Chapter 25: Faint Feelings of Love

  Qishan and others left Tai'an Prefecture, exited Shandong, entered Zhili, and headed towards Beijing.

  All the way, Qishan hastened his journey, making good use of his time.

  Even more often, they camped in the wilderness and did not stop at post stations.

  Because they missed the relay station due to continuous rushing, this night was also spent camping in the wild. Zhi Lan and Die Er had separate tents, with Gudu taking turns keeping watch for Zhi Lan. Qi Shan had already rested, while Li Zhen was still patrolling the camp. Huang Shi Hai followed closely behind Li Zhen, speaking in a low voice: "Sir, have you noticed that Miss Zhi Lan's gaze towards you is somewhat different?"

  "What's different?" Li Zhenxiang asked.

  Huang Shi Hai pondered for a moment, scratched his head, thought carefully again, and said: "Anyway, I think that gaze is different. If you ask where it's different, I can't say."

  Li Zhenxiao said, "That day I shot and killed the leader of the bandits, saving Zi Lan, so she has a grateful heart towards me, her eyes are naturally different. Don't think too much, let's continue patrolling at night."

  Seeing Huang Shi Hai wanting to speak but hesitating, Li Zhen said: "I know your idea and can understand it, but you must be clear that we are Han people's leaders, and also the most ordinary leaders. Zhilan is a Manchu flag person, and also the daughter of Gui Liang, the Minister of War, with a prominent family background. Some things are not so simple."

  Huang Shi Hai let out a soft sigh after hearing this.

  There is indeed a huge gap between Han people and Banner people.

  Li Zhen saw Huang Shi Hai sighing and couldn't help but laugh inwardly.

  He had a good impression of Zilan, but not to the point of being moved. After all, who wouldn't be delighted by beautiful things? Especially since Zilan was born with a lovely face and figure, Li Zhen naturally wouldn't have any bad feelings towards her. As for more thoughts, Li Zhen didn't have them - his mind wasn't on that aspect, and he had grand ambitions.

  Both parties have different identities, so Li Zhen just admired the beauty with the intention of appreciating a beautiful woman, sizing up Zhilan without any other thoughts.

  "Miss Zhilan has arrived."

  Huang Shi Hai said in a low voice and left automatically.

  Li Zhen turned his head and saw that Zhilan was wearing a brocade robe, walking towards him with small steps. Li Zhen cupped his hands and said: "It's already late at night, why hasn't Miss Zhilan rested yet?"

  Zhilan walked up to Li Zhen and said softly: "General, you haven't rested either."

  Li Zhen shook his head and said, "I'm in charge of the camp's safety, I have to patrol around, naturally I can't rest. If something goes wrong, it would be dereliction of duty." He paused for a moment, then continued, "Miss Zhilan didn't rest, is she not used to living outdoors? If that's the case, we might need to make some plans for tomorrow, otherwise we might have to spend another night in the wilderness."

  Zhilan's face flushed with a hint of red, and she blinked her bright eyes, saying softly: "General Li is so considerate, whoever marries General Li will be truly blessed."

  "Uh..."

  Li Zhen's eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at Zhilan, his expression incredulous.

  What does this mean?

  However, Li Zhen quickly calmed down his surprise and laughed: "Miss Zhilan is joking, Li Zhen is just a rough and unrefined soldier, only knowing how to fight and kill, who would care about that!"

  Zhilan burst out laughing and said: "I'll give you a chance, General. What's your intention?"

  Li Zhen said, "Miss Zhilan, speak your mind."

  Even with Li Zhen's firm will, he was somewhat shaken by Ruo Lan's words.

  He glanced around and found He Ming sneaking among the patrolling soldiers, occasionally glancing in his direction. Li Zhen sneered inwardly, knowing that He Ming was jealous of him and hated to overthrow him immediately, thereby undermining Wu Qigong. However, with Li Zhen's current status, He Ming could not shake Li Zhen.

  Zhilan and Li Zhen strolled through the camp, speaking softly: "General saved Zhi Lan, Ama will surely repay the general. As long as Ama recommends it, the general can easily be transferred from the Jiangbei Grand Camp to serve in the capital, what does the general think?"

  Li Zhenyi listened and found out it was a repayment of kindness, apparently he had overthought things.

  Li Zhen shook his head and said: "Miss, your kindness is appreciated. When I saved you that day, it was just a matter of carrying out orders. You don't have to worry about it."

  Since it was a matter of repaying kindness, Li Zhen refused without hesitation.

  Zhilan raised an eyebrow and said, "General, if you stay in the Jiangbei camp, fighting and killing every day, even if you shed blood and risk your life, you will only be a miscellaneous general, and it will be difficult to get promoted. If you enter the capital as an official, with my mother's help, you will surely rise to prominence, and getting promoted will not be a problem, this is an opportunity."

  Zhilan gazed at Li Zhen with expectation, her eyes fixed on his angular face, and her heart racing with excitement.

  Li Zhen felt very uncomfortable after hearing Rong Lan's words.

  "He said in a low voice: 'Miss Zilan, not everyone is grateful for kindness and not everyone likes to climb high branches. Li Zhen has a fiery passion, four limbs are strong, can fight bravely on the battlefield. Although it's hard work, he has no regrets, no complaints. I reiterate again, saving Miss that day was an order, Miss doesn't need to take it to heart. As for entering the capital, Miss shouldn't mention it again, otherwise don't blame Li Zhen for being impolite.'"

  "Good heavens! I'm doing this for your own good, and yet you refuse to appreciate it!"

  Li Zhen's face turned solemn, and he said in a cold voice: "Miss, your kindness is too much for Li Zhen to accept. The night air is heavy with moisture, Miss, you should return to your tent and rest early." After finishing speaking, Li Zhen turned around and left, no longer talking to Zilan.

  Zhilan stared at Li Zhen's back, her lips pursed tightly, a look of grievance on her face.

  She was kind and well-intentioned, but in return she got Li Zhen's cold words.

  Zhilan felt uncomfortable in her heart, but there was nothing she could do about it. Especially since Zhilan had a small thought in her mind, if Li Zhen entered the capital to be an official, she and Li Zhen could also meet frequently, unfortunately, it was not worth the effort.

  "Stinky Tofu, Stinky Tofu!"

  Zhilan muttered under her breath and returned to her tent in a huff.

  Li Zhen stopped and turned around to glance at Zhilan's back, shaking his head slightly.

  He glanced over and found He Ming smiling at him.

  He Ming saw Li Zhen angering Zi Lan, and he felt pleased in his heart. He Ming knew that Qi Shan had the intention of befriending Gui Liang, so not only would Qi Shan not offend Zi Lan, but he would also go all out to protect her. Now that Li Zhen had offended Zi Lan, He Ming's chance to overthrow him had come, and he turned around and left, heading towards the military commander's large tent in the capital.

  Qishan was old and had sat in a horse-drawn carriage all day, so he rested early.

  He was old and slept poorly, but He Ming woke him up, which made Qi Shan somewhat unhappy. However, Qi Shan still patiently asked: "He Ming, why did you find me in the middle of the night? Is there something urgent?"

  "Sir, it's about Li Zhen."

  Qishan raised an eyebrow and said: "Li Zhen, what's going on?"

  He Ming lowered his voice and said mysteriously: "Miss Zilan is a noble lady, condescending to thank Li Zhen. But Li Zhen loudly scolded Miss Zilan, sending her back to the camp in anger. Sir, Zilan is the precious daughter of Guiliang, and Li Zhen has provoked Miss Zilan, which means provoking Guiliang. This is not beneficial for you, sir. I have come to report this to you, hoping that you will take note of this matter, lest it be ruined because of Li Zhen."

  Qishan thought for a moment, waved his hand and said: "You go and pass on the order, let Li Zhen come see me."

  "Yes, I'll go right away."

  He Ming was overjoyed in his heart, but walked out of the tent with a expressionless face, bringing the news to Li Zhen, and then returned to the main tent with Li Zhen. Qi Shan looked at He Ming and scolded: "I'm talking to Li Zhen, what are you doing standing here? Go out and wait." He Ming heard this, his mouth twitching slightly, reluctantly walked out, regretting not being able to see Li Zhen's trained appearance.

  Li Zhen asked: "Sir, you have summoned me, is there something I can do for you?"

  Qishan asked directly: "I heard from He Ming that you drank Xi Zilan?"

  Li Zhen heard Qi Shanshan say that He Ming was accusing him, and he sneered in his heart, already thinking of ways to deal with He Ming.

  However, Li Zhen said respectfully: "Reporting to Your Excellency, just now Miss Zhilan came to me and said that in order to repay me, she wanted to ask Lord Guiliang to find a job for me in the capital, and transfer me to work as an official in the capital. I was unwilling, so I rejected Miss Zhilan, but I did not speak disrespectfully. If I have done something wrong, please punish me, Your Excellency."

  Qishan was not angry but delighted, and instead became even more pleased.

  Li Zhen refused Zi Lan's repayment, this is his loyalty!

  At this time, Qishan threw aside the matter of Zilan and laughed: "You did well. Granting favors without seeking repayment is a man's true nature. On the other hand, He Ming has not done his job properly. Go and pass on the order to flog him twenty times with a military stick, and let him take care of his own mouth."

  "Thank you, sir."

  Li Zhen bowed and turned to leave.

  Qishan smiled and watched Li Zhen's back as he left, pondering in her heart about the matter between Zhilan and Li Zhen. Did Zhilan really want to repay kindness or did she have other thoughts?