With Shen Che’s departure, the scenery of the great grasslands seemed to lose much of its appeal, no longer as lively. Ji Cheng was startled by this change, feeling a bit melancholic.
In reality, throughout this journey, Shen Che seemed to have said everything, yet also nothing. Ji Cheng hadn’t figured out his strategy but instinctively felt that she was already a part of his scheme.
No matter how nicely Shen Che spoke, he and she were still the same kind of people. When faced with personal interests, they would dare to take any risk and use anything as a gamble.
But Ji Cheng was already like a grasshopper on Shen Che’s clothes, unable to break free. Sitting on the tall horse, she felt her future was uncertain. Was she to spend her life half-heartedly with Shen Che like this? Allowing him to shake her when he was happy and use her when he wasn’t?
As Ji Cheng’s mind wandered through these confused thoughts, her horse had already traveled more than two hundred li from Tong Luo, approaching the territory of the Northern Expedition Army.
Although the autumn air on the grasslands was crisp, the “autumn tiger” heat of July hadn’t passed yet. With no shelter, the sun blazed down like meat being repeatedly roasted on an iron skewer. Ji Cheng set up camp near a small mound.
In front of the mound, there was a winding small river, probably a branch of the Duo Le River, turning west here and forming a crescent-shaped small lake. Though called a small lake, it was only about the size of the pond in Qing Garden. However, it was enough for the Weaving Maid to take a comfortable bath.
After setting up the tent, Nan Gui went to buy lamb and wine from afar. Lian Zi was preparing ingredients for a stew and setting up the iron rack for a later barbecue.
Under the moonlight, Ji Cheng went to the small lake in front of the mound. There were trees by the lake, more than just one or two. She plucked a leaf and put it to her lips, playing the tune “Moon Beyond the Frontier.” The Mid-Autumn Festival wasn’t far off, but there was no anticipation for a family reunion. Ji Cheng’s “Moon Beyond the Frontier” sounded particularly desolate and melancholic.
Shen Zheng recognized the tune played on the leaf and thought to himself how wonderful it would be if she played it on a xiao or di flute.
People beyond the frontier were known for their hospitality, but Shen Zheng had already observed that there were two maids in the newly pitched tent, so he wasn’t sure if the tent’s owner was male or female. If it was a man, he would naturally want to make acquaintance, but if it was a woman, he would have to avoid suspicion.
As the “Moon Beyond the Frontier” ended, its lingering sound remained, along with unfinished excitement. Shen Zheng lazily lay on the grass atop the mound, chewing on grass. The loneliness of the journey made him particularly want to meet this fellow countryman from the Central Plains tonight.
Just as Shen Zheng turned over to sit up, before he could fully straighten, he saw the “brother” who had been playing the tune earlier standing by the lake, undressing.
Ji Cheng was wrapped in chest bindings, struggling to untie them from beneath her undergarments. Although bathing in public was a bit embarrassing and dangerous, there were no obstacles in sight here. If anyone approached, she would see them early, so it didn’t matter.
As for the mound behind her, Lian Zi had already searched it and found no one. Ji Cheng had fallen into a common mistake here, overlooking that the safest place is often where vulnerabilities occur.
Finally undoing the troublesome chest bindings, Ji Cheng entered the water wearing only a short undergarment that barely covered her hips. The lake water was cool, making her shiver, but after parting the water with her hands and kicking her legs a few times, her body adapted to the coolness, feeling so comfortable it made her sigh.
Shen Zheng couldn’t stop Ji Cheng’s actions. Blood was continuously dripping from his nostrils, and his sleeves were almost not enough to wipe it. He hastily grabbed a handful of grass from the ground to wipe his nose.
This heated reaction was partly because Shen Zheng had been busy traveling and hadn’t been with a woman for a long time. Another reason was that the fairy-like woman he had been searching for all these years, even after he had given up hope, unexpectedly appeared on this moonlit night by the water.
That figure was so flawless that even the most critical person couldn’t find fault with it. Even if his Second Brother were here, he would have to raise his eyebrows and say “Good.”
Shen Zheng’s nosebleed was caused by those long legs. Among the girls he had seen, regardless of their ethnicity, the tall ones always seemed too muscular, while the petite ones lacked flesh. The Third Young Master of the Shen family was quite picky, but this girl captivated him at first sight.
If her face was even slightly passable, she would be perfect.
The Shen family men were all cultured and well-mannered. Even if they accidentally saw a girl undressing or bathing, they wouldn’t shout out to stop her, fearing the girl might be embarrassed and, in the worst case, jump into the river, causing a tragedy.
So, after missing the initial opportunity to call out, Shen Zheng crouched down in the grass, intently watching Ji Cheng swimming happily in the lake.
Shen Zheng chewed on another blade of grass, thinking this girl was extraordinary. Not many girls from the Central Plains could swim, and even fewer could swim as well as her. Those long legs appearing and disappearing in the water waves made Shen Zheng’s hand unconsciously move downward.
But fortunately, Shen Zheng wasn’t that lacking in integrity. He managed to resist desecrating this beautiful scene.
Ji Cheng swam a lap and returned to a spot not far from the shore. She let down her hair and washed it in the water. Shen Zheng’s eyes were transfixed, unable to see through the thick black hair, only able to make out a silhouette. It was enough to make one lose their soul, wishing he could go down to the water and wash that waterfall-like beautiful hair for her.
When Ji Cheng finished cleaning up, Lian Zi had also completed her chores and came to the lakeside with a large towel, calling out “Young Madam.”
Shen Zheng had good hearing, and that “Young Madam” felt like an iron hammer striking countless cracks in his heart. His fantasy, not even lasting a night, was completely shattered.
By the time Shen Zheng came to his senses, Ji Cheng had already wrapped herself in the towel and walked to the shore. Her wet hair casually draped over her swan-like neck, revealing a face that could topple kingdoms.
Lian Zi suddenly looked up towards the mound. Shen Zheng didn’t move, instantly holding his breath. In the darkness, Lian Zi couldn’t tell if it was a person or a rock. She didn’t make a sound, only helping Ji Cheng into the tent. She didn’t dare leave Ji Cheng, fortunately, Nan Gui had just returned and was preparing the lamb.
Lian Zi gave Nan Gui a look, and Nan Gui slipped out.
Nan Gui searched the small mound thoroughly but didn’t see anyone. However, being meticulous, she found blood traces where Shen Zheng had been lying. After looking around once more to confirm no one was there, she returned to the tent.
“That person seemed to be injured, but was scared away,” Nan Gui whispered to Lian Zi.
Lian Zi’s heart tightened. Fortunately, nothing had happened, otherwise, she and Nan Gui wouldn’t have survived. They didn’t know how long that person had been there, and the Young Madam had been bathing earlier.
It’s better to let sleeping dogs lie in such matters. Lian Zi didn’t dare tell Ji Cheng that someone had been hiding on the mound earlier, keeping the matter to herself.
Not long after Nan Gui left, bubbles appeared in the lake. Shen Zheng awkwardly raised his head from the water, not daring to linger, and fled directly northward.
When he was far enough away, Shen Zheng finally took off his wet clothes and started a fire to dry them.
In these tumultuous times, the sudden appearance of a stunningly beautiful woman from the Central Plains was very suspicious. Shen Zheng wasn’t the type to lose his way because of beauty. Thinking carefully now, he wished he could immediately sneak back to investigate further.
However, the two maids with the woman were highly skilled in martial arts, probably not much inferior to him. Shen Zheng didn’t dare act rashly. For now, he could only stare blankly at the fire, the flames seeming to imprint the woman’s face, as beautiful as the purest sky over the great grasslands on a clear day.
Who knows whose young madam she was? She shouldn’t be from an ordinary family, which made Shen Zheng’s thoughts of abducting someone’s wife impossible. He shook his head, but every time he closed his eyes, he couldn’t help thinking about that face and figure, making him toss and turn restlessly.
When Shen Che saw Shen Zheng, he was in a deep sleep, with his crotch area bulging and a spot darker than the rest.
Shen Che kicked Shen Zheng, who startled awake, scrambling up in fright, “Second Brother!”
“Why are you sleeping here?” Shen Che glanced at Shen Zheng, saying leisurely, “When you return to the capital this time, you should get married too.”
Shen Zheng awkwardly pulled over the clothes hanging on a nearby dead branch and put them on. “Second Brother, you came so quickly.” Shen Zheng didn’t ask how Shen Che found him in the vast grasslands. His second brother’s ability to find people was unparalleled. Once, he had found him hiding in a pig manure pit, causing him to lose quite a few good things.
“Mm.” Shen Che sat down next to Shen Zheng. His attendant, Ma Chao, rekindled the fire and took out the naan bread they had brought, and a pot. He set the pot on the fire to boil water for milk tea, with the naan bread placed on the pot lid to warm up.
Shen Zheng couldn’t wait. He took some naan bread, toasted it over the fire, and started eating.
Shen Che was a bit exasperated by Shen Zheng’s lack of refinement. This brother of his had always loved martial arts and despised literature. Confining him in the capital was like taking his life. In the military camp, he was like a fish in water, completely unlike someone from a Duke’s household.
“The negotiations with Li Si Mo are settled. He will start an uprising within Zhe Li’s army to support us.” Shen Che waited for the water to boil before sipping some milk tea, then told Shen Zheng the specific signals and some details. “The news from Zha Yi Na’s side is still uncertain. I’ll have someone notify you when the time comes.”
Shen Zheng asked, puzzled, “Second Brother, why don’t you tell Big Brother these things in person?” He didn’t voice the latter part: Why make me come so far to meet?
Shen Che looked at Shen Zheng, finding it hard to explain. Because of the engagement with Ji Cheng, Shen Yu had turned against him at the time, which was why Shen Che had returned to the capital from the northwest, conveniently preparing for the wedding as well.
How could he bring up such personal conflicts? Shen Che only said, “The spies around Big Brother might not have been completely cleared out. My going there might expose my identity.”
Shen Zheng nodded. He knew his second brother had some background and vaguely knew about the Jing Shi Army, but he hadn’t connected him to Jing Zhu. In his heart, he suspected Chu De, that fat pig who seemed to know everything under the sun.
“Second Brother, has Chu De come to Tong Luo?” Shen Zheng asked.
“Why?” Shen Che glanced at him.
Shen Zheng sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, “To inquire about some things.”
Shen Che said, “Tell me about it.”
Shen Zheng then awkwardly said, “Last night, I met a girl who looked like a fairy, from the Central Plains, with two maids.” He didn’t mention that the girl was already married and a young madam, fearing Shen Che would guess he was thinking about a married woman.
Shen Che’s expression changed as Shen Zheng described her. He pretended to ponder, “Someone appearing in this area at this time can’t be simple, especially a Central Plains woman as beautiful as a fairy.”
Shen Zheng slapped his thigh, “Exactly! I’m suspicious too, that’s why I wanted to ask Chu De about it.”
“How did you meet her?” Shen Che asked nonchalantly.
Now Shen Zheng was even more embarrassed, his ears turning red. Shen Che narrowed his eyes, thinking of the worst, but clearly, what Shen Zheng said was even more infuriating than he had imagined.
“I accidentally saw her bathing,” Shen Zheng said, then added, “Second Brother, you don’t think this could be a honey trap set by the enemy, waiting there to seduce me, do you?”
The more Shen Zheng thought about it, the more he believed it. Otherwise, how could there be such a coincidence? He happened to be resting there, and she happened to be there playing leaf whistle and bathing. Shen Zheng couldn’t help but marvel at how terrifying the opponent was, investigating his preferences so thoroughly, making him want to take the bait even knowing it was a trap.
Shen Che directly kicked Shen Zheng to the ground, “Lust clouds the mind. Wake up!”
“Second Brother, can you help me find her?” Shen Zheng pleaded shamelessly, “Or we could use their plan against them, make sure they fail and lose more than they gain.”
Shen Che didn’t want to say another word to Shen Zheng, only asking, “Where did you see her?”
Shen Zheng roughly described the location.
Shen Che said, “Alright, you go back to Big Brother’s side first.”
As Shen Zheng was leaving, he didn’t forget to turn back and remind, “Second Brother, don’t forget to tell me when you find out her identity!”
Shen Che gave Shen Zheng a spine-chilling smile.