Chapter Sixty-Six: Laughter and Delight at the Inn
"Halt," the Nanyang gatekeeper said, frowning as he walked towards them. "What are you doing here?"
Yang Xiao raised her eyes to meet the soldier's arrogant gaze, and couldn't help but chuckle. Adopting a gentle and dignified demeanor, she smiled and bowed to the soldier. "Esteemed warrior, we are all actors from Pingyue Pavilion. We have heard that Lord Zhongli will soon be visiting Nanyang in person. We admire him greatly and have come here to offer a song for Lord Zhongli and Prefect Xie. We wonder if you could grant us a chance to fulfill our long-cherished wish?"
"An actor?" The guard frowned upon hearing this, his eyes darting back and forth between Yang Xiao and the guard. "What actor would travel all this way to perform for someone?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping stepped forward, smiling obsequiously as he bowed to the guard, saying, "If you really don't believe me, you are free to inspect the contents of our vehicle."
Seeing Zhang Ping gently lift a corner of the cover, the guard also peeked inside with some suspicion, only to see that the brocade robe looked even more radiant under the sunlight.
"Wow," the guard said with a laugh when he saw the carriage full of costumes. "You've really gone all out to put on a show for Zhong Li'an."
Yang Xiao nodded and smiled, saying politely, "When faced with such a righteous person, shouldn't we also show them the utmost courtesy?"
“Letting you into the city isn’t impossible,” the guard said, stroking his chin and looking Yang Xiao up and down, “but…”
Yang Xiao immediately knew the answer. She gave a barely perceptible cold laugh, narrowed her eyes, then put on a gentle expression and looked up at the guard in front of her. "What are your orders, brave warrior?"
"After you finish performing for Zhong Li'an, would you be so kind as to sing a few lines for me?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping stepped forward, glaring angrily at the guard, "How can that be..."
“Of course, that’s no problem.” Before Zhang Ping could finish speaking, Yang Xiao stepped forward to stop him, then smiled gently and nodded at the guard. “I am already extremely grateful that you let me into the city. What harm is there in singing a song for this brave warrior?”
"You..." Zhang Ping almost blurted out "General" when he saw Yang Xiao respond so readily.
Seeing this, Yang Xiao gently shook her head at him and raised her hand to block him behind her.
"Miss is so sensible." The guard smiled and nodded at Yang Xiao. "When will Miss have some free time..."
Yang Xiao smiled slightly at him, "Then I will come to the city gate to find you in person after the prefect's banquet."
The guard nodded in satisfaction. "Very well, as you wish, Miss." He stepped aside to make way for Yang Xiao and the people behind her. "Please, everyone, enter the city quickly."
Seeing this, Yang Xiao smiled and bowed to him, saying, "Thank you for your leniency, brave man."
The group pushed the cart into the city. Yang Xiao also shed her gentle and mild temperament from before, and walked with her arms crossed and head held high, just like usual.
"That guy is really something, thinking he can do whatever he wants just because he's a guard." Mu Fei said indignantly as he walked beside Zhang Ping, "He dared to make such a request to our general, he really should see the strength of our Eagle Squad."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao turned around and looked at Mu Fei, who was constantly waving his fist, and couldn't help but laugh, "What, do you want to punch him?"
"I secretly rolled my eyes at him dozens of times behind your back," Mu Fei said reproachfully, arms crossed. "If I wasn't afraid of ruining your plans, General, I would have rushed up and started cursing him out long ago."
“You,” Zhang Ping chuckled, patting Mu Fei on the shoulder, “at least you didn’t curse him. If you had, we probably wouldn’t have been able to get in. But General,” Zhang Ping turned to Yang Xiao with a hint of worry and confusion, “that man’s last request was so rude. You might have been able to enter the city even if you hadn’t agreed. Why did you…”
"Hey, hey," Yang Xiao quickly raised her hand to interrupt, "This is Nanyang, don't address people like that." She chuckled and waved her hand, "It's easy to deceive someone, just promise him we can enter the city immediately. Even if we are exposed later, he will come to protect us for his own selfish desires." She turned and pointed at Zhang Ping and Mu Fei, "Besides, a casual promise can achieve our goal quickly and easily, why not?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Fei nodded thoughtfully. "It seems that yielding to circumstances is a viable option. It appears that following the general was the right decision."
Before he could finish speaking, Mu Fei felt a tap on the forehead. He belatedly realized what he had done and apologized to Yang Xiao, "Oh! I shouldn't have called you General..."
The next second, another sharp crack came from his forehead, "Still yelling?"
Mu Fei raised his hand and rubbed his forehead, then smiled at Yang Xiao and said, "I won't call you that anymore, I won't call you that anymore." He tugged at Zhang Ping's sleeve, "Brother Ping, you can say it. I really can't get used to that way of addressing you all the time."
“Even so,” Zhang Ping looked back at Yang Xiao, still feeling indignant, “I feel like we’ve been taken advantage of. If General Bai finds out, he’ll definitely give him a good beating.”
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao smiled and waved her hand, "There's no need for him to take action. After Yu De comes, we'll go and scare that guy ourselves, and I guarantee he won't dare to do it again."
“Miss is absolutely right.” Zhang Ping also adopted a respectful posture, cupping his fists towards Yang Xiao. He then looked ahead and pointed, “Look, the inn is just ahead. Why don’t we put down our things and rest for a while before discussing how to explore the way?”
Yang Xiao looked ahead and nodded. "Alright, Zhang Ping, you go and book a room first, we'll be there shortly."
"Yes." Zhang Ping clasped his hands in a fist salute, then strode towards the inn.
Mu Fei took the cart from Zhang Ping, leaned on the handlebars and pushed it forward. "Miss, you said, if this chaotic world had never happened, would you also..." He stopped mid-sentence, turning back to look at Yang Xiao with a questioning gaze, afraid of touching her defenses.
"Hmm?" Yang Xiao tilted her head and looked at Mu Fei with a smile. "If there were no chaotic times, what would I be like?"
Seeing that Yang Xiao didn't seem angry at all, Mu Fei felt relieved. "I was thinking that you are the descendant of a founding general, and you should be living a carefree life of luxury like other young ladies."
He sighed deeply, "On the contrary, it is because of those treacherous officials like Xiao Yan that the situation has been thrown into chaos, which is why you have been traveling with us and fighting battles everywhere."
“You,” Yang Xiao couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile, raising her hand to point at Mu Fei, “the so-called luxurious life has never been what I desire. I certainly yearn for a life with my family by my side, but,” she turned to look at Mu Fei, “I have never complained about anything I have experienced. Although I am separated from my blood relatives by great distances, the good teachers and helpful friends I have met along the way are invaluable.”
She looked up at the horizon and laughed heartily, "Besides, Chang'an is right there, it's not going anywhere. When we walk step by step to Chang'an, the magnificent scenery we create with our own hands will surely be much more beautiful than 'born this way,' won't it?"
“Miss, you…” Mu Fei looked into Yang Xiao’s eyes, then followed her gaze to the horizon, and laughed heartily, “Thinking about it this way, it does seem to be true.”
“A destination reached step by step by oneself is definitely more dazzling than being born here.” Yang Xiao turned around and smiled at Mu Fei. “You are still young, so it’s fine if you don’t delve into these things. Alright,” she sighed with a smile, looking at the inn that was getting closer and closer, “we’re almost there.”
The soldiers hurriedly carried the cartload of costumes and weapons into the inn, and then followed Zhang Ping's directions to everyone's rooms.
Yang Xiao placed the last box of weapons on the ground and clapped her hands. "Now, we're halfway there." After saying that, she turned and locked the door. "We'll rest for a while. Zhang Ping and I will each take one person out to scout ahead. The rest of you will stay here and prepare the weapons. We must not let the news leak out."
"Yes, sir." Everyone responded to Yang Xiao in unison. Yang Xiao was so frightened that she waved her hands repeatedly and circled around, gesturing for them to be quiet.
The soldiers immediately understood and quickly covered their mouths. Some even opened the windows to look out, but thankfully it was quiet and deserted.
"You guys," Yang Xiao said, pointing at the crowd in front of her with a mocking laugh, "are you afraid others won't know we have a team hidden here?"
A group of people hurriedly apologized, while someone looked at Yang Xiao with interest. "Hey, General, what if someone comes and asks us questions, and we can't sing a single song?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao couldn't help but smile and roll her eyes at him. "Who would be so bored as to stop you from singing opera halfway through the day? But speaking of which," she rolled her eyes and playfully tossed her head, "I've been with the theater for so many years, I still know a few lines. If you want to learn, I guarantee I'll teach you before I leave."
"This..." The soldiers nearby couldn't help but laugh. The soldier who had been teased quickly waved his hand, "No need for you to trouble yourself. I know nothing about this, and I'm afraid I won't be able to learn it even next year. By the way, General, who do you plan to take with you when you scout ahead this afternoon?"
“It’s fine to whisper a few words in the guest room, but please don’t shout like that outside,” Yang Xiao instructed, while looking around at the dozen or so soldiers she had brought. Suddenly, she saw Mu Fei, the smallest of the group, standing at the front, and couldn’t help but smile and nod at him, “Take Mu Fei with you.”
"Really?" Mu Fei looked at Yang Xiao with delight. "You're going to take me there?"
The soldier standing to the side grumbled with his arms crossed, but there was not a trace of jealousy or dissatisfaction in his eyes. "General, you just favor Mu Fei. You always put him first in everything."
“He’s young, and he was chosen because he can cook,” Yang Xiao waved her hand gently. “This child is at the age where he needs to learn skills, so how can I not take him out to practice more? Besides,” she looked down at Mu Fei and couldn’t help but chuckle, “Besides, he’s quick to learn and has a high comprehension level.” She turned to Zhang Ping for confirmation, “Right, Zhang Ping?”
Zhang Ping, who was standing to the side, opened his mouth and yawned deeply. Hearing this, he nodded haphazardly.
"Zhang Ping, are you still sleeping?" Yang Xiao pointed at Zhang Ping, both angry and amused. "I should have changed the water in your kettle with vinegar."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ping quickly waved his hand, "General, please spare me, I haven't been sleepy in a long time, really."
"Ping-ge, don't say that," Mu Fei teased with a smile. "When have you ever taken advantage of the general's absence after morning exercises so you could sneak back to the camp for a nap?"
“Mu Fei, you…” Zhang Ping smiled and pointed at Mu Fei, then turned to look at Yang Xiao, “How about I take Mu Fei away this afternoon, and you can find someone else to go with you?”
Seeing this, Yang Xiao couldn't help but shake her head with a smile. "No, I'm afraid you'll harm your comrades. Don't think you can fool everyone with your sleeping skills. I know every time you sneak back, thankfully you haven't caused any problems." She looked up at Zhang Ping and said helplessly, "I knew you were from Bingzhou and loved to take naps, so I turned a blind eye. I never imagined you could sleep so much."
Seeing this, Zhang Ping quickly clasped his hands in a fist and said to Yang Xiao, "Please forgive me this time. I promise you I will never do it again."
"Alright, I'm done joking around," Yang Xiao waved her hand amidst the laughter of the crowd. "Let's pack up and get ready. Let's try to explore the area around the county seat today." She nodded at Mu Fei. "Let's go."
"Alright, coming right away." Upon hearing this, Mu Fei looked up, ran excitedly to Yang Xiao's side, and then turned back to wave to everyone, saying, "I'll take my leave now, everyone."
The soldiers all smiled and looked at the youngest child in the Eagle Squad, waving their hands and saying, "Go, go, learn some real skills from the general and come back."
Mu Fei nodded to the crowd and said, "Don't worry, everyone."
Yang Xiao reached out and unlocked the door, then turned back to smile at Zhang Ping. "When we get back, we'll discuss the results together and try our best to draw the map." She raised her hand and pointed at Zhang Ping with a smile. "You mustn't oversleep." She then turned back to look around at everyone. "If he oversleeps, you should wake him up."
Everyone burst into laughter. Zhang Ping cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Yang Xiao, saying, "Don't worry, I'll leave right away and won't sleep anymore."
"Okay," Yang Xiao waved with a smile, "See you later."
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