Hearing that the armguard had been of great help to Xiao Zheng, Lu Chao finally felt somewhat relieved.
"I'll replenish that poisoned arrow for you later..."
Before he could finish speaking, he noticed what appeared to be white burn marks near Xiao Zheng's lips beneath the helmet.
"What happened to the injury on your lips?"
Before he could get a closer look, the burly Jiang Da bellowed at him.
"Outrageous!! Shameless scoundrel! How dare you disrespect the general!!"
Jiang Da's face flushed red with fury, his neck veins bulging—he simply couldn’t hold back anymore!
Weren’t noble young masters supposed to be well-mannered?! Right in front of everyone, Lu Chao had nearly pressed himself against the general! Disgusting!! Even if the general favored him, he wouldn’t allow such brazen behavior!
Though the late marquis was gone, the older generation like him had to keep an eye on these youngsters!
Zhang Hu couldn’t restrain Jiang Da and could only cover his face helplessly.
The soldiers, startled by the loud outburst, turned their gazes toward Lu Chao and Xiao Zheng.
Ever since Lu Chao had patted her back, Xiao Zheng had guessed they still didn’t know the truth—that she was a woman disguised as a man. Not wanting any more surprises on the battlefield, she decided to reveal her identity after seeing Jiang Da’s reaction. She was also curious—how would Prince Kang and Lu Chao react once they knew?
The Xiao Army soldiers, witnessing the scene, immediately stood firm behind Xiao Zheng, their expressions cold and fierce, like tigers protecting their cub. Their stance made it clear they would demand justice for their general.
Lu Chao was utterly confused, silently wondering why his instinctive slight lean forward had provoked such an extreme reaction.
Before he could ask, Jiang Da spoke with barely contained anger:
"The world says noble scholars are refined and courteous, yet today, Young Master Lu’s behavior is truly shocking. I once admired your talent and your past service to Shuozhou, but never did I expect you to be so reckless and improper. It seems I, Jiang Da, misjudged you!"
His words dripped with disappointment and rage as he glared straight at Lu Chao.
"How was I improper?!"
Last time they met, they had even slung arms over shoulders—why was it suddenly indecent now? It wasn’t like Xiao Zheng was a woman.
Lu Chao looked at Xiao Zheng in bewilderment, while Prince Kang and the others also wore puzzled expressions.
Jiang Da felt like he was punching air, his temper flaring.
"You were practically about to kiss him just now!! Shameless hypocrite!!"
Everyone: !!!!
Xiao Zheng’s subordinates behind her gripped their sword hilts, glaring daggers at Lu Chao.
Xiao Youcheng: !! That was indeed a bit improper!
Remembering this was his own junior brother, he pulled Lu Chao aside and smoothed things over with a laugh.
"Come now, no need for this! He’s just young and fooling around!"
Lu Chao: "This is slander!! I was only checking the burn on Xiao Zheng’s lips! He’s a grown man—how is that improper?!"
Silence fell over the room.
Jiang Da choked on his words, pointing at Lu Chao, utterly speechless.
"What if I’m not?"
Xiao Zheng removed her helmet, revealing her smooth, unadorned neck.
Prince Kang shot to his feet, his face darkening instantly. Such crucial information, and they had been kept completely in the dark!
Lu Chao was equally stunned, his eyes wide as saucers as he glanced at Xiao Zheng. She met his gaze calmly, unflinching, while her soldiers stood behind her, completely unfazed—clearly, they had known all along.
"This is no longer a secret in the army—almost everyone knows. I just didn’t expect Prince Kang to still be unaware."
Prince Kang’s men exchanged uneasy glances, while Lu Chao’s mind reeled.
So, his sworn brother was actually… a sister? No—wait, she was older than him. An elder sister?! No way, he refused to be the younger one.
Remembering how he had patted Xiao Zheng’s shoulder earlier, Lu Chao’s cheeks burned. In an era where women’s modesty was strictly guarded, his actions were no better than a street ruffian’s.
"My apologies! I didn’t know—I—!"
Xiao Zheng waved it off.
"Ignorance is no crime. I was the one who hid the truth—you owe no apology."
She turned to Prince Kang and asked,
"Will Your Highness alter our plans now that you know I’m a woman?"
Xiao Youcheng snapped out of his daze and shook his head.
"Not at all! General Xiao’s recent victories prove her strategic brilliance—truly, a woman no less capable than any man. She will continue leading this campaign."
With Prince Kang’s endorsement, no one dared voice dissent, even if they had reservations.
Lu Chao’s mind, however, remained fixated on the glaring burn mark on Xiao Zheng’s lips.
The poison used in the armguard’s arrow was toad venom—a lethal toxin that could kill swiftly upon entering the bloodstream. Even skin contact, if prolonged, would cause severe burns.
The wound on Xiao Zheng’s lips, with its reddish, slightly swollen edges, matched exactly the marks left by toad venom.
His expression darkened as he patted his pouch—he had forgotten to bring the toad venom antidote salve.
With the battle plans nearly finalized, Prince Kang stood.
"Then it’s settled. Later, I’ll have beans and cakes delivered. Let’s put on a good show for our enemies."
The thought of tricking the Tatars lifted the mood, and laughter broke out.
At three quarters past five in the evening, the day’s clamor began to fade.
A Tatar scout crouched in hiding, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Shuozhou’s walls.
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened—a cloud of dust rose from the road outside the city, followed by a long convoy of wagons laden with bulging sacks of provisions, their wheels leaving deep ruts in the dirt.
"Treacherous Xiao Zheng!! Release Prince Kang at once!!"
At the city gates, an old general burst forward, his face red with fury as he shouted hoarsely.
On the ramparts, a tall, composed figure emerged leisurely, looking down at the yelling soldier.
"Our general merely wishes to extend hospitality to Prince Kang, who has traveled far. We only ask that he rest here a few more days. As for the provisions—given Shuozhou’s humble fare, we thought it only proper to ensure His Highness’s comfort. Must you make such a fuss?"
"Bah! Savages! Lawless brutes!!"
On the opposing side, a white-bearded but vigorous old general trembled with rage, brandishing his whip.
"If not for the Tatar hordes eyeing Yanmen Pass, I’d storm your gates this instant and demand justice for this farce!"
"Enough of your blathering, old man! Hurry up and leave! Or else when your precious Fourth Prince misses a meal or two, don’t come crying to me!"
The younger deputy on the city wall snapped impatiently, his eyes flashing with urgency, as if fearing the argument would drag on endlessly and delay crucial military affairs.
Outside the walls, the Tartar soldiers watched as the convoy of provisions was left at the gate. Before long, the Xiao Army sent men to haul all the supplies into the city.
"Return at once and report to the Fourth Prince!"
