Xiao Baozhu burst out crying again. Standing closer to her, Xiao Baoshan watched her with silent affection. She had finally realized her mistake. To be exact, her only fault was that she indulged too much in her delusion.
When she calmed down, Xiao Baoshan said, “But I also don’t know where our mom and Little Ye are.”
She asked, “Now that things have returned to normal, will they come back here? Can I see them again if I wait?”
He said, “It’s hard to tell. Perhaps they will come back but perhaps they won’t. If they find somewhere livable, they might settle down there. I know Little Ye can live a good life no matter where she is.”
Helplessly, she asked, “What should I do then? Do I have no chance of seeing them again?” Her tears poured once more. She truly regretted not going with her family.
“What do think I should do? If you were me, would you wait here or go to find them?”
He answered without hesitation, “I’ll go to find them.”
Hearing that, she made up her mind immediately. “Can I follow you wherever you go? Even if I can’t meet up with them, I’ll have you by my side. If you also leave me, then I’ll be alone.”
He gazed at her for a while and nodded in approval.
…
In the east of the residence was a shabby house. It was now scattered with some broken tables and chairs. But it had been a fine one in the past. Sunshine would pour through the windows in the morning, making even winter warm and cozy. Now, it was covered with a sorrowful atmosphere of family decline. The listless face on the bed was part of the heartrending sight.
Xiao Baozhu entered the room and said, “Yanbo.”
But he remained still.
Having anticipated his nonchalance, she gave a wry smile. What a silly girl she had been to place an ungrateful man in her heart.
“Yanbo, my brother is back. I’ve decided to go with him,” she continued.
Scholar Wong crooked his fingers imperceptibly and didn’t move anymore.
Suddenly, she felt a surge of bitterness exploding from her heart which hit her deeply. “Maybe I should call you ‘Scholar Wong’. You and your name have never belonged to me. I know you don’t like me, but I like you very much. I’ve pestered you for so long, but my affection could only affect myself.”
She wiped away her tears and continued, “When I was assaulted that day, you didn’t stand up and save me. I know in your eyes I’m just a pile of shit buzzing with flies. You don’t care whether I’m alive or dead. You don’t care whether I’m happy or sad. I’ve been so stupid! I’ve done so much for you regardless of my reputation and my family.”
The man was still motionless on the bed. Xiao Baozhu had said all she wanted to say. “I have to go now. I won’t pester you anymore. Take care.” Then, she closed the door slowly. A creak separated their two worlds forever.
…
When Xiao Baozhu went out of the room, Xiao Baoshan asked with concern, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” She sighed with relief. “I’m finally relieved. The world seems quite different now. Look, the sky is bluer than ever before!”
Xiao Baoshan smiled and stroked her hair gently. “Good girl. Let’s leave this place then.”
“Where are we going?” she asked.
He said, “The army barracks.”
Army barracks?
She was confused. But she still followed him out of the county to the barracks. She wanted to stop her brother.
Why have we come here? Isn’t he afraid of being arrested by soldiers?
Just then, the soldiers around the barracks greeted him respectfully, “General Xiao!”
General Xiao?
Xiao Baozhu was totally bewildered.
Her brother stood right before her and said, “Baozhu, come with me.”
She followed his steps slowly. It was as if she was dreaming. There were many soldiers inside the barracks. Wherever Xiao Baoshan went, the soldiers would greet him respectfully and cast a curious look at Xiao Baozhu. But he didn’t give any explanation.
When they walked into a camp, a deputy general called Biao stepped forward to welcome them. Xiao Baoshan said, “This is my sister from Qinghe county. I want to take her to Baoning city. Please help me find a carriage.”
“Got it!” Biao replied.
Only then did Xiao Baozhu let out a deep breath. “Brother, what happened? How did you become a general after disappearing for a while? Am I dreaming?” she asked.
Xiao Baoshan thought for a while and let her sit down. “It’s a long story. I was a general before I went back to our hometown. But in a war, my troops were defeated and only I survived. After I went back home, I was mistaken for a traitor. Some people think the battle failed because I disclosed information to the enemy.”
Suddenly, everything made sense to Xiao Baozhu. “I see! No wonder so many people said they want to take revenge on you. I heard that you even wrote a letter of divorce to Sister Ye.”
Xiao Baoshan didn’t answer.
She asked, “Why are you a general again? Did the imperial court forgive you or let you redeem yourself?”
He replied with a smile, “Not yet.” Then, he told her all about what he had experienced in the past.
After hearing his story, she became more than upset. “So the imperial court still thinks you’re a traitor? Did you dispatch the troops without the court’s permission? Although I know very little about politics, I guess this isn’t a trivial matter. Will you be doubly guilty?”
“Maybe. But it’s my duty to beat back the enemy. I only do what I think is right.” he said.
She felt very restless and worried. “You…”
But he gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I will protect you and won’t get you involved.”
At this moment, she felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles. For one thing, she was worried about her brother. For another, she was afraid that she would not be able to be with her mom, Little Ye and Baofeng again.
…
After leaving some soldiers in Qinghe county, Xiao Baoshan led the troops back to Baoning city. Although he had recaptured two counties, he had no right to station the troop there. Otherwise, the imperial court would think he or the sixth prince was ambitious for the throne.
At the same time, Qian Qi received a secret letter from the imperial court. After unfolding the letter, he was stunned by its contents.
Does the imperial court really want me to do this? Must I attack Baoning city and kill the sixth prince and Xiao Baoshan?
The letter explained that the sixth prince had shown his ambition by enlarging his army. He might pose a great threat if he attacked the imperial court to take the throne one day.
Qian Qi stared at the letter for a while before he gave an order. “Have everyone get ready. We will go west.”
…
At this moment, Qian Qi’s army was in Zhengwu county and Xiao Baoshan’s had just left Qinghe county. As such, it was likely they would meet in Dinghe county.
If Qian Qi moved faster, he would reach Baoning city before Xiao Baoshan. Their defenses there would be the weakest, which would enable him to kill the sixth prince easily. Then, he would just need to wait for Xiao Baoshan to put his neck into the noose.
However, his army advanced very slowly along an unimpeded official road. When it poured with rain, he even let everyone stop to take shelter. His deputy general was totally confused. In theory, the rain wasn’t a big deal for the strong soldiers. Instead, frequent rests would consume unnecessary provisions. The way to Baoning city was very far, but the provisions might not be enough. But the deputy general didn’t dare to ask anything and just obeyed Qian Qi’s order.
…
Xiao Baoshan received a message halfway that Qian Qi was leading his army to Baoning city. Immediately, he told his soldiers to move faster.
It rained heavily as they approached Dinghe county, but they did not slow down. Xiao Baozhu was sitting in a carriage and went with the troop. Biao was responsible for taking care of her. Only during the rest period did Xiao Baozhu have a chance to see her brother. But he was holding a stern face, lost in deep thought. His serious expression forced her to restrain her curiosity.
One day, he suddenly asked her to follow Biao and listen to all that he said. If any accidents happened, she could go with this man who would then protect her.
“Brother, what happened?” she asked.
Xiao Baoshan stroked her forehead gently. “It’s not a big deal. Don’t worry. Just keep my words in mind.”
“Brother, I’m not a kid anymore,” she protested.
After experiencing so much in the Wong family, she was not that silly girl anymore. She was now steady, prudent and observant. She had learned how to read someone’s thoughts by their expressions.
Xiao Baoshan still smiled softly. “No matter what happens, I will come back to you. Look, although I’ve left so many times, I’m still back here again.”
“Brother…”
When she wanted to say something more, Xiao Baoshan reassured her. “Baozhu, don’t worry. You’ll meet Mom, Sister Ye, Baofeng and me again.”
“When?” she asked.
“Soon!” he replied calmly.
…
When the rain came down in a torrent, Xiao Baoshan took off his armor and wore a raincoat as well as a bamboo hat. Then, he mounted a tall, white horse.
Biao looked very worried. “Do you really want to meet Qian Qi alone?”
