Chapter 180 (1/2)
Chapter 180
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The medicine was chilly and soothing, and felt extremely comfortable when applied. Chu Qiao's feet were small and adorable, and a small segment of her calves were also exposed. Yan Xun held her ankle with one hand, and applied medicine with the other. His voice was like a passing breeze, emphasizing the awkwardness between the duo.
”Yep, I know.” Chu Qiao nodded, and lightly bit her lip. Yet, she did not know what to say. She suddenly remembered those years in the palace, whenever winter came, her feet would suffer from frostbite and turn red and swollen, sometimes even oozing pus. At her worst, she could not even get out of bed. In those days, they did not have medicine, so Yan Xun would rub her wounds with alcohol. Seeing her squirm in pain, he even joked that he would make her drunk so that she would no longer feel pain. At that time, Yan Xun's eyes were crystal clear. Even now in her dreams, she could still remember his eyes back then. His eyes were so pure that just thinking about them would cause her to forget how he had become now.
”Rest well.” After applying the medicine, Yan Xun stood up. Carrying the bowl with him, he said, ”I will be going first.”
”Yan Xun…” Just as he turned around, he realized that the corner of his shirt had been grabbed by a small white hand. The hand was so thin, and hearing her voice, his heart softened. He turned around, and looking into Chu Qiao's eyes, he calmly asked, ”What's wrong?”
”Are you still angry at me?”
Looking back at her, Yan Xun calmly retorted, ”Am I supposed to be?”
Chu Qiao was a tad breathless from the lack of circulation in the tent. Biting her lips, she replied, ”I don't know.”
The entire atmosphere froze up as the two of them sank into silence. The smell of awkwardness once again lingered in the tent. Yan Xun, standing up straight, with his jet black hair and obsidian-like irises, merely gazed at her. Chu Qiao's cheeks were pale, and finally, she slowly lifted up her head, and looking into Yan Xun's eyes, she tugged at his sleeves, before whispering, ”Just let me follow you, please?”
Yan Xun stood there quietly for very long, as he gazed at Chu Qiao's face. A multitude of emotions flashed before his mind, causing him to unable to discern his own feelings. The rise of Yan Bei had happened too quickly, and now they were going against the current. Every step they took must be careful and calculated. Frowning, he thought about his future plans and strategies, before finally opening his mouth, ”AhChu, do you know what is the greatest threat Yan Bei is facing right now?”
Chu Qiao lifted her head but did not answer. She knew this was a rhetorical question.
As expected, Yan Xun continued, ”With the multiple factions within the military, everyone has their own leaders. With the infiltration of Da Tong forces, the military is unstable, as everyone has their own leaders that they follow. This will be the achilles heel of the Yan Bei army.” Yan Xun stretched out his hand, and lightly caressed Chu Qiao's hair, before continuing, ”All of these are matters that remain to be sorted out. It would no doubt be a bloody process, but this is a path that must be taken for a new government to be established. There is no right or wrong in this, and I am merely taking this path due to the circumstances that I had been faced with. I do not wish for you to get involved in this ruckus as well. Do you understand?”
Chu Qiao nodded. ”I understand. Yan Xun, I do not want control over any forces. I merely want to be by your side.”
Hearing Chu Qiao, Yan Xun was mildly taken aback. He thought that Chu Qiao pursued his forces merely to take back her position as the leader of the Southwest Emissary's Garrison. At that moment, he started to doubt his initial judgment of her intentions. Yet, with the warmth spreading throughout his heart, he nodded, and gently said, ”That's good.”
Yan Xun put down her hand and was about to leave. Putting on his blue robe, it seemed as though his figure had slimmed down. Seeing his silhouette, Chu Qiao suddenly felt her heart ache. She bit her lips and asked, ”Yan Xun, do you trust me?”
Yan Xun's footsteps stopped, but he did not turn around. Yet, his quiet voice echoed back, like the soft sounds of waves crashing into the sand.
”AhChu, I have never doubted you. I merely hope that before the storm hits, I can protect you from the fighting.”
With a sway of the veil, the figure vanished. Sitting on the bed, Chu Qiao was completely devoid of her previous drowsiness. With the sound of the hourglass in the background, everything was at peace. She was suddenly reminded of the promise that the two of them had made long ago. There would be no secrets, and they would forever be honest with each other. They must not let misunderstandings or any obstacles stand between the two of them! Yet, that was merely a fantasy. There were a lot of things that one must keep secret from others, and particularly, someone that one loves.
She should believe in him.
Chu Qiao silently bit her lip again. If she did not believe in him, who else could she believe in? She tried her best to convince herself before lying back down. Before she closed her eyes, the scene of those beheaded men on that square suddenly flashed before her eyes again.
After traveling for seven straight days, the army had finally reached the Xuekui River in the Yuyao province. Setting up the main camp by the mountain, the 200,000 soldiers settled down. From afar, one could only see an entire patch of metallic white.
Chu Qiao had given up her command of the Southwest Emissary's Garrison for good reason. After the battle of Beishuo, Chu Qiao's reputation in Beishuo was on par with Yan Xun, with many singing praises for her in the army. Plus, due to the fact that she had followed Yan Xun all these years, along with her outstanding achievements, she had become the de facto number two figure in Yan Bei. Yet, as the forces that had directly caused the defeat of Yan Shicheng, Southwest Emissary's Garrison had evoked mixed feelings from the crowds. There were some who hated them for the past betrayal, and some who appreciated them for defending Yan Bei. Such conflicting emotions could be easily made use of by anyone trying to plot something.
The loyalty of Southwest Emissary's Garrison to Chu Qiao was well known to all. As long as she maintained her command over these troops, Yan Xun would lose complete control over this army. These troops would literally become her private army. Such a thing would be intolerable to any ruler. As such, she must give up her authority and stand beside Yan Xun. As such, if anything were to happen, she would be in a position of neutrality, and it would be helpful for both her and the Southwest Emissary's Garrison.
This idea was originally a very well thought out one. Yet, when she saw the new commander that was appointed to lead the Southwest Emissary's Garrison, she was lost for words. Her frown deepened as her gaze became piercing with antagonism. The young commander who donned a uniform of blue quietly gave his salutations before emotionlessly greeting her, ”It has been a while, Master Chu.”