Female General (VIII)
The wing room in the backyard of Liuxiangju was isolated from the annoying heat outside. Mu You was still sleeping. Xiao Lin held his palm with one hand and listened attentively to everything Qian Li said.
"Qianjilang..." Xiao Lin's eyelashes suddenly rose, and his lips parted slightly. "What is it?"
I thought she was thinking about something, but she actually said this, which really made Qian Li laugh and cry.
He raised his hand to support his forehead, a sneer on his face: "You are from out of town, right?"
"Um……"
In desperation, he could only reveal everything: "Qianjilang is the worldly name of Yinxi Taweng, the intelligence chief appointed by the late emperor himself."
"He holds in his hands the vital connections of every aspect of life under heaven. Secret agents are scattered across the land like stars, and information flows like water on his desk. The countless shifts in power in the court and the underworld are ultimately dependent on the secret scrolls on his desk."
"After all, which power struggle in this world doesn't grow flesh and blood from real and fake intelligence?"
Suddenly, Xiao Lin understood, and his eyes were shocked.
"Otherwise," Qian Li's expression, which had relaxed slightly, suddenly tensed up again. "Do you think a historian could make the current emperor fear him? Is the ruler of a country really afraid of a few words in a history book?"
Xiao Lin: “…”
"The Chu family, father and son, are both leaders of this secret operation. His father, in particular, is a man of rare means. There is no intelligence he cannot extract, no spy he cannot subdue. However, they cannot make this identity public. This face must be kept hidden."
"His father rarely showed up in public, so his courtesy name was chosen for him by his grandfather. However, his grandfather didn't expect him to become an official, so he gave him the courtesy name 'Yinxi', hoping that he would 'hide to the west and live towards death'..."
"So," Xiao Lin cleared his throat, his voice a little hoarse, "Boss Chu still went against his grandfather's wishes, and since the Wang family couldn't win over Boss Chu's grandfather, they used him as a pawn?"
Qian Li nodded.
It was really unexpected that behind Chu Mo's arrogance and willfulness, there was such a conspiracy.
He had previously said that Gou Su was defeated by the cunning of human hearts, so what about him?
When he saw Gou Su, did he remember his previous ridiculous self?
"What happened after that? Why did Second Miss Jiang die?"
Qian Li sighed, a bitter feeling spreading through his heart. He bit his lower lip before whispering, "Those beasts of the Wang family, after overthrowing the Zhao family, forced Yinxi to kill them all. Ah Ying was killed by them just for protecting the remaining old and young of the Zhao family..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Lin's throat suddenly tightened, and he inadvertently tightened his grip on Mu You's hand.
"Can you imagine? His unwavering pride, unbroken through the flames of a lifetime, was bent beneath the weight of the broken tombstone. Every time he stood before his deceased wife's grave, he wept so hard he couldn't even lift his head. Even when I stood right beside him, I couldn't hear a single groan from him. Later, I realized his heart was like shattered jade, never to be mended again in this lifetime..."
Yes, during the time she spent with Chu Mo, she had never seen him lose consciousness or collapse. Even if the risk of death was very small, he would still have a pair of indifferent eyes.
Could he, like this man, be so deeply attached to someone? Could he be so heartbroken by someone?
Xiao Lin didn't even dare to think about it.
But the next moment, she believed it.
Just as the two were talking happily, the wooden door that had been closed for a long time suddenly turned to the sides, and outside the threshold was Chu Mo, dressed in dark green.
He stood alone outside the door, his wide golden sleeves hanging down on both sides, looking at the two people inside without saying a word.
"Yinxi, you..."
"Xuan Du, did you hurt him?"
At the end of Chu Mo's fingertips was Mu You, whose hair was covered in sweat.
After taking a quick glance, Qian Li suddenly felt guilty and stammered, "It's my fault. I thought they were members of the Wang family, so I pulled the crossbow. Fortunately, my skills were not good enough, so I didn't take his life."
But Chu Mo did not say anything more. Instead, he walked straight towards Mu You, rolled up his wide sleeves, gathered white light from his fingertips, and then covered Mu You's right shoulder with it.
The sudden strange feeling made Mu You frown, but the warmth the next moment relieved his discomfort.
It was at that moment that Xiao Lin saw Chu Mo's red and swollen eyes filled with bloodshot.
It seems that Qian Li was right.
"Alright," Chu Mo withdrew his hand and quietly wiped the sweat from his forehead. "He'll be fine. When he wakes up, you two can leave."
Xiao Lin knew he was in the wrong and it was not appropriate for him to argue any further, so he knelt down and kowtowed three times to Chu Mo before returning to Mu You's side.
Chu Mo also kept silent, walked steadily behind Qian Li, grabbed the handle behind his wheelchair, and slowly pushed him out of the room.
Before leaving, he kindly said, "When I came back, I saw Gou Su on his way back home. You two should hurry up and don't get caught making mistakes on your first day of work."
Xiao Lin didn't dare to look him in the eye, and could only lower his head even lower when the door closed.
Fortunately, after being touched by Chu Mo, Mu You's face became much rosier, and the sweat on his forehead disappeared.
While Xiao Lin was recalling everything Qian Li had said, he involuntarily touched Mu You's index finger nail with the tip of his finger, feeling a little heavy-hearted.
Outside the house, cicadas chirped non-stop, and the breeze blew over the treetops, blowing down a locust leaf and landing directly on Gou Su's shoulder.
But she walked so fast that the locust leaves didn't stay there for a moment before they were shaken off by her shrugging shoulders.
"Achou! Achou! I found him! I found him!" Before even entering the house, Gou Suzhong's powerful voice suddenly broke through the air outside the door.
She jumped over the three bluestone steps in one leap, and the belt around her waist knocked against the bronze door, making a clanging sound. Ah Chou also came out upon hearing the sound.
"How is it? General, is the person you are looking for Mr. Huang?"
"Yes!" Gou Su's joy was beyond words, his eyes shining brightly. "I sent the jade bi to the Huang Mansion, and his housekeeper knew it belonged to Huang Heng the moment he saw it. It was the belt his mother personally chose for him when he was a child, there's no doubt about it!"
However, to Ah Chou, every sound of Gou Su's joy was like the sharp spines of a river shrimp, seemingly fragile but actually deeply rooted in the flesh.
A smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were expressionless: "I'm glad you found it, I'm glad you found it..."
But Gou Su was too dull to notice Ah Chou's dejection, and he continued to talk to himself, "But he was summoned to the palace today, so he won't be back until later. I've already spoken to his housekeeper, and when he comes back, I'll treat him to cherry biro to thank him in person for saving my life."
She jumped for joy, her hands folded at her waist, her face full of joy, brighter than the scorching sun above her head.
She had just walked around the corridor and was about to head straight for the bedroom when she suddenly slapped the back of her head and turned to chat with Ah Chou: "By the way, where did they go?"
"I asked them to get some wine. There's no more in the house."
"That's all right," Gou Su turned around abruptly, his hair flying. "I'm going to take a nap first. When they come back, wake me up and we'll go to the Biluo stall by the river for a meal."
"good."
Achou's voice was as gentle as a clear spring on a hot summer day.
He has always been tolerant and warm towards Gou Su, and as long as she wants, he will indulge her unlimited will.
Therefore, even though Xiao Lin and Mu You returned to the mansion together, he still hesitated for a while before knocking on the door of Gou Su's bedroom.
The knock on the door lasted for a long time before it reached Gou Su's ears.
She forced her hazy eyes open, stretched her arms and back lazily, and yawned indulgently: "You're back? What time is it?"
"It's the twilight hour now. Young Master Huang should have returned home from the palace."
Perhaps it was because he had developed the habit of setting off immediately in the military camp. Gou Su got up quickly and neatly, put on his clothes in a few seconds, put on his boots, hung up his sword, and strode out.
Following behind Gou Su, although Mu You received treatment from Chu Mo, his shoulder still ached slightly and he could no longer keep up with the pace of the two.
Seeing this, Xiao Lin slowed down his pace, holding his waist with one hand and his elbow with the other, moving gently, afraid of touching his sore spots.
It was not until he was injured that Mu You changed his usual noisy nature and became inexplicably more steady.
However, Gou Su was walking in front, searching for Biluotan's whereabouts, and did not notice anything unusual about the two people behind him.
"General Asu!" Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the left. Several people turned their heads and saw a strong arm appearing and disappearing among the crowd. "General Asu! Over here!"
Fortunately, Gou Su was sharp-eyed and caught a glimpse of Huang Heng's raised arm. He immediately led Achou towards that direction.
Logically speaking, Huang Heng, a young man from a wealthy family, would not be used to being in a place where so many people mixed together. However, he had no dandy airs at all and blended in perfectly with the common people.
"Coming, coming!" Gou Su responded, grabbing Achou's sleeve and pulling him to sit down.
Huang Heng did not expect that Gou Su would bring Achou and others with him. Although the table and chairs they occupied were small, they could still sit down if they squeezed together.
After they sat down, the surroundings were noisy, so Gou Su had no choice but to shout at the top of his voice: "Today's meal is on me! Everyone, please feel free to help yourself! Don't be restrained!"
Now that Gou Su had spoken, Xiao Lin happily picked out the cherry biro that he had been craving for a long time. Considering that Mu You was injured, he ordered something lighter for him.
Ah Chou was not picky about food and was not greedy for such snacks, so he followed Xiao Lin's example and ordered a serving of cherry biro.
Gou Su was naturally not interested in wine. Even though she was at the Biluo stall, she still ordered a jar of wine and, despite Huang Heng's dissuasion, she took off the hemp rope on the jar.
The gradually darkening dusk spread over the willow branches of Tianling West Market, and the croaking of frogs, wrapped in the sound of boiling oil, penetrated into the cracks of the bricks.
She unbuttoned the two copper buttons on the collar of her martial robe, and traces of sweat snaked across an old arrow scar on her collarbone. She poured half a pot of ice wine into a chipped brown porcelain bowl, and her belt clanged against the elm table.
The turbid wine rolled out, and the foam swirled into tiny vortices at the bottom of the bowl.
Everyone looked embarrassed and silent. Gou Su glanced at them and spoke first, "It is truly an honor for me that Mr. Huang can take time out of his busy schedule to attend the banquet."
"General Asu, you are very polite. It is my great honor to meet you again." Huang Heng chuckled softly, and even spread out his palm, intending to ask Gou Su for a bowl of wine. "But I wonder if I can have the blessing to drink a cup of muddy wine with you, General?"
Gou Su understood what he meant and couldn't help laughing. He shook the wine in the jar and handed the jar to Huang Heng generously.
"By the way, where are you now?"
Ah Chou was about to interrupt, but Huang Heng said quickly: "Ministry of Rites, in the Ministry of Rites, as a small official."
"Ministry of Rites?" Gou Su suddenly frowned, completely forgetting that Huang Heng had already introduced himself earlier. "I remember you said your father was the Minister of War, Master Huang Zhihuang, right?"
"Exactly."
"Then why don't you find a job in the Ministry of War?"
"Ministry of Rites, I work in the Ministry of Rites."
Huang Heng's words were somewhat inconsistent. Gou Su didn't understand what he meant, but he didn't pursue it any further.
As he poured himself a glass of wine, he changed the subject and continued leisurely, "I heard from my old housekeeper that General Asu came to the mansion today to look for me. He said he had a jade disk that I had lost long ago."
"That's right." Seeing Huang Heng bring up the matter first, Gou Su quickly swallowed the wine that had just come to his mouth. "So, you told me before that you don't remember the fire. That's fine. Just listen to my story."
"Okay, I'm all ears."
Then, Gou Su cleared his throat, straddled the bench, and silently recalled the scene from many years ago: "At that time, I had not yet joined the army. I lived with my father and mother in a shabby house in the suburbs. It was the middle of summer, just like today, and the sun was extremely hot. But it happened that day that it burned down our thatched house..."
"I don't know why the fire broke out. I was awakened by smoke in my sleep. Everywhere I looked was a sea of fire. I wanted to save my parents, but it was too late. They were already engulfed in flames. I thought I would die there too. But then, amidst the blazing flames, I caught a glimpse of a figure..."
"He emerged from the fire like a gentle rain, covering the pain from the fire on my body. I didn't recognize him, but perhaps because the fire was too big, the whole room had never been so bright. I used the firelight to clearly see the birthmark on the back of his neck..."
Upon hearing this, Huang Heng couldn't help but raise his hand and gently stroke the back of his neck, then put it back on his thigh.
Gou Su continued, "I thought I should repay him, so I took advantage of the situation and quietly ripped off a jade disk from his belt. Thanks to my kindness back then, I was able to find you again today, many years later."
She just spoke, and the other three listened attentively.
Xiao Lin and Mu You were stunned after hearing this, and Achou lowered his eyes. Only Huang Heng stood there with an unreadable expression.
After a while, he breathed heavily and waved his hand calmly: "It's just a small favor. I didn't expect the general to remember it for so long."
"How can this be such a piece of cake? If you hadn't been there that day, I wouldn't be where I am today!"
Gou Su became increasingly agitated. Huang Heng's throat rolled, and the corners of his lips tilted upwards, his words slightly teasing: "Then, General, how do you plan to repay me? With your body?"
Not only Gou Su, but even Xiao Lin and Mu You who were sitting beside him eating melons were shocked by his words and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Fortunately, at this moment, the boss, shaking his fingers red from being burned by the copper plate, placed a plate of freshly fried biluo on a lotus leaf. He threw a coarse linen rag over his shoulder, trotted past the edge of the elm table, and hurriedly brought the food to the group: "Sir, this is the biluo you ordered! Enjoy!"
Seeing the stunned looks of several people, Huang Heng chuckled and fell backward with laughter, his eyes glistening.
I don't know how long he laughed out loud before he wiped away the tears from his eyes and said, "It's just a joke, don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously."
Not until he looked calm did Gou Su feel at ease and took another sip of wine awkwardly.
"It's just that I do have a small matter that I'd like the general to help me with. Just as a way of repaying the favor of saving my life?"
Gou Su quickly swallowed the wine that had entered his throat, even choking twice. "Tell me now. If I can help, I will definitely lend you a hand."
Huang Heng then took up a slightly hot piece of Biluo on the table and put it between his teeth: "The emperor summoned us to the palace today. It is because of the envoys' mission..."
"General Asu has fought on the battlefield for many years and knows the pros and cons. The envoy's arrival must not be neglected. We must send a Grand Herald to negotiate, and we must also have guards to protect the envoy..."
Mu You imitated Huang Heng and secretly took a piece of Biluo from the plate. Xiao Lin leaned over and stared at Huang Heng's lips moving.
"The Grand Herald's Office is fine, but the selection of guards is a dilemma for me. The war on the border is intense, and the Imperial Guards are in short supply. Where can we find soldiers to welcome the envoy? I've been discussing this matter with the officials in the Ministry of Rites for half a day, and we still can't come to a decision..."
I don’t know whether Huang Heng said this unintentionally or if he was referring to Gou Su.
Given Gou Su's personality, before he could even close his mouth, she interrupted him and said, "Isn't this easy?"
"General!" Ah Chou suddenly became nervous and put his hand on Gou Su's forearm.
But it doesn't work.
"I have soldiers under my command, I'll lend you a few!"
Her straightforwardness made Ah Chou a little anxious.
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