Chapter One, In Weicheng, it rains, and a young man has a servant

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The cacophony of the game continued incessantly, and despite the passage of a considerable amount of time, no victor had emerged. The increasingly irritated and displeased maid lifted a corner of the door curtain, casting a particularly unfriendly glance inside. At first sight, she noticed a young boy sitting across from the square table.

Laughter erupted in the room, and everyone dispersed. The soldier cursed as he handed over the money, while the young man happily accepted the cash, wiped his hand on the grease stain on his chest, and then patted the other's shoulder to express sincere comfort

The young maid furrowed her brows as she glanced at the boy, then turned to the soldier across the table who was still indignant, and said earnestly: "In the twenty-third round, you played scissors, he played rock, but you claimed he was lewd; therefore, you had already lost at that moment"

The long and seemingly exhausting game of finger-guessing, which seemed to drain every last breath from the two players at the table, finally came to an end. The black-haired youth vigorously swung his right arm, declaring his victory, and smiled joyfully, revealing a charming dimple on his left cheek

Mashi Xiang was momentarily taken aback, recalling a certain detestable individual. After a brief silence, he lowered his head and replied, "There is a ready candidate."

I see that the esteemed person may not necessarily appreciate it... the captain replied angrily

... ...

The empire is a realm with a rigid hierarchy, yet the people are simple and honest. Even in the opulent and shadowy atmosphere of the capital, Chang'an, it is hard to imagine that even the most indifferent noble would remain unmoved by the sight of a frail girl of eleven or twelve struggling so.

This morning, after the other party's convoy rushed into Weicheng through the rain, Ma Shixiang quickly deduced the identity of the noble person within the convoy. Therefore, he had no objections to the other party's pride and indifference, nor did he dare to express any.

He respectfully bowed to the old man in the dirty robe beside the low table and quietly inquired, "Respected elder, I wonder if there are any other needs or books that the esteemed guest requires. If the guest insists on departing tomorrow, I can immediately allocate a hundred-man escort to accompany them, and I will promptly make a record and send it to the military department."

In stark contrast to the vulgarity of the game, the youth's expression at this moment was exceptionally focused and serious. Not only was there no hint of lewdness, but his brows and eyes also conveyed a sense of sanctity and nobility. His right hand continuously gestured the motions of rock-paper-scissors in front of him, his strikes swift as the wind, and his movements carried a lethal intent, as if the outcome of this game mattered more to him than his own life.

Throughout the journey, the boy named Ning Que did not exhibit any particular traits. He bought some food and greeted the plump aunt at the tavern by the street, appearing particularly relaxed. The only thing that struck the maid as odd, making her expression increasingly unpleasant, was that the petite maid behind him was struggling to drag a water bucket, yet the boy showed no intention of offering any assistance.

... ...

The barracks door behind the crowd was pushed open, and a delicate-looking maid stepped out, gazing coldly at Mashixiang and the officers, saying: "Take me to see that guide"

Weicheng is indeed very small. Before long, four people arrived outside a certain house facing south. Outside the house, there was a small stone platform, surrounded by a simple fence. The maid and the captain stood outside the fence, looking in.

As a personal maid of a noble, she faced the court's generals with an unreserved air of subtle pride

The soldiers in Weicheng had long grown accustomed to the daily scenes in this small courtyard, so they found nothing strange about it. However, the noblewoman's maid standing outside the fence gradually grew cold in her demeanor, especially as she observed the little maid busy with cooking and cleaning, all the while not daring to forget to pay attention to the young soldier's requests, ready at any moment to brew tea, pour water, massage his back, or knead his legs. The frost on her face became increasingly pronounced, as if it were about to solidify.

Ma Shixiang wiped the rainwater from his face, looking at the yellow-brown puddles around the barracks, and sighed, "We can't keep him in this godforsaken place forever. The receipt for the recommendation letter has been down for almost half a year. A bright future awaits that young man. Anyway, he is going to the capital for the preliminary examination at the academy, and it just so happens that he can travel along with that noble's entourage. It would be a good gesture to do that noble a favor."

In the spring of the thirteenth year of the Tianqi era of the Tang Empire, it rained in Weicheng

The officer scratched his head and replied: "A few years ago, Hebei experienced a severe drought, and countless refugees surged towards the south and the border regions. There were corpses everywhere along the roads. It is said that Sang Sang was rescued from a pile of dead bodies by Ning Que during that time. Ning Que was also an orphan, and since then, the two have relied on each other for survival"

Listening to the sounds of chaos, curses, and commands coming from inside the door, the maid furrowed her brow slightly, wondering how it was possible for someone to dare drink in the military camp in broad daylight. As the wind lifted the door curtain, the sounds from within suddenly became clear; indeed, they were playing a game of dice, but it was not a proper drinking game. Hearing the content of the commands, a hint of shame and anger flashed across the maid's delicate features, and she secretly clenched her fist within her sleeve. As the wind lifted the door curtain, the sounds from within suddenly became clear; indeed, they were playing a game of dice, but it was not a proper drinking game. Hearing the content of the commands, a hint of shame and anger flashed across the maid's delicate features, and she secretly clenched her fist within her sleeve

Is it permissible for soldiers in the army to keep concubines? The delicate maid, suppressing the anger in her heart, asked the lieutenant beside her

"General, are you really prepared to let him go just like that?" a lieutenant said in astonishment

At least at this moment, Mashi Xiang's eyes are very bright

I won

Weicheng is not large, and the total number of officers and soldiers does not exceed three hundred. The military camp, far from the bustling areas, sometimes resembles a den of bandits, and the so-called general is merely a low-ranking deputy general. However, Ma Shixiang maintains strict military discipline, or rather, this leader of the Weicheng bandit group enjoys being addressed as general, so even in daily conversations, his subordinates dare not forget to add the title of general when addressing him.

It is evident that she performs these household chores every day, appearing very skilled and quick. The young black maid, like an ant, works diligently, bustling about like a servant, exhausted and sweating profusely, her face flushed. This scene seems somewhat comical yet evokes a sense of sympathy.

Although it rained heavily last night, the rain was not sufficient to wash away the accumulated yellow dust on the doors and windows, which instead turned into unsightly streaks of muddy water. These muddy streaks were quickly removed under the cloth of the young maid, and the courtyard of the house instantly became clean and bright.

The maid's expression was quite unpleasant, and thus the lieutenant, who had been standing nearby and secretly observing her face, also appeared to have a grim countenance. He grasped the door curtain with his hand, took a deep breath, and was just about to cough a couple of times when he was halted by the two stern glances shot at him by the maid.

As the highest military commander of Weicheng, his attitude at this moment was quite humble. Although he felt somewhat displeased with the yellow mud footprints on the precious carpet, he successfully masked that displeasure with a touch of appropriate astonishment

Who indulges | You indulge | Indulge

During the spring drought, this rain arrives just in time, warmly welcomed by the soldiers. The gentle patter of rain from last night until now has washed away the dust from the rooftops, as if it has also brightened people's eyes significantly.

The young maid named Sang Sang set down the water bucket and turned around, while the soldiers watched her anxiously, much like high rollers in a casino waiting for the dealer to reveal the final outcome. It was evident that this scene was not the first of its kind.

During the dry season, the loose soil on the earthen walls is swept away by the northwestern winds, scattering everywhere, then settling on the makeshift barracks and on the soldiers themselves. The entire world turns into a shade of earthy yellow, and when people go to sleep at night and shake their bedding, a dust storm is stirred up.

Several resilient green-headed flies, which have survived in the harsh environment of the Northwest, are incessantly attempting to land on the front of the boy's oil-stained cotton shirt, yet they are continually driven away by the force of his fists and the intent of his strikes

The young man appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in a standard military cotton shirt commonly seen in the army. The front of the shirt was stained with grease, and his black hair, whether naturally curly or due to years without washing, was somewhat wavy and greasy. However, his face was remarkably clean, making his features particularly distinct, and the few freckles on his cheeks were also quite noticeable.

The rain has temporarily ceased, and the Weicheng after the light rain appears particularly fresh. A few branches of the willow by the roadside are blossoming with spring green. However, despite the beautiful scenery, the city is too small. After only a few steps, the officer led the maid to their destination, which was a simple yet bustling barracks.

The people in the tent fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "The road from Weicheng to the capital is difficult to traverse around the Min Mountains. It seems that this rain will continue for some time, and some mountain paths may be washed away... Please arrange for a guide from the army for me."

The elderly man smiled gently, pointed to the figures inside the tent, and shook his head to indicate that he had no opinion. At that moment, a cold and proud female voice came from within the tent: "No need, just take care of your own business."

Outside the barracks, several lieutenants exchanged glances, their expressions varying from regret to reluctance, from relief to shock. It was evident that none of them had anticipated that Ma Shixiang would choose to have that person serve as the guide for the noble.

Everyone's gaze turned to a corner of the room, where an eleven or twelve-year-old girl was moving a water bucket. She was small and thin, with dark skin, ordinary features, and the maid's outfit she had clearly stolen from her owner was noticeably oversized, dragging on the ground as she moved. Carrying a bucket that was likely heavier than herself, she was clearly struggling.

The young maid laboriously moved a water bucket, which was half her height, next to the water tank. She then stood on a stool beside the tank and, with all her might, poured the water into the tank with great difficulty. Following this, she began to wash rice and vegetables. While waiting for the rice to steam, she took a cloth and started to wipe the tables, chairs, doors, and windows. Before long, a mist began to rise, enveloping her slender figure within it

Later, he enlisted in the army, with the sole condition being that he must bring this young girl into Weicheng. He glanced at the maid and cautiously explained: "It is well known that such matters are not permitted in the military, but their situation is somewhat special. There is no way to force a young girl into a dead end, so everyone just pretends not to see..."

The fellow named Ning Que evidently lacks these two emotions. He lies quietly, or one might say comfortably, on a bamboo lounge chair, holding a somewhat old book in his left hand, flipping through its pages incessantly, while his right hand moves a hard twig across the wet mud. Occasionally, when he becomes lost in thought, he casually tosses the twig aside, extending his palm upward toward the sky. After a moment, a pot of tea at just the right temperature is placed in his palm.

To prevent the lieutenant from alarming the other party, the maid followed the young man and the maidservant from a distance, silently observing and scrutinizing them along the way. The lieutenant was unaware of her intentions and could only attribute her behavior to the usual cautious and peculiar habits of someone close to a noble.

The youth's opponent, however, refused to concede, insisting that he was ultimately calling someone lewd. As the situation escalated, the room was suddenly engulfed in intense arguments. The soldiers observing the conflict each had their own biases, and none could persuade the others. At that moment, someone shouted loudly, "As per the old rules, we listen to Sang Sang!"

This military border town, located at the northwestern edge of the vast territory of the Empire, has been fortified with extremely thick earthen walls in all directions to guard against invasions by the barbarian tribes from the steppes, resembling a sturdy earthen enclosure.

The prime minister's gatekeeper, the noble's close maid, and the prince's honored guest are indeed extremely troublesome figures in the officialdom. Being too close invites resentment, while keeping a distance leads to complications, making them the most troublesome. Ma Shixiang truly did not wish to deal with such individuals. After casually exchanging a few words, he waved his hand to summon a lieutenant, instructing him to take this noble maid and seek out someone.

I want to open up some space, the entire Weicheng... No, the whole world, who can defeat me, Ning Que

Upon hearing this explanation, the maid's expression improved slightly. However, when she saw Ning Que swinging half a roasted chicken and then noticed the small maid struggling to drag a water bucket, her dark, thin cheeks flushed with effort a few meters behind him, her mood soured again. She coldly remarked, "This is hardly a matter of mutual dependence; he clearly wants that girl's life."