Liang Qiang looked at the girl on horseback—life’s encounters were truly unpredictable.
He knew she was in the army. He was part of the vanguard, fighting in the most dangerous places, while she was the daughter of General Chu Ling and also Da Xia’s Empress, positioned within the central formation surrounded by elite and heavily guarded soldiers.
He could see her galloping past, but he had never imagined they would meet.
Even less had he expected it would be at such a time, so dangerous, so wretched—
He was covered in blood, his armor and robes tattered, half-kneeling on the ground, supporting himself with his long blade. His left arm bore a deep gash that bled continuously.
Was he still alright?
“I…” Liang Qiang gripped his long blade, lowering his gaze. “I’m still fine.”
Though he kept his eyes down, he could still feel the girl’s gaze sweeping over him, settling on his left arm.
“Yes, still fine,” the girl said with considerable emotion, even repeating it. “Still fine, still fine.”
Really fine? Liang Qiang lifted his head to look at Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao had already looked away. “A’Le, come treat Young Master Liang’s wounds.”
Liang Qiang saw the maidservant flip down from her horse, approach him, and use her blade to cut away his sleeve.
“How dangerous!” A’Le said. “Another inch and your arm would have been severed, Young Master Liang.”
Liang Qiang said nothing, seemingly unable to feel pain, remaining woodenly still.
“First stop the bleeding and wrap the wound,” Chu Zhao said. “When you return, have a skilled physician treat it properly to avoid damaging the meridians.”
A’Le hummed in acknowledgment, fed Liang Qiang a pill, and efficiently applied medicine powder and bandages to stop the bleeding.
In this short time, the fighting ahead had already ended.
“Miss Chu!” a female voice shouted.
Liang Qiang couldn’t help but look over, seeing a girl ahead holding a long blade. Beside her stood another woman gripping twin blades, both blades stained red—
“Seven or eight escaped. Ding Dachui went in pursuit,” the girl shouted, then asked, “Shall we withdraw our troops?”
Were these Chu Zhao’s female guards? Liang Qiang wondered. Why did their voices sound somewhat impatient? They showed no reverence for an Empress.
Chu Zhao called out, “Forced march—to Chi’na’s military headquarters!”
The girl asked no more questions as orders to regroup echoed through the ranks.
Chu Zhao’s war horse also pawed the ground. A’Le quickly finished wrapping the wound and mounted her horse.
“Young Master Liang,” Chu Zhao looked at Liang Qiang again and said, “Can you still follow me to continue killing the enemy?”
Liang Qiang looked up at her, supporting himself with his long blade as he stood. “This humble general has not yet died, so will fight to the death.”
Chu Zhao said, “Young Master Liang remains as valiant as ever.”
When she said “as ever,” she wasn’t referring to his injury, but to the past.
In the past, when the privileged Liang family’s young master played freely in the capital, she had praised his valor.
Now, this Liang family youth exiled to the border could still fight on the battlefield, and she praised his valor once more.
Liang Qiang knew both compliments were sincere.
She truly considered him valiant.
But was he valiant? In the past he thought himself very valiant, but now—
Hoofbeats thundered as Chu Zhao spurred her horse forward at full speed.
Liang Qiang watched Chu Zhao’s retreating figure. Being able to fight alongside her—this moment in this life would surely be unforgettable. He withdrew his gaze, mounted his horse, and gripping his blade with one hand, pursued the girl swiftly.
……
……
By the time dusk fell, Zhong Changrong had already paced countless circles in the command tent.
“Old Zhong, don’t worry,” an officer couldn’t help consoling him yet again. “The young miss didn’t go to Chi’na’s main force, and—”
Before he could finish, he was interrupted.
“And so it’s fine?” Zhong Changrong said angrily. “Even if it’s not the main force, they’re still Chi’na army elite!”
Another officer said, “With that person there—”
This only added fuel to the fire. Zhong Changrong said bitterly, “She’s despicable and cunning, only capable of getting the general killed—a rabble of disorganized troops.”
The other officers exchanged glances, their expressions helpless. This Mu Mianhong was indeed detestable—the general’s bright future had been destroyed by her hands. However, Miss Chu was still her daughter.
“So what if she’s her daughter?” Zhong Changrong sneered coldly. “When facing danger, she’d throw out her daughter to save her own life. When encountering the fierce Chi’na army, she’d probably abandon her daughter and flee.”
As his words fell, chaotic shouting came from outside: “Victory report! Victory report—”
Zhong Changrong rushed out like the wind, nearly colliding with the messenger rushing toward him.
“General Zhong, Her Majesty the Empress and Commander Xie have achieved a great victory, crushing Chi’na’s military headquarters. Commander Xie captured the Xi Liang prince consort alive!” the messenger shouted loudly.
The officers who had followed him out all heard this and erupted in cheers. Soon the entire camp resounded with wave after wave of jubilant shouts.
“Great victory! Great victory!”