Dandere General and his Lord

7. Wishful Thinking

After a day and night of cleaning the battlefield, Bianzhou City opened all four gates to welcome the allied forces. 

On this day, all sorts of battle flags blotted out the sky as all the noble lords gathered their forces and entered Bianzhou. 

Mo Qiao Sheng led his team of men and waited quietly in the shadow of the city wall. 

There was no need for people like them to enter the city due to the sheer multitude of slaves. After escorting their lord in to the city, they would be stationed to stay in the vacant space outside the city walls. 

When the banner embroidered with the ‘Jin’ characters fluttered by, Mo Qiao Sheng couldn’t help extending his head and looking for that silhouette. 

After a while, he managed to catch sight of the dragon swords of the elite guards who were clustered around and escorting the majestic sedan chair which was shaded with an imperial canopy. 

The young lord with a face like jade and with his hair adorned with a golden crown was sitting languidly in the seat. 

He leaned slightly to the side, listening attentively to the words of his retinue. 

A beautiful youth among the attendants accompanying the sedan said something with his face flushed and caused Marquis Jin Yue to start laughing. 

Mo Qiao Sheng’s gaze followed his cheerful, smiling face the whole way. 

“Is that Marquis Jin Yue? He really does look like a gentle master.” A’Feng stood beside Mo Qiao Sheng and said lightly. 

“You’re fantasising about becoming his slave? Don’t be stupid. The life and death of people like us all depends on fate. Where do we have the right to choose our own lives?” 

A’Feng’s cutting words sounded in his ears. 

However, the words “becoming his slave” were like a seed which was instantly planted into Mo Qiao Sheng’s humble heart and immediately sprouted into a pitiful bud. 

Marquis Jin Yue’s gaze seemed to inadvertently sweep across them and Mo Qiao Sheng couldn’t help feeling a little nervous. 

His Lordship, will he see me? 

No, no. With so many people, how could he see a mere slave like me.

But that lord sitting up high seemed to nod his head and motion at him with his fingers. 

Mo Qiao Sheng clenched his fists and lowered his head. 

He felt the delusional sprout in his heart grow crazily like the vines in a field and firmly wind itself around his heart. 

This master, not only does he grant me food and clothes, but most importantly, he does not force me to do that thing I abhor the most. 

He was so gentle and considerate of my poor health, giving me all kinds of care. 

He even respected the dignity of a slave and though I was drugged, he didn’t strip me naked as he pleased. 

If I am lucky enough to become the slave of His Highness, I would devote my life and soul to him, until the day I die. 

Unfortunately, this is all wishful thinking. 

__________

Cheng Qianye sat on the rickety sedan chair, overcome with boredom as she listened to Xiao Xiu’s elated chatter. 

The privileged class is really good. Thought Cheng Qianye. So many people follow along with several beautiful attendants at your side, giving their all to make you happy. 

But I really don’t like all this warfare, being a lord and scrambling for territory. 

I like playing music, going clubbing, bullying my brother and making money at most. 

Good lord, when can I break away from this life with the goal of dominating the world and return to my modern society full of low level delights? Can’t I just hand over this system and go back? 

Cheng Qianye caught sight of a familiar figure within the dense crowd of people. The bright, limpid blue colour emanating from his body looked outstanding from within the see of turbid colours. 

It’s the slave from the other night. He’s also looking at me. 

Cheng Qianye was still not clear about why some people possessed such beautiful colours. 

But it was both sparse and fascinating. 

Just as how humans are naturally attracted towards beautiful things, Cheng Qianye couldn’t help being kinder to such people. 

He just bowed his head. Is he shy? 

It was both pitiful and adorable. 

In such a dense crowd, he’s the only person with such a beautiful colour, making me spot him at a glance. 

Like a vibrant gem, making people reluctant to look away. 

Cheng Qianye stroked her chin. I’ll bring him to my side. 

She said to Xiao Xiu, “Go and find out what that old pervert Weibei Marquis likes other than beautiful men.”

After entering the city, Cheng Qianye first found herself a gorgeous residence with beautiful scenery which was said to have belonged to a princess from the previous dynasty. 

She had already seen that Lu Yao was not by her side with any sincerity. 

Cheng Qianye was too lazy to deal with his hypocritical show of affection and simply sent him off to deal with general affairs. Xiao Xiu was the only person left to serve by her side so that outsiders would not feel that Gong Ziyu’s temperament had changed too much. 

Lu Yao was more interested in his newly acquired title of “steward in charge of general affairs” rather than “The Lord’s most favoured male pet”. 

He delved into his new post with great ardour and managed Cheng Qianye’s daily life so it was both comfortable and orderly. 

It was a pity that Cheng Qianye did not have the time to enjoy the luxurious life of ancient nobles. 

She could not participate in the big and small military meetings held by Li Wenguang. 

These men were all exceptionally stimulated by their victory and discussed all sorts of military tactics, regardless of night or day. 

Some people suggested that they should combine their land and naval forces and go straight through Haojing and recapture their lost land in one fell swoop. 

Others suggested dividing their troops into three paths and working in concert with each other to gradually expand their base. 

There was a lot of dispute. 

Cheng Qianye couldn’t make heads or tails of what they were saying, nor could she walk away. 

She really did not want to take part in these sorts of matters of warfare which baffled her wits. 

So she proposed that she would stay back and defend the city, consolidate their rear base and provide security for the front line. 

The feudal lords were all dumbfounded for a moment before they all started commending her for her uprightness and prudentness, taking the overall situation into consideration and for being loyal and righteous. 

But Cheng Qianye could see that although they were all praising her, their emotional colour showed that they actually thought that she was stupid. 

Cheng Qianye laughed and ridiculed in her thoughts:

You all can go grab your territories. Since this old lady came here, I’ve hung myself, I’ve seen war and everything has been a total mess without a moment of peace.

When you all go and get lost, let me calm down, take a rest and smooth things out. What sort of demonic world have I transmigrated into? 

When she stepped out of the conference room, one of her aides, Zhang Fu, followed her out with an amiable expression on her face and asked, “My Lord, why did you propose for us to stay in Bianzhou?” 

Cheng Qianye actually really liked Zhang Fu in her heart, although she knew that he didn’t like her. 

In the memories she had inherited, this man was really a famed scholar who was both wise and resourceful. At a young age, he had become the most trusted aide by the side of the old Marquis Jin Wei. 

Cheng Qianye was a newcomer to this world and was thrown into confusion everywhere. In fact, she also hoped that she could obtain such sincere assistance. 

In addition, she was really fond of that beautiful amethyst hue on his body. 

So Cheng Qianye subconsciously ingratiated herself to him, hoping he would slowly come to like her. 

At this time, she could not say that she wanted a break and that she was afraid of war. 

So she stammered and said, “I think that although allied forces have a large number of troops, their morale doesn’t appear to be uniform. Even if we won and their spirits seem high, it’s hard to say how it will be after a long time at the front lines. It would be better for us to firmly occupy Bianzhou and make sure the city walls and livelihood of the people are managed well, making it a part of our great Jin Dynasty. 

Zhang Fu raised his eyebrows, revealing a bit of surprise. “So that’s how it is. My Lord thinks deeply and has great vision, this official cannot match up.” 

Cheng Qianye took a deep breath. She knew that Zhang Fu did not actually agree with her statement. 

But at least the feeling of scorn and disdain that lingered on his body whenever she came close had not deepened after her nonsense speech. 

For a person who was merely a common white-collar worker before they crossed over, the problems they were confronted with at this moment would all be a chaotic, confusing mess beyond their capability. 

She could only burden the affairs regarding the military supplies and logistics to Xiao Jin, the sole person she could trust. 

Then, He Lanzhen and Yu Dunsu, both whom she liked, were placed in charge of training the soldiers. 

Of course, Cheng Qianye did not dare to simply move the positions of those old veterans left behind by the old Marquis Jin Wei at present. 

Although many of them were respectful to her on the surface, like Zhang Fu, they actually disdained her in their hearts. 

But it was no wonder they did, since the older brother that she had replaced was really an unreliable wastrel. 

These matters could be taken care of slowly. 

At present, her most critical problem was actually a small issue. 

She could not ride a horse. 

In this era of war, as the ruler of a vassal state, being unable to ride a horse really couldn’t be explained away.

Although Gong Ziyu was a debauched man not well versed in martial arts and his equestrianism was not consummate, he could still ride a horse. 

And she was always sitting on a sedan chair. If winds up being unable to get up on a horse at a critical time, it would definitely let the cat out of the bag.

Therefore, as soon as she left the meeting, Cheng Qianye quietly picked a few of her personal attendants and led her brown horse with white markings outside the city walls to practice her horsemanship. 

This brown horse with white markings was quite a famous mount left behind by the old Marquis Jin Wei. 

It had thin eyes and long body, with sleek, brown hair and snowy spots like plum blossoms scattered across its body. It was a very handsome horse. 

Cheng Qianye was a modern person who knew nothing about horsemanship. 

She had overlooked a crucial problem — the more handsome a horse is, the less suitable it is for a novice to ride. 

With great difficulty, she managed to mount the horse with the assistance from her entourage. The horse rushed out just as she had settled in and placed her feet in the stirrups, fast as lightning. 

Cheng Qianye was so frightened that she forgot all of the riding tips and clutched tightly onto the horse’s neck. 

There was a hubbub from behind. 

“Your highness, grab onto the reins!” 

“Clamp the horse’s belly!”

“Quick, someone save the lord!” 

The wind whistled in her ears and she could see the scenery rush past on both sides. 

Cheng Qianye no longer cared about her image and shouted, “Help!” 

She glimpsed a dark shadow flying towards her from her peripheral vision. 

The black figure ran wildly behind the galloping horse, gradually narrowing the gap between them and finally reached Cheng Qianye’s side. 

The man was so fast that he could even catch up with a horse. He extended a big hand and grasped the reins, tightening them and slowly decreasing the speed. Once he finally stopped, he pushed his feet against the ground and forced the violent horse to come to a halt, issuing a low neigh. 

A powerful arm supported Cheng Qianye to get down from the horse. Her legs felt soft and her heart pounded madly as she gasped for a breath. It took her a while to calm down. 

She finally realized that the man who rescued her was precisely that slave, Mo Qiao Sheng. 

At the moment, he was dressed in a short black robe and crouching down on one knee in front of her, looking at her with concern with his eyes as bright as stars.

After surviving a calamity, her heart was thumping wildly as she forced herself to smile. 

Mo Qiao Sheng folded both palms as he kowtowed to her. 

At that moment, Cheng Qianye’s attendants caught up with them. 

They encircled her and helped her, lending an arm for support, or patting off dust, or making worried enquiries, all showing concern and worry. 

However, she could see that all of their colours were more or less tinged with grey. 

Cheng Qianye was lately really familiar with this kind of greyish hue which represented disappointment and disdain. 

Only that slave crawling in the dust in front of her had a soft reddish orange edge mixed with his bright blue. 

The master of this soul was silent, not speaking out his worries and concerns. 

Cheng Qianye bent down, took his hand and helped him up. 

“Thank you.” She sincerely expressed her gratitude. She pondered for a moment before asking, “You, do you want to come to my side? Be my slave?”

She saw Mo Qiao Sheng’s lips tremble slightly, his eyes brightening instantly. 

There was no need for him to answer. Cheng Qianye already knew the answer. 

Because she could see a colour which embodied an intense longing blazing before her eyes. 

He likes me so much. 

Cheng Qianye felt a little happy and bid him farewell. 

She exchanged a meek and docile horse with her attendants, planning to continue and run a few laps.

When I go back, I’ll look for that old Weibei Marquis and ask him what conditions he wants to sell Mo Qiao Sheng to me. She planned out.