The Tyrant's Beloved Empress

47

That evening, An Chang Qing finally had a good night's sleep. For the past few days on the road he was constantly thinking about the situation in Yanzhou. On top of that, whenever he dreamt of his previous life, his mind would tense up, causing him to wake up in the middle of the night.

It was not until he met Xiao Zhige and was reassured that everything would be fine that An Chang Qing could finally rest his mind.

With his hands and feet warmed inside Xiao Zhige's embrace, An Chang Qing listened to the powerful heartbeat that he was used to and fell into a deep slumber.

By the time he woke up the next morning, it was already the si1 hour. The area next to him had already cooled. Xiao Zhige must have left some time ago. He did not know when but his hands and feet had been wrapped with warmers. No wonder he wasn't woken up due to the cold.

After stretching his back, An Chang Qing went to get changed. He was capable of taking care of himself even without Anfu. He took a copper basin to fetch some water to wash up. Just as he opened the door, he saw a young soldier standing guard right outside.

When the soldier saw An Chang Qing coming out with a basin, he hurriedly said, "Please allow me. According to the General's specific orders all the toiletries have already been prepared in the side room."

The young soldier began to fear that he could not complete his assigned tasks and said nervously, "The General said that before the manor can find suitable servants, it will be my duty to serve Wangfei!"

Seeing that the soldier was still fairly young but trying desperately to repeat Xiao Zhige's straight-faced instructions to the T, An Chang Qing couldn't help but chuckle. He began walking towards the rear room while chatting with him, "What's your name? Are you even old enough to join the army? Have you been to the battlefield?"

"My name is Chen Su. I'm already fourteen this year." The little soldier blushed seeing An Chang Qing's friendly expression and continued proudly, "I've fought in a battle before and managed to kill two Beidi soldiers!"

An Chang Qing was slightly perplexed. Chen Su looked small and his face was rounded with fleshy cheeks. Clearly he was still a developing child but An Chang Qing did not expect him capable of killing enemies on the battlefield. On the contrary, children his age in Yejing would be studying in school instead.

However, thinking back to what Xiao Zhige had told him, since the people of Yanzhou were under constant threat of a Beidi invasion, it was imminent that he was able to defend himself.

Seeing the child's boastful spirit, An Chang Qing praised, "Is that so? That's pretty awesome."

Chen Su was slightly embarrassed when he was praised. He scratched his head and said, "But when the General saw me, he said that I was too young. I have to wait till I'm older to go on the battlefield. Hence, I was transferred to guard the General's manor."

An Chang Qing remembered how he had thought that the soldiers guarding the manor all seemed a little too young. Apparently, Xiao Zhige had specially transferred them to this post. His eyes bent as he discovered another one of Xiao Zhige's good qualities.

After cleaning up, Chen Su served An Chang Qing a bowl of porridge together with a few side dishes. Although it still looked simple, the taste was a lot more refined. It seemed like it had been cooked by another chef.

An Chang Qing's heart was sweetened to the core. He finished all the porridge and side dishes before asking for Xiao Zhige's whereabouts.

Chen Su answered with uncertainty, "Usually at this time, the General will probably be at the barracks."