Chapter 315 A Shocking Change Inside the Tent
The footsteps grew closer and closer, finally stopping at the entrance to the camp.
Jiang Huan took a short dagger from beside the table and hid it deep in her sleeve.
She moved silently to the side and back of the tent flap, pressing herself against the cold tent wall. The cool metallic touch cleared her chaotic thoughts slightly.
She covered her mouth with her left hand, breathing very softly and slowly, afraid that the slightest sound would alert the uninvited guest outside the door.
Listen closely, and you can hear the sounds of chaotic footsteps and fighting in the distance.
It must be that the two armies have clashed.
But why would someone come to the commander's tent alone at this time?
Cold sweat silently slid down her back, soaking her inner shirt and bringing a sticky chill.
Swish—
The heavy curtain of the tent was lifted a crack, and a figure nimbly slipped in.
The newcomer was dressed in the armor of a low-ranking general of the Great Liang Dynasty, with the brim of his helmet pulled down low, and his face covered in dust and blood.
He looked young, but his eyes revealed a shrewdness beyond his years.
He looked anxious, his eyes quickly scanning the tent. When he saw that Jiang Huan was the only one there, he was clearly stunned for a moment, and then a look of relief appeared on his face.
"Your Majesty! Are you alright?"
He strode forward, his voice urgent and filled with deep worry, "This humble general heard strange noises inside the tent and feared that a thief might sneak in and harm Your Majesty. In a moment of panic, I rushed in and disturbed Your Majesty. I deserve to die!"
He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in apology, and acted with utmost respect.
But beneath his lowered eyelids, his gaze swept almost imperceptibly across every corner of the tent, especially the shadowy spots where people could hide, as if he were urgently trying to confirm something.
Jiang Huan's tense nerves relaxed slightly, but her vigilance was not completely eliminated.
She sized up the unfamiliar general before her, trying hard to recall if she had seen him by Huo Lin's side before, but she had no recollection of it.
She had been dealing with Huo Lin's personal guards almost every day for the past few days, so she could be certain that there was no such person.
However, with so many Liang Juns, it's possible they were recently promoted, which makes sense.
Looking at his armor, the style was indeed that of the Liang army, and the wear and stains on the leather armor suggested that it had been in battle.
But for some reason, Jiang Huan always felt that something was wrong.
Oh, right!
It's a sound!
The tone of his voice when he spoke sounded different from theirs!
Jiang Huan harbored many doubts, but remained outwardly calm.
She tried to make her voice sound calm, even with a hint of displeasure after being startled: "I am fine. Who are you under? What is the situation outside? Where is the Emperor?"
The general bowed his head and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I am Zhang Zhao, the deputy captain of the sentry battalion under General Li. A small group of elite Northern Di troops took advantage of the chaos to launch a sneak attack outside, but most of them have been repelled by our army. His Majesty is personally directing the mopping up of the remaining enemies at the front and has specially ordered me to come to protect Your Majesty's safety."
Why would Huo Lin send an unfamiliar deputy captain from a sentry post to protect her?
Jiang Huan's doubts deepened, and she frowned slightly.
"Since the situation outside is not yet settled, then Deputy Lieutenant Zhang should prioritize military affairs. I am safe here and do not need your special protection. Go and assist the Emperor in suppressing the enemy."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhao did not immediately accept the order and leave. Instead, he raised his head, looking somewhat troubled.
"Your Majesty, the enemy is cunning, and there may be some who escape. His Majesty has specially ordered that I must protect Your Majesty and stay by your side at all times. Please allow me to protect Your Majesty here."
His eyes seemed sincere, but a hint of urgency flashed deep within them.
This person's attitude is far too forceful, and it doesn't seem like protection, but rather surveillance? Or does he have some other purpose?
Jiang Huan's heart sank. She suppressed her fear, her face turned cold, and her voice rose slightly.
"I've said it before, you're not needed here. The military situation is urgent. As a general, your priority should be suppressing the enemy. Get out of here immediately, that's an order!"
She tried to intimidate him with her status and presence, forcing him to back down.
However, upon hearing Jiang Huan's stern command, the respect on Zhang Zhao's face vanished like the tide.
He neither answered nor backed down, but instead slowly stood up.
The worry and anxiety that had been on his face vanished without a trace.
Those eagle-like eyes stared straight at Jiang Huan.
The air inside the tent seemed to freeze instantly.
The flickering candlelight cast the two figures facing off onto the tent wall, creating distorted shadows.
Jiang Huan felt a chill run from her feet to the top of her head, and her palms, which were holding the dagger, were instantly soaked with cold sweat.
She found out.
This person is definitely not a general of the Great Liang.
"Why is Your Highness angry?"
The young man spoke, his voice still low, but all pretense had vanished.
"Outside, there is chaos and war, and swords have no eyes. This humble general is only following orders from above. Your Highness is of noble birth, so it is safer for you to stay in the tent."
Hmph, she really is a delicate beauty, no wonder Huo Lin misses her so much.
If we capture her, Huo Lin won't hesitate to act against her.
The mission is complete, and a reward will surely follow when we return.
Jiang Huan looked into this person's eyes, her heart pounded wildly, she almost felt like she was suffocating, but her brain was still working at lightning speed.
A direct confrontation is absolutely out of the question. With her rudimentary skills, her opponent is clearly a well-trained soldier, and she has no chance of winning in a fight.
We must stall for time and wait for Huo Lin or Sun Zheng to return.
She took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, but quietly stepped back, attempting to create some distance.
"Very well, I appreciate your kind intentions. I will stay here with you in this tent and wait for the Emperor's triumphant return. Come, help me fill the basin with water and wash two towels and wring them dry. I want to wait for the Emperor to return so I can personally help him change."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhao's eyes flickered.
This seems like a great opportunity to close the distance and strike decisively!
He thought to himself that this empress was truly a pretty face with no substance; whether he saw through her or not, she was just as clueless.
So he replied "yes" and took a few steps forward, leaning slightly forward to pick up the basin of water.
However, just as he bent over...
Perhaps it was due to the subtle shifts in the leather armor during movement, or perhaps it was due to the coincidence of the candlelight angle.
A flash of cold silver light streaked before Jiang Huan's eyes. She could clearly see a small section of a sword hilt protruding from the junction of his armor and belt.
The style and decoration of the hilt were completely different from the standard-issue swords of the Liang army; it was clearly a scimitar from the Northern Barbarians!
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