Agent secret Wind Boy

Chapitre 63

"What do you mean?" Zong Wang's voice was deep and cold as ice.

"Yes, as I've already said, Miss Ye's illness is actually due to excessive worry and emotional distress. As the saying goes, excessive thinking injures the spleen, and worry injures the lungs. Miss Ye's excessive thinking has caused her spleen qi to become stagnant, which over time damages her vital energy, leading to impaired digestion. Furthermore, her heavy heart and long-term depression, as the *Ling Shu* says, 'Those who are sorrowful and worried have their qi blocked and unable to circulate,' and 'Extreme joy and pleasure injure the soul, and when the soul is injured, one becomes mad, and when mad, the will is lost.' Therefore, Miss Ye's five internal organs are already weak, her six bowels are exhausted, her blood vessels are disordered, her spirit is scattered, and the illness has taken hold..." Wu Chun spoke eloquently about medical principles, seemingly without end. But I listened with a secret sense of dread—after hearing him say this, could it be that I actually have a terminal illness? No way?! It can't be that bad, can it? I haven't even met Huaiyuan yet, I haven't even had a sweet romance, I don't want to die!

Zong Wang waved his hand, interrupting Wu Chun's long-winded speech. His tone was now as cold and sharp as a knife: "According to Wu Chun's opinion, Qingyang seems to be suffering from an incurable disease?! Hmph! I don't care. If you can't make her better, don't blame me for being ruthless under military law!"

"My lord, please calm your anger." Another clear male voice rang out: "The physician Wu didn't say that Miss Ye couldn't be cured, he only said that she was too tired from the long journey? Please calm down and let him finish speaking!"

"Yes, Miss Ye's illness seems dangerous, but the most important thing is to strengthen her constitution and nourish her vital energy; secondly, to support her body's resistance and expel the pathogens; if she can rest and recuperate peacefully to achieve the effect of replenishing her qi and calming her mind, then given time, a cure will certainly not be difficult. However..." Wu Chun wiped the sweat from his forehead, hesitated for a moment, but still forced himself to continue: "The army will soon set off, crossing the north to return north. Is the army camp a place for rest and recuperation? Therefore, this is difficult." — I knew traditional Chinese medicine was unreliable! It's clearly just a minor cold, at most a lower respiratory tract infection leading to pneumonia, but he almost made it sound like cancer!

"So, all we need to do is rest?!" Zongwang ignored Wuchun and his voice became clearer: "That's easy. We can stay a few more days. Anyway, the Song court's peace offer hasn't met our demands yet. We can also tease Zhao Huan a bit. That doesn't seem like a bad idea."

“But, my lord, please don’t forget,” the man in grey robes with a refined voice stepped forward and bowed, “Our Western Route Marshal Nianhan has been blocked in Taiyuan and can no longer march south to join forces with our army in Kaifeng as previously planned, thus creating a pincer attack on the Song capital. This has left our army isolated deep in enemy territory. Moreover, our army is backed by the Yellow River and is not accustomed to water. Furthermore, according to our scouts, Song reinforcements from various regions have been gathering in the capital recently. If the Song armies from all directions attack from their strategic positions at this time, our army will be attacked from both sides, and our situation will be precarious. I urge you, my lord, to consider which of these two matters is more important.”

"Strategist, no need for further words! I, Zongwang, have traversed battlefields for over a decade and have never met my match. Let Zhao Huan unleash his full power; I refuse to believe I'll be defeated so easily!" Zongwang gave a cold laugh and resolutely ordered, "Give the order: the army will not advance for now. Continue the siege without attacking the city. Each battalion will take turns attacking the towns and cities surrounding Bianjing every day. Let's see how many days Zhao Huan can hold out!"

"Yes!" Wu Chun sighed and had no choice but to accept the order and leave. He looked up and unexpectedly met my gaze. He was startled, then exclaimed happily, "Young Master Ye, uh, Young Master Ye, you're awake?!"

"Uh, who are you? Where am I?!"—Damn it, I've been caught red-handed! I could only pretend I was still not fully conscious, blinking my bewildered eyes and asking the obvious—Sigh! How am I supposed to face Zong Wang?! It seems like I have no other choice but to continue playing dumb?!

"Qingyang, you're awake." Upon hearing this, Zongwang got up and strode over to the soft couch, looking down at me with obvious concern.

"Big brother? What's wrong with me?" I felt a pang of guilt and asked softly, bowing my head.

"It's alright, you were just frightened and caught a cold. Rest for a couple of days and you'll be fine." Zongwang comforted me gently—his gentle gaze and soft tone were completely different from the ruthlessness he displayed when talking to Wuchun earlier.

"Really?!" I avoided his gaze, unsure how to face this sudden surge of emotion. I'd always considered him my older brother, and I'd always thought Zongwang simply saw me as his 'younger brother.' But judging from his conversation with Wuchun just now, he clearly already knew my true gender, and his choice to remain silent spoke volumes. He was even willing to put the entire army at risk to bring me back to China?! This deep affection left me completely bewildered!

"My lord, we must take our leave now!" Wu Chun and the strategist exchanged a glance, bowed to Zong Wang in unison, and then made their escape.

"Qingyang, are you still blaming your elder brother?!" Zongwang gazed at me tenderly. "Alas! It's all because I was too busy with military affairs. Although I received a message from Manager Zhao via carrier pigeon, knowing that you had sent someone with a map to find me, I... alas! I didn't contact you in time, causing you worry and sadness, and even making you ill from worry. I'm sorry!"

Huh? No way? Did he really think that all my sadness, distress, and even depression back then were because of him? This is a huge misunderstanding! My face flushed red, and I was at a loss for words: "How could that be? My brother will always be the wisest and most capable brother in my heart. I've never worried about you." —The implication was, I wasn't worried about you, so there was no such thing as worrying myself sick over you. Don't get me wrong!

"Qingyang! Do you know?" Zong Wang's eyes, as black as midnight, gradually darkened. His voice trembled slightly, and a captivating smile curved his lips: "It was precisely so that I could see you sooner that I advanced into the Central Plains so swiftly..."

"B-Big brother. I, I'm thirsty." I was extremely embarrassed and quickly interrupted him—what was going on? Someone please save me! If he kept talking, I really wouldn't know how to handle it!

However, I immediately realized with annoyance that the excuse I had made up in my haste was clearly not a good idea—Zongwang hurriedly got up to pour me a cup of hot tea, bent down and put his arm around my waist to help me sit up. I was extremely embarrassed, and with his help, I took a sip of tea haphazardly, only to choke and cough from the heat.

"Qingyang, are you alright?" Zongwang patted my back frantically. "Why are you in such a hurry? There's no ghost chasing you!" — Of course there is! Right now, you're scarier than a ghost!

"Big brother, I feel so dizzy. I, uh, want to sleep." I silently pushed him away, lay back on the soft couch, buried myself deep in the soft quilt, closed my eyes, and buryed myself in the sand like an ostrich.

"Then, you should rest. I'll come see you another day." Zongwang was clearly disappointed, but he still considerately gave me some space. He got up and left the command tent—I resisted the urge to ask him where he was going—this was his territory, he should have plenty of places to sleep, I don't need to worry about him, right?!

Tonight is destined to be sleepless. When I counted to the three thousandth sheep, I finally announced my surrender, put on my coat, and walked out of the command tent. I stopped the guards from following me, and wandered aimlessly through the thick snow. All around was silent; there was no moon in the sky, only the occasional mischievous twinkling of a star that had forgotten its way home.

A cold night wind carried the faint sound of a flute—who was it that stayed up all night, playing that heart-wrenching melody of homesickness? I was involuntarily drawn to the deep sorrow, intense longing, and faint sadness in the music, and slowly followed the sound.

A brutal massacre had clearly taken place here; rubble, debris, and tree trunks lay scattered haphazardly on the ground. The snow-covered road still reeked of a mixture of blood and acrid smells. The charred, bare tree trunks, not yet fully covered by snow, twisted in agony as they reached towards the sky. At the edge of that dense forest, I found the lonely piper. He was hidden behind a tall cypress tree, leaning lazily against its trunk. In the dim light reflected from the snow, I could vaguely make out his profile—he was intently playing his flute, clearly unaware of my intrusion.

I quietly stopped by the roadside, leaning against a burnt old tree, silently listening to the plaintive, yearning, and resentful sound of the flute. A slight pang of sorrow welled up in my heart, my eyes moistened slightly, and then I caught a faint fragrance. I was slightly surprised, and turning my head, I discovered a white plum blossom budding near my temple! Its delicate and pleasant fragrance, subtle yet persistent, seeped into my heart—it turned out that the burnt tree was an old plum tree, and despite its broken body, it still refused to relinquish its right to brave the snow and frost!

Beside the broken bridge outside the post station, a lonely flower blooms, unclaimed.

It is already dusk, and I am alone in sorrow, further burdened by wind and rain.

I have no intention of vying for spring's favor; let all the flowers be jealous.

Though fallen to the ground and crushed into dust, its fragrance remains unchanged.

I murmured softly, causing the flute music to stop abruptly—alas! I had lost myself in the moment and disturbed someone's peace! I sighed softly and gave the person an apologetic glance—he put the flute away and slowly emerged from behind the tree, walking towards me through the snow.

"Big Brother?!" When I saw the figure with a weathered look and a melancholy expression, I was astonished to find that it was Wanyan Zongwang, whom I had been hiding for two days. Was this really the same Jin army commander who was usually so unrestrained, elegant, and commanding, with a million soldiers in his heart, and who could talk about war with ease?

"Qingyang! You've come?" Zongwang was excited, and he caressed my cheek, his voice low and hoarse, like a dream: "Do you know? These past few days, while I was marching and strategizing, your every smile and frown would often involuntarily appear in my mind; your voice was like a spell, constantly echoing in my ears! I originally thought our fate was over, but when you miraculously appeared in my tent, I knew that this was the will of Heaven!"

“No, brother…” My heart was pounding, my head was buzzing, and I whispered weakly, “I’m a man! What nonsense are you talking about?”

"Now that things have come to this, are you still planning to keep it a secret?" Zong Wang stared intently at me. "Qingyang, back in Jiangning, the first time I saw you, I knew you were a woman!"

"Big brother..." I turned my head away guiltily, my face burning hot enough to boil an egg.

"Qingyang, Qingyang! Stop hiding from me! I'm going crazy thinking about you!" Zongwang stepped forward and pinned me against the plum tree. He gently cupped my face, gazing deeply into my eyes. His low, husky voice, filled with suppressed pain, was bewitching my soul.

"Brother, listen to me..." I shook my head, causing a few blooming white plum blossoms to fall. The pure white petals, carrying a faint fragrance, drifted lightly onto my hair, shoulders, and clothes... I took a deep breath, trying to escape the ambiguous atmosphere and my confused emotions. But Zong Wang's passionate and burning kiss fiercely sealed my lips...

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[Volume 4 Finale: Chapter 8 The Golden Blade's Blood Was Still Dry]

The moment Zongwang kissed me, my mind went blank, all my thoughts froze—I was completely stunned, forgetting to resist. Or rather, it was the intense emotion and deep concern in his kiss that surged forth so violently, shaking my heartstrings so deeply that I was momentarily unable and unwilling to resist. But when his large hands, trembling with desire, tried to grope their way up from my waist, I suddenly snapped back to reality and began to struggle desperately. I used almost all my strength, but couldn't budge him an inch. In desperation, I slapped Zongwang hard across the face.

"Qingyang?" The "smack" sounded particularly loud in the quiet snowy night. We were both stunned. Zongwang subconsciously released me, blankly touching his left cheek, looking at me with a bewildered expression, his dark eyes still brimming with lingering desire.

I felt ashamed, angry, and bewildered. My cheeks flushed red, and I couldn't help but let two streams of tears flow from my eyes.

"Qingyang, I..." Seeing my tears, Zongwang also came to his senses. He reached out his hand guiltily, trying in vain to soothe my panicked emotions.

"Don't come any closer!" I shouted sharply, stopping Zongwang's attempt to follow me. I turned and rushed into the vast snowfield—what was wrong with me? Knowing that his feelings for me weren't pure, why did I let things develop into this ambiguous state? I should have sensed the danger and escaped in time when I discovered that the piper was Zongwang!

I ran faster and faster, tears streaming down my face—Huaiyuan, where are you? Why do you leave me trapped in this tangled, ambiguous relationship, with no way out? Are you really angry with me and planning to ignore me?!

Since the incident on the snowy night, Zongwang's attitude towards me has become noticeably domineering. He refused my request to let me go back. He sent countless gorgeous dresses and two pretty and clever maids—clearly indicating that he didn't intend for me to continue running away.

The Jin army's war drums sounded precisely at noon every day, and each clatter of hooves signaled the start of a new slaughter. And each time the Jin army's horns sounded, the two girls' eyes filled with intense hatred as they looked at me—if looks could kill, I think I would have been riddled with holes and died hundreds of times over!