Chapter 239 A heartfelt confession, the army sets out...

"I disagree! Why do you have to go and die? Have you ever thought about how I would live if something happened to you?" Zong Suyi cried so hard she could barely breathe, and collapsed to the ground as if all her strength had left her.

"Tuntun is still so young. If... if she loses her mother, what will she do?"

Behind the door, a small figure was wiping away tears, trembling and sobbing.

"My lady, you're all we have," he sniffed, crawled over, and grabbed her sleeve, his eyes swollen as he pleaded, "You've done more than enough. The people of Zhangzhou respect you, the people of Yinzhou thank you, the people of Yingzhou love you. You're already all-powerful, above all others. Please think more about us, father and daughter..."

Zhang Ting sighed and helped him up. "Xiao Yi, although this was dangerous, it's not without a chance of survival. Why are you so pessimistic?"

Zong Suyi pushed her away abruptly, tears streaming down her face like a broken string of pearls. "Then swear to heaven that you will definitely come back unharmed, or else... otherwise my child and I will die a horrible death!" She bit her lip so hard it seemed to sink into her flesh.

Zhang Ting's throat tightened. "How can I swear a poisonous oath on you and the child?" The military strength of Mo Nan was beyond everyone's imagination, and only she knew best how likely the campaign would be to fail.

She turned her head away from him and said in a hoarse voice, "My mind is made up. I will set off for the expedition tomorrow morning. My husband... if you still consider me your wife, please go and help me pack my bags."

Zong Suyi glared at her with intense hatred, then turned and left.

A loud 'thud' came from outside the door, as if something heavy had fallen to the ground.

"My lord, my lord, what's wrong—"

"Dad!!" Tun Tun burst into tears.

Zhang Ting was startled, and had just taken half a step forward.

The rustling of fabric made a sound, and a familiar voice trembled slightly at the end: "...I'm fine, let's go, don't block the way and get in the lord's way."

Zhang Ting lowered her eyes, withdrew her foot, stood there for a long time, and then went into the inner room.

This journey is fraught with peril, and she needs to make some plans for the future of her father and daughter.

In the stillness of the night, the ink on the letter had long since dried, and two bulging bundles were piled on the table, containing Zhang Tingming's luggage from earlier that day.

In the dimly lit room, Zhang Ting finished soaking her feet and, having nothing else to do, went to the dressing table to tinker with things. She was busy with many things, and most of the items here were for Zong Suyi. Their crowns, hairbands, jade hairpins, and other items were placed together, each containing one of their own. She couldn't help but smile, laughing at Zong Suyi's childishness.

Pulling open each small drawer revealed a collection of her jade pendants, jade buckles, and other ornaments of various colors and textures, some new and some old. It was the first time Zhang Ting had ever realized that she possessed so many jewelry items.

She sat back down on the couch and picked up a book to read. The more she read, the more uneasy she felt. It was full of despicable tricks to flatter and fawn over superiors. She flipped to the title and saw that it was titled "How to Make Your Wife Fall Head Over Heels for You".

Zhang Ting remained silent for a moment, then put the book back in its original place. She had been married to Zong Suyi for over ten years, and even now, she still felt she didn't understand him well enough.

The candles crackled and popped, growing shorter and shorter, stretching her shadow longer and longer.

After a long period of silence, the door quietly opened a crack, and a thin, haggard figure walked in. Upon seeing the person standing in front of him, he hesitated, then quickly looked away.

Zhang Ting broke the silence first, "You're back?"

Zong Suyi responded softly, "Mm." She walked over with her head down and took off the cloak that was covered in cold air.

Is Tun Tun still crying?

He replied, "No, I'm asleep."

Zhang Ting didn't say anything. She took off her coat, shoes, and socks, lay down on the bed, and patted the spot next to her. "You should rest too."

Zong Suyi didn't answer. She took off her jade hairpin, sat in front of the dressing table and tidied her dark hair. After washing up slowly, she walked to the bedside.

Zhang Ting told him to sleep inside, and that if he wanted to get inside, he would have to crawl over her, clearly teasing him on purpose.

Zong Suyi didn't make a fuss. She lowered her eyelashes and stepped over her without saying a word, then lifted the blanket and draped it over herself.

Zhang Ting wanted to speak several times, but she stopped herself from speaking.

The room fell silent; it was getting late. She blew out the light, reached out and gently stroked his hand. "Go to sleep."

Zong Suyi turned over, his back to her.

Zhang Ting sighed, said nothing, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.

But my heart was not at peace. One image after another flashed through my mind, and I couldn't sleep. I don't know how much time passed before the moon hung high in the sky, casting its bright silver light into the room.

Zhang Ting opened her eyes and suddenly said, "I didn't have a good childhood. I was extremely rich and then suddenly became poor. I was almost sold. I escaped, but was dragged out and beaten half to death. I barely survived and had to steal leftovers to eat to grow up." Thinking of the scene of being chased and beaten for stealing, she couldn't help but laugh out loud, and she even lost one of her shoes in her haste.

"I think about it. I haven't suffered much since I grew up. I even learned how to make money and was lucky enough to make a lot of money, but I haven't even started to enjoy it yet. God wants me to start all over again."

“There’s nothing wrong with that. Let’s start over. I also want to see how far I can go.” She propped her head up and said seriously, “The world most admires the pure, selfless, and virtuous. So I will be the saint in their hearts. This path is well set. Along the way, I have won countless praises, flowers and applause.”

"This time I was also very lucky. I was born in a chaotic world with a tyrannical ruler in power. My 'path to sainthood' was much easier than I imagined. Money came when I wanted it, fame came when I wanted it, power came when I wanted it. Countless people praised my character and sang my praises for my benevolence. Teachers, classmates, senior sisters, you, and many other people whose names I don't know, spontaneously cleared the thorns from my path and leveled the mountains."

“I am able to get to where I am today because of the support of these people. They have given me a great reputation and the capital to achieve great things. At the same time, it seems that they have also planted a seed in my heart. By the time I realized it, the seed had already taken root in my heart and could not be pulled out. It made me unable to bear seeing people displaced and destitute, and unable to ignore the ‘normal’ situation of the world and not care about things that don’t concern me.”

She laughed. "It sounds a bit sentimental, but when bad people wear a mask of hypocrisy for too long, they seem to actually become good people? Hmm, that feeling isn't bad."

Suddenly, she stopped smiling and said solemnly, "Xiaoyi, I want to be a good person from the bottom of my heart, for the teachers and friends who have worked hard for me, for the people who love and support me, and for myself."

Even if I lose despite giving it my all, and die on the battlefield, I will have no regrets. Life is but a fleeting moment, and the time I have left is both short and long. I want to indulge myself and take a gamble. I hope you can forgive my inadequacy as a wife, but please grant my wish.

After a long silence, she turned her head to look and saw that Zong Suyi's eyes were closed and his breathing was deep and even.

Zhang Ting smiled slightly and fell asleep.

It's better if she didn't hear him. She reached out and tucked the blanket around him. Just think of me as someone who won't listen to reason. Even if I don't come back, I won't be so sad.

She finally let down her guard and closed her eyes to sleep.

A string of tears streamed down the corner of the sleeping person's eye, gradually merging into the moonlight.

...

The following day, the bugle call to advance sounded, and the army set off.

The leader was clad in armor, his silver armor gleaming in the sunlight, his cloak billowing behind him, making him appear like a god descending to earth, awe-inspiring and unapproachable.

People on both sides of the road threw fruit at the carts, warmly bidding farewell to the army as they set off for war.

"Isn't Lord Zhang a civil official? Why is he leading troops into battle?"

"That's Lord Zhang! She's more than capable of leading troops into battle; she could even storm the heart of the southern desert. Have you ever heard of her reputation as the 'Slaughter of Ten Thousand'? That battle against the rebels was won entirely thanks to her!"

"That's right! With Lord Zhang by our side, the mere southern desert will be easily conquered by our Great Yong!"

Zhang Ting, who was at the center of the conversation, squeezed her legs together and quickened her pace.

The army marched in a mighty procession, having just crossed the border of Chizhou Prefecture before dusk. The soldiers set up camp in an orderly fashion, and the cooks dragged out the ingredients to begin preparing the meal.

As wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, the soldiers showed no signs of dejection. Even with a series of defeats reported from the front, their spirits remained high.

The morale of the troops was high, which was good news, but Zhang Ting frowned, feeling immense pressure.

She returned to her tent and sent a letter to the front lines to gather information. She had brought 60,000 soldiers and hundreds of thousands of women from the capital, but they would certainly need to recruit more soldiers at the front.

"General, dinner is ready."

The march was hasty and simple, with only one table. She tidied up the paper and pens on the table and asked someone to bring them in.

The person delivering the food was a stranger, a cook, but his cooking skills were good. However, he had no sense of boundaries and kept staring at her. Zhang Ting asked him what his name was.

Upon hearing this, the cook immediately straightened up, chest out and stomach in, and said, "This humble servant, Zheng Xiaotang, greets General Zhang!"

Zhang Ting smiled, inexplicably feeling a bit of goodwill towards her, and told Zheng Xiaotang to do a good job, and if she did well, she would be promoted to be his personal guard.

Zheng Xiaotang's eyes lit up, then she straightened up and said, "It would be my honor to protect the general, but I would like to be your sword, to charge into battle and kill the enemy."

Hearing that she wanted to be a pioneer, and seeing her tall and strong figure, Zhang Ting felt a sense of admiration for her talent. "What did you do before?"

Zheng Xiaotang said proudly, "I used to be a centurion."

A centurion is a sixth-rank military officer who commands over a hundred military households, which is considered a good position.

But, "How did you end up as a cook?"

Zheng Xiaotang immediately wilted. She had fallen from a centurion to an ordinary soldier, and then from an ordinary soldier to nothing. Later, she heard that Lord Zhang was going on an expedition, and she finally managed to squeeze in with her skills.

After hearing about her tortuous life story, Zhang Ting felt deep regret. However, selecting talent was not something that could be done by just talking. Zhang Ting personally tested her before agreeing: "I admire your deep-seated patriotism. Effective immediately, I appoint you as the vanguard to break through the enemy's defenses for our army!"

Zheng Xiaotang was overjoyed and immediately dropped the chopping board, shouting, "Your humble servant—no, your humble general—here is my command!"

Finally, she could go to the battlefield. Her heart trembled with excitement. She could be a sharp blade in Lord Zhang's hands, breaking through barriers for her. Just thinking about it made her excited!

From then on, Zheng Xiaotang was not only the invincible vanguard of the empire, but also Lord Zhang's protector!