Chapter 31 “Why are you angry?” he asked hoarsely…

"Why are you so upset?" he rasped, his voice rough with irritation...

Modolou was caught in a tough spot, glancing between Ruo Lan and Chigan Balie, and could only mediate, "General Chigan is just poking fun at me for being too greedy."

Chigan Balie didn’t fully grasp it either, but he could tell Modolou was trying to please him, so he snorted disdainfully and sat back down on the ground, tearing into half a roast chicken and chewing noisily, his eyes glaring fiercely in Jiang Congyan's direction.

He had always looked down on the weak Han people. When the king decided to marry a Han woman from Liang State to be his queen (Khatun), he was very displeased. If he really liked Han women, he could just snatch up a few and keep them in his tent, doing whatever he pleased. Why should she be made queen?

The king was already half-Han by blood, and marrying another Han woman would mean their children would be even more Han. Would the Xianbei court even remain Xianbei? It would likely be overrun by weak Han blood! Especially seeing how the king was so smitten with this Han woman, his sense of foreboding grew stronger. Watching Modolou act so servile only fueled his long-buried dissatisfaction, which finally erupted.

But the king's decisions were not something he could oppose.

He hoped the king would grow bored with this Han woman soon and cast her aside. Chigan Balie thought bitterly.

Ruo Lan shot a sideways glance at Chigan Balie. Though annoyed, she didn’t give Modolou a hard time.

Compared to the other Xianbei generals, Modolou knew Chinese and treated the Han people relatively well. Communication was harmonious, and though he was a bit rough around the edges, he hadn't bullied anyone unjustly these days. He was someone worth winning over.

The lady had ventured far into the northern deserts alone, and it was crucial to win people's hearts and establish a firm footing. She needed to cooperate with the lady as much as possible.

Ruo Lan directly handed a few skewers of meat to Modolou, without using the white porcelain plate.

Making such pristine porcelain was no easy task, something the lady had spent years refining with craftsmen. Such porcelain would sell for a fortune in Chang'an, affordable only to the scholar-official class, and was one of the lady's most profitable industries.

They hadn't brought much tableware on this northern journey, and what they had was prepared for the lady, not for just anyone to use.

As soon as Modolou got the meat, he dug in despite the heat, and his eyes widened in astonishment.

A savory flavor exploded across his taste buds, with a hint of stimulating yet addictive spiciness. The outer layer was crispy while the inside was tender, the fat bursting in his mouth, making him want to swallow his tongue.

Could roasted meat actually taste this good?

Compared to this, what he had eaten before paled in comparison, no wonder the Han people looked down on it.

Modolou quickly devoured the skewers in his hand and, still unsatisfied, shuffled over to Ruo Lan again. His massive frame crouched in front of her like a bear, his rough voice unusually cooing, "Auntie, could you... roast some more for me?"

It was a cringe-worthy sight, a burly man trying to act like a young girl.

Ruo Lan's eye twitched, and she handed out the remaining roasted meat to Si Zi, saying expressionlessly, "I am not your servant."

The lady once said, to lead, use a mix of fear and favors; to make friends, share common goals and righteousness; to serve superiors, be loyal and responsible.

With Modolou, one must win him over with kindness, then command him with righteousness.

But there’s a fine line. Too many favors, and they’ll start feeling entitled.

Modolou looked at her with pleading eyes, unsure what to do.

Ruo Lan remained unmoved.

"Modolou, I have never seen anyone as gluttonous as you," Tuo Baxiao couldn’t help but tease him softly, seeing how he had no shame for food.

Modolou knew the king wasn't really scolding him and scratched his head embarrassedly, smiling ingratiatingly, "Your Majesty, you know me, I don't care about anything else, just good food and fine wine, nothing else matters."

Speaking of wine, he suddenly remembered that when the Han Princess came to see the king last time, she had brought wine as a gift.

The king was very generous to his subordinates, sharing most of the food and drink with them.

Modolou had taken the wine then, expecting it to be no different from the wine elsewhere in Liang State, but upon tasting it, he was utterly amazed.

He had never tasted such delicious wine before—so fragrant, so strong, so bold! He wished he could drink it nonstop for three days straight.

After finishing an entire jar, even he—a man who could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk—ended up drunk and slept soundly for a whole day, surprising his subordinates.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much of that wine, and too many people recognized its worth. He only managed to secure two jars, and he treated the remaining one as a treasure, allowing himself only one bowl a day. Yet, it was soon finished.

The taste still lingered in his memory.

Just thinking about it made his stomach rumble with hunger.

Such delicious roasted meat, paired with that strong wine—Modolou could hardly imagine how ecstatic he would feel.

He could only rely on his imagination to ease his craving, but the next second, he heard a clear female voice, and her words reached his ears like heavenly music.

The Han Princess said, "Since General Modolou enjoys our food, Ruo Lan, why not share some spices with the general? Oh, and we’ve also brought wine on the carriage. Please, Your Majesty, you must agree!"

Modolou nervously watched the king, already swallowing hard.

Please, Your Majesty, you must agree!

He silently prayed, and then he saw the king raise his sharp brows, glance at him, and then turn to the Han Princess beside him. It seemed he was reading her expression. Seeing her bright eyes fixed on him, he finally nodded in agreement.

Jiang Congyan instructed Ruo Lan to send some people to fetch the spices and wine.

Besides Modolou, there were many Imperial Guards around the tent.

Since she had decided to be generous, Jiang Congyan didn’t hold back. She took out plenty of spices and distributed them to everyone, explaining how to use them and letting them prepare the food themselves.

She also opened the wine.

As soon as the wine was brought over, Modolou’s eyes lit up like an addict seeing his favorite fix. At the same time, he felt a newfound admiration for Jiang Congyan, the Han Princess. "Princess, if I could eat such delicious meat and drink such fine wine every day, I’d be the happiest man alive."

Modolou broke the seal on the jar and dramatically inhaled the aroma of the wine.

Tuo Baxiao shot him a mortified look, embarrassed to have such a subordinate.

The truth was that Modolou knew when to be serious and when to indulge. He had never let drinking interfere with his duties, which was why Tuo Baxiao put up with him.

Tuo Baxiao hired people based solely on their ability. If someone had real skill, he would use them, regardless of their temperament.

Jiang Congyan, however, found his personality refreshingly honest and charming.

Most importantly, Modolou could speak Chinese, making communication between them very convenient.

She stared at Modolou for a while, and Ruo Lan noticed clearly that the lady’s gaze held a subtle delight, like watching prey walking into her trap.

Thinking this, Ruo Lan couldn’t help but glance at Modolou as well.

A burly man, eight feet tall, with muscles so thick he could take down a bear with a single punch, yet now he was as happy as a child who had just received candy.

This man really wasn’t bad.

The Imperial Guards, after receiving the spices, also began grilling meat following Ruo Lan’s method. Though they weren’t as skilled as Ruo Lan and Si Zi, the unique spices were the soul of the barbecue.

In no time, the air around the tent was filled with the aroma of spices and sizzling meat.

Chigan Balie’s subordinates also received the spices. After roasting the meat, they offered it to their general first.

"General Chigan, the meat is ready. Care to have the first taste?"

But Chigan Balie looked down on the Han people and scorned their food, snorting heavily and shooting his subordinate a hostile glare.

The subordinate serving him immediately understood his meaning and didn’t dare push further. He could only take the roasted meat far away and slip behind the tents to share it with his companions.

Chigan Balie noticed their furtive movements and glanced around, finding that most people were praising the Han woman's spices as delicious and devouring it eagerly.

Especially Modolou's subordinates, cut from the same cloth as him, even praising this Han woman, as if they truly regarded her as the Xianbei Khatun.

A little spice and wine, and they were won over!

The more Chigan Balie watched, the angrier he became, but he didn’t dare challenge Jiang Congyan due to Tuo Baxiao's authority.

He angrily kicked a piece of wood into the fire, sending the roasted meat tumbling off the rack. His subordinates exclaimed in surprise but bit their tongues, picking up the meat from the fire and moving aside to roast it elsewhere.

Chigan Balie was seething with rage when, at that moment, a subordinate rushed in to report that they had captured a Xiongnu spy outside the camp.

His mood shifted, and his eyes brightened. He gestured sharply, "Bring him here."

He immediately stood up and walked towards Tuo Baxiao's position, kneeling on one knee, his voice thundering.

"My King, we’ve caught a Xiongnu spy."

Jiang Congyan raised her eyes, her dark pupils shimmering like obsidian, somewhat surprised. She looked at Tuo Baxiao, but his cold profile remained impassive, not even a flicker of an eyebrow, as if he wasn't surprised at all.

"Bring him here," he said, his tone ordinary but laced with command.

Chigan Balie then ordered his subordinates to haul him forward.

The spy's hands were tied with rope, and he staggered under the shove. Chigan Balie sent him crashing to the ground with a kick to the knee. His cheek scraped against the gravel, leaving a bloody mark that glimmered ominously in the flickering firelight.

Jiang Congyan frowned slightly, the movement barely noticeable.

Although she had seen it many times, she still disliked blood and messy violence.

Tuo Baxiao did not notice her fleeting reaction. He lounged casually, legs apart, one hand resting on his knee, his cutting gaze fixed on the Xiongnu spy on the ground. "Did Wudati Hou send you?"

The spy’s eyes quickly flashed with surprise, but he did not answer Tuo Baxiao. Instead, he snorted coldly and turned his head to the side, as if to say, "Kill me if you must."

Chigan Balie was furious. He mounted the spy's back, grabbing the back of his neck and pressing him into the ground. "The King is asking you a question. Speak quickly! What did Wudati Hou send you for?"

His grip was incredibly strong, grinding the spy's face into the gravel, leaving it bloody and almost embedded in the dirt.

The spy knew he was doomed and bared his teeth, shouting, "Since I've fallen into your hands, kill me or cut me as you please. If I beg for mercy, I am not a brave son of the Hu Tian God."

Chigan Balie grew even more enraged.

Tuo Baxiao's lips curled into a cold, bloodthirsty smile, his aura fully unleashed, like a lion awakened from slumber. "If he won't talk, then kill him."

His tone was as casual as if he were slaughtering a chicken.

Chigan Balie excitedly agreed, his savage eyes gleaming with bloodlust. He drew the long knife from his waist and was about to strike when he glanced at Jiang Congyan, who was as delicate and beautiful as a flower beside Tuo Baxiao. He thought of something and asked Tuo Baxiao, "My King, if I kill this man, will this Han Princess faint from fear?"

Tuo Baxiao smiled confidently, casting an appreciative glance at Jiang Congyan. He told Chigan Balie, "The woman I chose is certainly not so weak. She is not afraid!"

He had personally witnessed her calmly thrusting a sword into an assassin's heart in a moment of crisis and knew that beneath her beautiful and delicate exterior, she was full of courage.

Chigan Balie gritted his teeth and glanced at her, a malicious smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He raised the long, cold blade and swiftly brought it down on the Hunnic spy's neck.

A flash of silvery light, and the head separated from the body, blood spurting wildly.

Crimson blood splattered across Jiang Congyan.

Her chest, sleeves, and skirt were all stained scarlet.

The pristine gauze dress was marred by the sticky blood, and she could even feel the warm droplets at the corner of her eyes trickling down her cheeks, like a slimy insect crawling over her skin, eliciting a nauseating shiver.

The scene was briefly gruesome. Jiang Congyan's pupils contracted, and she couldn't help but alter her expression—not out of fear or nervousness, but sheer anger!

She clearly saw the malice in Chigan Balie's eyes.

When he killed, he had deliberately directed the blade toward her.

The spy had been brought over, and they had been speaking in Hunnic, which Jiang Congyan couldn't fully understand, only vaguely grasping the gist.

She had originally thought this had nothing to do with her, but Chigan Balie's behavior was simply too outrageous.

She turned her gaze toward Tuo Baxiao, who didn't seem angry at all. Instead, he wore a proud expression, bragging to Chigan Balie, "See, the woman I chose isn't as timid as ordinary Han women."

Chigan Balie saw that Jiang Congyan indeed remained calm, failing to scare her as intended. He had no choice but to nod in agreement with the king, acknowledging a slight change in his opinion of this Han Princess—she wasn't as weak as he thought, but that didn't stop him from disliking her.

Seeing them deeply engrossed in their conversation, Jiang Congyan took a deep breath, forcefully quelling the anger in her chest. She stood up, shot Tuo Baxiao a cold glance, then turned and left without a word.

Only then did Tuo Baxiao notice her unusual mood from that glance. Before he could figure out why she was acting this way, he saw her slender and graceful back exuding an air of anger.

Tuo Baxiao quickly stood up and chased after her, his long, powerful legs striding forward. In just a few breaths, he caught up to her, his rough hand firmly clasping her slender, flower-stem-like arm.

"Why did you suddenly leave?"

His strength was immense, and Jiang Congyan stumbled from the sudden force, her upper body lurching forward, her black hair swaying in the air with a graceful arc.

Then, he grabbed her arm, forcing her to turn around and face him, entirely under his control.

Jiang Congyan remained silent, bending her wrist to slap his forearm, but the man didn't budge.

Overbearing, forceful, and unyielding.

His height was excessively tall for her—no, it should be said that his height was too tall for most women. Her cheek barely reached his chest, and if they were to look at each other directly, their gazes wouldn't meet.

At this moment, she didn't look up, her eyelashes slightly lowered, the thick, curled lashes completely hiding her icy, glass-like eyes. Tuo Baxiao couldn't see her expression, so he freed one hand, his rough fingers pinching her tender chin, forcing her to raise her head and meet his gaze.

When he saw the clear anger in her pupils, he was taken aback, "Are you angry?"

Jiang Congyan still ignored him, only struggling to break free from his grip, turning her gaze to the side, refusing to look at him.

Tuo Baxiao truly didn't understand what she was upset about, growing increasingly irritable. His sharp features, shrouded in the dim night, appeared even more stern and sinister, his high brow and nose bridge exuding a terrifying aura.

Yet, Jiang Congyan wasn't afraid of him at this moment, still holding her jaw tight.

Under the mingling moonlight and firelight, in the interplay of cold and warmth, the beauty's skin was as white as snow, reflecting a soft, lustrous glow. Her large, cold eyes now glimmered faintly, misted with moisture, like a lake under the moonlit snow-capped mountains.

She tried hard to hold back her grievance, but a hint of it still slipped through.

At this moment, Jiang Congyan, wearing a gauzy dress that shimmered like moonlight with specks of blood, raised her long, slender, and pale neck, like a swan lifting its head high, ready for slaughter, yet so fragile it stirred pity.

Tuo Baxiao shouldn’t be having such thoughts right now, but he couldn't help it, especially when a drop of crimson blood slid from the corner of her eye, tracing a faint pink line down her snow-white face, adding a hint of allure to her otherwise cold and beautiful features. The blend of purity and seduction was irresistibly captivating.

A fire slowly kindled in Tuo Baxiao’s eyes, and his prominent Adam's apple bobbed.

"Why are you angry?" he rasped.

He still couldn’t figure out why she was angry!

Jiang Congyan grew even angrier, refusing to say a word.

But she knew that with his stubborn nature, he wouldn't let her leave. Coupled with the changing color in his eyes and the tightening grip on her arm, Jiang Congyan sensed danger, afraid he might take the chance to lose control again. Reluctantly, she looked into his eyes.

"If the Prince of Mobei lets General Chigan intimidate me, why would he care whether I’m angry?" Her soft voice was icy and laced with mockery.

Tuo Baxiao's expression darkened slightly, "When have I ever not cared for you?"

However, he followed her words and recalled the earlier situation. Chigan Balie had indeed shown her less respect than he showed him, but this was the way of the grasslands—the strong ruled, and only the strong earned respect, and Chigan Balie's personality was especially pronounced. As for killing, it was even more commonplace. When he went to war, he often came back soaked in blood, as if he’d emerged from a bloodbath, so he hadn't felt anything was amiss at the time.

But upon closer thought, Chigan Balie’s blade angle had indeed been a bit deliberate.

Having fought countless battles and taken countless lives, he knew exactly what kind of wound would result from a particular angle of the blade. Given their positions earlier, Chigan Balie clearly had a more straightforward angle to strike from.

Tuo Baxiao narrowed his eyes, his expression growing colder.

He let go of Jiang Congyan and waved his hand, "Someone, come here."

At once, an Imperial Guard stepped forward to await orders.

Tuo Baxiao: "Bring Chigan Balie here."

Chigan Balie remained in his spot, watching Jiang Congyan closely. When he saw her leave and the Prince immediately chase after her, a wave of frustration rose in his chest.

The distance between them wasn't far, just the span of a bonfire, so he didn't need the Imperial Guard to relay the order. He heard it himself and stepped forward, still holding the blood-dripping knife he had just used to kill.

"My Prince!" He knelt halfway, head bowed.

Tuo Baxiao looked down at him from above, not calling for him to rise.

In the enveloping night, his tall figure loomed like a towering mountain, the pressure overwhelming as he approached.

"Chigan Balie," he spoke coldly, his voice as sharp as a blade, "You’ve disrespected my Khatun!"

Chigan Balie's heart skipped a beat, and his grip on the knife tightened.

"I..." He raised his head, wanting to defend himself, but upon meeting the Prince's icy, dark gaze, he couldn't utter a word.

He had, in fact, done it intentionally.

He hadn't expected the Prince to value this Han woman so much. He had merely given her a small scare, and now the Prince was so enraged with him.

Suppressing the frustration in his heart, Chigan Balie lowered his head and said, "My Prince, your subordinate admits his mistake."

He had thought that a lowly apology would suffice, but then he heard the Prince say, "You must apologize to my Khatun and then take ten lashes."

His tone brooked no argument.

Chigan Balie's eagle eyes widened in disbelief as he looked up.

The Prince actually expected him to apologize to this Han woman? And to inflict ten lashes upon himself?

This way, everyone would know that he was punished by the Prince because of a Han woman. What would become of his dignity after this? After today, people would no longer speak of the brave General Chigan, but of a weakling punished by a Han woman.

Chigan Balie tightened his grip on the knife in his palm, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.

His face twisted in an expression of humiliation.

"Hmm?" A dangerous note escaped Tuo Baxiao's throat, his dark green eyes swirling like a vortex, hiding a storm.

He couldn't defy the Prince's command. Reluctantly, he turned his gaze to Jiang Congyan, stiffened his neck, and muttered an apology, "I'm sorry, I offended you."

At that moment, he was like a beast with a noose around its neck, roaring and raging to no avail.

Even if Jiang Congyan didn't understand Hunnic, she could sense his reluctance.

But she didn't care; she just needed to show Chigan Balie that she wasn't someone to be trifled with.

"I have ordered Chigan Balie to apologize to you. Are you still angry?"

The beauty's tense, pale face finally softened. Seeing that she seemed to have calmed down, Tuo Baxiao waved his hand to dismiss Chigan Balie.

Hearing this, Jiang Congyan couldn't remain cold, so she softened her tone, "Thank you, Prince of Mobei."

A little anger can earn respect, but too much will backfire.

Tuo Baxiao felt a pang of disappointment when she still called him 'Prince of Mobei' instead of the more intimate 'Prince.' He couldn't help but take his frustration out on Chigan Balie. Tonight, she had let her guard down around him. They had laughed and talked like lovers on the grasslands, though he couldn't kiss her. Unfortunately, Chigan Balie had ruined it all.

Tuo Baxiao still wanted to coax her, but he heard her cold voice, "Prince of Mobei, I'm tired. I want to go back and rest."

He looked down and saw the light in her captivating eyes dim, her eyelids drooping with delicate fatigue.

Even though Tuo Baxiao wanted to stay with her, the mood was ruined.

He could only nod, "I'll escort you back to your tent."

With that, his broad palm slid down, completely engulfing her slender, jade-like fingers.

The young man was full of energy and had a fiery temper. When close to him, one could feel his scorching breath. Now, with her hand in his, the burning temperature almost seeped into her blood through the thin skin.

Jiang Congyan felt the back of her hand burning intensely.

The two walked silently across the sandy and rocky riverbank to Jiang Congyan's tent. She slightly moved her hand, signaling that he should let go.

Tuo Baxiao not only didn't let go but instead gave a firm squeeze. His calloused fingers caressed her soft hand as he looked at her intently, his sharp features particularly solemn, "Don't worry, from now on, I will never let anyone bully you."

Jiang Congyan's eyelashes fluttered.