Chapter 15: Forgive Me, Little Brother Xie, but I Must Borrow You This Once

Pang Qingyun, you caused my father and brothers to be exiled, and you scattered the Northwestern Army, forcing them to be merged into other troops, leaving them homeless, hungry, cold, and subjected to constant exclusion and oppression. These are debts you owe the Shen family and the Northwestern Army.

Pang Qingyun, Pang Qingyun—I, Shen Zhao, swear I won’t rest until I take a piece of flesh from you this time.

Shen Zhao’s gaze was unwavering. Her legs squeezed the horse’s belly, “Hyah…”

The wind rushed past her ears, whistling fiercely.

Her robes danced in the wind, transforming into a streak of light and shadow that sped away.

Not until she reached the city gates did Shen Zhao finally slow her pace.

As she entered the city, she encountered Xie Yuheng, who had just left the teahouse, mounted, and was heading out.

But Shen Zhao, deep in thought, didn’t notice Xie Yuheng and brushed right past him.

Xie Yuheng’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Shen Zhao.

Before he could greet her, General Chu ignored him and rode straight past.

Xie Yuheng felt a bit dejected. Was his presence really so negligible?

He immediately turned his horse’s head and chased after Shen Zhao.

“Chu, wait for me!”

Shen Zhao turned her head at the sound.

She met a pair of shining eyes, hungry as a wolf ready to pounce.

Their owner stared at her with unabashed excitement.

Young General Xie’s gaze made her slightly uncomfortable, as if she were a tempting morsel.

The sound of hoofbeats drew closer.

Xie Yuheng grinned and greeted her warmly, “Chu, what a coincidence! Are you heading home? Not drilling today? Why don’t we go to the tavern for a drink?”

He leaned toward her and added, “You choose the tavern, Chu, I’ll treat.”

He had just returned home and told his father and brother everything that transpired in the Golden Palace.

His father had him recount every word and action of Chu Mu, Pang Qingyun, and the emperor.

After hearing it, his father declared Chu Mu a rare talent, urged him to learn from Chu Mu, to avoid rigid thinking, and to keep his mind nimble.

Accomplishing things didn’t always mean following the rules; sometimes a different path was best—like Chu Mu’s.

After such a commotion, the emperor wasn’t angry but felt sympathy, because honest Chu Mu rarely resisted; this was the sign of desperation.

Shen Zhao looked at Xie Yuheng, who had sidled up to her. Her eyes brightened, and she casually pushed his head back.

A plan formed in her mind.

Sorry, little brother Xie—it’s you who came to me. She’d just been pondering how to ask the Prefect of the Capital for someone.

She didn’t know who Junior General Shen had offended. She was worried that Chu Mu, infamous in the capital for his poor relations, might not get any favors.

Now that Xie Yuheng had appeared, others might ignore Chu Mu, but they wouldn’t ignore the Duke Protector’s household.

Shen Zhao pretended to be troubled:

(Page 1/3)

“As your elder brother, I still have matters to attend to. I fear I can’t join you for that drink, little brother Xie.”

Xie Yuheng’s expression immediately turned serious. “What matter, Chu?”

A hint of unspeakable distress flashed across Shen Zhao’s face. She sighed at Xie Yuheng, opened her mouth several times, and finally squeezed out two words, “Forget it.”

Xie Yuheng was baffled.

Forget it? What does that mean? What’s wrong with General Chu?

Shen Zhao spurred her horse to leave.

Xie Yuheng, anxious, hurriedly blocked her path and asked, “Chu, what’s happened? Speak up—if there’s trouble, I’ll stand with you. If I can’t handle it, there’s my brother, my father, and my grandfather. Tell me, has something troublesome happened in the army again?”

This was exactly what she’d been waiting for.

Shen Zhao sighed. “Sigh, it’s best left unsaid. This is something I must handle myself. Thank you for your kindness, little brother Xie. As the commander of the capital’s army, a little hardship means nothing to me. As long as my brothers in the army have food, drink, and shelter, and aren’t bullied by the powerful, I’ll endure anything. Go enjoy your drink, little brother, don’t worry about me.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Yuheng’s face hardened.

Drinks be damned.

So someone’s bullying the capital’s army again.

How could he let General Chu bear this alone?

“Chu, I’m also a commander in the capital’s army. Who is it this time that dares bully us? Tell me—I’ll confront them. Do they really think we’re easy prey, to be squeezed again and again? Is there no justice left?”

Shen Zhao looked at Xie Yuheng with admiration and said solemnly, “No need, little brother Xie. You’re the most responsible officer I’ve ever met. As the commander, how could I not lead the charge? I’m fine, truly.

Go on, little brother, I’ll carry this burden myself.”

With that, she rode off, looking forlorn.

Xie Yuheng, praised by Chu Mu, felt ashamed.

General Chu was the true responsible leader; he wasn’t worthy.

Though he didn’t know what had happened, he couldn’t stand by idly. He quickly mounted and chased after her.

All the way, Xie Yuheng followed silently behind Shen Zhao.

When she stopped in front of the Prefect of the Capital’s yamen, Xie Yuheng was the first to dismount deftly, leading his horse to block Shen Zhao.

“Chu, is the Prefect bullying us? He must be tired of living. Wait here, don’t move—I’ll drag that old scoundrel out myself.”

Shen Zhao dismounted and grabbed Xie Yuheng.

“Little brother Xie, it’s not the old scoundrel bullying us—it’s someone else. I’ve come to the Prefect’s office to ask for someone.”

“Ask for whom?”

Shen Zhao sighed. “Yesterday, a young officer from our army came to the city pawnshop to pawn his personal jade pendant to buy medicine for his men. Somehow, he offended someone and was arrested by the Prefect’s office.

It’s my fault as the commander—my soldiers fall ill and can’t afford medicine, and anyone can easily throw one of my officers into prison…”

Hearing this, Xie Yuheng’s face flushed with anger.

(Page 2/3)

“Those bastards! They infuriate me. First, they cut our military pay, now they’re imprisoning our people. It’s outrageous. General Chu, wait here. I’ll go demand his release—if he refuses, I’ll tear down his yamen.”

Shen Zhao let go at the perfect moment.

Xie Yuheng tied his horse at the yamen gate.

He strode inside and shouted,

“Fang Shuren, get out here! Who gave you the guts to imprison an officer from the capital’s army?”

Shen Zhao followed him in, standing expressionless behind him.

It was clear the two had come to cause trouble.

“Oh my… What wind blows the Third Young Master here?”

When Fang Shuren saw Chu Mu behind Xie Yuheng, his mouth twitched.

Why had this god of misfortune come?

Could it be for that young officer from yesterday?

General Chu was famous for ignoring mundane affairs; aside from training troops, he never interfered in anything else.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been suppressed by the Crown Prince to such an extent.

The capital’s army was left cold and starving.

Fang Shuren, the Prefect, put on a smile and trotted over to Xie Yuheng—not out of cowardice.

But because this little overlord was untouchable. His father was a duke, his brothers held high positions in the capital, and his maternal grandfather was the only non-imperial prince.

He’d have to be a fool to show this little overlord any disrespect.

Xie Yuheng snorted, “You old scoundrel, you only see me—didn’t you see General Chu? Or do you look down on the capital’s army?”

Fang Shuren’s wrinkled face twitched, showing a constipated expression.

He was loyal to the Crown Prince—didn’t the Third Young Master know?

The Crown Prince had been suppressing General Chu lately; if Fang Shuren dared show Chu Mu any courtesy, his official career would be over.

“Third Young Master…”

Xie Yuheng interrupted discontentedly, “Hmph, address me as General Xie. Also, I heard you imprisoned one of our officers. You’ve got some nerve, Lord Fang. Are our officers yours to detain? Release him at once.”

Fang Shuren’s face showed embarrassment. “General Xie, please don’t make things difficult for me. Yes, I did order the imprisonment, but it was at the behest of Young Master Pang. How could a humble official dare release him?”

“Pang Yunjin?” Xie Yuheng asked uncertainly.

“Yes, it was Young Master Yunjin.”

Xie Yuheng turned to Shen Zhao. “General Chu, could it be that our young officer committed a real offense? If he’d offended another noble, I could proudly say we’re not at fault, but the other party is Pang Yunjin…”

Hearing Pang Yunjin’s name, Shen Zhao was momentarily stunned.

(Page 3/3)