Chapter 17: The Military Camp, Tang Ziyun

“My young lord, that would never do,” Tang Chen said, clasping his fists in front of him, his demeanor humble.

Chu Xiong let out a boisterous “Hey!” and patted Tang Chen’s bent back once more, straightening him up with a hearty laugh. “What’s this ‘never do’ nonsense? I watched you grow up myself. It’s only right for Han’er to call you brother—nothing wrong with that at all! Hahaha!”

Seeing Chu Xiong’s exuberant laughter, Tang Chen found it hard to refuse any further. “Then I shall obey rather than decline. Brother Junhan.”

“Yes, Brother,” came the soft reply.

Tang Chen smiled at the plump little figure before him, his fondness clear. “Brother Junhan, remember my name: Tang Chen, courtesy name Ziyun.”

“Brother Ziyun, Han’er will remember,” Chu Junhan replied in a voice so sweet and gentle that one couldn’t help but be drawn to her.

Chu Xiong laughed again. “That’s more like it!” With that, he took Chu Junhan’s hand and led her into the military camp. “Come, Han’er, let your father show you around the army camp here in Liaozhou.”

Xifeng watched as Chu Xiong ignored her, grinding her teeth in frustration as she plotted how best to teach him a lesson later.

With a broad smile he couldn’t conceal, Chu Xiong led his daughter by the hand. At last, his wish had come true: his daughter was nothing like the frail heiresses of Pingzhou, but strong and spirited.

“Han’er, this is where your father drills his soldiers,” Chu Xiong said, gesturing proudly toward the broad training ground.

“General!”

No sooner had Chu Xiong reached the high platform with Chu Junhan than a thunderous shout rose from the soldiers below.

“Well done, everyone. Keep at it, don’t slack off,” Chu Xiong called out, addressing the sea of soldiers with a presence entirely different from his usual hearty self—now he was every inch the imposing commander.

“Yes, sir!” The resounding reply echoed like thunder.

For Chu Junhan, it was the first time she’d seen her father’s cavalry up close. The deafening shout stirred her blood; she felt as though she belonged nowhere else but here.

Xifeng and Tang Chen, arriving shortly after, both immediately noticed the little girl on the command platform. She seemed to be trembling!

“Han’er…” Xifeng assumed her daughter was frightened. Not daring to delay, she hurried up the platform and scooped Chu Junhan into her arms.

“What are you doing?” Chu Xiong, absorbed in watching the drills, was startled by Xifeng’s sudden intrusion, staring in confusion at her angry face.

“Surnamed Chu, I challenge you to a duel!” Though Xifeng was furious and easily provoked, she held herself back in front of the soldiers, managing only to shout this line after much restraint.

Chu Xiong instantly retreated two steps, watching her warily and forcing a placating grin. “My dear, what’s the need for this? In such bitter cold, you might injure yourself. It’s not wise.”

“It’s precisely because of the cold that we should stretch our muscles a bit!”

After handing Chu Junhan to Tang Chen, Xifeng wasted no time. She clenched her fists and charged at Chu Xiong, forcing him retreat step by step.

Chu Junhan lay quietly in Tang Chen’s arms. It was the first time she’d been held by a young man like this; she could feel his breath and heartbeat, and a wave of shyness overcame her. She struggled to get down.

“Be careful, Junhan. The ground is slippery,” Tang Chen said gently, setting her down.

Swaying a bit, Chu Junhan managed to steady herself, clearing her throat to cover her embarrassment.

Fortunately, she was so small that even as Tang Chen looked down at her, he couldn’t quite see her blushing cheeks.

“Are you feeling cold, Junhan?” Tang Chen asked, crouching to pat her back when she coughed.

“I’m fine, Brother Ziyun,” she answered.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the two fell silent. Even the distant sounds of Chu Xiong and Xifeng’s sparring faded away, as if only the two of them existed in the world.

“Your eyes are so bright, Junhan—like stars in the sky,” Tang Chen finally said after a long pause.