Chapter 50: Newlyweds Before Departure

Upon hearing this, Chen An gave a wry smile as he pushed the door open and entered. "How did you know I had arrived?"

"Aside from you, I don't believe there is a second person who can walk into this courtyard."

"I saw you were reading attentively just now, so I didn't want to disturb you."

Li Duo glanced at Chen An, her resentful gaze instantly turning enchanting and pitiful. "When all is said and done, you still aren't willing to see me?"

Chen An hurriedly shook his head, not even daring to meet her eyes, and quickly changed the subject. "Of course not. What have you been busy with?"

"What could I be busy with? During the day, I run around taking care of everything for you, the great Battalion Commander, and at night I am left to sleep alone in an empty room," Li Duo said with a sidelong glance.

Seeing that Chen An appeared somewhat embarrassed, Li Duo softened her tone a little. "Alright, since you're finally back, you should first give your great Battalion Commander a proper report on the work."

"Don't rush, I'll go make some food first, and we can talk while we eat."

Chen An was quite skilled in the kitchen. Moments later, a simple home-cooked meal consisting of two dishes and a soup was freshly prepared.

With the comfort of delicious food, Li Duo's resentment dissipated by a few degrees.

"A new batch of refugees has arrived recently, fleeing from the interior to the border. If this continues, the population of Youshan Pass will soon exceed thirty thousand," Li Duo said softly.

"It seems the lives of the common people in the Central Plains are not so easy either," Chen An said, taking a mouthful of rice. "With strong enemies outside and treacherous officials within, the entire country is in turmoil."

"Ah, who is to say otherwise?" Li Duo arranged her thoughts. "However, this can also be considered a benefit, as our workforce has grown much more abundant."

"As for those new refugees and fugitives, I've diverted some of them to makeshift sheds in the surrounding areas to reclaim wasteland. Those with skills are responsible for repairing the city walls and building houses. Among the refugees, there are also quite a few scholars and literate men, so I am thinking of opening a few schools..."

One had to admit that if Li Duo were a man, she would undoubtedly make a very fine soldier.

Her procedures were clear, her substance was rich, and the entire Youshan Pass was being tended to by her with great care.

Regarding Li Duo, Chen An could not help but offer sincere praise. "With a virtuous wife, a household does not fall apart; with loyal subjects, a nation does not perish. Ever since I've had you, I have been spared so much trouble."

"Is that so? Hearing such words from you, the great Battalion Commander, is truly no small feat."

"Hey, you shouldn't put it that way. Am I really that aloof and distant?"

"You don't come home for three or five days, isn't that being aloof and distant?"

As they were chatting casually, Li Duo suddenly felt a large, warm hand rest upon the back of her hand.

Chen An said with a solemn expression, "My wife, I am so fortunate to have you."

That single endearment touched Li Duo so deeply that she felt somewhat shy. After staring blankly for a long moment, she said softly, "Why are you being so mushy? We're already like an old married couple, yet you still say such things..."

"It's not being mushy; it's a sincere sentiment." Chen An looked at Li Duo with affectionate eyes, his hands gently rubbing the back of hers. "Although there is still no news from the Jiuli Tribe, military opportunities are fleeting. I've already decided: rather than waiting for the Jiuli Tribe to attack us, I might as well dispatch troops to push our frontline directly into the grasslands."

"That would be far too dangerous," Li Duo worried.

"It is somewhat dangerous, but wealth and honor are sought through danger. The Tiger Battalion is now in a brand-new state, and we have Siyu as a guide," Chen An said. "I think it's worth a try."

Although Li Duo claimed with her lips that she didn't care, it was obvious that when Siyu was mentioned, a trace of sorrow still lingered on her face.

Chen An continued, "After I leave, the pass will be led by Zhang Xiaojing. What I find hardest to let go of is trouble breaking out in our own backyard. Both the Chu and Han families have also sent letters jointly recommending you for the post of County Assistant. Leaving Youshan Pass in your hands gives me peace of mind..."

"Mm, I know. A man conquers the world, while a woman's duty is to hold the fort," Li Duo said with conviction. "You don't need to say anything more; I know what I'm doing."

"Alright, I've finished eating, I'll go wash the bowls."

Just as Chen An reached for the bowls and chopsticks, they were snatched away by Li Duo.

"There's going to be a war soon, go rest."

Hearing Li Duo's somewhat low, sobbing voice, Chen An quickly lowered his head to look.

He discovered that tears were welling up in Li Duo's eyes and falling down her cheeks.

"What is this, what is this, what are you doing? Why are you crying for no reason in broad daylight?"

"I'm just worried about you! We've only had two days of good life, and now you have to go out again..."

Chen An gently turned Li Duo around, pulled her naturally into his embrace, lowered his head, and kissed her, saying, "You shouldn't look at it that way. Who wants to fight? But now we have no choice."

"Besides, I've already figured it out. If I can pull off two major battles this campaign, it's very likely I'll be promoted to a Major or even a Deputy Commander-in-Chief. Commander Qiao's position might just become mine, and by then, you'll be the Commander's wife."

Chen An's relaxed tone clearly failed to comfort Li Duo.

"I don't want to be any Commander's wife, I just want to stay by your side."

Li Duo's tears poured down like a breached dam, growing heavier rather than subsiding.

Chen An took a deep breath, putting on a troubled expression. "Since that's the case, it seems I have no choice but to use my ultimate trump card. Do you believe that if I say just one more sentence, you'll stop crying?"

"What sentence?" Li Duo asked.

"Half an hour more at home today!"

Li Duo didn't understand the meaning at first, but once it dawned on her, she burst out laughing.

"Then you go wash the dishes! I'm going to take a bath. Sister Feng and the others made me a few unique stomach-wrappers today, and it looks like I'll finally get to put them to good use."

...

The moon descended and the sun rose.

On the bed, the two of them enjoyed their final moments of tenderness.

"When do you plan to leave?"

"In two days. But to steady the morale of the army, I probably won't come back in between."

"Mm. The grasslands are vast and the Yellow Mountains stretch endlessly, you must take good care of yourself."

Chen An's hand slid across Li Duo's curvaceous buttocks. The skin, as delicate as a boiled egg peeled of its shell, was exceptionally smooth. With the tactile sensation being superb, Chen An could not resist giving it a light pat before finishing.

"How much grain and forage are you taking?"

"Five days' rations per man, the rest will be sustained by seizing supplies through warfare."

"Then how long do you expect to be gone?"

"That I don't know. Who knows where those people from the Jiuli Tribe are hiding?"

Li Duo lay on Chen An's chest, tracing circles continuously with her index finger.

"It will be late autumn soon, you must return before winter sets in."

"I know what I'm doing in my heart. You must also pay more attention to yourself and not do anything to betray me."

"Hmph, listen to what you're saying. Let alone the fact that I don't have such thoughts, even if I did, take a look across the entire Youshan Pass—who else would dare compete with you?"

"Since that's the case, then I can rest easy. I'm leaving."

Watching Chen An put on his soft armor layer by layer.

Li Duo's eyes inexplicably turned red. "You must pay attention to your safety, I'll wait at home for your return."

The moment the words left her mouth, Li Duo's face turned as red as fire.

At this moment, the two of them were no longer a high-ranking battalion commander and his lady, but merely a young, newlywed couple about to face a bitter parting.