https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-79-Returning-to-the-Capital-Baoshi-Meets-Qianqian/12582505/
Chapter 78: Little Tiger, Big Surprise
Chapter 78: Little Tiger, Big Surprise
Meng Qianqian was stunned by the sheer audacity of this man.
Had he never heard a word of truth in his life? Surrounded by sycophants and flatterers, had he developed a blindly confident ego?
Lu Lingxiao stared straight at her, "Why aren't you saying anything? Am I right?"
Meng Qianqian replied coldly, "Lu Lingxiao, it seems your body is here, but your mind is still back in the capital. Do you think everyone is like your grandmother and Wan'er, treating you as the best thing since sliced bread? You ask if I regret it? I only regret that I was young and unable to control my own destiny, forced to marry you by my family. If I could go back five years, even if I had to choose a husband on the street, I would never marry into your Lu family!"
Lu Lingxiao's face darkened, "You—"
"But you're right about one thing. I did come to the border to find you, but not to reconcile. It was for these two things."
Meng Qianqian took out the firework signal and the token from her purse, "Do you know what this token is?"
Lu Lingxiao frowned, "Of course. This is Wan'er's rescue order. When I'm in danger, I just need to release the firework signal, and the Black Armored Guards within a hundred miles will come to my aid!"
Meng Qianqian scoffed, "Aid you? More like they'll kill you!"
Lu Lingxiao's voice turned cold, "What did you say?"
Meng Qianqian explained, "It has a name – the Hundred-Mile Kill Order. If you dare to release that signal, you and your companions within a hundred miles will be slaughtered by the Black Armored Guards, not a single one spared! If I wasn't worried about innocent people being implicated, I wouldn't have come to the border to find you!"
Lu Lingxiao was furious, "Nonsense! How could it be a kill order? It's obviously a rescue order! Wan'er wouldn't harm me!"
Meng Qianqian countered, "Then go ask her. As the daughter of Shen Hou, how could she not recognize the Hundred-Mile Kill Order?"
Lu Lingxiao clenched his fist, "Wan'er is Shen Hou's daughter, but you have nothing to do with the Black Armored Guards. How could you possibly know more than her?"
"Believe it or not, it's up to you."
She had said what she needed to say, and whether he believed her or not was no longer her concern.
Meng Qianqian left without another word, her expression cold.
As she reached the door, she saw Lu Yuan, wearing a purple cloak and holding a hand warmer, looking relaxed and carefree.
Behind him were Yu Zichuan and Qing Shuang, their eyes wide with curiosity, clearly having heard the entire exchange.
"Your Excellency, I'm going to feed the horse." Meng Qianqian gave a perfunctory salute and walked away without looking back.
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.
Lu Lingxiao chased after her and was surprised to see Lu Yuan and the others. He asked, "Your Excellency, did you tell her that the token was a kill order?"
Lu Yuan hooked a smile, "So what if I did?"
Lu Lingxiao's fingers tightened, "Your Excellency, you really know how to play the game."
"Xiao Jiu!"
Zhang Feihu's voice rang out from a distance, "Come and drink!"
Lu Lingxiao's expression turned cold.
A woman drinking and making merry with a group of men?
Lu Yuan glanced at Qing Shuang and Yu Zichuan, then said casually, "Let's go."
"Alright, alright, stop feeding the horse and come drink!"
Zhang Feihu pulled Meng Qianqian by her embroidered spring dagger and brought her to sit by the bonfire. He kicked the vice-general, "Move! Make room for Xiao Jiu!"
General Zhou Wei from across the fire smiled, "Xiao Jiu, sit here with me!"
Zhang Feihu glared at him, "Who are you? Do you even have the qualifications to sit with Xiao Jiu? Han Ci! Squeeze over!"
Han Ci remained silent and quietly shifted aside.
Zhang Feihu pointed to the empty spot next to Han Ci and ordered Meng Qianqian, "Sit!"
Meng Qianqian obediently took a seat.
In the army camp, everyone was comrades-in-arms who had faced battles together, so there weren't as many strict rules regarding the separation of men and women as there were in the capital.
Zhang Feihu sat down right next to Meng Qianqian, and his peripheral vision caught the approaching figure of Lu Yuan, strolling at a leisurely pace. He immediately called out, "Your Excellency!"
Lu Yuan paused in his tracks and asked nonchalantly, "What is it?"
Zhang Feihu grinned and said, "The brothers wanted to hold a celebration for Xiao Jiu's achievement. Your Excellency, won't you join us for a drink?"
Qing Shuang and Yu Zichuan: You've got some nerve, dragging the Grand Marshal into a drinking session!
Lu Yuan's expression remained unchanged as he sat down.
Qing Shuang and Yu Zichuan looked like they had seen a ghost. Ever since they had arrived at the border, they often felt like they didn't truly know this side of the Grand Marshal.
Lu Yuan did not sit next to Meng Qianqian but instead took a seat opposite her.
If any of the court officials were present, the entire place would have fallen into an awed silence.
However, these valiant warriors were overjoyed to have the Grand Marshal grace them with his presence, and they were more excited than if they had just taken a bride!
"Your Excellency, Old Zhou offers you a toast!"
"This subordinate salutes you, Your Excellency!"
"Han Ci, why are you standing there dumbfounded? Pour a drink for the Grand Marshal!"
Zhang Feihu, sitting next to Meng Qianqian, slapped the back of Han Ci's head.
Han Ci, stunned by the sudden blow: "..."
Lu Yuan said, "Weren't we celebrating Xiao Jiu's achievement?"
Zhang Feihu slapped his forehead. "Oh dear, I'm so excited to see Your Excellency that I almost forgot!"
He turned to Meng Qianqian and handed her a jar of wine. "Xiao Jiu, you're so quiet, but you've accomplished a great feat! Remember, when you gain wealth and honor, don't forget about me, Old Zhang!"
Meng Qianqian was bewildered. "What great feat?"
"Yin Hu!"
Seeing that Meng Qianqian still looked confused, Zhang Feihu turned to Lu Yuan and asked, "Your Excellency, didn't you tell Xiao Jiu?"
...
In the boundless mountain range, a man with white hair and a black robe stood atop a summit, holding a feng shui compass.
"It should be around here."
He turned around and smiled faintly. "Indeed, I've found it!"
He put away the compass and approached a tombstone without any inscriptions. He took out a gourd from his waist and poured half of its contents onto the grave.
"Yin Hu, who would have thought that our reunion would be in death? You've chosen a good place here; the feng shui is excellent."
He gazed southward. "Oh, I can even see the charred remains of the Chu family from here."
"I went to find Shen Hou, and now that he's dead, I've come to find you, only to find that you're also gone."
He stroked his chin, deep in thought, and his pupils suddenly dilated. "Could it be that... you'd rather die than meet me?!
After a while, he composed himself, sighing, "Alas, I should be going now."
But after taking only a few steps, he turned back. "Wait, out of all the twelve of us, you're the most cunning and crafty. Would you really leave without a word? Fine, let me unravel your scheme one last time."
He took out the feng shui compass and followed the direction indicated by the needle, eventually finding a cave.
This was the place where Yin Hu and Meng Qianqian had last met.
On the stone wall where Yin Hu had leaned, he used a candle to burn a small line of words.
"So, you left behind a little Yin Hu."
He looked at his hand. "Fine, let me go and meet this little Yin Hu. Let's see if she's qualified to be one of the Twelve Guards. But remember, if she's not qualified, I will kill to take back the token!"
"Oh, I heard that Shen Hou's daughter is also in the capital. I might as well pay her a visit."
Bao Shu: Wuwuwuwa—
(End of Chapter)
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