Chapter 56: Shifting Circumstances

In the small courtyard of the Gu family, Wei Wuji lounged comfortably, enjoying the fruit Ring was feeding him. Eyes half-closed in contentment, he asked, “What time is it now?”

Ring, peeling an orange beside him, replied, “Young master, it is already the hour of Si.”

Wei Wuji nearly bit his tongue at her answer.

“I meant, what’s today’s date?” he clarified.

“Oh…” Ring responded clumsily. Tilting her head in thought, she finally said, “Young master, today is the thirteenth day of the fifth month.”

“Oh…” Wei Wuji acknowledged, letting the matter drop. He had only asked out of idle curiosity; pleasure was his true priority.

“Aah—” Wei Wuji opened his mouth, and another orange segment was placed inside. As he finished, he playfully kissed the girl’s fingers, causing Ring’s face to flush scarlet.

Ring had spent more time with Wei Wuji over the past few days. Though she knew he wouldn’t truly take liberties, she was still so nervous she didn’t dare meet his gaze.

This, of course, was to be expected.

Had Ring been overly forward, Wei Wuji would have driven her away—he had no liking for girls who threw themselves at him.

Just as he was savoring the sight of the bashful beauty before him, a rough voice shattered the atmosphere.

“Young master! Young master!”

Zheng Dali was always this boisterous, utterly oblivious to the mood or occasion.

Wei Wuji was so exasperated he nearly flung his cup.

Damn it! He’s always here. Wei Wuji was truly getting weary of that voice.

“What is it this time?” he asked irritably.

Zheng Dali wasn’t fazed by Wei Wuji’s tone and announced, “Young master, Captain Zhou has returned!”

With business at hand, Wei Wuji could only grit his teeth and face it. “Where is he?”

Zheng Dali replied, “The troops are all back. Captain Zhou is in the main hall now, and Adjutant Wang is there waiting for you.”

Well, he’d had two days of leisure; it was time to get back to work. Wei Wuji found himself a reason to head off to his duties.

“Let’s go, let’s go,” he sighed, feeling rather listless.

Before leaving, he instructed Ring, “Stay here and finish peeling the oranges. I want them ready for when I get back.”

“Mm!” Ring nodded. In these days, she had grown much closer to Wei Wuji, and her replies had lost their former coldness.

Satisfied, Wei Wuji nodded and left with Zheng Dali.

On the way, Wei Wuji lectured, “Dali, can’t you keep your voice down a bit? I’m not deaf yet, you know.”

Zheng Dali scratched his head, grinned, and then said nothing more.

In no time, they arrived at the Wei army’s makeshift conference room, which also doubled as the officers’ dining hall.

Captain Zhou Changyun and Wang Xiu were already waiting in the main hall.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Wei Wuji said as he entered.

As soon as he arrived, Wang and Zhou both bowed deeply. “Greetings, young master!”

“No need for formalities,” Wei Wuji hurried forward to help them up.

“Captain Zhou, you’ve worked hard,” Wei Wuji said gently, supporting Zhou Changyun.

Though he had little appetite for work, he was nothing if not diligent when duty called.

Indeed, this display, while not enough to move Zhou Changyun to tears, prompted him to bow again and swear his undying loyalty.

When the pleasantries ended and everyone was seated, Wei Wuji took the main seat.

“When will the supply convoy arrive?” he asked, diving straight into business. The sooner this was over, the sooner he could return to his leisure.

With no one forcing him, Wei Wuji’s enthusiasm rarely lasted long.

But fate had other ideas. Whatever thoughts he had of shirking his duties were dashed by Zhou Changyun’s next words.

“Young master, the supply convoy isn’t coming!” Zhou’s words were a thunderbolt.

What the—? Are you kidding me? Wei Wuji was annoyed. “What happened?”

Wang Xiu answered, “Young master, we’ve just received word—our forces won a decisive battle, badly defeating the combined armies of Qin and Chen. The camp has advanced nearly a hundred li and now sits beneath Changping Pass.”

“Therefore, the supply convoy must press on without rest to ensure the army’s needs are met.”

Wei Wuji finally understood. With the front line moving forward, the supply line had grown longer; naturally, the convoy couldn’t stop here.

“How many men should we send to escort them?” he asked.

Wang Xiu replied, “Young master, the cavalry captain has already departed. We don’t need to provide an escort.”

Ah, horses do make a difference! Wei Wuji thought to himself.

“So, what should we do now?” he asked, feeling out of his depth in such matters.

Wang Xiu said, “Young master, we must continue to supervise Dashiyi and the surrounding areas to prevent any trouble from petty criminals.”

He was right; this was indeed a critical task. Wei Wuji had no better ideas.

“In that case, Wang Xiu, I’ll assign you half the men. Organize them into guards and send them out to patrol the area,” Wei Wuji delegated swiftly.

After all, he had no experience in this, and if anything went wrong, he’d be the one to answer for it—he had no desire to face his father’s wrath again.

“At your command,” Wang Xiu responded, clasping his fists in salute. He had indeed been much busier lately than in the past.

Wei Wuji continued, “Also, have Liu Xuanba keep a close watch on Tielin Town. There are nearly two thousand refugees from Chen there—if any trouble breaks out, it won’t end well!”

Sometimes, Wei Wuji’s attention to detail was impressive.

More importantly, he lived in Tielin Town himself—he had to be careful!

Then, he turned to Zhou Changyun, “Changyun, you’ve been working hard for some time. No need for you to go out again. Let Qingshan assist Wang Xiu; you go and rest.”

A classic way to win loyalty—Wei Wuji never forgot to curry favor, even at the end.

Zhou Changyun was nearly moved to tears, though whether it was genuine or not was hard to say. He bowed repeatedly, thanking Wei Wuji for his kindness.

“Very well, you may all go,” Wei Wuji said.

Bowing, Wang and Zhou withdrew.

“Come, let’s be off as well,” Wei Wuji said to Zheng Dali—it was time to return to the oranges Ring had peeled.

As they walked, he asked casually, “Dali, how are the men faring these days?”

With a broad grin, Zheng Dali replied, “Young master, everyone is eating and drinking well—much better than in the main army camp!”

What a way to put it! Wei Wuji thought, pursing his lips. This fellow was nothing if not blunt.

“Anything else of note? Tell me everything.” Wei Wuji was always concerned about the welfare of his men—they were his foundation, after all.

Zheng Dali replied, “Nothing special, but if you insist, there is one thing. Among the guards at the Gu residence, someone claimed to have seen a fox spirit!”

“What?” Wei Wuji asked, more out of habit than surprise.

Zheng Dali chuckled, “The guards say the Gu residence is haunted—and by a female ghost, no less.”

Wei Wuji snorted. “Sounds like these fellows are just desperate for female company.”

And so, they chatted idly as they walked.

Of course, there was no shortage of Wei Wuji’s earnest advice for Zheng Dali.

“You—can’t you keep your voice down? You’ll make me deaf! And don’t come calling for me so early—I need my sleep…”

This barrage of admonitions was more than Zheng Dali could bear, so he resorted to an ancient escape technique.

“Young master, I urgently need to relieve myself—excuse me!” Zheng Dali’s expression was odd; his excuse was rather forced.

Wei Wuji hastily stepped aside. “Go quickly—don’t wet your pants!”

And Zheng Dali dashed off.

Truly, lazy people are always running off to answer nature’s call, Wei Wuji thought.

Left alone in the corridor, Wei Wuji let his thoughts wander to his officers.

He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt when he thought of the capable Wang Xiu and others. After all, he was the commander—he couldn’t always leave the decision-making to others!

I really need to study harder, Wei Wuji resolved.

Just then, with a sudden swish, a figure in purple drifted past in the distance and vanished at the far end of the corridor.

Wei Wuji’s keen eyes instantly caught the striking silhouette.

From his initial impression, the woman was undoubtedly beautiful—her figure alone made that clear.

Wei Wuji, ever the incorrigible rake, was immediately captivated. With such a beauty, surely it would only take a word to bring her to his side.

But when he hurried after her into the small garden, there was no sign of the woman in purple—nothing but a small pond and a few ornamental rocks.

This didn’t make sense! Wei Wuji cried inwardly. He’d followed just three or four seconds behind—how could she have disappeared?

Remembering the soldiers’ rumors of a “female ghost,” Wei Wuji shook his head. Perhaps his eyes had played tricks on him.