“Miss Jiang, please follow me.”
Gu Chenzhou’s expression was grim.
Jiang Wan clasped her hands behind her back and smiled, “Deputy General Gu, please call me Deputy General Jiang. Furthermore, we are currently of equal rank, and you have no right to demand anything of me.”
Gu Chenzhou changed his address, “Deputy General Jiang, I have something to discuss with you. May I have a word in private?”
After Jiang Wan had successfully connected the energy bridge, she nodded decisively, “Certainly. Where to?”
Gu Chenzhou said nothing and simply turned to leave.
Er Lang was about to follow, but Gu Chenzhou stopped him, “You cannot come.”
Er Lang was displeased, “Why not? You’re calling my sister away, and I’m worried. You won’t even let me follow?”
Gu Chenzhou relented and allowed him.
The three of them left the military camp and went to the edge of a small grove of trees opposite the main gate.
At this time, only a faint layer of green had begun to sprout in the grove.
Yan Li was also waiting there.
Seeing Jiang Wan approach, Yan Li greeted her with a smile, “Little Wan, a girl changes a lot as she grows. I never expected you to turn out so radiant and beautiful.”
Jiang Wan smiled and thanked him, “Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Er.”
“How are your father and your third uncle doing? It’s been many years since we last met, and I truly miss them.”
“They are doing very well. With my mother around, it’s hard for them to even fall ill. Uncle Er, how have you been all these years? Is your health good? Have you ever been injured on the battlefield?”
Yan Li felt a warmth spread through his heart, “Just minor flesh wounds, like mosquito bites.”
Jiang Wan giggled, “I’ll prepare some medicine for you, Uncle Er. I’ve learned quite a bit of medicine from my mother. Although it’s not as good as hers, it’s definitely much better than what the military doctors have.”
Yan Li didn’t stand on ceremony, “Alright, you can take a look at me later.”
Gu Chenzhou couldn’t listen any longer and interrupted their reunion, “Master, Miss Jiang, we both know the truth about the engagement from back then. Therefore, regardless of your intentions, I still stand by my decision. Since it was a temporary arrangement, it should not be taken seriously.”
Er Lang immediately jumped up, “Gu Chenzhou, what do you mean by that? If the engagement is to be broken, it must be my sister who breaks it! If you dare to break it, I’ll break your legs!”
Gu Chenzhou let out a cold snort, “You’ll have to beat me first.”
Provoked, Er Lang immediately lunged forward, and the two quickly began to fight.
It was clear that Er Lang was no match for Gu Chenzhou.
Jiang Wan was a little worried that Er Lang would be at a disadvantage, but Yan Li stopped her.
“Don’t worry, Chenzhou knows what he’s doing. Little Wan, come here. I have something to ask you.”
Jiang Wan glanced at the two who were fighting intensely, then turned and went aside with Yan Li.
Yan Li asked with a grave expression, “In these past few days, have you noticed anything amiss?”
Jiang Wan raised an eyebrow, “Uncle Er means Brother Chenzhou?”
Yan Li nodded.
Jiang Wan said, “Then the problem is quite serious. I feel like he’s become a bit twisted. What have you all been doing these past few years? How did a perfectly fine person turn into this?”
Before, when he had his episodes, he looked frightening, but when he was well, he was a good child.
Now, even when he wasn’t having an episode, he looked like he had a severe illness. Even a blind person could tell something was wrong.
Yan Li said, “After we left back then, he truly recovered and had no issues at all.”
“Later, three years ago, our plan failed. He was captured by Zhao Jingyun’s men while saving me and endured immense torture. By the time we rescued him, he was completely broken. His face was also disfigured at that time.”
“After his physical wounds healed, he became this cold-blooded and heartless person.”
Jiang Wan silently commented that this child’s psychological resilience was questionable.
However, she imagined that Zhao Jingyun’s methods towards Gu Chenzhou must have been extremely perverse. For Gu Chenzhou to have survived was a testament to his resilience.
“So, when Uncle Er said in the general’s tent earlier that the engagement was real, was it to get me to help him again?”
Yan Li nodded, “Little Wan, I apologize for this matter, but I have no choice. With him like this, I doubt anyone other than you can help him.”
Jiang Wan spread her hands, “But he’s not letting me get close to him now. I’m afraid I’m unable to help.”
Yan Li’s eyes pleaded, “Wan Wan, Uncle Er begs you, please find a way. Chenzhou is the only bloodline of the Gu family. Seeing him like this truly troubles me.”
Jiang Wan still had some affection for Gu Chenzhou and couldn’t bear to see him in such a state, so she nodded, “After we finish the main business, we can deal with him. We’re busy with the war now and can’t attend to his condition. Once the fighting is over, I’ll find a way to treat him.”
She couldn’t even get close to Gu Chenzhou now. Forcing herself near him would be seeking unnecessary trouble.
Therefore, it was better to handle the main business first. Perhaps over time, Gu Chenzhou would be less resistant to her, and treating his illness would be much smoother.
Yan Li’s expression softened, “You’re right. We’ll wait then. There’s no rush for a day or two.”
After they finished their conversation, the fight between the two had also reached a conclusion.
Without any surprise, Er Lang lost again.
But Er Lang was quite happy. He had lasted longer under Gu Chenzhou’s hands, which meant he had improved.
Gu Chenzhou strode towards Jiang Wan. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Wan raised her hand to stop him.
“Don’t bring up the invalidity of the engagement again. What’s the use of telling me now? Can the people in the small mountain village hear you? Everyone knows I’m engaged to you. If you truly want to break off the engagement, then take some time to return to the small mountain village with me and break off the engagement in front of everyone. This way, it won’t hinder me from finding another good match. Otherwise, with this ambiguity, how will people look at me?”
Gu Chenzhou was speechless and could only say, “I can return to the small mountain village with you to resolve this matter, but from now on, you’d best stay away from me!”
Jiang Wan smiled and nodded, “Alright.”
Anyway, she could now build bridges and steal energy, so not being close wouldn’t affect her much.
It was just that being too far away was less convenient than being close.
Having received his answer, Gu Chenzhou turned and left.
Jiang Wan didn’t pay him any mind. However, after returning to the military camp, Jiang Wan chuckled.
General Han was quite something. He had arranged for her military tent to be placed next to Gu Chenzhou’s, with less than five meters separating them.
General Han came over with a smile, “Little Jiang, are you satisfied with this arrangement? You’re not married yet, so you can’t live together. Arranging you here makes it convenient for you to speak with him in the future.”
Jiang Wan was almost laughing her head off. She never expected the burly General Han to have the heart of a matchmaker.
This arrangement was exactly what she wanted, so Jiang Wan thanked him with a smile.
Upon learning of this arrangement, Gu Chenzhou’s expression became even more displeased.
But knowing it was General Han’s decision, he didn’t say anything. However, when facing Jiang Wan, he treated her as if they were strangers.
Jiang Wan didn’t care. She continued to steal energy as usual, which didn’t hinder anything.