In the following days, it was abnormally calm.

The calmness was like flowing water, as if nothing bad had ever happened. It was as if all the dust has settled and everywhere was peaceful.

These days Xie Jing Xing and Shen Miao were in Long Ye, shopping around during the day or playing the Qin and writing words. Occasionally when Xie Jing Xing was in the mood, he would pull Gao Yang over to compete and Shen Miao would study something else with Luo Tan. During the night, she would have discussion with Xie Jing Xing on those few military maps. Between both of them, one was good at attacking and the other was good at defense, thus during scheming, it would be advantages and compatible. Xie Jing Xing was overbearing and could not continuous methods of striking the enemies but there were risks if one were to attack directly. Every time when he argued with SHen Miao he would be so overbearing with his decision that he would bang the tables but Shen Miao could not be bothered about him. When it was in the middle of night, he would sneak back when there was no one around.

Shen Miao use the words at him and Xie Jing Xing would flip over and pin her below him before using another method for ‘punishment’.

The days passed steadily but everyone knew in their hearts that they were indulging before the separation. Once the war began, it was inevitable to separate and those days of separation would depend on the lingering memories that filled during these days.

That day had finally come.

In a rainy autumn night, Ming Qi crossed the border between two countries and launched an attack on the guards at the border. At the other side, Qin country used a water route and landed on a fishing village at the North of Great Liang and carried out a massacre on the shore. Taking that as a base, they entered Great Liang and launch a war.

The war had started. Be it that Ming Qi and Qin country was advancing secretly or keeping the entire world in the dark, it was anyways ‘living up to expectations’, unable to control one’s temper and was arrogant. To say it with such a fanfare, it showed that one had great confidence.

Would Great Liang fight or not?

Naturally fight!

Prince Rui submitted a request for an order of commander and Emperor Yong Le personally conferred and ordered three hundred thousand troops for an expedition.

This was not only counterattacking the invasion of other nations. It was a determination to break the three country situation and push the wheel of history forward.

Heroes would vie for supremacy under Heavens and there would be rising winds and scudding clouds. Chivalrous and outstanding people would take their stand and talents would emerge within generations. Since ancient times, heroes would come out during turbulent times and it was the same with wars.

The morale of the people in Great Liang was not diminished. Although they panicked at first, after watching Prince Rui in front of the expedition, there was a surge of noble aspirations and pride.

The date to set off for the expedition was fixed for tomorrow.

Luo Tan looked at Gao Yang. Ever since she came to Great Liang, she had experience many things with Shen Miao. Previously she had some misunderstanding with Gao Yang but later it was resolved. Even though Gao Yang was a person who loved to tease others and was not the jade like gentleman that he appeared to be… He treated her well and was considered a good person.

Luo Tan originally wanted to follow Gao Yang to Ming Qi because she previously secretly followed Shen Miao to Great Liang. Now it had been so long and with Fu Xiu Yi beginning to deal with the Shen family, naturally he would not let the Luo family off. Luo Tan wanted to move forward or retreat with the family.

But in Luo Sui’s letter, it instructed her to remain in Great Liang. First was that Luo Tan would not be any help when she return and might even be implicated and it would not be good. Second, Shen Miao would be remaining in Long Ye and with Luo Tan with her, there would always someone to take care.

One could not return to Ming Qi and it was indeed true that one could not leave Shen Miao alone in Long Ye. Thus Luo Tan could only remain here. She watch as Gao Yang start to pack up his stuff as he place some medicine and herbs into boxes and instructed people to carry those boxes out.

Luo Tan sat on a chair and silently watched his every move.

After Gao Yang packed, he looked up and saw Luo Tan staring at him without blinking her eyes. He felt inexplicably strange and said, “Normally you will be noisy, for you to be this quiet today, is one in a bad mood?”

“You will be leaving tomorrow.” Luo Tan said, “During the journey, one must protect the Prince well.”

Gao Yang choked, “Me protecting him? It is more like him protecting me.”

“But you are his subordinate.” Luo Tan said awkwardly, “Of course, you should also pay more attention to yourself.”

Gao Yang was startled and upon hearing clearly what she said, he smiled slightly.

Luo Tan would always bully Gao Yang all day and it was also true that Gao Yang was also very fond of bullying her. These two people would fight all day and it was rare for them to talk nicely. Luo Tan’s personality was very open and it was rare for her to remind others of things. It was considered very rare to speak to Gao Yang like this.

Gao Yang approached her and deliberately asked, “Pay more attention to what?”

He was born with a handsome appearance and had always been a gentleman thus when he approach, there was some naughtiness in his smile. Luo Tan strangely blushed and pushed him away as she said angrily, “What else to pay attention to? Pay attention not to die.”

“Is it that you will feel good if I am dead?” Gao Yang fanned himself, “Then the entire Gao residence would be occupied by you. The servants would be ordered around by you, the gold and valuables would be used by you and those shops and…”

“Wait. Wait.” As Luo Tan listen, she felt that his words were getting stranger and quickly interrupted his words, “Who would cherish your things? There are no shortages of it in my Luo family. Anyways, you treat me as a fool right? These are all your Gao family’s things and have nothing to do with me. When you die, how would these things belong to me? You are crazy.”

Gao Yang said, “What does it have to do with you? Don’t you know it yourself?”

“Know what?” Luo Tan wonder and tempted to asked, “Could it be that… This is what my Father gifted to you? And you are actually my Father’s people?” She slammed her mouth shut and said in alarm, “My Father send you here to monitor me?”

Gao Yang, “…”

After a while, he then signed resigned and knocked Luo Tan’s forehead, “Normally you are quick witted but why be so stupid now?”

Luo Tan said, “Hey! Speak clearly!”

Gao Yang suddenly put a finger on Luo Tan’s lips and made a ‘shh’ action. Luo Tan was startled and only felt that the area where Gao Yang’s fingers was touching started to become warm and gradually burned to her face…

“Slowly thing about the relations you and I have. Tell me when I return.” Gao Yang place a medical book on Luo Tan’s head, “Now help me sort this up frist.” Finishing he started to pack up.

Luo Tan looked at his back view but unexpectedly not kick up a fuss. She pouted and obediently pack up.

*****

“Is it done or not?”

“Almost done. Almost done.”

“Ow. It hurts.”

“Just left the last bit. Don’t worry, I will do it lightly.”

Outside the doors, Cong Yang, Mo Qing, Jing Zhe and Gu Yu were all red-faced. Jing Zhe said, “Ah. I remembered that there are still some clothes that were not dried. I will go and hang it up.”

Gu Yu quickly said, “I will also go and help.”

Cong Yang also said, “I will also go and sun the quilt.”

Mo Qing nodded his head furiously.

In an instant, the four of them scattered like birds and beasts.

Only Tie Yi, who was up on the tree, was unmoving like a mountain.

In the room, Xie Jing Xing was helpless as Shen Miao finally tied the last string and patted his hand with satisfaction, “Done!”

Xie Jing Xing looked at the series of knotted red strings on his wrist and his head ached. He was perfectly fine so why the need for so many red strings that female wore? However Shen Miao still rest her chin on her hand and was in all smiles, “With so many, it would not be broken anymore.”

He had not spoken yet when Shen Miao stood up and sat on his lap, shocking Xie Jing Xing.

The wine jars in the room were empty and the entire room was filled with alcohol scent. Shen Miao drank till her face was red and was as delicate as a flower. It was rare for her to smile so sweetly as both of her hands cupped his face and she kissed his face.

Xie Jing Xing was already calm and collected as from when Shen Miao was drunk till now, she had already kissed him dozens of times. As long as Shen Miao was drunk, one could basically see a different kind of female. It seemed to be like lecher who would tease innocent young ladies.

A grad Prince Rui who had lived for so long and had experience in teasing countless of females but there was only one female that teased him. It was moreover a female who would not acknowledge it when she woke up.

“This face is indeed good.” Shen Miao said, “Can be made as the most popular courtesan.”

Xie Jing Xing stared at her expressionless for a while before saying, “Thanking Furen’s appreciation.”

Shen Miao was satisfied, “Bestow you some money. Go and buy some clothes.” She searched her sleeves and took something out before throwing it to Xie Jing Xing’s hands.

It was the jade tablet that Xie Jing Xing gave to her in Ming Qi.

Xie Jing Xing had yet to see it clearly when Shen Miao waved his hands, “No. No. No. Had taken wrongly. This is given by my husband.” She then quickly collected it back.

“Husband?” He raised an eyebrow, “You still remembered you have a husband.”

Shen Miao looked at him, “Remembered. My Husband looks better than you.”

Xie Jing Xing, “…”

“But he will be going off on an expedition.” She then buried her head into Xie Jing Xing’s shoulder and found a comfortable posture. She then yawned, seemingly somewhat sleepy and said in a daze, “So I drank. Like that when he is leaving, I would be drunk and not wake up, thus would not be able to see.”

“Why don’t you want to see him?” XIe Jing Xing frowned.

Her voice gradually weakened, “Because one do not want him to be immerse in relations between a female and male but if I see him leave, I would be reluctant…” When she spoke till the end, her breathing became even and she really fell asleep.

Xie Jing Xing found it funny but at the end gradually put his smile away. He lowered his head to look at the female in his arms and paused for a moment before whispering, “Actually you can be a little willful.”

Shen Miao did not answer him.

He picked Shen Miao up and placed her on the bed before covering her with the quilt. He then extended his hand to her to hold her and sat by the edge of the bed and did not do anything. He just watched her sleeping face, as if he was satisfied with this.

In the middle of the night, Tie Yi called out from outside, “Master, time to set off.”

He paused for a while before leaning over to the female’s forehead for a kiss.

Then he strode out the doors.

After closing the doors, Shen Miao slowly opened her eyes.

Really reluctant.

Reluctant to watch him leave awake but also reluctant to miss him like that when drunk.

Separation was always a sad and reluctant matter.

To let him go without any burden and then return like a hero.

The footsteps outside the door were light and steady. There were other people but one could still differentiate which one she wanted to hear.

Those footsteps slightly paused in in front before gradually drifting away.

The long dark night was about to pass and the dawn was coming, welcoming a new day.

She did not know how long she had been sleeping before she sat up. After waiting for a long time, Jing Zhe came in with a basin of water and exclaimed in shock when she saw her sitting, deep in thought, “Furen is awake?”

“En.” She answered, “I will be making a trip to the Palace.”