Chapter 71

The negotiation at Cangmang Tavern did not end until dusk.

The reason it dragged on so long was not that Kayani was trying to force terms on Great Yan, but that the Silverstone Tribe and Kayani still had to settle their differences. The two sides haggled for a long time. In the end, Kayani promised to give the Silverstone Tribe an answer the next day, and only then did the interminable back-and-forth finally come to an end.

The Silverstone Tribe now had the support of more than ten tribes of varying sizes, so its influence could not be underestimated. Kayani likewise needed to use the Silverstone Tribe as a starting point and slowly bring the other tribes over one by one. As for the war between the two sides, that could not be forgotten, of course, and the Silverstone Tribe had asked for some compensation, which was still reasonable enough. Kayani agreed to that as well.

Only the blood feud between the Flying Horse Tribe and the Silverstone Tribe remained difficult to resolve; that would depend on what Kayani did next.

On the way back, when Ye Rui saw Xie Tinglan supporting her waist for the thirty-sixth time, she called a halt and let everyone rest before continuing on.

After dismounting, Yin Yue immediately went behind Xie Tinglan to massage her waist. Xie Tinglan’s face had gone pale; her brows were tightly knit, and a thin sheen of sweat already covered her forehead. Ye Rui had originally intended to ignore it, but after hearing Xie Tinglan let out a muffled groan, she still couldn’t help looking over.

Her body was already weak, and yet she insisted on coming to this harsh frontier to suffer. She really had it coming.

That was what Ye Rui thought, but her feet were already carrying her toward Xie Tinglan before she could stop herself. She didn’t even notice the looks her sisters were giving her.

Those were all teasing, knowing looks!

Ye Rui walked up to Xie Tinglan, then glanced toward their destination and said, “It’s still three li from here to camp. Not far. If you can’t ride anymore...”

Before she could finish, Xie Tinglan spoke in a hurt tone, her voice carrying a faint tremble. “Can you carry me on your back?”

Originally, Ye Rui had been thinking of going back first and asking someone to bring a small cart to take Xie Tinglan home. But when she saw the tears glistening in those eyes, the corners of them red as if she were a wronged little rabbit, Ye Rui couldn’t bring herself to say what she had planned.

Yet very quickly, reason returned to her. She was just about to refuse when Xie Tinglan lurched forward as though she couldn’t stand steadily, her hands gripping Ye Rui’s shoulders tightly. Ye Rui instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her.

“Got her, got her!”

Pang Niu grabbed Lu Yihua’s hand and stamped her feet in excitement. Battlefield tension had never been this thrilling! Lu Yihua was also staring without blinking; the two of them were just too pleasing to look at, and she really couldn’t help watching a little longer.

Meanwhile, Ye Rui was utterly unaware that so many eyes were on her. All she could see was Xie Tinglan’s face right in front of her. How many times had they been this close before, only to end up tangled in kisses, tongues, and desire?

Ye Rui looked away and let go of Xie Tinglan’s waist. “Miss Gong and Yin Yue can carry you.”

As soon as she said that, Gong Yinzhi immediately waved her hands. “I have a waist injury.”

After speaking, Gong Yinzhi shot Yin Yue a look. Yin Yue seemed a little at a loss and stammered, “I, I have internal injuries.”

Hu Tu: 【Hahahahahahaha! The system is laughing itself silly!】

Ye Rui: 【You show up plenty fast when there’s gossip to feed on!】

Hu Tu: 【What do you mean? I clearly showed up very promptly when I was calculating your fortune too!】

Ye Rui: 【Shut up!】

How could Ye Rui not see that Gong Yinzhi and Yin Yue were creating an opening for Xie Tinglan? She even started to suspect that Xie Tinglan was pretending her waist hurt. And yet, when she drew closer, she could smell a faint medicinal scent on Xie Tinglan’s body; Ye Rui was familiar with it, since she had used this very medicine before when she was injured at the Xie residence.

“It hurts...”

After saying it hurt, Xie Tinglan bit her lip again in pain. Ye Rui thought darkly: Hurt yourself to death for all I care! But her body was already moving, and she turned her back.

“Get on then!”

Xie Tinglan looked at the person before her, bent slightly at the waist, and smiled slyly. Then she climbed onto Ye Rui’s back, wrapped her arms around Ye Rui’s neck, and Ye Rui, just as naturally, hooked her arms under Xie Tinglan’s knees.

“Set off!”

Ye Rui shouted, and everyone immediately got themselves in order and prepared to continue traveling. Xie Tinglan rested her head on Ye Rui’s shoulder and whispered, “This is much more comfortable.”

Ye Rui said nothing. She only caught Pang Niu’s teasing look out of the corner of her eye, and in an instant her ears burned hot, her cheeks followed, and it felt as though her whole face had been set on fire. If there had been something between them before, then so be it—why was she being so awkward about it?

Everyone has some past, don’t they?

That was what she told herself. But when Xie Tinglan’s warm breath brushed lightly across her face, the heat only grew stronger instead of fading, like adding fuel to the fire.

“Do you know what Kayani will do?”

Xie Tinglan’s voice was very low; only Ye Rui could hear it, like a lover’s private murmur carried into her ear by the grassland wind.

“I don’t know.”

Ye Rui still hadn’t fully recovered from the earlier negotiations. All she could think was that if this succeeded, the Qingzhou Army’s predicament could at least be eased, and she might even have a chance to be promoted to Captain. She simply had no spare energy to think about what Kayani would do.

“If the Flying Horse Tribe refuses to compromise, he will slaughter the entire tribe.”

Xie Tinglan’s voice clung to Ye Rui’s steps like a vine, making her pause for two breaths before she gathered herself and continued walking.

“Then that’s their internal affair. As long as our goal is achieved, that’s enough.”

At the word slaughter, Ye Rui still felt uneasy. But she had already spent some time on the battlefield. This place had forced her to face death and choices head-on; for the sake of her own interests and position, she could no longer afford to care about so much.

Xie Tinglan was a little surprised by Ye Rui’s answer, though not entirely. She only gave a faint smile, and then that smile gradually turned bitter as she sighed, “Life is like this. There are few perfect outcomes; most things are about choosing one thing and giving up another.”

Ye Rui took Xie Tinglan’s words to heart. She could hear the helplessness in them, and the bitterness as well.

“You’ve already made your choice; why keep chasing a perfect ending?”

Before, Xie Tinglan liked to speak in riddles with her, and Ye Rui didn’t know when she had picked up the same habit, using it now against Xie Tinglan.

But Xie Tinglan did not avoid the question. Instead, her arms around Ye Rui’s neck tightened, as if she wanted to press herself into Ye Rui’s body.

“And how do you know I’ve already made my choice?”

She paused, then said in a low voice, “I’m nearly thirty. The one thing I’ve never been able to choose between is this; and yet, step by step, I’ve still gone the wrong way.”

Ye Rui frowned but said nothing more. She only slowed her pace, keeping it steady so Xie Tinglan’s waist wouldn’t be jolted again.

Thanks to her regular training, carrying Xie Tinglan all the way back to camp didn’t even leave her out of breath. It was just that Xie Tinglan seemed even thinner than before; why was that? The poison had already been cured, so why had she still not managed to put any flesh back on?

When Ye Rui and the others returned, Zhang Tingluo was waiting at the camp entrance. The dragon banner fluttered in the wind, and everyone looked toward Ye Rui and the others with expectant eyes.

After hearing that Ye Rui’s negotiation with the barbarians had gone fairly smoothly, Zhang Tingluo was overjoyed and immediately hosted a banquet to reward the Phoenix Army soldiers. Xie Tinglan was also invited. The feast didn’t have much in the way of extravagant meat and fish, but Qingzhou City’s most famous plum wine was there, and the ban on alcohol had been temporarily lifted, so everyone was having a wonderful time; even Ye Rui drank several cups.

Hu Tu: 【Hey, why don’t you take the chance to ask whether there’s any way to get promoted to Captain?】

Just as Ye Rui was about to drink her sixth cup of plum wine that night, Hu Tu suddenly spoke, and the wine stopped at her lips.

Right! She still had the main quest. The deadline was six months, and already a little over a quarter of the time had passed. She just didn’t know whether this was a good opportunity.

She was about to look up for Zhang Tingluo when she felt a large hand land lightly on her shoulder, patting it. “Ye Rui, you really are a rare talent. Not only Li Xiaowei, but even that one has praised you highly.”

Ye Rui naturally knew who “that one” was. Although Mu Xue was no longer involved in any military affairs, since Prefect Sun Zhong had contact with her, Marshal Zhang Tingluo surely knew her as well. Mu Xue wanted to help her rise, so she must have said a few good words in Zhang Tingluo’s ear. It seemed becoming a Captain was only a matter of time.

“I’ll discuss it with Lord Sun and have you promoted to Captain, to manage the Phoenix Army together with Li Xiaowei and handle the barbarians’ affairs. With you here, I can be at ease too.”

Zhang Tingluo had had a few too many drinks, and his words became more plentiful as well. He chatted with Ye Rui for quite a while, all of it praise for her. Only near the end did Ye Rui notice that his gaze had cleared somewhat; she knew then that he was about to get to the real point.

Zhang Tingluo first glanced at Xie Tinglan, who was not far away speaking with Pang Niu, then asked in a low voice, “Do you think Xie Tinglan can be trusted?”

“Worth entrusting.”

What Ye Rui said was not “trustworthy,” but “worth entrusting.” Xie Tinglan had her own convictions and vision; if it meant placing one’s life on the line for that path, then Xie Tinglan was certainly reliable.

“But General, no matter whom we choose, this will be a huge gamble; and once we get involved, there’s also General Nan Zhenchuan’s side...”

If the plan succeeded, the barbarians would soon fall into internal conflict, and the Qingzhou Army would indeed get a chance to catch its breath. Nan Zhenchuan’s troops would as well. Mu Xue had said that Nan Zhenchuan was a stubborn old fossil; if the Qingzhou Army sided with Xie Tinglan and anything changed, Nan Zhenchuan would definitely stand with the emperor.

Then how could the Qingzhou Army become Xie Tinglan’s blade without issue?

At that, Zhang Tingluo’s expression sank. He tipped his head back and downed another full cup of plum wine. Only after finishing it did he say, “The Qingzhou Army has suffered injustice for too long. Even if Nan Zhenchuan once provided us aid, we cannot continue living in such cowardly stagnation.”

“Even if the barbarians do split into winners and losers, there’s no guarantee they won’t tear up the agreement later and come back. Our Qingzhou Army is badly imbalanced in strength; if this goes on, we won’t be able to hold out for even ten years.”

As he spoke, Ye Rui saw for the first time a fierce flame in Zhang Tingluo’s eyes. It was the fire of unwillingness; the fire of someone cornered against a cliff, wanting to strike back.

“If Xie Tinglan invites us into the game, she should know about General Nan Zhenchuan. We must discuss a way to deal with it with her.”

Zhang Tingluo’s gaze once again fell on Xie Tinglan. Ye Rui didn’t know if Pang Niu was only fearless because she was young and hadn’t seen the wolfish methods of the capital’s snakes, which was why she could keep talking with Xie Tinglan for so long.

What Zhang Tingluo did not know was that it wasn’t Pang Niu pulling Xie Tinglan into conversation; it was Xie Tinglan who had held on to Pang Niu and started talking to her. What they were talking about, however, Ye Rui had no idea.

Ye Rui followed Zhang Tingluo’s gaze to Xie Tinglan as well. Tonight the moon and stars were both bright; their light fell gently over Xie Tinglan’s pale blue crossed-collar robe, and the pale glow spread across her face, as if she were bathed in a special kind of softness reserved only for the night.

Her black-and-white hair was tied casually into a low ponytail, with a few strands loose by her cheeks, swaying with the smile at the corners of her eyes and making Ye Rui’s heart tremble.

She had always thought the kind of plot where someone could never let another person go in a TV drama was nonsense. Only now did she understand that some kinds of liking were such that even when you saw her hair moving in the wind, you still couldn’t bear to look away.

It wasn’t the wind that moved; it was the heart.

Ye Rui withdrew her gaze, her eyes a little sore. She was just about to lower her head and drink when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Xie Tinglan stand up and head toward the quarters. Ye Rui looked up again and saw Xie Tinglan’s steps were a little unsteady. Yin Yue immediately reached out to support her, and half of Xie Tinglan’s body leaned into Yin Yue’s arms.

Ye Rui looked down at the cup in her hand and, for some reason, suddenly thought of the first time before she went to Youlan City, when Xie Tinglan had tried to stop her from drinking. She couldn’t shake Xie Tinglan off, and now that she had seen her again, it was as if everything within reach was connected to her, all of it pulling up memories she could never forget.

“Not many in camp know Lord Xie’s identity yet. They only know that Miss Lingchao is of noble status and exceedingly beautiful.”

After saying that, Zhang Tingluo lowered his head a little awkwardly. “I’m ashamed to say that some of the soldiers I brought have taken a great liking to her, pursuing her relentlessly. If not for the two by her side, those brats would probably have been even more brazen.”

At that, Ye Rui suddenly stood up and walked toward the quarters without a word.

Just now, she had seen one of Zhang Tingluo’s male soldiers following behind Xie Tinglan with a sheet of paper in hand, looking hesitant and awkward. That must have been... a confession?

Thinking of that, Ye Rui somehow felt a tightness in her chest, restless and uncomfortable, and wanted to go see for herself.

After taking several turns, Ye Rui finally saw the male soldier catch up to Xie Tinglan in front of the quarters and bend down to hand over a letter.

“Miss Lingchao, I... I... please accept it!”

The man’s voice was loud and forceful; it didn’t sound like a confession at all, but more like he was reporting some important military matter. Ye Rui had been feeling a little uncomfortable, but seeing this, she suddenly wanted to laugh.

Xie Tinglan frowned and said nothing. It was Gong Yinzhi who stepped forward and pushed the man’s hand back. “My mistress will not accept it. Please take it back.”

The soldier seemed a little disappointed, but still unwilling to give up. “Miss Lingchao, I will definitely earn many military merits and become a great general, then marry you home!”

Xie Tinglan had originally not intended to speak, but for some reason, she smiled and said, “The one in my heart will soon become a great general.”

She only said that much, and no more. Yet Ye Rui saw the male soldier freeze on the spot, and she almost burst out laughing. But after thinking it over, she realized—who exactly was the person Xie Tinglan said she had in her heart? Me? Am I the one being gossiped about?

Hu Tu: 【If it’s not you, then my fortune-telling brand as Hu the Half-Immortal is ruined. I’ll eat my keyboard.】

Ye Rui: 【And then turn into electronic trash and poop it back out?】

Hu Tu: 【Exactly!】

Ye Rui was honestly both angry and amused, and then... she really did laugh out loud by accident. And then...

The male soldier turned to look at Ye Rui, his face instantly turning bright red, and he clutched the letter tightly before running off. Xie Tinglan was also looking at Ye Rui; her sleeves fluttered in the night wind, carrying a trace of gentle amusement.

“Captain Ye isn’t at the celebration, yet she came all the way to the quarters. Could it be that you deliberately followed me?”

Facing Xie Tinglan’s teasing, Ye Rui felt a moment of panic, but she quickly got her expression under control and coughed twice before saying sternly, “Can’t I go back to my own quarters?”

This road wasn’t Xie Tinglan’s, and the quarters weren’t Xie Tinglan’s either. Why couldn’t she come here?

As for following you, I absolutely will not admit it!

“Fair enough. But since we’ve met by chance rather than by appointment, I have something for you. Would you come to my quarters for a moment?”

Xie Tinglan put special emphasis on the words met by chance, making Ye Rui feel even guiltier. But even if Xie Tinglan had seen through her, Ye Rui still wouldn’t admit it.

“Sure.”

Ye Rui followed Xie Tinglan to her quarters, and along the way she regretted it. She regretted being so impulsive and following along. She had no idea what Xie Tinglan wanted to give her; if those quarters were like a spider’s nest, then what was she supposed to do?

With a heart full of unease, Ye Rui followed Xie Tinglan to the central quarters. To ensure Xie Tinglan’s safety, Li Yan had arranged her quarters right next to her own, which was also in the center.

Since everyone was celebrating in the dining hall, the quarters were deserted, quiet enough that Ye Rui felt it was the perfect place to do something illicit.

“You two stay outside.”

After Xie Tinglan said this, Yin Yue and Gong Yinzhi answered in the affirmative, and she brought Ye Rui into the quarters. Xie Tinglan felt around in the dark for a fire striker to light the candles, but Ye Rui worried she might bump into something and hurt herself, so she took the task upon herself. Her night vision was excellent anyway.

Once the candles were lit, the quarters were bathed in warm light. There was only one hard bed inside, along with two bedrolls rolled up at the side; those must have been for Yin Yue and Gong Yinzhi to sleep on the floor.

The room wasn’t large. There was a wooden table with Xuan paper spread across it and a rectangular paperweight holding it down. On it were written two lines of verse—

Listening to the wind, I hold a soaring ambition;

The surging waves and rolling clouds proclaim my bold spirit.

There is a road through the blue sky, and I will ride the wind upward;

A long and shining official path will illuminate a splendid chapter.

Ye Rui’s heart jolted hard. Weren’t these the pair of lines she had once returned to Xie Tinglan? The only difference was that the character for “Lan” had only three water dots, unlike the four in the one she had written.

In the moment Ye Rui was dazed, Xie Tinglan had already opened the cabinet beside the bed and taken out a long bow and a longsword. Ye Rui stared blankly as Xie Tinglan took out the Flowing Shadow longbow and the Rui Feng sword; a surge of indescribable emotion swallowed her whole in the candlelight.

It was like recovering something lost from a thousand li away.

She had clearly left these things behind at the Xie residence, yet Xie Tinglan had actually sent them all the way here, carrying the stubbornness of crossing countless mountains and rivers.

Xie Tinglan held out the Flowing Shadow longbow and Rui Feng sword with both hands. “You forgot to take them with you.”

When Ye Rui raised her hands, she found her fingers trembling. Only when the cold metal settled into her palms did she feel as though her life in the army had become whole again.

What she had lacked was not a suitable weapon, but the fact that she had never forgotten anything from the Xie residence: the weapons, the tea, and... the person.

Ye Rui looked up at Xie Tinglan and saw red tinging the corners of her eyes, tears gathered deep in them, yet she still forced a smile onto her face. “And don’t leave me alone, all right?”

My little hunter, my Ye Rui...

“Ye Rui, I really miss you.”

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Author’s note: That wolf Xie is at it again! [dog head][dog head]

I’ve been very busy in real life lately, so I’ll be slower replying to comments.