Chapter 42 It seemed like the first time he showed her something beyond his body…

Chapter 42 It seemed like the first time he showed her something beyond his usual demeanor...

Jiang Congyan had just woken up, her eyes unfocused, enveloped in a seemingly endless darkness. Suddenly feeling as if she were lost in a dream, unaware of her surroundings, she was dazed for a moment. It took her a while to clearly see his face half-hidden in the dim night.

Inside the tent, a slender candle cast a faint, golden glow, illuminating the man's sharply defined profile and high nose bridge. His deep green eyes were calm and profound, staring at her without blinking, appearing somewhat enigmatic in such light and shadow.

He didn't speak, and the silence spread through the quiet night.

Jiang Congyan lay flat, this position making it inconvenient to look at him. She struggled to move, but her body felt as though it had been shattered, especially her abdomen. Any movement that engaged her chest or abdomen sent sharp pains through her, making her gasp. Even lifting a hand was difficult.

"Don't move." A strong hand gently pressed down on her shoulder, pressing her back down.

It seemed as though he hadn't spoken in a while, Tuo Baxiao's deep voice sounded a bit hoarse, covered by the dim light with a special raspy texture.

Jiang Congyan froze in place.

"Your Majesty?" she called out, her voice barely a whisper, hoarse and faint.

But Tuo Baxiao heard it, his gaze meticulously traced every inch of her face, finally settling on her dark, clear eyes.

Her previously lifeless face regained its vitality because of her eyes.

Since waking up, Jiang Congyan had noticed his expressionless face, showing no joy or anger, but the aura around him was somewhat low, guessing that his mood might not be good.

But one concern lingered in her mind. After a moment's thought, she cleared her throat and asked: "Your Majesty, did Wudati Hou escape?"

Her voice was unbearably hoarse, speaking moved her chest, pulling at her injured abdomen, making her frown in pain.

Tuo Baxiao noticed, his expression hardened slightly, his finger pressed against her lips. "Don't speak."

Jiang Congyan pressed her lips together, obediently falling silent, but her eyes still stubbornly looked at him, insisting on an answer.

Since waking up, she had shown no concern for her own condition, focusing solely on Wudati Hou. Tuo Baxiao felt a surge of inexplicable irritation, really didn't want to tell her, but couldn't resist her watery eyes.

He knew her stubbornness.

"Wudati Hou was struck by several arrows before leaping into the Yellow River to escape," he said.

His tone remained calm, betraying no regret over missing this golden opportunity.

Jiang Congyan felt her heart plummet.

As expected? Wudati Hou wouldn't die here.

For an ordinary person, being struck by arrows and plunging into the turbulent Yellow River would almost certainly be fatal, but Wudati Hou was different.

Those who rise to become heroes of their generation always possess something extraordinary, whether it's abundant energy or a strong physique, they are not comparable to ordinary people. Miracles that seem impossible for others often manifest in them.

This was the second encounter between Wudati Hou and Tuo Baxiao, after this, there would be one more time. That time, although Tuo Baxiao defeated Wudati Hou, he didn't take his life, so Wudati Hou could later lead the Huns' iron cavalry to trample the Liang kingdom.

Despite having anticipated this outcome, she remained deeply unwilling to accept it, and at the same time, she regretted her own carelessness. If she hadn't been kidnapped by Wudati Hou, could Tuo Baxiao have...

No, she couldn't continue thinking like this.

The relentless march of history echoed in her mind once more. A wave of fear washed over her, sending a sudden chill up her spine, making her heart tremble, as if facing a giant ship sailing towards a predetermined direction, she was as insignificant as dust in front of it, never able to change its course in the slightest.

Noticing her face pale suddenly, Tuo Baxiao assumed she was blaming herself, so he comforted her: "Don't worry, I don't blame you."

Jiang Congyan gave him a faint smile.

Tuo Baxiao felt uneasy, but lacking experience in comforting others, he simply said, "All the injuries you suffered today were caused by Wudati Hou. One day, I will personally cut off his head to avenge this grievance."

He spoke with determination, his tall figure outlined by the dim light, like a beast lurking in the night.

Jiang Congyan gazed at him with a distant gaze. If she didn't know the future events, she would have believed him without hesitation. But...

Why did Tuo Baxiao suddenly meet his end?

The fall of a great hero like him would surely be recorded in the historical records of Liang State. However, the records of that period were lost during the two centuries of turmoil that followed. By the time later historians tried to piece together the story, several conflicting versions had already emerged.

Some said he died of a sudden plague, others claimed he was assassinated by Wudati Hou, and still others believed he was trapped and killed in battle... In short, there were many theories, but no historian dared to reach a definitive conclusion. Modern archaeology has also made no breakthrough, so Tuo Baxiao's sudden demise remains an unsolved mystery, fueling endless speculation among later generations.

This romanticized speculation, however, became Jiang Congyan's greatest obstacle. She didn't know how he died, so she couldn't even try to prevent it.

No, she didn't want him to die.

Regardless of whether he would lead his troops south in the future, at least for now, his survival was a safeguard for the people of the Central Plains.

As long as he lived, Wudati Hou would never be able to stir up trouble.

"Alright, I believe you will surely defeat him," Jiang Congyan said softly.

Tuo Baxiao's mood improved slightly, and then he heard her whisper, "Your Majesty, have you not rested at all?"

Tuo Baxiao was taken aback, not expecting her to ask this.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Jiang Congyan understood. From the day before yesterday until now, he had been fighting enemies, constantly on the move, without a moment's rest.

"Aren't you tired?" she asked again.

She was so weak that her words were barely audible, like the soft whispers of lovers by a lakeside at night.

Tuo Baxiao was silent for a moment before replying, "Not particularly."

It was common for him to go without sleep for days on end during battles, especially in the year he ascended the throne. First, he had to fend off Wudati Hou's attacks, and then he had to ward off internal assassinations from the Xianbei. During those two years, he rarely had a peaceful night's sleep. Compared to that, the current situation was nothing.

Jiang Congyan frowned slightly, her delicate brows knitting in disapproval. "Even the strongest person is still made of flesh and blood. If you don't rest, you will eventually tire. Please, get some rest."

In the faint glow of the candlelight, Jiang Congyan noticed the faint stubble on his once smooth jawline, a sign of his days spent in battle.

Since ascending the throne, this was the first time someone had asked Tuo Baxiao if he was tired. He found it novel, especially coming from her, and it brought him a strange sense of pleasure. This unfamiliar feeling was something he particularly enjoyed, and the anger stirred by Wudati Hou earlier began to dissipate.

He glanced at the bed. It wasn't wide, but her slender frame only occupied a small portion. Without hesitation, Tuo Baxiao turned and lay down beside her, using his arms as a pillow, not bothering with a blanket.

Jiang Congyan: "..."

She hadn't expected him to be so straightforward. Her expression stiffened for a moment, and she turned her head to look at him, only to find his face so close that she could feel his warm breath.

The proximity made her uncomfortable, but she couldn't exactly push him away.

And... she didn't necessarily want to push him away. She just wasn't used to it.

Jiang Congyan turned her head back, trying to ignore his presence and not look at him. She closed her eyes, preparing to fall back asleep.

The night was still deep. Su Li's five thousand elite troops were stationed nearby, so there was no immediate danger. Except for the night patrols, everyone else had settled down, and the camp was quiet.

It was the transition between spring and summer, and the warmth of the season was beginning to rise. Occasionally, the calls of night birds and the faint chirping of insects could be heard.

Amidst the sounds of nature, the most distinct was... the steady, powerful breathing beside her ear, a clear indication of the strong and vigorous man lying next to her.

He lay beside her, as proper as a gentleman should be, yet even if a man did nothing, his mere presence was a silent threat. His deep breaths easily enveloped her.

Jiang Congyan's calm was shattered. She closed her eyes, trying hard to ignore the sound of his breathing.

She attempted to think about her next steps, about how Xie Shao and the others would explain things upon returning to Chang'an, about how she would establish herself once she reached the royal court... but the man's breath continued to linger.

The candle had burned out at some point, and with the faint light of the lamp gone, the tent was swallowed by complete darkness.

Suddenly, a large hand accurately grasped her hand, which was hidden under the silk quilt.

Jiang Congyan stiffened all over.

She instinctively tried to pull away, but couldn't.

The man's strong, sinewy hand clamped down like a vice, firmly encircling her slender wrist, the heat scorching.

The little sleepiness Jiang Congyan had managed to muster was easily shattered by this one action of his. Her heart skipped a beat, but she thought, in her current state, he probably wouldn't be interested.

"Your Majesty?" she let out a soft question.

Tuo Baxiao's rough fingertips traced the delicate back of her hand, completely engulfing her palm in his, carefully kneading each of her fingers, one by one.

If it were just him holding her hand, Jiang Congyan could have endured it, but he had to do this, making her entire body feel uncomfortable, as if it wasn't just her fingers being kneaded.

She felt as if she were about to burst into flames.

Perhaps it was the darkness, combined with the man's heavy breathing, that made her inexplicably think of that day... when his hand, with its scorching heat, had covered her body, the roughness of his calloused fingers scraping against her skin, leaving red marks. No matter how she pushed and struggled, she couldn't escape.

She struggled again, but the man still wouldn't let go.

Compared to her tension, Tuo Baxiao wasn't really thinking about anything romantic at the moment. He marveled at how such a delicate, boneless hand had found the strength to stab with that hairpin.

But as he continued to knead, her hand was so soft, so tender, that his body couldn't help but respond differently.

Tuo Baxiao's breathing faltered for a moment. He took a deep breath, then clenched his fingers, folding her hand into a fist within his broad palm.

"Sleep," his voice was low and restrained.

Jiang Congyan caught the irregularity in his breathing. Knowing the man's nature, he must have been up to no good, but since he didn't show any such intentions now, she had no choice but to feign composure and closed her eyes.

After he stopped, though he still held her hand, it was more bearable. Exhausted, Jiang Congyan tried to ignore the warmth on the back of her hand, closing her eyes and drifting into a deep sleep.

——

When she woke up, Jiang Congyan instinctively looked to the side.

No one.

She let out a sigh of relief.

Tuo Baxiao's behavior last night had been somewhat strange. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it felt different from usual.

It seemed like the first time he had shown her something beyond physical desire, but it wasn't entirely tenderness or affection either, more like some complex emotion.

Perhaps it was just as complex as her feelings for him. Jiang Congyan thought.

She didn't dwell on it long before Ruo Lan entered with a bowl of medicine. Seeing her awake, even the usually composed Ruo Lan couldn't hold back her emotions, wanting to laugh but also on the verge of tears.

"Auntie," Jiang Congyan gave her a faint smile, propping herself up to sit.

"My lady, are you still in pain?" Ruo Lan quickly placed the medicine bowl on the small table beside her and went to help her up.

With Ruo Lan's support, Jiang Congyan struggled to sit up straight. As she rose, the bruised muscles in her waist and abdomen were strained, causing her to break out in a cold sweat. Yet, her face betrayed no pain, and she made no sound, though her brows furrowed slightly more than usual.

But Ruo Lan, who had served her for over a decade, could not be fooled by such endurance. She took out a snow-white silk handkerchief and gently wiped the beads of sweat from the lady's forehead, unable to resist advising, "My lady, if you're in pain, you don't have to suppress yourself. Old Doctor Zhang also said that expressing pain is beneficial for both body and mind."

"It's nothing," Jiang Congyan shook her head lightly.

She could still endure this level of pain.

Ruo Lan had long noticed that the lady's pain tolerance far exceeded that of ordinary girls. This didn't mean she didn't feel pain; rather, she seemed accustomed to it, enduring without a change in expression.

This realization made Ruo Lan even more heartbroken for the lady.

The lady had been frail since her premature birth and nearly died after falling into the water at the age of seven. Over the years, she had depended on medicinal soups to sustain her health.

Those dark, pungent-smelling soups could numb the tongue and induce nausea, yet the lady never complained about taking them. While others might grow weary of it, the lady always swallowed the medicine calmly, as if it were a glass of water.

To her, those bitter tastes were just minor hardships.

Ruo Lan could pour all her energy into caring for the lady, but she was powerless against her physical pain. She often wondered if Buddha truly had divine powers—could he transfer the lady's pain to her? She was willing to bear it for her.

Unfortunately, no such Buddha or divine powers existed in the world.

"My lady, are you thirsty? Would you like to drink some water first and let the medicine cool down a bit?"

Jiang Congyan nodded lightly.

She was indeed very thirsty, having barely drunk any water since yesterday morning.

Ruo Lan poured half a cup of warm water from the kettle on the side table and held it to her lips to help her drink.

Jiang Congyan, too weak to put on airs, slowly drank a few sips from Ruo Lan's hand. She swallowed slowly, minimizing the rise and fall of her chest.

After drinking the water, Jiang Congyan ate half a bowl of vegetable and lean meat porridge, then took the now-cooled medicine. Ruo Lan helped her sit up, undressed her, reapplied the medicine, and gently massaged her as Zhang Fu had taught, to help the bruises fade.

Finally, she gently wiped the medicine from the lady's face and neck and applied a fresh layer.

"My lady, don't worry. Mr. Zhang said the wound on your face is shallow and will heal completely within a month, without affecting the wedding," Ruo Lan said.

Jiang Congyan reached out, instinctively wanting to touch her face, but remembering the freshly applied medicine, she withdrew her fingers.

Compared to the pain in her waist, abdomen, and back, the pain on her face was almost nothing. As for her beauty, she still needed a face that was presentable.

She nodded lightly, "Good, that puts my mind at ease."

Then, enduring the pain, she cleaned and tidied herself up, had Ruo Lan tie her hair into a simple bun, changed into a suitable outer garment for receiving guests, draped a light blue silk cloak embroidered with scrolling grass patterns over it, and finally put on a thin veil hat to cover her injured face.

This setup made it clear she was ready to meet someone and address the matters from the past two days.

"My lady, you're so badly injured, you should rest properly. Why are you in such a hurry?" Ruo Lan, though complying, couldn't help but advise.

Jiang Congyan just gave her a faint, appeasing smile, "It's just a few words."

Ruo Lan had no choice, knowing she couldn't dissuade her, so she placed a stool outside the tent, padded it with a soft cushion, and carefully helped the lady sit on it.

The short distance of a dozen steps was particularly difficult for Jiang Congyan.

Finally seated, waiting for the pain to subside, she asked Ruo Lan to remove the silk curtain in front of the tent.

At that moment, she saw Zhang Zheng and Xie Shao kneeling before her, with many Liangzhou Imperial Guards kneeling in orderly rows behind them.

Both of them were in bad shape, especially Zhang Zheng, whose body was covered in clots of dried blood mixed with sweat and dirt. His stubble around the chin, coupled with a haggard and listless appearance, made him look utterly worn out. If not for the shallow rise and fall of his chest, he would have looked like the last soldier on the battlefield who refused to fall but met his end.

Jiang Congyan's gaze rested on him for a few seconds before shifting to Xie Shao beside him.

“Aunt, please invite General Xie over.”

Her voice was soft, but Xie Shao caught it. He raised his eyes and saw a delicate figure sitting there.

He hadn’t seen her clearly yesterday, but he had seen her thrown off her horse by Wudati Hou from such a height. Given the princess’s delicate frame, she must have suffered serious injuries when she fell, not to mention the ordeal she went through while being abducted by Wudati Hou. Seeing her now with a thin veil covering her face, he could only imagine the severity of her injuries.

Still, she wanted to see him as soon as she woke up.

Xie Shao paused in thought for a moment, then followed Ruo Lan to her side.

Having knelt for too long, he staggered slightly as he stood up, dragging his stiff legs forward before kneeling again.

“I, your humble general, am incompetent. I failed to protect the princess, subjecting her to such a disaster. I am deserving of death. Please punish me, Your Highness.”

Jiang Congyan looked at him, a faint smile appearing beneath her veil as she asked, “General, how do you want me to punish you?”

“…”

“Demotion? I lack the authority; physical punishment? Whip you, cane you? Or demand your life as recompense?”

“You should know my temperament. I have no interest in such pointless matters.”

“Besides, this was my oversight, not your fault.” She emphasized the last sentence.

Xie Shao’s expression became even more crestfallen as he lowered his head, unable to speak.

Even if the princess said it was her oversight, as a general, shouldn’t he have shown greater vigilance? Who was the general here, him or the princess? The princess had never been on the battlefield, but did that excuse his lack of judgment? They had dispersed their formation before the battle was fully over, rendering them unable to withstand the charge of the barbarian cavalry.

No, even if they were equally unprepared, if it had been the Xianbei cavalry, given their combat prowess, they would never have allowed Wudati Hou to abduct the princess.

Xie Shao had once thought his skills were wasted, but now he realized how arrogant and presumptuous he had been. Did he really think he could hold the Liang State against the barbarian onslaught? What a joke!

If this had been a war determining the survival of the Liang State, his performance would have earned him a place among the disgraced generals, forever remembered.

After speaking several sentences, even while controlling her tone, the movement still tugged at her injured muscles, causing waves of pain. Jiang Congyan had to pause for a moment.

The core of her body, her waist and abdomen, truly lived up to its name, as any movement seemed to affect it.

She noticed Xie Shao’s increasingly suppressed emotions, but she truly didn’t have the energy to console him at the moment.

After resting for a while, she continued, “I invited you here, General, to ask you: Have you thought about how you will explain yourself once we return to Chang’an?”

Xie Shao looked up at her, stunned. He hadn’t expected her to call him over for this.

The princess wore a thin veil, so he couldn’t see her face clearly, only catching a glimpse of a delicate silhouette behind the gauze. Yet, inexplicably, he could picture her expression in his mind.

Her clear, bright black eyes must have been as calm as ever, carrying an aura that made one dare not look directly at her, yet inexplicably drawing everyone’s gaze.

Xie Shao was momentarily dazed. If the princess hadn’t brought it up, he truly hadn’t thought about what would happen after returning to Chang’an.

Yesterday, after his subordinates had tallied the casualties, they reported the losses to him. Of the one thousand Lüben Guards they had brought out of the city, fewer than half remained unharmed, with hundreds injured and over two hundred dead. And this was when they had played a supporting role, not even being the main force against the barbarians.

The Lüben Guards were the elite of Chang’an, with many members hailing from aristocratic clans, albeit from lesser branches. To the commoners and lower-ranking families, they were still figures to be revered.

He came from a lowly background, with no reputation or connections in the court. Now that so many had been lost under his command, how could the aristocratic clans let this slide?

Xie Shao remained silent for a long time before carefully responding, "I can only report the truth. It was indeed my failure."

He could almost foresee that upon returning to Chang'an, the deputy commander's seal of the Lüben Guard, which he had just received, would probably be taken away right away.

Jiang Congyan let out a soft sigh.

How can someone be so straightforward?

"If you report this to the court, you'll lose your position as commander soon."

Xie Shao lowered his eyes. "I know."

"If that's the case, how can you keep your promise to me?"

Xie Shao looked up suddenly, hesitating for a moment.

Jiang Congyan gazed into the distance. They were still in the camp from the day before yesterday, surrounded by small hills on three sides with only one exit—a typical terrain that's easy to enter but hard to escape from. "If the enemy is unprepared, attack and win; if they're prepared, attack and lose." That was why Wudati Hou, despite having more troops than Tuo Baxiao, was still defeated after his failed ambush.

The fierce battle from the previous night had left many bloodstains around, and the barbarians' bodies were being moved to a pit for burial.

Jiang Congyan looked at the pit from afar. "General, why not take the heads of the barbarians you killed back with you?"

Xie Shao was puzzled.

Jiang Congyan continued, "Both the Jie and the barbarians tried to sabotage the diplomatic ties between our two nations, launching an attack midway. Fortunately, the general led the Lüben Guard warriors to fight fearlessly to the end, repelling the barbarians and protecting the wedding procession, thus preserving the alliance between the two nations. In a broader sense, this battle safeguarded the stability of Liang's territory. Isn't that a great accomplishment?"

"This..." Xie Shao opened his mouth but hesitated.

"These barbarian heads are proof!" Jiang Congyan declared firmly.

"At that point, not only will the court not punish you, but they'll also promote you significantly. Your future career will be bright!"

Xie Shao was stunned.

If he hadn't been there himself, her words would have sounded convincing.

Huo Bineng and Wudati Hou's attack was real, the barbarian heads were real, the general and the warriors' bloody battle was also real—all of it was real. So, this achievement is just as real.

Don't you want it, General?"

Xie Shao was speechless.

By nature, he would never take credit for something he didn't earn, but when these words came from the princess, he found it hard to refuse.

Her tone was so straightforward that even he felt a little confused, as if he had truly achieved something.

Had he really achieved something?

Jiang Congyan added, "Even if the general himself is of high moral character, shouldn't you think about the soldiers under your command? They worked hard to escort us all the way and risked their lives to follow you into battle. If they return with nothing, wouldn't it be disheartening?"

"Your lack of recognition is one thing, but what about the families of the fallen soldiers? How will they receive compensation?"

Xie Shao wavered.

Indeed, his own situation was minor, but the welfare of all the soldiers—both the living and the fallen—was a major concern.

Having fought against the Hu enemies, the Lüben Guard is no longer the delicate flowers of the Central Plains; they are rapidly maturing under the pressure of formidable adversaries.

An army that has finally honed its fighting spirit must not be ruined because of me.

Xie Shao finally made up his mind, bowed to her again with a serious expression, "Thank you, Princess, for your instruction. Shao understands."

Behind the veil, Jiang Congyan smiled.

Xie Shao looked up; though he couldn't see clearly, he could somehow feel her smile.

In fact, even now, he still didn't understand why the Princess had chosen him. He had wanted to ask her, but the words stuck in his throat.

He was afraid of getting an answer he didn't want.

Regardless, since the Princess had chosen him, it meant he was of use to her.

After discussing this matter, Jiang Congyan instructed Xie Shao to go and rest to prepare.

It was time for them to head back to Chang'an.

After everyone left, only Zhang Zheng and a dozen Liangzhou Imperial Guards remained in front of the tent.

They knelt there, unmoving, like statues.

Jiang Congyan glanced at them, had Ruo Lan assist her up, and slowly walked over step by step.

Only when a small shadow fell before him did Zhang Zheng finally look up. Seeing it was the lady, his frozen pupils finally stirred, lighting up with a faint glimmer, coming alive from his statue-like state.

But he still didn't speak.

The master and servant gazed at each other for a long time, and finally, Jiang Congyan spoke first.

"Zhang Zheng," she sighed, calling his name, "You should know I don't blame you, so why must you be like this?"