Chapter 83 Chapter 83 Moved

Zhe Rou silently put down the silver knife in her hand and did not respond for a long while.

The mutton that I had tasted so tender and delicious just now was now stuck in my throat and had lost its flavor, as if I were chewing wax.

She opened her lips, wanting to ask him what was wrong with him and what his current situation was like, but the words swirled around her tongue and she swallowed them back.

Love or hate, it's all over.

He was still alive, and as for the rest, it had nothing to do with her.

As for whether she wanted to see him or not, she naturally didn't want to.

But she and Mingqi recognized each other in the training ground during the day, which made quite a commotion. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, I am afraid that the news has spread throughout the camp.

What's more, she also has to treat Madam Zhou's husband, so she has to stay here for a while longer.

There are many gossips in the military camp. With Lu Chen's sharp mind, even if he can hide it for a while, can he hide it for a lifetime?

If he were to notice anything, Mingqi would have to conceal her whereabouts. With war imminent, the two commanders were harboring grievances. If any disturbance arose, how would it be resolved?

Xie Yunzhou looked at her expression, vaguely guessing what she was thinking. He couldn't help but smile, "Nineth Lady, don't overthink it. This is my territory, so I have a plan. You can't always let Lu Bingyan's prestige dampen my ambition."

Hearing his cheerful tone, Zhe Rou pursed her lips and smiled, making up her mind, "After all, there is still some time. Let's talk about it after the army sets out."

Xie Yunzhou also chuckled and didn't say anything else. He just pushed the remaining roasted lamb towards her.

—

Shangjing, the rear corner gate of Zongzheng Temple.

Carrying the food box, Xu Yourong followed closely behind the guard, walking through the long and dark alley. The shadows cast by the high walls on both sides became darker and darker until there was almost no light left. Finally, he arrived in front of the courtyard gate with mottled paint.

"Your Highness, a young lady has come to visit."

After the escort announced loudly, he stepped forward, removed the copper lock on the door, gestured with his hand, and led her into the courtyard.

The autumn rains continued for several times, and the weather gradually turned colder. This small courtyard was originally crude and old, and after being soaked by the cold rain several times, it became even more cramped, damp and desolate.

The courtyard was filled with a damp, musty smell, the stone steps were covered with moss, and the spider webs under the eaves were covered with water droplets, trembling slightly in the cold wind.

Li Zhen was cheered up by the voice, stood up with the help of the table, and walked to the door dragging his right leg.

Xu Yourong hurried forward to support him, smiling and saying, "Brother-in-law, my sister has caught a cold and isn't well yet. She asked me to bring you some food on her behalf."

"Thank you, Rong Niang, for making this trip." Li Zhen smiled gently and lowered his voice while turning sideways. "How is it? Any news from Yuan En?"

Yuan En was originally a small eunuch in the Forbidden City. Many years ago, Xu Yourong had given him a meal. Now he served beside Sun Xian, the military pacification envoy. Because of this previous connection, he had been helping her to make connections and smooth the way for the past two years.

Xu Yourong nodded, then quietly glanced at the escort outside the courtyard gate. While pretending to show him the food in the box, he used his body to conceal the food and pulled out a piece of paper from the bottom of the box and stuffed it into his mouth. "I heard that Mr. Zhou has been very popular lately, and he just sent me a message."

Li Zhen took it calmly, and using his sleeve to cover it, he quickly scanned the contents of the letter.

The emperor personally appointed Duke Xu as the commander-in-chief, so the Xie family father and son and Lu Chen became a united force. He was already in a state of decline and power, and it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to intervene in the army. Fortunately, he had the eunuch Sun Xian accompanying him to supervise the army.

People like Sun Xian, who were impaired in their six senses and had been sentenced to death, only cared about material gain. Over the past two years, with the help of Yuan En, countless silver, money and treasures were sent to him like water, and finally this way was opened up.

Now, he used this relationship to place his trusted aides to work for Sun Xian, thus planting a hidden chess piece in the army.

He naturally understood that a mere staff member was not very important in the war.

But what if?

If the swords and knives on the battlefield are merciless, a move at the critical moment may cause Xie Mingqi to die on the battlefield.

Li Zhen unconsciously clenched the thin paper in his hand.

Why did he have a broken leg and was imprisoned in this hellish place without seeing the sun, while that bastard was able to enjoy all the favors, make great achievements and live a glorious life outside!

Why?!

Li Zhen pondered for a moment and whispered, "Go back and tell Zhou Chang to continue whispering in Sun Xian's ear, telling him how Wang Guan, a eunuch in the previous dynasty, was granted the title of Prince.

Duke Xu is over fifty years old and suffers from old injuries. If he were to catch a cold and fall ill during this critical juncture of the war... then the credit for defeating the Tanguts and recovering lost territory would naturally fall to Sun Xian."

Xu Yourong understood the sinister meaning in his words, and her heart trembled. She hesitated and murmured, "Brother-in-law... Brother-in-law, will this..."

Li Zhen squinted his eyes, a sneer curling up at the corner of his mouth. "Why, don't you want to avenge your sister's family feud? Are you willing to watch Lu Chen achieve military merit and return to the capital in glory to receive his reward?"

Thinking of his father and mother, Xu Yourong secretly clenched his palms, hatred instantly flooding his heart, "Of course I'm unwilling to accept this."

Li Zhen sneered, his eyes becoming increasingly sinister. "Then stop talking nonsense and just go back and do as I say."

The situation has already come to this, so what if the crime is even more serious?

If he doesn't send that bastard to hell and doesn't let his biased good father suffer the pain of seeing his child die before him, it will be difficult for him to vent his hatred.

Even if I fail and die, it is better than living in such a cowardly way now.

—

After taking a dose of rhinoceros horn soup that day, the Zhou family's wife and husband's injuries improved slightly, but they were still in critical condition and had a high fever from time to time.

Since he was entrusted with the task, Zhe Rou was worried and decided to stay in the military camp to watch over him day and night, taking his pulse and prescribing medicine from time to time.

Xie Yunzhou was busy with military affairs and was away most of the time, but if he had some free time, he would definitely come to have a meal with her and chat for a few minutes.

A month passed in a flash. After several changes of prescriptions and careful treatment, Mrs. Zhou's husband's condition had finally improved. Zhe Rou took his pulse and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when she heard a loud commotion outside the tent.

When I walked out of the tent, I saw Xie Yunzhou leading his men back to the camp.

When the two armies faced each other, there were often some small-scale probing exchanges. Seeing that handsome face, still covered in dust and blood, looked even more unruly and wild, Zhe Rou couldn't help but be startled, "Are you hurt?"

Xie Yunzhou raised his lips and smiled, "It's the blood of the fangs."

It was rare for Zhou Xiao to be so excited, his voice rising a few notches. "Ninth Lady, you may not know, but the young master was out on patrol today, and by some sheer coincidence, he ran into the right general of the Tanguts! Those Liao warriors were overwhelmed and tried to flee, but our brothers caught up and annihilated them. It was a real relief to see them lose their spirit!"

At night, they had a small celebration party and lit a bonfire in the camp. Xie Yunzhou personally started the mud seal and passed jars of good wine to his soldiers. The soldiers gathered in groups of three or four around the bonfire, drinking and chatting, making it very lively.

She had been worried about the injury of Madam Zhou's husband for days, but now she could finally put her mind at ease. Zhe Rou felt relieved and drank a few sips as well.

But the military camp was full of rough people. After three rounds of drinking, everyone gradually became more outspoken and said some nonsense from time to time.

Xie Yunzhou's ears felt hot after hearing this. He coughed unnaturally and tilted his head to look at Zhe Rou. "How about I take you outside the tent to get rid of the alcohol?"

Zhe Rou also felt a little uncomfortable, nodded knowingly, and stood up to leave.

Walking all the way to the hillside behind the tent, the soldiers' rough laughter and the light of the campfire gradually disappeared into the thick night.

Zhe Rou found a place with thick grass, and Xie Yunzhou untied his outer robe and put it on the ground, and the two of them sat down side by side.

Stars hung low over the plain, the moonlight was intoxicating, and all around there were swathes of weeds, the tips of which caressed the back of her hand in the wind, making her feel itchy, wet, and cool.

Hearing the intermittent sound of the xiao coming faintly from the military camp, Xie Yunzhou's heart was moved. He casually plucked a piece of grass, put it to his lips and blew a little tune.

When the song ended, he raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhe Rou, unable to resist showing off to her, "Is it good?"

Lu Bingyan doesn't know how to do this.

"Nice to hear." Zhe Rou smiled broadly, the alcohol rising to her head, her cheeks slightly warm. "I didn't know you could do this before. The young prince is so secretive, I'm being disrespectful."

Xie Yunzhou heard the teasing in her words and smiled: "Jiu Niang, are you praising me or insulting me?"

"Of course I'm praising you." Zhe Rou smiled, raised her hand and gently tucked the scattered hair behind her ear, glanced at him sideways, and said softly, "You've had many small victories recently, why are you so happy today?"

Xie Yunzhou turned to look at her, "Have you heard of 'Iron Harrier'?"

Zhe Rou's fingertips paused slightly.

She vaguely remembered Lu Chen having mentioned it to her.

If I remember correctly, that was a group of heavily armored elite cavalry of the Dangxiang people. Both the men and the horses were wearing cold-forged heavy armor. They were extremely powerful in combat and their notoriety spread throughout the northern border.

Xie Yunzhou noticed she was momentarily distracted and cursed himself for being stupid. He simply changed the subject, "The leader of that Iron Harrier Army was brutal, worse than an animal. When Lingzhou City was captured, that bandit once disemboweled the captured girls, removed their intestines, tied them to the top of the city walls, and threw them overboard. He called this 'Beauty Kite'."

It was simply horrifying, and Zhe Rou's heart trembled violently when she heard it.

After a pause, Xie Yunzhou raised his lips and smiled, "The Liaozi who died under my arrow today was the son of that beast."

"The Hehuang area has been a horse ranch with abundant water and grass since ancient times, but this group of beasts has occupied it for hundreds of years. It's time to return it to us.

Back then, the Hu Liao laughed at my Great Zhou for not being good at cavalry warfare, but now I want to release my horses to the Hehuang River, so that our Great Zhou warhorses can also taste what the wild grass here is like."

The young man had a handsome and strong face, with a proud look between his brows. The clear moonlight poured down, flowing in his handsome eyes like cold stars, reflecting the world and mountains and rivers.

Zhe Rou stared at him for a moment, then unconsciously curled the corners of her lips and said softly, "Ming Qi, I hope you get what you want soon."

After sitting for a while, the night gradually deepened, the dew was heavy and the wind was cold.

I don't know what time it was, but Xie Yunzhou saw that she was so drunk that she was sleepy and her eyelids were heavy, so he simply squatted in front of her, put his backhand around her, and carried her on his back.

"Come, I'll carry you back."

Before Zhe Rou could come to her senses, she had already landed steadily on his back.

She subconsciously let out a soft cry, and Xie Yunzhou immediately laughed softly. The laughter came through his chest, causing a buzzing vibration.

Zhe Rou was already drowsy, and she leaned on his strong, warm back, her breath filled with the familiar and clean scent of soapberries. She suddenly felt indescribably at ease, and stopped struggling.

Before I knew it, my eyelids were closing heavily and my breathing was becoming long and even.

Feeling the warm breath on his neck, Xie Yunzhou couldn't help but smile. He carefully supported her knees and put her on his back again. His steps became more steady as he slowly walked towards the camp.

When they reached the gate, the two guards on duty were about to salute, but they saw Xie Yunzhou shaking his head slightly, signaling them to keep quiet, and then he carried people through the gate as if nothing had happened, leaving the two guards standing there, looking at each other in shock, their jaws dropped.

When Zhe Rou woke up, it was already bright daylight.

Xie Yunzhou might be busy with military affairs again, as he was nowhere to be seen in the camp.

Zhe Rou knew that he was busy, so after washing up, she went straight to the wounded camp and spent half a day carefully selecting herbs, intending to make them into pills or powders that were easy to carry and then distribute them to the many soldiers in the army.

The preparation of medicinal materials requires extreme care, as the efficacy of the medicine will be reduced if you are not careful. Zhe Rou was busy until the evening, and saw the sky gradually darkening.

She belatedly realized that she was hungry and was about to get up to find something to eat when she heard an anxious call from outside the tent.

"Ninth Lady! Is Ninth Lady here?"

"The general's old injury has flared up and it hurts a lot. Please go and take a look at him quickly, my lady!"

It was the voice of the guard in front of the central army tent.

Zhe Rou was stunned, not knowing when Xie Yunzhou had gotten this disease. She did not have time to think about it for a moment. She hurriedly put down the herbs in her hand, took out the silver needles from the medical box, and hurried to the central army tent.

The wounded camp was quite a distance away from the central army tent. Zhe Rou followed the escort through the tents. The sand under his feet made a rustling sound, and a thin layer of sweat gradually seeped out of his body.

After turning two more corners, I saw some figures moving outside the big tent in the distance. I couldn't make out their faces clearly in the darkness. They looked like some newly transferred unfamiliar guards, pacing back and forth anxiously.

When one of them saw the escort coming back, his eyes suddenly lit up and he hurried forward to greet him, "How is it? Have you found the military doctor?"

“Here it comes!”

The guard quickly stepped aside to make way, lifted the curtain, and gestured to invite Zherou in.

Dusk fell, and the darkness gradually rose all around. It was almost the hour of the dog, but there was no light in the big tent. The light around was dim and blurry, as if shrouded in a cloud of inky mist, and nothing could be seen clearly.

Through a bamboo screen, Zhe Rou vaguely saw a figure curled up on a low couch. His back was thin and trembling, and his breathing was suppressed and intermittent.

Her heart suddenly tightened, and she hurried around the screen and walked to the bed, "Mingqi, why are you..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhe Rou froze to the spot as if struck by lightning.

She had already known him so well that it was etched into her bones and blood. Even after three years, even in the dim light, she still recognized the person on the couch at a glance.

It’s Lu Chen!

How could it be Lu Chen? !

How could he suddenly appear here?!

She had not yet heard the news of the Hezhou army's march!

Zhe Rou was in a trance, her fingertips unconsciously pinching the silver needle bag, and she even held her breath.

The big tent fell into silence. Lu Chen seemed to have noticed something. He moved slightly, slowly opened his eyes, and looked up at her.

Their eyes met.

Zhe Rou opened her eyes wide in panic and instinctively wanted to retreat and escape, but her feet were completely out of control. She stood still, the hairs on her back stood on end, her heart was pounding, and her ears were buzzing.

His dark and deep gaze fell on her face. Lu Chen looked at her hesitantly for a long while, then called out hoarsely, "妱妱?"