Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Giving an Out

At that time, Shen Ningning was still in class.

Chen Shaobei saw her carriage parked outside the National Academy. He was about to walk over and ask her driver to fetch Shen Ningning for him.

However, just as he approached the carriage, someone happened to lift the curtain and step out from inside.

Jiang Zhi and Chen Shaobei locked eyes, both of them stunned for a moment.

"You still dare to show your face?" Jiang Zhi pulled out the cleaver tucked at her waist and pressed it against Chen Shaobei’s collar. "You nobles are all the same, only knowing how to bully a child. What are you here for? Do you want to make Ningning cry, too? To hurt her feelings?"

Chen Shaobei did not rush to answer. His cold, serious eyes glanced down at the cleaver at his throat.

It was likely one Jiang Zhi had sharpened herself for self-defense; the handle was wrapped with a red cord.

He lifted the oil-paper package in his hand, his expression fearless, and replied smoothly, "I came to bring the Commandery Princess some pastries. But I was mainly looking for you. Since you’re here, this is perfect."

Jiang Zhi’s suspicious gaze shifted from the oil-paper package back to Chen Shaobei.

"What do you want with me? Spit it out."

"Soon, my father will be holding a martial arts tournament at the Horse Racing Field to select thirty household soldiers. Your skills are impressive, so I’d like to recommend you try out."

"Not interested." Jiang Zhi refused without a second thought.

Chen Shaobei’s tone was calm and patient. "Don’t be so quick to refuse. If you’re truly chosen, you won’t just be a simple household soldier. You’ll become a personal guard soldier for my father or me."

"With such a position, if you follow us into battle and return victorious, the court will directly promote you to a ranked military general."

To put it bluntly, he was offering Jiang Zhi a shortcut to becoming an official.

Ordinarily, aspiring military generals had to pass through rounds of rigorous Military Examinations.

But this was another way: first serving as a household soldier under one of the court generals.

Then, after finding the right opportunity to distinguish oneself in battle, one could directly enter the Imperial Court.

But Jiang Zhi still disagreed.

She tucked the cleaver back at her waist and let out a tomboyish scoff.

"I don’t care how great you make it sound, I’m not going. We’re practically strangers. Why would you be so kind as to offer me this opportunity?"

"To be so attentive for no reason... it’s like a chicken paying a New Year’s call to a weasel!" She crossed her arms and leaned against the shaft of the carriage.

Chen Shaobei sounded resigned, his voice calm. "It’s the weasel who pays the call to the chicken, but I assure you, I have no ill intentions."

Jiang Zhi shot him a sideways glance. "You can save your breath. There’s no way I’m going to any martial arts tournament."

"Let’s not even talk about whether I want to work for the General Mansion. Given Ningning’s situation right now, I should be standing by her side, keeping my distance from you all to avoid suspicion, understand?"

Chen Shaobei nodded, his gaze as calm and still as a deep pool.

The corners of his thin lips curved into a faint smile.

"Don’t you want to give yourself a chance? And give your father a chance, too?"

"The bandit king Jiang Xiaofeng’s Unstoppable Fist... how many people still know it today? He rendered great service to the court, yet he died at the court’s hands, with no one to clear his name."

"If you can stand in the Imperial Court on your own merit, one day, you will surely have the chance to clear your father’s name."

"Whether your father was a bandit king or a hero will be for you to decide once you have power."

Jiang Zhi froze.

The biting wind rustled the soft hair under her felt cap.

To pass as a boy, she had deliberately thickened her eyebrows and rubbed something on her face to make her complexion look sallow and dull.

But up close, Chen Shaobei saw that her eyes were incomparably clear. A faint brown ring encircled her pupils, lending a delicate air to her features.

’How can a boy look so much like a girl?’

Chen Shaobei thought.

He could see that Jiang Zhi had many reservations, but he had to convince her to agree today.

It wasn’t that he was particularly concerned for Jiang Zhi. Rather, giving her a chance to enter the General Mansion was an order from Mo Lingwei.

Mo Lingwei was still looking for a way to save face so he could make up with Shen Ningning.

And so, the proud Crown Prince had entrusted this difficult task to Chen Shaobei.

In that brief moment, Jiang Zhi had already made up her mind. She shook her head. "Forget it, I..."

But before she could finish, a soft, sweet voice cut in from the side, "Brother Jiang, you have to go to the martial arts tournament!"

The two turned to look. Shen Ningning was running toward them, holding up her skirt with one small hand and clutching a book in the other.

She wore a bright red, padded jacket with auspicious cloud patterns. The collar and cuffs were lined with a circle of fluffy white rabbit fur, which made the little one’s face look even more delicate and fair.

Shen Ningning ran to their side in a pair of white riding boots, the little bells on them jingling.

Her cheeks were flushed. "I heard everything you just said. Brother Jiang, you don’t have to turn down such a great opportunity for my sake."

"I think if Uncle Jiang is watching from heaven, he would be so happy to see you carry on his Unstoppable Fist and use it to fight in battle."

Deep down, Jiang Zhi of course wanted to go, but she felt a resistance toward the court.

However, hearing Shen Ningning’s encouragement now, Jiang Zhi was finally a little moved.

Finally, she looked at Chen Shaobei. "Alright. Since Ningning supports me, I’ll give it a try."

Chen Shaobei smiled faintly. "The martial arts tournament is in six days. I’ll come here to pick you and the Commandery Princess up then."

Shen Ningning tilted her little head up, her round, dark eyes blinking. "I’m going too?"

Chen Shaobei countered, "Isn’t the Commandery Princess going to cheer for Brother Jiang?"

At his words, Shen Ningning’s eyes curved into a smile. "Oh, right! Then I have to go!"

Chen Shaobei gave a subtle smile.

He handed the pastries he’d brought to Shen Ningning. "I heard the Commandery Princess enjoys these, so I bought some to bring along. It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave now."

With that, Chen Shaobei vaulted onto his horse, his movements swift and graceful.

Watching his retreating figure, Jiang Zhi clicked her tongue in admiration. "This Chen Shaobei... I’m actually a little impressed. He really has the dashing air of a Young General."

After she spoke, she received no response from Shen Ningning.

Looking down, she saw that Shen Ningning’s eyes were red-rimmed again.

Jiang Zhi was startled and quickly jumped down from the carriage. "What’s wrong, Ningning? Why are you crying again?"

Shen Ningning looked at the pastries in her hand and said with a sob, "Only my brother knows I like this flavor."

"Huh?" Jiang Zhi froze for a moment, then grew angry. "That Chen Shaobei! I knew it! The moment he shows up, he makes you cry!"

She quickly used her sleeve to wipe the little one’s tears. "Don’t be sad, Ningning."

Shen Ningning’s little nose was red as she lifted her large, tear-misted eyes. "Sister Jiang Zhi, do you think... maybe my brother isn’t mad at me anymore?"

Jiang Zhi hesitated. "Well... I’m not sure. Maybe..."

「The heavy snow continued for two more days.」

On the day of the martial arts tournament, it finally stopped.

The sun, long absent, burst forth in brilliant splendor.

However, the lands of Cangyun Country remained a world of ice and snow, and the wind was bone-chilling.

A large, circular arena had already been set up at the Horse Racing Field. Soon, ambitious individuals from all over would ascend the stage to compete.

When Shen Ningning arrived, she saw that a large crowd had already gathered outside the field.

Jiang Zhi glanced around in surprise. "Whoa, there must be over a thousand people here!"

It was a sea of people.

The driver, Chen Ye, chuckled. "This is the selection for the General Zhenbei Mansion. For us martial artists, the greatest aspiration is to become a member of the Zhenbei Army. It’s an honor that would bring glory to our ancestors."

There was a simple reason for this: the Northern General had fought in countless battles throughout his life and never once suffered a defeat.

The very reason Cangyun Country, despite suffering from a drought, had not been invaded by foreign enemies was because this tiger-and-wolf-like army deterred all neighboring states.

After hearing this, Shen Ningning said to Jiang Zhi, "Brother Jiang, you have to do your best in a little while. Don’t be scared."

She and Jiang Zhi disembarked from the carriage one after the other. The Black Wolf King and Wolf Three also tried to get out of the crowded carriage.

But the little girl placed a hand on the Black Wolf King’s snout and gently pushed him back inside.

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