Chapter 96: Dream of the Room, Art of False Voices

The innkeeper still wore a smile, but his words carried an unconcealed threat; the implication was simple—if Chu Junhan dared to threaten him, he could not guarantee his hand wouldn’t tremble this time...

The little girl narrowed her eyes slightly, full of mischief, yet faced with the stubborn innkeeper, she was utterly helpless. All she could do was glare and grumble, “You’re ruthless! Just wait!”

Chu Junhan strode away, so angry that her steps kicked up the wind.

Once back at the tent, the child flopped into the main seat, arms crossed, lips muttering, “What a useless merchant house, a single report costs so much! Why not just rob people? If I ever meet their boss, don’t blame me for breaking his legs...”

Fang Meng smiled gently, seated across from her, handing over a cup of tea. “My lord, what intelligence do you seek?”

“The grain transport routes.”

Fang Meng rose leisurely, dusted off his clothes. “That’s hardly difficult.”

“What clever plan have you, Brother Junyi?” Chu Junhan slid down from her seat, anticipation bright in her eyes.

Fang Meng cleared his throat, rubbed his neck, and parted his lips. “Brother, my family once resided in Ye City, but alas, the Chu traitors took it. Not only that, they wish to make me their concubine…”

A soft, girlish voice echoed through the camp, tinged with tenderness and helplessness, making anyone who heard it instinctively want to comfort her...

Following the sound, the child almost choked—Fang Meng stood there, robes fluttering, presenting himself as a delicate young maiden!

Fang Meng had anticipated this reaction; he pressed his fingers to his brow, switched back to his usual tone, “My lord, don’t misunderstand, I... I am perfectly normal, I... I like girls myself, I...”

Tang Chen coughed awkwardly. In the whole camp, only he knew Chu Junhan was a girl; Fang Meng’s words were hardly appropriate for a lady.

“All right, all right, Brother Junyi, we understand, truly.” Tang Chen stood, patting Fang Meng’s shoulder, a knowing smile on his lips.

Fang Meng snorted, pushing Tang Chen’s hand away, feigning annoyance. “I sacrifice myself, and you mock me so? Then I won’t go.”

At that, Tang Chen clasped his hands, “Brother Fang Meng, you are a fine gentleman, elegant and noble—like jade among the grass, unmatched in the world, unmatched!”

Chu Junhan covered her mouth to hide her laughter, then cleared her throat, “Brother Fang, what do you plan next?”

Fang Meng frowned, hesitating.

“Brother Junyi, if there’s a problem, speak freely,” Tang Chen once again draped an arm across Fang Meng’s shoulders.

“Tameng, that wretch, knows me well. No matter how I disguise myself, he recognizes me at a glance. That’s why I waited for the day I could escape after purification.”

The camp fell abruptly silent, as if sound itself had vanished.

After a moment, Tang Chen pressed his lips together, sighing helplessly. “Brother Junyi, rest assured. When we break through Liao, you’ll have your chance to slay that dog yourself. Since he knows you, now is not the time for heroics. Don’t take unnecessary risks.”

Chu Junhan’s brow furrowed slightly. Tameng, that villain, was truly unforgivable; a promising young man forced to carry pain and bitter memories.

Everyone in the camp felt angered by Fang Meng’s plight, but Fang Meng himself exhaled a breath and showed a look of release. “It isn’t truly risky, so long as he’s distracted. Victory at Changming is within reach!”

He spoke, and the boy’s flawless white hand pointed towards another road leading to the Liao capital, “All that’s needed is…”