dognovel Chapter 136 Tacit understanding
Chapter 136 Tacit understanding
Nanfei's arrival always angered her; she couldn't sleep until he returned; and his meddling made her lose her temper again. In Nanfei's presence, principles and backbone had no chance to take root.
Nanfei sensed something was wrong with Yuan Feng's voice and looked up to see her glistening tears. Nanfei sat up abruptly and pulled her into a tight embrace.
Yuan Feng's tears could no longer be held back, rolling down her cheeks like pearls. Nan Fei pressed her against his chest and sighed, "Why are you crying?"
Thinking about it carefully, Nanfei hadn't done anything excessive; it was just that she was inexplicably sad.
Yuan Feng sniffed: "I don't know."
Nanfei could tell she was aggrieved, but he had drunk a bit too much and was afraid that if he continued talking, he would give himself away. He just wanted to comfort Yuan Feng as soon as possible and then go to sleep.
Nanfei rubbed his temples: "My head hurts."
Yuan Feng immediately looked up and asked nervously, "Should we call the army doctor?"
Nanfei closed his eyes slightly, his voice alluring: "If Ah Feng kisses me, the pain will go away."
As the alcohol took effect, Nanfei's fair face flushed a deep red, making him incredibly alluring. Whether it was his face or his voice that bewitched her, Yuan Fengzhen looked up and kissed his cheek.
Nanfei was dissatisfied and mumbled, "Not here."
Yuan Feng hugged him and lay down: "I'm sleepy, go to sleep."
Nanfei rested his head on her chest, but his hands were still restless, tearing off her clothes with his eyes closed.
Yuan Feng still clutched her clothes tightly.
Yuan Feng shouldn't hold it against him? Or did he misjudge? Is she determined to solve the mystery? Nan Fei thought to himself: Oh no, I don't have the energy to waste time with her today.
Nan Fei took her hand, slightly opening his dazed eyes, and nuzzled against her, saying sweetly, "Ah Feng—"
Yuan Feng loosened her grip little by little and whispered, "Then... you should tone it down... we have to get up early tomorrow..."
Nan Fei was clearly taken aback for a moment, then buried his face in her chest and laughed in a deep voice: "This subordinate obeys!"
Nanfei was really restrained; after they were done, he held her and fell asleep.
Yuan Feng, however, was wide awake. Nan Fei seemed out of sorts, probably trying to cheer her up because he saw she was in a bad mood.
Nanfei's face was right in front of her. Yuan Feng traced his eyebrows and eyes little by little. Nanfei was fast asleep, completely unaware of what was happening. Was he truly exhausted or drunk?
People are always greedy. Before, when Nanfei didn't come back, she always wished he would. Now that Nanfei is by her side, she hopes to have a tacit understanding with him.
Their marriage was inherently flawed, and they lacked time to get along, so expecting them to have a tacit understanding was simply asking the impossible.
Nanfei was actually quite good to her. It was just that Yuan Feng always had a sense of unease. It was like walking on a tightrope, knowing that she could slip and fall to her death at any moment.
The burning of the Yuan residence was a knot in her heart. What could possibly be so important that Nanfei would conspire with the Crown Prince? She hadn't gotten anything out of him twice, and she didn't expect to get anything out of him in the future either.
Yuan Feng sighed softly: I won't mention it again.
This was said to Nanfei, and also to himself. The Crown Prince is rebuilding the Yuan residence; there's no need to let this cause any more unhappiness.
When Yuan Feng woke up, Nan Fei was no longer in the tent; she had gone to bed late again. It seemed that whenever Nan Fei was around, she tended to sleep in.
As soon as Yuan Feng stepped out of the main tent, he saw Yan Zeyu. Standing in front of Yan Zeyu were Yin Jing and Nan Fei, and behind him stood more than a dozen scholars, some of whom looked familiar.
Yuan Feng had seen Yan Zeyi in the imperial court and again on Chongming Island; though they weren't friends, they were somewhat familiar with each other. She walked over and greeted him, "General Yan."
Yan Zeyu bowed and said, "General Yuan, thank you for your help with the matter of Chongming Island."
Yuan Feng, standing in the shadows that day, saw him leave Liu Lin's room. Had Yuan Feng let slip even a little more, Yan Zeyu would have been dead on the spot. Luo Anding's death in Liu Lin was a natural consequence, and even though Nian Yao later learned the truth, she couldn't touch him easily, thus saving his life.
Yuan Feng said, "Liu Lin's death is beneficial to Dongyang. General Yan has rendered meritorious service to Dongyang. There is no need for further thanks."
Nanfei doesn't interfere in other people's feuds, but Liu Lin has been genuinely good to him and Luo An over the past few years. He didn't want to hear about this, and his tone became somewhat impatient: "Are you still going back to Bianjing? If so, bring them back with you."
Yan Zeyu said, "The Crown Prince said that I am under the command of General Yuan."
Nanfei said, “You and Afeng will attack Fengyuan together, while Uncle Yin and Wang Du will go, and Uncle Le and Zhao Sheng will go. Every time they conquer a county, the two uncles will select the most prestigious person in the area to be the magistrate, and then select a county assistant from among the soldiers to ensure that there will be no rebellion in the area and that the magistrate will not betray them.”
Yan Zeyu glanced at Yuan Feng: "Crown Prince..."
Nanfei interrupted him: "When a general is in the field, he may disobey some military orders."
A scholar behind Yan Zeyu stepped forward: "Young Master Nan, this is defying the imperial decree..."
Nan Fei smiled, his voice gentle yet compelling: "Scholar Zhao, this is the military camp, where did this Young Master Nan come from?"
Yuan Feng sensed something was wrong and asked Yin Jing in a low voice, "What's going on?"
Yin Jing whispered, "The Crown Prince decreed that for every county conquered, a scholar should be appointed as the magistrate to govern it."
Scholar Zhao stubbornly protested, "Nanfei, your reputation in Bianjing is terrible. You only act recklessly because you have the Crown Princess's backing. Let me tell you, my aunt is the Empress, and even the Crown Prince has to address me with respect..."
Nan Fei ignored him and said to Yan Zeyu, "General Yan, I'll trouble you to lead them to attack the city. Let them climb the ladders first. The Empress's nephew sacrificed himself for the country, which is an honor for the entire Zhao family. He will be famous both before and after his death."
The scholars' faces turned green, and they shoved Scholar Zhao forward. Scholar Zhao tugged at Yan Zeyu's sleeve: "General, you brought us here; you must guarantee our safety..."
Yan Zeyu's impression of Nanfei was still that she was beautiful and lively, but now he felt that Nanfei was so bold as to be almost arrogant.
Yan Zeyu looked down on the scholars' cowardly manner. He brushed aside Scholar Zhao's hand and asked solemnly, "General, the local gentry are either from prominent families or highly respected individuals. If they are unwilling to surrender..."
Nan Fei coldly said, "Kill! Brother Yan was a general and a ship captain..."
Nanfei didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear: Is there even a need to ask!
Yan Zeyu was somewhat embarrassed and turned to Yuan Feng: "General, what's your opinion?"
Yuan Feng said, "I will follow the commander's arrangements."
Yan Zeyu thought to himself: No wonder they are husband and wife, they have such a good understanding!
The atmosphere was tense, but Yin Jing smiled and tried to smooth things over: "As the saying goes, when a scholar encounters a soldier, reason is useless. The Northern Rou region has not been completely pacified, and hooligans and thugs are taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble, with local forces rising up one after another."
The scholars, lacking martial arts skills, are barely able to protect themselves. If they were to die far from home, it would be a pity to have wasted over a decade of diligent study… They can return and demonstrate their abilities once the North is at peace.”
Yuan Feng chimed in, "Scholars, you've come from afar and must be tired. Please rest first."
Xiaoman led the scholars away, and Yin Jing chatted with Yan Zeyu about Bianjing. Nanfei and Yuan Feng returned to the main tent.
Yuan Feng asked, "Can Yan Zeyi be trusted?"
Nanfei said, "As long as they are wholeheartedly devoted to Dongyang and do not betray the country, what is there to distrust? I have no conflict of interest with these generals, nor do I interfere in matters on the battlefield. As long as they meet their demands, I will guarantee them wealth and honor."
The Crown Prince promised me that if we return victorious, the two generals of Zhao will be enfeoffed as Dukes, and Uncle Yin and Uncle Le will be enfeoffed as Marquises. They are familiar with the soldiers and can easily select men. Yan Zeyi is quite capable; with proper training, he might be able to replace you in commanding the Xingtian Cavalry.”