Chapter 3:- First Encounter at the Military Camp

“Elder Sister, have you ever heard of a General named Chen Lian in the army?” Jiang Rao asked in a probing tone.

Jiang Yuan didn’t understand why her younger sister would suddenly bring this up. After thinking for a moment, she replied, “The name doesn’t sound familiar. Is he one of the Jiang Family Army?”

Jiang Rao shook her head. She had never seen Chen Lian in her past life. She only knew of him from hearsay; he was a young hero of legendary deeds, admired by many noble ladies of the capital. His name was one she had heard more than once.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t paid close attention before, so what she now remembered was limited. All she knew was that Chen Lian had first entered the army under Prince Chen’s command, later made great achievements fighting the Northern Barbarians, and beyond that, she knew nothing.

At this time, with both her father and elder brother absent from home, there were no men in the Marquis’s household whom Jiang Rao could consult. As for the servants, she didn’t fully trust them either.

And so time dragged on and half a month passed before a letter from her father finally arrived.

They had expected the army to return by month’s end, but on the road they encountered natural disaster.

Floods had ravaged the southern regions; the official roads were badly damaged, and the Jiang Family Army’s journey home had to be delayed.

Seeing the urgent situation, Jiang Yuanting immediately decided to send a small detachment to clear the roads while he and his wife stayed behind to aid the disaster victims.

Jiang Yuanting handed the Tiger Tally to his son Jiang Ming, ordering him to lead the army back to the capital and report to His Majesty.

The march back was slow. It was not until early June that Jiang Ming finally arrived at the capital, weary and travel-stained, with the troops encamped outside the city. He entered the palace with his officers to report, returned the Tiger Tally, and explained that his father’s delay was due to the floods.

The Emperor accepted the Tiger Tally and, in front of all the ministers, conferred upon Jiang Ming the title Grand General of the nation.

For one so young to receive such honor showed how deeply His Majesty trusted the Marquis of Jing’an’s household.

Afterward, the Emperor decreed a three-day banquet to celebrate the army’s victory, rewarding the soldiers for their valor and granting a hundred taels of gold to those whose performance had been outstanding.

—

At the Marquis of Jing’an’s Residence,

As soon as Jiang Yuan heard the news from the inner court, she hurried to the Qiongju Pavilion. Taking Jiang Rao’s hand, her face glowed with joy.

“Rao’er, the army is already encamped in the suburbs. His Majesty has bestowed a banquet and graciously allowed the families of the soldiers to visit the camp today. Would you like to come with me to see your second brother?”

Though she could not yet see her father or mother, the thought of her second brother’s return filled Jiang Rao with delight.

“Of course I want to go,” Jiang Rao replied, her brows arching with joy. “I’ll go tell them to prepare some Lanlu Wine, that’s his favorite.”

Jiang Yuan quickly stopped her. “Look at you, so excited! The banquet will already have fine wines aplenty. But we’ve brought three carts of aged Lanlu Wine from the estate. It’s a small token from our Marquis’s household to the soldiers.”

Having said this, Jiang Yuan hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer to whisper, “We’ll set out at the Hour of Shen (around 3–5 p.m.). Go tell Chunxing and Xiaotao to help you dress up properly.”

Jiang Rao couldn’t help but laugh. “All this mystery for such a small matter?”

For a fleeting instant, Jiang Yuan’s expression turned slightly awkward, but she explained, “Tonight’s victory banquet in the outskirts will surely be grand. I’ve heard that His Highness the Crown Prince and Prince Chen will also make an appearance.”

So that was the reason.

Her sister was thinking ahead for her so there was no need to spell it out.

But in that instant, all warmth faded from Jiang Rao’s eyes.

Mu Ling ….. I never thought we’d meet again so soon in this life.

In my past life, I once asked you, when your enemy stands before you and you cannot strike him down yourself, do you know that feeling?

You did not answer me then.

And now, though I stand before you again, the time is not yet ripe. I can only endure once more the bitterness and helplessness of it.

The hatred I struggle so hard to conceal, will you see it when you look at me?

“Rao’er, what’s wrong?” Jiang Yuan, noticing her sister’s silence and the heaviness clouding her face, reached out and touched her arm with concern.

Jiang Rao came back to herself. Unable to explain, she quickly changed the subject. “I was just thinking, why make such an effort to dress up? It’s not as though I’ve never met the two princes before.”

Before Jiang Yuan could reply, Jiang Rao gave a mischievous smile and tugged her sister’s arm playfully. “Do you mean to say that if I don’t dress up carefully, I won’t be beautiful anymore?”

Jiang Yuan tapped her on the nose affectionately. “Of course you’re beautiful. The title of ‘Most Beautiful Lady in the Capital’ wasn’t given to my sister for nothing.”

“Elder Sister…”

It was true; the daughters of the Jiang family were famed for their beauty across the realm.
The eldest, Jiang Yuan, was stately and elegant, gentle and refined; her bearing shaped by years of study and cultivation, a rare lady indeed.

The youngest, Jiang Rao, was even more dazzling. Though her manner held the grace of a noblewoman, her naturally fox-like eyes carried a touch of seductive charm. Every smile, every glance, seemed imbued with a spellbinding allure, a beauty bold and brilliant.

One graceful and one bewitching; the fame of the Jiang sisters’ beauty had long spread across the Four Kingdoms.

—-

Outside the Capital.

At the military camp, bonfires were already blazing in all four directions. To celebrate the Jiang Army’s victory over the Northern Barbarians, the Imperial Front Guards and the City Patrol Battalion had also come to join the festivities. The scene was lively beyond compare.

When the Marquis’s carriage arrived at the outskirts, the guards at the gate were nowhere to be seen. Only Jiang Ming’s deputy, Li Hu, stood ramrod straight at his post, clearly having waited a long time.

Seeing the two young ladies step down from the carriage, he immediately saluted respectfully.
“Your servant greets the two young mistresses. The Young Master is being detained by the Commander of the Imperial Guards for a round of drinking and cannot excuse himself at the moment. He ordered this subordinate to come and receive you in his stead.”

Jiang Yuan stepped forward and helped him up. “Everyone is in high spirits today. A bit of drinking is fine. My sister and I have brought some aged Lanlu Wine from the estate, have the men share it with the three armies.”

“Yes, my lady!”

Lanlu Wine was a rare vintage, and today’s barrels were imperial gifts. Recognizing its value, Li Hu gave thanks at once and hurried to call the men to unload it.

While Jiang Yuan was busy directing the servants to distribute the wine, Jiang Rao’s gaze drifted toward the depths of the camp.

Her mind was preoccupied…. if every notable officer in the city was here tonight, then surely Chen Lian must also be somewhere in this camp.

Of course, she couldn’t directly ask Li Hu or anyone else about him. She could only wait until she met her brother later and bring it up indirectly.

When Jiang Yuan finished giving instructions to Li Hu, she led Jiang Rao further inside.

Many women were present today; mostly wives of generals and officers. The sisters exchanged polite greetings as they passed, then entered the main tent.

“Elder Sister! Little Sister!”

As soon as the tent flap lifted, they saw Jiang Ming, his face flushed and eyes slightly glazed with drink, stumbling forward to greet them. Jiang Yuan quickly stepped up to steady him, while a few generals behind him laughed and apologized, saying they shouldn’t have goaded the Young Master into drinking contests.

The Jiang sisters’ beauty was well known. The moment they entered, the tent seemed to brighten but with both the Crown Prince and Prince Chen present, and with Jiang Rao being the Crown Prince’s future fiancée, none dared make a scene even under the influence of wine.

Jiang Yuan, skilled in handling such occasions, greeted everyone with proper etiquette, keeping the atmosphere cheerful.

Jiang Rao, however, had no mind for pleasantries. After the formal greetings, she sat quietly in a corner. Even across the crowd, she could feel his gaze upon her; piercing and unrelenting.

She forced herself to ignore it, feigning calm.

Only after the Crown Prince’s attention finally shifted away did she let out a silent breath of relief.

To her left sat no one; to her right, a burly, dark-faced general who was half-drunk. Listening to him talk with the others, she found him rather honest and straightforward.

So, an idea came to her. She personally poured a bowl of wine and pushed it toward him.

In a soft voice, she asked, “General, there is something I would like to ask you.”

The black-faced man turned toward her, a little flustered by being addressed. “If there is anything the young lady wishes to ask, please speak freely.”

Jiang Rao had already prepared a perfect explanation. “Just now my elder sister told me to toast a certain General surnamed Chen, but I did not see anyone of that name in the main tent. So I wanted to ask you, among the three divisions here today, is there perhaps a general surnamed Chen?”

She truly had no other choice. Her second brother was dead drunk and could not help her inquire, and as a secluded noblewoman, she rarely had any legitimate reason to enter a military camp.

If she missed today, she might never have another chance to set foot here, let alone to become acquainted with Chen Lian.

The black-faced general thought seriously for a moment, and then replied, “The Deputy Commander of the Third Battalion bears the surname Chen, would that be the one you mean?”

At those words, hope flared in Jiang Rao’s heart. Yet, uncertain, she asked again, “Is that man under Prince Chen’s command?”

The general nodded. “The Patrol Battalion is under His Highness Prince Chen’s control, so the commanders of its three divisions are naturally his men.”

If that was so, then it must be Chen Lian!

Jiang Rao thanked him quickly and asked where this Deputy Commander Chen might be stationed. After receiving a rough direction, she slipped quietly out of the main tent while everyone else was distracted.

The location the general had given was somewhat remote, on the western side of the camp. To avoid drawing attention, Jiang Rao chose a narrow path.

She was nearly there when she suddenly heard the sound of quarreling ahead and the voices sounded oddly familiar.

Her heart tightening, she looked forward and saw that it was Li Hu, arguing with a small child.

Faced with the tall Li Hu, the boy showed not the slightest fear. Chest puffed out, he spoke righteously, “You’re just angry because my master beat you in the last sparring match! That’s why everyone else got good wine except us!”

Li Hu bent down toward him. “You little brat dare come make trouble on Jiang Family Army ground? Did your master send you here?”

The boy stood firm. “My master wouldn’t bother! I came myself because I couldn’t stand seeing you misuse power for personal gain and still act so smug! Don’t forget how last time you wouldn’t admit defeat, and my master beat you till you were looking for your teeth on the ground!”

What a sharp-tongued little imp! Though a mere child, he had quite a biting mouth. Listening from behind the tent, Jiang Rao couldn’t help finding the scene rather amusing.

She found it lively and entertaining, but Li Hu was growing truly irritated.

“Such insolence! Watch if I don’t give you a thrashing!” he barked.

“I’m not afraid of you!”

Seeing that Li Hu actually meant to strike the child, Jiang Rao grew worried he would truly hurt him. She was hesitating whether to step forward and stop it when suddenly a tall, straight-backed young man appeared behind the boy.

The man’s bone structure was excellent, his features noble and striking. Were it not for the coarse military garb and the sun-darkened skin on his exposed arms, Jiang Rao might have taken him for some noble family’s young master or heir.

Glancing at Li Hu’s uniform for comparison, she roughly judged that this man’s rank must be lower than Li Hu’s.

“Well, well, you dare come here yourself?” Li Hu’s anger deepened at the sight of him.

He lunged forward, trying to seize the boy, but the young man moved swiftly, stepping ahead of him to shield the child.

Unwilling to back down, Li Hu swung a heavy punch toward him. Yet the young man was quick and agile; with ease he slipped aside, then caught Li Hu’s wrists in one motion, pinning him so that he could not move.

If this scuffle continued, it would surely draw a crowd and Li Hu was her second brother’s deputy. On a day when the three armies were gathered in celebration, how could she let him make a spectacle of himself?

“Stop!”

Li Hu, still defiant, was about to retort, but at the sight of Jiang Rao stepping forward, his bravado instantly deflated. The young man, too, released him at once.

“Third Young Lady?” Li Hu was startled to see her there. Knowing he was in the wrong, he immediately knelt before her with head bowed.

The young man clearly did not recognize her status; his eyes passed over her calmly, and he made no gesture of respect.

Jiang Rao took no offense. “Today we celebrate the army’s victory,” she said mildly. “How can Deputy Li raise his hand in a brawl?”

Li Hu glanced sideways, still sullen, but finally answered respectfully, “This subordinate knows his mistake.”

The boy who had been defended was quick to read faces. Seeing that Jiang Rao held authority here, he took her for someone important and put on a pitiful look. “Madam, he even withheld our reward,” he complained.

He was about to continue when his “master” shot him a cold glance instantly silencing him.

What a clever imp yet he did know whom to fear.

Before Jiang Rao could speak, Li Hu hurried to declare, “Please rest assured, my lady, the rewards will all be distributed fairly.”

Jiang Rao nodded, then turned her gaze back to the boy who had protested earlier, softening her tone. “And now are you satisfied?”

“Y-yes… satisfied…” The boy’s cheeks flushed as he glanced at his master. The man said nothing, merely patted the boy’s back and said lightly, “Let’s go.”

And with that, the matter was settled.

After they left, Li Hu hesitated before asking, “My lady, what brings you here?”

Jiang Rao gave a small cough, striving to appear natural. “The main tent felt a bit stifling, so I came out to take a walk.”

Li Hu suspected nothing. He only reminded her to be careful going about alone, and then returned to his own tent.

The incident had delayed her somewhat, and Jiang Rao worried that her sister might soon send someone to look for her, so she quickened her pace.

At last she reached the tent the black-faced general had described but suddenly felt nervous.

Stretching her neck, she peered cautiously inside. There was only one man present.

He stood with his hands clasped behind him, back turned toward the entrance, studying a vertical map of military operations.

While everyone else was drinking and celebrating, here the atmosphere was utterly different.

Unconsciously, Jiang Rao added a touch of admiration in her mind for the man who would one day become the Prince of Beiqing. The next instant she made up her mind: since she meant to win his goodwill, she should first lower herself humbly.

After all, one does not strike a smiling face, especially when that smile comes bearing a gift.

Taking a quiet breath to steady herself, she gathered her courage and stepped into the tent.

“Commander Chen Lian, I’ve come to bring you some wine.”

Calling out as she entered, Jiang Rao lifted her skirts and walked in, holding the jug she had hidden earlier among the grass.

At the sound of her voice, the man turned around.

Jiang Rao’s smile blossomed like a flower but in the next instant, it froze.

She stared blankly in disbelief. This man… was far too old.

How could Commander Chen be a gray-haired elder?

And how could this possibly be the Chen Lian she was looking for!

Realizing that she had blundered badly, heat rushed to her face. Though the old officer before her looked kindly enough, standing there she could not have felt more embarrassed.

“So, you were looking for me.”

Suddenly, a movement came from the doorway.

A deep, mellow male voice sounded behind her. Jiang Rao, still flushed, turned instinctively.

There at the entrance stood the young man who had effortlessly subdued Li Hu earlier. Head slightly raised, he looked at her with calm amusement.

Author’s Note:
A’Rao: A full-scale public humiliation…
Chen Lian: It’s all right. I can pretend I didn’t see anything.

Cultural Notes:

• Deputy Commander:- a mid-level officer under the battalion commander.
• Prince of Beiqing:- a princely title that Chen Lian will later receive.
• Tiger Tally:- a bronze token carved in two halves; one half held by the emperor, the other by a general, used to authorize military command.
• Lanlu Wine:- a rare and fragrant wine, often used in banquets or as an imperial gift.