Chapter 1012: Unfit to Talk

Editor: Henyee Translations

Zeng Huo was curious, “How do you get your information so quickly?”

Chu Tang, unhurried, replied, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

Zeng Huo looked at Chu Tang and nodded, “Makes sense.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Chu Tang waved his hand dismissively at Zeng Huo. “Alright, I’m going to rest for a while. Tonight, I’ll go catch the third elder. Check where he is and come back to inform me after dark.”

Zeng Huo clasped his hands in a salute and left the Tao residence.

Mu Xiao, seeing Zeng Huo leave, hesitated for a moment before approaching. “Greetings, Master.”

Chu Tang sat down and poured himself some tea. “What’s the matter?”

Mu Xiao got straight to the point. “I want to help you with your tasks.” Only by working for him did he feel at ease.

Chu Tang thought for a moment. “Then investigate Wen Baoyu. She seems to be the apple of the third prince’s eye. See if she’s really that innocent.”

It seemed Chu Tang didn’t fully trust him; otherwise, he wouldn’t have him investigate a seemingly insignificant woman. But Mu Xiao still agreed, “Yes.”

Chu Tang waved him off. “Go ahead.”

Mu Xiao turned and left.

Hong Feiyu knocked and reported, “Master, there’s a beautiful young lady at the main gate looking for you.”

Chu Tang opened the door, his brows slightly furrowed. “A beautiful young lady?”

Hong Feiyu quickly glanced at Chu Tang’s face, then lowered her head and reported, “Yes, she’s very beautiful, wearing a white gauze dress. She said you owe her something, and she’s here to collect it.”

Chu Tang thought to himself, he never owed anyone anything. “Have her come in. I’ll be waiting at the lakeside pavilion.”

At the lakeside pavilion, Chu Tang sat facing the lake, relaxing as he gazed at the lotus blossoms.

Footsteps approached…

Chu Tang never dreamed the visitor would be Miss Mu. “Miss Mu Meiying, at your service, Young Master Chu.”

“What brings you here?” Chu Tang was quite surprised. Had he forgotten to explain something to this young lady, causing her to chase him all the way to Mucheng?

“I came to find you.” Mu Meiying sat beside Chu Tang and, catching him off guard, grabbed his hand. “You… marry me.”

Chu Tang was speechless.

There must be some misunderstanding!

Chu Tang straightened up slightly, his expression becoming serious. “Explain, what’s going on?”

Mu Meiying looked at Chu Tang with pitiful eyes. “As soon as you left, my father started arranging suitors for me, wanting me to get married quickly to avoid another incident like being kidnapped by bandits.”

“Your father is quite considerate.” Chu Tang remarked helplessly.

Mu Meiying moved closer, wrapping her arms around Chu Tang’s. “I don’t want to marry someone I’ve never met. Chu Tang, I want to marry you. Will you marry me?”

Chu Tang didn’t want to deceive the young lady. “What if I told you I’m a woman too?”

“A woman?” Mu Meiying was taken aback, scrutinizing Chu Tang. But she couldn’t see any feminine traits. “Are you joking?”

“I’m not joking.” Chu Tang said seriously. “I’m also a girl, just dressed as a man for convenience.”

Mu Meiying was so shocked that she stood up. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen for a girl. It couldn’t be true; Chu Tang must be lying to reject her. “I don’t believe you.”

Chu Tang said, “Miss Mu, whether you believe it or not, I won’t marry you. You should go back.”

Mu Meiying’s eyes shimmered with tears. “Chu Tang, is it because I’m not pretty enough? Or am I not interesting enough for you to want me?”

“You’ve really misunderstood.” Alas, since they were both girls, Chu Tang softened. She took Mu Meiying to her room. After some time, they came out, Mu Meiying’s face pale with disappointment.

Mu Meiying looked despondent. “I thought I’d found my true love, but it turns out you’re a girl.”

“You’ll find your true love.” Chu Tang patted Mu Meiying’s shoulder, offering encouragement.

Mu Meiying lowered her head, silent. After a while, she suddenly looked up. “Chu Tang, marry me.”

“What? Even now, you want me to marry you?” Chu Tang couldn’t understand Mu Meiying’s thoughts.

“I never wanted to marry. My father insists on it. If I must marry someone I don’t like, I’d rather marry you and gain my freedom.” Mu Meiying’s eyes brightened with her resolve.

It was a clever way to gain freedom, but Mu Meiying was still young and might regret it later. “Marriage is a lifelong commitment, not to be taken lightly. Don’t make a hasty decision.”

Mu Meiying took a deep breath, her expression firm. “Chu Tang, I’m not making a hasty decision. Please help me. I don’t want to marry any man. Those men love my face. Once my beauty fades, they’ll surely despise me.”

“Think it over again.” Chu Tang still couldn’t agree. At Mu Meiying’s age, decisions were often impulsive and might be regretted.

Mu Meiying was desperate. “Chu Tang, I’ve thought it through. Help me. Only you can help me.”

Chu Tang changed the subject. “You’ve traveled a long way. You must be tired. Let me arrange for you to rest. We can discuss this after you’ve rested.”

She called Hong Feiyu to take Mu Meiying to a guest room to rest.

Mu Meiying looked at Chu Tang, wanting to speak, but Chu Tang quickly walked away. The young lady needed to calm down and reconsider. Now was not the time to talk.

…

Dong Dengyu entered Tang Jinghong’s tent. “General Tang, how’s the situation with the smallpox in Chen’an Kingdom?”

Tang Jinghong took a moment before speaking. “Hasn’t anyone been informing you?”

Dong Dengyu clasped his hands behind his back. “Of course there have been, but I’ve been away for a long time. I’m not sure if my people have been bribed. What if someone lures me back into a trap?”

Tang Jinghong was speechless. Dong Dengyu had been away so long he was likely out of the crown prince contention. Who would still be scheming against him? “It’s getting better. If you want to go back, you can.”

Dong Dengyu was delighted. “Is that true, General?”

“What benefit would I get from lying to you?” Tang Jinghong retorted, clearly looking down on this cowardly prince. If Chen’an Kingdom fell into such hands, it would be a disaster.

“Thank you, General. I’ll set off immediately.” Dong Dengyu, in high spirits, soon left Tang’s camp, heading back to Chen’an Kingdom with his men.

Jiang Zhaoyong watched Dong Dengyu leave, then approached Tang Jinghong’s main tent. “General Tang, I have something to discuss.”

Tang Jinghong’s voice came from inside. “Come in.”

Jiang Zhaoyong entered the main tent.

Tang Jinghong, concerned, asked, “Are you fully recovered?”

Jiang Zhaoyong replied, “Yes, I am. So, I want to leave the camp and continue the mission assigned by His Majesty.”

“It’s indeed time for you to go.” The tasks they were handling didn’t overlap, so Tang Jinghong couldn’t help him. Jiang Zhaoyong had to complete his mission alone. “You can start by consulting Chu Tang. He knows many secrets about this matter.”