TNIBFT -Chapter 331 Brother Miao, What’s Wrong With You?

The two of them whispered conspiratorially.

Hearing footsteps, Miao Changqing’s eyes sharpened, and his trusted aide immediately bowed and left.

“Brother Miao!”

Fang Shenghu, carrying a leather water flask in one hand and some rations and jerky in the other, walked toward Miao Changqing with a beaming face.

Miao Changqing immediately turned, saw it was Fang Shenghu, and pretended to be delighted. He quickly got up from the snow, brushed off his clothes, and looked up at Fang Shenghu. “Little Brother Fang, what brings you here?”

“Isn’t the Young Master taken care of over there?”

“I heard that the Young Master has been in Sifang City for years, always relying on you. You’ve worked hard during this time!” Miao Changqing clasped Fang Shenghu’s hand with deep gratitude.

Fang Shenghu was momentarily taken aback.

He quickly recovered and smiled earnestly, “It’s no trouble. The Young Master treats people sincerely; I’m happy to help ease his burdens.”

“It’s just that you’ve had a hard time, Brother Miao. You just arrived and already ran into this kind of situation. It was a big task having you personally lead the troops to rescue the Young Master. I will never forget such a great kindness. Here, this is some rice wine and jerky—accept it. If you or your brothers need anything on the road, just tell me.”

Miao Changqing nodded.

He accepted the items without hesitation and smiled, “Don’t worry, we’re all family. I won’t be polite. Otherwise, it would feel distant. We’ve been through life and death with the old General together—we share a bond beyond words.”

He patted Fang Shenghu on the shoulder.

Fang Shenghu felt moved.

As long as these people could help Ye Tian, he was willing to do anything for them, no matter how small or laborious the task—even if it meant working like an ox or horse.

“By the way, this snow-covered plain is desolate. If there’s an ambush, it could be dangerous. I’m worried about the Young Master’s safety. I suggest…”

Miao Changqing frowned and continued, “My soldiers have survived countless battles with me and are experienced. They should be at the front line—if there’s an ambush, they’ll be able to respond immediately. What do you think?”

“This matter…”

Although Fang Shenghu was simple-minded, he was not foolish.

He remained cautious and hesitated, “I’m afraid I can’t make that decision alone. I’ll have to ask the Young Master first.”

Miao Changqing nodded with a smile. “I am loyal; the Young Master will understand.”

Fang Shenghu clasped his fists and took his leave.

Miao Changqing’s gaze darkened as he watched Fang Shenghu’s retreating figure. He looked disdainful. A mere guard from the Ye family, and he dares to call me brother?

Hmph!

He snorted coldly and threw the rice wine and jerky to the ground.

Immediately, one of his men stepped forward quietly. “General, shall we move now?”

“Ye Tian is completely defenseless. His strongest subordinate is an old man who is still in the city taking care of the children. If we kill Ye Tian now, even if they want to rush from Sifang City to save him, they won’t be able to make it!”

“Hmph!”

Miao Changqing sneered and looked around. “Quick strike, settle this fast. Let’s go, meet Ye Tian!”

At this moment, Ye Tian got off the carriage. He stretched in the snow to loosen up, and when the curtain shifted slightly, he approached. Qin Fengyi lifted the curtain, and Ye Tian extended his hand, raising an eyebrow. “Careful, the ground’s slippery.”

Qin Fengyi smiled faintly, lightly patting the back of Ye Tian’s hand, then jumped down from the carriage on her own.

The cold wind swept the stray hairs across Qin Fengyi’s forehead. Her phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly as she gazed into the distance. “By now, it should be about time, right?”

Ye Tian said, “Going to Heng City now would be pointless.”

“Let’s wait for the message to arrive!”

Over there, Fang Shenghu walked toward Ye Tian, one hand resting on the sword at his waist.

“Brother Fang?”

Ye Tian spoke.

Fang Shenghu quickened his pace.

Before Fang Shenghu even reached them, someone came rushing over in a panic with a message. Qin Fengyi took the note, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Ye Tian asked, “Good news?”

Qin Fengyi nodded. “It really is good news!”

“Lin Xianzhong and Duan Qingshan have already taken Heng City and rescued the Xiao siblings. As for the Princess of Daliang, the moment she heard that the people of Dazhou were attacking, she panicked and fled.”

“Really?”

Just as Fang Shenghu approached, he heard the news. His expression turned excited as he looked at Ye Tian. “Young Master, you truly are a living Zhuge Liang! Duan Qingshan actually managed to take Heng City ahead of schedule—how did you plan this?”

“Now, besides Sifang City and Lindong City, we also have Heng City. The Princess of Daliang… hasn’t she lost both her people and her army?”

Fang Shenghu’s excitement made him babble incoherently. No wonder the Young Master had been so calm all along—he had everything planned.

Behind Miao Changqing, two or three dozen men advanced with grim expressions toward Ye Tian. “Follow my orders when the time comes!”

“Leave no one alive!”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

His men were secretly assembling and preparing to kill Ye Tian at the earliest opportunity, aiming to seize control of Ye Tian’s trusted aides. Now that Fang Shenghu and Ye Tian’s wife were both present, it was the perfect chance for a final showdown.

Miao Changqing sneered.

All that talk about Ye Zhengyang and loyalty—Ye Zhengyang had been dead for years. The living must make their own achievements. Loyalty doesn’t fill your stomach! As long as Ye Tian was dead, his glory and wealth in this life were guaranteed.

Feeling the murderous intent nearby, Qin Fengyi moved closer to Ye Tian. Her eyes turned icy as she stared at Miao Changqing. Ye Tian noticed the change in her expression and frowned slightly. “Finally can’t hold back, huh?”

“Brother Miao?”

Fang Shenghu, seeing Miao Changqing approaching, greeted him warmly, as he had long been loyal to the Ye family. He also believed that in times of crisis, Miao Changqing’s coming over was a sign of loyalty.

Miao Changqing sneered.

His gaze darkened, and he reached to draw his long sword, but Fang Shenghu laughed. “Duan Qingshan has already taken Heng City!”

“The Princess of Daliang has already fled. Brother Miao, you’re truly a lucky man. Look at you—good things keep happening as soon as you arrive! No, once we return to Sifang City, I must thank you properly and buy you a drink!”

Boom!

Miao Changqing’s mind buzzed.

Duan Qingshan took Heng City?

The corners of his mouth twitched, his lips trembling for a long time before he dared to speak: “W-what did you say?”

“You’re not mistaken, are you?”

“The Princess of Leyang commanded sixty thousand troops! How… how could Heng City fall to Duan Qingshan so easily?”

Fang Shenghu, oblivious to Miao Changqing’s reaction, flushed with excitement and laughed heartily. “All thanks to the Young Master. He planned the ambush perfectly—his journey to Heng City was merely for show.”

What?

Miao Changqing’s right hand, pressing on the hilt, shook violently. His limbs went icy cold.

Damn it!

Ye Tian never truly trusted him—so Ye Tian had been playing him all along?

And now, kill Ye Tian?

No!

Ye Tian would have defenses in place. If he acted now, Ye Tian would have an ace up his sleeve.

Miao Changqing’s expression kept changing. Fang Shenghu felt awkward. He guessed that such an important matter, if Ye Tian hadn’t told Miao Changqing, clearly he wasn’t considered one of his own. All Miao Changqing had done to help Ye Tian, and Ye Tian still kept him at a distance—it must sting.

Fang Shenghu awkwardly explained, “I just found out too!”

“Brother Miao, what’s wrong with you?”