Dear Brother, Your Chest Wrap Has Fallen Off - Chapter 6

As the words came out, soldiers surrounded them, drew out their swords, and formed an encirclement.

Zhao Yong didn’t know what trouble Jiarou had caused at this moment, so he quickly stretched out his arms to protect her and said to the others with an apologetic smile, “Please don’t be impulsive, it must be a misunderstanding…..”

Wang Huaian stepped forward to stand beside Xue Lang, saying with great sorrow, “Grand Protector, the little liar who used cow fart to do evil this morning was him. Not only did he burn us, he even dared to swagger into the Protectorate. If he hadn’t let the cat out of the bag in front of the cow, we would have been tricked by him today. Repeatedly doing this, he must be a scheming spy!”

“It’s all of you. You all want to eat my donkey!” Jiarou no longer pretended. She pushed away Zhao Yong’s blocking hand, took a step forward from behind him, raised her hand and pointed at Xue Lang, “According to the Great Sheng’s edict on the Prohibition of Slaughtering Horses, Cattle and Donkeys, ‘Horses, cattle and donkeys can all be used to carry out heavy tasks, help people, and not allowed to be slaughtered.’ You are a dignified Grand Protector General, but consciously going against the rules. How many donkeys have died in your mouth! You want to eat my most beloved donkey, yet the villain was the first to complain and accuse me of being a spy. Is this how your Protectorate behaves?!”

When Xue Lang heard this, he raised his eyebrows slightly.

At this time, Cui Jiarou had her hands on her hips, looked up to the sky and laughed loudly twice, displaying her might and fearlessness. “Even if I, Pan An, die today, my soul will fly thousands of miles back to Chang’an and sue you in front of the monarch, so that everyone can see your true face as the Southwestern King who is seeking fame and reputation!”

Her words did not elicit the slightest expression from Xue Lang.

There was a chill in his deep and rich voice, “Reputation or not, this general does not care. But the matter of being a spy cannot be let off lightly. Placed in jail, even if you are innocent, you will have to suffer.”

Zhao Yong was so frightened that he broke out in a sweat. He pulled Cui Jiarou behind him and bowed to Xue Lang, saying, “Grand Protector, this is all a misunderstanding. Although he is impulsive and reckless, he is definitely not a spy. Otherwise, this commoner would not dare to bring him here…..”

He originally could call himself “I” in front of Xue Lang, but this time, he called himself “commoner”, which was a plea. At this point, he could not care so much and started to make up a story, “Pan An, his father was Pan Yongnian, the captain of the 4th team of the Wubao Army in Shule Town of the Anxi Army. Five years ago, in the battle against the Turks, he killed 38 people by himself, and was finally killed by several arrows through the heart…..”

When he said this, he felt a lump in his throat.

Pan Yongnian was a real person and his deeds were also real.

These fallen brothers in the battle, Zhao Yong etched the names of each of these brothers in his heart.

Unfortunately, this person was of low rank and unimportant. In the end, he only occupied a small space on the list of soldiers and generals killed in battle reported back to the court.

Pan Yongnian did have a son, who should be sixteen, seventeen or eighteen years old now. But after receiving financial support from the court, the Pan family moved to an unknown place. He went to visit them when he returned to the Central Plains three years ago, but could not find them.

At this critical moment, he had no choice but to substitute one thing for another.

After he finished speaking, he surreptitiously nudged Jiarou who was behind him with his elbow, but she didn’t respond.

He had no choice but to hit her again, and Jiarou finally cried a little, “Father, your death is not worth it…..”

Zhao Yong continued, “The Pan family’s eldest son came to me today. I know he has learned some veterinary skills, so I want to recommend him to the Protectorate. It can be regarded as inheriting his father’s will and continuing to serve the court. It is true that he is a little naughty, but as a descendant of the Anxi Army, there’s no way that he is a spy.”

Zhao Yong’s eyes were red, and he was a little excited, but it didn’t seem fake. Xue Lang then turned his head to look at Cui Jiarou behind Zhao Yong, “You want to enter the Protectorate, is it true as Lord Zhao said?”

Now that things had come to this, how could Jiarou make a living under Xue Lang.

She was about to hold her head high and reject the offer, when she heard him say, “Not everyone can enter the Protectorate. Even if you are a descendant of the loyal and brave, it still won’t do if you don’t have good skills. This morning, when you treated the cow at the market, I couldn’t see your ability.”

Looking down on people?

Jiarou gave up her intention to refuse and immediately rolled up her sleeves, “Where is the animal? Take me there quickly.” She turned around and stroked the young brown cow beside her, “It won’t do. It has recovered from its illness. Only by facing one with a serious illness can this young master’s skills be displayed.”

Humph, wait for this great aunt to put out her amazing skills, you will all cry and beg me to stay. Then I will laugh three times toward the sky, and leave in a huff. I will definitely make you regret it for eternity!

Someone brought a Hu bed to the side. Xue Lang lifted his robe and sat down leisurely. He said to Wang Huaian, “Since that’s the case, take him to the barn and let him choose.”

Wang Huaian glared at Jiarou resentfully, with two blisters on his square face, and said fiercely, “Come with me. If you dare to make any more small moves, the thousands of elite soldiers of the Protectorate are not to be trifled with!”

Zhao Yong sighed and walked forward, whispering to her, “Be good and don’t make trouble. I’ll wait for you here.”

Jiarou gave him a look that said “just wait and see”, and followed Wang Huaian with her head held high. After only a few steps, she turned into an alley, and the smell of grass gradually became stronger.

After walking a few more steps, she saw a wooden fence on the side of the alley, with two soldiers guarding the door.

Wang Huaian signaled the soldiers to open the door and glanced sideways at her, “Go in.”

She snorted, then remembered that she was about to teach them a lesson. She couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows smugly, lifted the hem of her robe, and strutted in.

This was an enormous courtyard with many fences built against the walls. Each fence held seven or eight, the least two or three, cows, sheep, pigs and other livestock. Judging from their number and size, they were probably used for breeding.

She couldn’t see which was sick from a distance. Just as she was about to take a few steps forward, she suddenly heard a burst of low “woooo” sound from an animal, which contained a strong warning.

She stopped and turned her head slowly, only to see a small black animal in front of her, crouching and glowering at her, making a “woooo” sound, ready to pounce at her at any time like an arrow shot from a bow.

She shuddered all over. No…..

　　-

In front of the military doctor’s barracks, Zhao Yong sat next to Xue Lang.

Although the young general in front of him had a calm expression, as if he didn’t care about what happened just now, he didn’t dare to relax. While paying attention to where Jiarou left, he promised Xue Lang, “Grand Protector, please rest assured. If Pan An fails, I will immediately take him away and will never make it difficult for you.”

Xue Lang regained some of his amiability, “It’s not difficult. If he fails, the Protectorate will definitely not take him in.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a panicked shout suddenly came from a distance, “Save me, save me–” and then Cui Jiarou came rushing towards him in panic.

Zhao Yong didn’t know what accident had occured. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and he stood up.

A few breaths later, a furry, black puppy came out from the alley. It was no longer than an arm and was at most two or three months old. It barked in a childish voice and kept chasing Jiarou.

Zhao Yong, “…..”

Is it too late to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it?

　　-

Amid the endless laughter in the Protectorate, Zhao Yong sighed and walked forward to hold the little black dog in his arms. The little black dog wagged its tail wildly with joy and pounced on Zhao Yong to lick his face enthusiastically.

Xue Lang smiled faintly, not wanting to waste any more time.

He got up from the Hu bed and stood with his hands behind his back. “Youngster An is impulsive, cunning, and incompetent. He is not a good candidate for the Protectorate, whether in character or skills.”

“You!” Jiarou gasped for breath, her almond eyes wide open, almost spitting fire.

Xue Lang only nodded to Zhao Yong, “Mr. Zhao, take care.”

Zhao Yong saw that his wish for today had been fulfilled, and said to her happily, “Let’s go, it won’t work today.”

Jiarou gritted her teeth, turned around and walked a few steps, but still unreconciled. She turned back and looked at Xue Lang without blinking.

Xue Lang was still standing under the eaves, his face calm without joy nor anger; not taking her, this small speck of sand, in his eyes.

It was rumored that he had a devastatingly stunning appearance that could captivate all men, who would scramble to sleep beside his bed.

Apparently, the rumors about the Southwestern King, who was self-righteous, hateful, and illegally ate donkeys, were completely unreliable.

She stared at him for a while with gnashing teeth, then suddenly smiled and said loudly, “Protector Xue is stunningly beautiful, rarely seen in the world, and Pan An is very moved. I will prepare bedding and pillows tonight, waiting for the Protector.”

“Hiss..…” Everyone in the mansion gasped simultaneously.

A sharp light suddenly appeared in Xue Lang’s eyes.

　　-

Near noon, Qiuci changed from the coolness of the morning to become as hot as early summer.

The bell of a Buddhist temple rang from somewhere, and the monks began to chant Sanskrit scriptures together, making people who heard it become drowsy.

Jiarou stopped fanning herself and walked ahead with her head down. She knew that losing her copper rice bowl would affect her making a living in a big way.

Zhao Yong seemed somewhat satisfied with her failure. He went forward and was about to pretend to comfort her when he suddenly saw a small red mole the size of a sesame seed at the corner of her left eye, which he had never noticed before.

Recalling the question that Xue Lang asked while pretending not to remember, “There is something near Fifth Miss’s…..” he couldn’t help but be shocked.

This Grand Protector Xue was too cunning, actually trying to trick him. Fortunately, he didn’t observe carefully, otherwise he would have definitely let something slip.

He stroked his chest, stepped forward and said softly, “General Cui knows you have tried your best and will not blame you.”

In the distant azure sky, Kunlun Mountain was covered with layers of colors. One mountain higher than Kunlun Mountain was a snow-capped mountain formed over thousands of years, its curvy ridges like a woman’s graceful figure.

“That is Fairy Peak…..” Zhao Yong said softly.

Jiarou raised her head.

If she remembered correctly, her father, General Cui, who was recorded in great detail in history books, was sleeping under the ice somewhere among the snowy peaks.

They said that five years ago he led his troops to drive out the invading Turks and forced them back to the Kingdom of India behind the snow-capped mountains, but encountered an avalanche halfway up the mountain.

It was most fortunate that he died for his country on the battlefield, winning fame both during his lifetime and after his death. Thinking of it, this was precisely the perfect way he wished to die.

She withdrew her gaze, and Zhao Yong was still narrating, “Back then, the Turks retreated along the Kunlun Mountains to India, and then took control of the political affairs in India. The court wanted to bring back General Cui’s body several times, but India set up many obstacles in this matter. It was not until the end of last year that they finally relented. The soldiers who were buried in the ice and snow at that time can finally return to their homeland.”

Only then did Jiarou say, “I heard that Qiuci is the only way through from India to the Tang Dynasty. In another three or four months, when the army that went to welcome the skeleton returns, I will follow them back to Chang’an. Then I will be considered to have made a contribution, and mother will certainly can’t bear to blame me for running away from home.” By then, her marriage should be dropped, and she could go back to being a dandy.

“So, your coming to the Western Regions was not a whim, but planned?” Zhao Yong was quite relieved. It would be best if she could follow the army escorting the skeleton back to Chang’an. Even the most treacherous and greedy horse thieves would have to take a detour when they saw the army.

“Of course. Before I left, I specially went to the Da Ci’en Temple to ask a sweeping monk for divination. He said that among the four directions, the west is the most auspicious!”

“Sweeping Monk?”

“Everyone in the world says that the monk who sweeps the floor in the temple is the most hidden one. How could you not know that, uncle?”

She was feeling somewhat proud just now, but when she thought about her current situation, her head drooped again.

That sweeping monk, does he have any real ability? The West is said to be the most auspicious, but she was so unlucky on the first day she arrived in the Western Regions.

Children should not speak of strange things, supernatural powers, or other mysterious things. This showed that the sage did not deceive her, but she did not listen to the sage’s words.

Seeing that she didn’t smile, Zhao Yong continued to comfort her, “It’s no wonder that Grand Protector Xue didn’t accept you, which veterinarian is afraid of dogs? And such a little puppy…..”

Jiarou’s face fell, “I’m not afraid of dogs, I’m afraid of black dogs. Besides, what law in Great Sheng doesn’t allow veterinarians to be afraid of black dogs?”

Zhao Yong really had never heard of such a law, but which ranch didn’t raise a few guard dogs? Could a veterinarian who was afraid of black dogs still do this job?

It’s great that she couldn’t do it!

Zhao Yong chuckled inwardly, then he put on a serious face and wanted to talk to her about the key points in worldly affairs. “How could you, a pure and innocent girl, say such words to Xue Lang? Not only will it anger him, but what good will it do to your reputation?”

“How is it me talking? It was clearly Pan An who said it. If there is any damage, it is Pan An’s reputation.” She defended.

Recalling Xue Lang’s tense cheeks and angry eyes when she said she wanted to “offer herself to him”, her unhappiness finally eased a little.

As for whether Xue Lang would retaliate, she was not worried at all.

Generals like them, whose success was achieved through the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers, felt most guilty about the dead soldiers. Whether she was Pan An or Cui Jiarou, they were both descendants of the Anxi Army. She teased him about being gay, but he didn’t attack her even though he was so angry, which confirmed her guess.

After a moment’s thought, the hero who could make the famous Southwestern King get burned by a cow’s fart, then be teased in public and still be alive in this world was probably only her, Cui Jiarou.

Thinking of this, the remaining unhappiness in her heart finally dissipated.

However, although she acted like a hero in the Protectorate, what should she do in the days to come?

She had been a dandy for several years and had gained some experience. The four words “free and easy life” that she pursued needed real money to support it.

It was not difficult to be free and happy for a day, but it was rare to be so happy every day.

She originally wanted to seek shelter at the rich man Zhao Yong, where her life would not be much worse than that in Chang’an. When she returned to Chang’an, with her sweet mouth, would she worry about not being able to extract some private money from her uncles and pay back Zhao Yong’s money?

But now, afraid if she wanted to live a free and leisurely life for a few months, Zhao Yong would even need to exchange the inn for money.

Zhao Yong standing next to her was also worrying about the same thing.

After all, Jiarou had come to his territory, and he couldn’t let her suffer any injustice. From whom could he borrow a few hundred strings of cash so that she could live happily for a few months?

The author has something to say:

Cui Jiarou: “Master, among the four directions of east, west, south and north, which one is the most auspicious?”

The Sweeping Monk: “The west is the most …”

Cui Jiarou: “The most auspicious, right? Thank you, Master!”

The Sweeping Monk: “…..It’s the most with many bends. Donor should remember, no matter if you are a man or a woman, if you meet a curve, make a detour. If it is difficult to go around, just leave it to fate…..” He turned his head to look at the empty surroundings. Hey, where is the person?