The sky gradually darkened.
The instructors finished drinking the medicinal concoction that was prepared for them. Ever since Lin Shuanghe came to the Liang Province Guard, Lin Shuanghe was in charge of Xiao Jue's medicinal concoction. Therefore, there was no one she could talk to. Shen Muxue stood there. Xiao Jue was focused on the Nan Fu soldiers' daily training and had no intention of talking to her. After a while, she naturally felt awkward.
She was, after all, the noble daughter of the Imperial Censor Manor. Her self-esteem was ingrained in her bones. She could give up everything to share Xiao Jue's trials and tribulations. She could give up her luxurious life as the daughter of an official and come to this harsh and cold place to be a female doctor. However, she couldn't be like those girls from ordinary families, or even the servants, who could express their feelings to Xiao Jue in a frank and direct manner.
Shen Muxue had always hoped that as long as she stayed by Xiao Jue's side, Xiao Jue would one day discover her good points and tell her that they were the most compatible person in the world. This was her reserved nature. She had never worried about it. After all, in all these years, Xiao Jue had many beautiful women who threw themselves at him, but he had never been moved by any of them. Xiao Jue was not interested in women.
But now, Shen Muxue was confused. She had a bad feeling about some things. What if Xiao Jue fell in love with someone else before Xiao Jue saw her good points?
Shen Muxue could not imagine such a scene.
She picked up the empty bamboo basket and turned to leave without saying goodbye to Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue did not like to be disturbed when he was training. After all these years, she had already figured out Xiao Jue's preferences.
"Miss Shen." Someone called out to her.
Shen Muxue raised her head. The man in front of her was wearing a wide-sleeved robe. He smiled and pointed forward. "If you keep walking with your head down, you'll bump into Shi Tou."
Not far away, there was a huge rock. The new recruits of the Liang Province Guard often liked to grind their swords on this huge rock and slash randomly. Now, it was full of bumps and hollows, and there were even people who had carved a mess of curses on it. She was so distracted earlier that she didn't even notice such a large piece of Shi Tou. If it weren't for Chu Zhao's reminder, she would've bumped into it.
Shen Muxue stopped and bowed to Chu Zhao. "Fourth Young Master Chu."
She knew that Xiao Jue and Chu Zhao had different standpoints. After all, Chu Zhao was Prime Minister Xu's favorite student. It was just that Chu Zhao was born with good looks and a gentle temperament, so it was very difficult for ordinary women to have any ill feelings towards him. Shen Muxue was the same. When they met on a daily basis, he never lost his manners.
"Miss Shen seems to have something on her mind." Chu Zhao smiled. "Are you worried about Military Governor Xiao?"
Shen Muxue was startled. She instantly panicked, as if someone had seen through her thoughts. However, she quickly calmed down and quietly said, "It's nothing. I'm just thinking about the medicinal theory in the medical book I read today. Fourth Young Master Chu is overthinking it. "
Chu Zhao nodded and was about to continue walking forward. The instant they passed each other, Shen Muxue's heart stirred. She suddenly asked, "Fourth Young Master Chu seems to be on good terms with a new recruit of the Liang Province Guard named He Yan?"
Shen Muxue had seen Chu Zhao and He Yan talk a few times. Although Chu Zhao was normally amiable and approachable, never putting on the airs of a young master from an official's family, he was definitely not an enthusiastic and talkative person. In the Liang Province Guard, apart from talking to that excessively beautiful servant girl, he didn't have much interaction with anyone else. However, when he talked to He Yan, his attitude was very cordial.
"Brother He?" Chu Zhao paused. "Brother He is a good friend of mine in the Liang Province Guard. Why is Miss Shen looking for him?"
Since he admitted it so directly, Shen Muxue didn't know what to ask. After a moment, she looked towards Chu Zhao. "When the Uto sent troops to Jiyang, I heard that Fourth Young Master Chu was also there. He even stayed with the Governor and the others at the Middle Cavalry Daren's Residence. Fourth Young Master Chu is also a good friend of He Yan. Presumably, you know quite a bit about He Yan. "
Chu Zhao quietly listened to her speak.
Shen Muxue hesitated for a moment before asking, "How is the Governor's relationship with He Yan? Do they … get along well? "
"Miss Shen's question is a bit strange." Chu Zhao's gaze swept past the woman in front of him. Shen Muxue nervously tugged at the corner of her skirt. Chu Zhao smiled. "Brother He is very skilled and straightforward. Military Governor Xiao trusts him a lot. Miss Shen should know better than anyone that Military Governor Xiao is definitely not someone who is easy to get close to. However, Brother He is not an ordinary person. He seems to have easily opened Military Governor Xiao's heart. "
"Rather than saying that they are a master and a trusted subordinate, I think that Military Governor Xiao and Brother He are more like friends."
"Friends?" Shen Muxue's voice became slightly sharp for a moment. She frowned. "How can the Governor of the Right Corps and a new recruit be friends with such a big difference in status?"
Chu Zhao smiled. "Miss Shen's words are wrong. When making friends, one should follow one's heart. Age, status, and position are not important. How can there be a difference in status between friends? Military Governor Xiao has always treated Brother He very well. When they were in Jiyang, the two of them shared a room and ate at the same table. Military Governor Xiao even bought clothes for Brother He. It's a bit too far-fetched to say that they are superior and subordinate. "
Shen Muxue was secretly shocked when she heard that.
Xiao Jue loved cleanliness and was a loner. Eating at the same table with others was already the limit. Sharing a room? She found it hard to imagine that he even bought clothes for He Yan. When did he ever care about other people's trivial matters?
Chu Zhao stared into Shen Muxue's eyes. "Miss Shen, what are you worried about?"
Shen Muxue met his thoughtful gaze and couldn't help but take a step back. She subconsciously shook her head and denied. "Nothing."
"Miss Shen, you are a woman. Since you can travel thousands of miles from Shuo Jing to Liangzhou, you should be a determined, brave, and magnanimous person. Why are you scared about this matter?"
Shen Muxue pursed her lips and didn't say anything.
"I can roughly understand what Miss Shen is worried about. Brother He is my good friend, so I can't say too much. However, I also admire Miss Shen's intentions. So … if Miss Shen really can't let it go, why don't you personally investigate? Sometimes, "he said faintly," people should trust their own instincts. Especially … women. "
Shen Muxue raised her head. The man in front of her was still smiling. His gaze was gentle and caring, but it made her feel a faint chill.
"I … don't understand what Fourth Young Master Chu is talking about." She frowned and tightened her grip on the basket in her hand. She quickly walked around Chu Zhao. "I have to go back and concoct the medicinal ingredients. Fourth Young Master Chu, goodbye."
Shen Muxue hurriedly left. Looking at her back, she seemed a bit embarrassed. Chu Zhao looked at her back and the smile on his face disappeared. After a while, he lowered his head and muttered to himself, "It's getting more and more interesting."
"Shen Muxue," he muttered, "Xiao Huaijin, which one will you choose?"
On the martial arts field, the day training for the new recruits had ended.
When Lin Shuanghe passed by the martial arts field, he happened to see Xiao Jue dispersing the Southern House soldiers. He went up to greet her and planned to go back with Xiao Jue for dinner.
"Huaijin, have you been training my Sister He too hard these past few days? I haven't seen her in a long time. I have to remind you that she still has injuries. Although they aren't very serious, a girl can't be compared to a man. She should rest more. You should be more considerate. "
Xiao Jue coldly said, "Mind your own business."
"How can this be called mind your own business? Sister He is my friend and also your friend. Friends should help each other. "
"Mind your own business first."
Lin Shuanghe waved his fan. He could sense that Xiao Jue wasn't in a good mood today. Although she didn't show her emotions on her face, but … after all, they had been friends for many years. Some small details could still be detected.
Just as he was about to ask, he looked up and saw someone not far away also walking forward. The Liangzhou Guards came and went. Other than the new recruits, there were also the instructors. People who didn't wear the same uniform were always particularly eye-catching. Lin Shuanghe said, "Fourth Young Master Chu?"
Chu Zhao turned his head and saw Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe. He nodded and said, "Military Governor Xiao, Young Master Lin."
"It's so late. What are you doing here?" Lin Shuanghe asked.
"I just went for a walk by the Wulu River. I'm going back now."
The weather was gradually warming up. With the heat of early summer, the Wulu River was no longer as cold as winter. It was cool and pleasant. Walking at night was indeed comfortable.
Xiao Jue was as cold as ice. She didn't even bother to respond to Chu Zhao. Lin Shuanghe was a smooth talker. He couldn't make the atmosphere so stiff. However, he didn't have much interaction with Chu Zhao in the first place, so he could only try to find something to talk about. He asked Chu Zhao, "Fourth Young Master Chu, what's that tied to your waist?"
Chu Zhao followed his gaze and smiled. "It's just Shi Tou."
Lin Shuanghe was somewhat curious. Chu Zhao was the Fourth Young Master of the Chu Clan and Xu Jingfu's favorite student. Although he didn't wear extravagant or expensive clothes, he was still very particular. He thought that Chu Zhao had a piece of jade on his waist. He didn't expect it to be Shi Tou. Was the Chu Clan about to fall? Were they that poor?
As if seeing the surprise in Lin Shuanghe's eyes, Chu Zhao smiled. He untied the Shi Tou from his waist and handed it to Lin Shuanghe.
Lin Shuanghe glanced at it. It was a flat piece of Shi Tou. It was naturally in the shape of a horse. There were traces of abrasion on the tail. It was also chiseled at the head and body of the horse. If it was made of jade, it would be interesting and lively. However, if it was made of Shi Tou, it looked more like a toy for children to play with. There was nothing special about it.
It was indeed just a piece of Shi Tou.
"Fourth Young Master Chu, why would you tie a piece of Shi Tou to your body?" Lin Shuanghe returned the Shi Tou in his hand and coughed twice. "This Shi Tou is not worthy of Fourth Young Master Chu's status."
"A friend's goodwill is priceless even for Shi Tou," Chu Zhao replied very seriously.
When Lin Shuanghe heard this, a mischievous thought appeared in his heart. He smiled and looked at Chu Zhao. "Fourth Young Master Chu, are you saying that this is a gift from a girl in your heart?" His opinion of Chu Zhao had changed greatly. After all, Chu Zhao was someone that Xu Pingting had taken a fancy to. No matter how powerful Chu Zhao was, he wasn't powerful enough to openly oppose Prime Minister Xu. Moreover, Prime Minister Xu doted on his beloved daughter the most. Xu Pingting's standards were very high. There was no way she would gift a piece of Shi Tou to Chu Zhao. A girl who could gift something like this was most likely a daughter of an ordinary family. Chu Zhao dared to openly wear a gift from a girl other than Xu Pingting. Wasn't he afraid of being discovered by the father and daughter of the Xu family? He would have to bear the consequences.
How could this not be admirable?
Chu Zhao was stunned for a moment. He shook his head and smiled. "It's not a girl in my heart. It's Brother He."
As soon as he said this, the surroundings fell silent.
Xiao Jue's gaze fell on Chu Zhao's face. Lin Shuanghe couldn't wait to ask, "You said … Brother He gave it to you?"
"You could say so." Chu Zhao said, "She was the one who carved the Shi Tou."
Lin Shuanghe turned pale with fright.
Despite all his precautions, He Yan still fell for her! She was even willing to give him Shi Tou. It was clear that she liked it very much. However, she couldn't be blamed for this. She was at the age where she was experiencing her first awakening of love. Who could resist the attack of a gentle and kind beautiful young master?
If it was someone else, it wouldn't be a big deal. However, in Lin Shuanghe's opinion, Chu Zilan wasn't a good match. Not to mention the mess that Chu Zilan's father, Chu Linfeng, had in his courtyard, Xu Pingting alone was difficult to deal with. After all, He Yan didn't have any status or background. If Xu Pingting wanted to find a reason to deal with He Yan, it would be a piece of cake. If Chu Zhao really cared about He Yan, the best thing to do would be to stay away from him. However, if he didn't hide it, wouldn't He Yan become a live target for Xu Pingting to find trouble with?
Moreover, Chu Zhao knew that He Yan was a woman.
For a moment, Lin Shuanghe, who had always been "kind to others," looked at Chu Zhao with hostility.
Who was Chu Zhao? He noticed Lin Shuanghe's sudden hostility, but his expression didn't change. He looked at Xiao Jue. The young master's dark blue brocade robe had a layer of coldness to it under the night sky. His figure was tall and handsome, and his eyes were dark as he looked at Chu Zhao indifferently.
There seemed to be a sharp edge to his gaze.
He smiled and cupped his hands. "I've arrived at my room. I won't disturb Military Governor Xiao and Young Master Lin. See you tomorrow. "As he spoke, he turned and walked in another direction.
"This Chu Zilan doesn't seem to have good intentions." Lin Shuanghe looked at his back and muttered.
He seemed to have come for He Yan.
… …
The lights in the room were lit again.
Xiao Jue changed his clothes and sat down at the table. During the day, he watched the training of the new recruits in the training field. At night, he had to read the military books sent from the capital.
Lin Shuanghe sat at the side and looked at him. Not long after, he went out and came back in with a plate of preserved fruit. He quietly placed it on Xiao Jue's table.
Xiao Jue looked at him.
"Today, the kitchen here made some. Since you like it, you should eat more."
Xiao Jue frowned. "What's this?"
"Plums!" Lin Shuanghe slapped his thigh and said seriously, "Don't you like to eat sour things? These were just picked and haven't been pickled yet. They're as sour as you want them to be. "
After a moment of silence, Xiao Jue said, "Take them away."
Lin Shuanghe stood up straight and waved his fan. "I'm not leaving. Xiao Huaijin, Chu Zilan has already said so. How can you sit still? If you don't act now, Chu Zilan will kidnap Meimei He. It's only a matter of time. "
The young man replied indifferently, "It has nothing to do with me."
"You, me, and Meimei He went through life and death together in Jiyang City. Even if we don't have feelings for each other, we still have loyalty. You and I both know what kind of person Chu Zilan is. We're all men. Even a fool can see what he wants. Chu Zilan can't get rid of Xu Pingting, but he wants Meimei He to keep thinking about him. You don't know this, but when I was in Jiyang, Meimei He loved Chu Zilan but couldn't get him. She even told me that she doesn't want to get married in this lifetime. Tell me, how much sin has this person committed? "
Xiao Jue lowered her eyes. Her gaze flickered, but she didn't stop Lin Shuanghe from continuing.
"He doesn't have the ability to marry her, but he still wants to seduce her. I think this person's conduct is improper." Lin Shuanghe said, "My Meimei He is a bit stupid, but she's skilled and loyal. She's also pretty. Other than her family background being a bit ordinary, she's no worse than anyone else. She's such a good girl. We can't let Chu Zilan ruin her. Other than me, you're the only one in the Liangzhou Guards who can compete with Chu Zilan. Go and lure Meimei He back. Then we can discuss this matter at length. "
Xiao Jue sneered. "What kind of person do you think I am?"
"I know. You've been wronged." Lin Shuanghe patted his friend's shoulder. "But think about it. If Chu Zilan continues to be so unscrupulous, sooner or later, something will happen. Don't you dare say that Xu Pingting doesn't have people by his side. Once the news gets back, Meimei He will be in big trouble. I can't just stand by and watch. You can't either. In any case, you two used to pretend to be husband and wife. How can you be so heartless? "
The more he spoke, the more he went overboard. Xiao Jue said, "If you say any more nonsense, I'll have someone send you back to Shuo Jing tomorrow."
Lin Shuanghe choked and sighed. "I've said everything I need to say. If you don't do anything, I will. I can't let Xu Pingting bully my Meimei He for nothing."
After he finished speaking, he waved his hand and left.
The room quieted down again. Xiao Jue's gaze fell on the plate of green plums on the table. Suddenly, she felt a little irritated. The pen in her hand paused and actually broke into two pieces.
The next moment, there was a rustling sound from the central door. The door was unlocked with a click. The door was already open, but the other party still pretended to knock on the door. "Commander-in-chief, may I come in?"
Xiao Jue: "…"
"If you don't say anything, I'll take it as a yes." The person said very naturally and pushed the door open. As soon as he entered, he was met with Xiao Jue's cold gaze.
"Cough." He Yan stood up straight. "Commander in Chief, you're in the room. Why didn't you say anything? I thought you weren't here. "
Xiao Jue: "What's the matter?"
"I'm here to ask you." He Yan said seriously, "When I train tomorrow, will it be the same as today's training, or will it be the same as before?"
Although he had offended Xiao Jue today and was angry, Xiao Jue was still his superior. He Yan still had to take the initiative to ask.
"If you have enough stamina, you can even increase it by five times."
Why did it sound like her anger had not subsided and was getting worse? He Yan thought for a while and felt that it was better not to provoke Xiao Jue today. He nodded. "I understand. Commander in Chief, rest early. I still have something to do, so I won't disturb you. "After he finished speaking, he was about to leave.
"Are you very busy?" Xiao Jue sneered. "What is it?"
"Fourth Young Master Chu wants me to look for him tonight. He said that he has something important to tell me." He Yan said, "It should be about time."
She said this nervously. In fact, He Yan was not sure what Chu Zhao wanted to talk to her about. When Ying Xiang came, he said it in a very serious manner, so no one dared to underestimate him.
Xiao Jue looked up at him.
Under the light, the young commander in chief was unbelievably handsome. His clothes were loose, and his skin was like jade. However, his eyes were like a cold lake that had been frozen for three years. His gaze was so sharp that it made people feel afraid.
His voice was very calm, but there was a slight hint of anger.
"You're not allowed to go."
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