Xiao Jinyu smiled faintly, gently stroking Chu Chu's stiffened back. "Well done, you've improved... Don't be afraid, I will investigate this thoroughly."
Chu Chu reached up to touch Xiao Jinyu's face, gazing at him with determination. "Wang Ye, wherever you go, I'll follow. This time I won't let you face bullying alone."
"Alright..."
☆、70 Roasted Whole Lamb (Six)
After leaving the Liangzhou post station, the carriage raced forward at great speed. Sitting inside, one could clearly hear the rapid yet orderly clip-clop of hooves. After changing into his official robes, Xiao Jinyu closed his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed, his face extremely pale.
"Wang Ye," Chu Chu watched him quietly for a while before she couldn't help but move closer to him, gently nudging his arm. "Don't be afraid."
Xiao Jinyu's frown deepened as he opened his eyes, meeting her gaze filled with both deep concern and extraordinary resolve. He was momentarily taken aback. "Hmm?"
Chu Chu pressed her lips together and lowered her head. "I know about the Turkic people. Mr. Dong told me... The Turkic people are all tall, hairy giants wrapped in wolf skins. They kill without blinking and will devour people until not even bone fragments remain... Don't be afraid. If you need to meet them, I'll definitely accompany you."
Xiao Jinyu reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, taking the hand she had placed on his arm and bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. This girl was clearly terrified out of her wits, yet she was forcing herself to remain calm to comfort him...
His heart ached with tenderness and warmth as a gentle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Don't worry. While the Turkic people are indeed skilled in warfare, they're still human... General Leng, Leng Yue's father, has been fighting them for years now. Currently, the forces are evenly matched, neither side gaining the upper hand."
"Really?"
"Mhmm..."
"General Leng is truly remarkable!"
"It's General Leng's military leadership that's remarkable..." Xiao Jinyu's expression darkened slightly as he tightened his grip on Chu Chu's hand. "But... Chu Chu, you must remember - in the military camp, besides Jing Yi, Leng Yue, and myself, don't trust anyone. Not even General Leng... Stay close to me and don't wander off. Understand?"
Chu Chu nodded seriously. "I'll stay right by your side, nowhere else."
"Mhmm..."
The carriage stopped at the first checkpoint farthest from the military camp. Xiao Jinyu initially thought they needed to undergo inspection and was about to open the window to give instructions when a familiar voice came from the front of the carriage. "Wang Ye."
Xiao Jinyu frowned. "Come in."
No sooner had he spoken than a flash of red darted into the carriage.
Leng Yue bowed meticulously to Xiao Jinyu before speaking. "Wang Ye, although those Turkic people promised not to mobilize troops before meeting you, my father worries they might resort to treachery. He remains in the camp as a precaution and sent me to escort you."
Xiao Jinyu nodded slightly. "What's the situation in the camp?"
"Because of the recent suicide incident, combined with the temporary ceasefire, things are somewhat chaotic..." Leng Yue lifted her chin, offering a bright smile. "Don't worry, Wang Ye. I'll be a much better guard for you than Jing Yi."
Before Xiao Jinyu could say a few words in Jing Yi's defense, Chu Chu was already nodding in agreement. "That's right! Brother Jing himself admitted he can't fight, he only knows how to run away. He definitely can't compare to you!"
The corners of Leng Yue's mouth quirked upward as she clasped her hands toward Chu Chu. "Imperial Concubine, your judgment is wise!"
"No need to stand on ceremony!"Xiao Jinyu sighed inwardly, subtly pulling Chu Chu back to his side and encircling her. If he let these two continue bonding over shared grievances, he might well become their next target. "Yue'er... have the bodies of those soldiers who committed suicide been properly stored?"
"They're all in a separate tent, with dedicated guards posted."
"Does the army have a coroner?"
"In the past, deaths in the barracks were always battle casualties. We'd just wrap them in straw mats and bury them near the camp. There was never any need for corpse examination or formal burials..." Leng Yue's smile carried a trace of bitterness. "My father treats his soldiers like his own sons. These unexplained deaths have devastated him. He's been grim-faced and short-tempered these past few days. I must ask for Your Highness's understanding."
Xiao Jinyu nodded gently. "You take the reins. When we enter the camp, don't stop—go directly to the tent where the bodies are kept. Chu Chu will conduct the examination... Please ask General Leng to meet me there."
"Yes."
Xiao Jinyu wanted to accompany Chu Chu to examine the bodies, but no matter how much he promised to keep his distance from the corpses, Chu Chu firmly refused. She had initially agreed to let him wait by the tent entrance, but when she stepped out and saw the rising sandstorm, she decided not to even let him leave the carriage.
She pressed him firmly onto the couch and pushed his wheelchair to the farthest corner. Xiao Jinyu found himself caught between amusement and frustration. "Chu Chu... It's improper for me to receive General Leng in this manner..."
Making matters worse, Chu Chu fetched a thick quilt and wrapped him securely from the waist down. She placed a cup of warm water on the low table beside the couch, leaving no room for negotiation. "Mr. Gu said you mustn't catch a chill. That's the rule too."
"This case is very important..."
"You are the most important."
"Just for a little while, it won't matter..."
Chu Chu pouted. "If you listen to me, then I'll listen to you. If you don't listen to me, then I won't listen to you either!"
"Alright, alright... Then let Leng Yue accompany you, is that acceptable?"
"Acceptable!"
Chu Chu hopped down from the carriage and ducked into the tent, where Leng Yue was already waiting.
Watching Chu Chu roll up her sleeves, re-tie her hair into a sleek bun, put on an apron and gloves, transforming into all-business mode, Leng Yue couldn't help remarking, "I know a bit about these things too. Let me assist you."
Chu Chu's eyes widened in surprise. "You know how to examine corpses too?"
She wanted to say that Mr. Dong never mentioned Little Pepper knowing corpse examination, but after thinking better of it, she kept silent. After all, Mr. Dong's stories were just plays—the real person was right here in front of her!
Leng Yue gathered her hair, wearing a proud expression. "I learned it from His Highness before... If I hadn't married that scoundrel Jing Yi and had to move out of Prince An Manor, I definitely would have had the chance to master all of His Highness's corpse examination skills."
Chu Chu stared blankly at Leng Yue, gazing at her strikingly beautiful profile, stealing several glances at her figure—tantalizingly outlined by her form-fitting red martial attire—then guiltily pursed her lips. "You... used to live at His Highness's residence?"
OpenNovel