Great Liang, Gusu.
The autumn wind whistled mournfully, and the rain pattered down, scattering pear blossoms across the small courtyard paved with bluestone.
Dantai Ye, clad in dark robes, stood amidst the misty rain, his posture tall and straight.
Yet, he seemed unaffected by the chill. His handsome face was devoid of any expression.
Only his deep, dark phoenix eyes were fixed on the closed door, a chilling glint rolling within their depths.
Under the covered walkway, Lan Muyan leaned against a red pillar, watching the man in the courtyard. He curled his lips slightly.
Serves him right!
Let him lie and deceive others.
After the battle at the Sacred Pagoda, when his elder sister was captured, he had secretly snuck off to the Southern Xinjiang to rescue her, but he couldn't even enter the royal capital.
Later, after searching everywhere, he finally found traces of them.
Both had suffered severe injuries and were rescued by an old man, surviving only after several months in a mountain valley.
Upon finding them, and while Dantai Ye was still unconscious from his severe injuries, he secretly took his sister away, returning to Gusu.
But who would have known that this scoundrel would soon follow?
His elder sister refused to see him, so this shameless man pretended to be blind and lingered there for several months.
If he hadn't seen him secretly cooking in the kitchen, his sister would have been deceived by him for who knows how much longer.
Hmph.
Let him stand in the rain, preferably all night.
He turned and left.
Inside the house, it was tranquil and elegant. The light filtering through the bamboo window illuminated Lan Murou’s face.
She watched the man standing in the rain, her beautiful face showing no change in expression.
After a moment, she took out an oiled paper umbrella and, holding her skirt, slowly stepped out.
Dantai Ye heard the sound and saw her approaching figure. He strode forward and pulled her into his arms.
“Rou'er.”
Lan Murou was held tightly by his strong embrace, the umbrella falling from her hands.
She struggled and spoke in a low voice.
“Since the General is unharmed, please leave.”
The injuries they had sustained then were too severe, leaving them with lingering ailments. If he were to stand in the rain all night, he wouldn’t be able to bear it.
Dantai Ye held her even tighter.
“Rou'er, the night we fell into the river, there was an unprecedented heavy snowfall in Southern Xinjiang. You said that when the border snow reached Southern Xinjiang, you would forgive me.”
He buried his face in her soft neck, his voice hoarse.
“You forgive me, you can’t leave me.”
Hearing his words, Lan Murou’s heart ached, and she couldn't help but recall the past.
She glanced at his head of white hair. The dense pain coiled and twisted, reaching her heart, causing her entire body to ache.
The bone-piercing pain was over. She had forgiven him, but that didn't mean she wanted him back.
He was part of the Dantai family, the Grand General of Zhenxi of Great Liang. The gap between them was like heaven and earth. She only wanted to stay in Gusu for the rest of her life, while he was destined to return to Shangjing.
“Your parents are still at the villa. You should return soon.”
After speaking, she pried his hands apart and turned to leave.
Dantai Ye refused to let go. He carried her to the covered walkway, cupped her slender, fair, and delicate face in his hands, and spoke.
“I will stay with you in Gusu. We will never return to Shangjing.”
The slightly cool wind mixed with rain drifted into the corridor, drenching them both.
She, in her white robes, her sleeves fluttering, her gentle eyes looked at him, trembling slightly.
Dantai Ye held her tightly and whispered.
“I know you dislike Shangjing. I will not force you back anymore. Wherever you wish to be, I will accompany you.”
Lan Murou knew his temperament well. She paused, remained silent, and quietly returned to her room.
Dantai Ye did not seek out further rejection. He leaned against the wall behind him, lazily rubbing his forehead.
He had been faking it for so long, and it was all exposed.
That brat, daring to play tricks on him.
A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. Then, he noticed the light in the room was extinguished, and a trace of concern flickered in his heart.
Outside, the rain fell with a rustling sound. In the alleyway, several men in oilcloth cloaks waited under the dim lamplight. Upon seeing a figure leap over the wall, they immediately stepped forward respectfully to greet him.
“General.”
Dantai Ye walked under the eaves, his deep, sharp eyes looking at Qing Feng.
“Which army was Lan Muyan following?”
“The Western Policy Army.”
His brows were deep, and he said coldly, “Who allowed him to run off privately? Is there no one to control him?”
Qing Feng paused, lowering his head.
In the army, everyone knew that Lan Muyan was their general’s brother-in-law. Who would dare to truly discipline him?
He couldn’t help but secretly wonder if that brat had caused trouble for the general, and the general wanted to drive him away.
As the thought crossed his mind, he immediately spoke.
“This subordinate will notify General Liu to have him return to the army camp.”
Dantai Ye remained silent, a subtle sharpness in his gaze.
After a while, he finally said, “He has been in the army for over a year. He has been tempered enough. Notify him to return to the capital to report, and arrange a position for him in the capital.”
“What position would be appropriate to arrange for him?”
If the general didn't speak, others wouldn't dare to make arrangements casually.
“Let him start as a Zhonglang Jiang in the Left Army’s Prefecture.”
So high?
Qing Feng gasped inwardly. Those who came from the army, even those who had rendered meritorious service, were not immediately appointed to positions in the Left Army’s Prefecture.
“Hmm?”
His eyes, like obsidian, glanced at him, emitting a cold, faint light.
Qing Feng was startled and immediately replied respectfully, “This subordinate will handle it immediately.”
Lan Muyan was momentarily stunned when he received the military order.
He quickly realized that it must have been that scoundrel who secretly issued the order, driving him away to bully his sister.
He angrily punched the pillar in frustration and cursed vehemently.
But he could not disobey the military order; it was the duty of a soldier.
In the past, he had dreamed of rendering military service, achieving success, becoming an official of the court, so that his elder sister would no longer suffer the bullying of those people, and could stand openly by Dantai Ye’s side, no longer burdened by status.
But later, he discovered that even if he obtained official recognition and successfully entered the army to render meritorious service, everyone in the army would only respect him because of Dantai Ye. The noble families in Shangjing still looked down upon officials from humble backgrounds, and the concept of class and lineage was deeply entrenched.
He couldn't help but sigh deeply, thinking of his sister in the kitchen, and he ran towards her.
“Sister.”
“Sis—”
Lan Murou heard his voice from afar and quickly looked up.
Dantai Ye, who was helping her, frowned in annoyance. That little brat who hadn’t grown any feathers, always pestering his sister, was shameless.
“Rou'er, I don’t know how to roll the dough. Teach me.”
As soon as Lan Muyan entered, he saw that scoundrel taking advantage of his sister again. He rolled his eyes.
Always competing with him for his sister’s attention.
Immature.
“Sister, I received an order from above telling me to rush back to the army, saying that I have to return to the capital.”
Lan Murou’s chopping hand paused, and she said joyfully, “You can still go to the army?”
A Yan had always wanted to join the army since he was young. He loved wielding swords and spears. This time, he had been accompanying her at home; she thought he had been discharged from the army.
“Yes, General Liu said to hurry back to the army camp.”
Lan Murou frowned, “Did you sneak out?”
Lan Muyan’s heart tightened, and he remained silent.
Unexpectedly, Dantai Ye directly exposed him.
“He indeed snuck out.”
“---”
Lan Muyan gritted his teeth, “At worst, I’ll go back and get flogged.”
“Deserting the army privately is not just about being flogged; severe cases are punishable by hanging.”
“Ah—”
Lan Murou was horrified and couldn't help but look at Dantai Ye, who had spoken.
Dantai Ye, who had initially intended to watch the show and scare the brat, saw that the young woman he cherished had been frightened. He quickly put his arm around her waist and changed his tune.
“He’s fine. He left openly to attend our wedding.”