Chapter 166: The Reclusive General Meng

Morning light scattered down.

A neat formation marched across the northwestern wasteland.

On the left were soldiers in uniform armor; on the right were women in various attire.

One side firm, the other gentle; one orderly, the other flamboyant—combined, they looked utterly harmonious.

The women openly surveyed the soldiers across from them, occasionally covering their mouths to chuckle softly, whispering among themselves.

Their husbands were not among them, so a sense of regret was inevitable.

Yet this did not dampen everyone's enthusiasm; all felt the trip was worthwhile.

Last night, the Beili Army that dared intrude into Daye territory was utterly slaughtered, leaving only a single captive whose limbs were broken and bound to a horse's back, brought back for the Grand General to interrogate personally.

Mu Nan Zhao and Meng Chengping rode side by side at the rear of the column.

Meng Chengping's lips curled up, unable to suppress it, and he said, "You say when we were being chased, you ran into Gu Xixi? You're not just making an excuse to slack off, are you?"

Mu Nan Zhao let out a light scoff, "Almost everyone from the Dependents Village is here—how could she be missing?"

Meng Chengping nodded with a laugh, "Indeed, such a grand operation—clearly her style."

As he spoke, he realized something, his smile vanished, and he turned his head to look at Mu Nan Zhao.

Mu Nan Zhao raised an eyebrow at him, openly mocking, "Can you still laugh? Keep laughing."

Meng Chengping, no longer caring about face, anxiously asked, "Where's Jing Lan? I completely forgot—how could she possibly stay put in the village with so many of us on the move?"

"Did you see Jing Lan when you were looking for Gu Xixi?"

Mu Nan Zhao stared ahead, silent.

Meng Chengping, both anxious and startled, exclaimed, "Say something! It's pitch dark, the women have scattered—Jing Lan hasn't returned yet, has she?"

He had been ordered last night to guard the dependents; after searching everyone thoroughly, he only tallied the number of dependents, not counting Gu Xixi and He Jinglan.

Mu Nan Zhao had first pursued Gu Xixi away from the group last night.

Later Mu Nan Zhao returned to rejoin the squad, explaining that Gu Xixi was surely safe and sound.

But Meng Chengping had never even considered that He Jinglan might have come out as well!

At this moment, seeing Mu Nan Zhao still silent, Meng Chengping nearly went mad with worry, "Brother Mu, can you stop teasing me? Have you seen Jing Lan or not?!"

Seeing the moment was right, Mu Nan Zhao, lest Meng Chengping lose his mind publicly and embarrass himself, finally spoke slowly:

"Jing Lan is with Gu Xixi."

"I saw Gu Xixi constantly gripping her hand, going wherever she went—naturally they couldn't be separated."

Meng Chengping let out a huge sigh of relief; his heart, which had leapt to his throat, went 'thud' back into his belly.

Mu Nan Zhao glanced sideways and sighed softly, "No wonder women always say men are unreliable."

"In a crisis, close female friends cling to each other, yet you only just now remembered someone like her."

Meng Chengping felt both frightened and ashamed, his head bowed so low it almost buried into his chest.

To make matters worse, Mu Nan Zhao had the nasty habit of twisting the knife, and he added, "As a close friend and childhood playmate of Jing Lan's brother, I really don't hold out hope for this match……"

Upon hearing the word 'marriage,' Meng Chengping's face flushed, "Brother Mu, don't say that—if others hear, it'll harm Miss He's reputation."

"Besides, given my family's standing……"

Meng Chengping's eyes dimmed, a self-mocking bitter smile tugging at his lips, "I know my own limits."

"Not to mention the future—even now, the He family's legitimate daughter is beyond my reach."

"You give up so easily?" Mu Nan Zhao said,

"I had actually been thinking of recording this military merit under your name, and once the war is completely over, when Huo Jiang presents the achievement ledger to the Imperial Court, you could be ennobled as a Constant Might General or something—your status would change instantly."

Meng Chengping's eyes lit up, "Really?"

Mu Nan Zhao seemed not to have heard, continuing on his own: "When I return to the capital, relying on my long-standing ties with the He family, whoever wishes to marry the He family's legitimate daughter and asks me to act as matchmaker might get twice the result with half the effort."

Meng Chengping's mouth stretched wider and wider, unable to control itself, until it reached his ears.

"It's great to know a capable brother like Brother Mu!"

Mu Nan Zhao gave a cold snort, "You haven't even gotten your eight characters written, and they've already dumped you."

Meng Chengping chuckled obsequiously, practically wishing to leap off his horse to knead Mu Nan Zhao's shoulders and back.

"I almost forgot you and the He family are old family friends—Brother Mu, you'll surely help me then, right?"

"Brother Mu, I just knew—you may have a sharp tongue, but you're a good person!"

Mu Nan Zhao glanced at him, expressionless, disdainful, "Worthless expression—put it away."

"We're about to enter the camp—consider this: disobeying orders, punish first, report later, how will you face the Grand General's wrath?"

Meng Chengping thought of Huo Jiang's face, and his scalp tightened.

"Hey, this was your idea—you wouldn't want me to face it alone, would you?"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "Isn't it that General Meng personally issued orders to the whole unit, informing everyone of the temporary mission? And it was General Meng's capable command that led the unit to accomplish the task."

He spoke with extra innocence, "Everyone in Meng Chengping's squad can attest to what I said."

"General Meng so wise and valiant, brave and strategic—what does that have to do with me, a lowly soldier Chen Fang?"

Meng Chengping was so angry he nearly toppled backward off his horse.

He raised his hand and pointed at Mu Nan Zhao, "You! You certainly didn't say that back then!"

Mu Nan Zhao frowned, puzzled, "What did I say? When was that?"

Meng Chengping had no evidence, a hundred mouths couldn't defend him.

At last he personally experienced why the Grand General said, "Those who play politics have dirty hearts."

It's simply too filthy, too shameless!

Meng Chengping's chest heaved violently a few times as he snapped, "The Grand General is certainly not stupid!"

"Even if I were to flee punishment, the Grand General's anger toward you would surely be no less—I don't believe you're not afraid!"

Mu Nan Zhao gave a light chuckle, looked at Meng Chengping, and said, "What am I afraid of?"

You forgot—I'm not his soldier; even if he wants to enforce military law, he certainly can't touch me.

Meng Chengping completely withdrew.

The troops quickly reached the camp watchtower; from afar they saw Gu Xixi and He Jinglan running over to greet them.

Meng Chengping again broke into a rippling smile, spurred his horse forward a few steps, and called, "Jing Lan! You're waiting for me here…"

However, He Jinglan simply ran past him without even a glance.

The military dependents met with Gu Xixi and He Jinglan; everyone was delighted, gathered together with endless things to say.

The experience of sharing danger, fear, and hardship last night made their hearts grow even closer.

Gu Xixi asked everyone about what happened after last night, confirmed that no one was missing and none were injured, and only then truly relaxed.

Mu Nan Zhao rode his horse past the already petrified Meng Chengping standing in place.

He reined in his horse and gazed toward Gu Xixi from afar.

He Jinglan poked Gu Xixi, gesturing for her to look that way.

Gu Xixi lifted her head, locked eyes with Mu Nan Zhao, and said, "Thanks; this time I owe you a favor."

Mu Nan Zhao lifted his chin toward the camp and asked, "Shall we go in together?"