Duan Guihong?!
The God of War of Great Xia the general who, ten years ago, had led armies under the previous Emperor to conquer dozens of smaller nations surrounding the realm.
Known far and wide as General of Valiant Might, whose silver spear had brought peace across the four seas.
While everyone stared in shock, Duan Guihong had already stepped forward.
He set down his spear and bowed respectfully. “General Duan Guihong, Commander of Valiant Might, pays homage to Your Majesty.”
“Rise.”
“Your legs…?”
During the great battle against the Southern Border ten years before, Duan Guihong had suffered crippling wounds to both legs, and had since been confined to a wheelchair.
Yet today, he stood before them as if he had never been injured at all.
Duan Guihong smiled calmly. “I found a healer who used extreme methods to restore their use.” As he spoke, he lifted the hem of his trousers.
Though his body was broad and powerfully built, his legs looked shrunken and withered, with rows of thick stitching visible around his thighs and knees.
“These legs will only serve me for ten days. I have come now only to serve Great Xia in its hour of greatest need!”
At such a critical moment, Duan Guihong’s arrival was nothing short of a gift from heaven. He was the very man who had once crushed the Southern Border’s rebellion and perhaps the only one who could now give Great Xia a glimmer of hope.
Lu Zhao’s spirits soared instantly. “Excellent, General Duan! You have arrived just in time to save us from this crisis.”
“Hmph,” Wei Yang scoffed coldly. “What good will that do? The General has not trained soldiers or led troops in ten years. Who knows how much of his former skill remains?”
“And besides…” He glanced disdainfully at Duan Guihong’s legs.
Seeing Wei Yang speak so disrespectfully, Lu Zhao’s temper flared up again. “Now see here, Minister Yang Wei you—”
Before he could finish, Duan Guihong cut in.
“Minister Wei, it is true I have not marched to war in a decade. But when it comes to understanding the Southern Border’s puppet army, or to planning tactics and formations, I daresay there is no one more qualified.”
“General Duan, you may not yet realize the Southern Border is no longer acting alone. Behind them stands the full might of the Great Yu Kingdom!”
At these words, Duan Guihong’s expression grew grave and serious.
Just as he fell into deep thought, a soft, childish voice broke his concentration: “Uncle, pick me up!”
Duan Guihong looked around but saw no one.
Unhappy at being overlooked, Yi Yi patted his knee. “Down here! I’m right here!”
Only then did he glance down to find a bright-eyed little girl barely reaching his knees.
“Very well,” he said, lifting her easily and letting her sit perched on his forearm.
“Wow, so high up!” Yi Yi had never been carried this far off the ground before, and she squealed with delight.
This Uncle smells wonderful and he is so strong too!
Indeed, she could sense the faint, heavy scent of tainted energy clinging to his legs, just as it did in others infected by Gu.
Smells delicious…
Seeing her beam with joy, Duan Guihong found his own mood lightening as well. He lifted her higher still, settling her on his shoulders so she could enjoy the view.
“Giddyup! Giddyup!” Yi Yi grabbed fistfuls of his hair and pretended she was riding a galloping steed.
Duan Guihong had never had children of his own, and seeing this sweet, lively little dumpling filled his heart with warmth.
But Dongfang Mo’s face grew darker by the moment. “Dongfang Qiaoyi.”
Hearing her full name called, Yi Yi immediately went still and obedient. “Yes, Father, I’m here.”
Only then did Duan Guihong realize with a start this was the Emperor’s daughter!
For a moment he had even thought of asking to take her home and care for her himself. Clearly that would never do.
“Your Highness, I did not recognize you please forgive my rudeness.”
It was hardly his fault; everyone knew Emperor Jing had no children, and for this tiny princess to appear out of nowhere had caught him completely off guard.
Yi Yi was set down and trotted over to her father, wrapping her arms around his legs. “Father, Uncle Horse is so much fun!”
And so Duan Guihong found himself renamed Uncle Horse yet strangely, he felt oddly pleased by it.
“Father, I love you most of all~”
Dongfang Mo’s stern expression softened visibly. He had heard those words countless times before, yet they never failed to melt his heart.
“Once General Duan and I have finished our plans, you may go out and play again.”
Since he wished to speak privately with Duan Guihong, Lu Zhao and Wei Yang were politely asked to leave though they continued bickering and jabbing at each other as they went.
……
While Dongfang Mo and Duan Guihong discussed the situation at the border, Yi Yi sat quietly beside the General.
Knowing her appetite, Chief Eunuch Li had brought out plates of sweet pastries to keep her satisfied.
Yi Yi popped one treat after another into her mouth, munching happily and all the while, she was also quietly absorbing the tainted energy lingering on Duan Guihong’s body.
Delicious!
Extra delicious!
She was so content that her little feet swung back and forth of their own accord.
By the time Yi Yi had polished off ten plates of pastries, the two men finally finished their discussion.
“Your Majesty,” Duan Guihong said, his deep voice sounding surprisingly shy, “may I take the Princess outside to play for a while?”
The sight of this towering, broad-shouldered warrior looking so awkward was almost comical. Dongfang Mo glanced at Yi Yi, whose eyes were already sparkling with anticipation, and gave a short nod. “You may go.”
“Yay! Father is the best!” Yi Yi cheered, clambering up onto Duan Guihong’s legs as if she had done it a hundred times before.
Duan Guihong laughed warmly; the little Princess was simply irresistible.
He lifted her back onto his shoulders and strode out into the open courtyard.
“Ha ha ha! So high!” Her clear, bell-like laughter drifted through the air, mingling with the sweet scent of osmanthus blossoms.
The servants sweeping the grounds could not help but glance over. There stood a giant of a man, smiling gently and kindly, with a tiny princess perched happily on his head.
Quite an unusual sight indeed.
After running and playing for a long while, Yi Yi finally tired herself out. When she was set down, she was huffing and puffing.
“Uncle, will you play with me again tomorrow?” She blinked her big, watery eyes up at him, full of hope.
Duan Guihong found it impossible to refuse but…
He sighed and placed his large hand gently over her head. “Your Highness, I do not have many days left. Tomorrow I will lead my army to the border, to face the Southern Border in battle.”
“I will not return until the enemy is defeated.”
His voice was grave and resolute.
Yi Yi’s face fell in disappointment. “You won’t play with me anymore?”
Everyone keeps talking about the Southern Border… where is it, anyway?
“I’m coming too!” she declared.
If everyone else is going, it must be a wonderful place for adventure!
Alarmed, Duan Guihong quickly covered her mouth with his hand. “Your Highness, the border is full of danger you must not put yourself at risk!”
The seasoned general spent a long time trying to reason with her, but once Yi Yi set her mind to something, even ten strong men could not sway her.
With no other choice, Duan Guihong brought her back to Dongfang Mo.
“Father, I want to go and fight too!” Yi Yi waved her tiny fists, baring her teeth in what she thought was a fierce expression.
I am very strong! I can beat ten bad men with one punch!
Unfortunately, her father simply replied in his usual calm tone: “No.”
“I want to go! I want to go!” She plopped herself down on the floor, pouting so hard her cheeks wobbled.
“Father is a big bad man!” If he wouldn’t let her go play, what else could he be?
Dongfang Mo said only: “Where General Duan is going, there is no food.”
Yi Yi’s jaw dropped. That was one thing she could not bear.
She quickly changed her mind. “Fine then I won’t go!”
Duan Guihong watched in admiration. With just one sentence, the Emperor had persuaded the stubborn Princess truly impressive.
Yi Yi trotted over to stand before Duan Guihong, looking a little sad.
She was not only sorry to lose the fun of riding on his shoulders, but also sorry that there was still a little bit of that delicious tainted energy left inside him not much, but still a waste.
She rummaged inside her small pouch and pulled out a soft embroidered sachet. “Uncle, this is for you.”
Duan Guihong smiled, deeply touched. He accepted it carefully and tucked it right over his heart.