Chu Ling looked at him. “Merchants and travelers pass through here constantly, and officials are everywhere in Yunzhong Commandery. It would be very easy to send a letter. A postal soldier, on the other hand, is rather conspicuous.”
A’Jiu smiled. “You may not believe it when I say this, but delivering a letter to you is my punishment.” He waved his hand. “Whatever. Think what you like. Can I go now? I need to get back before daybreak. Otherwise, if people discover me, I’ll be a dead man even without the General lifting a finger.”
Punishment? Chu Ling looked him over. “Young man, you’re not well-liked at home, are you?”
A’Jiu’s expression was lazy. “General, whatever you want to know, just ask Third Master Xie. Whatever you ask, he’ll tell you everything.”
Chu Ling asked, “Do you like my Zhao’er?”
A’Jiu, whose breathing had just smoothed out, felt as if his throat had suddenly been gripped again. He choked and coughed several times, glaring at Chu Ling. “Hey, what’s with you father and daughter? Why do you both like to slander people’s reputations! Do you think you can blackmail me this way?”
Chu Ling laughed heartily.
The laughter echoed around the room and carried outside the door.
Deputy General Zhong, who had been blocking the door waiting to rush in and silence someone at a moment’s notice, was somewhat surprised. How could he be laughing? And laughing so freely? The General hadn’t laughed like this in a long time—
As the thought flashed by, the tightly closed door opened and the youth strode out, his face set and clearly unhappy. Ignoring Deputy General Zhong’s strange look, he walked past him heading outside.
Deputy General Zhong also ignored him and hurried inside to inquire.
Low voices of conversation sounded in the hall. A’Jiu couldn’t hear clearly and was too lazy to listen. He strode outward, but somehow his steps grew slower and slower. He always felt there was still something he hadn’t finished.
That shouldn’t be right. He had just come to deliver a letter. Once delivered, he was done.
A’Jiu gritted his teeth and took heavy steps forward.
Other matters had nothing to do with him!
One step, two steps, three steps—walking out, going outside, mounting his horse, returning to Yunzhong Commandery.
He looked ahead. The night was thick, torches flickering with scattered points of light that faintly outlined a girl’s face. She looked at him, tears rolling down in large drops—
This was so annoying!
The guards in the courtyard stared at the youth, not quite understanding why he walked out with such a bitter and resentful expression. The next moment, they saw the youth’s raised foot stomp down heavily. His body turned and he walked back.
“General Chu!”
A’Jiu strode into the hall.
Chu Ling and Deputy General Zhong, who had been talking, looked over in surprise.
“Did you drop something?” Deputy General Zhong asked, glaring. “What are you back for?”
“There’s one more thing,” A’Jiu said with an impatient expression. “General Chu, when are you going to bring your daughter back?”
Deputy General Zhong’s eyes widened. So this young man’s visit really was related to Zhao’er after all!
Chu Ling was slightly stunned. He looked at this youth and smiled, then became somewhat melancholy.
Even a stranger was concerned about Zhao’er—how could he as her father not be concerned?
His Zhao’er—how was she doing now?