013

A woman of about twenty-nine years old approached, graceful and poised, and slowly stepped forward to greet him.

"Miss Wei."

Seeing Song Ling's momentary daze, the woman slightly raised her hand, covered her face with her handkerchief, and said with a smile, "We've met before, once outside the military camp and another time at a banquet at the Ji residence."

"My father's surname is Wang. I, Zhiyan, greet you."

Song Ling had a photographic memory, so she naturally remembered this woman. She was only momentarily stunned because she was puzzled as to why this Miss Wang had come to greet her.

"Greetings, Miss Wang," Song Ling said, bowing to Miss Wang as she had dressed as a man. This was something that puzzled Song Ling. Both times they had met by chance, Miss Wang had been dressed as a woman, yet Miss Wang recognized her now that she had changed clothes.

Miss Wang seemed somewhat intrigued, but said nothing. Only after the girl bowed did she extend an invitation, "Zhiyan, would you have the honor of inviting me to a teahouse for a chat?"

“It’s my pleasure,” Song Ling said, instructing Wu Sheng behind her, “Go to the clinic.”

But Wu Sheng had clearly just returned from the clinic. After all, it was a tacit understanding built over many years; with just a glance, Wu Sheng understood that Song Ling wanted him to go find Qi Man.

Qi Man just took the children to make some clothes, and it will probably be a few more quarters of an hour before he returns.

"Miss Wang, please." Song Ling gave way to Wang Zhiyan by half a step, and the two went up to the private room of the teahouse.

This Miss Wang appears gentle and mild-mannered, but she is not particular about details. This is the initial conclusion Song Ling drew from observing the hint of arrogance in her eyes.

The two gazed at the pedestrians outside the window, quietly sipping their tea without uttering a word. Their silence seemed strangely eerie, yet strangely harmonious.

But this gathering was never meant to be a tea party between sisters; someone always has to break the silence and balance.

“Miss Wei,” Wang Zhiyan pushed a plate of delicate pastries over, “try the pastries from this teahouse. Are they different from those in your hometown?”

Song Ling did not touch it, and said apologetically, "I have been in poor health since childhood. Even though I have a sweet tooth, I am restrained. I am afraid I will not be able to taste the difference. It would be a waste of Miss's good intentions."

“I see…” Miss Wang’s expression held just the right amount of regret, “It seems I misunderstood.”

"When we first met, I heard that Mr. Wei was arranging accommodations for you, Miss. Have you settled on a place yet? If you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to come to the Prefect's residence to find me," Miss Wang said with a smile.

“I thank you, Miss,” Song Ling smiled back at her, but did not continue the conversation. “My brother has already taken care of everything.”

“That would be excellent,” Wang Zhiyan said without changing her expression, but then suddenly asked a rather nonsensical question, “Are you familiar with General Yu, young lady?”

She looked closely at Song Ling's expression and saw that her brows were slightly furrowed and there was a hint of doubt in her eyes. "I just happened to run into her a few times when I went to visit my brother."

Wang Zhiyan examined it closely but couldn't find anything wrong, so she gave up.

“My father wants me to marry General Yu,” she suddenly stood up, abandoning all the ladylike manners, and leaned lazily against the window.

"Miss Wang, would you be willing?"

“Me?” Wang Zhiyan smiled. “Of course I’m willing.” But there was no girlish joy or shyness in her eyes, but rather a numbness that came from having experienced so much.

"General Yu is young yet commands 100,000 soldiers and civilians. He is tall, imposing, and handsome. There are quite a few women in the southern border who want to marry him."

She smiled slightly when she saw the doubt on Song Ling's face. "Don't disbelieve me, young lady. Although General Yu may not have been a handsome young man, he was certainly quite upright."

"But ever since my father brought up this marriage a few months ago, the general has become this unkempt..." She sighed softly, "Perhaps he is utterly disgusted with me."

But Miss Wang only expressed regret in her tone; she probably didn't take it to heart at all.

No matter what expression Song Ling put on, her heart remained calm. Perhaps, as Yu Baizhou said, ruthlessness and indifference were innate to her and could not be changed.

Why is Miss Wang telling me all this?

Wang Zhiyan didn't seem puzzled by her question. She simply sat back down in front of her, her tone becoming more composed, "May I know your real name?"

"What?" Song Ling's hand holding the teacup paused slightly. Originally, this identity was used in a hurry, and even though she dealt with it later, oversights were still inevitable.

She had thought that it would be Governor Wang, who was suspicious of the Southwest Army, who would expose her disguise first, but she never expected it would be this Miss Wang.

As for whether this Miss Wang represented Governor Wang's intentions, Song Ling had originally doubted it, but at this moment she suddenly became certain that it was not.

“Song Ling,” she said succinctly.

“As expected,” Wang Zhiyan’s eyes lit up with interest, “Do you know that my father is investigating you?”

Song Ling remained silent, but Miss Wang said confidently, "I've temporarily blocked the news for you, and I can also ensure that you will never be exposed."

Song Ling looked up at her and said gently, "Miss's purpose is..."

"I need your help to marry General Yu."

Wang Zhiyan seemed to see through everything. "I sent people to investigate. Originally, everything you said made sense, but Wei Canjun's only few cousins ​​are all married. The only one who was about your age has passed away. Therefore, you are not Wei Canjun's cousin."

"So what is your identity..." Miss Wang's eyes held a smile, but also a hint of threat.

"Since Miss Wang is so capable, why do you need my help to marry General Yu?"

"Why should I marry General Yu?"

Wang Zhiyan paused, "What do you mean?"

Song Ling smiled slightly without explaining. If she had investigated thoroughly enough, she would probably be greeted by soldiers from the governor's mansion today, not Miss Wang.

"Miss must have misunderstood. I have little to do with General Yu."

Song Ling thought to herself that she hadn't lied. After all, the two of them had parted on bad terms last night, and it was still uncertain whether she would succeed as the strategist.

“Except for visits from the families of generals, women are never allowed to linger in the military camp,” Wang Zhiyan said firmly. “Don’t tell me you’re some other deputy general’s cousin.”

Why is Miss Wang so determined to marry General Yu?

“I had no choice.” Wang Zhiyan leaned back in her chair.

She was left with only two options: marry General Yu to gain control of his 100,000-strong army, or marry the Second Prince as a concubine to secure a future, uncertain, opportunity to serve the emperor. These were the only two paths her own father had provided for her.

“I’m sorry, I can’t help you.” Song Ling stood up, not wanting to get entangled with her any further. “Miss Wang is intelligent. Since you are certain that I can do it, you should also have a general understanding of my identity.”

Just as Wang Zhiyan was about to speak again, she suddenly heard Song Ling mention her own family.

"As far as Ling knows, Governor Wang's household currently has only one son, who is born weak but restless."

Wang Zhiyan frowned. As the legitimate daughter, and her mother's only child, she had been pampered since childhood. She was magnanimous and didn't take her half-sisters' little tricks to heart.

But this half-brother was born weak and, being the only son of his father, was spoiled rotten by his birth mother and the people in the household. At only twelve or thirteen years old, his body had already been ruined by his love affairs.

"In chaotic times, things change in an instant." The two were only a few steps apart, but the woman's voice seemed to be right next to their ears.

She only heard Song Ling say leisurely, "Miss Wang must also be a proud person. Rather than wasting her energy relying on a man, she might as well find another way to make a good future for herself and her mother."

"Then may I ask, what do you think is a good way out?" Wang Zhiyan asked as if she were daydreaming, but in reality, she was very alert.

Song Ling then smiled and said, "Miss Wang, didn't you come to me with an answer in mind? If I haven't misunderstood, this is what you really want to ask today."

Wang Zhiyan suddenly looked at her, her pupils dilated slightly, then she smiled and bowed, saying, "Please enlighten me, sir!"

Having shed that almost perfect facade of gentleness and poise, the ambition and confidence in Miss Wang's eyes are now fully revealed, making her a completely different person from before!

Song Ling stepped forward and pulled her up with one hand. "Miss Wang, please sit down. Let's talk in detail."

"You may call me Zhiyan, or you may use my courtesy name."

Miss Wang smiled and said, "Yueyun is the courtesy name I chose for myself."

Song Ling raised her teacup, gesturing, "Yue Yun."

***

Night

Southwest Army Barracks

"General, what are you doing so late?" Wei Yan reluctantly got up from his bed, still half asleep. As he walked out of the tent, wearing his outer robe, he felt a thousand grievances against Yu Baizhou for deliberately waking him.

"She hasn't come back." Yu Baizhou's face was as cold as if it were about to freeze, but he subconsciously ignored the panic in his heart.

"who?"

Wei Yan's groggy head spun around several times before he finally realized, "You mean Miss Song?"

"Wasn't she supposed to come in a few days?"

"When did she say that?" Yu Baizhou's nervousness betrayed him, but it was too dark for Wei Yan to see.

Wei Yan said nonchalantly, "This morning before we set off, Miss Song came to tell me that we were short of medicinal herbs and asked me to lend her some money."

"Didn't Miss Song... tell you?" Wei Yan asked tentatively, and sure enough, Yu Baizhou's face darkened even more.

"Perhaps Miss Song has forgotten... Haha..." Wei Yan offered a few dry explanations and words of comfort, but they had no effect whatsoever.

He genuinely didn't know that Song Ling hadn't told the general about leaving, since she had always reported it before.

"How many days?"

"Huh?" Wei Yan only realized that he was asking when Miss Song would return after seeing the general's cold gaze.

"Miss Song said her return date is uncertain, ranging from three days to seven or eight days..."

Yu Baizhou's expression stiffened further. He said curtly, "I know," and strode away.

He now truly understands how terrible habits can be. Why didn't they inform him? Why did they choose to borrow money from Wei Yan instead of asking him? Why did it take so long...?

Yu Baizhou was a bit slow-witted, but not stupid. Was she angry with him? Could it be that she took all those angry words he said last night seriously?

He slammed his fist against his thigh, wishing he had known...

But hindsight is always 20/20.

If she comes back, should he... just reluctantly admit his mistake? But wouldn't that be too shameful and lacking in integrity?

General Yu couldn't sleep any longer, so he got up from his bed and went outside to practice some boxing. He was drenched in sweat, so he took a bath in the river before returning to his tent.

But before he could come up with a plan, the person who had been bothering him all day returned home early.

"General!"