The Lady Departs

Those words were never going to convince Zhou Mengyan. Zhang Shi knew that, and he was not relying on those words. What he was relying on was… Ruan Fei!

So he immediately gave Ruan Fei a meaningful look.

Ruan Fei had been in a state of utter shock the entire time. Zhang Shi’s ruthless methods had scared her into trembling, and when she saw the look he sent her, her first reaction was to shudder.

It took her a moment to understand what Zhang Shi meant.

As Zhou Mengyan’s bedmate and the person who had personally orchestrated the plan to win Zhang Shi over, she naturally had to stand on Zhang Shi’s side and defend him at a time like this.

She immediately said, “That’s right, Brother Mengyan.”

“General Zhang Shi put it very well!”

“If you hesitate when you should act decisively, you’ll only invite trouble!”

“I may not understand military affairs, but even I know that when thunderous measures are called for, there must not be the slightest trace of mercy. General Zhang Shi handled it perfectly.”

“After this, you’ll truly be the master of the Yangtze!”

Ruan Fei’s words carried a different weight. At the very least, Zhou Mengyan was actually able to take them in.

He murmured, “Put that way, it does make sense!”

“Only such ruthless methods can keep Madam in check…”

“Ah!”

“Where’s Madam?”

Only then did Zhou Mengyan realize what had happened. He hurriedly looked around, but could not even find Madam’s retreating figure.

What he did not know was that Madam had already become utterly disheartened.

After returning to her tent, she no longer hesitated.

The many years of married life between her and Zhou Mengyan meant that even if the two of them fell out completely, she would never do anything to harm him. But the predicament before her was no longer something she had the ability to resolve.

Zhou Mengyan had devoted his entire heart to Ruan Fei. Her own support had been completely hollowed out, and if she stayed, she would surely be crushed by someone as ruthless as Zhang Shi. Remaining here would only mean becoming another prisoner.

She had to leave!

She would abandon the natural defenses of the Yangtze and return to the capital, Yunjing!

Before leaving, Madam summoned everyone who had followed her and explained her decision.

“I’m leaving. From now on… do whatever you think you must.”

“Keeping yourselves alive is what matters most!”

“Zhou Mengyan is not someone you can rely on!”

Madam was as decisive as ever. At first light, she had packed her belongings and, accompanied by a few of her most trusted attendants, stood beside the carriage.

The carriages stretched out in a long line, all headed for Yunjing.

She knew that after leaving this time, she might never see Zhou Mengyan again in this lifetime. So before departing, she wanted to see him one last time.

The messenger had already delivered her letter to Zhou Mengyan’s tent. She stood in the cold wind and waited for a full hour, gazing into the distance several times, only to find the road empty each time.

The figure who, in their youth, had rushed toward her without a second thought never appeared, no matter how many times she waited and hoped.

“Ah…”

She let out a deep sigh.

Madam no longer lingered. She climbed into the carriage.

“Let’s go!”

Madam gave the order.

“Madam, aren’t we waiting for the Grand Commander?”

“No.” Her voice came from inside the carriage. “This is fate.”

“The Yangtze will soon be lost.”

“Yunjing may not be able to hold out much longer either. I…”

“I have to return and put my family affairs in order.”

“I only hope this war will affect as few people as possible.”

…

Inside the central command tent.

“You’re certain Madam has already left?”

Ruan Fei suppressed her excitement as she questioned the personal guard before her.

“Yes, absolutely. I saw it clearly. Before Madam left, she kept waiting for the Grand Commander to see her off. But after he failed to appear, she departed.”

“How long ago did she leave?” Ruan Fei asked impatiently, eager to confirm every detail.

“Half an incense stick ago.”

Ruan Fei nodded. “All right. I’ll go speak with the Grand Commander again. He’s angry with Madam, which is why he refused to see her off. But if I try to persuade him again, I may be able to change his mind!”

After making this promise, Ruan Fei entered the tent. Yet she did not mention the matter at all. Instead, she kept talking about one thing after another, drawing Zhou Mengyan’s attention elsewhere.

She continued this way for a full hour. Only then did she make another show of stepping outside. When she returned, her face was filled with shock.

“Brother Mengyan, something terrible has happened! Madam, Madam…”

“Madam has left.”

“What?” Zhou Mengyan asked in shock. “When did she leave?”

“She left in the middle of the night yesterday.”

Zhou Mengyan was even more stunned. “Madam left? Why didn’t she tell me?”

He hurried toward Madam’s tent. As expected, it was already empty. He then ran in the direction of Yunjing, but the official road lay deserted. There was not a trace of Madam to be seen.

Zhou Mengyan was utterly dejected.

He had spent half his life trying to break free of Madam’s control. Now that his dream seemed to have come true, his heart was instead flooded with a thousand threads of reluctance.

“Brother Mengyan…”

Ruan Fei appeared at just the right moment, taking on the role of comforter. She gently embraced Zhou Mengyan’s arm and said, “Madam left without saying goodbye. She clearly doesn’t want to see you anymore.”

“Brother Mengyan, that’s actually a good thing.”

“From now on, you’ll never have to be constrained by Madam again. You can finally fight with your hands untied and show Ren Tianye what you’re capable of!”

Under her gentle consolation, the grief in Zhou Mengyan’s heart slowly faded. In its place rose a lofty, heroic spirit. He nodded.

“Yes. No matter what, Madam has only left. Once I defeat Ren Tianye and firmly secure the Yangtze in my hands, I can go to Yunjing and see her.”

“When that time comes, I’ll let Madam know that I, Zhou Mengyan, never rose to power by relying on her!”

“Exactly!” Ruan Fei gushed with praise. “Brother Mengyan, you’re so wise and mighty. You’ll definitely defeat Ren Tianye. Besides, the entire army is now under your control.”

“However…”

She let her eyes drift invitingly and said, “In that regard, General Zhang Shi truly is extraordinary. He arrived only yesterday, yet he helped you resolve your greatest problem. You really should reward General Zhang Shi properly.”

Zhou Mengyan nodded. “Naturally!”

“As Grand Commander, I will of course reward General Zhang Shi.”

“Then…” Ruan Fei’s eyes shifted as she said, “Would it be all right if Little Fei went and delivered this good news to General Zhang Shi on your behalf?”

“Of course!”

Zhou Mengyan immediately affectionately tapped her on the nose and laughed.

“My Little Fei has really grown up. You even know how to win over talented people for me now.”

“Go on, then!”

“Make sure you give General Zhang Shi a proper reward on behalf of the Grand Commander!”

Ruan Fei accepted the order.

Under Zhou Mengyan’s arrangements, she took a large quantity of valuables and, accompanied by a vast retinue of personal guards, went to find Zhang Shi. The procession was noisy and conspicuous, and news of it quickly spread throughout the entire camp.

It also allowed every soldier in the camp to see clearly just how much trust Grand Commander Zhou Mengyan placed in Zhang Shi.

That was exactly the result Ruan Fei wanted. As she traveled, she held her head high, feeling that the years of resentment she had endured had completely vanished with Madam’s departure.

She had to celebrate properly with General Zhang Shi!

With General Zhang Shi around, her love with Zhou Mengyan would only grow smoother from now on.

Ruan Fei’s dreams were beautiful, and her face was filled with delight.

Zhang Shi, who came to greet her at the entrance of his tent, was smiling as well.

Zhang Shi discovered that he was growing fonder and fonder of dealing with these love-struck fools.

They were simply too useful.

No matter what problem needed solving, once it involved a hopeless romantic, and that romantic nature was put to good use, there was no obstacle in Yunjing that couldn’t be overcome!

Ruan Fei was the perfect weapon against Zhou Mengyan. From now on, whether Duke Ren Tianye’s assault on the Yangtze defense line went smoothly or not would depend entirely on how well Ruan Fei performed.

How could Zhang Shi not give it his all?

“Oh, General Zhang Shi—no, Deputy Commander, you’re far too courteous! Waiting for me at the door like this—I’m truly unworthy of such an honor!”

Ruan Fei was beaming with pride as she spoke to Zhang Shi with great courtesy.

Zhang Shi was even more deferential. “Miss Ruan, you’re a heroine among women, every bit the equal of any man. I, Zhang Shi, am merely a rough soldier. From now on, I’ll be relying on you in the army. Waiting for you at the door is nothing!”

“From now on, Miss Ruan, whatever orders you give, I, Zhang Shi, will obey without question!”

…