“Your Uncle Zhong has had it quite difficult this period.”

Xie Yanfang declined Chu Zhao’s invitation to talk inside the tent and sat directly on the ground.

“The King of Xi Liang has been attacking wildly like a madman. Among the five border army general divisions, not everyone is so obedient—each has their own thoughts.”

He glanced at Chu Zhao with a half-smile.

“Your Uncle Zhong is still far inferior to your father.”

Chu Zhao sat down beside him and nodded: “I know. Uncle Zhong is, after all, my father’s deputy general. His status certainly can’t compare to my father’s. He also took over in a rush. But give him some time—his abilities are not inferior to my father’s.”

In the previous life, Uncle Zhong had also taken over hastily. He could not only defeat Xi Liang but also fight against the Xie clan.

Of course, Xiao Xun had also supported Uncle Zhong using the Empress’s name.

However, this support wasn’t to help Uncle Zhong consolidate his position, but to exhaust him, making him a blade to slash everywhere. Whether it was the Dragon’s Might Army or the border troops her father left behind, they were divided and seized. In the end, Uncle Zhong became isolated on all sides and died in the chaos of battle.

Watching the girl’s eyelids lower, Xie Yanlai thought for a moment. Forget it, better not say anything too harsh. The thought had just flashed through his mind when he saw Chu Zhao lift her head and smile at him.

“Besides, didn’t I specifically leave you there to help him?” she said with a grin.

Say fewer nice things. Xie Yanlai scoffed: “The Xie family name is both a blessing and a curse. You don’t need to be so happy about it.”

As a Xie family descendant stationed with the border army, many people curried favor with the Xie family and gave him face, but the Xie family name also made many people jealous, just waiting for an opportunity to take a bite.

Chu Zhao smiled again: “I’m using you as a person. I’m not afraid of the rest.”

Xie Yanlai said coldly: “So you think that with this kindhearted person protecting your Uncle Zhong, you can go seek mutual destruction with people without any worries?”

Chu Zhao smiled: “I was clearly being brave and fearless. You make it sound like I was seeking death.”

“If not seeking death, then what?” Xie Yanlai said. “Dare you say you weren’t going to seek death? Did you survive because you were brave? You survived only because Prince Zhongshan fears death. What if Prince Zhongshan didn’t fear death?”

He laughed coldly.

“If it were me, with you coming alone to threaten me, I wouldn’t care about what happens later—I’d kill you first.”

Chu Zhao exclaimed: “When I wasn’t threatening you, you still wanted to kill me.”

Xie Yanlai said irritably: “Are you going to bring up that riverbank incident for the rest of your life? Bringing it up at every turn—is this the same thing?”

Chu Zhao shook her head, then said: “Prince Zhongshan is not you.”

She looked into the distance, supporting herself on her knee with a smile.

“A’Jiu, there aren’t many people in this world who don’t fear death like us. They possess too much, have too many entanglements. We’re different—we have nothing, only solitary courage, fearless of everything. If we die, we die.”

“Don’t blame me for thinking this way. People like us—if we feared death, we couldn’t survive.”

Xie Yanlai scoffed: “Don’t keep saying ‘we.’ You are you, I am me. We’re different.” Having said this, he lay back on the ground.

Without realizing it, spring grass had already covered the ground in a verdant carpet.

“Besides, I didn’t rush in hot-headedly intent on seeking death.” Chu Zhao counted on her fingers for him. “I had Xiao Man and the others—their identities hidden, unknown to anyone. I also brought two army divisions. I was originally quite formidable.”

Xie Yanlai grunted but said nothing.

Chu Zhao propped her head with her hand, looking ahead, lowering her voice: “However, that this matter actually succeeded—I truly am a bit surprised.”

After all, in that previous life, although Prince Zhongshan died early, Xiao Xun fought with the Xie clan for ten years—

Did this count as her extinguishing the seedling of ten years of warfare?

Of course, things weren’t over yet. Prince Zhongshan’s concession was only temporary. Although one hundred thousand troops had been confiscated, Prince Zhongshan still had one hundred thousand troops.

However, having deflated Prince Zhongshan’s spirit and locked Xiao Xun in the capital—she had truly done this matter well!

“I think I’m really formidable.”

The Xie Yanlai beside her made no sound.

“Why won’t you speak when I talk about being formidable?” Chu Zhao grunted, turning her head to see the young man beside her with his head pillowed on his arm, eyes tightly closed—

She was startled.

“Xie—” She started to call out, then in the next moment covered her mouth, watching the young man’s chest rise and fall slowly, his long lashes moving slightly.

He was asleep.

He’d actually fallen asleep.

Chu Zhao lowered her hand, looking at the sleeping young man.

Earlier she had asked how he came, and he said because matters had settled and border army pressure had eased, and Uncle Zhong urged him. She asked when he arrived, and he said just now.

Matters settling hadn’t been that long ago. He must have rushed here day and night without stopping.

Earlier he said Uncle Zhong had had it difficult this period.

Uncle Zhong had it difficult—was he having it easy?

Uncle Zhong had been with the border army for decades. It was just that sitting in the main general’s position issuing orders wasn’t easy. Actually, he had people if he needed them and knew how to get things done.

What about Xie Yanlai? Young in years, even if he was a Xie family descendant, on this battlefield where blades and spears had no eyes, who cared whose family’s descendant you were?

On the battlefield, he was only himself.

Everything had to rely on himself.

Chu Zhao scooted closer to him and examined his face. At first glance still a beautiful face, but looking carefully it had also taken on a roughness. His temples seemed to have scars—

What about his body?

Chu Zhao leaned over to look at his neck, reaching out to gently lift his collar—

A’Le tiptoed over. Seeing this scene, she stopped, blinking her eyes, calling softly: “Miss, what are you doing?”

Any wounds on his body would have been bandaged long ago. What was she looking at? Chu Zhao sat up properly with some embarrassment: “Nothing, I was just looking.”

If Miss wants to look, let her look. A’Le said: “I’ll help you—he’s not wearing armor, his clothes are easy to unfasten.”

Chu Zhao suppressed her laughter and waved her hand: “Don’t fool around, he’s asleep.” Then she thought for a moment. “Get a cloak. I’ll cover him with it.”

Although the weather was warm now, sleeping in the open air would make one catch cold.

……

……

When Xie Yanlai slowly opened his eyes, he saw a sky full of starlight.

He was only dazed for a moment, and in that moment his hand was already reaching to his side while his body tensed and arched, ready to spring up.

He didn’t grasp a weapon at his side, but there was a hand pressing down on him.

“Don’t be afraid, this is Zhongshan Commandery.” A female voice said softly.

Xie Yanlai instantly regained clarity, but still sat up, seeing campfires dotting the surroundings, a city sprawling ahead, and the familiar clamor of a military camp coming on the wind.

He had actually fallen asleep?

When had he fallen asleep?

He’d actually slept this long.

He looked down to see a thick, soft red cloak sliding from his chest. Looking up again, he saw the girl beside him sitting cross-legged, grinning at him.

“Chu Zhao.” Xie Yanlai raised his brows. “You just let me sleep in the open field like this?”

Chu Zhao spread her hands helplessly: “I had no choice. I don’t have the strength to carry you into the tent.”

Xie Yanlai glared. Was that what he meant?

“Stop talking nonsense.” He laughed in exasperation. “Couldn’t you wake me and invite me to sleep in the tent, prepare hot water for washing, sumptuous food, and a soft bed with three layers of quilts!”

He grabbed the cloak in front of him and draped it over Chu Zhao’s head.

“You just give me one cloak and the ground for a bed—is this the attitude toward important ministers and loyal generals? Important ministers and loyal generals will be disheartened!”

Chu Zhao, covered by the cloak, said loudly: “Beloved subject, calm your anger! This palace will immediately order a feast to be served!”