"Hehe~ Don't worry, I wouldn't dare to harm even a hair on you," I said teasingly, while launching a move called "Swallow Skims Through the Clouds" with a backhand motion.
Yuan Zhigang quickly swung his sword to block my attack, his expression filled with a mix of crying and laughing. He said, "Is this what you meant by not wanting to harm me?"
"Hehe~ Do you find it unsatisfying?" I replied, my body lightly moving. I neutralized his force and spun around, using the move "Clouds Flying Across the Moon" to aim directly at Yuan Zhigang's vital point.
The clash of our swords created a crisp sound, "Dang~" The swords were only three centimeters away from their target when his sword blocked mine.
We exchanged blows like this for about three hundred rounds. The onlookers were filled with excitement, whispering to each other.
"The General is amazing~ Ah~"
"Deputy Yuan is not bad either~"
"Yes, yes~ They've been fighting for so long."
Yuan Zhigang realized that I attacked with ruthless moves, but I always slowed down just before harming him, giving him a chance to defend himself. He couldn't help but feel a bit startled. Despite being so young, the General possessed such martial skills. It seemed that the person who taught him must be even more formidable.
After entangling with each other for a long time, we couldn't determine a winner. I was very satisfied with Yuan Zhigang's abilities and martial skills. Such a talented general was truly hard to come by. I smiled, and the edge of my sword became even sharper. Yuan Zhigang also sensed that I was about to end the fight, so his moves became more cautious.
That's how it ended, but no one could see it clearly. Yuan Zhigang couldn't even react in time when my Xuanqing sword approached his throat.
It was just a hair's breadth away, truly just a hair's breadth, and the sword's edge was about to touch his throat. The training ground fell into an unusual silence, waiting for what seemed like an eternity. The soldiers erupted into enthusiastic cheers, bringing me back to my senses. I retracted my sword without saying a word and glanced meaningfully at Yuan Zhigang, a significance that only he, my opponent, would understand.
We both sheathed our weapons and nodded at each other.
"General, you're amazing~"
"Yes, indeed~" Everyone started to discuss excitedly, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Alright, it's getting late. Everyone, disperse!" I looked at the sky and realized it was much later than I expected.
"General, wait." Yuan Zhigang called out to me as I was about to leave.
"What's the matter?" I turned back, looking at him with confusion.
"May we have a private conversation?"
"Sure."
Yuan Zhigang led me to a small stream not far from the military camp. I had already understood what he wanted to talk about. When we stopped walking, he spoke first, "You're curious about the murderous intent in my final move."
"General, we have been friends who have faced life and death together for many years. Zhigang treats the General as if you were my own brother. If you have any concerns... you can discuss them with me," Yuan Zhigang turned his body and spoke earnestly.
"I understand, it's true that there's an indomitable murderous intent in my heart. But there are some things you can't help me with," I patted Yuan Zhigang's shoulder.
"General, those who practice martial arts are most afraid of being restless and impetuous," Yuan Zhigang expressed his concern once again.
"Thank you, my brother. If you truly consider me your brother, then stop calling me 'General' all the time." I smiled and looked at this person who cared for me from the bottom of his heart.
"Po Jun, you are married to Madam. Don't let your unsettled feelings bother you. Treat her well," Yuan Zhigang thought that I was troubled because of the arranged marriage and gave me advice, not knowing it was for someone else.
"Treat her well? Haha~ Zhigang, I want to, but fate won't allow it." I laughed heartily, speaking ambiguously. Only a true friend like him wouldn't be bothered by it.
"Po Jun, don't be like this. Do you already have someone in your heart before marrying her?" Yuan Zhigang said in surprise.
"Haha~ Zhigang, you truly are my confidant." I grinned mischievously.
"Why didn't you mention it earlier? Now that things have come to this point, what do you plan to do?" Yuan Zhigang asked uncertainly.
"Zhigang, some things can't be resolved just by thinking about them." I turned away, crossing my hands behind my back. I spoke with profound meaning, my gaze already lost in the distance.
"Po Jun, it's not good for you to be like this with anyone." Yuan Zhigang's deep gaze held even deeper implications.
"Zhigang, let me tell you a story." It had been a long time since I had heart-to-heart conversations with anyone, and today I wanted to share something with him. After a long silence, I began to speak softly. "There once was a beggar who was chased by everyone, but fate led him to meet someone who completely changed his life. Martial arts, talents, strategies, and more, that person asked him to devote his loyalty for a lifetime. He foolishly gave not only his loyalty but also his infatuation, unaware of his own foolishness. It was only on the day he witnessed that person's marriage that he realized how foolish he had been."
"Po Jun, since that lady is already married, you shouldn't be like this. She has shown kindness to you, and you should bless her and treat Madam well," Yuan Zhigang said, giving me advice after hearing my story.
"Haha~ Zhigang, you've misunderstood me," I said, listening to his words, realizing that he had mistaken the person who taught me everything for a woman. It was truly hard not to laugh. I wondered what he would think if he found out. I knew that Yuan Zhigang had misunderstood, but I didn't want to explain it. It's better for him to know less about it.
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Yuan Zhigang looked at me with confusion, wondering why I was laughing at him. He didn't say anything wrong, did he?
"Zhigang, I consider you both my confidant and my good friend. Let's treat today's conversation as a fleeting moment," I didn't look at him, my gaze still fixed on the sky.
"Po Jun, did we say something just now?" Yuan Zhigang looked at my back in confusion, his words filled with incomprehension.
"Okay," I turned around and looked at him, a bright smile appearing on my handsome and gentle face.
"Let's go back. It's time for me to return as well." I nodded at Yuan Zhigang and briskly walked back to the military camp.
One after the other, we returned to the camp. The stable boy had already prepared my horse, waiting for me.
"You're becoming smarter and smarter, Xiao Liuzi," I took the reins with one hand and patted the head of the child beside me with the other.
"Hehe~ It's an honor for Xiao Liuzi to lead the General's horse." The little face was filled with an innocent and carefree smile.
"Your words are so sweet," I mounted the horse and smiled again at the corner of my mouth.
"Let's go," I gently urged the horse forward, galloping away like an arrow soaring through the clouds. In no time, both horse and rider disappeared without a trace.
Xiao Liuzi stared blankly at the direction I had left, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
"Don't keep staring. He's gone," Yuan Zhigang shook his head helplessly.
"The General is truly beautiful," Xiao Liuzi unintentionally blurted out his inner thoughts.
"Smack~"
"Ouch~ Yuan Zhigang, why did you hit me?" Xiao Liuzi complained, holding his head that had been struck, using his eyes to accuse Yuan Zhigang of his misdeeds.
"You brat~ Only someone who hasn't seen the General on the battlefield would say that," Beautiful? I think it's the beauty of a hellish demon, the appearance of a war god. Yuan Zhigang shook his head again, believing that anyone who had seen the General wouldn't associate beauty with Po Jun.
Returning to the General's residence, the sky was already dark, and I had spent the entire afternoon in the military camp.
"Ah, General, you're back," Lin'an immediately appeared before me. While giving instructions, he pulled me towards the residence.
"General, Madam has been waiting for you for a long time." Lin'an wiped the sweat off his forehead and reported important events.
"Why is Madam waiting for me?" I furrowed my brows and asked Lin'an, puzzled.
"Well... um... I don't know either?" Lin'an stammered for a while and gave me an answer that left me unsure whether to be angry or amused.
"You can go now, I understand." I waved my hand, letting the elderly Lin'an rest. My mind, however, was filled with various thoughts. Ling'er never missed an opportunity to see me, so why was she so proactive today?
"Sigh... it's time," I sighed softly, walking towards the new room, the place I least wanted to be near.
"Squeak." I gently pushed open the door to the new room, and the two people inside seemed startled, freezing for a moment.
"Master," Zizhu quickly bent down to pay her respects, lowering her head almost to her chest.
"Zizhu, you may leave first." Hong Ling's face remained expressionless as she spoke, dismissing Zizhu.
"Wife..." Zizhu wanted to say something more, but seeing me, she fell silent, quietly exiting the room.
Seeing their silent exchange, I glanced at the food and wine on the round table in the room. I understood vaguely what was going on and thought about how to address it without embarrassing each other.
"Husband, since our marriage, we haven't spent much time alone together. Today, I specially prepared some dishes and wine, hoping to have a heart-to-heart conversation with you." Hong Ling spoke softly, a faint smile on her face.
Looking at the food and wine on the table and then at Hong Ling's forced smile, I knew that tonight wouldn't be as pleasant as before.
"Ling'er, I know I have neglected you lately. However..." I began to speak, but in my mind, I searched for a way to end this long and dreary night.
"Husband, let's sit down and talk while we drink." Hong Ling seemed to sense my intentions and forcibly pulled me to sit down. With delicate hands, she picked up the white jade wine jug and gently filled the wine cup in front of me, then picked it up and presented it to me.
Looking at the wine cup in my hand, I wondered why Hong Ling seemed so different tonight. A bad premonition pricked my brain, but I had no reason to put down the wine cup in my hand.
"What would you like to talk about, Ling'er?" I smiled and asked Hong Ling, playing with the cup in my hand.
"Anything is fine. Ling'er loves to listen as long as it's what my husband says," Hong Ling smiled as well, but inadvertently, her eyes always glanced at the wine cup in my hand.
My thoughts went back to a few days ago when Mother gave her that medicine.
"Mother, will this medicine really not be discovered by Po Jun?" Hong Ling asked anxiously.
"Silly girl, don't worry. This is not an ordinary medicine. It's colorless and tasteless, dissolving instantly. He won't notice," Mother assured her daughter confidently.
"Ling'er, Ling'er," I saw Hong Ling's absent-mindedness, calling out her name worriedly.
"Ah... Oh, husband, Ling'er was lost in thought. Please don't be angry," Hong Ling recalled the scene when her mother gave her the medicine, her voice filled with conviction. But she forgot about Po Jun, who was right beside her, causing her to break out in a cold sweat.
"Ling'er, are you feeling hot? You're sweating," I didn't suspect anything else and put down the cup in my hand, taking out my sweat towel to gently wipe away the sweat on Hong Ling's face caused by her guilt.
With a slightly blushing face, Hong Ling didn't know if it was due to shyness or guilt. She remained silent, letting me wipe, and tears that made people's hearts ache appeared in her beautiful azure eyes once again.
"What's wrong? Did I hurt you with my clumsy hands? I'm sorry," I apologized while speaking. Deep down, I knew that these tears were shed for someone else, but I couldn't say it out loud.
Hong Ling fell into my embrace, crying silently. "Sigh..." I gently stroked her silky black hair. Qi Yun Tian, Qi Yun Tian, the debts you have left me in this lifetime, how can I repay them?
"Ling'er, you don't have to force yourself like this," after a long time, I softly said the most appropriate words I could think of. Hong Ling's body stiffened for a moment after my words, and she lifted her face from my chest. A pair of beautiful crystal phoenix eyes looked at my face, as if trying to see something.
"Come on, let's eat and talk. The dishes will get cold if we don't eat them," I felt nervous under Hong Ling's gaze and casually found an excuse to divert her attention from me.
Feeling that Hong Ling seemed less melancholic, I also knew that if things continued like this, she wouldn't be able to handle it. It seemed that I needed to find a way to escape the current situation.
Both Hong Ling and I picked up our chopsticks and started eating, but she kept glancing at me intentionally or unintentionally. I felt a chill running down my spine, but I knew that as a mere woman, she posed no threat to me. Where did this coldness come from?
Lost in my thoughts, I paid no attention to Hong Ling's gaze. I didn't even notice the struggle between hesitation and determination in her eyes as I picked up the cup of wine she had filled for me.
As the bittersweet Zuiyue wine flowed into my stomach, an image from my conversation with Yuan Zhigang earlier today appeared in my mind. His reaction and misunderstanding made me realize that I didn't have to make Hong Ling and myself suffer in our interactions. After making up my mind, I put down the cup in my hand and decided to have a proper conversation with her.
"Ling'er, there's something that I've been keeping from you. Today, since we rarely have this opportunity to be alone, I intend to tell you the truth. I hope you can understand." I deliberately adjusted my mood to a state of frustration, as if I was ready to face death.
Hong Ling looked at me puzzled, but nodded to indicate that she wanted to listen.
Feeling that something was missing, yet knowing exactly what was missing, I didn't know where to start. My hands clasped together for a moment, and then I picked up the wine jug placed aside and filled my own cup. Holding my head high, I drank it down.
As I looked at Hong Ling, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, her red lips opening and closing without uttering a word, I drank the second cup of Zuiyue wine. Her small hands nervously clutched her skirt.