Fate Trading System – Chapter 382

Plan B

Mandarin Ducks 12

To go or not to go?

Su Xin of course chose to go.

Staying here was indeed improper. No matter how you looked at it, it would break the rules, and Su Xin didn’t want Lin Suhuai’s prestige to be damaged in any way.

The great General bringing his wife to live in the military barracks—it sounded improper no matter how you spun it.

Xiao Lanqian was right. It was truly inappropriate for Su Xin to be here, unless she were to go to the army medics and offer her assistance.

But this wasn’t a time of war, and they weren’t short on manpower.

If Su Xin had provided some great help, she could have used it to boost her prestige, but now was clearly not the time. Besides, it would be demeaning.

It wasn’t that she looked down on the work, but if, during a major crisis in wartime, the General’s wife disregarded the danger to stay in the barracks, tirelessly saving the lives of soldiers, she would be seen as a great philanthropist, a noble and kind person without airs. However, when nothing was happening, and when there were other places to live, to eagerly squeeze her way into the barracks would make her seem far too much like a petty woman in the eyes of others, utterly unworthy of the title “General’s wife.”

Fourteen could monitor this place at any time, so Su Xin could know who Lin Suhuai was meeting. Instead of dealing with people face-to-face, she could investigate them directly this way. When she found a clue, she could just tell Lin Suhuai.

This place wasn’t hermetically sealed; as long as they wanted to, meeting was entirely possible.

Weighing the pros and cons, Su Xin decided to follow Xiao Lanqian and leave for the city. However, though she had made up her mind, she remained silent, waiting for Lin Suhuai to speak.

“There’s no need. I will personally see her off. Lanqian, thank you for your trouble. You may withdraw for now. When I return tonight, I will discuss some matters with you in more detail.”

“Yes.”

Xiao Lanqian withdrew and left the main tent¹.

The General is back!

This news thrilled the soldiers. They knew the General had gone to the capital to meet with the Emperor, and although they didn’t know what had happened, his departure had left them feeling uneasy.

Then, an unknown person spread a rumor that the General was in trouble and might not return, causing a panic among the troops. The Strategist had to exert great effort to control the situation and restore stability.

Outwardly, Xiao Lanqian had to maintain a stable front, acting as if everything was fine and he was completely confident. Inwardly, he had to display just the right amount of anxiety for the interested parties in the shadows to perceive.

Xiao Lanqian walked toward his own tent, his heart as tangled as hemp².

On the way, he was stopped by a brother-in-arms with whom he was on good terms. That deputy general grinned and slung an arm over his shoulder, bumping him playfully.

“The General’s back. How come you don’t look very happy?”

This was, of course, a joke. Everyone knew the Strategist was the most loyal to the General; if the General said east, he would never go west. It was just that this white-robed strategist, who was usually the type to have a smile ready before he even spoke³ and made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze⁴, was acting strange today. The General’s return was such a joyous occasion, yet the Strategist wasn’t smiling.

“How could I not be happy? Of course I’m happy. I was just thinking about something.”

Xiao Lanqian pulled at the corners of his mouth, forcing a smile.

“Hey, I heard someone saw the General leading a young lady back. Is it true? Did she go into the main tent? Did you see what she looks like? Is she pretty?”

Even more exciting than the news of the General’s return was that the General had brought a young lady back with him.

This was a rare event. The General had never been interested in beautiful women. He found the camp courtesans dirty, which was one thing, but he had never shown any interest in the people brought back from enemy states, whether they were beautiful women or delicate-skinned men. Every time, he would just wave his hand and tell his men to deal with them, as long as they didn’t dirty his eyes by being in his presence. This time, however, he had actually led a young lady back by the hand. It was said they held hands the entire way.

“I didn’t notice. She was wearing a veil. I’m not clear on the situation either. The General has his own plans. You all should be careful not to speak carelessly.”

Xiao Lanqian shook his head, and the deputy general looked somewhat disappointed.

“Alright, alright.”

“Still daring to ask about the General’s affairs? Now that he’s back, he’ll definitely put you through harsh drills. You haven’t been slacking off during this time, have you?”

“No, no.”

The deputy general gave a dry laugh and waved goodbye to Xiao Lanqian.

Xiao Lanqian breathed a sigh of relief and continued toward his tent.

A wife?

A life-saving grace?

Xiao Lanqian rubbed his face and sighed heavily.

…

Main tent.

“When do you plan to send me over?”

“Before dark.”

“You have to remember to visit me often.”

“Naturally. You are my wife. No one in there will dare to bully you.”

“Do I look like someone who can be bullied by just anyone?”

Su Xin squeezed Lin Suhuai’s hand and let out a light snort.

“Of course not. It’s just that there aren’t many interesting things there. Without me by your side, you might get a little bored.”

Lin Suhuai kissed Su Xin’s forehead, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

“It’s fine.”

Su Xin shook her head. She wouldn’t be bored at all; after all, Master Fourteen could watch movies with her.

“Let’s eat first. You can keep me company for a little while longer.”

Lin Suhuai held Su Xin in her arms, her chin resting on Su Xin’s shoulder, her face full of longing.

She wished Su Xin could be by her side every day, but that wasn’t possible right now.

“Alright.”

Lin Suhuai embraced Su Xin and sighed.

“What’s wrong? Your mood hasn’t been very good since you arrived here.”

Although Su Xin could be somewhat oblivious, when she focused her attention on one person, she could be very sharp in detecting the emotional changes in Lin Suhuai.

“There is something I should tell you.”

A troubled look appeared on Lin Suhuai’s face. After some thought, she decided to speak.

“Go on. We agreed to be honest with each other as husband and wife.”

Su Xin drew out the last few words, her voice tinged with a smile.

“Lanqian… he… he has feelings for me that… go beyond brotherhood.”

Lin Suhuai said it hesitantly.

This matter had always left Lin Suhuai feeling helpless. She didn’t know when Xiao Lanqian’s feelings for her had changed. She trusted him deeply, but it was impossible to tell him the truth.

Moreover, she was dressed as a man. If Xiao Lanqian liked her, it was highly possible his orientation was as such, though perhaps not, as he had seemed quite normal before. But Lin Suhuai only felt brotherly affection for him and had no other thoughts.

Whether she was a man or a woman, she did not want to be with Xiao Lanqian.

So she chose to see through it but not say it through⁵, simply not pointing it out. She maintained a certain distance, still treating Xiao Lanqian as a brother and regarding him as a confidant. She didn’t want her brother to waste his feelings on her, so she didn’t interfere, didn’t make any misleading gestures, and didn’t say anything that would cause him to overthink. Xiao Lanqian seemed to have understood, but… seeing his reaction just now, Lin Suhuai couldn’t help but sigh internally.

Su Xin’s eyes widened. If she had ears on top of her head, they would have already perked up alertly.

Master Fourteen, why wasn’t something so important in the files?

【The files can only record existing reality. Thoughts are not recorded.】

It would only have appeared in the files if Xiao Lanqian had confessed to Lin Suhuai.

Mental activities couldn’t be described, so Su Xin always had to infer a person’s psychology and personality from their life experiences and style of doing things.

Xiao Lanqian’s feelings could only be considered a secret crush. Only he and Lin Suhuai knew about it. Now, with her included, that made three people.

So, he was a love rival?

Hmm… Su Xin stroked her chin, lost in thought.

Seeing Su Xin’s lack of response, Lin Suhuai grew a little flustered. Because of their posture, she couldn’t see Su Xin’s expression, which made her even more worried.

“Don’t be angry. I didn’t plan to… I won’t agree to it. I haven’t said anything because I was hoping he would slowly get over it.”

Lin Suhuai was terrified of Su Xin being unhappy, which would make her feel terrible too. Although she hadn’t done anything wrong, having someone who liked her and whom she trusted by her side when she already had a wife made her feel very anxious.

This situation was actually quite tricky. If Su Xin made a fuss because of Xiao Lanqian, she wouldn’t know what to do.

Yet, in her heart, she both hoped Su Xin wouldn’t mind, because nothing bad could possibly happen, and at the same time hoped Su Xin would mind, would get jealous, to show her possessiveness as a partner.

“I’m not angry. Does Xiao-gongzi⁶ like men?”

“No… I don’t know… He used to like women.”

Su Xin wriggled out of Lin Suhuai’s embrace to face her, so she could look her in the eyes.

“This only proves that my husband is a very outstanding person. A General, incredibly capable. I should be proud. As for being bothered… just a little bit. Just a tiny little bit.”

Su Xin made a small circle with her fingers, trying hard to emphasize it.

“Alright, a tiny little bit.”

Lin Suhuai nodded, her eyes filled with adoration.

She straightened Su Xin’s clothes for her, helped her put her hair up again, and secured it with a hairpin.

“You don’t have to see me off later. Let Xiao-gongzi do it.”

“I wouldn’t feel at ease.”

Lin Suhuai frowned in disapproval. Even if Xiao Lanqian was her confidant, if she didn’t personally see Su Xin off and see where she was staying with her own eyes, her heart wouldn’t be at peace.

Su Xin wanted to have a few words with Xiao Lanqian, but it would be inconvenient if Lin Suhuai went. If she didn’t go, however, Lin Suhuai wouldn’t be at ease.

“Alright then.”

Su Xin nodded. There would be plenty of opportunities to talk. In any case, she had Fourteen monitoring him.

The meal was served quickly. After Su Xin and Lin Suhuai finished eating, they walked out of the main tent.

Su Xin had put her veil back on and followed Lin Suhuai.

“The wind and sand are quite strong at the border. I will send someone to look after you. If you get bored or miss me, have that person send a message to me.”

“Okay.”

The place she was to stay was a small courtyard that already housed one family: a woman with two small children, a boy and a girl.

“You must remember to miss me. Buy whatever you want. No one here can bully you.”

Lin Suhuai rubbed her cheek against Su Xin’s, a very intimate gesture.

“Mm.”

Su Xin hooked her pinky finger around Lin Suhuai’s and wiggled it up and down a few times, conveying a sense of closeness.

Lin Suhuai left reluctantly, her heart filled with unwillingness to part. Even though the distance wasn’t particularly far, she still felt a pang of sadness.

Lin Suhuai laughed at herself. Perhaps only at times like this did she show a bit of a woman’s tendency to be full of sorrow and sentimentality⁷.

Su Xin stayed in her room, planning to watch a movie with Fourteen. Then she thought for a moment and decided to wait.

Master Fourteen, broadcast it for me later. Lin Suhuai is going to talk to Xiao Lanqian!

【Alright.】

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