Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Topic of Chang Geng

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While an earth-shattering conspiracy was unfolding, over here, Kaeming had left the general’s residence and was walking along the road outside the mansion. Daiyin, that woman—she infuriated Kaeming beyond words. Normally, she endured her foul temper because of her high rank, but now that Daiyin had been stripped of her office, she was still so domineering, especially when it came to matters involving children. It was simply unbearable.

Cursing would be the least of it—if they truly tore into each other, it would turn into a public scandal. Forget it. She might as well gather her own gold and buy a house to live in by herself. After all, she had money and a job; she wasn’t afraid of not being able to support herself. Even if her job was still uncertain and in the hands of Daiyin’s lover.

But she had gold! Opening a shop in the imperial capital couldn’t be that expensive, could it? How much could an ingot of gold buy? She hadn’t bought much here and wasn’t sure of the prices, but with a thousand taels of gold, who wouldn’t be impressed? Hmph!

Lost in these calculations and gloating, she suddenly bumped headlong into something soft, startling her.

“What are you doing!” a loud, amused voice rang out, unable to hide its laughter. “What could you be thinking about so deeply?”

She looked up, and there he was—standing before her with a mischievous grin, chest puffed out. Was it not Chang Geng, who had been missing for days?

“Why are you here?” she asked, surprised and delighted, grabbing him and looking him up and down.

Chang Geng was embarrassed under her scrutiny, awkwardly muttering, “What’s with you? Never seen a man before?”

“Not you, at least!” she laughed. “Actually, I wanted to ask you—when I called for you a few days ago, why did you run off faster than a rabbit?”

Chang Geng’s face immediately flushed, and he was at a loss for words.

Kaeming chuckled, examining his face closely. Sure enough, though the swelling around his eyes had gone down, there were still faint bruises. Xuan’s punches were as heavy as ever.

Suddenly, a head popped out from behind Chang Geng, startling Kaeming. The newcomer grinned wickedly. “Old friends catching up—don’t forget about me!”

Kaeming looked closely and was overjoyed once more. “Gouzi!”

Gouzi jumped out from behind Chang Geng, laughing mischievously. She unceremoniously hooked her arm around his neck, squeezing until his tongue lolled out as he gasped, “You’re killing me—let me go!”

“How did you two get here? Did you come especially to see me?” She wouldn’t let go, one arm around Gouzi’s neck and the other looped through Chang Geng’s arm, laughing. “Coming to see me empty-handed? How rude!”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself,” Chang Geng retorted with a smirk. “It’s not like we came here just for you. We just happened to have some business and passed by the general’s residence.”

“But, commander, that’s not right!” Gouzi protested, uncooperative. “Just now, you were talking about wanting to see Kaeming. We don’t have any errands to run!”

Chang Geng shot him a glare. “Are you doubting your commander? If I say we have business, then we do!”

Gouzi fell silent under his superior’s stern look.

Kaeming understood perfectly. Smiling, she said, “Since Commander Chang Geng has work to do, I won’t hold you up. Safe travels.” She released them and started off by herself.

Chang Geng called after her, “Our business isn’t urgent. Where are you headed?”

“Me?” She grinned mischievously. “Going for a drink.”

“No way!” Chang Geng strode over, standing beside her with a protective air. “A woman going out alone is too dangerous. For your safety, we’ll go with you.”

Kaeming smiled at him, knowing he was all tough talk but soft-hearted.

The three of them made their way to the bustling market, chatting and laughing. It was strange; whenever she was with Chunhua and these two, she could completely relax.

They found a tavern and took a seat. Chang Geng studied her closely. “You look well enough. You must be fine now, right?”

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“What could be wrong with me?” she giggled, feigning ignorance. “My life isn’t worth much anyway.”

Chang Geng glared at her, and she met his eyes. “But you, your injuries aren’t completely healed, are they?”

Before Chang Geng could answer, Gouzi jumped in, “The army doctor said he still needs rest—no anger, no fighting.”

Kaeming laughed, “Those are two things our Commander Chang Geng will find very hard to do.”

Chang Geng tried to put on a stern face, but just then, a dish of salted peanuts arrived. Kaeming quickly shelled one and popped it into his mouth, shattering his leaderly façade.

Chang Geng, caught off guard by her gesture, failed to look stern and ended up looking rather silly instead.

Kaeming teased, “Commander Chang Geng, you’re too tense. Relax, we’re all friends here.”

Suddenly, Chang Geng’s face flushed, the color spreading swiftly through his brown skin. Gouzi, curious, leaned over. “Commander, your skin looks even darker!”

“Get lost!” Chang Geng snapped, both embarrassed and annoyed. “Mind your own business!”

Gouzi, used to such scoldings, merely shelled more peanuts and popped them in his mouth.

Just then, the food and wine arrived, conveniently changing the subject. The three poured drinks and started eating.

“Have you heard?” Gouzi said mysteriously to the other two, “Big news about the general’s residence is spreading like wildfire.”

“What about the general’s residence?” Kaeming asked. Besides the assassin, what else could it be?

“An illegitimate child!” Gouzi lowered his voice further. “They say the former emperor has an illegitimate child among the commoners, hidden in the general’s residence!”

“So the whole city knows?” Kaeming thought to herself. Daiyin had been careless, letting this get out. She’d gone to such lengths for Tianliang, even killing for secrecy, and now everything was exposed. How would she clean up this mess?

“It all happened so suddenly,” Chang Geng said, frowning. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

“What doesn’t feel right?”

“I can’t say. It’s as if overnight, someone lifted the lid and all the rumors spilled out. Before, the common folk only whispered about it in secret, but now, they’re discussing it openly.” Chang Geng’s eyes flicked to a nearby table, where diners were gossiping animatedly. “And there are plenty of people fanning the flames.”

Kaeming bit her chopsticks, then suddenly said, “You think someone deliberately spread the news?”

“I can’t be sure,” Chang Geng shook his head, staring at the dishes. “It just seems unnatural.”

She chewed her chopsticks, eyes rolling upward in deep thought. Who stood to gain most from the revelation of Tianliang’s existence to the royal family? Only the Dai family, she supposed.

Dai Yuheng was obviously scheming for the throne—his ambition was growing day by day. But after her conversation with the emperor of Tianjue Palace, she knew he wasn’t easy to deal with either. When the two finally clashed, who would win?

“Kaeming… Kaeming!” Gouzi called her name twice before she snapped out of her reverie.

“What were you thinking about? You looked lost.” He refilled her cup, grinning. “The emperor’s family affairs have nothing to do with us. Come, let’s drink.”

Gouzi had a point. Why worry about other people’s family matters? Since she couldn’t figure out their schemes, she’d just take things one step at a time.

“Kaeming,” Gouzi began hesitantly, “I heard Xuan left?”

“Yes.”

“Was it because of what happened last time?” He watched her expression closely. “Because of our fight?”

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“No,” she replied crisply, waving her hand. “It had nothing to do with you.”

Chang Geng was somewhat relieved, but still uneasy. “What will you do on your own?”

“What else? I’ll support myself!” she laughed heartily. “What, do you think a woman abandoned by her husband should remarry?”

Chang Geng’s expression darkened instantly, looking quite unpleasant. Gouzi, on the other hand, grinned at her without a care in the world.

“Don’t worry about such trivial things!” she said, reaching across the table to pat him on the shoulder in a show of camaraderie. But sitting across from him, she was too far away; her hand swiped the air a couple of times before she awkwardly pulled back.

Chang Geng stifled a laugh, but Gouzi couldn’t help himself and burst out, “Kaeming, why did you get married already? If you hadn’t, I’d be the first to marry you!”

“Easy for you to say!” She winked at him, raising her cup. “I’m divorced now, aren’t I? Why don’t you marry me?”

Gouzi just laughed. “It’s not that I don’t want to—it’s that I don’t dare!”

“Then stop talking nonsense if you won’t marry!” Kaeming retorted.

Gouzi roared with laughter, blurting out, “There are so many people after you—I’d be asking for trouble!” No sooner were the words out than he got smacked on the head, and Chang Geng’s thunderous voice, which they hadn’t heard in ages, exploded. “Enough nonsense! Pour the wine!”

Gouzi hastened to comply, respectfully filling his commander’s cup.

But Kaeming was startled by his words. Was that really how things were? Faces flashed through her mind, one after another, her heart skipping a beat. She quickly massaged her brow to calm herself.

“What’s wrong?” The conversation had quieted, and Chang Geng’s voice drifted to her as if from distant clouds.

She looked up and forced a smile. “Maybe I’m a bit drunk.”

Chang Geng frowned. “Then let’s stop drinking.”

“It’s nothing. Let’s sit a while longer—it’s rare to be out like this.” She forced another smile.

He stared at her for a moment, then turned away. “Stop smiling. You look terrible.”

“Is that so…” She broke out in a cold sweat—he really was blunt.

At that moment, two people stepped through the tavern door, scanning the room before fixing their gaze on the trio and walking straight over.

Kaeming felt a shadow fall over her; two figures had appeared at their table without her noticing. Chang Geng and Gouzi looked at the newcomers, their faces full of surprise and suspicion.

“Commander Chang Geng, enjoying yourself I see!” The newcomer smiled lightly, his gaze flicking over Chang Geng before settling on Kaeming. “So Commander Kaeming is here as well.”

At the sound of this voice, Kaeming’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat. She knew it too well—from that unforgettable chapter of her soldier’s life; sometimes stern, sometimes gentle—their instructor.

She raised her head. The first thing she saw was a pale robe, belted with gleaming silver armor. Looking further up—a familiar sharp chin, mocking thin lips, eyes slanted like a phoenix’s. Was it not Lord Yubin himself?

She wondered why, today, Zhi’s features seemed almost well-proportioned—a strange feeling indeed. She used to despise his harsh looks; could it be that, after surviving a battle, her sense of beauty had changed? What a ridiculous thought.

(To be continued…) Page 3 of 3