Chapter 200 – Lingering Spirit
Wanxiang was extremely puzzled in her heart. Everything seemed fine just a moment ago, so why did the general suddenly become angry? After she entered, she only spoke a few words, and it didn’t seem like she said anything wrong.
Unable to understand, she really couldn’t figure it out, but she also didn’t dare to stay any longer. She quickly got up, wiped her tears, and walked out of the military tent feeling utterly disheartened.
Long Yi was waiting outside. Seeing Wanxiang with red eyes coming out of the tent, he somewhat understood why his master suddenly became angry.
Even a beauty like Wanxiang couldn’t arouse his master’s interest; it seemed that the master really didn’t like women.
As for Yan Xiaosi, the moment he stepped out of the commander’s tent, she left Long Yu behind in her thoughts.
Carrying a few gathered medicinal herbs, she cheerfully went to the entrance of the military camp to look for Tian Dazhuang. There was roasted whole lamb to eat tonight; how could her mood not be joyful?
Tian Dazhuang had been anxiously waiting at the entrance of the military camp, and finally, when he saw Yan Xiaosi carrying a small bamboo basket coming towards him with light steps, the big rock in his heart finally fell.
“Xiaosi, I’m here.” Seeing Tian Dazhuang waving at him, Yan Xiaosi quickened his pace towards him.
“Brother Dazhuang, it’s getting late, let’s go back.”
Seeing that Tian Dazhuang was not missing even half a pound of flesh from his body, Yan Xiaosi knew that General Zhan had not made things difficult for Tian Dazhuang.
Once out of the military camp, Tian Dazhuang grabbed her arm anxiously and asked, “Xiaosi, did General Zhan make things difficult for you?”
Yan Xiaosi replied casually, “No.”
She answered so casually that Tian Dazhuang was in disbelief. “Xiaosi, were you bullied and afraid to say?”
Yan Xiaosi glanced at him sideways. “Brother Dazhuang, really, there was nothing. General Zhan had a leg ailment and asked me to give him a few massages.”
“Just a few massages? He didn’t do anything else to you?” Tian Dazhuang couldn’t help but dislike General Zhan for some reason.
Yan Xiaosi shrugged and replied, “Brother Dazhuang, have you gone silly? I’m a grown man; what could he possibly do to me?”
Seeing Yan Xiaosi’s spirited appearance, not like he had been mistreated, Tian Dazhuang finally believed him.
The two walked back from Tongluo Plain to the cave halfway up Big Sister Peak, just as it was nearing dusk. “Mom, big sister, second sister, third sister, I’m back. I have good news for you; Brother Dazhuang and I hunted a mountain goat.”
Thinking that by this time, Yan Shuyun should have come home from school. “Third sister, you’re in for a treat. We’re having roasted whole lamb tonight.”
Yan Xiaosi and Tian Dazhuang, carrying the mountain goat, entered the cave in high spirits.
Upon entering, not only had Yan Shuyun come back, but there were also a few more people.
Seeing that face half-covered by a mask, Yan Xiaosi stumbled in surprise.
General Zhan, Murong Qinjian, as well as Long Yi and Long Er, what are these four doing here? They even managed to arrive even faster than herself.
Yan Xiaosi’s gaze fell on Long Yu, instinctively moving his eyes down to glance at a certain part of Long Yu’s body. When she left, wasn’t this fellow looking all mighty and spirited? So quickly dealt with? Tsk tsk tsk! Truly a hero for only a short while.
Seeing Yan Xiaosi standing there, eyes fixed on a certain part of himself, making tsk tsk tsk sounds as if lamenting in pity. Under the mask, Long Yu’s brow tightened. This little rascal, doubting his virility again.
After a moment of pitying, Yan Xiaosi, along with Tian Dazhuang carrying the mountain goat, took a few steps forward, her gaze sweeping over Long Yu and Murong Qinjian, pretending to be very surprised.
“General Zhan, Murong Qinjian, how come you two are here?”
Ms. Zhong, fearing her youngest one did not understand propriety and would anger Long Yu, quickly spoke up: “Xiaosi, General Zhan and Murong Qinjian are distinguished guests; you should promptly pay your respects to them.”
It was then that Yan Xiaosi bowed with hands clasped towards Long Yu and Murong Qinjian. “This humble one pays respects to General Zhan and to Murong Qinjian.”
“Mm.” Long Yu nodded slightly and raised an eyebrow, saying, “I have come today to discuss a matter with Madam Yan from the Yan family.”
Yan Xiaosi immediately became curious. Her mother was just a peasant woman; what could General Zhan possibly have to discuss with his mother?
Ms. Zhong respectfully said, “To discuss is too grand; whatever orders General Zhan has, please feel free to tell this humble woman directly.”
Long Yu shifted his gaze from Yan Xiaosi to Ms. Zhong and said, “The military camp is in need of a cook to prepare meals. I wonder if Madam Yan would be willing to work as a cook in the military camp, with a salary of five taels of silver per month.”
Ms. Zhong was immediately overjoyed upon hearing this. It wasn’t the five taels of silver per month that excited her, but the opportunity to see Yan Xiaosi often and to be in the same military camp to take care of Yan Xiaosi’s daily meals and needs.
She was about to agree when Yan Xiaosi spoke up before her. “General Zhan, a monthly salary of five taels of silver is too little. The Tongluo Plain is stationed with fifty thousand troops; cooking for fifty thousand troops is too arduous.”
Long Yi and Long Er once again admired her boldness. Daring to question the master’s words in front of the master, was this kid fearless or just incredibly bold?
Murong Qinjian smiled and said, “Do you think there’s only your mother as a cook in the entire camp? That’s impossible.”
Yan Xiaosi glanced at Murong Qinjian and said, “Even if there’s not just my mother cooking, preparing meals for fifty thousand troops is still a hard task.”
“How much do you want?” Long Yu did not get angry but his indifferent gaze swept over Yan Xiaosi.
Though Long Yu was not angry, Yan Xiaosi could feel that he was extremely displeased with her.
“Ten taels of silver per month, and I will agree to let my mother work as a cook in the military camp.”
A monthly salary of ten taels of silver was definitely considered a high salary in the Great Chu Dynasty. Other cooks and chefs in the military camp were paid five taels of silver per month; Yan Xiaosi’s demand for ten taels was indeed exorbitant.
Murong Qinjian, Long Yi, and Long Er all waited to see her get rejected by Long Yu.
Ms. Zhong and sisters Yan Shuqin were so nervous that their hearts jumped to their throats.
Unexpectedly, Long Yu nodded: “Ten taels of silver is acceptable, however,” he paused, glancing at the mountain goat, then continued: “Yan Xiaosi, you said you’re having roasted whole lamb tonight?”
Yan Xiaosi had a bad feeling about this. “That was the plan, yes?”
Long Yu smiled and said, “You have to invite me to eat the roasted whole lamb, only then can I agree to your request.”
Yan Xiaosi really did not want to invite him; eating roasted whole lamb with a general who exuded such a high pressure would affect the taste of the roasted whole lamb.
“It’s just a taste of the wilderness, if General Zhan and Murong Qinjian would like some, please stay and eat.” However, Ms. Zhong readily agreed.
Yan Xiaosi could only sigh helplessly. Not even the roasted whole lamb could be peacefully enjoyed; he’s truly a lingering spirit.
