Dealing with Gandan will not be easy at all.
We might win, but it would likely be a Pyrrhic victory, a victory achieved at an unbearable cost.
The more Huang Lao Er thought about it, the heavier his heart became, and he was very anxious about this thorny situation.
"There are actually 700,000 troops," Jiang Nuan said in surprise. "That's a lot."
No wonder they dared to make such a bold move against the Great Zhou. If they hadn't noticed, the Great Zhou might have been struck down by the enemy before they could even react.
At this moment, Jiang Nuan felt somewhat fortunate.
Fortunately, his casual remark caught Liu An's attention. Although Gan Dan still managed to gain more influence, it was much better than being completely clueless and reacting in a panic.
“Mother, I plan to go back today and pass on the message,” Huang Lao Er said earnestly. “I hope His Majesty can send over as many troops as possible.”
The Jiang dynasty placed greater emphasis on provisions and supplies.
With such a large-scale war, no one knows how long it will last, so logistics must keep up.
“Okay,” Jiang Nuan understood her son’s feelings. “You and Jiang Chaoxian go back first, and I’ll take care of things here.”
"Isn't Auntie coming back with us?"
"Yes, I have other things to do."
"Then I'll stay here to protect you." Jiang Chao didn't dare leave Jiang Nuan alone.
"No need, you'll only be a burden to me."
"drag?"
Jiang Chao was deeply hurt.
Thinking carefully about what had happened, she lowered her head in frustration. "What?!"
His performance wasn't that bad!
However, I really couldn't be as self-righteous as my aunt.
Under Jiang Nuan's insistence, the two compromised.
Even though he was very worried, he only told Harzi to take good care of her and did not force her to go back with him.
On the way to see him off, Harqi kept hesitating to speak, which made Huang Lao Er unable to bear it any longer. "Harqi, just say what's on your mind."
He's so hesitant and stammering; he's not manly at all.
“Huang Shu,” Halzi said, conflicted, “I have something I want to say to you, but I feel it might affect our friendship.”
"Tell me first, let me hear it."
Huang Lao Er was a little curious about what Halqi wanted to say.
"You are my friend, and I sincerely hope that your future is as vast as the grasslands, and my heart is as sincere as gold."
"I trust you."
Huang Lao Er became increasingly confused, having no idea what Halqi was trying to say.
“So,” Halchi took a deep breath and whispered in Huang Lao Er’s ear, “you must be careful of that woman.”
Which one?
Huang Lao Er was puzzled. When did a suspicious woman appear beside him?
Cough cough...
It was really embarrassing to speak ill of a beautiful woman, but for the sake of his friend, Harqi still forced himself to speak, "I've heard that the mistresses of wealthy families are ruthless and cunning, and they will do anything to persecute others for their own children. Don't trust people too much."
Harqi felt he had made himself perfectly clear, almost naming names, but Huang Lao Er was even more puzzled.
He immediately frowned. "Can't you speak properly?"
Jiang Chao had some guesses about these incoherent statements, but he wasn't sure.
After all, no one in the Great Zhou Dynasty would ever misunderstand like this.
The next moment, Halzi's words confirmed his guess.
"Be careful of your stepmother. Her beauty dazzles me. If she intends to harm you, you will definitely not escape."
Originally, Halqi didn't want to say these things that might hurt their friendship, but he was really wary of Jiang Nuan's abilities.
The woman who managed to escape from the pit was not only beautiful, but also possessed a terrifying wisdom.
Anyone who underestimates such a person will pay the price for their foolishness.
His brother certainly didn't underestimate this person, but he valued him too much, to the point of being completely obedient to him. This made him feel unbelievable, and at the same time, he felt a strong sense of wariness.
What a terrifying woman.
"Stepmother?" Huang Lao Er doubted his ears.
Jiang Chao was also somewhat amused and exasperated. "Harqi, you've misunderstood. There's no stepmother. It's all my own flesh and blood."
"How is that possible?"
Harzi covered his mouth in shock, "How can there be a mother who is younger than her son?"
"Am I old?"
Huang Lao Er was deeply hurt. He was not even twenty years old yet, and could be considered a young man anywhere.
“It’s not that we’re old, it’s that we’re rough,” Jiang Chao said with some melancholy. “The northwest is full of sand and dust, which doesn’t nourish people. It has turned us from handsome young men into Khampa men.”
And yet, I was misunderstood like this!
At this moment, Jiang Chao vaguely understood.
No one in Da Zhou misunderstood, firstly because everyone knew about their relationship, and secondly because their faces were still youthful, without the weathered look of their elders.
And now...
One can only lament that time, which ages us all, especially loves them, rushing them to maturity at breakneck speed!
“It really is my mother,” Huang Lao Er couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “You’ll know about her when you go to Da Zhou. My own mother would never harm me.”
It wasn't that Huang Lao Er didn't want to praise his own mother, but rather that he felt that other people's words would be more convincing to Halqi.
Even if you talk a good game, there's always a hint of self-praise in it, so it's better to let Harzi discover it for himself.
"Um."
At that moment, Halchi's mind went blank, and he subconsciously echoed his brother's words.
This interlude added a touch of lightness to the otherwise heavy atmosphere, allowing people to temporarily forget the dark clouds weighing on their hearts.
Harzi was very embarrassed and kept his head down the whole way without daring to speak.
When he returned, his eyes, in addition to surprise, also showed a hint of guilt as he looked at Jiang Nuan.
Even if it's unintentional, sowing discord between a mother and son can still be awkward.
While becoming increasingly attentive to Jiang Nuan, he also became more and more respectful, truly treating her as his elder and showering her with all sorts of good things.
Jiang Nuan was aware of Harqi's previous precautions, but she understood them well.
Everyone is wary of someone they've just met, so I never paid any attention to them.
Unable to refuse the gift, and feeling obligated to reciprocate, Jiang Nuan had no choice but to offer something in return.
"I see you have a hidden ailment; take this bottle of medicine and try it."
"Thank you, Auntie," Halzi said happily upon receiving the gift. "I will definitely cherish it."
Aunt?
Such an intimate way of addressing her surprised Jiang Nuan.
Suppressing her doubts, she explained the usage softly, "This medicine is best taken internally. Just add two drops to your water each time, or you can add it to your bath for a medicated bath."
Jiang Nuan said this mainly because she was afraid that Haerqi would have reservations and think that she might do something underhanded.
Moreover, Halzi really isn't very good at it.
She's the same age as her son, but looks like she's from a different generation. She's seriously hurt, probably because she was mistreated too much by the matriarch when she was a child.
"Thank you, Auntie. I'll use it right away."
Harqi originally intended to put it aside, but after hearing Jiang Nuan's words, he changed his mind.
He had heard the phrase "hidden injuries" from more than one person, and had even seen many doctors about it.
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