HomeChasing JadeZhu Yu - Chapter 72

Zhu Yu – Chapter 72

Above Ji Prefecture.

The dam had been destroyed, and muddy waters surged past the riverbed, gaining momentum from the torrential rain as they rushed downstream.

The rain poured like a waterfall. In the aftermath of the brutal battle, the camp was left with only corpses and an oppressive silence.

The surviving soldiers cleared the battlefield in the downpour. An elderly man stood alongside the general responsible for building the dam, both watching the roaring flood and the recruits who had fallen that night. Their faces bore an indescribable weight.

After a long while, the general asked, “Grand Tutor, do you think releasing this flood downstream will still serve its purpose?”

The elderly man trapped in the camp with Fan Changyu for many days was none other than Grand Tutor Tao, who had retired from official duties years ago.

Raindrops slid down his wrinkled eyelids as he clasped his hands behind his back and gazed skyward. “We can only do our best and accept heaven’s will.”

The soldiers clearing the battlefield suddenly stopped their work, discussing something in hushed tones while looking in one direction. Grand Tutor Tao and the camp commander followed their gaze to see a woman approaching on horseback through the dark curtain of rain.

In the flash of lightning and roll of thunder, as she drew closer, everyone could see several riders following her, all wearing Ji Prefecture military uniforms. Their horses carried several heads, their blood washed clean by the heavy rain.

The woman was Fan Changyu.

Grand Tutor Tao seemed to guess something, raising his aged eyes to meet hers. His gaze held three parts surprise, three parts approval, and four parts satisfaction at not having misjudged her potential.

The riders reached them, and the soldiers dismounted, kneeling in the rain to report. Despite trying to suppress it, joy showed on their faces: “General, when we pursued the three scouts who fled, we discovered this lady had already intercepted and killed them all! We brought back their heads.”

The general overseeing the dam’s construction was first shocked, then delighted. He stepped forward in the rain and saluted Fan Changyu: “Noble Lady, by preventing these rebels from reporting back, you have saved countless military and civilian lives in Lu City. On behalf of the people and soldiers of Lu City, I, Tang, thank you.”

Fan Changyu, leading a chestnut war horse taken from the scouts, replied, “General, you’re too kind. I was merely fulfilling the dying request of the general at the quarry.”

Raindrops fell from the general’s eyelids as he sighed deeply, saying with grief, “That was General of Northern Peace of Anding.”

General of Northern Peace of Anding? Fan Changyu thought this truly was a name befitting a great general.

The soldiers and officers who died on this rainy night, whether generals or common troops, could perhaps rest in peace knowing their battle had not been in vain.

She had returned mainly to retrieve her belongings. Earlier, to intercept the three scouts by crossing Wu Ridge, she had left her pack on horseback. Upon returning, her horse was no longer where she had left it before climbing the mountain. Thinking the old horse would find its way back, she assumed it had returned to camp and thus accompanied the cavalry who had pursued the scouts.

After brief pleasantries, Fan Changyu explained her purpose, but the night had been too chaotic for anyone to notice if a riderless horse had returned on its own.

The camp commander arranged a separate tent for Fan Changyu to rest and ordered his men to search for her belongings.

Fan Changyu’s body was indeed bruised from climbing mountains and crossing ridges on a rainy night, and her clothes were soaked through. Needing to freshen up, she gratefully accepted the offer.

The military camp had no suitable women’s clothing, so the commander had someone bring her the smallest size military uniform, which fit her perfectly.

As soon as she finished changing, not waiting for Grand Tutor Tao who came looking for her, she went to search for her pack in the camp’s stables.

That night, despite the victorious news, no one in the military camp could rest. They were busy clearing the battlefield, searching for the wounded, and digging graves to bury the fallen soldiers…

Even the stables were bustling with activity. Some warhorses had been wounded by blades, others had stepped on sharp objects during battle, and the camp’s veterinarians were as busy as the military doctors, not even having time to take a sip of water.

As Fan Changyu was asking a soldier about the location of General An’s horse, she heard a familiar elderly voice: “This horse has a wooden splinter in its hoof. Bring me some pliers.”

Fan Changyu peered in and exclaimed with joy, “Uncle Zhao!”

Craftsman Zhao was tending to a warhorse’s injury. Hearing Fan Changyu’s voice, he thought his ears were deceiving him. Squinting his old eyes to look outside, he was overjoyed to see it was indeed Fan Changyu, though his expression quickly changed upon noticing her soldier’s attire.

He instructed the soldier helping him hold the horse’s leg: “Go fetch the pliers.”

After the soldier left, he beckoned Fan Changyu forward to help. Though the soldier who had escorted her to the stables tried to object, Fan Changyu explained that she and Craftsman Zhao were from the same hometown, and eagerly stepped forward to talk.

Craftsman Zhao, almost red-eyed with worry, used the pretense of having her assist to ask in a lowered voice: “How did you end up in the military camp? If anyone discovers you’re a woman, it’s a capital offense!”

After changing into dry clothes, Fan Changyu had untied her hair, dried it, and retied it. Being in a military camp and wearing a soldier’s uniform, she couldn’t very well wear a maiden’s hairstyle, so she had bound it up carelessly. She wasn’t deliberately disguising herself as a man, but her bearing carried a certain heroic air, and at first glance, she did resemble a fine-featured young man.

Seeing Craftsman Zhao’s misunderstanding, Fan Changyu quickly explained everything that had happened in recent days.

Learning that she wasn’t disguising herself to join the army, Craftsman Zhao finally relaxed, but hearing about Qingping County being burned and pillaged by bandits and his wife being injured deeply upset him, repeatedly wiping tears with his sleeve.

After treating the horse’s front hoof injury, they found a place to talk.

Fan Changyu asked, “Uncle Zhao, were you also sent here to work on the dam?”

Craftsman Zhao sighed: “I was originally making defensive equipment in Lu City. Later, when I heard Yan Prefecture was borrowing twenty thousand troops, these old bones of mine were sent along too. After several days of travel, when the army stopped here, I learned we were building a dam. Along the way, horses sometimes fall ill, and the mules carrying stones often get pebbles stuck in their hooves needing treatment. I’m mainly here to tend to the animals.”

Fan Changyu had been kept under guard mining stones and had never been to the inner camp, while Craftsman Zhao hadn’t been to her area, explaining why they hadn’t met before. Both sighed at the coincidence.

Thinking of Yan Zheng, Fan Changyu asked: “Uncle Zhao, during your time in camp, have you heard any news of Yan Zheng?”

At this question, Craftsman Zhao glanced at Fan Changyu hesitantly before saying: “He was among the first batch of soldiers lent to Yan Prefecture. The things you asked me to bring, I had someone pass them to him. I initially thought he would be here building the dam, but after asking around these past days, it seems he was transferred to Yan Prefecture.”

Yan Prefecture bordered the frontlines and faced battles with the Bei Jue people—in some ways, it was even more dangerous than Lu City.

After a moment’s silence, Fan Changyu said: “With his abilities, he should be able to forge a good future for himself.”

Not knowing about the divorce papers in the package, Craftsman Zhao smiled: “If he makes something of himself, you’ll get to enjoy a good life too, lass.”

Fan Changyu decided not to hide her divorce from Craftsman Zhao any longer. Pursing her lips, she said: “Uncle Zhao, we’ve divorced.”

Craftsman Zhao, who had been drinking hot water from a crude pottery bowl to ward off the cold, nearly dropped it. He raised his wrinkled eyes and asked: “What happened?”

Fan Changyu explained truthfully: “The marriage arrangement was false from the start, just to deal with Steward Fan and keep the family property.”

Craftsman Zhao set down his water bowl and remained silent for a while, digesting this news. Finally, he sighed deeply: “Long Yu, lass, from what I observed, that boy Yan Zheng didn’t seem indifferent toward you. Young couples are often impetuous and easily take wrong turns. If you meet again in the future, it would be better to speak openly—don’t leave things unclear when you’re old.”

Fan Changyu thought of the day Yan Zheng left, how she hadn’t properly spoken with him and felt somewhat regretful. She lowered her eyes and softly agreed.

Outside, soldiers brought another injured warhorse, calling for Craftsman Zhao to examine it quickly.

Having found her pack, Fan Changyu had nothing else to do and helped Craftsman Zhao, assisting him with his work.

Grand Tutor Tao, after waiting fruitlessly for Fan Changyu to return to the tent, came looking for her himself. He found her unhesitatingly helping an old veterinarian lift horse legs in the stable, showing an enthusiasm that contrasted sharply with her aloofness toward him.

Grand Tutor Tao’s expression soured. It was bad enough that this girl refused to formally become his disciple, but was she so lacking in judgment that she’d rather learn from an old veterinarian?

He stood outside the stable coughing several times, but the stable’s noise and thunder successfully drowned out his coughs.

While a veterinarian was removing an arrow from a warhorse’s leg, the animal suddenly spooked, not only kicking the veterinarian but also charging around the stable, knocking down a wooden pillar. The entire stable roof began collapsing, and all the warhorses panicked and bolted outside, with soldiers unable to stop them.

Fan Changyu quickly pulled Craftsman Zhao to safety, avoiding the collapsing structure. Looking up, she saw the old man standing woodenly at the entrance with horses charging toward him. Without thinking, she rushed over and pulled him to open ground.

After setting him down, Fan Changyu wiped the rain from her eyes and asked Grand Tutor Tao: “Elder, why did you come here?”

Craftsman Zhao asked: “Who is this?”

Fan Changyu replied: “This is the elderly gentleman I mentioned earlier, whom I met while being held here mining stones.”

Grand Tutor Tao had practically been carried at a run by Fan Changyu, leaving him not only nauseated but also dizzy. Concerned with maintaining dignity, he busied himself straightening his clothes, completely ignoring her.

The panicked warhorses were eventually calmed by the horse trainers, who cleared a nearby military tent to temporarily treat the injured.

Fan Changyu intended to help both Craftsman Zhao and Grand Tutor Tao to the tent for shelter from the rain. When she touched Craftsman Zhao’s arm, he cried out in pain.

Fan Changyu quickly asked: “Did I hurt you when pulling you away?”

Craftsman Zhao waved it off: “These old bones aren’t what they used to be, the joints get hurt easily.”

Fan Changyu knew she must have pulled too hard in her urgency, injuring the old man’s joints. Feeling guilty, she immediately found a chair for Craftsman Zhao when they entered the tent.

The veterinarian who had been kicked was rescued by soldiers and now lay in the tent having his bones set, crying out in pain. Seeing it would take a while before he could be bandaged, Fan Changyu prepared a basin of hot water and wrung out a cloth to apply to Craftsman Zhao’s arm.

Grand Tutor Tao had been standing in the tent for some time, watching Fan Changyu bustling about caring for Craftsman Zhao while he was completely ignored, not receiving the same treatment. His mustache drooped with displeasure.

He walked to a chair opposite Craftsman Zhao and sat down with an “Ouch!” that even drowned out the injured veterinarian’s cries.

Fan Changyu, who had been rushing around like a spinning top, turned at the sound and asked: “What’s wrong?”

Grand Tutor Tao closed his eyes and said: “This old man has a headache.”

Fan Changyu said: “You must have caught a cold from the rain.”

She then asked the military doctor to check Grand Tutor Tao’s pulse and prescribe medicine.

The guards who had accompanied Grand Tutor Tao, knowing his true identity, didn’t dare risk his health and suggested taking him back to the main tent to be examined by a military doctor. However, Grand Tutor Tao stubbornly refused to leave.

When the military physician finally went to check Grand Tutor Tao’s pulse, he discovered the stubborn old man had already developed a fever. He hurriedly sent a soldier to fetch a package of medicine for treating wind cold to be decocted.

As there weren’t enough people to collect medicine, Fan Changyu voluntarily took on the task of preparing medicine for both Carpenter Zhao and Grand Tutor Tao. Grand Tutor Tao adamantly refused to return to the private tent allocated to him by the commander, insisting on staying in the wounded soldiers’ tent. The soldiers, seeing that he and Carpenter Zhao were both elderly, arranged their beds next to each other.

Carpenter Zhao was good-natured, while Grand Tutor Tao, suffering from headaches and fever, became increasingly peculiar in temperament. When Carpenter Zhao tried to make conversation, he wouldn’t even acknowledge him. When Fan Changyu went to decoct the medicine, he finally spoke through his headache, “My medicine must be prepared first!”

Fan Changyu thought the old man was behaving like a child, wanting to compete over such matters, and replied helplessly, “Both pots will be decocted together; there’s no order of priority.”

Only then did Grand Tutor Tao fall silent.

Carpenter Zhao, completely oblivious to Grand Tutor Tao’s inexplicable hostility, chatted with him: “It’s Changyu’s good fortune to encounter a teacher in the army, and it’s kind of you, sir, to form this benevolent connection.”

Hearing these words, Grand Tutor Tao felt somewhat better and asked, “What is your relationship with that girl?”

Carpenter Zhao replied, “We’ve been neighbors for over ten years. I watched that girl grow up, just like my own granddaughter.”

Grand Tutor Tao suddenly felt that this seemingly affable old man was subtly boasting about his close relationship with the girl. Thinking of his unsuccessful attempt to take on a disciple, he fell into a sullen silence.

Carpenter Zhao continued with a sigh, “Such a good girl, but with such a bitter fate. Not only did she lose her parents, but she also divorced her live-in husband, and now her younger sister has been abducted to who knows where…”

Grand Tutor Tao, who had initially only noticed Fan Changyu’s unusually resilient character, felt sympathy upon hearing about her background. His resentment about her refusing to become his disciple diminished slightly. He said, “I have a student in the army, who’s like half a son to me. He’s become an official. If that girl can’t find a good family in the future, I’ll have that rascal find her a reliable and ambitious young man from among his subordinates.”

When Carpenter Zhao heard that the old man was willing to help arrange Fan Changyu’s marriage, he increasingly felt that he was Fan Changyu’s benefactor. After expressing his gratitude, the two began conversing more amicably.

Without his previous prejudice, Grand Tutor Tao found that although the veterinarian’s old man wasn’t very educated, he was insightful. Listening to his experiences from half a lifetime as a veterinarian and carpenter, he discovered many interesting perspectives.

When Fan Changyu returned with the medicine, she was puzzled to see the two men chatting away like old friends who had finally found each other. She was unaware that they had already arranged a “reliable and ambitious young man” as her future husband.

The next afternoon, news of victory at Lu City reached the camp. The Yan State army had also achieved a great victory ambushing the Chong State army at Yixian Pass, even capturing the Crown Prince of Long Xin. The army’s morale soared, and everyone was jubilant.

However, spring rains had triggered mudslides, and the Yan State’s remaining forces were now trapped in the mountains. Upon learning of Lu City’s defeat and that Yan State’s borrowed troops were a strategy, the King of Long Xin, presumably driven to desperation, made an unexpected move. He led Chong State’s remaining forces to surround Yixian Pass, threatening to trap both the Yan State army and Marquis Wu’an to death in the mountains.

After receiving news from scouts, the camp commander quickly gathered all his subordinate commanders to discuss rescue strategies. The twenty thousand soldiers who had come to repair the dam were recruits with almost no combat experience. The previous night, they had been caught off guard by the Chong State army’s sudden attack, allowing three scouts to escape.

If they rashly went to Yixian Pass for rescue, with the complex terrain after rain and mudslides, they might fall into a trap set by the Chong State army and face total annihilation.

As everyone was at a loss, Grand Tutor Tao, slightly recovered from his cold, dragged his sick body into the central command tent and proposed the strategy of “besieging Wei to rescue Zhao.”

He explained, “Send the main force of these twenty thousand troops stationed at the river mouth to Chong State. Surround but don’t attack. The King of Long Xin will have no choice but to return to protect his territory. After all, if Chong State falls, even if he manages to slaughter the Yan State forces in the mountains, it would be futile.”

The commander exclaimed with joy, “This plan is excellent! I’ll order the camp to move immediately!”

After coughing hoarsely for a moment due to his unrecovered cold, Grand Tutor Tao added, “The Yan State’s trapped forces in the mountains must be running low on supplies. We should send another force with provisions.”

The Yan State had engaged the Chong State in open warfare and hadn’t brought many supplies. They became trapped only after victory due to unfortunate mudslides, allowing Chong State to seize the initiative again.

The commander, who had been nearly anxious to the point of fainting, was enlightened by Grand Tutor Tao’s suggestion and said, “Grand Tutor speaks wisely! However, a large supply convoy might be detected by Chong State scouts. Let’s send just a thousand men with emergency provisions for now.”

The orders for troop movement and supply transport were quickly issued, and the army began preparing to break camp.

Carpenter Zhao had to accompany the main army to surround Chong State. Fan Changyu wanted to go along, but as a woman, her current position here was due to her military achievement and the need to care for surviving refugees. Staying permanently with the army would violate military regulations.

Despite killing three scouts, the commander could only reward her with gold, unable to grant her a military position.

She could travel alone, but Fan Changyu was hesitant. With the King of Long Xin leading troops to surround Marquis Wu’an in the mountains, Chong State City would surely be sealed tight. She wouldn’t be able to enter the city to search for Changningg.

Carpenter Zhao had mentioned that Yan Zheng might have been among the thousand borrowed by Yan State. After the fierce battle and mudslides in the mountains, his fate was unknown.

Should she first go to Yixian Pass to look for Yan Zheng?

As Grand Tutor Tao was leaving, he saw Fan Changyu lost in thought outside the tent and asked, “Girl, I’m going with the army to deliver supplies to the Yan State forces in the mountains. Would you like to come along?”

Fan Changyu had only recently learned that this peculiar old man’s surname was Tao, and due to his genuine abilities, he had become a military advisor, earning great respect even from the commander.

Looking at Grand Tutor Tao’s wrinkled face, she thought carefully before nodding.

It would be good to see Yan Zheng one more time. If he had died there, she would bury him and erect a tombstone. He seemed to have no other family, and they had been acquainted and nominally married for several months. In the future, during festivals when burning paper offerings, she could burn some for him too.

If he was still alive, surely they wouldn’t remain completely estranged.

The supply convoy departed first. When Carpenter Zhao came to bid farewell, Fan Changyu was puzzled to find that he had more words for the old man than for her.

To avoid Chong State scouts, the supply convoy had to take mountain detours. Even so, they encountered several groups of scouts. Fortunately, the accompanying archers would pursue and kill the scouts up to ten li away, preventing news of their march from reaching the Chong State army too quickly.

Having killed three Chong State scouts at Wuling, Fan Changyu had gained some reputation among these recruits. Sometimes when pursuing scouts, she would be invited along.

She wasn’t skilled with a bow. While learning from the archers, although she was strong enough to break a bow outright, her aim was terrible, worse than throwing stones. Fearing a waste of weapons, Fan Changyu gave up learning. However, watching archers shoot down rabbits for meals made her somewhat envious, and she praised their skill.

The more experienced soldiers laughed and said, “Miss Fan, you haven’t seen our Marquis shoot. His archery is truly extraordinary. He can hit even a willow leaf at a hundred paces, let alone rabbits.”

Fan Changyu had heard of “piercing a willow leaf at a hundred paces” but this was the first time hearing it firsthand. How could one hit such a delicate willow leaf from a hundred paces away?

Amazed as she was, her image of the militarily accomplished Marquis Wu’an grew even more impressive.

After traveling day and night for a day and a half, they finally reached the entrance of Yixian Pass. The King of Long Xin had presumably heard about the twenty thousand troops heading to surround Chong State, and the forces guarding the mountain base had withdrawn somewhat. Though they didn’t appear numerous, they were still more than their thousand-man supply convoy could handle.

To deliver supplies up the mountain, their only option was to coordinate an attack from both inside and outside, catching the Chong State army off guard to create an opening. However, with their limited forces, it was uncertain whether they could hold out until the forces on the mountain discovered them and coordinated their attack.

While Grand Tutor Tao and the young commander in charge were at a loss, reinforcements from Yan State arrived fortuitously. Combined, they had two to three thousand men, enough to launch an impressive assault up the main path guarded by Chong State forces at the mountain’s base.

This commotion indeed caught the attention of the remaining Yan State forces on the mountain. They immediately coordinated with the relief forces, attacking the Chong State position from both sides. They quickly created an opening, allowing all supplies and medical materials to be rushed up the mountain.

The supply reinforcements didn’t follow up the mountain. After the mountain forces finished moving the supplies and Chong State forces from other positions rushed over, they retreated into the dense forest, playing cat and mouse with the Chong State army. This was to ensure they could provide support from outside when the Yan State forces eventually came down the mountain.

Fan Changyu had been observing the battle with Grand Tutor Tao but grew impatient watching the slow transfer of supplies. Unable to resist, she joined in carrying supplies. After hauling bags of grain up the mountain, she discovered the exit had been sealed again, forcing her and other supply carriers to remain on the mountain.

Fan Changyu wasn’t particularly discouraged, as she had intended to search for Yan Zheng anyway, and now she could make inquiries on the mountain.

The Yan State soldiers trapped on the mountain hadn’t eaten for two days. Being early spring, there weren’t many wild vegetables growing, and they survived only on soup made from whatever game they could hunt, barely getting a taste of meat.

Now with rice available, the soldiers immediately began cooking with great enthusiasm.

The situation in the medical camp was even more dire. Many soldiers had developed high fevers from the rain, but the military physicians didn’t have enough medicine. Those wounded in battle and mudslides lacked even basic medicines to stop bleeding, their wounds wrapped only in makeshift bandages torn from their inner robes as they lay in various positions in the wounded soldiers’ tents.

With medical supplies now available, the physicians quickly began preparing medicines for the wounded.

Fan Changyu felt heartache seeing the wounded soldiers’ pitiful state. They were someone’s fathers, sons, and husbands, and it was uncertain whether they would survive to return home.

Having experience preparing medicine from caring for Changningg and Yan Zheng before, and seeing the physicians overwhelmed, she volunteered to help decoct medicine.

With medicines now available, the physician’s priority was treating Xie Zheng. Since being trapped on the mountain by mudslides two days ago, with Chong State forces blocking their descent after their reversal of fortune, Xie Zheng had barely closed his eyes, constantly strategizing with Gong Sun Yin about defensive tactics.

His wounds were severe, but due to medicine shortages, he hadn’t changed his dressings for two days, insisting the limited medical supplies be used for the more seriously wounded soldiers.

Changningg’s body had been resilient; her fever subsided after taking the medicine that day, though she had notably lost weight from lack of food.

The game caught by the personal guards, cooked without salt or seasonings, produced soup with an overwhelming gamey taste that made her nauseous. She could barely eat until Xie Zheng had someone apply herb juice to roasted meat.

Knowing Xie Zheng was wounded and couldn’t properly care for Changningg, and that officers frequently came to his quarters for military discussions, Gong Sun Yin had taken the child to his quarters to be watched by personal guards.

When the physician came to urge Xie Zheng to change his dressings, learning that the soldiers now had adequate food and medicine, the dizziness from blood loss and exhaustion from two sleepless nights hit him all at once. Xie Zheng felt he could fall into a deep sleep the moment he closed his eyes. He pressed his temples, his bloodshot eyes evident, and said, “This Marquis can still endure. Treat the soldiers first, and some of the wounded can be moved to the main tent – there are too many in the medical tent.”

There weren’t enough tents on the mountain; many soldiers had to cut branches to make temporary shelters from the rain.

Concerned about Xie Zheng’s condition, the physician hurriedly said, “My Lord, we have enough medicine, your health is paramount…”

Xie Zheng suddenly raised his eyes to look at the physician, who, caught under that cold and weary gaze, lowered his head, all words of persuasion caught in his throat.

He knew that although his lord had a fierce reputation, he deeply cared for his soldiers. Sighing, he left the tent, thinking he should have Master Gong Sun come to persuade him instead.

Upon hearing this, Gong Sun Yin only ordered the bandaged wounded to be moved to the main tent.

The physician followed the orders in confusion, only later realizing Gong Sun Yin’s logic – seeing the wounded soldiers would convince Xie Zheng there was indeed enough medicine.

Xie Zheng was truly exhausted. After the physician left, he tried to continue massaging his aching temples but succumbed to fatigue and fell asleep. He awoke only when he heard the commotion of wounded soldiers being moved into the main tent.

Personal guards set up several makeshift beds built from tree branches in the main tent, suggesting Xie Zheng rest on one of the vacant beds.

Seeing that his presence in the main position drew frequent glances from the wounded, Xie Zheng nodded in agreement.

His chest was wounded, and armor would press against the injury, so he wore only a simple garment.

Most of the wounded entering the tent were low-ranking soldiers who had never seen Xie Zheng up close. Moved here in confusion, seeing him unarmored and wounded, they assumed he was just another injured soldier being transferred.

Since Xie Zheng had lent his main tent for these wounded to recover, he naturally didn’t want them lying there in trepidation under his watch. He instructed his guards not to reveal his identity and lay down fully clothed to rest.

The guards, fearing he might catch a cold but not daring to cover him with the thick brocade cloak, finally decided to cover him with a worn soldier’s uniform after careful consideration.

Fan Changyu, after finishing decocting medicine and learning some wounded had been moved elsewhere, came to deliver medicine. She went from bed to bed near the entrance, handing out medicine bowls. The wounded soldiers, discovering she was a young woman, became shy and thanked her softly.

The guard watching over Xie Zheng glanced outside and his eyes suddenly widened like copper bells when he saw Fan Changyu.

If he wasn’t mistaken, wasn’t this the young lady their lord had personally gone to find in the bandit’s lair in Qingping County not long ago?

How did she come to be here wearing a Jizhou military uniform?

The guard immediately imagined a heart-wrenching scene of a wife searching thousands of li for her husband. Looking between the deeply sleeping Xie Zheng and Fan Changyu still delivering medicine, he hesitated whether to wake his lord.

Before he could deliberate too long, Fan Changyu had already brought a medicine bowl over.

Xie Zheng was sleeping facing inward to avoid the bright light, half his face buried in shadow. Fan Changyu didn’t recognize him at first, only seeing that half his clothes were soaked in blood and the bandages wrapped around him were stained red in large patches, not looking like they had been recently changed. He appeared to have lost consciousness.

She quickly frowned and called outside, “Physician, this person’s wounds seem to have reopened, they need fresh bandages.”

Almost instantly upon hearing her voice, Xie Zheng’s eyes flew open.

Fan Changyu was about to help adjust this severely wounded person’s position, moving to the other side of the bed, when she unexpectedly met Xie Zheng’s gaze. She froze, and after a long moment, uncertainly said, “Yan Zheng?”

As soon as the name left her lips, seeing him covered in blood, Fan Changyu’s nose suddenly began to sting.

So he had nearly died here.

Xie Zheng looked at her without speaking, his brows unconsciously furrowed. Others might not notice, but those familiar with him would know he was stunned.

The guard, after deep consideration, quietly moved further away.

The other wounded soldiers, assuming Fan Changyu had come thousands of li searching for her husband Xie Zheng, cast envious glances their way.

Xie Zheng looked at Fan Changyu for a long while, as if confirming she was here, before hoarsely asking, “Why have you come? What are you doing here?”

His voice was hoarse from two sleepless nights.

Fan Changyu hadn’t imagined their next meeting would be under such circumstances. Looking at the blood on his body, her eyes inexplicably began to burn. She said, “I came to find you.”

This was the truth – learning he was with this Yan State force, she had followed with the supply mission, fearing something might happen to him.

Hearing these words, Xie Zheng’s pupils contracted imperceptibly. His heart felt as if suddenly caught by a hook, painful yet sprouting a dense tingling as if something wanted to take root and grow in that mass of flesh and blood. His pitch-black eyes gazed unblinkingly at Fan Changyu: “Find me?”

Fan Changyu had already begun unwrapping his bandages. Seeing the ghastly wound spanning most of his chest, mixed with herb juice and blackened blood, her eyes grew redder. Pressing down her heartache without answering his question, she asked with tight lips, “How did you get injured so badly?”

It looked even more terrible than his wounds when she had first found him.

This was the first time Xie Zheng had seen such an expression in her eyes – like sunlight breaking through a misty forest after rain, warm, gentle, brilliant, and filled with tender concern.

The hook in his chest pulled tighter, painful yet tingling as if the wound was nurturing new growth. His fingers twitched, unconsciously wanting to touch something. Looking away, he said, “The wound looks frightening but isn’t that serious. It didn’t reach any vital organs. A few days’ rest and it will be mostly healed.”

Fan Changyu naturally didn’t believe this explanation. Looking at his blood-stained, pale face, she suddenly felt deeply sad and said, “Don’t serve in the army anymore. Come back with me, I’ll raise pigs to support you.”

Gong Sun Yin and the physician had just reached the tent entrance and were about to lift the curtain when they heard this statement, causing both to stop in their tracks.

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