Surviving in the General's Mansion - Chapter 67

After reaching the finish line, the horse continued walking for a short distance.

Mo Qing and Mo Bai hurried over to meet them, while Chuqing and Xiao Yaqing ran ahead of everyone else, crying as they came.

By now, the rain had eased considerably.

Cang Chuli dismounted first. Seeing Xia Heng still sitting dazedly in the saddle, he reached out to help her down.

She flinched and shrank back, an awkward smile appearing on her face.

“G-General, well… I think I rather like riding! Could you let me ride your horse back to the stable?”

As she spoke, she shot a meaningful look at the two women who had rushed over.

Chuqing looked confused, but Xiao Yaqing understood instantly.

“Oh! It’s entirely possible to develop a sudden love of riding! We’ll take her for a little walk. Hahaha!”

“I’ll do it!” Mo Bai volunteered when his general did not object.

How could they make Miss Xiao lead a horse? Besides, this was the general’s Zhuxiao…

“Do what? We girls want to look at the horse. What business do you have coming along?”

Xiao Yaqing pushed Mo Bai aside, grabbed Chuqing, took the reins, and left without giving anyone a chance to speak.

Cang Chuli watched them go.

In particular, he watched Xia Heng sitting stiffly in the saddle, not daring to make the slightest movement.

He gave a quiet laugh.

She had suddenly developed a love of riding?

“Quick, quick! Help me down!”

As soon as they reached the stable and Xia Heng saw no one nearby, she spoke urgently.

Chuqing stared at her in confusion.

“What? Aren’t you going to ride around somewhere else?”

“Ride around, my foot! She’s on her period!” Xiao Yaqing said, hurrying to help her.

“Her aunt is here? Where?”

Chuqing looked around and even turned in a circle.

“…Her monthly courses!”

Understanding finally dawned on Chuqing.

“Quick, look behind me. Is there anything there?”

Chuqing and Xiao Yaqing sucked in sharp breaths.

“Um… I’ll go get you a cloak,” Xiao Yaqing said.

Xia Heng instantly gave up all hope.

“Thank you…”

“But… what do we do about this?”

Chuqing pointed helplessly at the stain on the saddle.

Xia Heng hurriedly took out a handkerchief and dipped it in water from the trough.

Fortunately, only a little had rubbed onto it. The saddle was made of dark leather, so after she wiped it several times, the mark was almost invisible.

“Do you think… the general would give me this saddle if I asked for it?”

Xia Heng gave Chuqing a dead-eyed look.

The stain could no longer be seen, but she still could not bear the thought of leaving it there!

“No one has ever tried… Why don’t you ask? You never know…”

After seriously considering the possibility, Chuqing offered the suggestion sincerely.

“Forget about me. I am already socially dead…”

Xia Heng found a privy and changed her sanitary pad, wrapping the used one securely in a fresh bag.

*I’m sorry, warehouse. I never imagined the day would come when I made you store this…*

After resolving the major crisis, Xia Heng and Chuqing squatted side by side near the stable with their hands tucked into their sleeves, waiting for Xiao Yaqing to return with a cloak.

Chuqing struggled for a long time before finally saying, “Ah Heng… let me see your hand.”

“It’s fine. Fortunately, it was a whip rather than a blade. Otherwise, I’d only have six fingers left now. Hahaha!”

Xia Heng had meant to lighten the mood with a joke.

Instead, tears immediately began rolling down the young woman’s cheeks.

Chuqing rested her head against Xia Heng’s shoulder.

“Ah Heng… do you know?

“It wouldn’t have mattered if we lost. The general and the others wouldn’t blame you! All that matters is that you’re safe…”

Xia Heng leaned her head against Chuqing’s.

“Sigh… I hadn’t planned to do all that either. Who knew Huyan Lie would be so despicable?”

“Now I understand exactly how you felt this morning.”

“Hmm?”

“Like beating him to death!”

“Pfft!”

Chuqing burst out laughing, then felt laughter ruined the solemn atmosphere. As she tried to hold it in, her expression grew increasingly twisted.

Xia Heng raised her head and stared at Chuqing’s contorted face, pointing a finger at her forehead.

“Whoever you are, get out of her body immediately!”

Chuqing finally laughed properly.

She carefully drew Xia Heng’s hand closer, not daring to touch the welt, and blew gently over it.

“When we return, I’ll organize Qiulin, Zhao Die, and the others to apply medicine for you!”

“Is that really necessary? Organize them? Qiulin’s arm is still in a sling!”

“Of course it is! You were injured protecting the dignity of Huaxia and the General’s Mansion of Northern Pacification!

“Didn’t you hear how many people called you as brave as any man?

“I have to make everyone at the mansion come and see!”

“That really isn’t necessary…”

Xiao Yaqing returned with the cloak and found the two little figures huddled beside the trough, shivering.

The horse beside them calmly chewed its feed.

No matter how one looked at the scene, it was pitiful.

“I’m here! Quickly, put this on. Your clothes are soaked. If I’d known, I would have brought another outfit today.”

“It’s all right. Who knew I’d get drenched? A cloak is already wonderful.”

“Mm. When we return, I’ll make ginger-and-brown-sugar water to drive out the chill. You started your monthly courses today and still got soaked in the rain…”

Wrapped entirely in Xiao Yaqing’s cloak, Xia Heng finally began to feel warm.

The rush of adrenaline had faded, and only now did she remember everything she had just done.

She listened meekly as Xiao Yaqing and Chuqing fussed over what to do for her.

Looking at Xia Heng’s pale, obedient face, Xiao Yaqing could see none of the fierce woman who had carried a target around the arena.

She sighed inwardly and narrowed her eyes.

Huyan Lie of Tujue?

Very well…

Cang Chuli and Huyan Lie had both gone to change clothes. When they returned to the stands, Huyan Lie said regretfully, “The general truly has an excellent maid. She would risk everything to secure your victory. Why do I possess no such good fortune?”

Cang Chuli looked at him coldly.

When he received no answer, Huyan Lie continued with a false smile.

“But I wonder how the Zhenbei Army can hold its head up when the mighty General of the Northern Pacification needed a maid to risk her life before he could win.”

“Work harder. One day you may have one too,” Cang Chuli replied calmly.

As he spoke, he turned and blocked Huyan Lie’s line of sight.

Huyan Lie choked on the retort.

Xiao Yaqing and the others returned to the stands. Seeing Huyan Lie speaking with Cang Chuli again, they had no choice but to approach and exchange greetings.

Why did this man cling to Cang Chuli like a leech?

Xia Heng felt slightly guilty after pinching the flesh at his waist.

After saluting, she retreated behind Cang Chuli.

Seeing her hide there, Huyan Lie remembered the dark bruise he had found on his waist while changing clothes.

Tsk. The little thing certainly had not held back!

“I greatly envy the general for possessing such a maid,” Huyan Lie said slowly. “Would you consider parting with her and giving her to me?”

“The First Prince appears to have a poor memory,” Cang Chuli replied unhurriedly.

“Under our wager, only the winner may take one item from the loser.”

Oh, the classic question: did she count as an “item” or not?

Xia Heng complained inwardly.

“Then may I ask what the general wishes to take?”

Huyan Lie heard Cang Chuli emphasize the word *loser* and forced each word through clenched teeth.

“I hear the Khagan of Tujue possessed a Golden Scimitar, which he bestowed on the First Prince several years ago.”

As Cang Chuli spoke, his gaze shifted toward the scabbard at Huyan Lie’s waist…