"Husband, you didn't come back to our room to sleep last night." Hong Ling, after crying in the garden and being assisted back to her bedroom by Zi Zhu, was surprised that Zhimin hadn't returned either. Hong Ling had intended to have a serious talk with Zhimin. She had waited until dawn broke, but still, Zhimin hadn't come back. She couldn't understand the tangled threads of her thoughts. So, while the sky was still gray, she once again found herself in the garden, where Zhimin's figure also appeared. Calming her chaotic mind, she approached him with concern.

I didn't understand. Last night, I had lost control of myself and fell into a demonic state. So why did I wake up this morning in my bamboo hut? Did someone save me? It couldn't be. Mie is usually by my side and rarely leaves unless necessary. Then who was it? When I fainted, I felt someone's presence, but in the end, there were no clues.

As I meditated, I felt someone approaching. I remained calm, waiting for the person to speak first. But I didn't expect her to appear at this moment. I opened my eyes and looked at her weary yet determined face. A sigh of helplessness silently escaped my lips, unsure of whom to blame, whether it was heaven, myself, or him.

"Last night, I was playing chess with my father and lost track of time. I didn't want to disturb your peaceful sleep. There was also some matter at the military camp, so I went out briefly. That's why I didn't inform you, and you worried. I forced a smile and feigned exhaustion, appearing as though I had been busy all night without sleep.

"Then go back to the room and rest," Hong Ling said, believing Zhimin's tired appearance and genuinely thinking that he should go back to sleep.

"Alright," Zhimin calmly replied and took a step towards returning to the room. However, he noticed that Hong Ling was still standing in place. Out of his sense of responsibility as a husband, he helplessly asked, "Aren't you going back to the room?"

"I... I slept well last night. I just want to breathe some fresh air outside now," Hong Ling quickly came up with a response to Zhimin's unexpected question.

"It's still cold outside. Don't catch a cold," I said as I looked at Hong Ling, who was wearing thin clothes. Without hesitation, I took off my outer garment and draped it over her, then pushed past her and walked away.

Clutching tightly onto the male garment draped over her, she watched Zhimin's retreating figure. Hong Ling once again burst into tears. Such a gentle man, whose thoughts were as delicate as a strand of hair, and yet she had to deceive him and be unfaithful to him. Guilt and embarrassment engulfed her deeply. Hong Ling felt as if she were imprisoned by countless chains, trapped in an endless sea of misery.

I continued walking step by step, deeply tormented by the gaze that lingered behind me. Hong Ling, it is I who should apologize to you. I am the one who destroyed the happiness that should have been yours. Please don't look at me with eyes full of apology and guilt, as it will only make me hate myself even more.

A bright and sunny morning witnessed a poignant scene at the entrance of the Prime Minister's residence.

"Daughter, you don't know when you'll come to see your mother again. Mother can't bear to part with you," Yang Shi held her daughter's small hand, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Alright, enough of that. It's not like our daughter is getting married and going far away," Hu Jiangling teased his wife, although he too felt reluctant.

"Mother, I will come back to visit you often," Hong Ling reassured her mother with warmth in her voice, but her gaze shifted towards Pujun beside her as she spoke.

"Yes, Mother-in-law, the distance between the Prime Minister's residence and the General's residence is only a dozen miles. I will make sure Ling'er visits frequently," understanding Hong Ling's unspoken meaning, Hu Jiangling knew that if he didn't say a few words, they might not be allowed to leave today.

"Then stay a few more days before leaving," Yang Shi quickly made her request upon hearing Pujun's response.

"Mother-in-law, Ling'er and I have troubled you for several days already. Besides, I have important matters to attend to at my residence, so it's inconvenient to stay longer." I really didn't want to stay at the Prime Minister's residence any longer, having to face Hong Ling alone every night. The thought of Hong Ling sitting by the bed, looking resigned and waiting for me to join her, made me feel restless. Such situations always gave me a headache.

"Son-in-law is right. How can we forget our duties for the sake of our daughter's emotions?" Hu Jiangling timely interrupted his wife's words, knowing how much she loved their daughter. But the aspirations of a man couldn't be overshadowed by temporary emotions.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, I bid farewell then."

"Father, Mother, goodbye, daughter takes her leave."

I mounted my horse gracefully, making sure Hong Ling and the others were inside the carriage and everything was in order. I glanced at the elderly couple still standing at the gate, and for the first time, I wondered about the true reason behind their meddling. But it was just a fleeting thought. It had been twenty years, what was the point of fantasizing about it?

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Let's go," I swung the horsewhip, trying to drive away all the distracting thoughts from my mind.

"Go inside, they've gone far away," Hu Jiangling pushed Yang Shi's body, gesturing for her to enter the residence.

Yang Shi ignored her husband, her thoughts focused on something else. She felt uneasy from the day they returned until their departure today. When she heard from her daughter that they hadn't consummated their marriage yet, could it be that the truth was revealed? Or was there another hidden reason? Anxiously, she followed her husband back to the residence.

As I journeyed, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being followed. Often, when I sensed it, the presence would quickly disappear, leaving me unsettled. Could it be that old scoundrel Yang Yan was planning something secretly? In this state of uncertain loyalties, I had to stabilize my inner energy and be prepared to face any situation. I glanced at the carriage behind me. With furrowed brows, I couldn't help but hope that the person behind wasn't an enemy.

When we arrived at the General's residence, the person who had been tailing me still didn't show up. This made me somewhat suspicious, as I couldn't recall any grudges or enmities other than Yang Yan's. What could be the hidden motive of this persistent follower?

"General, you've returned," Lin An greeted me happily.

I didn't respond, just nodded indifferently.

"Wife, watch your step," Zizhu got off the carriage first and carefully helped Hong Ling down.

"I have something to attend to, you go inside first." After leaving those words, I rode away, paying no mind to the numerous puzzled gazes behind me.

Hong Ling looked at the direction I left, silent and pondering why he had been so hot and cold lately. She felt that she couldn't understand him at all in recent days.

"Let's go inside," Hong Ling stepped forward gracefully, entering the residence, unaware of a pair of intense eyes watching her from a hidden corner.

I aimlessly rode my horse, letting my thoughts fly as I galloped. I wanted to shake off the persistent image that lingered in my mind, not minding where my ride would take me.

After a wild run, my horse brought me to the military camp.

"General," the guards saluted respectfully.

I nodded and dismounted, leaving my beloved horse to the waiting stable hands. With determined strides, I made my way to the training ground. Perhaps sweating it out and engaging in physical activity would improve my mood.

"Ha! Hua! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Watching the mighty soldiers executing their powerful punches and kicks under the scorching sun, I felt a sense of satisfaction in my heart. With such a group of fearless and invincible warriors in the imperial army, the defense of our homeland was like a tiger with wings. If only the courtiers were not so self-serving, causing chaos and divisions for personal gains, we wouldn't fear any invasion from powerful nations.

"General! General!"

"It's the General!"

"General is here!"

Someone with keen eyesight must have spotted me and shouted out loudly. The other soldiers also stopped to look, as it had been nearly half a month since they last saw me on the military grounds. My sudden appearance without any prior notice naturally piqued their curiosity.

"Come, let's practice together," I shouted, walking confidently into the center of the training ground. I was ready to face the eager youngsters, their genuine smiles giving me a sense of ease.

"General, we won't go easy on you."

"Don't talk nonsense, let's do it together," I said cheerfully, in a good mood.

"Hehe, General, you're really skilled. None of us can be your match," Jiangdu, one of the deputy guards, remarked, glancing at the other five commanders. They had already experienced it firsthand and knew that they couldn't win against me in one-on-one combat. They nodded in agreement with Jiangdu's words.

"If you won't join, then I'll attack first." As soon as I finished speaking, I launched my attack.

The six commanders mobilized their energy to fend off my assaults, creating a scene of flying dust in the training ground. The soldiers who were watching, their excitement heightened, stared wide-eyed.

The chaotic battle continued until the end, driven by the passionate emotions of the soldiers. No one had time to pay attention to Pujun's movements; they only knew that he was the strongest. As the hero who led them in conquering the northern frontier, a complete trust spread through the training ground and the previous battlefields. Pujun was their war god, a symbol of bravery and invincibility.

"Ouch!"

"Who attacked me from behind?"

"Oops, you've got the wrong person."

"..."

I looked silently at my subordinates. I thought to myself that besides their bravery on the battlefield, this was their true character. If those enemy commanders who fought them to the death found out, I wondered what kind of scene would unfold.

Among the six, only Jiangdu comically lay on the ground groaning, resembling someone severely injured. The other commanders pretended not to know him, reluctant to acknowledge the clown lying on the ground.

"Alright, get up. I didn't hit you that hard," I reluctantly kicked Jiangdu who refused to get up.

"Haha! Hahaha!"

"Hehe, Jiang Deputy, the General didn't hurt you that much. Stop playing dead."

"That's right, that's right."

When the soldiers heard my words, they started discussing among themselves, and some even laughed fearlessly.

"What are you all doing?" Yuan Zhigang, who had heard the commotion from afar, thought that Jiangdu and the others were causing trouble again.

"Deputy Yuan," the soldiers saw the arrival of the strict Deputy Yuan and instantly quieted down, realizing that the lively training ground suddenly became extremely calm.

I looked at Yuan Zhigang, feeling relieved in my heart. I hadn't misjudged him. In just a few months, he had made remarkable progress. Truly a talented individual.

"Alright, get up quickly. Zhigang, come over here and spar with me." As I said this, I harshly kicked Jiangdu twice, while calling Yuan Zhigang over.

After Jiangdu got up from the ground, he gave me a resentful look, like an abandoned woman. I forced a bitter smile, shaking my head, unwilling to continue fooling around with him.

"General, you just finished exercising. Do you really want to spar with me?" Yuan Zhigang looked at me with a hint of warmth in his voice. He couldn't help but feel that I was acting strange today.

I smiled and unsheathed my Xuanqing sword, holding it lightly and swinging it a few times. A silver sword flower faintly appeared, captivating everyone's attention.

Understanding my intention when I swung the sword, Yuan Zhigang nodded and unsheathed his own sword, also swinging it lightly. "General, let's take our positions."