Chapter 21

Ling Qing saw the candlelight in the tent, walked in, and saw Yan Fei in the corner of the tent. He was taken aback and rushed over, “General, what’s wrong with you?”

Yan Feili breathed out slowly, “I’m fine.”

He returned to the table and looked at the dishes without any appetite.

“General, your face is not good, are you okay?” Ling Qing asked in concern.

“It’s okay! It’s just that the food is too cold to eat. You can take things out.”

“Or I can prepare some hot vegetables for you.”

Yan Feili shook his hand and signaled that he was not going to eat anything, “It’s in the middle of the night, don’t do it. You should go and rest soon.”

“Yes.” Ling Qing went out.

Yan Feili did not take this matter to heart. He thought it was because he was too tired recently.

Back onto the bed, he took off his coat and a red paper fell out of it. Yan Feili looked at it for a while, before bending over to pick it up. It was a greeting card from the Four Heavens Gate with only a few words printed on it: The Sect Master of the North Gate is newly married, the Tianmen brothers are happy! The wedding card was sent from Jianjing on the second day of April. It took more than half a month before it arrived at Yan Feili’s camp.

He looked at the big characters. Although the date of Beitang Ao’s marriage had been known for a long time, people were far away and invisible. Those who didn’t hear can live their lives deceiving themselves and others. But now, the news came through this form, forcing him to face reality.

Thinking of Beitang Ao’s big marriage made Yan Feili uncomfortable. Those two will soon have heirs, what about his son? The Sect Master said that the child was sent away, where did he go? Beitang Ao also said that Li’er was his eldest son and will not be against Li’er in any case. However, Beitang Ao and Lin Yanyan will soon have other children. Will he remember his words about Li’er?

Yan Feili tossed and turned on the bed that night, unable to sleep.

In the next few days, Yan Feili busied himself with the discussion about the offense with Sect Master Ximen Yue and several other generals. After nearly a month of observation and testing, they have roughly grasped the strength of the other. The imminent war was here.

Yan Feili was busy and the days did not feel sad. Sometimes there was some discomfort in his body, but he did not take it seriously.

One day, he went to Ximen Yue’s tent to discuss important matters. Before he went in, one person rushed out, and the two almost ran into each other. Yan Feili saw that it was Qiu Yeyuan. His face was flushed and full of anger, but he paused when he saw Yan Feili. He became a little embarrassed. He didn’t even say hello and turned and ran.

Yan Feili was a bit inexplicable, but he knew that Qiu Yeyuan and Ximon Sect Master had always been at odds. Perhaps it was another dispute. He felt that the Ximen Sect Master did not have any malice. Although the other was a little arrogant, he seemed to be teasing Qiu Yeyuan most of the time.

During the discussion in Ximen Yue’s tent, they were informed that the general of the Dian Kingdom, Wujie, might carry out a surprise attack on them in the past two days. So, they decided to take the count and ask the king to join.

Once Yan Feili returned to his dull tent at nightfall, he opened the map and tried to double-check if there were any problems with the plan. Someone opened the door curtain and came in. Yan Feili thought it was Ling Qing, so he casually said, “Place dinner there, I’ll eat it later.”

“General Yan, I’m sorry to interrupt you.”

“Doctor Qiu, why are you here?” Yan Feili put away his things and let Qiu Yeyuan sit down at the table.

“It’s okay. I have been in the military for so long and I have never had a chance to talk to you. So I came to see you.”

Yan Feili saw Qiu Yeyuan’s shy face who appeared to have something to say. He smiled, “I should’ve gone to see you… The military is hard work, I wonder if Doctor Qiu is not used to it.”

Qiu Yeyuan shook his head, “What’s the hard work? Compared to you, General Yan, it’s nothing.”

The two chatted with simple tea because alcohol was not allowed in the camp. Yan Feili poured him a cup and talked about it. Because they are very close to ordinary people, they naturally admire one another when they chat. Yan Feili saw Qiu Yeyuan stop himself from speaking openly a few times. Since Yan Feili cared about it, he said, “Doctor Qiu, our relationship is not better than that of ordinary people. If you want to say anything, just say it straight.”

Qiu Yeyuan hesitated for a while, “I heard that the flooding at the border of Jianyue is quite serious. Many people are severely wounded. If possible, I would like to help out there and do my duty as a healer to save people.”

Yan Feili said strangely, “This matter, you must tell the Sect Master of the West Gate. There is no shortage of military doctors in the army, and I think the Sect Master will allow it.”

Speaking of the West Gate, Qiu Yeyuan replied with anger, “I have gone today. I told him about this, who knows why he won’t allow it. But I want to ask…”

“Yes?”

Qiu Yeyuan’s face flushed red, his expression flickered, and he said dully, “I want to ask General Yan for a favor. I wonder if General Yan can help me get an order?”

This matter was a bit embarrassing for Yan Feili. In the end, it was Ximen Yue who was in charge here. If he did not allow it, Yan Feili did not have this authority. He also was transferred from the North Gate, so this situation gave him a really difficult time to come forward. However, it was Qiu Yeyuan who had done him a great favor first, and he had to help in any way. He said, “Doctor Qiu, don’t worry. I will help you ask Master Ximen Yue.”

“Great. Thanks a lot for that.” Qiu Yeyuan was overjoyed.

While the two were talking, Ling Qing came in with dinner. He had known that Qiu Yeuyuan came to visit, so he cleverly brought in an extra pair of bowls and chopsticks.

“Doctor Qiu, enjoy dinner with me.”

“Of course.” Qiu Yeyuan was not formal with Yan Fei, he picked up the tableware and dined together.

They all ate the same as the soldiers. As the war was approaching, the meals have improved in the past few days. Today, they had fresh fish.

Qiu Yeyuan thought fish felt rough but still delicious and good. He looked up in surprise, “Why do you not eat?”

Yan Feili smiled, holding his chest with one hand, and replied, “I don’t have any appetite. I don’t want to eat.”

Ling Qing was standing by and said at this moment, “My general has not had any appetite these days for some reasons. Perhaps Doctor Qiu might help take a look at my general.”

“You’re talking a lot,” Yan Feili scolded Ling Qing.

Ling Qing had been with Yan Feili for several months and already found out about his temper.

“Oh? Let me take your pulse.” Qiu Yeyuan took a closer look. Under the candlelight, Yan Feili’s face was not good and seemed to be a little thin.

Yan Feili didn’t want to make a fuss, but when Qiu Yeyuan insisted, he stretched out his left arm.

Qiu Yeyuan stayed put for a moment with his hands gripping more and more tightly. Seeing his expression, Yan Feili wondered if it was a serious illness, “Doctor Qiu, what’s wrong with me?”

Qiu Yeyuan opened his mouth, “General Yan, you—”

A burst of military drums interrupted Qiu Yeyuan’s words. Yan Feili stood up and grabbed the sword on the side.

Ling Qing went out and came back in, “General, the Dian people attacked!”

Yan Feili put on his armor, “Doctor Qiu, you stay here and don’t go out.”