Su Wan'er had an unexpectedly smooth journey. Even she herself was surprised that she didn't encounter the obstacles she had imagined. However, one night, she could sense that someone was following her. But the distance of the tailing was not close enough to pose a threat to her. Before she could figure out what was going on, those people disappeared.
"Qingcao, look, the military camp is just ahead," Su Wan'er said. On the third day, nearly noon, after traveling day and night, she and Qingcao finally reached the military camp.
Her heart was surging. It had been a long time since she last saw these tents. In her heart, it seemed that this was her home, the place her heart yearned for.
"Yes, we'll see General Gu soon," Qingcao said, equally delighted.
"However, miss hasn't been to the military camp for a long time. I'm afraid things have changed. Maybe General Gu is the only one you still know well," Qingcao added, a bit worried. Although the people in the military camp were straightforward and judged by strength, they were also extremely fierce after years of fighting on the battlefield and not easy to deal with.
"How could that be? I grew up with them. There are many uncles and elders here, especially Lieutenant Generals Han and Li. They are the veterans of the Su family's army. When my father was busy, they taught me military strategies," Su Wan'er said. Memories came flooding back like a torrent from the depths of her mind. She was looking forward to reuniting with old friends. It would be even better if her father and elder brother were here.
"General Han? Do you mean the kind - hearted one?" Qingcao remembered him.
"Yes. Don't be fooled by his kindness. He is the most powerful person after my father. Eight years ago, to defend Jiancheng, he led 3,000 cavalrymen and held off 10,000 Xixia troops single - handedly," Su Wan'er said. She still remembered that battle vividly. It was the first year her father was stationed in the northwest. Her elder brother had gone to pick up the military rations when Xixia invaded.
3,000 cavalrymen defending the whole Jiancheng was the most exemplary victory she had ever seen, a military miracle.
After that, she kept asking General Han for advice. But as a child then, she had forgotten most of it, only remembering that it was truly amazing.
"Yes, but I heard that General Han had a fight with your father a few days ago," Qingcao seemed to recall.
"Really?" Su Wan'er was surprised. "But they've been friends for decades. They often get red - faced and neck - thick while drinking. It should be okay."
"Wan'er?" A familiar and loud call came from afar. Su Wan'er looked over and saw it was Gu Jingtian!
"Miss, it's General Gu! Look, it's General Gu," Qingcao said excitedly, whipping her horse.
"Brother Jingtian ---" Su Wan'er galloped towards him.
The two rode side by side, and Qingcao arrived a step earlier than her. But in Gu Jingtian's eyes, it seemed that he only saw her.
"Wan'er, was the journey okay? You weren't too tired, were you?" Gu Jingtian had been looking forward to this day since he received the letter. He had been preparing to pick her up here since morning. At this moment, there were people to help her dismount, take the horse, and hand over a wet towel to wipe her face.
Su Wan'er was stunned. Had there been a reform in the military camp? The service here was even more considerate than in the palace!
"Wan'er, today's meal is hand - grasped mutton. Although it's not in the style of our Great Jin, it's a authentic recipe from the southern border. It tastes really good," Gu Jingtian still had a scholarly air about him, but now he was the commander - in - chief. Su Wan'er thought she shouldn't let the commander - in - chief lose his dignity.
"Su Wei pays respects to the marshal," Su Wan'er said, clasping her fists and bowing in one smooth motion. After getting rid of the cumbersome sleeves of the palace dress, she felt truly valiant.
Qingcao had been at a loss. Although she wanted to talk to them, she never had the chance. Now she finally knew what to do and quickly followed Su Wan'er to pay respects.
"Hehe, okay, okay, Sister Wan'er, don't be so formal. Half of my skills were learned from you," Gu Jingtian said.
Naturally, when they bowed, Gu Jingtian personally helped Su Wan'er up. Qingcao could only stand there for a moment, then got up by herself and stood aside.
"Ah? Only half?" Su Wan'er joked.
"What? Are you getting carried away?" Gu Jingtian laughed too.
"By the way, I didn't bring anything from the capital this time, but I brought a gift for you. Qingcao, is it with you? Hurry, bring it here," Su Wan'er said.
"Oh, here it is."
"Did you embroider this bamboo?" Gu Jingtian asked in surprise.
"Yes. You don't know how bored the women in the palace are. They have nothing to do all day long. All they do is follow Si Junlin around, embroider, or make tea. Since I have to give gifts to the empress dowager on her birthday every year, I learned embroidery. This is my most satisfying handkerchief. It's a testimony that I didn't suffer in vain in the palace," Su Wan'er said.
Actually, Su Wan'er cherished time. She couldn't stand the women in the palace who did nothing but wait for old age. Wherever she went, she wanted to learn something new or do something to leave a memory, so as not to feel that she had wasted her time.
"Okay, I'll take your gift, Wan'er," Gu Jingtian said, clearly overjoyed. Even though he knew that Su Wan'er didn't think there was any special meaning in a woman giving a handkerchief to someone, it was still a rare thing for a female general to embroider something like this.
When the soldiers in the camp heard that someone from the Su family had come, they naturally welcomed them. And since Su Wan'er announced her name as Su Wei at the beginning of the banquet, it seemed more legitimate.
However, as a newcomer, she didn't know the situation well, so she didn't directly express her intention to take over the Su family's army. Fortunately, to her relief, Gu Jingtian said that the morale of the army had been significantly stabilized since her arrival. Some people who had been trying to cause trouble and demand promotions had also behaved themselves.
"So, there really are people trying to cause trouble?" After a full meal, Su Wan'er became serious and discussed with Gu Jingtian in the main tent.
"Of course. In the military camp, they are called soldiers on the surface, but in fact, they are just a bunch of hooligans. Who is easy to manage?" Gu Jingtian said, not hiding the current situation.
"I thought that since the Su family's army has a foundation of several decades, most of them should be loyal," Su Wan'er said with a worried look. She had thought that there might be some ill - intentioned generals or small officers who were not taken seriously and might cause trouble, but she didn't expect that even some of the lowest - level soldiers were now suspicious.