Chapter 91

The morning light shone through the military tent and fell onto the military bed.

Changning opened her eyes half-closed. Fan Changyu had not come back before she fell asleep last night. At this moment, she saw her elder sister lying beside her, sleeping soundly. She stretched out her chubby little hands to rub her eyes, and when she found out that it was indeed her elder sister, she grinned with joy.

She was very sensible and did not wake Fan Changyu up. After she put her red velvet cloak on Fan Changyu, she crawled to the end of the bed using her hands and feet, put on her shoes and got out of bed.

I also wear my own coat.

In the past, she needed Fan Changyu's help to put on her winter clothes because the sleeves always rolled inward. After being caught by a bad guy once, she no longer needed help with clothes, shoes and socks. However, she still couldn't comb her hair by herself.

Chang Ning scratched the small tuft of hair on his head and found a small wooden basin for washing his face from the corner of the military tent.

In the morning, after getting dressed, you need to wash your face.

She was about to leave the military tent, but suddenly she sniffed, turned around and followed the scent and found a package wrapped in banana leaves on the table.

Chang Ning stepped on a stool and touched the banana leaf. After struggling for a while, she finally untied the palm leaves tied outside. When she opened it, she saw a grilled fish with the shark fins shaved off. Her eyes lit up immediately. However, her elder sister had taught her that cold meat should not be eaten directly, otherwise it would give her a stomachache.

She thought for a moment, tied the banana leaves again with palm leaves, held them in both hands and carefully placed them into the wooden basin. Then, carrying the basin, she ran out of the military tent.

I had to get some water to wash my face, and I had to heat up the fish and bring it back to eat with my sister!

Chang Ning didn't know where to get hot water, but Xie Qi was very nice to her yesterday. He kept coaxing her and took her to see the falcon. So Chang Ning instinctively walked on her short legs to find Xie Qi.

-

The army set out today, and the fire camp began preparing white porridge and steamed buns early.

A group of troops stationed at the foot of the mountain had already withdrawn, and the troops stationed on the mountain were the last to leave. The soldiers then slowly packed up.

When Chang Ning went over with a wooden basin in his hand, Xie Qi was dismantling the tent with other guards. Seeing the little girl suddenly squeezed into the crowd, he wiped his waist twice, led Chang Ning to an open space, half squatted down and asked her: "Are you here to see the Saker Falcon?"

Chang Ning's eyes suddenly brightened. She nodded, then immediately shook her head and handed the small wooden basin to Xie Qi.

Xie Qi saw something wrapped in banana leaves inside. He opened it and saw that it was fish meat. The sense of accomplishment from taking care of the children yesterday suddenly came to his mind. He touched Chang Ning's head and smiled very gently: "You eat it. I've eaten it before."

Chang Ning saw that he didn't understand what he meant, and became a little angry. He pushed the wooden basin towards Xie Qi even harder and said, "It's cold."

Xie Qi felt the temperature of the fish through the banana leaf and finally understood what the kid wanted to do. He took the basin and asked, "Do you want me to heat up the fish for you?"

Changning nodded quickly and pointed at the wooden basin and said, "Mrs. Ning wants to wash her face."

Xie Qi, who had made a mess, was in mixed mood. He handed the fish meat to the brothers next to him and asked them to take it to the fire camp to help heat it up. He also poured hot water from the kettle for Changning to wash his face.

He had taken care of his sister before and had experience in raising children. He wanted to help Changning wash her face, but he saw her roll up her sleeves, revealing two chubby arms like lotus roots. Then she put her hands into the basin, dipped the water and splashed it on her round face. After her whole face was covered with water, she picked up the handkerchief that Fan Changyu had cut from an old piece of clothing to use as a washcloth, and wiped her face with both hands.

She rubbed very hard, her face turned a little red, and the fine hair on her forehead got wet and piled up at her hairline, making it look fuzzy.

Several guards who were tidying up the tents nearby stopped what they were doing and said with envy, "I wish I could have such a lovely daughter in my lifetime!"

A guard discussed with Xie Qida: "Qi Da, you were on duty yesterday, you can take a rest today. I will take good care of the girl and the Saker Falcon."

Xie Qi laughed and cursed, "Get lost!"

After Chang Ning finished washing her face, Xie Qi asked her, "Where is your sister?"

Chang Ning said: "Sister hasn't woken up yet."

Xie Qi was going to deliver food to the two sisters this morning, but just as daybreak approached, Lord Hou came back from outside covered in morning dew and told him to go back later.

Xie Qi did not think much about it, thinking that the marquis was just being considerate of his wife. After all, Xie Wu said that his wife had fought bravely on the battlefield, so it was understandable that she wanted to sleep a little longer if she was tired.

He asked Changning to sit on a small wooden stool, took off her half-loose hair after sleeping, and re-tied her hair.

After all, he was the one who had taken care of my younger sister before, so I have to say that he does have some skills in braiding hair. After tying her hair into buns, Xie Qi even picked two orange wild flowers and put them in her buns.

Changning was so beautiful that she squatted beside the washbasin and looked left and right. After a long time, she was ready to pour out the water.

After the fish was heated up at Huotouying, they also brought over two bowls of porridge and two steamed buns. Xie Qi saw that Changning couldn't take them all by herself, so he helped her carry these things and sent her back.

Just then, Fan Changyu heard the horn sounding in the barracks, signaling the troops to leave. He woke up and discovered that Changning was missing. After hastily packing up, he was about to go out to look for her when he saw Changning jumping back with Xie Qi.

When Chang Ning saw her, he ran over, hugged Fan Changyu's waist, raised his head, and said in a similar way: "Sister, look at Ning Niang's hair!"

Fan Changyu saw the two little flowers on her hairpin, pinched her nose and asked, "Where have you been so early in the morning? Who gave you such a beautiful hairpin? Was it Mr. Gongsun?"

Chang Ning said happily, "No, it was Uncle Xiao Qi. Ning Niang washed her face herself, and Uncle Xiao Qi helped warm up the fish meat that Ning Niang brought over."

Xie Qi, who was standing nearby, called out: "Miss Fan."

Seeing him holding a wash basin in one hand and a banana leaf wrapped with fish in the other, Fan Changyu said politely, "Thank you, Brother Xiaoqi."

Xie Qi just said it was what he should do.

Fan Changyu invited him to have dinner, but he repeatedly declined, saying that he had already eaten.

Fan Changyu asked Changning to go into the tent to eat first.

Chang Ning sat on the bench, sniffing the tempting aroma of grilled fish, but she insisted on waiting for Fan Changyu, so she didn't pick up her chopsticks. She just swung her legs and asked, "Sister, where did you get the fish?"

Fan Changyu casually washed his face with a basin of cold water and said, "I couldn't sleep last night, so I went to the river to catch it."

Chang Ning said something surprising: "Did my brother-in-law bake it?"

Fan Changyu froze while wiping his face, and Xie Qi, who was standing next to him, widened his eyes instantly.

The Marquis went out last night and came back this morning. Miss Fan also went out last night? Thinking of what the Marquis had said this morning, Xie Qi suddenly felt uncomfortable. He did not dare to look at Fan Changyu, but just lowered his eyes and pretended to be a pillar.

Fan Changyu asked Changning: "Why do you think it was your brother-in-law who baked it?"

Chang Ning explained everything: "Before my sister found Ning Niang, my brother-in-law grilled fish for her, and this is the taste."

Fan Changyu had no remorse for tricking a child and said, "I baked it."

Thinking of what Xie Zheng said last night, she felt even more uncomfortable and took a big bite of the steamed bun in her hand.

…

After breakfast, the troops stationed on the mountain began to retreat down the mountain.

Fan Changyu packed up the two sisters' things and helped Xie Qi and others dismantle the military tent. When they went down the mountain, they were arranged to ride in a carriage.

The old man in the car had white hair and beard, and was dressed only in cloth. Every wrinkle on his face was very deep, but it made people feel that those deep wrinkles were full of wisdom and understanding that the years had given him.

There was a chessboard in the car, and he seemed to be playing chess with himself. When he noticed the car curtain was opened, a pair of old eyes looked out and said with a smile, "Girl, we meet again."

Fan Changyu had learned the identity of this old man from Xie Zheng last night, but he still called him out of habit: "Mr. Tao."

Changning saw that his beard and hair were completely white, but he looked very energetic, without any signs of old age. He looked like a saint in a painting or a statue in a Confucius temple. He pointed at him and said to Fan Changyu in surprise, "Grandpa Divine!"

His eyes were wide open.

Master Tao was amused by this childish remark, "The eldest girl is a simpleton, but the youngest girl is sweet-mouthed."

As he said this, he waved to Changning and said, "Come here, little girl, let Grandpa take a look at you."

Changning looked up at Fan Changyu. In front of strangers, no matter how friendly the other person was, she would wait for Fan Changyu's consent before going over.

Fan Changyu touched her head and said with a smile, "Go ahead."

After Changning was carried onto the carriage, he finally came before Master Tao.

Master Tao looked at her eyes and eyebrows, and his originally friendly expression suddenly became more serious. He looked at Fan Changyu's eyes and eyebrows again, stroked his beard and said: "Little girl is a lucky one. Your sister protected you in the first half of your life, and only then did you have the wealth in the second half of your life."

Chang Ning couldn't quite understand what Master Tao said, so she just straightened her chest and raised her neck and said, "Mrs. Ning likes my sister the most!"

Fan Changyu has always been worried about Changning's health. Sometimes she suddenly has difficulty breathing. She has been taking medicine for many years, but there has been no significant improvement. Hearing what Master Tao said, he was somewhat happy and asked, "Master Tao, can you also read faces?"

Master Tao only said: "I have lived to this age and have read a lot of miscellaneous books. I understand a little bit."

Fan Changyu said: "My sister was born weak and has wheezing. I just hope she can stay healthy."

Master Tao pondered for a moment and said, "She will be too rich in the future to be able to suppress it. Her body will naturally become weaker. With you to hold her back, it won't be a big deal."

Fan Changyu felt even more confused after hearing these weird words. She shook her head, wanting to ask something but not knowing where to start.

Master Tao saw her doubts and said in a different way: "Before she reaches the age of 15, you should always keep her by your side."

Fan Changyu understood what he said, and she nodded and said, "Of course."

The carriage had already followed the army down the mountain. The road was uneven and the carriage was shaking, but not a single chess piece that Master Tao had placed on the chessboard was in the wrong place.

He looked at Fan Changyu and said, "Girl, play a game of chess with me."

Fan Changyu said somewhat embarrassedly: "I can't."

The mountain breeze blew into the carriage through the window, blowing Master Tao's sleeves. He stroked his beard and said, "I will teach you personally. Just watch one or two games, and you will learn how to play."

Since the old man had said so much, Fan Changyu had no choice but to agree.

When she collected the chess pieces, she discovered that they seemed to be stuck to the chessboard by a suction force. No wonder the carriage was shaking like that but the chess pieces did not fall off.

"In the game of chess, it is important that the black piece moves first. The whole game depends on the Qi. When the black and white pieces fight, they are trying to take away the Qi of the other party..."

Master Tao's voice was old and deep, and his skinny fingers placed pieces on the chessboard while explaining. Fan Changyu only understood half of what he was saying, so he grabbed his hair and tried to guess the moves.

After a few games, Master Tao's face turned green: "You are at least my personal disciple, how come your chess moves are so bad?"

Fan Changyu lowered his head and accepted the scolding obediently.

After Tao Taifu was done being angry, he sighed again, "Forget it, forget it. In ancient times, there was a lousy chess player like Wei Chi Jingde, but he was still able to lead the army. Deploying troops and playing chess should not be confused after all."

As he spoke, he glanced at Fan Changyu and said, "Girl, I heard that you killed the rebel general Shi Hu, who was a brave man. Although you are a woman, you have such a great ability. It would be a pity if you buried it. Do you want to make achievements?"

Fan Changyu said, "Old sir, are you asking me if I am willing to stay in the army?"

Master Tao nodded and said, "I have to say this in advance. Someone came to me and asked me to adopt you as my daughter. Just having a daughter is nothing to me, but if you want to learn my skills..."

He snorted and laughed: "That's difficult!"

He looked at Fan Changyu and asked, "Girl, are you willing to be my disciple and learn how to defeat thousands of enemies on the battlefield?"

The author has something to say:

Changning (the little swinging girl): Today I was a good kid who dressed myself, washed my face, heated up the food and ate with my sister!