Tira is Here to See the General

Wei Li Na patted her chest, she had given Wang Lei the jade tablet made with the 3D printer and kept the original for herself. She purposely kept the meeting short, so he won't remember to ask for the two gold ingots she kept from his money bag! One can never be too careful with a stingy chicken.

She quickly shuffled her bare feet, swift like a good thief. She gave the surroundings a once over, Li TengFei had pulled back the guards. Although the courtyard was still heavily guarded, an escape was not as hopeless as it used to be.

Mudan had left her with two sets of male clothes. Two outer robes and two inner robes. She also had a cloth cap and a thin scarf, items that were given to both soldiers and new conscripts. Wei Li Na dressed, the robes fit perfectly. They were newly made, and they were fitted especially to her measurements. Wei Li Na had to admit, Li TengFei did not lack in his care for her food and clothing.

Since the guards at the door were withdrawn, Wei Li Na left the room. She had been cooped up for too long. For the sake of her mental health, she wanted to see if it was possible to leave the courtyard. If that was a no-go, then she could at least climb the pear trees and eat some fruit.

She had barely left the outer courtyard when she was blocked by the wide backs of a pair of guards. They were blocking the exit and fully blocking her view. She bent to the far right and took a peek around them. Wei Li Na was greeted by the sight of a dashing woman, in a brightly colored blouse and an even more brightly colored, full skirt with tassels swaying at hem.

Wei Li Na stared at her in wonder, brilliant blue and yellow beads flowed down this female's glossy hair. She was richly adorned. Even her boots were embroidered with turquoise and lapis lazuli stones. She had deep set eyes matched with a long nose. Her eyes were big, lashes long. She had her long hair plaited in two braids behind her back, in the style of a young, unmarried maiden. On the cusp between a child and a woman, Wei Li Na estimated this female to be around 16 years of age.

"This one is called Tira, here to see General Wang Lei, at the request of Gaochang Official Lin." Tira had a light smile that could melt steele, the mountain like guards were not immune. Wei Li Na could see from their backs, their posture immediately softened!

In the end, it was Wei Li Na who came forward and offered to escort Tira to Wang Lei's rooms. Wei Li Na led the way, they were met at the door by Ji An, the personal servant of Wang Lei.

"Tira is here to see General Wang Lei, regarding the need for a translator."

Ji An was courteous but he had sparkling eyes, clearly the sort who loved to gossip and was anticipating a good show. He looked towards Wei Li Na who he had never met, but guessed her identity in a glance. Ji An showed both guests into the study.

Strictly speaking Wei Li Na had no business in that study, she had no reason to be there. She just happened to be there to show Tira the way. Wei Li Na did not decline the invitation to the study. Her curiosity was too strong, and she didn't have anything better to do in the afternoon.

Wang Lei looked up from his books, expressionless he recognized and curtly greeted the youth Li Na. Their second meeting in a day. But at the sight of Tira, his face and neck flushed patches of red!

What is this?

Nobody said anything for a while, so Tira took the initiative. Truly this girl had leadership potential!

"General was in need of a translator for the Yugu language. This humble one was sent by the city officials. My mother is from Gaochang, but my father is Yugu." Tira waited for a response, none came from Wang Lei who was too busy avoiding eye contact.

Ji An, was standing behind Wang Lei gave a cough. "Regarding the need for a translator, it is General Li TengFei who made the request. This is Li Na beside you, can bring you to the General." Ji An assumed that because Li Na was staying in General Li's outer room, Li Na was responsible for General Li's errands. In any case, Li Na would at least know where he was.

Wei Li Na was still regarding Wang Lei's weird reaction when Ji An said this. Unaware that Ji An had already pegged her as Li TengFei's servant. This weird young man Wang Fei, was acting like somebody with an anxiety problem.

Li TengFei had praised Wang Lei so much, bringing the young general to the heights of the heavens. Wang Lei this and Wang Lei that. Wang Lei was a military genius, a talent that reminded him of his younger self. Wang Lei had passed the Imperial Exams at age 11, entered the military with his own army at age 14. Wang Lei had both brains and an impressive family backing.

At the end of it all, faced with a beauty, Wei Li Na could now clearly see that military genius young master Wang Lei was merely a 16 year old teenager, awkward in front of girls. At the moment, he was nervously twisting his brush. The entire time in the presence of Tira, unable to say a single word. Ji An seemed to have expected this, and stepped in as his young master's spokesperson.

It was time to put Wang Lei out of his misery, Wei Li Na led the very confused Tira out the door. Excited, she looked forward to visiting the camps. With task of escorting Tira as an excuse, she had a good chance of leaving the courtyard from the front entrance!

Li TengFei was actually a very busy person. He left early in the morning before the sun even touched the mountain tops and came back late in the evening. Half the time, he doesn't even bother coming back, choosing to spend the night at the military camp outside the city walls.

On the other hand, Wang Lei and Li Siwen spent most of their time within the city. Li TengFei had left them the task of flushing out the remnants rebels and spies. He fully trusted Wang Lei to competently reorganize the local bureaucracy, and establish the administration of a protectorate for the Emperor.

These sort of tedious tasks, Wang Lei was well qualified to accomplished. Although Wang Lei was eager on the battlefield, his real talents were managerial. Li Siwen only had to follow Wang Lei's lead, for the Senior General who had to watch over these two sons of noble families, it was like killing two birds with one stone.

Li Na held Tira by the wrist, and arrived ready to negotiate with the guards at the gate. Surely they would let her out now! Armed with Tira's innocent face, how could they turn them down. Unfortunately, getting turned down was exactly what happened. Just when Wei Li Na was about to lose all her bargaining power, somebody came to the rescue.