Chapter 45 The teacher is not lying
The carriage traveled along the vast northern border highway for over ten days. The scenery outside the window gradually faded from the bustling capital to a vast expanse of wilderness and rolling barren mountains. The wind grew stronger, carrying the scent of dust and hay, making the carriage curtains rustle.
Shen Zhiwei, wrapped in the thick fur coat Xiao Wangqing had prepared, leaned against the carriage wall, reading a book. It was a collection of miscellaneous notes he'd bought at a post station along the way. The content was superficial, but enough to pass the time. Xiao Wangqing was mostly silent, either resting with his eyes closed or examining a map.
The itinerary was tight but not arduous. She could find a clean inn or a reliable home to stay in every night, and the food was catered to her tastes as much as possible.
She sometimes thought that if it was true as he said, that they had only met a few times, then his thoughtfulness and meticulousness was a bit too much.
But she didn't ask, and he didn't tell.
That afternoon, the carriage drove into an area with gradually higher terrain, and the outlines of rolling black mountains appeared in the distance.
"We're almost there." Xiao Wangqing, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
Shen Zhiwei put down the scroll, lifted the carriage curtain, and looked out. The sky and earth were a pale yellow. In the distance, at the foot of the mountain, a cluster of gray-black buildings could be vaguely seen, their flags fluttering violently in the wind.
That is the northern border military town, Liangzhou Camp.
The carriage slowed down as it approached the camp gate. Guards wearing heavy cotton armor and holding spears shouted from a distance for the carriage to stop and inspect.
Xiao Wangqing handed over the token. After the guard examined it, he immediately saluted solemnly and announced loudly, "Your Highness the Third Prince, return to the camp!"
Shen Zhiwei looked at the camp through the gaps in the shaking carriage curtains. Most of the soldiers' faces were roughened by wind and frost, but their eyes were sharp and bright.
The carriage finally stopped in front of a relatively quiet courtyard. The courtyard was made of thick logs and stones. It looked more regular than the barracks passed by on the road. Two guards with halberds stood in front of the door.
Xiao Wangqing got off the car first and whispered a few words to a man dressed in the uniform of a low-ranking officer who was coming up to him. The man took the order and left.
Then he turned around and reached into the car.
Shen Zhiwei placed her hand in his palm and used it to get out of the carriage. The wind from the northern border immediately hit her face, stronger than the one she felt in the carriage, ruffling her hair slightly and wrapping her fur coat tightly around her.
Xiao Wangqing glanced at her and saw that she had no other discomfort except that her face was a little pale from the wind, so he said, "Come with me."
He led her into the yard. The yard was not big, but it was cleaned. The door of the main house was open. It seemed that a fire had been lit inside, and warmth was faintly visible.
Just then, the sound of hurried horse hooves approached from afar, stopping outside the courtyard gate. A figure in shining silver armor and a dark red cloak swiftly dismounted, tossed the reins to the approaching guard, and strode in.
The person who came was a woman.
She was tall, with a brisk gait, tan skin, bright features, and a high ponytail, exuding an air of commanding heroism. Her gaze first fell on Xiao Wangqing, and she saluted with her fists clasped, her voice clear and clear: "Your Highness, you're back."
Then, her gaze turned to Shen Zhiwei beside Xiao Wangqing. A hint of surprise flashed across her eyes, but she quickly restrained it and turned it into a polite look.
Shen Zhiwei was also looking at her. She rarely felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if she had seen this person somewhere before, but when she thought about it carefully, her mind was blank again.
Xiao Wangqing nodded to the woman as a return gesture, then turned his gaze to Shen Zhiwei and introduced her: "This is Shen..."
"Shen Zhiwei, my teacher. From now on in the army, you can just call her Master Shen."
As soon as the words fell, not only the female general and Shen Zhiwei were stunned, but even Xiao Wangqing himself was stunned.
teacher?
When did she become Xiao Wangqing's teacher? On the way, they'd clearly been discussing a position like a clerical official, something special, but not so... shocking. A prince taking a woman of unknown origin and similar age as his teacher?
Shen Zhiwei subconsciously turned her head to look at Xiao Wangqing. He was standing half a step away from her side, with an upright figure and a normal expression, as if the earth-shattering introduction just now was supposed to be like this.
Xiao Wangqing pursed his lips, as if realizing the awkwardness of the title, but his face remained expressionless as he continued to speak to the female general, "Teacher is very knowledgeable and will be staying in the camp temporarily."
Qin Huaiyu seemed to have completely accepted this statement. When she looked at Shen Zhiwei, her eyes were filled with surprise, sudden enlightenment, and undisguised admiration.
"I am Qin Huaiyu, the humble general, and I am honored to meet Lord Shen." She bowed politely to Shen Zhiwei in a clear voice.
Shen Zhiwei felt guilty under her sparkling gaze. He coughed twice, trying to suppress the turmoil in his heart, and nodded slightly in return: "General Qin, there is no need to be so polite."
Xiao Wangqing spoke at the right time: "Huaiyu, the teacher has been exhausted from the journey, so please take a rest first. We can discuss the camp affairs later."
"Yes, Your Highness," Qin Huaiyu responded immediately, stepping aside to make way and making a "please" gesture to Shen Zhiwei, "Sir Shen, please come this way. The accommodation has been prepared. Although it is not as comfortable as the capital, it is still clean and warm."
Shen Zhiwei followed Qin Huaiyu to the main house in the courtyard, while Xiao Wangqing turned around and whispered military orders to another general who came to meet him, as if he really just wanted to settle her down.
The main room was just as Qin Huaiyu had described, simply furnished, yet fully equipped. A thick felt carpet covered the floor, and a brazier burned brightly in the center. The windows were bright and clean, and the desk, screen, and bed, though simple, were meticulously maintained.
"Lord Shen, is there anything you need? Just tell me." Qin Huaiyu stood at the door with a respectful tone.
"It's already very good. Thank you, General Qin." Shen Zhiwei looked around and said sincerely. This was much better than the harsh conditions in the military camp she had expected.
Qin Huaiyu smiled, a bright smile that diluted some of the heroic spirit between her brows. "Your Excellency is too polite. His Highness has instructed us to take good care of you." She paused, as if remembering something, and continued, "Come to think of it, I was ordered to deliver something to Your Excellency before, but I was in a hurry at the time and was unable to pay my respects."
Sent something? Shen Zhiwei's heart moved and she looked at Qin Huaiyu. She had no recollection of this, but Qin Huaiyu's expression did not seem fake. Yes, before she lost her memory, perhaps she had really met this female general once, but she just forgot.
"Really?" Shen Zhiwei didn't show any emotion on his face, just smiled and said, "I'm sorry to bother you with these trivial matters, General."
Qin Huaiyu waved his hand: "It's my job."
She didn't seem to be a talkative person. Seeing that Shen Zhiwei looked tired, she said, "Your Excellency, please rest first. Hot water and food will be delivered soon. I still need to report to His Highness."
Shen Zhiwei nodded: "General, please do as you please."
Qin Huaiyu bowed and left, leaving Shen Zhiwei alone in the room. She walked to the window and pushed it open a crack. Outside the courtyard were neatly arranged barracks. In the distance came the shouts of soldiers training. Everything was still unfamiliar.
Teacher...why did Xiao Wangqing give her such a status? Was it to legitimize her position in the army? Or...was there some other purpose she hadn't yet grasped?
She gently closed the window and walked to the desk. There, ready to be laid out, were brushes, inkstone, paper, and several volumes of Northern Frontier geography and military manuals. She casually flipped to a page, her fingertips tracing the rough surface.
never mind.
Now that you are here, make the most of it.
Qin Huaiyu personally brought the dinner, a simple meal of flatbread, broth, and a few pickled vegetables. It was a rough, yet piping hot meal. During the meal, Qin Huaiyu didn't linger. He simply said a few words about the camp's rules and precautions before taking his leave.
Xiao Wangqing never showed up.
Until the night completely enveloped Liangzhou City and the cold wind whistled over the courtyard wall, Shen Zhiwei was about to turn off the lights and go to bed when he heard familiar footsteps outside the door.
It's very light, but very clear in the quiet night.
The footsteps paused at the door for a moment, as if hesitating. Then, there was a knock on the door.
"Miss Chen, are you resting?" It was Xiao Wangqing's voice, a little deeper than usual.
Shen Zhiwei stood up, walked to the door, and pulled the wooden bolt.
Xiao Wangqing stood outside the door, still wearing the same clothes he wore during the day, holding a food box in his hand.
"Your Highness." Shen Zhiwei stepped aside to let him in.
Xiao Wangqing walked into the house and placed the food box on the table. "The camp's cooks are not very skilled, and I'm afraid you won't be able to get used to the food. Here are some snacks I bought in the city. If you get hungry tonight, you can have some."
The food box was opened, revealing several exquisite Jiangnan pastries, a stark contrast to the rough style of the dinner. Procuring these in this bitter cold of the northern border must have taken some effort.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Shen Zhiwei thanked him without touching the snacks. She looked at him and asked directly, "Your Highness... why did you say I was your teacher today?"
"Sit down first."
Xiao Wangqing poured two cups of hot tea, pushed one in front of Shen Zhiwei, and sat down at the table.
"Today... it's a bit rushed." He held the teacup, his fingertips gently stroking the cup wall. "The title of teacher is not empty."
Shen Zhiwei looked up at him, waiting for his next words.
Xiao Wangqing pondered for a long time how to put it, but the moment he met her gaze, he felt that all his previous thoughts were in vain.
He began to explain, "The men in our army are more than brave and capable, but they often lack knowledge of classics, history, strategy, government affairs, and people's livelihoods. Although I am willing to teach them, I often feel inadequate and unable to find the right method."
"Miss Shen is insightful and wise, and her insights are often unique. I hope... you can stay and, in your free time, read books to them, analyze theories, and broaden their horizons and minds. There's no need to stick to formalities; just follow your heart."
I see.
He didn't really want her to teach him any profound knowledge, but to use her as a teacher to give her a legitimate identity to stay and give her the responsibility of teaching the soldiers in the army. This not only gave her status and respect, but also gave her something to do so that she would not be idle.
Very thoughtful arrangement.
"Your Highness, you are too kind," Shen Zhiwei lowered his eyelashes, "I am not well-educated, and I am afraid I will fail to live up to your trust."
"Miss Shen, there's no need to be so modest. I trust my own judgment."
"Although Liangzhou is bitterly cold, it's not a barren land. The soldiers in the army are not reckless men who only know how to fight. What they lack is someone to lead them to see higher and farther."
He paused. "This...is not a commission, but a request. If Miss Shen feels it's inappropriate, or doesn't want to be involved in these mundane matters, that's fine. The title of teacher is just a convenient title. You are in the camp, everything will remain the same, and no one dares to neglect it."
The words were polite and yielding, leaving the choice in her hands. But the meaning behind them was also obvious: he needed her, or rather, he needed the changes she could bring.
He seemed to really believe that she had some extraordinary talent.
Shen Zhiwei found it a little funny that a man who had lived a life of luxury and had forgotten who he was was going to teach a group of soldiers fighting on the battlefield. But when he saw Xiao Wangqing's serious face, the smile faded.
"Since Your Highness says so, I'll give it a try." She rubbed her forehead and drank the tea he poured. At this point, refusing would seem hypocritical.
"Thank you... Lord Shen."
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The author has something to say: After coming to Northern Xinjiang, Mr. Shen occasionally suffers from acclimatization problems.
The food in northern Xinjiang is not as refined as that in Beijing, and the style is much stronger.
But the sky is clear and the territory is vast
And the warhorse's mane is very nice to touch
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