Forgotten Legend of the Bloodied Flower

"General Chi, I…"

"Please excuse me, Madam Ku. I have nothing to say to you." General Chi had no interest in interacting with Jian Yu Tan. Years of separation and the truth that he was being used had already consumed the last bit of his affection that was left. 

He knew very well that Jian Yu Tan only cared for him for the sake of his power and wealth behind him.

But he didn't want to be used.

After several years of living in the dark and being pushed around by these people as if he was nothing more than a tool, General Chi was already exhausted.

He didn't want to follow their words anymore.

His feelings had limit. Knowing the truth that he was nothing more than a tool used by Jian Yu Tan, he refused to have any interaction with her. And not being able to see her for so many years, he no longer had any affection for her.

Thus, he could easily walk away. 

"General Chi!" Jian Yu Tan's face was dark but General Chi didn't even take a look in her direction and walked away. Her fingers clenched the side of her dress tightly, nearly ripping it apart. 

In the past, General Chi would never treat her this coldly. No matter what she asked, he would fulfill it. But it was different now.

General Chi didn't even want to talk to her.

He simply walked past her and avoided her very cleanly and straightly.

"General Chi had made a lot of contribution in the war and planned to rest, but some people didn't allow him to." A woman's voice could be heard filled with mocking tone.

Jian Yu Tan turned to look at the woman who spoke and gritted her teeth. "I was only worried about him."

"Whether you're worried or not, that's not my business." The woman closed her fan and looked at Jian Yu Tan up and down. "But a flower that already had bees, should not attract the butterfly to come too."

Wasn't this saying that she already married and shouldn't try to attract more men?

Jian Yu Tan was angry, but she couldn't do anything. This woman's status was higher than her husband, who was demoted not long ago.

Ku You had been very angry at home because his position was lowered. Even if he didn't scold her directly, it was unavoidable that this matter should be related to her because her natal family had just been forced down.

This was why she wanted to find a way out for herself.

Unfortunately, she didn't succeed.

General Chi no longer wanted to be her tool and instead walked away, intending to live his own life without having to be tied to this past of his. 

…

<Feng Ao Si's side>

Feng Ao Si felt at loss.

When he heard his younger brother being called in the ceremony not long ago, he was startled. But the reward for his younger brother didn't include promotion, which made him feel inexplicably guilty.

If Feng Ao Kuai didn't cover for him, Feng Ao Kuai's career should be much better, right?

But he didn't dare to speak about it just now. No matter how dense and stupid he was, he knew that it was not appropriate for him to speak about his mistake in such celebratory atmosphere.

He followed along the other commanders to this banquet, feeling more at loss.

"Brother Si, why do you look like you lost half of your soul?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Feng Ao Si turned around and saw Sheng Shan Lang approaching him. In this war, Sheng Shan Lang was at the far west and participated with the other commanders, so the two of them didn't interact much.

Anyway, their position was also different, so Feng Ao Si didn't bother with the other party.

After the battle was over, he simply forgot that he had a brother in law who was participating in the war.

"Brother in law," Feng Ao Si replied calmly.

Sheng Shan Lang rolled his eyes. "Don't call me so formally. If that little lass asked you to do this, I'll be the one feeling uncomfortable."

Feng Ao Si laughed back. Sheng Qi Rou, his wife, naturally didn't ask him to treat her brother politely. With his relationship with Sheng Shan Lang, he really couldn't be bothered either way.

"It's been a while, Brother Lang." Feng Ao Si smiled.

"Yep. If there's a time, let's go and drink together. I heard that the small tavern not far from the gate is quite good. Uh, I forgot the name, but if we ask around, we should be able to reach there." Sheng Shan Lang rubbed his hands together.

One of the few things the two of them did was to have their celebration with wine. Because Sheng Shan Lang was half illiterate and Feng Ao Si himself flunked most of his written exams, the two of them really had difficulties to read some complicated words.

Even if they remember the name, it was estimated that they might not be able to find it either way.

Thus, they simply used some simple methods to remember the location of some things.

"Hmm." Feng Ao Si nodded, thinking about the good wine he had shared with Sheng Shan Lang and felt tempted.

Sheng Shan Lang looked at Feng Ao Si's expression and blinked his eyes. "Hey, what happened to you? You look a bit lost?"

"I'm thinking."

"Ah? You're thinking?"

Seeing Sheng Shan Lang's exaggerate expression, Feng Ao Si's face turned black. Did he have to act so excessively like that? Was it so surprising for him to read?

Sheng Shan Lang laughed. "You're not the type of person who liked to read or think, so naturally I'm surprised. Tell me, do you have any troubles you can't solve? I'll help you."

Feng Ao Si looked at Sheng Shan Lang and then asked seriously, "Do you think that I'm not suitable to be a commander?"