Chapter 179 (1/2)
Chapter 179
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The outside was unusually cold. The northern winds scooped up the snow, blowing at the torches lighted up with pine oil. AhJing stood by the door of the tent. The servants to his left and right remained quiet upon seeing him, choosing to perform a simple salutation. A sense of discomfort brewed within AhJing's heart. He no longer recognized any of Yan Xun's guards presently; his title, the leader of the guards, was quickly becoming a blank title. After an unknown amount of time, AhJing could no longer stand the cold. He jumped about, trying to shake the cold off, and rubbed his hands continuously. Suddenly, he saw the curtains move. The young general was dressed in blue, and he walked out of the tent slowly.
”Cough… spit!” AhJing coughed deliberately and spat a mouthful of phlegm out, which landed on the general's boots.
The general stopped in his tracks and turned around slowly, meeting AhJing's ferocious look. The general was emotionless; his eyes were sparkling. Acting as if nothing had happened, he walked away and disappeared into the darkness.
”Scaredy cat! Useless creature!” AhJing cursed. ”No wonder you want to be a deserter!” The night was pitch-black. As the man's shadow disappeared, AhJing sneered twice before walking into the tent.
Yan Xun was inspecting his map under the light. Hearing his entrance, he did not even look up. With a low voice, he said, ”What's the matter?”
AhJing steadied himself before replying, ”Your Highness, Miss is still following behind. In this cold weather, without a tent to spend the night, this…”
”What?” Yan Xun slowly raised his neat eyebrows and looked up. His voice was low and deliberately dragged, showing his frustrations. ”Didn't you say she turned back?”
AhJing scratched his head and whispered, ”Yes, I saw Miss turn back towards Beishuo, but she caught up with us through the night again.”
”Useless people!” Yan Xun slammed the map on his table and exclaimed. ”You men can't even contain a woman.”
AhJing lowered his head and remained silent, feeling aggrieved. He thought to himself, She's the person you love. We did not dare to touch her, be rough with her, or tie her up and send her back! She promised to turn back after a bit. Who knew that she would catch up again!
Yan Xun turned around and grabbed his cloak on the clothes hanger. He draped it around his shoulder and walked towards the outside. AhJing saw this and started to feel happy, dashing to his side and saying, ”Your Highness, I've prepared the horse for you already. Let's leave quickly. If we're too late, Miss will freeze to death. Like I said, how would Your Highness leave Miss in the lurch? Other than you, Miss is the second most important figure in Yan Bei. She has suffered with you all the way from Zhen Huang. How could those traitors compare to her? I knew it…” However, before he had finished his words, he realized that the man behind did not follow him. He turned around and saw Yan Xun standing in the center of the tent. The candlelight shone on his face, brightening it. A greyish shadow shone on his face, like a layer of fog.
”Your…Your Highness?” AhJing whispered, trying to test the waters.
Yan Xun stood there silently. Finally, he lowered his hand which was fastening his cloak and said calmly, ”Bring 20 guards with you to fetch her back here.”
”Ah?” AhJing's jaw dropped as he was stunned. ”Your Highness, you're not going anymore?”
Yan Xun did not say anything, turning around and removing his cloak. Then, he made his way to his study table, rubbing his finger against the giant map of Yan Bei, remaining silent for a long time.
Yan Xun's shadow was noticeable amidst the brightly lit candlelights. Suddenly, AhJing felt like his vision had been blurred. He looked at Yan Xun's shadow, thinking about that bright morning at Sheng Jin Palace many years ago. The Xia Emperor walked out slowly from his palace, while he knelt in the center of the crowd. He looked up sneakily but was blinded by the shiny gold robe.
”Yes, Your Highness.” AhJing obliged. As he turned to leave, Yan Xun's voice echoed out, ”Without proper approval, you are not to enter the tent at will from now.” The young warrior from Yan Bei nodded, his liveliness gone. ”Yes, Your Highness.”
When Chu Qiao followed AhJing into the camp, Yan Xun had slept. She looked at Yan Xun's tent, where the candlelights had been extinguished, and felt a bit dazed. Feng Zhi dashed over and remarked, ”Your Highness has traveled the whole day. I think he's tired.”
”Okay.” Chu Qiao nodded without any emotion and replied quietly, ”I'll head back first.”
When she got back to the tent, her limbs had turned numb from the cold. AhJing and some servants gave her a warm welcome by delivering some hot water to her. Although the majority of the warriors did not recognize her, they had heard of her name and her past contributions. They gathered outside her tent to see what was going on and only left after being chided by AhJing. After a while, the curtains of her tent moved. A small head popped out from outside and shouted in joy, ”General Chu!”
”Pingan?” Chu Qiao was shocked. Pingan was dressed in a small-sized military uniform. They had not seen each other for a few days, but he had seemed to grow up even more. That day, after the battle at Beishuo had ended, she had fallen sick and was not able to pay attention to him. She had not expected to meet him here. She remarked, ”Why are you here?”