Chapter 1662 – Conquering Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Part 70)
An’s thoughts were not unknown to Lü Zheng.
But what could he do about it?
Lü Zheng was proud and arrogant; he wouldn’t lower his standards just to please An, even if An was his Lord. He knew all too well why their relationship had become so strained, and he certainly had ways to remedy it. The reason he didn’t act was that he understood that the crux of the matter lay in their fundamentally different ideologies, an issue with no resolution.
Unless An were to fundamentally change, or Lü Zheng had to abandon himself entirely, there was no chance they would reconcile. For many, climbing the social ladder meant sacrificing anything, and Lü Zheng wished for success too, but he wouldn’t do so at the cost of his principles.
Thus, the current situation also hinted at Lü Zheng’s reckless acceptance of the circumstances and his passive compliance.
Regardless of how much Lü Zheng might internally deride his Lord for being a big, clumsy oaf, he still had duties to fulfill.
Ever since An had mobilized troops to support the front lines, Jiang Ji’s forces had significantly slowed their expansion. After half a month of minor skirmishes, both sides had reached a standoff, resembling a powder keg ready to explode into an ultimate battle…
“Foster father, how could Lord An treat you like this?”
Kang Xintong paced back and forth in the tent, like a caged beast, stamping her feet in frustration, her eyes wide with indignation.
“Did you finish reciting today’s ‘Analects’? What’s with the fuss?” Lü Zheng glanced up from the tower of bamboo scrolls and documents that had made him visibly thinner over the days. He rarely took the time to look at his upset foster daughter, but he set down his brush to rub his wrist and sighed, “Sit down; don’t make my head spin. Don’t get so worked up; your little mouth could hang a wine cup…”
How could Kang Xintong swallow this grievance?
She had been staying in Lü Zheng’s tent without leaving, and when she did, it was always with a guard at her side for protection.
“Come here, help me sort these documents, organizing the bamboo scrolls properly.”
Lü Zheng beckoned to Kang Xintong, urging her not to fume at An. There was no need to get caught up in a conflict with him…
Kang Xintong was on the verge of tears.
She hadn’t realized how dire Lü Zheng’s situation was during her time away from the front.
An, that big, clumsy oaf, was an absolute scoundrel, truly thinking that Lü Zheng was just a convenient tool to be used.
The enemy forces were pressing hard, and it was only thanks to Lü Zheng’s cunning strategies and troop arrangements that the situation remained stable, halting the enemy’s advance.
As soon as things were steady, An couldn’t wait to toss Lü Zheng into the rear to deal with trivial matters, leaving him overwhelmed with paperwork for several days straight… Kang Xintong couldn’t see anything else; all she could see was An shamelessly taking credit for her foster father’s achievements.
That shameless big oaf!
Seeing her foster father grow thinner, even amid his busyness, he still took time to guide her studies and clarify her doubts. How could she not be touched? He was so good to her; why was An so guarded against him? Did An really think Lü Zheng was indispensable just because he was around?
“Foster father, I’m coming right away.”
Kang Xintong wanted to say something but held back, complying to help relieve Lü Zheng’s burden.
After a busy spell, as they cleared away some of the towering scrolls, Lü Zheng finally relaxed enough to discipline his foster daughter.
“We’re in a military camp; it’s open and exposed from all sides. Keep your words and actions in mind, so you don’t say anything that reaches the Lord’s ears,” he said sternly. Kang Xintong hung her head in dejection, obediently acknowledging him.
Lü Zheng continued, “Honestly, it’s fine for me not to be at the front. There are many talents under our Lord; the situation can be stabilized.”
Kang Xintong replied, “Foster father is kind; you’re still covering for them at a time like this.”
She saw Lü Zheng’s goodness and, in her heart, aside from her idol, Jiang Ji, Lü Zheng was the capable one.
“The outcome of battle doesn’t hinge on one person; I can only prevent them from being outwitted by the enemy, but I can’t say all of this is my achievement,” Lü Zheng remarked, pausing before adding, “Moreover, Liu Xi hasn’t appeared at the front…”
Kang Xintong’s eyes filled with confusion.
“That Liu Xi… There’s no one who can fight better or think smarter than her; based on her history, she always comes running wherever there’s a fight.” Lü Zheng mused. “Given the current state of the enemy, Zhong Zhao has basically been beaten to a pulp, and except for where our Lord is in Nan Sheng, she doesn’t have anywhere else to stir up trouble. A month has passed since the war began, yet she hasn’t been seen on the battlefield; it’s truly strange…”
Usually, Jiang Ji was quite the lively one, but suddenly being quiet as a mouse made Lü Zheng uneasy.
“Foster father means…”
Kang Xintong thought her foster father would have some groundbreaking revelation, but unexpectedly…
“She’s either injured or pregnant… However, Liu Xi has a knack for faking illness; it’s not her first time. With her combat skills, being ill seems far-fetched, making pregnancy a more likely scenario. Otherwise, I can’t think of why she hasn’t appeared at the front lines.”
Kang Xintong: “…”
A normal Lord wouldn’t rush to the frontlines to fight against the enemy, right?
Also, why was the chance of pregnancy higher than being injured?
Wasn’t it possible she just wanted to be a good Lord and stayed off the battlefield?
“Maybe… there’s some other plot? Like diverting attention and secretly attacking our troops after pulling a fast one?”
Lü Zheng couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
“This area is open and flat; if there were to be a stealth attack, they’d be exposed before getting anywhere near, getting shot up like a pincushion.” Lü Zheng was trained at Langya Academy, one of Mr. Yuanjing’s disciples, and his fundamental skills were solid, with his knowledge of military encampment quite refined.
He had chosen this location for their camp, naturally considering the possibility of an enemy ambush.
Kang Xintong nodded, faintly hearing Lü Zheng murmuring.
“Something’s off… how could that person be so peaceful…”
Kang Xintong said, “Foster father, there’s something I hesitate to say.”
“If it’s better left unsaid, then don’t say it.” Lü Zheng imitated something Jiang Ji had once said, observing Kang Xintong’s flushed face and her anxious demeanor, unable to suppress his urge to scold Jiang Ji for leading her astray. He quickly corrected himself, “Just kidding! Say whatever you want; don’t hold back.”
Kang Xintong took a deep breath. “Foster father… since you’re familiar with Lord Lan Ting, and Given how Lord An treats you disdainfully… why not… leverage the bond of your youthful friendship to gain his favor through your accomplishments? I’m sure he’d think highly of you…”
Lü Zheng’s expression cooled, but he didn’t get angry or reprimand her.
He merely replied coldly, “You sound more like a spokesperson for Liu Xi than my foster daughter. Whose child are you anyway?”
Hasn’t she reached the marrying age yet, and she’s already learning how to elbow her way out?
