"Well then, rest well here. If you need anything, just tell the guards outside and they will take care of it." Ye Shikai sighed. Yan Yu was the enemy general leader, and his wanted notices were posted in all counties of the East County, offering a reward of two thousand gold for capturing him alive, and a thousand for his body, so his death seemed inevitable. Ye Shikai could not change this fact; however, Yan Yu also faced death calmly, preserving the last dignity of a general.

In battles between two armies, each fights for its own master. Ye Shikai lost so many brothers, yet ultimately, Yan Yu was not to blame. If the enemy had replaced the commander, the Qin Army would still suffer losses. What Ye Shikai hated was not the enemy army, but the war itself.

"General Ye, please wait." Just as Ye Shikai was about to leave, Yan Yu suddenly stopped him.

"General Yan, is there anything else?"

"I have a few words I want to say to General Ye." Yan Yu paused and then said.

A person’s words hold kindness on the brink of death.

"Alright, I’m all ears. Guards, serve the tea."

"General Ye, you were once a citizen of the Yan State, weren’t you?" Yan Yu suddenly remarked.

"You’re right, I’m from Ji County." Ye Shikai nodded. Ji County, future Yanjing. As a native of Yanjing who traversed to the Qin Dynasty, claiming he was from Ji County was not unfounded.

"I have many friends among the Six Kingdoms, most of whom are generals in their respective armies, yet I’ve never heard of General Ye’s name."

"To be honest, I was just an ordinary person before. I only enlisted at the end of last year, and it’s only been about eight or nine months since then." Ye Shikai did not hide it. Eight or nine months, not even a year. If an ordinary person enlisted for eight or nine months, they wouldn’t even qualify as a "veteran," let alone a general commanding ten thousand people. Ye Shikai’s rapid promotion was significantly faster than those from a general’s family line, mainly due to his excellent command capabilities. Besides that, he had good fortune, earning recognition from Meng Tian, gaining an appointment from Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and encountering battles against the Wolf Clan and the suppression of rebel forces, quickly establishing illustrious merits and a widespread reputation.

"Eight or nine months, indeed a heroic youth. If Yan State had a general like you, the Qin Army wouldn’t have found it so easy to annihilate the state."

"Someone once said the same thing to me." Upon hearing this, Ye Shikai gradually pictured Hua Liandie in his mind. Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the lands, establishing the Qin State’s centralized system. From then on, the script became standardized, carts used the same track gauge, and weights and measures became consistent. The long-divided world merged, philosophies and cultures blended, impacting even to this day. Ye Shikai, a modern person, didn’t understand the conflicts among the Seven Kingdoms of the Warring States, whereas Hua Liandie differed. She was formerly a noble of the Chu State, and even in the unified Qin State, her attitude towards Qin was "subtle." She was no ordinary woman, deeply scheming—Ye Shikai couldn’t discern her thoughts.

"General Ye is a talent for the pillars of the state. Regardless of which side, you will be a general sought by many. I hope you will think thrice before acting in the future. Perhaps one day, you will understand me."

"I will wait for that day."

..............................

Pu Yang County.

"Old Ye, after so many days, we’ve finally made it back." Shangguan Jian looked up at the characters "Pu Yang" on the city walls, a relaxed smile appearing on his face.

"Yes, we finally returned, and being drenched in the mountain rain for so long wasn’t pleasant." Ye Shikai turned his head to look at Shangguan Jian, "So, do you want to come to my house and take a look?"

"No, no, you and Miss He should cultivate your relationship well. She must be very worried about you. I won’t intrude." Shangguan Jian declined Ye Shikai’s invitation; of course, he wouldn’t want to be a "third wheel."

"Let’s go, brothers, it’s time to enter the city, drink and eat meat." Shangguan Jian turned around and announced to the guards.

"Alright."

"Old Ye, we’ll be off first." After saying this, Shangguan Jian led the team into the city.

The Ye family residence.

Ye Shikai rode swiftly back to the entrance of his home, where several attendants, upon seeing his arrival, immediately stepped forward to help him off the horse.

"There are some spoils of war in the back; you all go take them down." Ye Shikai pointed to the back, and the guards gathered around the perimeter of the residence, while some personal soldiers were stationed inside.

"Yes."

"Yes."

Ye Shikai walked directly into the mansion, and before the maid could go in to report, He Linghan was already seated in the hall. She looked up, and their eyes met.

Embrace.

The two embraced tightly. Although He Linghan already knew that Ye Shikai defeated the enemy and returned triumphantly, she was still quite excited upon seeing him again.

"Ling’er, thank you for waiting so long. It’s been difficult for you." Ye Shikai whispered in her ear. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"My husband, I heard you won a victory at the front line—it’s such great news."

"What’s so great about it? I was drenched in rain in that desolate mountain for half a month; I’m almost getting moldy." Ye Shikai jested.

"Ahem ahem." Suddenly, a faint cough came from the doorway. When the two turned their heads, they saw Hua Liandie leaning against the doorframe, watching them "quietly."

"Oh, you’re here too." Ye Shikai was surprised at Hua Liandie’s arrival. Interestingly, she seemed to always show up suddenly, without any prior notice.

"Yes, I have something to discuss with you. So, is the battle over?"

"Mm, the rebel forces in Beast Mountain were quite large, which delayed us for some time." Ye Shikai explained, "Now that we have brought back the prisoners of war, it’s no longer our concern how they are dealt with."

..............................

"What, you’re here to say goodbye?" In a secluded corner of the residence, Ye Shikai and Hua Liandie were talking, while He Linghan instructed the servants and guards not to approach.

"Yes, that’s right." Hua Liandie nodded, speaking.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to Chu Territory. I have some serious matters to attend to." Hua Liandie’s tone was somewhat dejected. She seemed to have something on her mind, and if such things were "serious" to her, then they indeed were "serious."

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Ye Shikai felt something was amiss; Hua Liandie seemed to be hiding something from him.

"Maybe in the future, you might be able to help me."

"Alright, I promise you, if ever you’re in need, I will do my utmost to assist." Ye Shikai pledged.

"Okay, that’s good then."

"Speaking of, you’ve had so many interactions with me, often leaving without saying goodbye. I heard from Ling’er that you stayed in the residence for two days; was it just to bid farewell?" Ye Shikai teased.

"The Chu Territory is far away. Who knows when we’ll meet again next time."