at Yuan You who was playing beside her, feeling a sense of emotion.

  "It's really not easy being a young master, just this one song..."

  She raised an eyebrow and stopped talking. Yuan Yuandan glanced at her with a phoenix eye and stopped playing the flute.

  "How's the song going?"

  "Just by playing this tune... I don't understand a single sentence, and that's how you can tell its depth."

  "As expected, it's not a woman." Yuan Xiao Gongzi swung his jade flute inserted at his waist.

  "Fortunately, it wasn't a woman." Xia Chuqi gave him a regal glance.

  "Young master has never taken you as a woman."

  "Thank you very much, it's best this way!"

  Two people were talking, when a horseman came galloping from afar, with the sunset light on his back. He seemed to be in a hurry, and the red tassel on his helmet fluttered in the wind like a swimming goldfish. Xia Chuyi furrowed her brow, watching as the figure drew closer, until she finally saw clearly.

  It's Lao Meng.

  Since the last time they blew up the grain depot of the Northern Di's large camp, Lao Meng and Hei Pi had not returned to Xia Chang's logistics camp. These two men were both over ten years old soldiers, with courage and strength, and followed Xia Chuqi into the enemy camp, completing the task, Zhao Zun was very valued, and stayed in the camp. Hei Pi became a small flag bearer, Lao Meng was promoted to the chief flag, and they all mixed well, but why is Lao Meng so flustered now?

  Before she could ask, Lao Meng had already jumped off his horse and was speaking extremely quickly.

  "Xiao Qi, General is going to kill Xiao Bu and them..."

  "Little cloth? Has it been caught?"

  "Got him! Caught him last night!" Old Meng's dark face was anxious, wiping away sweat, "The army is about to depart, the general wants to execute the deserters... raise the flag!"

  At the beginning of Xia's seventh year, when he was still in the heavy camp, the ten people under Dingzi Flag got along extremely happily. They knew that it was she who had been beaten by Xia Chang at night and sent to Yidu with Wu Renxiao, but no one reported her. In daily life, they didn't let her do dirty or tiring work in the camp, which was not bad for her. Especially Xiao Bu, Xia Qi and he got along well for over a month, and their feelings were particularly good. It turned out that Xiao Bu was still a child, who had lied about his age, and was actually less than 14 years old.

  But...

  She sighed and paused for a moment, her eyebrows furrowed.

  "Lao Meng, a deserter during wartime, should be beheaded according to law."

  "I know." Old Meng was a veteran, naturally more familiar with the rules than she was. However, after swallowing hard, his voice choked up, "Little Qi, Little Bu is an unfortunate child. To be honest with you, his family lives in the same village as mine, and they are also a military household. I knew his father, we enlisted together, and during the Emperor's third northern expedition, his father died under the blade of the Northern Di people while trying to save my life. His grandfather lost a leg on the battlefield years ago and had been bedridden ever since, with no one in the family to rely on. This time, Little Bu joined the army and concealed his age, also to earn some military pay to support his family. He joined the logistics camp... I helped him get in. The child is not very clever, timid, but extremely filial, never keeping any of his salary for himself, always bringing it all back home... Now if he really gets executed, how can I face his father? It's all my fault, when he escaped, I should have stopped him, but I was selfish, thinking that the Northern Di people are many, letting him escape with his life would be good too..."

  Lao Meng blamed himself, wiped his face, and was so anxious that he was a bit incoherent. After finishing speaking, he saw that Xia Chuyi's face had no expression, and he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. Hesitating, he grasped her horse's mane, lowered his voice, and revealed a pleading tone.

  "Xiao Qi, I know you're quite close to His Highness, could you... tell me about your feelings?"

  "Lao Meng, it's not that I don't want to help you. He won't listen to me on this kind of thing."

  "You're... out of options?"

  "No." Xia Qi's reply was solemn and serious.

  Lao Meng's hand, which had been grasping her horse's mane, slowly dropped down, his head hung low, as if he had suddenly aged ten years. His eyes were dull and his gaze was bleak. He knew that his request was excessive, his lips trembled a few times, but in the end, he didn't say anything else. He turned around, mounted his horse, and galloped towards Ludong Pass.

  Xia Zhong Qi looked at his back and slapped the horse's buttocks hard.

  "Drive—"

  ……

  ……

  Two months later, Xia Qiuzi once again entered the Lulong Pass.

  The barracks, the guards, the patrols, everything seemed to be unchanged, but the air was clearly filled with a tense atmosphere before the war. She tied up her horse and walked towards Zhao Zhu's central army tent. Now that Zhao Zhu was leading the Northern Expeditionary Army and was about to depart for Danning, he was busy beyond measure, and when she arrived, he was still in his tent receiving the various generals of the Northern Expeditionary Army for their final deployment before the war.

  "Hey, is Chu Xiao Lang here?"

  Zheng Er Bao was outside the tent, saw her coming over, his eyes softened a bit, just like seeing a long-lost relative, his tone was very close. These days, Zheng Er Bao had been attending to his master personally, and he was deeply heartbroken by his busyness and loneliness. Now that he saw his darling daughter arrive, Butler Zheng felt as if he had seen a savior.

  "Grandpa is still busy inside, you wait for a while."

  "Good." Xia Chuqi naturally knew that the matter was more important, smiled and responded with a sound, glanced at the camp tent, quietly waiting, occasionally chatting with Zheng Erbao for a few sentences. After about half a cup of tea, a group of officers came out of the camp one after another, walking and talking, slowly going far away.

  Xia Qi spat out a mouthful of phlegm and looked at Zheng Er Bao, "Old Master, go in and pass on a message for me?"

  "It's okay, it's okay."

  What a smooth person Zheng Er Bao is! As soon as she heard this, she hastily waved her hand, didn't hesitate at all, walked over to lift the curtain for her, squinted and nodded, and said in a low voice: "Come on in, Master has been waiting for you for a long time."

  No more pretending, Xia Zhong Qi rushed towards him with a bow and thanked him, then entered the tent.

  Inside the main tent, a tense and solemn atmosphere filled the air. Only Zhao Zhuo sat quietly at the edge of the desk, wearing armor and looking stern, his eyes fixed on the documents in front of him, not even noticing her arrival, his sharp gaze lingering on the papers for a long time without any movement.

  "Zhao Shi Jiu, you seem thinner again?"

  Standing at the entrance of the tent, she smiled and said a sentence.

  The man in the chair quickly lifted his head, and his eyes sparkled slightly.

  "A Qi......?"

  They gazed at each other, their eyes meeting in mid-air. Xiaoyi's lips curved slightly as she smiled, and before he could speak again, she darted towards him like a small animal escaping from its cage. He stood up quickly, swept her into his arms, and held her tightly, remaining silent for a long time. It wasn't until she lifted her head, pouting because she couldn't reach him to kiss, that he finally chuckled softly, pushed aside the documents on the desk, effortlessly picked her up, and sat her down on the edge of the desk in front of him.

  "How come you're just arriving now?"

  "In the arms workshop, testing the linked cannon..." She said with a low laugh, her lips moved closer and touched his, touching once, then pulled back in disgust. His lips were still warm, but also dry, without any moisture, it was clear that he had been feeling unwell these days, not having an easy time.

  "Zhao Nineteen, haven't you been taking good care of yourself?"

  She reached out to touch his dry lips, thinking that the great army was about to depart for Danning, and he carried on his shoulders the lives of tens of thousands of people, the hopes of the people of Dayan, and even many pressures that she couldn't imagine at all, and she couldn't help but feel some heartache.

  "I miss you, don't you miss me?"

  Her lips softly touched his, moistening his lips.

  He seemed not to have answered, yet somehow nodded, gazing at her, taking a low, slow sip, his eyelids slowly sinking, cradling her face, his tongue probing inside. They had been apart for a long time, and each brief parting was like a new honeymoon. Her heart was racing fast, he seemed to be very excited too, breathing heavily, shallow kisses were not enough. When emotions ran high, kissing no longer required skill, just a simple action, the fiery temperature of their lips touching could drive someone crazy.

  She shuddered involuntarily.

  Stick even tighter...

  Kiss more deeply.

  Her heart was getting tighter and faster in his increasingly dense breathing. Finally, her two legs lifted up involuntarily and tightly wrapped around his waist, as if to hook him into the depths of her soul. The unbearable grinding motion made Zhao Zun involuntarily laugh softly.

  "A Qi, time is running out..."

  His low voice startled her nerves. Apologetically raising her head, she wrapped her hands around his neck and blinked her eyes, "What are you going to do?"

  Zhao Zun bowed his head and pressed his forehead against hers, "Go and be executed."

  Xia's heart skipped a beat as he leaned in and kissed him, whispering softly, "Can you spare his life?"

  Zhao You slightly stiffened and grasped her shoulder tightly, "No."

  "If I want to plead for them? Zhao Nineteen, would it be okay if you beat them severely? Beat them hard, beat them to death, even if they're crippled, as long as they leave one life behind, is that alright?" Her warm lips and tongue touched his, kissing him, slowly sliding to his earlobe, then slid over, reaching his Adam's apple, every inch, every small inch, with exploration, with entreaty. Zhao Zun's unfathomable eyes grew even darker, his Adam's apple rolled once, still panting heavily as he pushed her away.

  "No way. This is non-negotiable."

  She felt his sudden indifference and Xia Chuqi's enthusiasm was extinguished.

  "Like this, you kill two and leave one little cloth, how about that? Zhao Zhuo, that little cloth is also a martyr's descendant, his father died on the battlefield of the Northern Expedition, he was martyred for the country, his grandfather had also lost a leg in the battle against the Northern Di, just looking at his grandfather and father's share, spare him one life, isn't it reasonable?"

  "Ah Qi..."

  Zhao Zhu's hand grasped her shoulder tightly, his fingers almost pinching into her flesh. His voice was icy cold, leaving no room for negotiation: "If this were peacetime, I could spare his life and just give him twenty military lashes. But now is wartime, the country has its laws, the army has its rules, countless officers and soldiers are watching me. If I spare his life, once we're on the battlefield, everyone will become deserters. How can that be?"

  "Grandpa..."

  On the seventh day of summer vacation, he looked at her and she also looked at him.

  "Ah Qi, you rest in the tent, I'll be right back."

  He let go of her shoulder, not picking her up from the case, and turned to leave. Xia Chuqi knew he was right, but thinking of Xiao Bu, thinking of Xiao Bu who always called him "Xiao Qi" sweetly, she admitted that she was selfish. If it weren't for Xiao Bu, she would have resolutely supported Zhao Zun's decision, but at this moment she really couldn't help but be a woman with compassion, and she had no way to turn a blind eye.

  She quickly jumped off the table and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

  "Grandfather, I beg of you, spare my life."

  "Ah Qi, don't say anymore. If military discipline is not strict, where will the military prestige be?"

  "Leave him one breath... Let him die in front of the soldiers, and I'll come back to life for him. Is that okay? Just leave one breath is enough." Her tone was full of pleading.

  Zhao Yu did not answer her, slowly untying the hands that were tied around her waist, and slowly turning his head back.

  He looked at her, motionless for a moment. Xia Qi thought he would say something to her, but he didn't say anything. He seemed a bit disappointed and let go of her hand, striding out of the tent.

  Listening to the sound of the curtain falling, looking at her empty hands, she was stunned for a moment.

  It's her fault... She knows it.

  ……

  ……

  She lingered for a moment, then stepped out with heavy footsteps.

  She didn't know how she walked out of the camp, but when she went out, she happened to see Chen Jing. Chen Jing also saw the desolation on her face, and he winked at her, cupping his fists in greeting: "Sir, do you want me to arrange for someone to follow, leave that..."

  Zhao Zhu's face sank, his voice extremely cold, and he spat out a single word.

  "Kill!"

  "Yes, I understand!"

  It was obvious that Chen Jing, who had always been following Zhao Zhu, not only heard their passionate kiss but also her plea... Xia Chuqi watched as Chen Jing walked away with big strides and looked at Zhao Zhu's cold and stern back, clenched his fists, and followed the soldiers from the camp to the execution ground.

  She slowly walked past him, not daring to look at the man who was previously embracing her passionately on the table in the camp.

  His face was too unsightly, always iron-green.

  The sunset glow has not yet dissipated, and the late evening campus is filled with a cool breeze. In the middle of the campus surrounded by onlookers, the three people who escaped from Yangtian Mountain last time are kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs, just like prisoners about to be executed. Behind each of them stands an executioner, the steel knife in his hand gleaming with a bloodthirsty chill in the sunlight. The surrounding soldiers point and whisper, while Zhao Zun stands sternly on the pointing platform, a black cloak fluttering slightly in the cool breeze.

  He raised his head and, with a loud voice, began to recite the words of Official Zhou Wen.

  After a long string of official clichés, Zhou Wen finished reading out the last few words.

  "...investigate and handle according to law, behead in front of the army, to warn and intimidate others!"

  The training ground had been silent for a long time, Zhao Zhuo brushed off the wind-blown cloak in front of him and asked loudly, "Gentlemen, should deserters be killed or not?"

  "Kill him!" Some people shouted from below.

  "Speak louder!"

  "Kill! Kill! Kill! He deserves to be killed!"

  The flag fluttered, the roar came in waves, the small face on the ground was as pale as death, his whole face was covered with rippling water, his thin body trembled like a sieve. Suddenly, he saw Xia Chuqi in the crowd, as if he had seen a savior, he stared wide-eyed, with a desperate look before his death, and let out a loud cry.

  "Xiao Qi, save me..."

  Xia Zhi Qi looked at him, pursed her lips and didn't say a word.

  "Xiao Qi, save me, I know you're the only one who can... please save me... I don't want to die, I really don't want to die... I know your relationship with Da Duzhu is good... please help me beg for mercy from Da Duzhu... Xiao Qi... Xiao Qi... save me... I'm so scared... I'm really scared..."

  Xiao Bu burst into tears and wailed loudly, while Xia Chuqi turned her face away.

  Zhao Zhuo's eyes suddenly turned cold on the stage, and his face became even darker.

  "Execute!"

  A mouthful of strong liquor splashed onto the steel knife, and the executioner's sword rose high in the air, drawing a beautiful arc before falling again with a "plop" sound. The voice that had been desperately shouting "Xiao Qi" suddenly stopped, and blood splattered everywhere. When Xia Chui looked over again, the small child was already beheaded, his head rolling on the dusty ground, his eyes frozen in a terrified stare.

  "At the hour of today, we will dispatch troops to Da Ning. Our great army will not tolerate those who are greedy for life and afraid of death. From the moment we start, the Northern Expedition Army is only allowed to advance, not retreat. Anyone with a different heart, anyone who escapes from the battlefield, will be killed without pardon, absolutely no mercy!"

  "We strictly follow the great general's order, and vow not to return until we have defeated the Northern Di."

  Listening to the passionate slogans, smelling the thick bloody smell in the air, Xia Chuyi quietly looked at the man on the execution platform. She knew that after all, he was still a person from later generations, carrying too much of modern people's kindness and gentleness, as well as women's innate maternal instincts. War is not an exercise, real war is cruel, absolute, bloody, and murderous. She understood Zhao Zhu, and also understood that his nickname "Cold-faced King Yan" was not undeserved. He would not change for anyone, and neither could Xia Chuyi.

  Together with Lao Meng, they hastily buried the bodies of Xiao Bu and his two companions. The remaining few people from the Dingzi Flag simply paid their respects and then dispersed to prepare for the midnight departure.

  Xiao Bu also stayed by the Wan Shui River...

  It was the seventh day of summer when I slowly returned to the camp, and just as I was about to go to the armory, I unexpectedly saw Dongfang Qingxuan at the entrance of the barracks. Since that night when she questioned me after returning from Yaowang Temple, the two of us had not seen each other again.

  It's been more than two months, and the beautiful Eastern Grand Commander is still as stunning as ever. However, when gazing at her, the smile on her face seems to be tinged with a hint of solemnity. "Are you going to follow the army on its northern expedition?"

  His strange question brought Xia Chuqi back from her thoughts about Xiao Bu's death.

  "Isn't it obvious?"

  After hearing her counter-question, Dongfang Qingxuan slightly narrowed his phoenix eyes, swung his large red sleeves, and turned around to face the people following him, including Jin Yiwei Ruxue and others, giving a low command: "You all go back first, I have something to discuss with Chu Shiwei."

  "Yes, Grand Commander."

  The Jin Yiwei officers all bowed and left.

  Dongfang Qingxuan glanced at the guards at the entrance of the camp and pointed towards the border.

  "Lend me your ears."

  His face was rarely solemn, and he walked ahead in big strides. Xia Chuyi had no reason to refuse, so she followed him. He stopped at a windless corner of the wall, looking at her without saying a word.

  Xia Chuqi smiled slightly and asked, "What's going on?"

  "I think you'd better not follow."

  "Why?" she asked.

  He didn't answer.

  "Don't say I'm a daughter again, you can treat me as a man."

  Her tone was extremely persistent, and Dongfang Qingxuan's eyes paused slightly as he slowly walked in front of her. His originally gentle voice lowered even further, making it sound even more warm and moving. "The several imperial edicts that the court has issued one after another, don't you understand the key points within them?"

  At the beginning of summer, she raised her head and looked at his face. "I understand that Zhao Mianze wants to deal with Zhao Zun, but the court still needs to rely on Zhao Zun's northern expedition. Otherwise, the old emperor would not have personally ascended to the Temple of Heaven to read out Zhao Zun's thirty-three achievements and also sent grain and military equipment for the northern expedition army. From this point of view, he does not agree with Zhao Mianze's proposal and has made corrections himself, right?"

  Her eastern blue eyes, slightly narrowed, shone with an unguessable light in the last rays of sunlight on the horizon. He gazed at her for a while before withdrawing his gaze and smiling faintly.

  "If only it were that simple."

  "So it's like this, I should thank the Grand Commander for this matter?" Xia Chuqi looked at him, with a hint of bitter helplessness added to the corners of her lips. Not for herself, but for Zhao Shijiu. She gazed at Dongfang Qingxuan and asked in a low voice: "You are the Emperor's eyes in the Northern Expedition Army, I suppose it was you who submitted a secret memorial to the Old Emperor, which is why the Old Emperor personally promoted Fengtian Hall again and gave Zhao Zun trust once more?"

  He didn't deny it, but lowered his voice instead.

  "How long can this trust last? The heart of an emperor is easily changed."

  She paused for a moment, Xia Qi stared at his eyes, "Zhao Zun is so excellent, why doesn't the old emperor trust him enough? He wants to use him, but he's also holding him back. Dongfang Qingxuan, can you tell me, what's going on?"

  "No." Dongfang Qingyun refused resolutely.

  With a cold snort, Xia Chuyi sneered, "Isn't he afraid that his son will be driven to rebellion? Zhao Zhu wants to control the army and dominate the north alone, who can stop him?"

  "You're really naive!"

  Eastern Qingxuan smiled faintly and gave her a "you're still naive" look, his tone softening as he chuckled, "Some things aren't as simple as you think. As long as the Emperor is willing, he can easily take everything away from Zhao Zhu. Status, reputation... by then, when he's left with nothing, do you still want him?"

  Her heart skipped a beat, Xia Chuqi raised her head and looked at him, her lips curling up.

  "With nothing left, he was still Zhao Shi Jiu."

  Dongfang Qingxuan smiled slightly, and in that smile, there was an added hint of strange emotions, which could be described as being lost or absent-minded, or even the rare loss of composure of the great general Dongfang. After gazing at each other for a moment, he suddenly grasped her waist, one hand tightly gripping her chin.

  "Chu Qi..."

  On the seventh day of summer, his heart tightened and he reached out to push him.

  "What are you doing? Let go."

  Eastern Qing's eyes darkened for a moment, but his tone still carried a hint of amusement. "Ah Chu is really a lovely girl, I've grown fond of your taste... kissing you, it's truly beautiful..." He spoke in a low murmur, his eyes filled with tender feelings, yet it startled Xia Chuyi into a flustered state, and she pushed him away with all her might.

  "Dongfang Qingxuan, let go... This is in the King of Jin's camp, you cannot be so presumptuous."

  Eastern Qing's throat rolled slightly, and he lowered his head slightly, his voice was hoarse, gentle, and beautiful, as if it was a bit difficult, but also seemed to be filled with deep emotions. "So, not in this camp, you can tolerate my rudeness? Then let's change places and get intimate?"

  "Stop talking nonsense!"

  At the beginning of summer, Qi Xiaoqiu was panting and roaring with anger, but couldn't break free from his embrace. At this moment, Dongfang Qingxuan wrapped his arms around her and spun her around, pinning her against the wall. However, he didn't kiss her; instead, he just stared at her with a complex gaze. She was still in shock and struggling when she heard Zhao Zhu's icy voice coming from behind Dongfang Qingxuan's towering figure, which had blocked her line of sight.

  "Master Dongfang, dismissing the guards may make things more convenient, but it can't prevent people from coming."

  In Zhao's tone, there was a hint of cold and detached mockery, but no anger. Xia Chuqi's heart sank suddenly, and she looked over Dongfang Qingxuan's shoulder at the approaching man, as well as his icy face, and her throat surged with an urge to explain.

  But he suddenly lifted up Dongfang Qingyun and coldly said a sentence.

  "Despicable trick!"

  He, clad in armor and dressed for battle, was still the elegant and cold King of Jin, Zhao Zhu. Just as Xia Qi had told Dongfang Qingxuan before, no matter what he looked like, he was still Zhao Shi Jiu. Whether he was in the imperial court, a king or a general, or just an ordinary citizen, he was always a man with a noble and elegant demeanor. She thought to herself that she didn't need to explain anymore.

  "Your Highness, I just met an old friend of Azhu and chatted with him casually." Dongfang Qingxuan's smile was very charming, and he lightly smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes that Zhao Zhu had rumpled.

  Zhao Zun didn't look at Xia Chuqi, but instead stared at Dongfang Qingxuan with a cold gaze that was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Or rather, in this moment, she saw a kind of aura from his eyes that made her heart tremble, a male animal's instinctual defense of its territory.

  "From now on, without my permission, no one is allowed to approach her."

  "Your Highness knows, I'm doing it for her sake."

  "My queen doesn't need Mr. Dongfang's concern."

  Coldly saying that, Zhao Zun took a step forward, walking towards Xia Chuqi. However, he grabbed her wrist and strode away quickly. Entering the camp, all the way to his quarters, he didn't ask anything, nor did he say anything, but Xia Chuqi could clearly feel the killing aura emanating from him in waves.

  "It's not like you think." She said anyway.

  He didn't look at her and asked faintly: "What's going on?"

  "It's nothing."

  "That's good."

  He responded in a cold, emotionless tone, causing Xia Qi's face to flush red. It had been a long time since Zhao Zhen used this tone with her. The feeling was like their first meeting by the Qingling River, a posture of disdain and unwillingness to care, even though he still held her hand, she could feel that his heart was far away.

  He stopped in his tracks at the entrance of the tent.

  "You rest first, I still have things to do."

  At the beginning of summer, Xia looked at his back as he walked away with big strides, her face felt hot and burning, all the way to her ears. Although she hadn't done anything, although she wanted to ask about Dongfang Qingxuan for his own good, although he didn't blame her, she still felt like a woman who had been caught "stealing love" by a man, slapped hard on the face, feeling extremely embarrassed, so embarrassed that she didn't even have time to tell him that she had prepared a gift for him...

  Digression

  It's time to climb up, girls! It's November 29th already! Don't waste your monthly tickets and comment votes, as well as your ingots...

  Reminder, sign in, don't forget there's still a chance to win the 6th prize, if I win, I promise not to ask for a share of the loot, hehe.