Chapter Ten: Does the General Have a Match?

The evening breeze swept across the sea, stirring ripples upon the surface.

On the beach, the soft sand wrapped gently around Zhou Jingxuan’s feet.

Before him, a woman in a red dress reclined lazily on a beach chair.

Her eyes were closed, and in this moment of rest, the usual sharpness in her expression softened, replaced by a tender glow.

Zhou Jingxuan leaned forward, drawing close, his breath light and lingering.

As if sensing his presence, the woman opened her eyes—clear and bright, with laughter dancing beneath their surface, gentle as the moonlight.

“Zhao Yan…”

“Mm.”

A tender kiss landed on Lin Zhaoyan’s lips; Zhou Jingxuan’s movements were careful, as if facing a rare treasure.

…

Zhou Jingxuan awoke in the night. The tent was empty, silent, and cold.

He rose and stepped down, his chest exposed as his robe hung loosely.

“It was just a dream…” he murmured, feeling a pang of loss. Rolling up his sleeve, he revealed a red string tied around his wrist.

Pulling back the curtain, the night breeze slipped inside, clearing his mind.

Was it worth chasing after someone who had already cast him aside?

He mocked himself inwardly, dismissing foolish thoughts. Enough—bridges are bridges, roads are roads. No need to care anymore.

Lowering his gaze, he noticed a quiet handkerchief lying on the ground.

…It was the cloth he had given Lin Zhaoyan to wipe her face.

She had been here?

His heart skipped a beat as he picked it up, clutching it tightly.

“The wind is chilly at this hour. Young lord, you’ve just recovered from illness—aren’t you cold standing here?” Lin Zhaoyan’s hand lifted the curtain, her figure cool and composed.

The one he longed for suddenly appeared before him. Zhou Jingxuan was momentarily stunned, his mouth parting sluggishly. “Zha–Lin Zhaoyan?”

“It’s me. Are you displeased, young lord?” Lin Zhaoyan withdrew the handkerchief from his grasp calmly.

“Will the general return it to me?” Zhou Jingxuan chuckled lightly, a joy he hadn’t realized surfacing in his tone.

“Once I’ve cleaned it, it will be returned to its rightful owner,” she said, folding the cloth, a strange feeling stirring within.

She had come by during the day to check on Zhou Jingxuan but left the handkerchief behind. Now that she had returned, she unexpectedly found him awake.

Zhou Jingxuan’s face was radiant with a smile, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Zhaoyan.

“How is the young lord?” Lin Zhaoyan asked with concern. After all, Zhou Jingxuan had exerted great effort to save her; she felt compelled to acknowledge it.

“All is well. And the general?” Zhou Jingxuan’s smile broadened. Lin Zhaoyan touched her nose shyly.

“Thanks to you, I am very well,” she replied, her heart tightening under his unwavering gaze. “Since the young lord has recovered, we shall set off for the capital tomorrow… Please rest well tonight and do not catch cold.”

…

Her eyes drifted downward, lingering on Zhou Jingxuan’s disheveled robe. She cleared her throat softly.

Zhou Jingxuan’s expression turned awkward; he hastily tugged at his clothing and turned away. “The general should rest early as well.”

Lin Zhaoyan stifled a silent laugh and turned to leave.

Before dawn the next day, the Anchu Army set off, heading toward the capital.

Lin Zhaoyan rode her horse, her expression tense.

In her past life, she had accompanied many clients to horse riding grounds, and while she knew a bit about riding, riding in formation with so many others made her nervous, afraid her unease would be noticed.

Zhou Jingxuan sat beside the carriage, glancing at the coachman, then looking up at Lin Zhaoyan, cheerfully asking, “General, aren’t you tired? Would you like to rest?”

Lin Zhaoyan glanced back at him with a snort, remaining silent.

“General~ There’s still room inside the carriage~ And plenty of space beside me,” Zhou Jingxuan persisted in teasing her.

Inside the carriage ahead, Xia Wan heard the commotion and couldn’t help but lift the curtain to peek out, her gaze complicated.

This was exactly the reckless image rumored about the young lord in the capital.

Reckless and uninhibited…

Song Ziji also turned his head, hesitating, eyes flicking toward Zhou Jingxuan.

In such public view, it was truly… difficult to handle.

Lin Zhaoyan rubbed her forehead, unsure how to respond to Zhou Jingxuan.

She always felt this fellow knew how to ride the wave—just a little warmth and he would shine brightly.

Prince Zhou was drawn by Zhou Jingxuan’s playful voice, raising his voice, “Are you fully recovered? Looking to get beaten again?”

Zhou Jingxuan was truly bold, daring to be so unruly with the general.

General Zhaoran, returning victorious with great merit, would surely be favored by the emperor. Zhou Jingxuan must not provoke her.

Zhou Jingxuan: …

He fell silent.

At the next rest stop, Zhou Jingxuan sidled up to Lin Zhaoyan, a smile playing on his lips. “General—”

What was wrong with him?

Lin Zhaoyan didn’t remember him ever being this brazen.

Had he lost his senses from the injury?

If so, she felt quite guilty.

Lin Zhaoyan cast an apologetic glance at Prince Zhou, who was utterly bewildered.

“General, why won’t you pay attention to me?” Zhou Jingxuan offered her a sweet potato. Lin Zhaoyan sighed and glanced at him.

She took the sweet potato, expression indifferent.

Not far behind them, Song Ziji, Xia Wan, and Gu Zhi stood in a row, arms crossed, watching the three with synchronized expressions.

Lin Zhaoyan felt as if pins were pricking her back, but her attention was fixed on Zhou Jingxuan’s burning gaze, leaving no room for anything else.

“Young lord, men and women are different. We should be mindful of boundaries.”

“Does the general have a betrothal?” Zhou Jingxuan blurted out.

Lin Zhaoyan was stunned.

Xia Wan and the others were stunned as well.

Zhou Jingxuan was even more stunned. After a long pause, he wanted to slap himself.

Last night, he was all about keeping things separate, and today he was asking if she was betrothed?

Could he have a little pride?

Song Ziji, trained in martial arts and with sharp hearing, was assigned to eavesdrop and relay information to Xia Wan and Gu Zhi.

At this moment, he hesitated. Xia Wan frowned. “What did the young lord say?”

“…He asked if the general was betrothed,” Song Ziji replied as if struck by lightning.

“Ah?” Xia Wan frowned. “This young lord is too forward!”

With that, she started toward the two, but Gu Zhi quickly pulled her back, whispering, “Perhaps the general doesn’t mind.”

At this, both turned to look at Gu Zhi.

He puffed out his chest. “Earlier, when the general and young lord fell into the trap and I came to assist, the general showed great concern for the young lord.”

“That’s because the general hates owing anyone,” Xia Wan countered.

“After the young lord passed out, the general did this,” Gu Zhi said, flicking his hair and blowing on his palm.

Xia Wan rolled her eyes. “That’s because the general is kind and considerate.”

Seeing Xia Wan was determined not to admit it, Gu Zhi sighed. “Dr. Xia, why do you dislike the young lord so much?”

“Besides, it was the young lord who cured the general’s poison,” Song Ziji reminded Xia Wan.

“I didn’t,” Xia Wan denied vehemently. “It’s just that the young lord is not as harmless as he seems. He has many… secrets. I worry the general might get hurt.”

Though the young lord had no medical training, he was able to cure that rare poison. She always felt he was not so simple.

“But, who doesn’t have secrets?” Song Ziji shook his head, his thoughts drifting.

“…” Lin Zhaoyan didn’t quite understand the implication behind Zhou Jingxuan’s words.

After a long pause, Zhou Jingxuan forced out, “I have a close friend who has admired the general for a long time, so I’m asking on his behalf.”