The Road to Glory

Chapter 145: "What Makes You Think I'd Let..."

Wei Ang, standing nearby, felt his eyelids twitching nervously and quickly glanced toward Xiao Li.

Before coming, he had repeatedly emphasized that their purpose was to bring this physician who specialized in treating women's ailments to examine Wen Yu and ensure her pregnancy was secure. Who would have thought Wei Pingjin would immediately adopt the tone of interrogating a criminal?

Wasn't this blatantly revealing their true intentions to Xiao Li?

He hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand and coughed twice, attempting to smooth things over: "Last night, this humble general did see the rash on Madam's face. It truly isn't suitable to be shown publicly. It's only natural for Madam to wish to conceal it somewhat."

"The young master is likely just curious. Perhaps... Madam could remove her veil to let the young master have a look?"

Wen Yu seemed to hesitate for a moment, her eyes sweeping over the people present with a touch of sorrow and timidity. Understanding that she was now a prisoner who could only endure bullying, she finally raised her hand to remove the veil. Yet she didn't lift her head to face them, instead keeping it slightly tilted downward in a restrained manner. With her equally rash-covered hand maintaining the motion of removing the veil, she pitifully attempted to cover herself somewhat.

The entire display was one of tragic vulnerability, as if a virtuous woman were being forced into prostitution.

Wei Ang, watching this, suddenly felt his face burn with shame. Even though they suspected her identity, the situation had become strangely awkward, making it seem like several grown men were bullying a helpless woman.

The two maids attending nearby were peasant women who had never served in wealthy households and weren't familiar with sophisticated etiquette. Though they dared not speak out due to fear of their superiors' status, the condemnation and disdain in their eyes were unmistakable.

Wei Ang quickly coughed dryly twice more and said to Wei Pingjin, "Young master, since you've seen enough, shall we let Madam put her veil back on?"

Wei Pingjin had lived at the Northern Border with Wei Qishan since birth and had never been to Luodu, so he naturally had never seen Wen Yu before.

He had initially become suspicious when he saw her veiled face, but now that he understood she was merely covering up due to a woman's embarrassment about facial rashes, and seeing her forced into such a pitiful state, he felt uncomfortable himself and could only say, "Alright, alright, put it back on."

Only then did Wen Yu readjust her veil.

The physician finally sat on the stool by the bedside, closing his eyes to focus as he took her pulse.

Wei Pingjin seemed more anxious than anyone present. The moment the physician opened his eyes, he asked, "Well?"

The physician bowed slightly and said, "Madam has suffered fright and has a weak constitution, coupled with depressed chest energy, which has made the pregnancy pulse somewhat faint and slippery. She needs several doses of miscarriage-prevention medicine taken internally, along with proper rest."

This diagnosis was quite similar to what Doctor Tao had previously determined. Wei Ang knew their true purpose for this visit must have been exposed to Xiao Li. However, those in positions of power were most adept at pretending ignorance while fully aware. For now, he just cheerfully instructed someone to lead the physician away to prepare the prescription.

Wei Pingjin lacked such tact. His face immediately darkened with clear disappointment, as if he hadn't expected Wen Yu to actually be pregnant.

Xiao Li, having watched their entire performance, lazily lowered his eyelids and said, "Since the physician has finished the examination, and I have military affairs to attend to, I won't keep you company any longer."

He turned and strode toward the tent's exit.Wei Pingjin felt as if he had been slapped across the face, his heart seething with indignation, yet with no outlet to vent his fury. For the second purpose of his visit, he had no choice but to suppress his anger and call out, "Governor Xiao, please wait."

Xiao Li halted but did not turn around, merely casting a sidelong glance.

Wei Pingjin immediately felt slighted again, the resentment on his face barely contained.

Wei Ang, who had just sent the physician away, hurriedly interjected, "It's like this—last night, the young master's wet nurse heard about the matter. Fearing that the harsh conditions in the army and the lack of servants experienced in caring for pregnant women would be detrimental to Lady Jiang's pregnancy, she suggested that since the young master owns a Secluded Courtyard in the city, why not move Lady Jiang there for her to care for? This would also help share your burden, Governor."

Xiao Li glanced sideways at the two and said only, "She will remain in my camp. When the Southern Chen envoy arrives to negotiate terms with the Marquis and comes to fetch her, I will personally escort her out."

Wei Pingjin finally lost his temper and snapped, "Don't use my father to pressure me! Even if this matter were reported to him, I would still be justified in taking Jiang Yu, this concubine, away!"

Xiao Li's voice was cold and deep, "If the Second Young Master is confident that the forces of Chen and Liang Camps won't abduct this woman as they did with the Yang family, by all means, take her away."

"You!" Wei Pingjin was enraged and stepped forward, but Wei Ang pulled him back. Knowing they had already offended Xiao Li and must not escalate the conflict, Wei Ang quickly said, "Governor Xiao speaks wisely. The Liang Camp forces are elusive, and with the recent influx of small righteous armies seeking refuge, it's truly difficult to guard against them. Keeping her in the army is the safest option."

Hearing this, Wei Pingjin knew it was impossible to take the woman away today. Feeling his pride wounded, he flung his sleeve in fury and stormed out.

Wei Ang, ashamed, clasped his hands and bowed to Xiao Li, "The Second Young Master is immature. I apologize on his behalf, Governor."

With that, he hastily lifted the tent flap and hurried after him.

The charcoal in the brazier was nearly extinguished. Wen Yu sent one of the women to fetch more charcoal and another to check on her decoction. Once only she and Xiao Li remained in the tent, she stood and bowed to him, saying, "Thank you."

Xiao Li half-turned, a faint sneer in his tone, "Why does the Princess think I did this to help you?"

Wen Yu was taken aback.

Xiao Li looked at her calmly, "I have risked my life multiple times to save you, Princess, yet for the sake of power, you could order my death."

He laughed, whether self-mocking or with a hint of sarcasm, his eyes dark and heavy as they fixed on her, "Wen Yu, do you think the accounts in this world are so easily settled? What makes you think I would let you off?"

As he uttered the last sentence, his penetrating gaze seemed to pierce straight through her.

Wen Yu was startled by his expression and momentarily speechless. Only when he turned to leave again did she demand, "What do you mean?"

Xiao Li stood with his back to her, his figure as straight and imposing as a mountain, "Exactly what you think."

Wen Yu retorted sharply, "If the ministers of the Liang and Chen Camps do not see me, they will never cease hostilities with Northern Wei! Wei Qishan has treated you well. Are you certain this is how you repay his trust?"Xiao Li spoke with chilling calm: "The Liang and Chen camps are demanding a concubine whom Jiang Yu took in midway. Even if I detain her, in light of the twenty thousand Northern Wei soldiers slaughtered by the Ma family of Liang, what face would they have to challenge Northern Wei over a mere concubine?"

Wen Yu was both shocked and enraged, her features hardening: "You cannot possibly imprison me forever!"

Xiao Li countered: "Why not?"

After uttering those words, he turned to leave but paused abruptly, adding without looking back: "Don’t misunderstand—I don’t lack women. It’s just that I never forget a grievance. I must slowly repay the debt from that arrow you shot, Your Highness."

Wen Yu, still reeling from his earlier words, steadied herself against a nearby stand. Seeing him depart, she ignored his final remark and urgently called out: "Our personal grudges can be settled later. Can you tell me whether Zhao Bai and Tong Que still live?"

Xiao Li didn’t turn back, his voice tinged with faint mockery: "I thought Your Highness would first inquire about how Jiang Yu’s corpse has been disposed of."

Having endured too many shocks in half a day, Wen Yu lacked the energy to ponder why he mentioned Jiang Yu. Yet recalling Jiang Yu’s meaningful glance when he leaped from his horse and his later severed, bloody head, her heart sank with sudden suffocating weight.

Exhaustion overwhelmed her, stripping away even the strength to argue further. She said wearily: "State your terms to Southern Chen. Sew Jiang Yu’s body back together, prepare a coffin, and bury him properly."

Xiao Li fell silent for a breath before letting out a cold laugh: "Southern Chen massacred twenty thousand of our Northern Wei warriors. Now that a son of the Jiang clan has fallen into our hands, our ten thousand soldiers would likely only wish to whip his corpse for vengeance!"

With that, he swept the tent flap aside and strode out.

The curtain swayed violently from the force of his departure.

Wen Yu’s eyes burned with anger, but she could only watch him disappear into the distance.

—Two elite warriors guarded the entrance; she could not leave freely.

After leaving the tent, Xiao Li walked alone into the bitter wind without his guards. Reaching the flagpole, he slammed a fist against the bowl-thick wooden post, closed his eyes, and breathed heavily, his entire being radiating the simmering ashes of an erupted volcano.

Initially, he had believed her pregnancy was a ruse—

A deception meant to fool Northern Wei.

He knew her nature: when subordinates risked their lives for her, she would desperately protect them in return. She had shielded Tong Que in Tongzhou this way, and later, she had even protected him from the Hawk Hounds.

Thus, her desperate struggle to reclaim Jiang Yu’s head came as no surprise.

But he never imagined she was truly with child.

Why then would she risk everything for a dead man’s head?

Did that man mean more to her than the child in her womb?

How did the ministers of Liang and Chen permit her northward journey?

Recalling how her expression had crumpled at the mere mention of Jiang Yu, Xiao Li felt a nameless fire ignite in his chest, burning through him until his very organs ached with smoldering pain.The faint stinging in his five fingers, scraped from that forceful punch against the wooden stake, went entirely unnoticed by Xiao Li. He stood silently with his hand pressed against the post for several breaths, and when he lifted his gaze again, his eyes had regained their calm.

It didn't matter anymore.

Who occupied her heart, whose child she carried—none of it mattered anymore.

He had caught her.

"Governor!"

An urgent call came from behind.

Xiao Li turned to see Zhang Huai striding quickly toward him, presenting a freshly delivered urgent report from the camp: "The barbarians have made a move. The Second Border Camp north of Yanle Mountain was raided last night. General Yuan Fang just led troops there this morning."

Xiao Li unfolded the dispatch, his brow furrowing at Zhang Huai's words. "The barbarians aren't foolish enough to remain stationed at the Second Border Camp waiting for our main force to come and deal with them."

After quickly scanning the report, his expression grew even colder. He slapped the document against Zhang Huai's chest and strode back toward camp. "Gather all officers for a meeting in the central military tent."

Zhang Huai accepted the dispatch but didn't immediately follow Xiao Li. Instead, he glanced back with slight confusion at the bloodstained fist mark on the wooden stake.

In the infirmary tent, Zheng Hu sat in a reclining chair with a cloth draped over his forehead, while a row of medicine pots bubbled and simmered nearby.

He sighed miserably. "Marching through the snow night before last soaked my trousers halfway up. Yesterday I was too dizzy and feverish to get up, but today I still had to come to you, Doctor Tao, for some medicine."

He removed the cloth from his forehead and handed it to Tao Kui, who was helping Doctor Tao tend the fires. "Brother A Niu, this cloth has gone cold. Could you soak it in hot water again for your Brother Hu?"

Tao Kui sat on a wooden stool like a small mountain. Having grown up helping Doctor Tao and his wife with herbal medicines, he appeared simple and clumsy but was actually quite adept at delicate tasks like brewing medicines and preparing herbs.

Upon hearing Zheng Hu's request, he took the cloth, picked up the hot water kettle from the stove, poured some steaming water into a wooden basin, added a small dipper of cold water to temper the heat, then soaked the cloth before wringing it out and returning it.

As the warm cloth was reapplied to his forehead, Zheng Hu sighed in comfort.

Doctor Tao, who was changing dressings for wounded soldiers nearby, estimated the time and called to Tao Kui, "A Niu, the cold medicine in the third pot should be about ready. Pour a bowl for General Zheng."

Tao Kui responded with an "Oh," then using the cloth to protect his hands from the hot handle, lifted the medicine pot and poured out a bowl of dark brown liquid.

Zheng Hu must have been truly suffering from this cold. He took the bowl and, without waiting for the medicine to cool, blew on it while gulping it down. After finishing, he exhaled loudly. "I heard yesterday that you'd run out of cold medicine, Doctor Tao. Never thought I'd manage to get a bowl today."

Doctor Tao said, "The Governor went to a nearby town in the snow last night to purchase more."

Zheng Hu chuckled happily. "No wonder I feel so much better after drinking this medicine—it was personally bought by Second Brother!"

Doctor Tao didn't respond to this comment, instead smelling the air and saying, "A Niu, the miscarriage prevention medicine is ready. Take it to the woman waiting outside."

Hearing this, Zheng Hu set his bowl on the table, reapplied the cloth to his forehead, and leaned back in the recliner while making conversation with Doctor Tao. "I didn't go along yesterday, so I didn't get to see what Jiang Yu's concubine looks like. But I heard she broke out in rashes as soon as she was brought back. She's not carrying some disease, is she?"Doctor Tao replied, "Hives, not a serious illness."

Zheng Hu grumbled, "Another case of hives? My second brother's household used to have a maidservant who also developed hives all over her face. To this day I don't know what she actually looked like. Later, when many misfortunes befell my second brother's family, no one knew what became of that maid..."

As he was speaking, he noticed Tao Kui finishing the preparation of the prenatal medicine and taking out a small dish and a paper package. Tao Kui picked two pieces of preserved fruit from the package and placed them on the dish. Zheng Hu exclaimed, "Oh!" and reached out his hand, "Oh, when did you buy these preserved fruits?"

Tao Kui mercilessly blocked his hand from taking the preserved fruits. Being slow with words, he struggled for a long time before finally managing to say, "The Governor said they're for that... sister."

After saying this, he himself seemed displeased. He carried the tray with the medicine bowl and preserved fruits out to the maidservant waiting outside, then returned and huddled behind the medicine stove, picking up a small stick to sullenly draw circles on the ground.

Surprisingly, Zheng Hu understood what was bothering the simple-minded lad and chuckled, "Still thinking about that big sister of yours?"

Tao Kui turned to face another direction, ignoring him.

After teasing him, Zheng Hu seemed to suddenly realize something. He abruptly removed the cloth from his forehead and sat up: "Hey... wait, you said the preserved fruits were bought by Second Brother?"

The more he thought about it, the more his expression turned to one of utter shock: "Second Brother went to buy medicine, but why would he buy preserved fruits for Jiang Yu's concubine?"

"No, I mean, where did he buy preserved fruits in the middle of the night? Did he break down the door of the pharmacy and then break into a fruit and pastry shop too?"

Seeing that Zheng Hu also seemed quite upset, Tao Kui worried he might anger him further. After some thought, he decided not to mention that the two maidservants attending to the woman were also found by Xiao Li, who had knocked on farmers' doors in the middle of the night.

But Zheng Hu grew more restless the more he pondered. Others might not understand Xiao Li's temperament, but he and Song Qin had been brothers with Xiao Li for many years.

Aside from his mother and those godmothers, when had Xiao Li ever shown such concern for anyone else?

Zheng Hu tossed aside the cloth and jumped up in a frantic rush to leave: "This won't do, I need to go see what kind of seductive vixen Jiang Yu's concubine is!"

Doctor Tao, who had been busy all along, saw this and feared he might cause trouble. He finally spoke up to stop him: "Come back!"

Fortunately, there were no wounded soldiers around at the moment. Doctor Tao glanced around and, seeing no one else nearby, lowered his voice and said, "That's your Governor's former lover."

Zheng Hu was completely baffled, bewilderedly asking, "How come I didn't know my Second Brother ever had a former lover?"

After his initial confusion, another thought occurred to him. Zheng Hu's eyes immediately reddened with anger, on the verge of tears: "No... this is just... so my Second Brother's former lover from who knows when was kidnapped by that Jiang from Chen Camp, and now she's been found back pregnant with the other man's child?"

Author's Note: Zheng Hu (crying like a fierce tiger): So tragic, my Second Brother is just too tragic...