Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 445: Chu Ran: Aunt, Why Are You Here?

Chapter 445: Chapter 445: Chu Ran: Aunt, Why Are You Here?

"Rumors tend to be exaggerated, especially by the Song people who love to exaggerate. In my opinion, it can’t be taken as true."

As Tie Muer finished speaking, a Jin Xia general immediately brushed it off.

The generals attacking Great Song this time were all veteran generals of Jin Xia. They had just finished Gao Liao and easily captured Youzhou, so their confidence was soaring, and their morale was at its peak. How could they be frightened by what the County Magistrate of Zhen Ding County had just said?

"General, even if what that Song official just said is true, what do we have to fear? Our warriors are the brave men of Jin Xia, armored and invincible. Before setting out, we were blessed by the Khan, our cause is just and divine, and Chen Mo is nothing before our army." A bold general, with a scar about an inch long at the corner of his eye, said confidently.

This man was called Yelv Nuku, the top general under Tie Muer’s command, having made great contributions in the war against Gao Liao.

He harbored deep skepticism towards the words of that Song official.

After all, even four hundred years ago, when Song Taizu who subdued Jin Xia, he was only a Middle-Grade Martial Artist in his youth.

In his opinion, perhaps Chen Mo used some tactics on the battlefield that turned a likely defeat into victory, and with the Song people’s exaggeration and spread, it became what it is now.

Tie Muer did not speak, but looked towards the first man on the right in the lower row, adorned in a brocade robe, and said: "Prince, what is your take?"

Tuoba Zhu, Commandery Prince of Jin Xia, was the military supervisor sent by the Jin Xia Khan to the Eastern Army, acting as the Khan’s eyes and ears.

Hearing Tie Muer’s words, Tuoba Zhu did not put on airs and stood to greet Tie Muer with a respectful gesture, saying: "The Khan has ordered that this campaign against Great Song should follow your commands, General. Whatever you decide."

"Prince, what are you saying? You are wise and resourceful, and I am eager to learn from you," Tie Muer replied with a smile.

"Then let me share my humble opinion," Tuoba Zhu paused, as if organizing his thoughts, and then continued: "In this expedition, the General had an agreement with Grand General Xia Ji to regroup in Huai State after capturing Youzhou and Longyou, and then jointly attack Celestial River, capture Emperor Song alive, and annex Great Song.

Therefore, the Northern Land is a necessary path for us. So, regardless of whether what that Song official says is true or not, if Chen Mo obstructs our army, we must deal with him. What General Yelv said makes sense; our army is strong and victorious in battle, with morale like a rainbow, and Great Song is in chaos, unable to manage internal affairs. Even if we face Chen Mo, our army will surely achieve victory."

Upon hearing this, Tie Muer felt slightly reassured, as it was a good sign when all the generals were confident and fearless.

The most dreadful thing was having differing opinions, and some being frightened by what the Song official had just said.

After all, that was two hundred thousand, several times their strength.

Like all generals, Tie Muer was not overly concerned about Chen Mo. Even if what the Song official said was true, given the current chaos in Great Song, they could barely manage themselves, let alone withstand the warriors of Jin Xia.

...

Men worried about national affairs, women concerned with family matters.

Xiao Yunxi and Chu Ran were relatives.

Not to mention Xiao Yunxi was once Princess Consort Huai.

The family of Chu Ran’s mother and the Xiao family had frequent intermarriages, so there were significant ties between Chu Ran and Xiao Yunxi.

Now, Chu Ran had been in Xiangyang City for almost half a month, and Xiao Yunxi hadn’t visited once, which was unreasonable both emotionally and rationally.

Therefore, Xiao Yunxi found a time to visit Chu Ran at Copper Sparrow Garden.

At this moment, Chu Ran was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, lost in thought, wearing a floral dress, her cheek propped up with her palm, idly gazing at the sky.

For the past half month, Chu Ran had been living in constant fear, afraid that one day Chen Mo would come to demand her attendance.

She felt as if a knife was hanging over her neck, but it never moved.

Sometimes, she thought.

Rather than living in constant fear, it would be better to get it over with.

At worst, it would be like being bitten by a dog.

The early summer sunshine was pleasantly warm on her skin, bathing her in a hazy glow, clothed in a gauzy Ni Chang, subtly revealing the undergarments beneath, with skin subtly visible, and a rosy hue on her pretty face.

This made her close her eyes to savor the gentle breeze brushing past her ears.

When she opened her eyes again, a familiar, graceful face appeared before her.

Their eyes met, and it seemed as if the whole world in the early summer courtyard froze in that moment.

"Princess."

"Aunt?"

"I’m no longer a princess."

"I’m also no longer a Princess Consort, don’t call me... aunt."

After their awkward exchange, silence enveloped the courtyard.

Chu Ran had seen Xiao Yunxi before, on the latter’s wedding day, as Prince Huai was the late Emperor’s brother and Chu Ran’s Uncle Wang, so she called Xiao Yunxi aunt.

Meeting again, Chu Ran naturally used this familiar title.

"...Aunt, why have you come?" Although Xiao Yunxi told her not to call her aunt, Chu Ran didn’t know what else to call her.

"Isn’t it just that I heard you came to Xiangyang a while ago, and I was a bit busy at the time and couldn’t come to see you. Now that I have some free time, I came to visit." Despite Chu Ran calling Xiao Yunxi aunt, they were not far apart in age.

"Oh..."

Chu Ran lightly murmured, unsure of what to say next.

Seeing the atmosphere about to turn awkward, Xiao Yunxi quickly called for Xiao Zheng to call Chu Ran "sister."

"Sister," Xiao Zheng said in a childlike voice.

Chu Ran followed by stroking Xiao Zheng’s head, asking: "Aunt, is this Zheng’Er? How old is he?"

"Two and a half," replied Xiao Yunxi, deliberately removing Xiao Zheng’s connection to Prince Huai as she said, "Zheng’Er’s surname has been changed to Xiao now, called Xiao Zheng."

Hearing this, Chu Ran was momentarily stunned, then understood, asking: "Is it him... who forced you to change it, aunt?"

"No," Xiao Yunxi shook her head, "It was my own decision."

Chu Ran was slightly puzzled and couldn’t help but ask: "Aunt, is there really no affection between you and Uncle Wang? Or is it..."

"Zheng’Er, go play on the side, but remember not to wander too far." Xiao Yunxi interrupted Chu Ran, then instructed the accompanying maid to watch over Zheng’Er.

Once Xiao Zheng was out of earshot, Xiao Yunxi gave a bitter laugh, saying, "Political marriage, what affection could there be?"

A flash of surprise crossed Chu Ran’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself, asking, "Is it really as the rumors say, that you betrayed Uncle Wang, aunt?"