Rebirth of a Star General 124.1
Gentleness (Part 1)
After lunch, the soldiers sought a warm place to take a short break.
Xiao Jue was currently on the field instructing his Deputy Chief Commander for this month’s daily training exercises. Lin Shuanghe walked over and, from a distance, pointed his fan at him, signaling for his attention.
After Xiao Jue completed his orders, he began walking toward Lin Shuanghe and impatiently asked, “Weren’t you helping out at the infirmary?”
Lin Shuanghe had been too idle recently. The weather had been exceptionally chilly, so Shen Muxue simmered and distributed a large pot of decoction that would dispel the cold and warm one’s stomach. Due to a lack of staff, Lin Shuanghe volunteered to help. He spent his whole life conducting himself like a proper young master; thus, he disliked how the Liangzhou Guard’s soldiers didn’t bathe, leaving them sloppy and smelly. After two days, he vowed to never help out even if he died.
“I was planning on going, but I encountered someone on the way. Guests have arrived at the Liangzhou Guard,” he responded.
Xiao Jue asked, “Who?”
A meaningful smile spread across Lin Shuanghe’s face. “Xu Pingting’s . . . personal maid.”
…..
In the room, the young maid stood smiling by the door as she ordered the servant boy to unlid the boxes one by one. “These were personally selected by our Young Lady as a gift for Fourth Young Master.”
The current prime minister, Xu Jingfu, was powerful and influential. In the imperial court, half the ministers there were previously his students; he had an excellent reputation and was trusted by the Emperor. If there was anything he found regretful, it was that he had no children. Hence, he sought a renowned doctor for their diagnosis and treatment. When they were in their fifties, his wife miraculously gave birth to a daughter, who they named Xu Pingting.
A pearl finally landed in their old palms. The Xu Family was almost completely subservient towards Xu Pingting—perhaps even the princess wasn’t as pampered as her. Xu Pingting turned seventeen this year and was also an exquisitely dainty and charming beauty; however, she had an overbearing and domineering personality that many couldn’t withstand.
Chu Zhao was Xu Jingfu’s most favored student, so he’d often eat meals at the Xu Residence. After so many visits, he was well acquainted with Xu Pingting.
“Little Miss Mo Tai must be travel-worn.” Ying Xiang cheerfully handed her a cup of tea. “Drink some tea to warm yourself.”
Mo Tai glanced at Ying Xiang and smiled superficially. “There’s no need. This servant isn’t accustomed to the Liangzhou Guard’s crude tea.”
Ying Xiang didn’t get angry either. With a smile that never left her face, she took the tea away. Mo Tai looked at Ying Xiang’s back figure, a flash of contempt flickering in her eyes. She inwardly cursed her: What a vixen.
Such a vixen stayed by Fourth Young Master Chu’s side every day—who knew if she’d use means of seduction on her master? Although Young Lady Xu was also young and pretty, compared to this bitch, she still knew too little about catering to someone and currying their favor. It wasn’t that Xu Pingting hadn’t thought about driving Ying Xiang away from Chu Zhao; unfortunately, it was the typically gentle Chu Zhao who flat out refused. In the end, Minister Xu had to personally step in and end the matter.
She was just a slave; was there really such a need to cherish her so? Mo Tai felt discontent, yet she couldn’t direct it towards Chu Zhao.
She looked around and sized up Chu Zhao’s room. After a moment, she shook her head. “Fourth Young Master’s lodging is too wretched. This servant has only been here a while, yet my hands and feet are already growing chilly; there’s not even charcoal here. It seems that Fourth Young Master has suffered these past two months.”
“No matter,” Chu Zhao responded warmly. “The new recruits here live the same way.”
“How can they compare to you?” Mo Tai said. “You must not lump yourself together with those lowly commoners.”
A trace of coldness flashed past Chu Zhao’s eyes, but once he raised his head again, his gentle expression had already returned. He asked, “Miss Mo Tai, is there a reason you’re here?”
“It’s nothing.” Mo Tai smiled. “It’s just, Young Lady hasn’t seen Fourth Young Master for a while, so she misses you. Having heard that Liangzhou’s winters are extremely cold, she asked this servant to deliver Fourth Young Master some warm clothing.”
She bent over, took out a fur cloak from one of the boxes, and walked towards Chu Zhao. “Young Lady personally arranged for this to be received from foreign merchants. It will keep you warm. Would Fourth Young Master like to try it on?”
The fur was slick and pristine, and the cloak was soft and lightweight—with just a glance, one could tell it was an item of value.
Chu Zhao stood up and draped the fur cloak over himself. He smilingly expressed his thanks. “It’s very warm. Please help me express my gratitude to Young Lady.”
Mo Tai covered her mouth with a giggle. “I’m afraid this servant can’t help you with that. If you want to thank her, then you must personally do so in front of Young Lady.” As if remembering something, she then asked, “When does Fourth Young Master plan on returning to Shuojing?”
“Within these few days.”
“This servant believes Liangzhou isn’t a place where people should stay long for. If Young Lady was here, she’d definitely feel heartbroken for Fourth Young Master. How about we depart tomorrow? If we leave earlier, we’ll arrive faster too—that way, we can reunite with Young Lady sooner.” She smiled lightly. “Before this servant left, Master even mentioned Fourth Young Master to Young Lady.”
Having said so much, her tone was unquestionable. Under her jesting, an irrefutable decision had already been made for Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao paused for a moment before raising his head and smiling. “Alright. Let’s depart tomorrow. I’ve also missed Mr. Xu.”
“That’s great.” Mo Tai’s expression was reminiscent of a flower blooming. She urged the servant boy to take out everything from the boxes.
“These are all warm clothes. This servant will help you unpack them first. Once everything has been arranged, I’ll help you pack again for tomorrow,” she said. “I hope Fourth Young Master won’t blame this servant for being meddlesome.”
“How could I?” Chu Zhao asked with a smile. “I can’t be any more grateful.”
Ying Xiang stood behind the curtain. Looking at the arrogant and overbearing Mo Tai, her eyes lowered. She stood there silently for a moment before withdrawing.
…..
During winter, nights arrived early. A candle was lit in the room.
Lin Shuanghe was laying on the bed spitting out empty melon seed shells. “What’s with Xu Pingting’s personal maid? She hasn’t left Chu Zhao’s side since the moment she arrived. Those who didn’t know could’ve mistaken her for Young Lady Xu; such possessiveness is far too obvious. Now I’m even finding Chu Zilan a little pitiful.”
Xiao Jue was currently at his desk reading through military reports. Hearing this, he said, “If you find him pitiful, you can go rescue him.”
“Forget it.” Lin Shuanghe sat up and placed his hands behind his head. “Whose fault is this? Chu Zilan’s. Who told him to be so good-looking, good-tempered, and gentle? Everyone in the capital is scrambling to marry such a man—besides, he’s the one trying to curry favor with Xu Jingfu. It’s only expected for Young Lady Xu to take a fancy to him.”
Xiao Jue smiled. “If he becomes the Xu Family’s son-in-law, it can only mean he was capable enough.”
“You’re right.” Lin Shuanghe deeply considered Xiao Jue’s words. “He was neglected and bullied at the Shi Jinbo Residence. If it wasn’t for his relationship with Xu Jingfu, how could his name possibly be recorded under the first wife’s? If he truly married the Xu Family’s Young Lady,” Lin Shuanghe said, “then Chu Zilan would be the master of the Shi Jinbo Residence in the future!”
Everyone said that women played up to those in power—if they found a good husband, they’d be protected by power and influence. However, men were no different. Once benefits were unexpectedly laid before them, their every decision would be made for the sake of living a good life. So-called ‘love,’ ‘willingness,’ and ‘sincerity’ were all unimportant.
Was this a tragedy for Xu Pingting or Chu Zilan?
“I say the maid isn’t taking care of him, but monitoring him.” Lin Shuanghe spread his hands. “It seems Chu Zilan won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
“Chu Zilan?” Cheng Lisu’s head popped in from the window. “What’s wrong with him? Didn’t he go watch the moon with Big Brother tonight?”
“What do you mean?” Lin Shuanghe asked.
“To watch the moon at the foot of Baiyue Mountain. I wanted Big Brother to watch the puppet show I learned recently, but Big Brother said he was watching the moon with Fourth Young Master Chu tonight, so we could only rearrange it to tomorrow.” Cheng Lisu looked at Lin Shuanghe, then looked at Xiao Jue. “Uncle, what were you two talking about just then?”
Xiao Jue pushed his head back out the window and closed it. “Go back and sleep.”
Cheng Lisu tried to pound open the window but failed. After a while, he left.
After he left, Lin Shuanghe stroked his chin and asked, “My Little Miss He made an appointment to watch the moon tonight with Chu Zilan? Is their relationship developing this quickly?”
Xiao Jue continued to read his military reports, ignoring him.
“No.” Lin Shuanghe crawled up from the bed. “I have to go take a look.”
He walked directly to the divider door and knocked. “Brother He? Brother He! Brother He, are you there? If you are, then respond.”
He placed his ear by the door, but it was completely silent on the other side.
Lin Shuanghe knocked a few more times but didn’t receive any response. He stepped back and mumbled to himself, “Could it be my Little Miss He doesn’t know Xu Pingting’s servants arrived and went to watch the moon by herself?
“Huai Jin!” he yelled.
Huai Jin’s ears rang from that one shout. He irritatedly responded, “What?”
“My Little Miss He may have gone to watch the moon alone.” Lin Shuanghe walked into his view. “Go find her.”
“No,” Xiao Jue said indifferently. “If you want to find her, then you go.”
“I want to, but Baiyue Mountain’s too expansive and I don’t know the way. What if there are villains on the mountain, like that one time with Ridamuzy? You know martial arts, so you can handle that—if I go, I can only lie down and surrender to death. Won’t you regret it if a life was lost?”
Xiao Jue said, “No.”
“Why are you like this?” Lin Shuanghe decided to sit on the table and block the military reports. He patiently persuaded him, “Don’t you find my Little Miss He pitiful? Chu Zhao doesn’t know she’s a girl and is gentle towards everyone. But this is the first time Little Miss He has encountered such a gentle person. Ladies are more attentive towards these sorts of things, so naturally, they’d feel touched more easily. But because her identity can’t be exposed, she can only bury her affections deep inside her heart. When the object of her love invited her to watch the moonlight, she must’ve been overjoyed, not knowing he was already determined to be another family’s son-in-law. Right now, she’s alone in the mountains, cold and unhappy. Why won’t you just go look for her? Comfort her?”
Xiao Jue was outraged by his way of thinking. “You want me to comfort her after she hit a wall from liking Chu Zilan? What logic is this?”
“This is a great opportunity for you!” Lin Shuanghe bolstered. “This is the perfect opportunity for you to swoop in and make yourself available for her!”
Xiao Jue sneered. “Then I definitely won’t go.”
“Alright alright alright,” Lin Shuanghe said. “Then let’s not talk about the feelings involved. She’s your soldier and you’re her superior. Just a while ago, Little Miss He helped you preserve the Liangzhou Guard—you should care about your subordinate a little more.”
“I’m her superior, not her father,” Xiao Jue responded coldly. “Besides, she has legs. If she can’t wait any longer, then she’ll naturally return.”
Lin Shuanghe was silent for a moment before he asked, “Do you think she’s the kind of person to give up just because she can’t wait any longer?”
The hand Xiao Jue was using to hold his brush paused.
Before his eyes, the scene of a youth running around the training field with heavy sandbags emerged.
He Yan wasn’t the type of person to give up so easily. Sometimes, she was clever and cunning; other times, she was stubborn and persistent. It was difficult to tell whether she was just persevering or foolish. However, Lin Shuanghe was right—according to her temper, it was highly likely she could wait for an entire night at the mountain.
What a lunatic.
