23、第 23 章 Gener ...
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Chapter 23 — The General at the Frontier
The northern frontier had been unusually quiet for several days. That morning, however, the silence broke beneath the thunder of hooves. A group of bandits had been spotted near one of the mountain passes, attacking supply caravans heading toward Xian. They were not numerous enough to threaten the frontier army, but they had been clever enough to disappear whenever soldiers pursued them. General Su Xie Zheng had finally decided he was tired of chasing shadows. “Cut off their escape route.” His voice carried over the wind an the soldiers immediately moved into position.
Xie Zheng sat astride his dark horse, his armor covered by a heavy winter cloak. Unlike the loud and boastful warriors who often sought attention on the battlefield, he barely spoke unless there was a reason to. The bandits attempted to flee through the mountain pass, only to find Xian soldiers waiting on the other side. Within a short while, the fighting was over. Xie Zheng dismounted and looked toward the captured men. “Search for their supplies. Find out where they have been getting information about the caravans.” “Yes, General.” Before he could say anything else, a soldier came running from the direction of the main road.
“General!”
Xie Zheng turned.
“There are two women at the outer gate. They claim they have come from Younis.”
His expression changed slightly.
“Yes, General. They are asking to see you.”
“Why were they not brought inside?”
The soldier hesitated.
“They are covered in dust. Their clothes are torn from travelling, and one of them is an old woman. They have no proper documents.”Xie Zheng glanced toward the distant gate. “Keep them there, I'll see them myself.”
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By the time Xie Zheng returned to the barracks, Nanny Zhang and Ayao had already been waiting for a long time. The guards had refused to let them through. “We told you,” one soldier said firmly. “You cannot simply walk into a military camp.”
“Please!”
Ayao's voice cracked.
“We aren't here to cause trouble. We need to see General Su!”
Nanny Zhang stepped forward, clutching the wooden box tightly against her chest. Her knees finally gave way and she knelt in the frozen dirt. “Please… just let us speak to him.” The soldiers exchanged uncomfortable looks. Nanny Zhang lowered her head. “We came from Younis. We have news about Princess Shuran and her daughter.” The moment she mentioned Shuran, Ayao's eyes filled with tears. “Please,” she begged. “If you don't let us through, Suyuan may—” She stopped herself , she couldn't even finish the sentence.
Nanny Zhang gripped the wooden box harder.
“She is still there.”
Her voice was barely audible.
“Our young miss is still in Younis.”
The soldiers remained uncertain.
Then a quiet voice came from behind them.
“Let them speak.”
Everyone turned.
Xie Zheng stood several steps away. The dust still clung to his armor from the day's fighting, and his dark cloak moved slightly in the cold wind. His gaze settled on the two women kneeling before the gate. Then it fell upon the wooden box in Nanny Zhang's arms.
“Bring them inside.”
The soldiers immediately stepped aside. Ayao looked up in relief and Nanny Zhang slowly raised her head. Xie Zheng looked at them once more. “What happened in Younis?” Nanny Zhang opened her mouth but before she could answer, tears finally slipped down her face.
“General…”
Her voice trembled.
“Please save our young miss.”
作者有话说
第23章 第 23 章
