Tangli Fried Snow

Sherry followed the soldier for a long time. When she found the right moment, she gently asked him, "What's your name?"

The soldier instinctively replied, "Dongzi."

He regretted it as soon as he finished speaking. How could he answer every question? He should have put on a fierce front! He couldn't let the people here look down on him; this kid might be a spy! He glanced at her and thought the kid was effeminate and obviously not a good person.

"Dongzi, where are we going?" Xueli asked again.

Dongzi turned around and said fiercely, "If you say another word, I'll cut your tongue out."

Sherry quickly swallowed her next words. She swallowed hard; she wasn't afraid at all. What a bluff! How could they interrogate her if they cut out her tongue?

The two walked for a while before arriving at a dark green tent. Dongzi didn't say another word to her, but tied her hands and feet, threw her on the ground, and seeing that she obediently kept quiet, he went out to guard the door.

With no immediate danger, Sherry found a comfortable sitting position on the floor and began brainstorming.

All her knowledge from her previous life was based on peacetime, and little of it was applicable in this ancient world. The knowledge and skills the original owner had acquired in recent years were mostly related to sexual techniques, which were also of little use in this situation.

For a moment, she couldn't think of any way to save herself.

In the past few days, she has learned a great deal about the discipline of the Tiger Head Army, and has paid special attention to the rule that there are no women in the barracks.

In peacetime, to show consideration for the soldiers in their prime, officers and soldiers stationed in one place for extended periods were allowed to bring their wives and concubines for short stays. Merchants also frequented areas around the army bases, often bringing prostitutes to conduct business. The emperor would even bestow convicted women upon the soldiers. In remote, border regions, far from the emperor's reach, it was permissible for soldiers to have children with local women.

If someone were caught keeping a woman in the military camp, at most they would be reprimanded by their superior and have their salary reduced. But for Wen Xiangli, his uncle was the top leader here, so this was no big deal at all.

But with a major battle imminent, things are a different story.

She was caught red-handed by the military supervisor from the capital. The crime could be serious or minor; if the young supervisor held on, he might even kill her as a sacrifice.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but shudder. When a person knows they are about to die, they really want to live.

Aunt Bai's earnest teachings came back to mind: If you want to win over a difficult man, the most important thing is to see what he needs most.

She calmed down and thought about it. This man came from Kyoto. He was young, dressed in gorgeous clothes, and his armor was shiny. He looked like a pampered young master from a wealthy family. Such a person could only stay active for a few days on the battlefield. He would be worn down by the cruelty of war and the harsh life in the military camp and lose his fighting spirit.

What he needs most is someone to serve him tea and water after a fierce battle, do his laundry and cook for him, wash his feet and warm his bed at night. If they could also clean his wounds, find him medical treatment, and give him some help when he is in pain, that would be even better.

Thinking of this, she gradually gained confidence. If all else failed, she could say that she was a female doctor. As long as she could save her life, she would be willing to work as a nurse for the military doctor in the camp.

Just as she was feeling uneasy and lost in thought, it got dark.

Her hands and feet were already numb, and the cold ground chilled her to the bone. Just as she was about to give up and lie down, she heard footsteps and a man's voice outside.

The curtain of the main tent was lifted, and the tall, handsome man, Wen Chengxiang, and Wen Xiangli entered one after another with their guards. The guards lit the torches and braziers in the tent, instantly illuminating it as if it were daytime. Xue Li's face was made even paler by the light, and she sat pitifully on the ground. Wen Xiangli and Xu Liang couldn't help but frown with heartache when they saw her.

Jin Cheng glanced at Xue Li. After being tied up for several hours, she was clearly exhausted. She was sitting on the ground with her head down, revealing her fair neck, looking like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

Jin Cheng dismissed all his guards, leaving only two members of the Wen family and himself in the tent, creating the impression of a joint trial.

He glanced at Wen Chengxiang and said with a smile, "Lord Wen, what's going on? Why is there a woman in the Tiger Head Army?"

Wen Chengxiang respectfully said, "Reporting to the military supervisor, this soldier is actually Captain Wen's personal guard. He accidentally bumped into the military supervisor and acted rashly. He deserves to be punished. Fine him three months' pay and send him to clean the stables for the warhorses."

Jin Cheng snorted coldly: "Hmph, a personal guard? What's his name, and what's his military status?"

Wen Chengxiang summoned his men and showed them a roster. "This bodyguard is called Su Mu. He's a local and just joined the army a month ago."

Jin Cheng didn't even glance at the booklet. He said coldly, "Su Mu, raise your head!"

Upon hearing this, Sherry slowly raised her head. Bathed in the bright torchlight, she looked as beautiful as a magnolia flower.

Shirley glanced at Jin Cheng. He was fair-skinned and handsome, with an imposing aura, but at this moment, a cold light shone from his dark eyes, making his handsome face look somewhat sinister.

She glanced quickly at Wen Xiangli again, but he still wasn't looking at her.

Jin Cheng snorted coldly and said slowly, "Commander Wen is quite lucky with women, he actually found a delicate young lady to be his bodyguard?"

Wen Xiangli seemed incapable of lying, and after hesitating for a while, he finally said, "I only know that he is a personal guard named Su Mu, and I do not think he is a young lady."

What a blatant lie! Jin Cheng laughed in anger: "Then I'll have someone strip her naked, and we'll all take a look together?"

Upon hearing this, the two men from the Wen family changed their expressions drastically. They exchanged a glance, and Wen Chengxiang said, "Supervisor, our army will be marching south tomorrow. At this time, we need to boost morale the most. We must avoid creating unnecessary trouble that could shake the morale of the troops. If ordinary soldiers gossip about these trivial matters and affect the morale of the troops, wouldn't that affect the upcoming battle?"

Jin Cheng's chest heaved, but he remained silent.

Wen Xiangli also spoke up, saying, "Your Excellency, you must not do anything that would be disgraceful to scholars. Su Mu is really just a lowly guard. I hope you will forgive him. It was wrong of him to offend you. As long as you can forgive him, any punishment is acceptable."

Jin Cheng remained silent, and the atmosphere became tense.

Silence is Cambridge tonight...

Sherry didn't dare utter a single word, especially not the military doctor's explanation she had prepared. She was afraid that saying the wrong thing would lead to her utter ruin. Her breathing became rapid, and she began to tremble slightly with nervousness.

Jin Cheng suddenly gave a mysterious smile: "In that case, there's no need to punish Su Mu, and there's no need to clean the stable. I don't have many personal guards with me, and I'm short-handed. From now on, you can be my personal guard."

Sherry felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and looking at Jin Cheng, she felt her ears ringing.

Wen Xiangli looked up and said hurriedly, "He has only been here for a month and has not yet learned the rules of the military camp. He is young and not very skilled. I'm afraid he is not good enough to be the supervisor's bodyguard. Tomorrow I will choose someone steady, skilled, and efficient to personally deliver to you."

"No need!" Jin Cheng shouted outside. "Dongzi!"

Dongzi responded and went into the tent.

"Untie him, and he'll follow you. He'll be my personal guard from now on. I'll personally teach him the rules." Jin Cheng's smile was incredibly irritating.

Dongzi looked up in surprise at her young master, then at the boy on the ground, and replied, "Yes!" before quickly untying the ropes binding Xue Li's hands and feet.

She could no longer stand up.

Dongzi reached out and pulled her up. Xueli's hands and feet were already numb. She struggled for a while before she could stand up. Feeling uneasy, she slowly followed Dongzi out.

It wasn't far from Jin Cheng's tent, and Xue Li arrived just as she regained feeling in her hands and feet.

This was a magnificent tent, measuring six or seven meters square, twice the size of Wen Xiangli's tent. The bed inside was also large, ornately decorated, and the bedding was exquisitely crafted. The tables and chairs were adorned with intricate patterns, and his luggage was enormous. It seemed more like he was on vacation than on a war, as most of his belongings were clearly gifts from women, and his bundles were even embroidered with flowers.

Jin Cheng strode into the tent. He had been wearing this armor all day, riding for three or four hours, and then holding a military meeting with the Tiger Head Army for several hours. He was exhausted.

"What are you standing there for?" he ordered her rudely. "Come here and take off my armor."

Upon hearing this, Shirley quickly went to him and helped him take off his hat. Not knowing where to put it, Dongzi pointed out a place for her. It turned out that ancient armor was stored on special wooden racks.

She took off his clothes one by one and put them away, then took a regular coat from the hanger and put it on him.

Seeing that she obediently followed his orders and was quite efficient, Jin Cheng's dissatisfaction with her lessened slightly.

Upon closer inspection, her skin was smooth and delicate, beautiful without any makeup. Her eyelashes were long, curled, and thick, and there was a faint fragrance emanating from the top of her hair. He couldn't help but feel aroused and couldn't resist teasing her, "In this chaotic world, how did you end up here?"

Sherry lowered her head and said in a low voice, "Sir, I just joined the army. I can't get food at home, so I came here to be a soldier and earn a living."

Jin Cheng's chest heaved as he laughed and said, "Then you can follow me from now on, I guarantee you'll have enough to eat."

Sherry paused in her buttoning, unsure how to respond. In her mind, she was still thinking that maybe Wen Xiangli would find someone to switch her back tomorrow.

Jin Cheng seemed to see through her little thoughts and said jokingly, "Don't even think about going back to serve your Commandant Wen. He will be leading two thousand cavalry to Weiling County to defend the city tomorrow. He won't have time to come and rescue you. You can just come with me to the front line to fight."

Sherry felt a chill in her heart and couldn't help but look up at him.

Only then did he get a clear look at her face.

Her skin was like jade, her eyes were like water, and her red lips were luscious. Although she was not old, she had a charming and lovely air about her. Her waist was supple and her fingers were slender. She was definitely not a peasant girl. Let alone not having enough to eat, she had never been exposed to the sun or done any hard labor.

She seemed more like a carefully pampered beauty. What's even more wonderful is that she had none of the airs of a young lady from a wealthy family or a maid. Her eyes were bold and lively, as if she had seen the world, and she had a special kind of free and easy temperament.

Jin Cheng's eyes gleamed with intense interest, as if he were a wild beast eyeing its prey.

Sherry felt a sudden tremor in her heart as he stared at her, and quickly lowered her head, while speeding up the process of dressing him.

Finally, the complicated casual clothes were properly put on, and Sherry breathed a sigh of relief, standing quietly to the side with her head down.

Jin Cheng sat leisurely at the table reading a book. After a while, Dongzi came into the tent with a food box. He quickly cleaned the table and set out several dishes for the Second Young Master Jin, including fish, meat, flatbread, and vegetables, which was much better than what Commander Wen ate.

Sherry had only eaten breakfast today. She had been exhausted all day and hadn't had a drop of water, so she was already starving. She didn't feel hungry at first, but seeing Jin Cheng eating so heartily, her stomach started growling.

The voice was so loud that both men turned to look at her simultaneously.

Sherry was so embarrassed that she almost dug out a two-bedroom apartment with her toes.

Jin Cheng couldn't help but chuckle and said to Dongzi, "Take him downstairs to get something to eat. He has to keep watch for me tonight, so he shouldn't faint from hunger."

Dongzi agreed and led her out, bringing her to a four-person tent. He said to her, "This is the tent where the young master's personal guards live. There are originally four people, but they usually take turns on duty. We follow him on military campaigns, so you will be responsible for taking care of the young master's food, clothing, and lodging. You will be on guard duty tonight, and you can sleep here after your shift ends tomorrow morning."

Jin Xueli looked at the large dormitory-style bed, said nothing, and just nodded.

Dongzi found her a large flatbread and a bowl of vegetable soup, and said to her, "Eat up, and then go back to serve me."

The pancake was as big as two of her faces. She broke it in half, handed one half to Dongzi, and said, "Brother Dongzi, have you eaten? Let's eat together."

Dongzi waved his hand and said, "I already ate when I brought the food for you, young master. You can have it. How old are you? Call me Brother Dongzi."

"Fifteen," Shirley mumbled between bites of food.

"I'm sixteen, you didn't get it wrong," Dongzi said with a smile.

Sherry ate half of the pancake, her stomach was full. She ate and hid, and when he wasn't paying attention, she put the other half into her space. She still had to be prepared to escape at all times.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, she returned to Jin Cheng's tent to serve him. Jin Cheng had a good appetite and ate most of the dishes on the table. Xue Li quickly cleaned up for him and handed the food box to Dong Zi, who then took it back to the cooks.

Jin Cheng continued reading, but soon got tired, so he started teasing her to amuse her: "How did you manage to keep watch at Commandant Wen's place at night?"

Of course, he was on night duty in his bed.

Sherry thought for a moment and said, "I only do laundry and cook for Lieutenant Wen during the day, clean the tents, and organize military reports. I do all the light work. I don't stand guard outside or keep watch inside."

Jin Cheng remained noncommittal. "You really treat your personal guards like maids? The rules here need to be changed. You are now my personal first-class maid. Besides washing clothes, cooking, and organizing military reports, you also have to help me dress and bathe, and serve me the chamber pot when I need to relieve myself."

"Do you think you're some emperor in the Forbidden City?" Sherry couldn't help but mutter to herself.