Xiao Ao found it strange.
It wasn’t like Huo Ci had never seen Yun Chunfeng before, so why did he look so utterly stunned?
And the little girl in his arms, clinging to the edge of his armor, was staring with wide, unblinking eyes.
Is he really that good-looking? Better than me, the Emperor?
Before Xiao Ao’s expression could darken, Yun Chunfeng spoke calmly, “General Huo is indeed devoted to the nation, a true model for all of us.
“However, Beiluo’s current audacity, disregarding the five-year treaty and acting so early, suggests they feel they have powerful backing.
“Relying on ordinary troop formations and strategies alone would only mean handing our country over to them.”
Having said this, he turned his wheelchair to face Xiao Ao on the dragon throne, nodding slightly in respect. “I hope Your Majesty will permit my unworthy self to accompany them to the military barracks, to offer my meager assistance.”
The implication behind Yun Chunfeng’s words was clear.
If Xizhou had a Grand Preceptor, Beiluo could also rely on practitioners of the mystical arts.
The conflict had now escalated to a contest between Grand Preceptors.
It could no longer be settled by mortal means alone.
Xiao Ao understood this perfectly. After a moment’s hesitation, he granted permission.
“Approved.”
“Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years.”
The eyes of the civil and military officials nearly popped out of their heads.
These two were like fire and water. Exchanging open and covert attacks in court was one thing, but going to the barracks together? Wouldn’t that turn the world upside down?
If one wanted to go east and the other west, how would the soldiers cope?
After the court session ended, everyone watched with peculiar expressions as Yun Chunfeng, pushed by a young novice, walked side-by-side with “Huo Ci.”
Jiang Xingyan was still immersed in the shock of realizing the person before her strongly resembled a childhood playmate.
Although the memory of that white-haired little brother was blurry, the moment she saw Yun Chunfeng, she was utterly certain—it was him.
But she didn’t dare acknowledge him.
Not only was she currently in Huo Ci’s body, but even if she were herself, she wouldn’t dare.
After all, he was now the Grand Preceptor, second only to the Emperor. Why would he want to recall a childhood spent as a servant and playmate?
He must surely want to avoid those memories altogether.
Yet, the once richest merchant in Jiangnan had now fallen into decline, with a dwindling family, bullied and suppressed by a mere secondary wife.
Jiang Xingyan couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.
So, his official name was Yun Chunfeng.
In the past, her grandfather had only called him Little Yun.
She remained silent, and Yun Chunfeng also said nothing.
The two of them walked slowly side-by-side all the way to the Taihe Gate, astonishing Xin Zhui, whose jaw nearly dropped.
“General! How can you walk with this… this charlatan! It sullies your status!”
Jiang Xingyan was utterly exasperated.
So this was why Huo Ci was on bad terms with Yun Chunfeng. The Grand Preceptor was clearly so gentle, kind, and concerned for the people.
It turned out Huo Ci, just like his wonderful mother, held such deep-seated prejudices about social status.
Hadn’t she herself often been sneered at by the Huo family for being a merchant’s daughter?
Thinking of this, Jiang Xingyan felt she and Yun Chunfeng were truly kindred spirits suffering the same plight.
She turned to Xin Zhui, her expression instantly turning cold.
“How dare you! Is this how I usually teach you?
“Disrespectful of etiquette, spouting arrogant nonsense!
“How can you ever achieve great things like this!”
Xin Zhui was baffled by the scolding, unsure why the General was so angry.
He’s the one who always says we shouldn’t blindly believe in supernatural nonsense!
He’s definitely an imposter!
Xin Zhui’s suspicion rose to eighty percent.
Seeing his indignant expression, Jiang Xingyan’s anger flared even higher.
And now you’re the one who’s wronged!
“Get back to the barracks and prepare a tent for the Grand Preceptor.
“Starting tomorrow, the Grand Preceptor will be training the troops with me!”
Xin Zhui became even more defiant. He stiffened his neck and stood his ground. “Why should I! What does he know, coming here to instruct us? I refuse!”
Jiang Xingyan reached out, grabbed his ear, and began dragging him back towards the Taihe Gate.
“Fine! Since you’re so capable, I’ll take you to see the Emperor right now! You can refuse to obey a direct imperial decree in front of His Majesty! Just don’t implicate anyone else!”
Xin Zhui had never experienced anything like this.
The previous General rarely lost his temper truly angeredly. Punishments usually meant military rods—when had he ever dragged someone by the ear?
This was clearly the treatment a mother gave her son, or a henpecked husband received.
Xin Zhui’s suspicion increased another ten percent.
Yun Chunfeng chose that moment to speak. “General Huo, this is Vice General Xin, I presume? I’ve long heard of your reputation.
“He is merely young and, it seems, was never properly taught manners before.
“General Huo, please do not make it difficult for him.”
This only made Jiang Xingyan angrier.
Wasn’t Huo Ci supposed to be so impressive? How could he fail to discipline his own vice general properly!
She had tolerated his usual lack of respect, but how could he be so unruly in front of an important guest?
Jiang Xingyan increased the pressure on his ear.
Xin Zhui yelped in pain and begged for mercy, mentally gritting his teeth and marking a black mark against Yun Chunfeng: You little… daring to subtly insult me! Just you wait!
In the end, Xin Zhui didn’t dare defy the imperial command. Stiff-necked and fuming, he rode back to the barracks.
Jiang Xingyan called for a spacious carriage.
She thoughtfully lifted the curtain for Yun Chunfeng, helped him in, and instructed the driver to secure the plain wheelchair at the front of the carriage.
She carefully helped Xiao Ya into the carriage as well.
“Grand Preceptor, I will take you to the barracks to rest first. Afterwards, I need to take my wife to investigate the various shops. I’m afraid I cannot keep you company.”
Yun Chunfeng lowered his eyes, his expression suddenly becoming pitiful.
“Yes, I should not trouble the General.
However, this unworthy one worries that without the General’s presence, the soldiers at the barracks might not obey.
If they merely say a few words against me, like Vice General Xin, I can endure it.
What I fear most is inciting unrest among the troops. If it reaches the Emperor’s ears, it would cause the General to be punished.
That would truly be this unworthy one’s great fault.”
Jiang Xingyan thought about it; the Grand Preceptor’s concern was indeed valid.
Xin Zhui was just a microcosm of the thousands of soldiers.
Huo Ci’s philosophy of military governance had significant problems.
It’s said that people learn the truth at different times, and skills have specializations.
Looking down on this, looking down on that—why not just say only warfare is noble?
The more Jiang Xingyan thought about it, the angrier she became.
She had truly misjudged Huo Ci before.
She clasped her fist apologetically towards Yun Chunfeng. “It was my lack of consideration. I hope the Grand Preceptor does not blame me.”
A smile returned to Yun Chunfeng’s lips as he politely returned the gesture. “As long as the General does not mind me delaying important matters, how would I dare blame the General?”
Jiang Xingyan sighed inwardly. Little Yun is as gentle as ever.
“A true man born between heaven and earth has no affairs that cannot be spoken of to others.
Moreover, reclaiming my wife’s shops is also for matters of military and state importance. The Grand Preceptor’s accompaniment is certainly not inappropriate.”
Yun Chunfeng nodded again. “The General is most righteous.”
Jiang Xingyan felt rather embarrassed by the praise.
“Not at all, not at all. I must also thank the Grand Preceptor for the gift of medicine. In just two days, my daughter has completely recovered.”
Yun Chunfeng raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Then that medicine was truly fortunate.
Might this unworthy one take her pulse?”
Jiang Xingyan was slightly hesitant but told him the truth. “To be honest, Grand Preceptor, since that day she was frightened, my daughter has refused to let others touch her.
Aside from me and the four maids who care for her closely, she cries if anyone else touches her.
Even when Imperial Physician Sun took her pulse, she pouted the whole time.”
Yun Chunfeng gave a light laugh. “This unworthy one would still like to try.”
He took a piece of candy from his sleeve and placed it on his palm.
His fingers were long and pale, as if carved from mutton-fat jade.
A red candy pill resting in his palm held a peculiar kind of temptation.
It seemed to entice one to lean forward and gently take it with their lips.
Jiang Xingyan unnaturally turned her head away.
She missed the even broader smile that appeared on Yun Chunfeng’s lips.
Xiao Ya, clinging to the armor, looked at the candy offered by the uncle opposite her and sensed his pure fondness.
Her two little hair buns twitched. She simply stood up from Jiang Xingyan’s embrace.
She tilted her round little head and looked for a moment, then reached out her small hand to take the candy.
Unexpectedly, Yun Chunfeng turned his wrist, and his fingers landed on Xiao Ya’s arm instead.
Xiao Ya stared blankly. She didn’t pout, nor did she cry or make a fuss.
Only after Yun Chunfeng removed his fingers and fed her the candy did she slip back into Jiang Xingyan’s embrace.
Leaving only a pair of eyes blinking, looking at Yun Chunfeng.
Jiang Xingyan was both surprised and delighted. “Grand Preceptor! Xiao Ya doesn’t seem to reject you!”
As she spoke, she pulled Xiao Ya out from within the armor.
No matter how small Xiao Ya’s frame was, she was still a two-year-old child.
Being cooped up inside armor all the time was ultimately not good.
It was only because she couldn’t leave Jiang Xingyan that they had resorted to this.
If Xiao Ya didn’t reject Yun Chunfeng, perhaps he could hold her for a while.
It would spare Xiao Ya the hardship of having to follow her, constantly getting on and off the carriage, while she inspected the shops.
“Grand Preceptor, I wonder if I might ask you to hold Xiao Ya for a moment?”
Yun Chunfeng lowered his head and eyes. “It would be my honor.”
Jiang Xingyan tentatively passed Xiao Ya into Yun Chunfeng’s arms.
Xiao Ya looked back at her mother puzzled, then at the uncle in front of her, showed no reaction, and obediently ate her candy.
Even after her little bottom settled on Yun Chunfeng’s thigh, Xiao Ya still didn’t cry.
After finishing the candy, she even looked back at him, as if asking if there was more.
Yun Chunfeng smiled and gave her another piece.
Jiang Xingyan was almost excited enough to shout.
Little Yun was actually the first stranger Xiao Ya allowed to hold her!
As expected of Xiao Ya, she can really tell who is one of us!
Just as Huo Ci lifted the carriage curtain, this was the scene that met his eyes.
Jiang Xingyan gazing at Yun Chunfeng with utmost admiration.
Xiao Ya playing obediently in his arms.
Huo Ci was shocked and furious: What is this situation?!