Chapter 989

Chen Wuji stood at the side, Lu Wanwan was somewhat inhibited, embarrassed to wash up, she slowly and gently rubbed her hands, while saying: "Lingshouzhou is currently fighting fiercely, Yang Ji under Cao Lin's command is a capable one, now he has occupied more than half of Lingshouzhou."

"'Originally this battle should have been easy for him, but Lingshouzhou Prefect Huang Chongyue has been reinforcing troops, and now under his command he has gathered over thirty thousand, leveraging numerical superiority, Huang Chongyue has blocked Yang Ji's advance, and the two sides are currently stalemated in Cangnan County.'"

"'However, Sister Zhanhong and Mr. Kong both think that Huang Chongyue's resistance to Yang Ji is only temporary, and he shouldn't be able to hold out for long.'"

"'Although Huang Chongyue's forces are now numerous, they are all a rabble. Sister Zhanhong says Huang Chongyue gathered a bunch of tall and short, messy fellows to make up thirty thousand. These thirty thousand can rely on a moment's blood courage to block Yang Ji for a few days, but once morale wavers, these thirty thousand will be pigs and dogs under Yang Ji's blade, no matter how he cuts them!'"

"'Sister Zhanhong and Mr. Kong are more optimistic about Yang Ji, saying his troops are not like the Imperial Guard but more like border troops, anyway they are quite good at fighting.'"

Chen Wuji nodded.

He can now clearly see one thing: Lingshouzhou is the battlefield between the Wise King and Cao Lin.

The troops Huang Chongyue added are all stakes that the Snake Staff Elder buried long ago, similar to those in Guiling Xian and Liu Min Ji.

Now the only thing not clear is Cao Lin's backing faction.

Some say this person is Yan Yan's, others say he is Ruan Yuchang's; currently there is no clear evidence to define his background.

However, this is not too important.

"'Where is Chen Wuyi now?' Chen Wuji asked."

Lu Wanwan chuckled, 'General Wuyi now occupies the mountain as king, his troops are stationed at that bandits' Old Nest; not only General Wuyi, but Sister Zhanhong and Mr. Kong also set their temporary base there.'

Chen Wuji hummed, went behind Lu Wanwan to tidy her wet hair, 'You're a messenger, do you intend me to ask one thing and you answer one?'

"'Oh right, Sister Zhanhong and General Wuyi wrote documents, they're in my clothes; they should explain it clearer than I can, husband, just look and you'll know.' Lu Wanwan hurriedly said."

Finally, feeling a bit shy, she stammered, 'Husband standing beside me, I don't even know how to bathe; these things… I might forget them by accident.'

"'You mean you're still shy even now?!'"

"'Husband, I will definitely be shy…'"

"'Alright alright, go wash first, we'll talk later, I'm going to see Xiu Er sister.'"

"'Oh right, Xiu Er sister came with a mission, but it took some effort to find this place.'"

"'Got it!'"

Chen Wuji waved his hand and left the rear tent.

Zhang Xiuer sat with legs together, graceful and proper on the couch; seeing Chen Wuji come out, she immediately stood up, 'Wuji brother.'

"'Rest, rest, you came all the way from Nan Jun, you must have worked hard, don't be too formal, relax, lie down if you want, sit if you want.' Chen Wuji said, 'Did you encounter any danger on the road?'"

"'No danger, we took a shortcut via Gu Zhandao.' Zhang Xiuer smiled faintly and shook her head, 'Jiu Shu is there, he won't let us come to harm.'"

Chen Wuji nodded, 'Although there is a shortcut, this road is not easy; what happened that requires you master and servant to personally travel a thousand li to see me?'

"'The Emperor's oral order, entrusting me to personally deliver it to Wuji brother!' Zhang Xiuer said, 'The person who brought this letter said it might be the Emperor's last letter to Wuji brother, so I must see it through.'"

"'The Emperor spared my life and let me return to my hometown to live, but actually I have done little for the Emperor. This might be the Emperor's last edict to me; even if it's difficult I must deliver it, and besides I can get to see Wuji brother…'"

"'Actually this trip isn't hard for me; on the contrary… anyway it's quite good.'"

As Zhang Xiuer spoke, she also made herself embarrassed; a blush spread over her pure white cheeks, like picking a spotless pink cloud from the highest heavens and pressing it onto her cheeks.

Chen Wuji didn't rush to ask for the Emperor's letter, but softly inquired about Zhang Xiuer's recent situation.

Regarding this maiden, his heart has always been complicated.

Even though they have already had a substantive relationship, that complexity has not faded to this day.

Having exterminated her entire clan, now they are talking about love…

No matter what Zhang Xiuer thinks in her heart, Chen Wuji always finds it hard to get past this; he cannot be indifferent, completely unconcerned.

"'My days are rather plain; after Wuji brother left, it's like a stagnant pool, no ripples, each day I repeat those things I don't even know if they're meaningful or not.' Zhang Xiuer's moist lips curled with a faint smile, her gaze fixed on Chen Wuji without blinking, shimmering."

At this point, her eyes suddenly gained a few more lively sparks, she shifted the topic and said: 'However, lately the city has become increasingly bustling, with many merchants coming from south and north; their conversations mostly cannot leave Wuji brother, all praising him.'

Chen Wuji felt somewhat uneasy under such a gaze, as if a gentle arrow pierced his heart directly.

Truly a karmic entanglement!

But the responsibility he ought to bear, he will surely not evade.

This simple-hearted maiden is already pitiful; she should not suffer another calamity at my hands!

"'Among our own, you don't need to flatter me like this; how could everyone speak well of me?' Chen Wuji laughed, 'A thousand people, a thousand faces—I cannot make everyone like me.'"

"'Really, because Wuji brother governed Nan Jun too well, the locals naturally remember his good deeds, while outsiders naturally compare Nan Jun to their hometowns, see the gap, and naturally praise Wuji brother's achievements.' Zhang Xiuer said."

"'Many say Wuji brother's civil and martial governance is first in the world today! In the city these past months, even the number of scholars has increased, mostly from the north, to participate in our Nan Jun imperial examinations.'"

Chen Wuji was somewhat surprised, 'Is that really true?'

"'Naturally it's true; how could I deceive Wuji brother, this is known by many.' Zhang Xiuer said, 'Those scholars most like to linger in pleasure quarters; I've seen many of them.'"

Chen Wuji felt a bit unsettled, 'These local government rascals don't even report such matters to me, all day they just know to nag me with a bunch of useless nonsense.'

"'Shi Yi Shu, note this down, and remind me tomorrow!'"

Such lingering historical bad practices need to be eradicated, so subordinates speak less empty boastful talk and more practical affairs, also reducing my own burden.

Looking at those leg wrappings all day really wears a person out.

"'Here!' Chen Li's voice sounded from outside."