Chapter 4:- “Are You Afraid of Me?”

Inside the white tent, the silence was uncanny. Facing that steady, assessing gaze, Jiang Rao pressed her lips tightly together and unconsciously gripped the jug of Lanlu Wine in her hands.

She had come intending to use the wine as a friendly gesture, to seize the chance to curry a bit of favor with the man who would one day stand high above all others as the Prince of Beiqing, and to leave him with a good first impression.

Yet the reality was that her second brother’s deputy, that very same subordinate, had just been caught bullying others under her very eyes; extorting and withholding their rewards.

Thinking back to her own conduct just moments ago, Jiang Rao sighed inwardly. She hadn’t said anything wrong, perhaps, but she certainly hadn’t made a good impression either.

An inauspicious beginning.

Standing there under his gaze, she felt pricked all over, as though standing on thorns. She didn’t even dare to explain why she had appeared here so inappropriately but only worried that she might have already offended him.

And of all people, he was not someone she could afford to offend.

After a long moment, Chen Lian finally withdrew his gaze and, with an air of calm leisure, began to walk forward.

Jiang Rao had only just breathed out a faint sigh of relief when she felt him stop beside her. Without looking up, she instinctively straightened her back.

Chen Lian raised his brows slightly, as if finding something interesting. Then he leaned closer, deliberately narrowing the distance between them. Sure enough, he saw her even stop breathing for a moment.

“Are you afraid of me?” he asked, sounding faintly amused.

Jiang Rao flustered. His eyes were fixed on her again. This time they were face to face, their gazes so close that she felt as if the secrets she hid in her heart might be seen through at once.

She wasn’t afraid but she regarded him as her lifeline, yet was at the same time uneasy, uncertain how to grasp hold of him, or how tightly.

And she feared that this lifeline might refuse to be held at all.

He had yet to move, clearly waiting for her to answer.

“I am not afraid,” Jiang Rao murmured softly, shaking her head. Then she stepped back slightly, opening some space between them. Only once she had steadied herself did she lift her eyes and add in a quiet voice, “It was merely a misunderstanding just now. I was a bit at a loss, please don’t take offense, General.”

“General?”

Chen Lian glanced at her, his tone carrying an echo of curiosity as he repeated the title she had used.

Jiang Rao realized at once her slip of the tongue. She had spoken instinctively from her memories of her past life, knowing that Chen Lian would one day become an invincible war god, the supreme general of his time.

But in this life, that future had not yet come to pass.

She had seen Li Hu’s arrogance earlier and could roughly guess that Chen Lian’s rank was still low at present. Calling him “General” right now, wasn’t that a bit too flattering?

Would he think so as well?

The thought made her ears burn bright red. She turned her head quickly aside, too mortified to meet his eyes.

“Ah-Lian, whose daughter might this be?”

Fortunately, before Chen Lian could say more, the old officer whom Jiang Rao had mistaken for him earlier interjected. Jiang Rao silently thanked the heavens for the old man that he had saved her from wanting to dig herself a hole and crawl into it.

At the question, Chen Lian cast a brief look at her, his expression as if to say: I don’t know her.

Jiang Rao had wanted to give her name, but the words caught in her throat.

Tonight, the armies were gathered to celebrate the Jiang Family Army’s great victory. As a daughter of the Jiang Marquisate, she should have remained in the main tent with her family yet she was here, in some remote side tent. What would others think?

The excuse she had used to fool Li Hu earlier clearly wouldn’t work here. Li Hu was her family’s subordinate, but the situation now was more delicate.

Her identity could not be easily revealed, yet she had no convincing explanation prepared. While she hesitated, Chen Lian’s unhurried voice broke the stalemate.

“Second Uncle, she came especially to deliver fine wine. Why not hurry and let us taste it, lest her efforts go to waste?”

That line hit the old man’s fancy exactly, and the topic shifted at once.

“What fine wine might that be?” he asked eagerly.

“How would I know?” Chen Lian tilted his chin toward her. “Ask her.”

Jiang Rao hadn’t expected him to step in on her behalf. She quickly held out the jug and replied with a bright smile, “It’s Lanlu Wine, aged for several years.”

Then she hurriedly added, “It’s part of the army’s victory reward, every tent has some.”

That made her presence here sound natural enough, and thankfully, the deputy officer didn’t question her further. He poured himself a cup, took a few sips, and praised the wine repeatedly.

Seeing the awkwardness dissolve, Jiang Rao began to worry about the time as her elder sister might send people to find her so she prepared to excuse herself.

Before leaving, she couldn’t help glancing once more toward Chen Lian.

Earlier, when he’d faced Li Hu outside, the darkness had kept her from seeing him clearly. Now, under the lamplight, his face was sharply outlined; striking features, cool and detached in expression, refined yet edged with authority. His tall frame carried a natural, commanding presence.

And truly, what woman does not admire strength?

At present, he might hold no lofty rank and seem unremarkable to most but Jiang Rao knew he was destined for greatness. Quietly, she reminded herself: You must cling to this one early, before others do.

He didn’t seem to notice her lingering gaze. She allowed herself a few seconds longer, thinking that, no matter what, having met him tonight was progress enough. The rest could come step by step.

“Deputy Commander Chen,” she said politely, “since the wine has been delivered, please take your time enjoying it. I shall take my leave.”

Out of respect for the elder, she also gave the old officer a courteous bow.

The old man stood up at once, looking slightly flustered. “No, no, I cannot accept such courtesy! What a bother for you to come all this way! Since the young lady is leaving, Ah-Lian, go see her out.”

Jiang Rao turned toward Chen Lian. He only lifted his eyes briefly, not even glancing at her fully, and showed no intention of moving.

“No need,” she said quickly, seeing he was unwilling. Smiling with composure, she added, “It’s only a short walk, no need to trouble yourself.”

With that, she left the tent, still lost in thought. She had not gone more than a few steps when she heard quiet footsteps behind her.

Looking back, she saw Chen Lian following her silently.

“My second uncle insisted I come,” he said with a faint frown, his tone slightly impatient as though needing to justify the act.

Jiang Rao nodded. She wouldn’t dare mistake it for affection. Smiling lightly, she said, “Then I must trouble you.”

They walked one behind the other, neither speaking.

All the way, silence stretched between them. As the main tent drew near, Jiang Rao began to wonder why Chen Lian hadn’t stopped yet.

If they appeared together, it might raise unwanted attention.

“This will do,” she said, halting. After a brief pause, she smiled warmly at him. “The main tent is right ahead. You may return now.”

Chen Lian did not move immediately. After a long look at her, he suddenly asked, “Why aren’t you calling me General this time?”

Jiang Rao froze. Her heart, which had just calmed, rippled again. Her ears reddened as she murmured, “I misspoke before.”

The title itself was harmless, but paired with his teasing tone and deliberate repetition, she had no idea how to respond calmly.

She had been raised in seclusion, unaccustomed to such exchanges. A few words of his mockery were enough to defeat her completely.

He merely uttered a faint “Oh,” his eyes lifting slightly, their meaning unreadable.

“How did you know my name?” he asked.

So that was why he had followed her. Jiang Rao had been rehearsing her answer in silence the whole way back. When she finally spoke, her tone was composed and natural. “I heard it from Deputy General Li Hu.”

It made perfect sense. She had seen Li Hu and Chen Lian arguing earlier; asking his name afterward would be only natural.

But Chen Lian’s quick mind was not so easily satisfied. “So,” he said, “was it also that man who told you to bring the wine?”

She knew Li Hu’s hostility toward him. Unable to push the blame further, Jiang Rao decided to take it herself.

“It was my own idea. I saw your young disciple seemed fond of the wine, so I thought to bring some over myself.”

At that, Chen Lian finally looked straight at her. “A kind-hearted miss indeed.”

It was the first time he had addressed her as Miss. Jiang Rao couldn’t help but wonder if the compliment was sincere.

As she pondered, he spoke again.

“That Li Hu listens to you quite obediently. He’s Deputy to the heir of the Marquis of Jing’an. So, you must be from the Marquis’s household as well?”

His tone held more words now as he was probing for her identity.

Meeting his eyes, Jiang Rao felt a heaviness settle in her chest. She was the Emperor’s chosen future Crown Princess. The betrothal ceremony had yet to be completed, but the entire realm already regarded her as belonging to the Crown Prince as his possession.

If she revealed her true status, would Chen Lian draw away out of deference to the Prince? She dared not take that risk. Especially now, when she had just begun to open a favorable path.

“Have you ever heard,” Jiang Rao said smoothly, “of the famed daughters of the Jiang family?”

Chen Lian gave her a sidelong glance, thinking. “I heard the Marquis’s elder daughter is well read and eloquent.”

“And the younger one?” Jiang Rao couldn’t stop herself from asking eagerly. “Have you not heard anything about her?”

Chen Lian lifted his eyes toward her, faint amusement flickering there. “The younger daughter’s reputation, I believe… isn’t so good.”

Jiang Rao stiffened, indignant. Her anger flared before she could hide it. “How could that be! What’s bad about it?”

Whether by mischief or not, Chen Lian seemed to recall the gossip carefully. “It’s said she has a bewitching face, not quite proper in demeanor.”

“You’ve never even seen her so how can you say she’s improper? That’s all nonsense from idle commoners in alleyways!”

“Then you’ve seen her?” Chen Lian asked suddenly, turning toward her.

“I…of course I have!” Jiang Rao said quickly, slipping seamlessly into her role. “She’s my second cousin. Though her looks are… striking, she was taught from childhood by the palace tutors. Her conduct follows all the rules of decorum so how could she be improper?”

Afraid he might still doubt her; she added hastily, pretending to invoke authority, “Both my cousins are in the main tent right now. I was just on my way to find them.”

Chen Lian glanced briefly toward the main tent, but gave no reply. Jiang Rao’s heart wavered, yet she could only keep her composure.

“If you don’t believe me, then…” she began, but he interrupted her.

“I believe you,” he said evenly, his gaze returning to her. “Since you’re kin of the Marquis’s house, how should I address you?”

At that, Jiang Rao suddenly recalled a small white kitten she once owned. It was just a fake name, after all. Without thinking, she blurted, “My family calls me Xiao Qi.”

It was the kitten’s name.

The words had barely left her mouth when she saw Chen Lian’s lips curve slightly, a teasing light in his eyes.

Author’s Note:

Mini Theater

Ah-Lian: “So I was talking to a cat all along.”
Rao’er: “Meow~”

Translator’s Notes:

• Xiao Qi : Literally “Little Seven,” a pet nickname she borrows here.

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