L'hibiscus comme peinture

Chapitre 13

Everyone, including Ao Jun, was stunned. Ao Jun, in particular, suddenly stared at him as if she had discovered a new continent. In her unfathomable black eyes, besides disbelief, there was also an emotion she couldn't identify.

The Strategist and the Princess: Battlefield Chapter Twelve - The Strategist's Turmoil

That voice? No, this can't be! He… he's the man she met by the pond last night? He used the same voice to ask her, "Who are you? The Fairy of the Moon?" She remembered it vividly. The man who kept her awake all night was Ouyang Jinxuan, the boring man who ordered her to marry Mo Qing the moment they met. No, no… this can't be, but she knew it was real. Hmph, this man is despicable! How dare he treat her like that last night! Despicable!

Upon hearing his words, the 'man' stared at him in disbelief. Jin Xuan smiled handsomely and said teasingly, "Military Advisor Mo, do you think this arrangement is bad? Or..." He paused, then continued, "Or do you think being a military advisor is a waste of your talents, and you want something bigger, like a marshal, hmm?" I'd like to see what you're really up to. What kind of face is hidden behind that cold mask?

"Huh? How dare I steal the prince's job!" Coming to her senses, Ao Jun found Jin Xuan's mocking smile extremely irritating and couldn't help but retort sarcastically.

"Rice bowl?" What does that mean? What does it have to do with rice bowls?

"Your Highness doesn't understand? Should I explain it to you?" These ancient people are really stupid! They don't even know what a rice bowl is.

“You…no need.” Jin Xuan flicked his sleeve, turned back to the main seat, calmed himself down, and resumed his original cold and handsome demeanor, saying, “Since Young Master Mo has agreed to my arrangements, from now on, you will be my strategist.”

Recovering from his shock, Zhao Zhiyang exclaimed, "Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable! This man's origins are unknown, and the position of military advisor is of utmost importance. How can he be appointed to this post?"

“Zhiyang, Mo Jun is not of unknown origin; he is from Mo Family Village, a subject of my Longxuan. Moreover, Ziqi believes that with his abilities, he is certainly capable of serving as the military advisor,” Wei Ziqi immediately retorted upon hearing Zhao Zhiyang speak ill of Mo Jun. He could not tolerate anyone speaking ill of Mo Jun, just as he could not tolerate anyone speaking ill of the Prince.

“Ziqi, how could you be so confused? His abilities? What abilities does he have? Isn’t he just a sissy?” Zhao Zhiyang said with a look of contempt.

"Zhiyang, take back what you just said, or don't blame Ziqi for being impolite to you." Anger flashed across his usually gentle face.

"You...you actually treated me like this for this guy of unknown origin?" Zhao Zhiyang's rugged face was filled with sorrow. Although he and Wei Ziqi weren't blood brothers, they had fought side by side and their bond was closer than that of blood brothers. He never imagined that today, they would be glaring at each other for this complete stranger.

"I...I didn't mean that." Wei Ziqi also felt that his tone was too harsh just now, but when he heard Zhao Zhiyang say such things about Mo Jun, he couldn't help but feel angry and said again, "Zhiyang, I still hope that you will not be rude to Mo Jun in the future."

"You...you were drugged by him, weren't you?" Zhao Zhiyang took a sudden step forward and shouted angrily.

"I told you, you're not allowed to be so rude to him again." Wei Ziqi was furious when he saw that Zhao Zhiyang still regarded Mo Jun as a bad person.

Just as the two generals, who were closest in the army, were about to clash, Jin Xuan suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up. He glanced at everyone, noticing that Mo Jun remained expressionless, her indifference as if the matter had nothing to do with her. His deep, dark eyes grew even more intense, and he said sternly, "Alright, all of you, stop arguing. General Zhao, I have made my decision. General Wei, go and arrange accommodations for Military Advisor Mo and his sister. Alright, all of you, leave!" He then waved his hand, signaling them to withdraw.

As if waiting for these words, as soon as Jin Xuan finished speaking, Ao Jun flicked her white sleeve, turned around, and stepped out of the tent. She was so sleepy! She hadn't slept a wink last night and needed to go back and catch up on sleep quickly. Although she wasn't a heavy sleeper, she still needed seven or eight hours of sleep a day, otherwise she would be incredibly tired the next day. She had even fallen asleep standing up once before.

"This humble general takes his leave." Seeing Mo Jun leave, Wei Ziqi quickly bowed to Jin Xuan and then followed Mo Jun out.

"This... this humble general takes his leave." Zhao Zhiyang was about to say something when he saw Mo Jun being so disrespectful to the prince, but then the prince waved his hand again, so he reluctantly took his leave.

As he watched the figure gradually disappear, Leng Jun's face instantly turned as cold as winter, appearing even more terrifying, causing Yi Tian and Yi Han to shiver involuntarily.

What a Mo Jun! Without uttering a single word, she managed to turn his two most trusted confidants and closest generals into enemies. It seems he underestimated her.

"Yi Tian, Yi Han, go and find out who this Mo Jun is?"

"yes."

Back in the new tent that Wei Ziqi had just arranged for her—the strategist's private tent—Ao Jun didn't even glance at it before collapsing onto the bed and falling asleep.

Wei Ziqi and Mo Yueying stared in disbelief at Ao Jun, who had fallen asleep immediately, unable to recover for a long time.

"Miss Mo, Mo Jun seems tired. Let's go outside so as not to disturb her," Wei Ziqi said considerately. He glanced tenderly at the sleeping Ao Jun one last time before quietly walking out.

"Mmm." Yueying glanced at Aojun with a happy expression, then stepped out of the tent. (What's with this girl's happiness?)

Outside the tent, Yueying, fearing that someone might disturb Aojun's rest, stood guard outside the tent without leaving for a moment. In her heart, she felt incredibly sweet. Her Mojun brother was now a strategist, and she believed that he would soon be able to avenge the people of Mojia Village. At that time, she could live in seclusion with Mojun brother and live a life of blissful happiness.

"Hey, did you hear me?" A booming voice abruptly pulled Yueying back from her thoughts of a bright future.

"What's wrong with you?!" Yueying looked up and glared angrily at the tall man in front of her, her face full of displeasure. Ugh, she was just imagining herself embracing Mo Jun while watching the sunset! What was this burly, smelly man doing, yelling like that for no reason?!

"Huh? I scared the girl, Zhiyang deserves to die." What an adorable girl! Small face, big eyes, small lips, making Old Zhao's heart skip a beat, and his dark face flushed red. He looked as funny as could be.

"Heh... Is there something you need?" Seeing his expression, Yueying couldn't help but chuckle, her displeasure at being disturbed vanishing instantly.

That smile made Zhao Zhiyang's soul fly away. He couldn't hear what she was saying anymore. He could only stare blankly at the beauty, his face turning even redder.

"Hey, big guy, what's wrong with you?" Yueying asked again, displeased that the other party didn't respond.

"Huh? Big guy, are you talking about me?" Zhao Zhiyang asked blankly, his thoughts slowly returning from afar.

"Nonsense! Who else could it be but you? You mean me? Speak up, what do you want?" Yueying roared. It's well known that Mo Yueying has a fiery temper, as everyone in Mo Family Village knows, so it's best not to provoke her, or you'll be the one suffering.

"Oh, I'm here to see Mo Jun." This shout reminded Zhao Zhiyang of the purpose of his visit.

"Looking for my brother? What do you need my brother for?" When Yueying mentioned Aojun, her face softened as if it could drip water.

"Your brother, who are you?"

"My name is Mo Yueying. My brother is resting right now. Can you tell me what's wrong?" Judging from his fierce look just now, it definitely wasn't anything good.

"Rest? Hmph, what rest in broad daylight? Clearly, you're guilty and afraid to face anyone, using a weak woman like you as a shield," Zhao Zhiyang said disdainfully. He wasn't Ziqi; he wouldn't believe Mo Jun's nonsense!

"What did you say? My brother is upright and honest, why would he feel guilty? Besides, who says you can't rest during the day? If you talk bad about my brother again, I'll make you regret it!" Yueying was so angry that she put one hand on her hip and pointed at Zhao Zhiyang with the other, yelling at him. That damn big guy, how dare he talk about her beloved Mo Jun-ge like that.

"So what if you're impolite? I'm telling the truth. Not only did he dare to be disrespectful to the Prince, but he also bewitched my brother. His infiltration of the military camp clearly indicates treacherous intentions. He might even be a spy from the Cangliao Kingdom. He thinks he can fool me, Zhao Zhiyang? Not so easy. Now, I'm going to expose his mask and make him come out to see me!" Zhao Zhiyang roared angrily. Today, two people threatened to be impolite to him because of that Mo Jun—one was his good brother, and the other was the woman he had fallen for at first sight. How could he, a dignified general, tolerate such humiliation?

"You're talking nonsense! My brother is not a spy for Cangliao Kingdom. The Crown Prince of Cangliao Kingdom killed my parents and we have an irreconcilable hatred for him. How could my brother be his spy? Also, what do you mean by bewitching your brother and having ulterior motives? You're just talking nonsense and slandering my brother."

"I'm not lying. He's not a good person. He's a spy. Get out of my way." With that, he tried to force his way in.

"You're not allowed in! You're not a good person, you're the spy!" Yueying retorted, blocking the tent entrance and shutting out Zhao Zhiyang.

"Will you move aside or not? If you don't move aside, I'll..." Seeing Yueying blocking his way and preventing him from going in, he reached out to push her away, but his outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and he dared not touch her.

"So what, you hit me? Humph, hit me then! Hit me!"

"I don't hit women, you...you get out of my way!" Zhao Zhiyang said, his face flushed.