Chapter 211: Childhood Sweethearts

Qi Shihuai has a dedicated iron‑working site here; he can produce the improved weapons according to Mu Yuanzhi's design drawings within a day.

When the time came for the army to set out, Qi Shihuai asked Prince Jia whether he really needed only half the troops.

Prince Jia nodded, saying, "When I return victorious, that will be our first shot fired."

He looked ahead with lofty ambition, his fighting spirit high.

Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin, who had come to see him off, drank the farewell wine together.

Mu Yuanzhi said, "I wish the prince a victorious start."

"You just need to prepare the victory feast!" Prince Jia whipped his horse and led the high‑spirited army out.

"Prince Jia said he'd be back in twenty days." Mu Yuanzhi looked at Gu Rongjin and asked, "What do you think?"

"Of course I hope so, but this is his first time leading troops into battle, so it's hard to say." Gu Rongjin watched the army's receding backs and sighed softly, "We've really put everything on the line this time."

"General!"

?

"General!"

Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin turned at the shout and saw many commoners running over.

Did they know the army was about to depart?

"Sir!" an elderly old man came over and grabbed Gu Rongjin's arm, asking, "Are you going to fight the allied forces of Fusang and Huangli?"

"It's not us; it's Prince Jia's troops." Gu Rongjin smiled.

"Who is Prince Jia?"

Many people had never heard of Prince Jia's title, after all he was just a hostage prince who had only recently returned.

Mu Yuanzhi was about to explain when an aunt said, "No matter who, anyone who can drive the enemy away is a hero of the empire! My son's family lives on the border, and now we don't even know where they've fled to."

She spoke while wiping tears with her sleeve, and the little girl beside her comforted her by patting her arm: "Mom, my older brother's family will be fine."

Someone gazed at the departing army and anxiously asked, "How many troops did His Majesty send over?"

It was obvious these people didn't realize this place was already under Qi Shihuai's control; they thought the emperor had finally sent troops to resist the enemy.

"The emperor didn't send any troops; these are all my men!" Qi Shihuai, who had escorted Prince Jia to the city gate and then turned back, smiled with deep meaning.

These people looked at each other.

"What does that mean?"

"General Qi, aren't you going?"

"We don't need me; Prince Jia leading the troops can defeat the enemy just fine. Everyone, go home, eat and drink as you should—the army will return victorious soon."

Those who heard it ran off to spread the word.

"If General Qi says we'll win, we definitely will!"

"Let's go home with peace of mind and not delay the general's affairs."

"Good, good, good—my son will surely be back home soon too!"

Seeing the formerly doubtful commoners now leaving happily, Gu Rongjin said, "I never expected that a few words from you could win people's hearts."

"Don't underestimate the gold content of this war god." Qi Shihuai said, full of pride.

"You, this war god, are so confident in leading troops yourself."

"This is me putting everything on the line." Qi Shihuai said, "Only after Prince Jia earns enough military merit and popular support will we have a chance to overthrow the foolish ruler."

Mu Yuanzhi said, "Prince Jia took half the troops with him, so our defenses will be much weaker—aren't you afraid the court will wipe us out in one strike?"

"It's us." Qi Shihuai corrected, "Miss Mu, don't worry—I have my own methods. You just need to keep researching weapon improvements. By the way, someone spotted the Fourth Prince and Chief Minister Xiao outside the city."

Having already received the National Teacher's letter, Mu Yuanzhi furrowed her brows: "They really came fast."

"It would be best if they surrendered; if not, having two more hostages is also fine." Qi Shihuai laughed.

Gu Rongjin disagreed: "What use are those two? We need talent and commanders now, not mascots."

Mu Yuanzhi couldn't help laughing: "I think you actually want a mascot."

"I'd rather have two dogs." Gu Rongjin said bluntly.

"Let's go back." Mu Yuanzhi was about to pull Gu Rongjin when Azi arrived.

"Young Master!" Azi approached, about to whisper in Gu Rongjin's ear, but he stopped her: "I said before, from now on we'll keep this distance when we talk—there's no outsider here, no need for secret talk."

His words were proper and upright; Azi couldn't say much, just nodded, but after glancing at the others she still pulled Gu Rongjin aside to speak.

Seeing this, Qilin began to be dissatisfied: "Look at her—Gu Rongjin said there are no secrets, yet she's still pulling him aside. Senior sister, do you still think she's not problematic?"

"I…"

Mu Yuanzhi was about to speak when Qi Shihuai laughed with a teasing expression: "What Master Qilin said is right—this Miss Azi is beautiful, smart and capable, always hanging around Rongjin."

"I say, General Qi, you're so close to Rongjin—you must know this Azi very well too?" Qilin asked.

Mu Yuanzhi originally had nothing to say, but hearing them mention it every day made everyone start to pay attention.

"Not familiar—I can only say I've seen her many times." Qi Shihuai seemed to be choosing his words, or perhaps just trying to whet their appetites, speaking in halves and pausing before continuing: "But she really is unusually close to Rongjin—you all know there aren't few people from Shuangjiang, and young ladies aren't unheard of, yet Miss Azi is always showing up."

Having said that, he looked at Mu Yuanzhi with interest, awaiting her reaction.

"I trust Rongjin." Mu Yuanzhi repeated that line.

"Your trust in Rongjin is useless; Prince Xiang has no intention, the goddess has designs?" Qi Shihuai laughed enigmatically: "One must always be on guard against people."

Qilin: "Exactly, exactly, senior sister, you should guard against fox spirits."

"I understand, thank you for your good intentions."

"Qilin, come over; the poor monk has something to say to you."

As soon as Qilin saw the monk, a thought popped into his head, and for the first time he waddled over excitedly.

After he left, Qi Shihuai leaned close to Mu Yuanzhi and whispered, "I also know that Miss Azi has known Rongjin since childhood; they can be called childhood sweethearts."

"Childhood sweethearts?" Mu Yuanzhi really didn't know.

She had known Gu Rongjin since childhood, but she never knew there was another girl who had also known him since childhood.

Doesn't everyone in Frost Descent have an official identity? What about this Azi?

One cannot help but say that Mu Yuanzhi has already begun to care about this Azi.

Qi Shihuai left after speaking, not caring what kind of muddy water he had stirred up.

When Gu Rongjin returned and saw that Mu Yuanzhi's complexion was off, he knew it must be Qi Shihuai spouting nonsense again!

"Dear, what are you spacing out for?"

"Nothing." Mu Yuanzhi shook her head.

"What is it! There must be something! Speak up, don't keep it bottled up!"