Chapter 41: Make sure to watch something nice

The tent where the medicine was being brewed fell silent.

Miss Jun looked at Zhu Zan, pursed her lips as if wanting to say something but decided there was nothing worth saying.

"Idiot." She finally rolled her eyes and turned to pick up the medicine pot.

"Don't pretend to be dumb." Zhu Zan snorted as he followed, watching Miss Jun slowly pour out the brewed decoction.

The thick black medicine emitted a bitter yet faintly sweet aroma that instantly filled the air.

"What am I pretending to be dumb about?" Miss Jun said, her face a bit blurry amidst the rising white steam, "Didn't your father tell you the betrothal was fake? Just a temporary measure, don't overthink it."

Zhu Zan snorted again.

"I've seen tricks like this plenty of times," he said.

Miss Jun placed the medicine bowl onto the tray.

"What kind of trick?" she asked casually, pulling a herb from the medicine chest and carefully slicing it into pieces with a small knife.

The crisp sound of slicing echoed in the tent, not annoying but strangely calming instead.

The seriousness of her work made it seem as though he was the one being unreasonable.

Zhu Zan glared but couldn't lose his temper—after all, she was preparing medicine for his father.

"Playing hard to get," he said, gritting his teeth, "Feigning hesitation while deliberately telling my parents you're only doing this out of righteousness, that the title of Heir's Wife is merely a convenience, as if you don't truly care about your reputation… then my parents sympathize with you, appreciate you more, and finally you get what you want."

Miss Jun sprinkled the chopped herbs into the bowl and looked up at him.

"What want? What result?" she asked.

"Stop pretending," Zhu Zan said, "Be serious. We're talking real matters here, don't act so unserious."

Miss Jun burst into laughter.

"Fine, rest assured, I'm not eyeing you," she said, "And why can't I be righteous for the country and the people? Am I not that kind of person?"

Zhu Zan let out a dry laugh.

"You? That kind of person?" he countered, "Would you do such a thing for no reason?"

Miss Jun tilted her head and thought for a moment.

"Now that you mention it, you're right. If not for your parents... I would still escort civilians from Bazhou and Hejian without pay. But for Yizhou…" She spoke slowly, shaking her head, "Probably not."

"See? Didn't I tell you!" Zhu Zan shouted, "And you deny it's because of me?"

Miss Jun laughed out loud.

"Zhu Zan," she called, "That's enough."

"Enough with what? I know too well the little schemes of women like you," Zhu Zan said sternly.

Miss Jun ignored him, picked up the tray, and walked out.

Zhu Zan followed her.

"I'm grateful for what you've done for my parents. If you have any conditions or demands, just say so."

"But on one point—offering yourself? Forget it."

"Even if my parents agree, I won't. Don't think you can manipulate them to pressure me."

Miss Jun rolled her eyes.

"Second Little Zhu," she said, turning back to look at him, "Don't worry, I'm not interested in you. Could you stop fretting about your own future so much? Quit quibbling with me and let me deliver the medicine to your father's wounds first, alright?"

Zhu Zan snorted.

"Who told you to call me Second Little Zhu?" he suddenly realized and glared at her.

Miss Jun rolled her eyes again, lifted the curtain, and walked out.

Zhu Zan followed her out, watching the departing figure of the woman, catching the lingering scent of strong medicinal aroma that trailed behind her. He stood still and let out a breath.

"Not interested in me?" He touched his chin, raised an eyebrow, and sneered, "Who'd believe it? Someone like me—who wouldn't be interested?"

As his voice fell, he caught someone stopping short not far away from the corner of his eye.

He furrowed his brows and looked over.

"Ling Noble…" Lei Zhonglian blurted out, hurriedly shaking his head with some nervousness, "No, no, Lord Heir."

Zhu Zan looked at him without speaking.

"Lord Heir, do you still remember me?" Lei Zhonglian asked, unable to hide his reverence.

Back then, Noble Son Ling had earned some respect from him, but they never had much interaction. Besides, Ling's appearance at that time was…

Now, upon learning Ling was actually the Heir of Duke Chengguo, and hearing that the Lord Heir had thwarted Jin Army forces in Baozhou and Xiongzhou while protecting civilians, Lei Zhonglian now had even greater admiration.

One must know, the forces Lord Heir led back then were far fewer than theirs, and lacked their superior weapons. The difficulties of holding off the Jin thieves to assist civilians in retreat—he knew firsthand.

Zhu Zan squinted his eyes at him.

"Of course I remember you," he said, "It's you again."

Lei Zhonglian was slightly taken aback.

"What are you staring at? Keep staring, and I'll charge you," Zhu Zan said irritably, brushing off his sleeve as he strode away.

Indeed, meeting in person never lived up to the reputation—Lord Heir's famed majesty was best left in stories.

Lei Zhonglian stood still and mused.

........................…

Spring blossomed, the sun shone brightly, and the bitter chill of winter was thoroughly swept away. Even the spring winds felt less pleasant now, with gusts stirring up dust in the air.

On the main road, a team of riders and soldiers marched in grand formation, colorful banners were raised high, and flaming red armor dazzled under the sunlight.

Cavalry led the front, infantry followed, and supply carts hauled grain and provisions in tow.

Urgent couriers rode ahead, galloping back intermittently to report the locations they had reached.

The movements of this force quickly spread.

Soldiers guarding Tang County's walls spotted troops advancing from afar, terrified yet astonished. Soon, the news arrived—these were Duke Chengguo's forces, retreating from Yizhou and stationed at Anyang Pass.

"So Duke Chengguo has struck camp?"

The officials of Tang County hurried to climb the city gate walls to look out.

They had heard the news earlier when Duke Chengguo entered Dingzhou from Yizhou, and as subordinate officials, they were obliged to pay respects. However, like the officials and generals of Dingzhou Prefecture, they were all turned away.

No one had seen Duke Chengguo in person.

Rumors swirled that Duke Chengguo was gravely injured. Observers outside the camp claimed they had seen the Duke's Princely Heir with reddened eyes and heavy brows each day.

Some feared Duke Chengguo might soon pass away.

The death of Duke Chengguo would have far-reaching consequences, so they stalled as long as possible, covering things up as much as they could.

But now, concealing the truth seemed unworkable.

The officials and generals on Tang County's walls watched anxiously as the advancing troops drew closer, growing increasingly astonished.

This force marched in majestic formation, displaying no signs of loss or defeat.

"Weren't they said to be defeated remnants?"

"Didn't they claim all of Duke Chengguo's troops were wiped out, crushed completely?"

Low whispers spread among those on the walls, their eyes glued to the approaching army, feeling an oppressive aura.

The pressure was one honed through bloodshed and slaughter.

"Quickly, quickly, welcome the Duke!" a general instinctively shouted.

The outcry stirred mixed feelings among those present.

According to their initial plans, they weren't going to welcome Duke Chengguo's forces into the city—given the uncertainty of how the dynasty would judge Duke Chengguo's actions, especially with rumors of his imminent death.

No ruler would risk offending the dynasty for a dying man.

But now, seeing Duke Chengguo's troops arriving erased all prior notions.

Duke Chengguo was still Duke Chengguo. His army's proud display inspired fear and reverence.

The rest quickly made their decision to proceed with greeting the Duke's forces, only to see that the army didn't pause at all and bypassed the county with thunderous strides, heading toward Dingzhou Prefecture.

The officials of Dingzhou swiftly received news of Duke Chengguo striking camp.

Outside Dingzhou City, soldiers were already standing at attention, behind them were fields teeming with gathered civilians, all staring nervously into the distance.

The sound of hoofbeats rumbled through the ground, growing louder as a military force gradually came into view.

Their postures were upright, armor gleaming bright, carrying bows, long knives, and quivers of arrows—all marching in impeccable formation, emanating a mountain-like air of authority.

Among their ranks, halberd banners fluttered in the wind, three towering flags stood out prominently.

One bore a yellow heart with red borders and the inscription "Shun'an Army."

Another was red with golden characters that read "Qingshan Army."

Wrapping the two was a central flag—white fabric with black characters and a flame border, carrying just one name: Zhu.

Duke Chengguo, Zhu Shan.

It was the personal banner of Duke Chengguo Zhu Shan.

As horses galloped in quick relay, the troops approached closer. Moments later, the horn sounded sharply, signaling the army to halt. The troops fell silent, save for the rustling of banners in the wind.

Another blast of the horn, and the formation parted ways, revealing a large carriage slowly moving forward, bearing the central Zhu banner.

As the carriage emerged, the person seated within stood up.

He was clad in silver armor, towering in stature, yet his complexion was pale, lacking the fierce aura common among military generals.

Upon seeing this individual rise, the noisy crowd gathered outside Dingzhou immediately fell silent as if frozen in place. All eyes focused on him as he walked steadily off the carriage, taking a heavy blade handed over by his personal soldier, twirling it with ease before grounding it heavily into the earth.

The ground seemed to tremble beneath the impact.

"I, Zhu Shan, have returned," Wen Chun's voice rang out.

With his words, the crowd burst into chaos—cheering, laughing, some kneeling fervently on the ground.

"Duke Chengguo!"

"My Lord Duke!"

Cries echoed like a tidal wave, shaking heaven and earth.

Amidst this scene, the gathered officials and generals wore conflicted expressions.

"Returning alive from the battlefield—Duke Chengguo's renown grows even greater," one cultured bureaucrat sighed deeply.

...........................

Listening to the cheers and watching the ecstatic civilians, the officials' conflicted faces amused Miss Jun immensely.

Someone behind her coughed heavily.

"What kind of absurd idea was this? My father has never performed martial displays like this," Zhu Zan grumbled softly, dissatisfied, "Far too ostentatious."

"Not ostentatious at all," Miss Jun turned back to smile at him, "I think it looks fantastic."

She extended a finger to point forward.

"Everyone seems to think so too. It's beautiful, striking—utterly breathtaking."

This was the entrance Duke Chengguo should have—a display of unmatched vitality. Not the wounded and frail image painted by his staffers, who argued that such sorrow better captured the people's hearts. But Miss Jun believed that people's loyalty was never won through tragedy alone.

"Only strength, invincibility, can truly capture the heart," she remarked, gazing up at Duke Chengguo's imposing figure before the military formation.

It was imperative to show the world: Duke Chengguo, unbeaten by countless battles, is unparalleled.

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Today is Monday; truly, it brings tears to the eyes.

Asking humbly for your votes—thank you so much.