FBC – Chapter 164 Not Allowed to Leave

Seeing the little girl shamelessly leaning closer, Mu Junyan’s heart pounded wildly, though his expression remained stern.

Gu Hua felt that she had already thrown away all her dignity, yet he was still putting on a cold face.

Her heart welled up with grievance.

In both her lives, she had never stepped outside the capital of Bianjing. Of course she knew how dangerous the southern frontier battlefield was. Of course she was scared.

But if it weren’t for him—if it weren’t for her desire to change the ending of their past life, to keep him from dying—how could she possibly risk her life like this?

Gu Hua’s expression dimmed a little. “If you really don’t want to see me, I’ll just go.”

As she spoke, she let go of him and turned to leave.

Mu Junyan barked, “Did I say you could go?”

With that, he grabbed her arm with one hand, and wrapped the other tightly around her slender waist, yanking her forcefully into his arms.

Thrown into that familiar, broad chest, Gu Hua’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up and saw burning heat surging in his deep, dark eyes. The large hand on her waist gently rubbed along her curves.

Even through her thin cotton clothes, she could feel the scorching heat of his palm.

“Every time, it’s always you who…”

“Mmph—”

She didn’t finish speaking—her lips were sealed by his.

A kiss came suddenly—fierce and deep.

But even that wasn’t enough. His large palm cradled the back of her head, the hand on her waist lifted her up, pressing their lips tighter together. The world spun around her, and in the next moment, she landed in his firm lap.

Her entire body was held tightly in his arms.

The kiss left her dizzy and breathless. Gu Hua couldn’t utter a single word. Amid the haze, she vaguely heard a soft sigh, and then felt herself being gently lifted.

She was laid onto the bed. The gauze curtains fell, dimming the candlelight. Two shadows intertwined behind the veil.

After settling the carriage and attendants Gu Hua had brought, Overseer Luo still felt uneasy. He made his way back through the military camp to the main command tent to check on things.

The thick curtain blocked all view inside, not a sliver of light escaped.

The windows, usually rolled up, were now lowered.

Overseer Luo grew more anxious.

The general was always strict—especially when punishing soldiers for mistakes, he never showed mercy. What if he really lashed out at the young lady and accidentally beat her to death? What then?

He still remembered catching a glimpse of her disheveled long hair earlier, and those startled, doe-like eyes that shook him to his soul.

He had never married, and toward such a brave yet beautiful young lady, he felt a strong admiration. Though he didn’t dare harbor wild thoughts, he still couldn’t bear the idea of her being hurt.

After some internal struggle, he stubbornly walked toward the command tent, hoping to inquire about the situation.

But just as he passed by the window, he suddenly heard a woman’s soft whimpering—his chest tightened.

The general really didn’t know how to show pity toward delicate flowers.

He strained to listen more closely and indeed heard the woman sobbing softly, even crying out in pain now and then.

Ah… this was simply too heartbreaking.

“Step back.”

Suddenly, Chi Yu appeared, barking coldly as he chased him off.

Though Chi Yu held no military rank, he was the general’s most trusted personal guard. All the officers showed him respect. Besides, after following the general for so long, his face had grown to resemble that same frosty coldness. His martial arts skills were top-notch—everyone was somewhat afraid of him.

Overseer Luo quickly backed off a couple of steps, but he couldn’t help himself. Gritting his teeth, he murmured, “Chi Yu… can you try to persuade the general? Maybe… don’t hit the young lady anymore.”

Chi Yu: “……”

Seeing that Chi Yu neither responded nor spoke, Overseer Luo grew anxious: “Hey, if you won’t go persuade him, then let me in.”

“You can’t go in.” Chi Yu raised a hand to block him.

Overseer Luo grinned and slung an arm over his shoulder: “Brother Chi Yu, I’m going in to save someone, alright? Just think about it—that young lady traveled all this way in the snow to bring supplies. That sack of gleaming white rice—you ate your share too, didn’t you? And you saw how delicate she is—how could she endure the Commander’s iron whip?”

He held up a fist for emphasis: “This thick! A little lady like that wouldn’t survive it. If she gets beaten to death, wouldn’t that chill everyone’s hearts?”

He wore a pained expression and lowered his voice: “I even heard crying just now. The girl was sobbing so pitifully.”

Chi Yu’s mouth twitched, giving him a look like he was watching an idiot. Then again, this guy hadn’t taken a wife, nor had he ever visited the camp prostitutes.

Rumor had it his mother was very strict and didn’t allow him to marry or fool around.

The other soldiers in the camp all joked that he was still a virgin.

Chi Yu mulled over his words for a moment, then awkwardly said, “…She won’t die.”

“Hey, you!” Overseer Luo hadn’t expected him to be so cold-blooded.

“You’re young, but your heart’s already made of stone. Move aside, I’m going in to talk to him.”

His temper flared too. He shoved at Chi Yu and tried to force his way in, but Chi Yu swiftly drew his sword and swung it across his path.

A flash of cold steel made Overseer Luo stumble back in fright.

“Okay, okay, I’m leaving, alright?”

Chi Yu sheathed his sword, but still gripped the hilt, eyes cold and sharp, as if daring him to take even one more step so he’d have an excuse to stab him.

Overseer Luo frowned at the tent, full of regret but helpless.

He could only sigh and turn away.

After two steps, he paused again, clearly unable to bear it. He turned his head and said to Chi Yu, “If you get a chance, try talking to him. That little lady’s had a hard journey—don’t let her suffer too much. If it gets too bad, she might not even be able to walk out on her own.”

Chi Yu looked up at the sky.

Overseer Luo shook his head and left.

That kind of harsh whipping—it’s hard to say if someone could even survive it.

Thinking about it, he decided he’d better go find the army physician and prepare some medicine. If the young lady made it out alive, they could treat her wounds quickly and maybe leave a good impression.

Once Chi Yu saw he had left, he couldn’t help perking up his ears to listen. Sure enough, he heard soft sobbing from inside the tent and was so startled he quickly stepped forward a few paces and listened again.

The crying had stopped.

Chi Yu finally let out a breath and stood stiffly, clutching his sword, eyes warily scanning the surroundings.

No one could be allowed near the tent. If they overheard something they shouldn’t, it would undermine his lord’s dignity.

But unexpectedly, it wasn’t long before Overseer Luo returned, holding something in his hand.

He looked shocked and asked in a low voice, “They’re still not done?”

Chi Yu kept his expression stiff. “She’s gone.”

“Huh? Gone? Where to?” Overseer Luo asked in surprise. But then he thought, If she walked out, then it couldn’t have been that bad.

Chi Yu shook his head. “Don’t know.”

Overseer Luo glared at him but couldn’t do anything, and just stared at the main tent suspiciously.

Maybe the commander had ordered someone to arrange temporary lodging.

Although the commander was stern and strict, he was a decent man. When soldiers got hurt, he’d even apply medicine personally.

So perhaps… he wouldn’t go too hard on the girl who brought provisions.

It was getting late, and he couldn’t keep standing there arguing with Chi Yu. He could only turn and head back to his own tent to rest, planning to ask around in the morning.

Overseer Luo had a loud voice, and everything he said had been heard clearly from inside the tent.

Gu Hua had already been feeling regretful. Now, with Overseer Luo making such a commotion and going back and forth like that, it only made her situation even more awkward.

She was curled up in a corner, obediently stretching out her feet while Mu Junyan applied medicine to her. Her hands were also treated and wrapped in white cloth.

Mu Junyan looked at how meek and pitiful she was and couldn’t help reaching out to ruffle her hair, chuckling softly: “Now you know you were reckless, don’t you? When you got to Juzhou, you should’ve had someone report your arrival first. Or at least had someone announce you when you entered the camp. Now look at you—how are you going to face anyone tomorrow?”

Gu Hua had already been roughly manhandled by him for quite a while earlier. Her lips, already a bit dry, were now swollen and glistening from his kisses.

All her exhaustion hit her at once—her whole body felt limp and powerless.

Hearing his words, she couldn’t help but struggle to lift her eyelids and glare at him.