Mountain Patrol Military Officer

.....

"Crown Princess?"

In the side room of the temple's backyard, Chen Yuan halted the hand holding a chess piece, listening to the commotion outside, he couldn't help but glance up.

Since he moved into Xuankong Temple, no one else had come.

His eyes shimmered with a faint golden light, and then he seemed slightly surprised, a flicker crossing his brows.

He then placed the chess piece in the chess bowl, looked at the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat kneeling on the ground beside him, and slowly spoke:

"You can go back!"

"Remember to find a more reliable excuse from your superiors next time."

The clerk, feeling a great relief, responded quickly with an "aye," then crawled up and said, "This subordinate will leave now."

With that, he quickly stepped back, then turned to hurriedly pull open the door and leave, lightly closing it behind him as he tiptoed away.

The scene was indescribably comical!

"General, is there something wrong?" At this moment, Gongsun Yang, sitting opposite Chen Yuan, as a close aide, noticed a hint of information on the general's face, and asked.

"Hmm, an unexpected old acquaintance has arrived. I didn't expect her to return to the capital, and you know her as well." Chen Yuan smiled.

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yang, who was usually reserved, couldn't help but show a puzzled expression on his face,

"Old acquaintance?"

He knew this was the Royal Garden, inaccessible to ordinary people, and with many eyes on their general outside, he really couldn't think of any old acquaintance the general might have in the court.

"You'll know soon enough."

About half a cup of tea's time later, outside their side room, a tall woman dressed in a palace maid's attire approached under the eaves, and when she stood in front of the door, she glanced around with clear, cold, and piercing eyes. Seeing no one around, she raised her hand to knock on the door.

Just as her hand was about to touch the door frame, a long creak sounded, and the door opened.

Then Chen Yuan's voice came from inside, carrying a tone of happiness.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Miss!"

Upon hearing the voice, the "palace maid" stepped in, turned around, and closed the door, then reached up to tear at her face.

A cascade of long black hair fell down, immediately revealing a delicate and cool face, as her green palace maid attire faded away, transforming in an instant into a brilliant, multicolored garment.

Instantly, she changed from an ordinary little "palace maid" into a dazzling beauty!

It was none other than Qin Rushuang, who had fought alongside Chen Yuan and his party on the front lines.

Seeing Chen Yuan approach in his green clothes, Qin Rushuang's beautiful eyes sparkled, and she raised her hand to perform a worldly greeting, "Brother Chen!"

Chen Yuan walked over, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, raising his eyes slightly, "When did you get back?"

He knew Qin Rushuang was from the Divine Capital, and could guess her extraordinary background, but was unaware of her exact origins, and did not wish to pry, being caught by surprise today.

"I returned some time ago. After Brother Chen returned from the front lines after a great battle, there was an urgent matter at home that summoned me back, so I set out. I thought Brother Chen had many matters to handle, so I didn't bid farewell to Brother Chen. I didn't expect Brother Chen to arrive in the Divine Capital!"

Qin Rushuang lowered her hand, explaining her previous sudden departure. In truth, it was not as she claimed, but rather the family's intelligence in Shu learned she was involved in the "killing the Patrol Angel" affair, immediately creating an excuse, saying her grandfather was ill and urgently summoning her back.

With a sense of urgency, she set out for the Divine Capital upon receiving the message, only to find out she had been deceived upon returning, as her family strictly prohibited her from stepping into the quagmire of Shu.

"I see, after that affair, I heard that several of my subordinates encountered trouble and you helped secure their rescue. I sent people to find you, but Taoist Li Guanyi mentioned you had left."

As he spoke, Chen Yuan shifted his gaze,

"Miss Qin's arrival in disguise to see me suggests she is avoiding prying eyes, but what is your connection with the Crown Princess?"

Qin Rushuang candidly explained the connection, "My grandfather is the Tutor of the Eastern Palace, so I became acquainted with Her Highness the Crown Princess, who helped me by facilitating my meeting with Brother Chen!"

Qin Rushuang's eyes flickered, her expression slightly unnatural, recalling the Crown Princess Consort's teasing.

Chen Yuan listened, the golden sheen in his eyes flickered, and he remarked emotionally,

"Miss, your loyalty is touching, I am grateful. But this situation is treacherous; you might have heard the rumors outside, it's best not to get involved. If the Emperor doesn't intervene, I might not even be able to step out of the Xuankong Temple's door."

"The Emperor seems adamant to keep me here, while others are likely working on ways to embarrass me, forcing me to act. They don't have to make a move themselves; they just want me to be destroyed here. The court's knives are silent but deadly."

Chen Yuan's voice carried a cold smile, and he shook his head at Qin Rushuang, advising her not to meddle.

Qin Rushuang's face momentarily froze, but she didn't show fear,

"Knowing Brother Chen's journey hasn't been easy, I'm no stranger to the trials of the court even as a woman. My visit here is to let Brother Chen know that he's not alone in the Divine Capital; Sister Jialuo and I will do our part to help clear your name."

"Dugu Jialuo?" Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

He had a vivid memory of that woman, bold and forthright, a close friend of Qin Rushuang, and had once helped rescue his subordinates.

"That's right, Sister Jialuo originally wanted to come with me to meet Brother Chen, but I persuaded her otherwise, given her sensitive background, making it inappropriate to make contact with the Crown Princess Consort, or the Eastern Palace."

This piqued Chen Yuan's curiosity, "Why?"

"Because Sister Jialuo's father is the current Marquis Wei Yuan, the Great Commander of the Imperial Guard, responsible for the security of the Imperial City, making her contact with the Eastern Palace inappropriate."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, understanding that if the commander of the imperial guard got too close with the Eastern Palace, it would be a taboo. At the same time, he was slightly amazed, not expecting Dugu Jialuo to have such a significant background.

At this moment, Qin Rushuang continued speaking:

"The Marquis was ordered to quell a demon rebellion in the Northern Sea six months ago and recently sent word of his success. He will soon return to court, and Sister Jialuo plans to persuade the Marquis to assist Brother Chen in resolving the predicament."

Finishing, Qin Rushuang lifted her gaze, looking directly at Chen Yuan.

Hearing that the two women had gone to such lengths for him, Chen Yuan felt a warmth in his chest, but ultimately he shook his head,

"Miss and Miss Dugu's kindness is understood, but have you considered that even if I am a stranger to the Marquis Wei Yuan, having him intervene might cause more trouble? If a commander responsible for securing the Imperial City sides with a suspected traitor like me, what would the Emperor think?"

Qin Rushuang's expression changed; their decisions, fueled by emotion, had indeed oversimplified matters.

However, observing Chen Yuan's consistent calm demeanor during the conversation,

"Brother Chen doesn't seem overly worried; do you have a contingency plan?"

Given her understanding of Chen Yuan, someone who advanced from Shu through the Martial Vault, trampling over obstacles, delivering many surprises, perhaps he indeed had possibilities, though the Divine Capital harbored both dragons and tigers.

Chen Yuan didn't answer directly, "The Emperor's keeping me in suspense, and I need time. I'll deal with problems as they come."

"Miss will understand in time, remain cautious."

"Understood."

"This is my personal communication jade talisman. If Brother Chen has any need, let me know." She handed over a palm-sized blue jade pendant, resembling a command arrow with a milky white glow imprinted upon it.

Chen Yuan took it, feeling a warm temperature in his hand.

"It's about time; I shouldn't stay long. I will take my leave."

She reverted to her "palace maid" appearance, her colorful attire automatically changing as if it were treasure clothes.

Chen Yuan bid her farewell as she left through the door.

After she had gone, Chen Yuan looked at the jade pendant, his expression unreadable.

"General, there are few women like her."

At this time, Gongsun Yang spoke. "There are few women like her indeed."

He murmured, then slid the jade pendant into his sleeve.