Chapter 40: Meeting as if Startled

Zhu Zan thought he must be cursed.

How did he end up seeing this woman?

Why is this woman here? Wasn't she supposed to be off playing bandit?

And what was she shouting?

"Husband….."

Zhu Zan shivered and straightened his posture.

No way…..

Miss Jun struggled to hold back her laughter.

"Husband.." She stepped forward, extending her hand.

Zhu Zan jumped back in fright, pointing a finger at her.

"Hey hey, what are you trying to do…" he stammered.

Miss Jun already grabbed his arm.

"Everyone's watching, you know." She whispered, her expression serious.

Zhu Zan froze, no longer pulling his arm away, staring at Miss Jun with wide eyes. Suddenly, he reached out with his other hand and yanked her into his embrace.

The motion was a bit too rough. Miss Jun was caught off guard, her forehead crashing into his shoulder, her nose almost twisted out of shape. Then, two heavy pats landed on her back.

"Wife."

Zhu Zan's voice buzzed in her ear.

"Thank you for all your hard work."

Miss Jun coughed twice from the force of the pats, her head bumping into his shoulder again.

"Enough, enough." She whispered tearfully, "Let's go inside to talk."

Zhu Zan let out a dry laugh, grabbing Miss Jun's arm with a reversed grip and dragging her into the tent.

A myriad of gazes around them withdrew silently.

Standing off to the side the whole time, Zhao Hanqing twirled her hair.

"What is this nonsense?" she muttered to herself, then flicked her whip and ran off.

Meanwhile, Lei Zhonglian, standing further away, felt a bit sentimental. Although he couldn't see Zhu Zan's face clearly, the posture and the aura were undoubtedly familiar.

To think they once met by chance, clashing swords as enemies, but now they were helping each other. And on such an occasion in Dingzhou of all places, their meeting must be filled with mixed emotions.

............…

The emotions one might expect from an old friend reunion were sorely absent inside the tent. No heartfelt tears or hand-in-hand moments—just the continuous laughter of Miss Jun.

As soon as they entered, Zhu Zan shook her off and jumped several steps away, glaring at her with vigilance.

Watching his reaction, Miss Jun finally couldn't hold back and burst into riotous laughter.

"Why is it you?" Zhu Zan growled under his breath. "What's really going on? How did you…"

He scrutinized Miss Jun.

"…How did you fool my mother?"

Miss Jun's laughter rolled on, uninterrupted.

"Who's fooling anyone?" she replied, grinning. "Am I that kind of person?"

Zhu Zan chuckled awkwardly.

"Aren't you?" he countered. "Do my mother and father even know who you really are? Otherwise, why didn't my mother mention you in her reply?"

Miss Jun pressed her lips together, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"The Duchess and the Duke know who I am. As for why the Duchess didn't tell you…" She giggled, "That's because I asked her not to. Surprise! Caught you off guard, didn't I?"

Zhu Zan's expression morphed again—like he'd seen a ghost.

"This woman, you really are…" He stared at her, unable to find the right words.

Miss Jun held her hand over her mouth, laughing even harder.

Zhu Zan stood motionless, face blank, watching her.

"Is this fun for you?" he asked.

Miss Jun covered her mouth, nodded enthusiastically.

"Very fun." She replied seriously, her voice brimming with amusement.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Zhu Zan maintained his stoic expression and asked again.

Miss Jun's muffled laughter leaked through her fingers.

"Enjoying it immensely." She answered, as serious as before.

With a wooden expression, Zhu Zan pulled the corner of his mouth into a tense smile.

"Where's my father?" he asked.

Miss Jun put her hands down and stifled her laugh.

This was a matter of importance to a son—his father's wellbeing.

"The Duke is recovering from his injuries." She said solemnly.

At least she had some sense of propriety.

Zhu Zan inhaled sharply through his nostrils.

Miss Jun was already stepping ahead to lead the way. She glanced back at Zhu Zan, gesturing politely with her hand.

"Husband, this way please." She said.

Zhu Zan's brow twitched violently once again.

This woman! She's completely serious about being unserious!

Miss Jun tilted her head back in silent laughter and began walking forward.

Zhu Zan clenched his teeth, glared at her, and kicked the air twice in her direction before storming after her with billowing sleeves and a scowling face.

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

The scent of medicine wafted thickly through the Duke of Chengguo's tent.

Seeing the Duke, lying on the soft couch looking pale as paper, Zhu Zan fell to his knees beside the couch.

"Father." He called out, his voice heavy with emotion.

The Duke slowly opened his eyes, seemingly roused from slumber. Upon seeing the person kneeling before him, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Zan'er, you're here." He said warmly.

Zhu Zan nodded with reddened eyes, wanting to say something, but in the corner of his vision, he noticed Miss Jun standing to the side with her hands behind her back. She tilted her head slightly, watching curiously.

Zhu Zan clenched his teeth.

"Miss Jun." He addressed her, "I'd like to have a few words with my father."

The Duke smiled faintly.

"It's alright, say what you want to say." He replied.

Before Zhu Zan could argue, Miss Jun smiled as well.

"Duke, you need to take your medicine. I'll go prepare it for you." She said.

The Duke didn't reply further, merely nodded toward her with a smile.

Miss Jun turned and left the tent. As she lifted the curtain, she heard Zhu Zan's strained voice calling out "Father" again.

This time the tone was entirely different—it carried guilt, anxiety, and nervousness, and there was even a hint of… spoiled affection.

Spoiled affection...

Miss Jun couldn't resist turning back for a glimpse and found Zhu Zan leaning his forehead against the couch. The Duke reached out, gently stroking his son's head.

Her eyes widened.

Seriously…..

Such a big man behaving like a kitten, snuggling against his father and being patted on the head—this kind of moment definitely wasn't suitable for someone else to witness.

Miss Jun lowered the tent's curtain, cutting off the scene inside.

..................….

When she heard footsteps behind her, Miss Jun was intently focused on the bubbling medicine pot atop the small stove.

She didn't turn around but threw a small wooden chip into the stove.

The flames flickered larger than before.

"Hey."

Impatience seeped into Zhu Zan's voice as he called out.

Miss Jun remained unmoved.

"Don't bother me." She said. "The key to brewing medicine lies in controlling the flame."

The young girl crouching by the fire, her expression serious, appeared fully absorbed in her work.

Zhu Zan snorted and refrained from speaking further, turning to leave.

"But for me, all of this is irrelevant. After all, I'm a master of medical skills."

Her cheerful voice came from behind him.

Again with this nonsense! Zhu Zan, now slightly flustered, turned back to see Miss Jun's smiling face as she stood up.

Just look at that cheeky expression!

Zhu Zan clenched his teeth.

How could someone like this exist!

He took a deep breath to calm himself.

"Alright, spill it out." He said bluntly, "What's your demand?"

Miss Jun let out a quiet "Oh."

"Your mother knows about it—ten thousand taels of money." She made a gesture with her hand.

The story of how she met and made a pact with the Duchess, negotiating the aid for Hejian Prefecture, had been promptly shared with the Duke at the earliest opportunity.

The Duke had undoubtedly told Zhu Zan as well.

Miss Jun smirked slightly.

"Why are you smiling?" Zhu Zan immediately grew alert and asked.

This situation had him shocked beyond measure, and Miss Jun laughed out loud.

"But that was only the price for escorting your mother and protecting civilians during Bazhou's evacuation." She added earnestly, "Later, the assistance in Yizhou for your father wasn't included in that."

As she spoke, her gaze lingered teasingly on Zhu Zan.

"As for the price of that…."

Before she could finish, Zhu Zan jumped backward, raising his hands defensively.

"You're not marrying me!" He exclaimed, "Don't think you can use a life-saving favor to threaten me! I won't give in to this!"

*************************************

A big thank you to San Gu's San Ming, San Gu's San Ming, San Gu's San Ming, and the ice in the south for the generous rewards of He's Bi (*^__^*).

Thank you all.