Little Fish And Little Duck

Yu Fen and Xiao Yue froze on the spot as they slowly turned their heads to face an angry-looking man in his forties. He was a big tall man who looked intimidating. His sight would scare young adults, let alone his booming voice.

"What are you doing, dawdling around like that? Which regiment are you from? Who's your superior, huh???"

Yu Fen opened her mouth but nothing came out. They were not prepared to be cornered like this!

"Cannot answer? What's your name?"

Xiao Yue's stomach tied itself into a knot. What the hell, what kind of preparation did Long Zhao Feng make? Were they supposed to tell their real names even while disguising as soldiers???

"We..."

"Ahem."

A crisp voice from behind disrupted Xiao Yue mid-sentence. The speaker was hidden completely behind the elder soldier. The elder soldier knitted his brows and turned around to find a young soldier behind him, slender and a head shorter than he was.

"Pardon, Captain Zhang. These are the new recruits. They will serve as the General's squires in this war."

Captain Zhang was displeased to hear the answer.

"Squires?? These green, weak-looking subjects? Wu Chao Guang, there are so many loyal foot soldiers who would love to serve as the General's aide and he just had to take new recruits?? Did these two know someone from the palace?"

The Captain did not bother to consider Yu Fen's and Xiao Yue's presence when he hurled one accusation after another at their faces indirectly.

"It must be some rich young masters from a minister family who are trying to climb to the top real fast, eh?"

Wu Chao Guang cheerfully answered, "Captain may direct the question to the General himself. I am only asked to escort the two new squires to the General."

He turned to Yu Fen and Xiao Yue and directed his smile at them.

"Soldiers, please follow me."

The three of them left Captain Zhang behind. The latter could not do anything else so he directed his anger to other unsuspecting new soldiers who were watching them from far away.

"Third Madam, please do not mind Captain Zhang. He is naturally outspoken, hopefully the two madams will not take it to heart."

Xiao Yue nodded while Yu Fen frantically waved her hand. She could not be caught dead being addressed as a madam! Xiao Yue eyed Wu Chao Guang thoughtfully. Women were not allowed on battlefields, but Long Zhao Feng trusted Wu Chao Guang enough to let him in on the secret. She wondered who he was, and what position he held in Long Zhao Feng's troops.

The soldiers slowly gathered and arranged themselves in five groups. Even those who looked like lost lambs finally found their places. At the front side, the leaders stood in front of rows and rows of soldiers and gave some instructions. Xiao Yue and Yu Fen were led away from the main courtyard back into a smaller building near the estate. There was only one room inside with a huge table in the center. Inside the spacious room, Long Zhao Feng was going through a huge map with a few men in heavy armor. Sister Hua was also there, busy tidying up drinking cups and breakfast plates. She moved around with such speed, almost bumping into the two women on her way out.

The fragrant smell of fried pancakes and steamed buns filled the room, causing the two ladies to salivate. Yu Fen whispered to Xiao Yue that she had already packed their breakfast for the road. Unfortunately, they no longer had time to leisurely eat breakfast like in the Long house.

"We need to wake up earlier tomorrow, Young Lady."

Xiao Yue did not mind. She was not really hungry.

"... They might take this route instead. General, what do you think?"

"How is our preparation with the weapons...?"

"The new recruits this year are not bad. We also managed to get the ones from last war... they are eager to fight for their kingdom..."

The men did not even show any sign that they noticed Yu Fen's and Xiao Yue's presence. The two women knew nothing about wars. The best way for them to contribute was to say nothing that might distract the men from their strategic discussion. Wu Chao Guang carefully approached the men and stopped before the man with the silver mask who was eyeing the map without even blinking once.

"General," Wu Chao Guang softly spoke next to Long Zhao Feng. "The squires are here."

Everyone straightened their backs and stared at the new faces who just joined them, their gaze bore both curiosity and suspicion. Xiao Yue swallowed hard. Long Zhao Feng only deigned to look at them for one second before he urged the present gentlemen to re-focus on the matter at hand.

The discussion took another hour, and then everyone left one by one. A man stayed behind to talk to Long Zhao Feng in a serious tone.

"The ones who survive are still being treated in the camp. General, have you..."

Long Zhao Feng lifted his head in Xiao Yue's direction and cut his subordinate mid-sentence.

"Yes. Don't worry."

The man bowed hastily and thanked him many times before retreating. After everyone had left, Wu Chao Guang started to roll the huge map and carried it in his arms.

"Chao Guang."

"Yes, General?"

"Take Yu Fen to the horses, tell everyone to get ready to depart. I would like to talk to my wife alone."

Wu Chao Guang replied, "Very well Sir. Have you thought about the names for Third Madam and Madam Yu Fen during their time in the army?"

Long Zhao Feng muttered an "Ah" before he fell into silence. Humming by himself while folding his hands in front of his chest, he came up with a brilliant idea.

"Let's go with Xiao Ya and Xiao Yu then."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Not even a hint of laughter appeared on Wu Chao Guang's face. He only smiled graciously and motioned to Yu Fen to follow him outside.

Yu Fen did not dare to object. She bowed at Long Zhao Feng many times before going after Wu Chao Guang.

Xiao Yue pursed her lips.