In this moment, countless thoughts flashed through Song Qingchao's mind.
Had she been seen in the carriage?
Had the switcheroo been discovered?
Or was someone trying to get rid of her?
Whose person was this Zuo Suiran!!!
In a mere instant, Song Qingchao rapidly searched her mind for this person called "General Zuo"!
She remembered Feng Shaocheng saying that the original garrison commander here was stubborn, but also the only one who dared to charge forward, so even though she wanted to replace him, she still couldn't bear to touch Zuo Suiran.
So it was him!
He was indeed a general with both courage and strategy, but what was he doing here now!!
She couldn't tell if he was friend or foe yet, but she absolutely couldn't lose her composure now.
Song Qingchao forced herself not to look at him, but her entire attention was on Zuo Suiran.
She didn't even hear the officers in front shouting at her.
The officers shouted again, and Song Qingchao finally reacted, quickly handing over her identity plate.
Zuo Suiran, who was walking towards Bai You'an, also stopped instantly and looked over at her.
Song Qingchao wished she could dig a hole and bury herself.
She never expected to have sold herself out.
"Is this Miss Song?"
Zuo Suiran stepped forward, and Song Qingchao had no choice but to brace herself and turn around to reply, "Yes, General."
Zuo Suiran appraised her from head to toe, then looked at Song Qingmu behind her, "And the young master behind you must be this one."
Song Qingmu, having been addressed, returned a polite bow, confirming Zuo Suiran's words.
However, Zuo Suiran's next words made Song Qingchao let out a sigh of relief.
"To be able to reach this place alive is befitting of a descendant of a military family."
Song Qingchao merely smiled without saying anything.
"No matter how noble your status was before, now that you are exiled here, I hope you will abide by the rules here."
This statement was very clear.
Song Qingchao understood it as: no questions about the past, treated equally.
She happily agreed.
Because that was what she wanted too.
She thought the conversation was over, but she didn't expect Zuo Suiran's target to actually be Bai You'an.
Truly "courageous and strategic"...
"May I ask, is this Mr. Bai from the capital?"
Bai You'an calmly replied yes.
"Are you intending to enter Ling Shi Valley?" Zuo Suiran, though burly, did not look like he had "wealthy flesh."
When he frowned, he had the demeanor of a minister offering advice in court.
"Yes," Bai You'an continued to answer.
As the saying goes, sincerity is all-conquering.
Song Qingchao smiled inwardly, seeing Zuo Suiran looking a bit flustered.
This Bai You'an kid has something about him.
Zuo Suiran said with difficulty, "But Ling Shi Valley is a place for convicts to enter; you, who are innocent, cannot enter."
Bai You'an held his fan, "The Grand Princess commanded me to protect Miss Song, so I cannot enter?"
In this weather, if anyone else held a fan, Song Qingchao would have thought them affectedly refined, but with Bai You'an holding it, she found it pleasing to the eye.
"No."
Zuo Suiran immediately rebuffed Bai You'an without any hesitation.
Bai You'an was equally insistent, "Miss Song is frail. If anything happens to her here, it is not something you or I can be responsible for. How then can we account for it to the Princess?"
"There are military doctors responsible for treatment in the valley, and besides, exile is for labor, not for sightseeing."
Bai You'an's "sacred shield" instantly turned cold, "So, General Zuo is determined not to let me enter the valley?"
Zuo Suiran nodded.
Song Qingchao felt a sense of dread seeing Bai You'an's darkened expression.
She knew what Bai You'an was like when he was driven to desperation, and it was best not to reveal her strength upon arrival.
But just as she was about to step forward and appease him,
Zuo Suiran's tone shifted, "However, if Mr. Bai agrees to one thing for me, then I might consider allowing you into the valley."
"What is it?" Although Bai You'an's voice still lacked warmth, his expression was no longer so intimidating.
Zuo Suiran wore a pained expression.
"I presume you can feel the cold of Mobei, and this is not even the coldest season. Every year at this time, the soldiers suffer greatly from frostbite, and countless die from the cold. Yet there are very few physicians, and not a single one who can treat other illnesses. Many people suffering from various ailments cannot even survive one winter..."
"So you want me to stay outside and help diagnose illnesses?"
"Yes," Zuo Suiran smiled, "As expected of Mr. Bai, your heart is truly kind."
Song Qingchao, standing by, gained a new perspective on Zuo Suiran.
This was hardly a reckless general who only knew how to charge forward; he was clearly a cunning smiling fox, and a formidable one at that.
With the matter put in such a way, if Bai You'an refused, it would be ungrateful.
As if he had anticipated everyone's thoughts, Zuo Suiran said, "Mr. Bai, please rest assured. Miss Song is the child of an old friend, and I, as the general, will surely have people in the valley take good care of her. You can also visit her once a week. But if you still do not agree, then do not blame me for being unreasonable."
A classic "courtesy before force."
Looking at Zuo Suiran, Song Qingchao immediately added him to her important list.
This man could only be won over, not offended.
But if he could not stand on her side no matter what, even with her appreciation for talent, she would have to eliminate him.
In fact, Bai You'an had not expected to succeed in entering.
From the moment his identity was revealed at the city gate, he knew this was coming.
The reason he delayed was precisely to get a chance to visit and see Song Qingchao.
And opening a medical clinic had always been his original intention.
He needed a contact point, and this conveniently offered one.
"Can I trust you?" Bai You'an still chose to be cautious.
"Of course!"
Zuo Suiran immediately opened his arms, revealing his general's belly, "I very much welcome Mr. Bai's participation."
Bai You'an gave Song Qingchao a deep look, "In that case, I will trouble General Zuo for her care."
"Rest assured, this is my territory."
Zuo Suiran revealed a somewhat cunning smile, "Even a powerful dragon fears the local serpent, wouldn't you say?"