Chapter 9: The Innocent Young Lieutenant

Wen Wan didn't expect that a mere joke would make Shen Yu blush all the way to his ears in an instant.

Wen Wan: "..."

No way. In this ancient environment where people get married and have children at sixteen, how could such a handsome military man still be single?

This reaction is like a total novice; it’s not scientific.

Should she try again?

An idea struck her. She reached out and touched his cheek, teasing him

"So cute..."

Shen Yu: "?"

Before Shen Yu could react, Wen Wan retracted her claw with lightning speed.

Shen Yu realized belatedly that he had been teased by this girl, and his complexion shifted from red to black in an instant.

"A merchant's concubine, truly shameless!"

Shen Yu cursed angrily, stood up, and flicked his sleeves as he left.

Wen Wan blinked, staring at his retreating back. Only after his figure disappeared did she retract her gaze with a satisfied smile.

"I have to say, a man who is verbally resistant but physically honest is actually quite fun."

"Heh, dare to call me shameless? I haven't even done anything truly shameless yet!"

The more Wen Wan thought about it, the more unconvinced she felt. She grabbed the teapot, gulped down half a pot of water, and made up her mind.

"You dog, if you scold me again next time, see if I don't seduce you until you're 'convinced'!"

*

For the past few days, Jin Mu had clearly sensed that the General’s state of mind was a bit off.

Although the General didn't explicitly state the reason, Jin Mu guessed it must have something to do with Miss Xiao Wan.

After the soldiers under his command had been drilled by the General for another two hours, Jin Mu finally couldn't help but seek out Shen Yu.

Shen Yu stood above the training grounds, his clothes soaked through with sweat.

He unwound the cotton cloth from his wrists, catching a glimpse of Jin Mu, who looked like he had something to say but was holding back.

"Something up?"

Jin Mu nodded. "Prefect Wu is taking a new concubine tonight and is hosting a banquet for his close colleagues in the courtyard. The invitation was sent the day before yesterday, but you’ve been busy these past two days, so I haven't had a chance to present it to you."

Prefect Wu took a new concubine every year. In the past, Shen Yu had never attended such banquets, merely sending someone with a gift to fulfill social obligations.

So, even though Jin Mu brought up this "legitimate" reason, he actually had no confidence.

He was already prepared for the General to tell him to handle it according to past practice.

To his surprise, Shen Yu lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before ordering: "Have someone prepare a gift. Tonight... you will accompany me."

Jin Mu froze, almost thinking he had misheard.

Shen Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead and gave the order for the soldiers on the field to rest.

The men, who had been drilled to the point of losing half their lives, finally caught their breath and cast grateful looks toward Jin Mu.

Unfortunately, Jin Mu had no time to notice these details; he was still wondering why the General had suddenly agreed to attend Prefect Wu's banquet today.

When the carriage stopped in front of the Prefect's mansion, Jin Mu couldn't help but ask.

"General, are you really going?"

Shen Yu was wearing a black brocade robe, low-key yet retaining the heroic spirit of a military officer. He chuckled, "Naturally, I am going."

Jin Mu held a gift box behind him. "General, why? Didn't you say that such places of wine and women easily cause us military men to lose our fighting spirit?"

Shen Yu didn't stop walking, feeling a sense of embarrassment at having his sore spot poked.

"An occasional relaxation is fine."

Jin Mu still didn't understand. "But you also said we must be strict with ourselves..."

Shen Yu stopped abruptly and shot a cold, icy look at Jin Mu. "I also said that the primary rule for a soldier is to obey orders! Are you questioning my command?"

"This subordinate wouldn't dare!" Jin Mu shrank his neck and stopped asking.

*

With the moon hanging over the willow branches, a well-fed Wen Wan moved a lounge chair into the courtyard, enjoying the moonlight while telling stories to a group of young children.

Ever since Wen Wan told them an episode of *Journey to the West* a few days ago, they had been pestering her for stories every night after dinner.

Thus, one episode of Sun Wukong fighting demons every day became a fixed entertainment project.

"This White Bone Demon was originally a terrifying skeleton, but in order to seduce Tang Seng, she transformed into a delicate and charming young woman..."

Wen Wan swayed leisurely on the lounge chair, her gaze falling gently on the group of children, whose eyes were wide and whose faces were filled with indignation.

Seeing that the atmosphere of Tang Seng and Wukong turning against each other was sufficiently built up, Wen Wan was just about to deliver a plot twist.

Unexpectedly, a young boy ran in hurriedly.

The boy was named Shen Zhou, the oldest of the group, having just turned twelve this year.

Shen Zhou was a pitiful child. According to him, his parents had died at the hands of the Mobei people. He was lucky; because he was young, he was sold as a slave, which was how he survived.

The border troops had raided a Mobei stronghold a year ago and rescued him from a cage.

The other children were like him—orphans without fathers or mothers.

Wen Wan felt pity for them, so she treated them with extra tenderness and indulgence.

A happy smile appeared on Shen Zhou's face. "Sister Xiao Wan, come with me for a moment."

"What for?" Wen Wan was stunned.

Shen Zhou: "You'll know when you get there."

Wen Wan reached out and patted his head. "You brat, being all mysterious."

She got up from the lounge chair and followed Shen Zhou out of the courtyard.

At the main gate, Jin Mu was sitting in front of the carriage. Seeing Wen Wan appear, he jumped down and bowed.

"Miss Xiao Wan, the Colonel asked me to pick you up for a gathering."

A gathering?

A glint of light flashed in Wen Wan's eyes. That was an interesting way to put it.

Shen Zhou, however, seemed very happy. He tugged on Wen Wan's sleeve and pulled her aside.

He lowered his voice, advising her like a little adult: "A woman should treat her husband as her heaven. Sister Xiao Wan, you should be more compliant with Colonel Brother; men all like obedient and gentle women."

Wen Wan: "..."

Being lectured by a twelve-year-old on how to please a man—why did this feel so awkward?

After lecturing her, Shen Zhou trotted over to Jin Mu, putting on a simple and honest smile.

"Brother Jin Mu, Sister Xiao Wan is young and doesn't know much. Please take care of her when you're out. If it's convenient, please put in a good word for her in front of Colonel Brother. When I join the army and get a salary in the future, I will definitely honor you well!"

Jin Mu: "..."

If he hadn't been the one to arrange for these children to live in this courtyard, he would have truly thought this was Miss Xiao Wan's own younger brother!

The General was low-key and had never told these children his true identity, so they all thought Shen Yu was just a minor colonel.

That wasn't the point.

What Jin Mu was curious about was that their General came to visit these children every month, yet he had never seen them be this devoted to the General.

Moreover, Shen Zhou was the most steady and calm of all these children.

How was it that Zhao Xiao Wan had only been here for a few days, and Shen Zhou was already asking for favors on her behalf?

(End of chapter)