Outside Help Arrives

Wouldn't it seem more impressive if I didn't get injured?

But wouldn't it be even more tragic and heartbreaking if someone were injured?

"Marquis?" Gu Wanning asked in surprise, "Is this a secret? Then let's not talk about it."

Hmm, this is a national treasure-level general; his physical condition is also top secret?

I guess so.

"I've been injured." Xu Weibei made a quick decision. "Many times, but none of them were fatal. I usually just received simple treatment and went back to the front lines."

"You're a commander-in-chief, yet you still have to charge into battle? Oh, no, you weren't always a commander-in-chief."

This path must not be easy.

Although many people outside who were unaware of the inside story said that the Grand Princess was paving the way for Xu Weibei.

Haha, just because you can't have the grapes doesn't mean they're sour.

Military achievements can be fabricated, but morale cannot.

The almost blind adoration that the Ironclad Army had for Xu Weibei is proof of this.

Xu Weibei's journey to where he is today may have been aided by external forces, but he must have paid a tremendous price himself.

"Yes, I started as a lowly soldier," Xu Weibei, "But after my first major battle, I was promoted directly to Hundred-household Commander."

"That amazing?"

That's a bit like cheating, isn't it?

"Slaying thirty enemies is sufficient."

Is that all?

Good heavens, that's thirty people killed!

Moreover, Xu Weibei was facing a barbaric and ferocious cavalry!

Seeing the shock in Gu Wanning's eyes, Xu Weibei couldn't help but feel smug.

It turns out that military merits are also useful to her.

If I had known, I should have told her about my "great achievements" sooner.

Hmm, I can't seem to remember anything.

Despite his illustrious past military achievements, Xu Weibei himself found them rather unremarkable.

Moreover, military exploits are always accompanied by bloodshed and death; countless familiar faces have been forever etched in the Northwest.

One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand.

Therefore, Xu Weibei rarely mentioned his past military achievements, but he would do everything he could to secure benefits for his soldiers and provide for their families.

"Where did the Marquis suffer any injuries?" Gu Wanning probed subtly.

Xu Weibei: She cares about me, she cares about me!

"I have a lot of minor injuries, but nothing serious." Xu Weibei rolled up his sleeves to show Gu Wanning, then pointed to his upper body and said, "Quite a few too. Do you want to see them?"

"No, no need."

If you accidentally expose your private parts, and I accidentally exclaim "It's so small," you might kill me to silence me.

Xu Weibei: She blushed; it's clear she has feelings for me.

"Jiaoniang Marquis, was it because you were worried something would happen to you before you went to the Northwest that you had a child with Jiao Niang?"

"No."

Xu Weibei desperately wanted to tell Gu Wanning the truth, but he couldn't.

It's not that I don't believe it, but rather that it's too heavy and dangerous.

Gu Wanning shouldn't have gotten involved.

But correspondingly, he has to take the blame.

He used to think he was doing a good deed, and since he had three wives and four concubines and many children, he didn't care about having another daughter.

I've only just realized that when you like a woman, you become concerned about your past, fearing that you might have wronged her.

"That was an accident," Xu Weibei said vaguely, "It won't happen again."

"Jiaoniang's mother died of illness? Why didn't you ask Yuejian to take a look at her back then?"

Alarm bells rang in Xu Weibei's mind.

He felt that Gu Wanning was trying to trick him into revealing information.

Do you care?

Something feels off.

She seemed genuinely curious, but without any emotional involvement.

"It's all fate," Xu Weibei. "That's just her destiny."

That's a bit cold-hearted, Gu Wanning thought.

However, the Xu Weibei she knew was a man of deep loyalty and affection.

He was tolerant of the concubines in the mansion with whom he had little contact and would not allow anyone to bully them. How could he be so indifferent to the woman who had borne him children?

That was a human life, and a beautiful woman with a tragic fate; it's a story that evokes a sense of sorrow.

It was precisely because she knew Xu Weibei that Gu Wanning felt something was amiss.

Xu Weibei was too calm.

Does that mean their relationship had already broken down before?

Why?

Is it because they suspect Jiaoniang's background?

Was there any hidden story behind Jiaoniang's mother's death?

The thought of "killing his wife to vent his anger" flashed through Gu Wanning's mind, but she wouldn't allow herself to make wild guesses, as that wouldn't be good for anyone.

What to do?

Now she doesn't even dare to mention that Xu Weibei is impotent.

What if Xu Weibei develops a dislike for Jiaoniang because of this?

Is this a good opportunity for the First Concubine to take Jiaoniang away?

That seems like a good idea.

What about the Linglong A Yi?

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Xu Weibei, somewhat flustered.

"No, it's just," Gu Wanning said, "That beautiful women often have tragic fates; it's quite a pity."

"You treated Jiaoniang well; she will be grateful to you even in the afterlife."

"No," Gu Wanning said, "It was First Concubine who meant well."

"Hmm. I'm still worried about what will happen to Jiaoniang after she marries Qin Lie..."

"Let Jiaoniang accompany her? Qin Lie shouldn't mind."

The conversation somehow veered towards Java Island.

"Let's see," Xu Weibei said.

Jiaoniang's identity is a hidden danger.

After a brief silence, Gu Wanning still asked him, "Linglong has been with you for so many years, why did you wait until the very end to take her as your concubine?"

Xu Weibei: "... Unexpected."

Gu Wanning: Aside from accidents, don't you have any other fresh excuses?

You've had quite a few unexpected incidents.

"Gu Wanning, actually I--"

Chapter 196 Foreign Aid Arrives

"Miss, the eldest young lady is back," Er Ya called from the doorway, interrupting Xu Weibei.

"My eldest sister is back, I have to go out and see her," Gu Wanning said to Xu Weibei as she stood up.