Chapter 44: Women, Women, and More Women?

"This is Youquan Pass, and it is currently safe. You can stay here."

Having galloped on horseback for an entire night, Chen An finally returned to the camp around dawn. After settling the rest of the Yuling Tribe members, he prepared to head back and get some sleep.

However, to Chen An's utter astonishment, Siyu blocked his way like a temple guardian deity.

"I am going with you."

These words caught everyone inside the tent by surprise...

After a round of staring at each other in bewilderment, Zhang Xiaojing was the first to speak up: "Aren't you lot tired after bustling about all night? Go get some rest immediately. Wu the Dunderhead, you're reeking of sweat, go wash yourself right now."

"Squad Leader, I want to go home with my brother too!" Wu the Dunderhead mumbled in a muffled voice.

"Go home my foot! Tent space is tight; you're sleeping with me tonight! If you dare to fart, grind your teeth, or snore, don't blame me for beating you up!"

Zhang Xiaojing shoved Wu the Dunderhead away, and before leaving, he didn't forget to cast a meaningful look at Chen An that clearly said, "You're on your own."

"I've arranged a tent for you. Rest assured, my place is quite safe for now. Whatever is on your mind can wait until you've had proper rest," Chen An explained once more, only to find Siyu remaining completely unmoved.

"What are you playing at? Returning kindness with enmity?"

"I'll marry you, and you help me get my revenge."

Hearing this, the water Chen An had in his mouth spurted out in a sudden spray.

"Are you out of your mind?" Chen An widened his eyes and said, "We've only met twice and haven't even exchanged two sentences. Are you trying to play at a flash marriage?"

Obviously, Siyu didn't understand Chen An's reference, nor did she change the tone of her voice.

"I'll marry you, and you help me get my revenge."

Chen An suddenly felt a splitting headache and had no choice but to patiently explain: "I saved you purely out of basic human empathy. Besides, the foundation of marriage is affection, not politics..."

"I don't care. The Jiuli Tribe slaughtered my Yuling Tribe. I can serve you like a beast of burden, but you must help me avenge this."

Siyu spoke to Chen An in broken, halting Chinese, her gaze exceptionally firm.

Faced with Siyu's "shameless" persistence and her extraordinary trust, Chen An had no other choice but to temporarily agree to take her home.

Ever since Li Duo settled down in Youquan Pass with a large number of refugees, Zhang Xiaojing and the others had repeatedly reminded Chen An that he couldn't keep making do in the military camp indefinitely.

As it happened, the Chu family sent provisions to the army that very day. Hearing about his situation, they prepared a small two-courtyard residence in Youquan Pass and lent it to Chen An.

While walking home with Siyu, Chen An also learned that the Jiuli Tribe's next plan was to use the Yuling Tribe as a stepping stone to unite five tribes into a coalition. Their first objective was to sweep across the southern grasslands and seize the Horqin Grassland, which boasted the richest water and grazing resources.

It was precisely because of this that the Jiuli Tribe had been frantically expanding their armaments and raiding the Youzhou border everywhere.

"According to map analysis, the grassland is vast and boundless, and the eighteen tribes operate more like an alliance rather than a unified regime."

"As for the three prefectures of Beiliang, Youzhou is protected by three natural barriers—the Miyun Mountains, the Huyang Mountains, and the Taihang Mountain spurs—and its climate is bitterly cold. Consequently, out of the eighteen grassland tribes, only the Jiuli, Dahe, and Rilian tribes, along with two others, have been struggling bitterly. That is why they have always been harboring ambitions to return to the southern grasslands."

Chen An analyzed, "Autumn is the leisure season for herders on the grassland. Guess what their next move will be?"

"I don't know. My father used to say that the Jiuli Tribe harbors wild ambitions and would eventually produce an ambitious warlord. To prevent calamity from befalling the grassland, he sent my younger sister, Sidan, to Beiliang for a political marriage."

Hearing Siyu's words, Chen An couldn't help but cough.

"So it turns out that the girl I rescued not long ago is your sister..."

Chen An truthfully recounted the whole sequence of events regarding how he had searched for the "tribute" shortly before.

"Thank you..."

It was evident that Siyu let out a sigh of relief, and her gratitude toward Chen An was beyond words.

Even so, the phrase "returning kindness with enmity" was vividly and thoroughly embodied by Chen An at this moment.

Arriving at his doorstep, Chen An took a deep breath and hurriedly instructed, "Remember what I told you. You must never mention the thing about marrying me, understand?"

Seeing that Siyu didn't object, Chen An finally steadied his nerves. "Wait here for a moment. I'll go inside and have a word with Li Duo."

Just at that moment, Siyu suddenly grabbed Chen An's arm. "I can be a concubine."

Chen An was utterly speechless. Be a concubine my foot... I haven't even brought the legal wife through the front door yet.

After soothing Siyu, Chen An pushed open the door with utmost caution.

He saw Li Duo sitting alone in the courtyard. Speaking of which, one had to admire Li Duo's temperament.

Coming from a wealthy and prominent family in her early years, she should have completely qualified as a young lady of a distinguished household.

Yet now, even with her relationship with Chen An, she still chose to handle every single task herself, not even bringing along a personal maid and instead arranging all of them into the logistics team.

This character and capability fully exemplified what it meant to be refined in the parlor and capable in the kitchen.

The moment she caught sight of Chen An, the worry on Li Duo's face visibly eased.

"Still not asleep?" Chen An asked with concern.

"A bright moon over Chang'an, ten thousand households pounding clothes; how could I sleep when you aren't home?" Li Duo set her embroidery down on the table. "Returning at this hour, you must have been busy the whole night. Are you hungry? Shall I go ladle you some porridge?"

"No need. I ate at the military camp. I missed you, so I came back to check on you."

Hearing Chen An's words, Li Duo hurried over with a few quick steps and flung herself directly into Chen An's arms.

A pair of small hands patted up and down Chen An's body to check for any injuries, and only after confirming he was unhurt did she let out a sigh of relief. "As long as you're back safely."

Just as Chen An began to relax, Li Duo suddenly sniffed around Chen An's chest like a hound.

Then, with sharp discernment, she plucked a short, golden-yellow hair right off his clothes.

Faced with this silent interrogation, Chen An could only laugh and try to change the subject: "Let me tell you, things got quite intense this time. Not only did we beat up that Wei Ji, but I also managed to acquire a fine steed..."

"You know, actually, I don't want to hear any of this right now."

As soon as Li Duo spoke, Chen An gave a start.

His heart began to beat wildly like a drum in a state of nervous panic!

Should he spill the beans or not?

After all, he had already brought the person home. Hiding and concealing things would only make suspicion easier to arouse.

Once the label of infidelity was pinned on him, he wouldn't be able to wash himself clean even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

Just as Chen An was about to speak, a figure flashed outside.

Possessing a woman's sixth sense, Li Duo seemed to have sensed something.

She walked straight over, gently pushed open the room door, and her gaze immediately landed on Siyu standing in the courtyard.

Their eyes met, and an awkward atmosphere spread through the air.

A dead silence lasted for seven or eight seconds.

Wanting to do something to salvage the situation, Chen An finally opened his mouth to explain: "Li Duo, listen to my explanation... About this matter, it's like this..."