15 15. Seeing the outcome
"Leave the carriage, I can ride my horse."
Princess Mei shouted at him from the entrance of her bedchamber. She is now wearing a white robe. Her hair is arranged simply. No ornaments can be found there except a little butterfly hairpin. No one can tell that she is the princess of the kingdom.
Nodding, Shoushan moved back to the stable to get two horses for them. It looks like the servants taking care of this residence knew already what their masters routine when visiting because he saw a new horse tied next to his.
When he came out he saw her standing in the entrance of the residence. For the past week, they did not see any other person except the two of them. He is even amazed at how amazing the servants are. With his type of martial arts, he can only sense them coming in and out thrice a day when they are bringing them food. Then, they will disappear again.
"We will go straight to the border," she said the moment Shoushan came near her. The general's expression changed into confusion.
"The border?" he repeated.
"Yes," she mounted her horse effortlessly. She looked down at him when she noticed that he is still not moving.
"What are you still waiting there? We need to reach the border as soon as we can" then she started to move. Shoushan hurriedly mounted his horse and follow her.
It took them three days to arrived on the border without stopping. Shoushan is amazed by the girl's strength and endurance. If it wasn't for his training on the battlefield, he is not sure how he can move with her with ease.
The guards guarding the camp bowed to Shoushan the moment they arrived. General Shoushan acknowledges their greetings with a nod and moved inside. The two guards exchange meaningful glances as the general passed by with a woman. This is the first time their general brought a woman in the border, well except that 'girl'.
Princess Mei felt eyes looking at her intently. Because she is wearing a simple white robe no one can suspect who she is.
"Prin..." Shoushan was cut off by Princess Mei's right hand. Then, a soldier came rushing towards them.
"General, it's good that you are back"
Shoushan looked at him with confusion on his face. He looked at Princess Mei who is still emotionless sitting on her horse.
"What is it?"
The soldier hesitated for a moment. He looked at the woman on the other horse. He is unsure whether it is okay to give this information when someone is present.
Before he can answer, both men heard her spoke.
"Let's continue talking inside,"
Shoushan followed her lead. Both of them swiftly dismounted their horses and walked towards the biggest tent in camp. Shoushan was surprised that she seemed familiar with the army camp.
When Princess Mei and General Shoushan entered the tent three pairs of eyes looked at them. They felt relieved to see General Shoushan entered but then it changed into a frown seeing a woman leading them.
"General, this is..." one of the three men inside did not finish his sentence when Princess Mei cut him off.
"I am the strategist that his majesty sent," with that, she moved swiftly to the big table in the middle of the tent. She looked at the miniature structure of the kingdom with small flags indicating where the forces are and where are the forces of the enemies.
Young General Disung is about to say something when General Shoushan looked at him and shook his head. Even he, he wants to understand what's happening.
"Oh yes, I remember, his majesty sent a message yesterday informing that a strategist will come today. I did not expect that the strategist is a woman," a man standing opposite Princess Mei said. It is clear on his eyes that he is interested in this strategist. Even though she looked ordinary, she is exuding power.
"Second Young General Chang," General Shoushan's warning voice sent the signal to everyone that they are not allowed to mess with the woman.
"Listen, move your 1st battalion to the west. Lure the enemy in this dried up river. Keep fighting until you hear the sound of a zither playing. Then, before the music ends, all our troops should be on the river banks on the opposite side while all their army is still on the river bed."
After saying these, no one spoke. The five men standing in front of her with all their dignified appearance just stood there.
"Miss strategist, are you crazy? The person who is leading the enemies' army on the west is the warlord of the Chuān Kingdom Lin Tengfei" third young general Fu Wen said wide-eyed.
Princess Mei looked at him with coldness.
"You can't do it?" her question made the three young generals furious.
"You are you to..." young general Chang was cut off by General Shoushan.
"I'll do it," Shoushan said staring at the pair of eyes devoid of any emotion. He is not sure why but he felt that she is a completely different person.
'Who are you really? Which is your true self?' Shoushan asked these questions to himself. But something inside of him was stirred. Was it curiosity? or something else unknown to him?
"Good,"
"How can you say those things without letting us report the current situation?" young general Disung asked the young lady in front of them. His voice is innocent and curious. Hearing that from his young general, Shoushan wondered why as well. What most surprised him was his immediate acceptance of her order. Maybe because he knew that she is the princess. And whatever a member of the royal family said he will obey without question.
"No need to go through the war report, I already knew what's happening. Now, go and prepare the troops" looking at her now, Princess Mei looks like a young lady general in battle. Her eyes are sharp and clear. Her aura emits power and dominance. After a while, when most of the men came out of their daze, they bowed and went outside of the tent. Only Shoushan and she remained inside. Princess Mei felt his gaze towards her that it made her uncomfortable.
"Are you done looking?" she asked mockingly.
"How did you know?" his voice is serious but there's a hint of curiosity as well.
"Ohh, my father did not explain it to you?" she asked without looking at him. She moved to the chair near her and sit down. She started to pour herself a cup of tea. She leisurely put her cup of tea to her lips and sip. Her brow furrowed the moment she tasted the tea. Seeing her expression, Shoushan bowed and apologized.
"I apologized to the princess for not having the best tea in the tent. No one expected that we will have you here for the near hundred of years."
Princess Mei laughed out loud hearing his words.
"Oh, yes. A lot of people did not expect anything from this useless princess." then, her expression changed into the emotionless lady she is before. Now, the atmosphere turned cold inside the tent. Shoushan felt it too. He slowly moved and sit facing the princess. He also poured himself a cup of tea.
"As for the reference in the future, when we are outside you are not to address me as 'princess'," after saying this, she once again sips on her tea. Though the taste is not in her liking, she just let it go. Shoushan just nodded. He knew that she will tell her something important that's why she just stayed there patiently.
"My father is very anxious about this war going on. I believe you already know that" with her words, the man opposite her nodded as his response.
"and maybe, that's the reason why he let you come near me"
Hearing those words, Shoushan looked at her surprised. How come she knew what he is thinking. Is the king having secret meetings with his only daughter? Is the king hiding her to the world because she is indeed a strategist? How about the happening in the Mengmeng mountain?
