TNIBFT -Chapter 332 I Discovered a Secret

“I…”

Miao Changqing’s lips trembled, his eyes darting nervously. His mind was in total chaos, incapable of coherent thought.

He stammered, “I… it’s nothing, nothing… The Young Master truly is worthy of being the son of the Grand General—indeed wise and mighty.”

Fang Shenghu nodded in agreement, lost in his own joy, completely oblivious to Miao Changqing’s abnormal behavior.

Miao Changqing pressed a hand to the sword at his waist, his knuckles whitening, fingers trembling.

The twenty or thirty men following him exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to do in this moment.

The atmosphere was tense.

Ye Tian’s eyes narrowed slightly. Tilting his head, his gaze passed over Fang Shenghu and landed on Miao Changqing. A faint, almost-smile played on his lips as he said, “Hearing this news… you don’t seem very happy, do you?”

“Could it be that General Miao has some special feelings for Hengcheng, or perhaps for Princess Leyang?”

“No!”

Miao Changqing’s face went pale as he widened his eyes nervously, trying to explain, “Young Master, you misunderstand!”

He stepped around Fang Shenghu, lifted his armor, and knelt on one knee before Ye Tian, clasping his fists. “I have always been loyal to the Old General. Seeing the Young Master victorious fills me with immense joy—how could I be unhappy?”

“Is that so?”

Ye Tian asked in return.

Beside him, Qin Fengyi’s hand moved slightly, her palm surging with energy as she lifted her robe slightly.

Sensing the danger, Miao Changqing lowered his head even further.

Killing intent!

Ye Tian wanted to kill him!

This murderous aura was that of a top-tier expert, an existence he could not hope to challenge.

“What are these people here for?” Ye Tian suddenly asked.

Cold sweat ran down Miao Changqing’s forehead, trickling along his cheeks and neck. His teeth chattered as he forced himself to speak steadily, “I… I was worried for the Young Master’s safety. I had just discussed with Brother Fang… these twenty or thirty men under my command, all battle-hardened, were sent to protect the Young Master. That way, I could be more at ease.”

“Is that so?”

Ye Tian’s lips curved slightly, his gaze shifting to Fang Shenghu.

Fang Shenghu looked bewildered. Earlier, Miao Changqing had indeed told him about protecting the Young Master. That was why he had come to Ye Tian, but upon hearing the good news, he had completely forgotten about it.

Fang Shenghu slapped his forehead with one hand, laughing cheerfully at Ye Tian. “Oh, my memory! Brother Miao did tell me earlier—see, as soon as I heard Hengcheng was taken, I completely forgot about it.”

Miao Changqing exhaled in relief, his body going limp as he sank to the ground.

Ye Tian nodded slightly, seemingly convinced by Fang Shenghu’s words.

Fang Shenghu continued, “By the way, Brother Miao said just now to move his ten thousand soldiers to the front lines. These men are battle-hardened and can better protect the Young Master.”

Ye Tian sneered.

The relief Miao Changqing had just felt was immediately strangled in his throat.

Anyone not foolish could detect the hint in those words—Ye Tian could not fail to notice.

Miao Changqing’s expression grew anxious. Before Ye Tian could speak, he blurted out loudly, “Young Master, I mean from now on, my soldiers are your soldiers. I am willing to fully hand over this ten-thousand-strong force to you, to prove my loyalty!”

“Young Master, I am loyal to you with all my heart—you must believe in my devotion!”

Miao Changqing knelt fully, bowing respectfully before Ye Tian.

Looking down at him, Ye Tian turned to Qin Fengyi, and the couple shared a knowing smile.

“Even handing over your soldiers… how could I still doubt you?” Ye Tian laughed heartily, then turned to Fang Shenghu. “Do not neglect General Miao. Anything good to eat or drink in the army must be provided to him—treat him exactly to my standards.”

“Understood!”

Fang Shenghu’s face lit up, nodding repeatedly.

“Alright, I was just joking. Stop kneeling. It’s freezing—take a moment to rest and then quickly return to Sifang City!”

After Ye Tian finished speaking, he was the first to board the carriage.

Miao Changqing was full of resentment. He lifted his head cautiously and happened to meet Qin Fengyi’s icy gaze. Terrified, he quickly lowered his head and pressed himself against the ground.

By the time Qin Fengyi also boarded the carriage, Miao Changqing knelt on the ground, motionless.

Fang Shenghu approached and reached out to help him up. “The heir is actually quite easy to get along with, isn’t he?”

Miao Changqing’s mouth twitched.

He wanted nothing more than to stab Fang Shenghu to death. If it weren’t for this fool, could he have lost ten thousand soldiers?

But for now, he knew he had to play the part of a courteous brother. He nodded repeatedly. “You’re right… By the way, that lady—is she the heir’s wife?”

Fang Shenghu paused.

Miao Changqing immediately added, “I mean no offense, I just worry about the heir’s safety. Given his current status, it’s important to know who is around him.”

Fang Shenghu said, “The heir’s personal matters are never for others to meddle in. This lady is the biological mother of his three children. She’s probably from Dazhou. They met on the battlefield years ago, and later she stayed in Dazhou. It wasn’t until this winter that she was reunited with the heir and the children. It’s a long-awaited happiness after many hardships.”

Miao Changqing nodded, his eyes dark and unreadable.

A Dazhou native?

Well, this could get interesting!

A cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He turned to the twenty or thirty subordinates brought along, about to give orders.

But immediately, someone stepped forward and reassigned tasks to these men. Miao Changqing glared at Fang Shenghu in disbelief.

Fang Shenghu laughed. “These are probably new tasks assigned by the heir himself. Don’t worry—the heir isn’t harsh with his subordinates. As long as it’s not a major mistake, everything will be fine. Come, let’s go have a drink.”

“Hey!”

These were all his personal trusted men!

Miao Changqing’s face showed his frustration, but Fang Shenghu nudged him forward, and he couldn’t resist.

What on earth was going on?

How did Ye Tian’s men take Hengcheng?

He had to find out.

…

Meanwhile, in Sifang City:

“Master, you haven’t come to see me for several days!” Xiao Jiang furrowed his brow, her fair little face full of displeasure.

Qiu Feibai held Xiao Jiang’s tiny hand, and the master and disciple entered the shop together.

Qiu Feibai glanced around. Sure enough, he was right—the Ye Tian couple had gone to Hengcheng to rescue someone, and now everyone in Sifang City knew it.

Not coming to see Xiao Jiang—wasn’t it still because of the Dazhou Empress?

He knew Qin Fengyi’s identity, and she might know him too. Meeting her could be awkward.

If the Dazhou Empress wanted to keep her identity hidden, he should cooperate.

Qiu Feibai smiled. “If I don’t come to see you, then you won’t go see your master either?”

“You little brat, you’ve got parents now and have forgotten your master!”

“That’s not true!”

Xiao Jiang protested softly.

“Master, my older brother and sister said that Mother is their mother, not mine—that she’s my stepmother. Is that true?” Xiao Jiang was troubled. Every time she acted spoiled, her father and older siblings would say things like this.

“What do you think?” Qiu Feibai chuckled, sitting at the large table and pouring himself a cup of tea.

Xiao Jiang rested her cheeks in her hands, her big eyes staring out the door, frowning. “Actually, I discovered a secret.”

“I’m not Mother’s biological child, and neither are my older brother and sister. Because we’re triplets, my older brother and sister don’t know yet. If I tell them, I’m afraid it will make them sad.”