She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

”These military rations are being deducted too much...”

”Shh! Keep your voice down.”

The soldiers inside the tent were all complaining about the Su Family deducting military rations.

Outside the tent, the brothers of the Great Word Unit exchanged glances, then nodded simultaneously.

This is the spot.

The leader of the Great One adjusted his rain-soaked lapels and deliberately stomped his way toward the encampment.

As the tent flap was lifted, the chatter inside suddenly stopped, and seven or eight soldiers raised their heads to stare vigilantly at them.

The Great One displayed a simple smile and clasped his hands.

”Brothers, sorry to disturb you. We’re from the Beiguan Camp, and we’re passing by here looking for my brother Zhang Erhu. We haven’t found him yet, and it’s started raining. Can we take shelter here from the rain?”

Upon hearing that someone was looking for someone in the camp, these rough men were straightforward people. Although the low tent wasn’t big, the rough men still tried their best to make space.

Once everyone made room, an older soldier hesitated and asked the Great One, ”You guys are from the Beiguan Camp? That’s pretty far, isn’t it?”

”Yes,” the Great One said as he sat down in an empty spot, patting the rainwater off his clothes.

”We’re back to deliver silver to our family. The treatment at the Beiguan Camp is quite good now, so I want to tell my brother Zhang Erhu to join us at the Beiguan Camp.”

”What’s the treatment like at the Beiguan Camp?”

The older soldier couldn’t help but ask, while the other soldiers eagerly watched the Great One.

The Great One raised two fingers, ”Two ounces of silver a month, never delayed.”

”Two ounces?!” A young soldier sat up straight, his voice altering in tone, ”Really?”

The Great Two chimed in, ”Absolutely true! Ever since the King of Cangzhou took over, not only has the silver been paid in full, but the Princess Consort has raised many pigs, so we can eat meat every now and then!”

He said and pulled out an oil-paper package from his chest, ”Look, this is some marinated pork that the kitchen gave us when we left. Would you like to try?”

The soldiers stared at the red-tinted marinated meat, unconsciously swallowing.

The older soldier carefully took it and divided it among his companions, only tearing a small strip for himself to taste, instantly widening his eyes.

”Is this... really for the soldiers?” he asked incredulously.

The Great Three nodded sincerely, ”Yeah! We even had several servings of stew last month!”

”But Beiguan has war every year...” said a soldier with a worried expression.

Upon hearing this, the Great One laughed. ”Haha, that was in the past; Beiguan now has tall, sturdy fortresses, and the Turkic people don’t dare come anymore. When we left Cangzhou, we even saw the Turkic delegation bringing the princess to Da Jing for marriage alliance.”

”Really?”

...

The atmosphere inside the tent gradually warmed up as the soldiers eagerly asked about the situation at Beiguan, and the Great One and his companions answered one by one, occasionally taking out some specialties from Beiguan to share.

Everyone was happily chatting away, when the Great Three looked at the sky outside and said, ”Big brother, the rain has let up. We still need to find Erhu, brother.”

The Great One nodded understandingly, stood up, and clasped his fists, ”Brothers, we must leave now. Thank you.”

Having said that, the Great One didn’t linger any longer, taking the Great Two and Great Three with him out of the tent.

Not far away, the Great Three couldn’t help but ask, ”Big brother, why don’t we just directly...”

”Shh!” The Great One made a gesture to keep quiet, ”Once the seed is sown, letting it sprout on its own is the most reliable. Let’s head over and wait for the Princess Consort.”

The three of them took a detour and quickly disappeared amid the continuous tents.

Behind them, the discussion inside the soldiers’ tent was even more lively than the thunder before the rain...

The task of the Great Word Unit brothers accomplished, in the meeting hall, Han Lei and Su Qi were chatting and drinking, their wine nearly finished.

Han Lei’s cheeks flushed with a drunken rosy hue, resembling white jade tinged with the colors of sunset.

Seeing her inebriated state, Su Qi’s eyes darkened as he gently tapped his fingers on the wine cup, then stood up lightly and moved from across Han Lei to sit beside her.

The distance between them suddenly shrank, the faint scent of jasmine from Han Lei mixed with the alcohol wafted over.

Su Qi stared at the vivid color at the corner of her eyes, his Adam’s apple involuntarily rolling.

He raised his hand, intending to embrace those delicate shoulders, but Han Lei suddenly turned her head, full lips opening into a sweet smile, a sparkle in her eyes as though stars were falling.

”General.”

Han Lei’s voice lilted with soft allure carrying a drunken nuance, her hair brushing across Su Qi’s hand with the movement, causing a slight shiver.

”I’ve heard the Su Family has great influence in Jingzhou; surely the treatment in your army is excellent?”

Su Qi retracted his outstretched hand and patted his chest with pride, ”Of course! My Su Family has controlled Jingzhou’s military forces for many years, with abundant supplies and strong troops.”

A hint of sarcasm flashed in Han Lei’s eyes as she silently criticized—

A Beiguan soldier’s death benefit was only ten ounces of silver; who knows how much the Su Family skimmed off layer by layer; no wonder you have ample supplies.

But on the surface, Han Lei quickly replaced it with a look of admiration.

”That’s truly enviable. I heard my attendant’s younger brother is also serving in the Jingzhou Army. I wonder if he’s under your command, General?”

Han Lei said, gesturing towards Da Si standing at the door.

”Oh?” Su Qi became interested, ”What’s his name? I’ll have someone look into it.”

”Da Si.”

Han Lei called towards the door, and Da Si turned his head.

”The General asks, what is your brother’s name?” Han Lei asked loudly.

”Answering the General, my brother’s name is Zhang Erhu, and he serves in the infantry camp.”

”That’s easy! ”Su Qi waved his hand, ”I’ll send someone to find him when I return to the camp. If he really is your brother, I’ll promote him to squad leader!”

Da Si quickly bowed in gratitude, ”Thank you, General, for your grace!”

”No need, since you are Miss Wei’s attendant, this can be arranged.”

Su Qi said, unable to help but pout in disappointment. How could he forget Miss Wei still had an attendant at the door, probably to prevent them from being alone together!

Su Qi, unable to achieve his desire, naturally felt displeased, so he picked up his wine jug to drink. But as he picked it up and tilted it back, he found the wine was already gone.

He sighed and was about to open the other brocade box on another table.

Han Lei’s pupils constricted, and she quickly stood up with agility, pressing his hand tighter on the brocade box.

So close!!!

At that moment, Han Lei’s back hairs stood on end.

Su Qi looked down at the suddenly placed delicate hand on his hand, feeling the warmth and softness from her fingertips, making him momentarily dazed.

He slowly turned his neck, looking slightly puzzled at Han Lei beside him.

Han Lei quickly smiled and said, ”General. This wine is precious; today we’ve each had a jug, which is a blessing. Let’s leave the remaining two jugs for the General to savor slowly.”