Chapter Fourteen: The Li Migrant, Riding a Donkey While Searching for a Horse

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When Chen An learned that he had helped Li Duo break a siege while purchasing grain and had driven back the fierce Toad King, Li Xiang showed great kindness and respect. However, since they were busy distributing supplies, Chen An was allowed to roam freely around the tribe and was invited to a banquet that evening.

In fact, as the caravan slowly entered the city, Chen An realized this place was quite different from what he had imagined. A clamorous wave of noise surged toward him, making it hard for him to adjust immediately after spending days in the grasslands and deserts.

The refugee camp was not even as large as a sizable village. Perhaps due to limited living space, the camp was arranged quite neatly. Most importantly, every refugee wore a bright smile, without the weariness of hardship etched on their faces.

The Li family settled south of the Huyang Mountain Range, while the Wang family occupied the northern side. These two camps divided the great mountain distinctly in half. Of course, there were other smaller groups of refugees hidden in the vast mountain, but compared to the Li and Wang families, they were insignificant.

That night, sitting outside the banquet, Chen An faintly heard voices of dispute from the Li ancestral hall. Listening briefly, he recognized it was likely a continuous quarrel between the Lis and the Wangs.

After a while, the hall’s doors opened and people poured out. Only then did Li Duo quietly approach Chen An and say, “Young Master Chen, my grandfather wishes to see you.”

Perhaps from having just bathed, Li Duo stood before Chen An in her tall, slender figure. The gentle mountain breeze stirred her flowing hair, revealing a hint of mischief. Her perfect curves, wrapped in a long dress, were irresistibly alluring, and her scent was intoxicating.

This gesture left Chen An, whose constitution was purely yang, momentarily stunned.

“Young Master Chen?”

At Li Duo’s repeated prompting, Chen An snapped back to attention. Li Duo merely smiled shyly.

Inside the ancestral hall, Chen An saw Li Xiang slowly calming his breath; the earlier argument must have been fierce.

“Grandfather, Young Master Chen has arrived.”

“Alright, you may leave now. I wish to speak privately with Young Master Chen.”

Seeing the withered, stooped elder, Chen An felt a pang of unease. Those eyes, rising and falling with deep worldly understanding, seemed to see through his very thoughts.

“I have heard from Duo about what happened on your journey. For your righteous intervention, I express my gratitude,” Li Xiang said thoughtfully.

“But I wonder, what brings you here this time?”

Chen An smiled wryly, “It seems dealing with intelligent people isn't so difficult after all.”

Judging by Chen An’s appearance, Li Xiang guessed, “You’re either from a noble family or an official. I suppose you’re here regarding the tribute?”

“Where is the tribute?”

“At the Wang family.”

“Thank you.” Chen An turned to leave.

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Unexpectedly, Li Xiang called out, “Young Master Chen, are you leaving so soon? Don’t you want to know the reason behind all this? Do you think that a mere group of refugees from the Wang family would dare to wage war against Beiliang?”

Chen An stopped in his tracks. “You mean they have powerful backers? Who?”

“The county magistrate of Huyang Pass, Shao Qiang.”

Chen An’s heart skipped a beat.

As a soldier, his duty should be to fight on the battlefield, not to investigate matters here. However, since this involved Fan Jin and military merits, it was only natural he pay close attention.

“What else do you know?” Chen An asked.

“Shao Qiang has long been courting the Wang family, doing dirty work on their behalf. The Wangs dream of using Shao Qiang’s support to completely annihilate the Li family,” Li Xiang said deliberately.

“That is precisely why I have revealed everything to you.”

“So you want me to eliminate the Wang family?”

“Not for me, but for both of us—for our shared goal.”

Chen An hesitated. “Why should I trust you?”

“Do you know what this tribute is?”

“What is it?” Chen An asked curiously.

“You’ll soon find out,” Li Xiang teased.

“The Wang family’s refugees live deep in the wild mountains. Even five hundred elite soldiers searching for ten days might not find them. But we can help you—if you can offer us something in return.”

Chen An lifted his garment, revealing a gleaming golden waist token.

Seeing the token, Li Xiang’s cloudy old eyes glistened faintly. If he weren’t so old and high-ranking, he might have knelt before Chen An.

After all, no one in the three states of Beiliang did not recognize this token!

“You... you are!” Li Xiang stood up excitedly despite being prepared.

“The Li family’s hope is alive!” he exclaimed, wiping tears and blowing his nose as he called Li Duo inside.

“Xiao Duo, take Young Master Chen to see Hua Zhen.”

Though unsure what had transpired, Li Duo immediately agreed seeing her grandfather’s excitement. Before leaving, Li Xiang whispered a few words into her ear.

Chen An saw Li Duo’s face instantly flush.

“Good granddaughter, whether the Li family can turn danger into safety depends entirely on you now.”

Li Duo led Chen An to a tent. “Young Master Chen, he is inside—you can see for yourself.”

Li Duo’s shy eyes sparked Chen An’s curiosity. “What’s wrong with you?”

“N-nothing,” she lowered her head and quickly looked away.

Parting the tent, Chen An saw Hua Zhen seated inside.

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Initially surprised, Hua Zhen soon regained her composure. During their conversation, Chen An learned that Hua Zhen was to become Fan Jin’s heir’s wife. When the Wang family attacked the caravan that day, Chen An had escaped in the chaos and was rescued by Li Duo.

After much thought, Chen An decided to keep his identity secret from Hua Zhen, as he was not yet entitled to enter the ancestral hall. He only promised to send someone to escort her back to the Wang mansion in Beiliang.

Unexpectedly, upon returning to his tent, Chen An heard a soft, delicate voice.

“Young Master Chen, are you asleep?”

A faint floral fragrance drifted through the wooden door as Li Duo’s slender hand paused on the frame. Her light-colored cheongsam accentuated her graceful figure.

“My grandfather said you are an honored guest and asked me to take good care of you. Although this flower honey tea cannot compare to the fine teas of Jiangnan, it has a unique flavor. I brewed it myself.”

Without looking at Chen An, Li Duo spoke to herself, her pale finger lightly brushing stray hair behind her ear.

In the dim candlelight, Chen An’s gaze involuntarily dropped to her fair neckline.

Realizing his boldness, Chen An cleared his throat softly. “Thank you, miss.”

Li Duo suddenly leaned in, casting delicate shadows from her lashes into Chen An’s eyes. Her willow-like waist swayed as she carefully brought the teacup to him.

“Please, Young Master Chen.”

The warmth of her fingertips lingered on the cup’s rim. In this solitude of a lone man and woman, a spark of intimacy ignited.

Chen An’s fingers tightened slightly around the cup, sensing the change in atmosphere.

Li Duo laughed softly and, without warning, settled onto Chen An’s lap, her tongue subtly tracing his jawline.

Seeing Chen An’s primal reaction, Li Duo feigned coquettishness, allowing her dress to brush over the back of his hand.

Her smooth, pale thigh made Chen An’s shoulders tense.

She did not withdraw but instead lifted her eyes to meet Chen An’s deep gaze.

“Young Master Chen, if you don’t drink soon, the tea will grow cold.”

“Cold tea matters little, but a cold heart would be a different matter,” Chen An whispered.

“Did Li Xiang send you here?”

“Did grandfather want to use a beauty to help you?”

“My grandfather only said to serve Young Master Chen well... Today’s actions are my own choice.”

Before Chen An could respond, Li Duo’s red lips instinctively drew near. Chen An, intending to refuse, found his mouth suddenly dry, his world spinning wildly.