"You are the Emperor's most beloved princess. Your future husband will surely be wealthy and noble, and you will live a life of ease. But if you were to marry a mere soldier like Xu Dong, facing a future of hardship, could you endure such a life?"
Huangfu Pingting pursed her lips and remained silent.
Seeing this, Zhao Jiaqi hardened her heart and delivered a final blow: "If you haven't made up your mind, then don't come to find him again. Rather than giving him false hope, it's better to end it here."
"If you cannot give him happiness, you will only bring suffering to yourself and to him!"
The silence within the room was so profound that the sound of a falling needle could be heard.
Fan Xudong stood at the doorway, stunned. He had heard every word his sister-in-law had spoken.
His tense hands clenched into fists, the veins on the back of his hands bulging. He was waiting for Pingting's response.
If she did not despise his lowly status, he would surely strive to achieve military honors.
If she did, he would cast aside such foolish aspirations, marry a wife, and live a good life!
After a long while, Pingting shook her head, as if she had made a decision. "No, I do not despise him. I love him. The thought of not seeing him makes me feel as though I cannot breathe."
That feeling was worse than death itself, and she could not bear it.
Zhao Jiaqi envied Pingting and Xudong's love at first sight. They had spoken only a few words and met but a handful of times, yet their devotion was truly touching.
Zhao Jiaqi said, "The Emperor will never allow you to marry a commoner!"
Pingting opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly, a sound came from the doorway.
"No, I will earn the title of general, and then I will come to marry the princess!"
Fan Xudong strode in with steady steps, speaking each word clearly to the two women present.
His gaze towards Pingting was calm, collected, and even more resolute. At that moment, he longed to pull her into his arms and cherish her dearly.
But he could not, not yet at least!
"Pingting, give me two years. I will surely become a general like my elder brother, and then I will come to marry you!"
This declaration of deep affection was like a full meal of "dog food" for Zhao Jiaqi.
She quietly withdrew from the room, leaving the space to the two lovers.
That evening, at the Prince of Xiaoyao's mansion.
Huangfu Xu hosted Wu Yi of Zongsheng Kingdom. Over drinks, they engaged in a subtle battle of wits, neither gaining an obvious advantage.
Finally, Wu Yi's gaze settled on Fan Zehao. His rough face contorted into a fierce expression, and with a forced smile, he asked, "General Fan, you are indeed remarkably talented for your age. From whom did you learn your skills?"
Fan Zehao raised his wine cup, cast a glance at the man opposite him, and then downed the entire cup in one gulp. He replied casually, "Beasts."
"Pfft, cough... cough, cough, cough..." The Prince of Xiaoyao, who had just taken a sip of wine, immediately spat it out.
Those words were too shocking!
As expected, the moment the word "beasts" was uttered, Wu Yi's face turned ashen.
Huangfu Xu was no better off, and the ministers seated with them were all dumbfounded. Who would say such a thing under normal circumstances?
Wu Yi slammed his palm onto the wine table, causing the cups to tremble violently before slowly coming to a rest. Wine sloshed across the table.
Seeing this, the Prince of Xiaoyao quickly beckoned to Fan Zehao and said, "General Fan, please finish your sentence, lest Lord Wu Yi misunderstand."
Fan Zehao put down his wine cup, completely unconcerned about whether Wu Yi would misunderstand.
It wasn't that he was arrogant, nor was he acting with impunity because of the Emperor's favor.
His opponent, Wu Yi, was the one who had caused Yun Country to lose half its army and had stolen the defense map.
The soldiers who had died tragically at his hands, those with severed limbs and exposed entrails, those whose deaths had broken up families – others might forget, but he never would.
He spoke calmly, his tone indifferent. "I am just a hunter. When I go up the mountain to hunt, if I don't engage in a battle of wits with the beasts on the mountain, how can I catch them? And what would I eat if I didn't catch them?"
"Oh, if not for the battle General Wu Yi fought that pushed Yun Country back fifty miles, I suppose I wouldn't have been conscripted. And if I hadn't been conscripted, I wouldn't have become a general. In a way, I should thank you!"
Fan Zehao was a troublemaker. Hearing his words, Wu Yi felt as if something was stuck in his throat, unable to be spat out or swallowed, leaving him extremely uncomfortable.
If he had known Yun Country had such a character, he should have dealt with him when he stole the defense map.
At this point, the Prince of Xiaoyao and the ministers secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The more timid among them even began to wipe the cold sweat from their brows.
After the meal, Fan Zehao, having eaten and drunk his fill, rose to leave.
The Prince of Xiaoyao hastily sent people to escort him, wishing they could see him all the way home to prevent him from scaring people further.
Upon returning to the General's mansion, Fan Zehao frowned slightly. His eyelids twitched, a feeling that something was amiss. He then turned and headed for the camp on the outskirts.
Showing his token, the guards at the city gate immediately opened it. He rode his horse and departed quickly.
As soon as he reached the camp on the outskirts, he noticed that two of the guards at the gate were missing.
On his warhorse, Fan Zehao's sharp eyes scanned his surroundings. The horse beneath him stamped its forehooves, betraying a hint of restlessness.
He angrily demanded of the remaining guards, "Where are the other two?"
At his shout, several men exchanged glances. It was only then that they realized the two men outside were gone.
"We don't know. They were just here!" The squad leader, equally bewildered, replied, clutching his spear.
"What are you standing around for? Search!"
News of what happened at the camp gate quickly spread throughout the encampment. Before long, two perfectly dead bodies were found in the bushes.
Both had been killed with a single blow, their heads nearly severed. The strength required was immense.
Fan Zehao was now thoroughly angered. He bellowed at his subordinates, "Search! If you see anyone you don't recognize wearing our soldiers' uniforms, do not hesitate. Kill them on sight."
Just as he finished speaking, a fire erupted on the other side.
The flames quickly painted half the sky a fiery red. Two spies took advantage of the chaos and escaped the military camp.
The Imperial Study.
Huangfu Jintao, enraged, hurled everything on the desk to the ground, scattering it onto the kneeling figure.
He berated Fang Jingchen fiercely, grinding his teeth. "What are you, a First Rank Great General, good for? Your camp was infiltrated by spies, half the camp burned, and you remained oblivious, sleeping soundly at home. You're truly remarkable!"
Fan Zehao stood to the side. At this moment, he was not concerned about the person kneeling on the ground. He stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, the purpose of the spies entering the camp on the outskirts is still unclear. Perhaps it would be best to let General Fang return to the camp to investigate, and then Your Majesty can decide on the punishment."
Huangfu Jintao cast a cold glance at the person on the ground, his disappointment palpable. Gritting his teeth, he said, "As a First Rank Great General, you are less calm and composed than a Second Rank Cavalry General. You have utterly disgraced me. Get out!"
This was the same man he had personally promoted. Not long ago, he had even told Fan Zehao to learn from Fang Jingchen.
But now, within days, he had been thoroughly proven wrong. Huangfu Jintao's chest ached with anger.
"Your Majesty, allow me to accompany General Fang. We can look out for each other on the way!"
Huangfu Jintao nodded and waved them away. At this moment, he did not wish to say another word.