Chapter 70 Zhou Ye

At this moment, Yang Lian had recognized who it was—Queen Zhong. Seeing the palace maid come running over, he no longer hurried. The dozen or so guards saw Yang Lian unmoved and immediately grew impatient.

"This commander is here to meet the Queen. Do you intend to block him?" Yang Lian said indifferently.

The guards were all startled. This person was actually a commander? Who would have thought? Just as they hesitated, the palace maid came running over, panting, and said, "Do not act rashly. The Queen wishes to see him."

The guards turned their heads in unison to look at the palace maid, then at Yang Lian. This scarred face was actually summoned by the Queen. Who was he?

Yang Lian nodded and followed the palace maid over. Upon seeing Queen Zhong, he dismounted, clasped his hands in fists, and saluted, saying, "Divine Martial Army Commander Yang Lian greets the Queen."

Queen Zhong said, "You may rise."

Yang Lian lifted his head and saw the charming Princess Huai Rou beside her. He smiled and said, "So the princess is here as well."

The princess pouted, rolled her eyes upward in disdain.

Queen Zhong carefully examined Yang Lian, noting the scar on his face, and couldn't help but frown. However, Queen Zhong came from a military family and knew that in war, one risked one's life. Injuries were unavoidable.

It was just that Yang Lian's scar marred his appearance, making him somewhat intimidating. But upon closer look, his features were noble, his face filled with righteous energy, complemented by the shining scale armor, exuding an indescribable majesty. Especially his thick black eyebrows and piercing eyes added even more masculinity. Such a man was truly a man. Unconsciously, Queen Zhong envisioned him as her father, tall and mighty.

"You are Yang Lian. This concubine has long heard of your name. Not bad, not bad." Queen Zhong smiled.

Yang Lian was stunned, not knowing what "not bad" meant. He couldn't ask, so he smiled and said, "Your servant thanks the Queen for the praise. Serving the country is my duty."

Princess Huai Rou said, "Aunt, just looking at him, no appearance, no wealth, and no talent, how can he be 'not bad'?"

Yang Lian smiled, "Not reminding me, I almost thought he was all-knowing, but it turns out he's that bad. I really should study hard."

Queen Zhong glanced at Princess Huai Rou and said, "Yang Lian, don't mind it. Huai Rou is just a child."

Yang Lian smiled slightly but said nothing.

Princess Huai Rou grew anxious and said, "I am not a child. Aunt, when you were my age, you were already married."

Queen Zhong laughed and took the princess's hand, saying, "You know that too."

Princess Huai Rou nodded, "Yes."

Queen Zhong smiled again, "You sure you know?"

Princess Huai Rou nodded vigorously, "I know."

Yang Lian looked at the two women. Though their words were simple, there was a warmth to it. His gaze dimmed slightly. Whether physically or mentally, Yang Lian had no relatives. Sometimes he felt lonely.

Queen Zhong, being perceptive, noticed Yang Lian's reaction. Looking at him, she asked, "Your beloved's child should be five or six years old, right?"

"Your servant has not yet married," Yang Lian replied.

Queen Zhong looked at him strangely and said, "This cannot be. Establishing a career is a man's foundation, but marriage is necessary to establish a career. One cannot invert the order."

Yang Lian bowed slightly and said, "The Queen is most right. Your servant understands."

Princess Huai Rou pouted and huffed.

Yang Lian saluted again and said, "Queen, the Emperor summons us. Your servant takes his leave."

"Since the Emperor summons you, hurry along." Queen Zhong said.

"Your servant takes his leave." Yang Lian said again, glancing at the princess and smiling, "Princess, farewell."

Princess Huai Rou blinked her big eyes and asked, "What does uncle want to see you for?"

"Seems like it's about hunting." Yang Lian answered.

"Hunting? I want to go too." Upon hearing this, the princess's eyes lit up. She climbed onto her small red horse, wielding a whip that cracked through the air vigorously, looking full of vigor.

Yang Lian gave a bitter smile and said, "Princess, hunting is a man's affair. You..."

Before he could finish, Princess Huai Rou whipped out and said, "Who said women are inferior to men? Haven't you heard the story of Mulan?"

Yang Lian sidestepped slightly, dodging the whip, and laughed, "Indeed, she's a true woman."

"True woman? What is that?" Princess Huai Rou asked.

Yang Lian shook his head and said, "I was merely praising the princess as a heroine of the age."

Princess Huai Rou snorted twice and didn't care. She trailed behind Yang Lian, walking one after the other.

Queen Zhong watched Yang Lian's back for a long while without speaking.

An old palace maid approached and smiled, "Your Majesty, this servant thinks they are quite a match."

Queen Zhong looked at her and said, "Nanny, what do you mean?"

"Your Majesty, General Yang looks steady in his actions, and he's a newly promoted favorite with boundless prospects. Princess Huai Rou is lively by nature and needs someone tolerant and magnanimous to accept her, otherwise the couple bickering all day, how can they live?" the old palace maid said.

"Only regrettable is that his age is a bit advanced. His appearance is also somewhat..." Queen Zhong said, sighing softly.

"Men being older is nothing. Being ugly isn't a problem as long as they are good to the princess. Of course, it depends on the princess's heart." the old palace maid said.

Queen Zhong said nothing, shook her head, and said, "We shall discuss this matter later."

Yang Lian rode his horse, dressed in gleaming armor, with a quiver of arrows on his back, looking majestic.

Princess Huai Rou fell behind Yang Lian, occasionally lifting her head to look at him. This wooden block, doesn't he even turn around to look?

This distance was neither close nor far. In half a stick of incense time, they arrived. Li Hong and Li Jing Sui and others were discussing the rules of the hunt.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty and Prince Qi." Yang Lian dismounted and saluted.

"Beloved, you may rise." Li Hong seemed pleased.

Prince Qi Li Jing Sui smiled at Yang Lian and said, "This time I've called you here because this prince has something to discuss with you."

"I wonder what affairs Your Highness Prince Qi has?" Yang Lian asked.

"Brother Emperor plans to hold a hunting competition. Within the specified time, whoever hunts the most is the winner and will receive extra rewards from Brother Emperor. You know I'm not capable in literature or martial arts, so I've entrusted the hunting to you. You cannot disappoint this prince's face." Prince Qi laughed.

Before Yang Lian could speak, Princess Huai Rou clapped and laughed, "Good, good, I want to participate too." As she said this, her whip danced, cracking loudly in the air.

Prince Qi's face darkened and he scolded, "Do not act recklessly."

Princess Huai Rou pouted and said, "Uncle, I want to participate too."

Li Hong chuckled and said, "Alright, you may participate as well."

Li Jing Sui cupped his hands and said, "Brother Emperor, Huai Rou is still young and is a girl. Participating in hunting seems somewhat inappropriate."

"No issue." Li Hong said, "This spring hunt is merely to relax. I do not wish to upset Huai Rou." His face was full of affection. He had few daughters, and Huai Rou's lively nature delighted him. He always treated her well without fail.

"The uncle is the best." The princess was overjoyed, her brows and eyes smiling.

Yang Lian said nothing more, looking at the family and feeling a bit envious in his heart.

Li Hong said again, "The time limit will be two hours. Whoever has the most prey wins." He then announced several rules: no harming others for the sake of prey, no leading troops to encircle the hunt, and so on.

Yang Lian felt it was fair. Everyone prepared, stocking up on arrows, and they would depart in two hours.

The hunt would be within ten miles or so. If there was danger, it would be easy to summon help.

Having fed the warhorses and eaten lunch, Yang Lian packed two quivers of arrows, added a long spear and long sword, and checked the stirrups and saddles before mounting at the designated spot.

There were many participants. Besides imperial family members, there were also sons of officials and nobles. Yang Lian knew few people, only a handful like Li Hong Ji and the princess.

Princess Huai Rou approached Yang Lian and whispered introductions: this is the grandson of Lord Song, that is the son of Han Xizai. She introduced about a dozen people but stopped, as she didn't know them all.

At this moment, a warhorse approached from afar, carrying a thin, sallow-faced man. Although he looked frail, wherever he went, many people felt a sense of fear.

"He is Zhou Ye, the eldest son of Zhou Ben. A few years ago, he was seriously ill and almost died, but he stubbornly survived. Who would have thought he became like this?" Princess Huai Rou chattered on, explaining.

Yang Lian was stunned. It was him, Zhou Ye?! Back then, when he followed his father Zhou Ben in the campaign, Zhou Ben was surrounded by enemies. Zhou Ye single-handedly rushed to the rescue, killing dozens of men, causing the enemy to collapse and saving his father. Who could imagine that after just a few years, he had become like this?

While pondering, Zhou Ye came over and stopped in front of Yang Lian, narrowing his eyes to examine him.

Yang Lian was surprised. Zhou Ye's eyes were as sharp as blades, making one dare not look directly. But Yang Lian wasn't afraid either, narrowing his eyes to study him as well.

The two exchanged no words; their gazes intertwined. After a long moment, Zhou Ye asked, "You are Yang Lian?"

"I am Yang Lian." Yang Lian answered.

"You really are Yang Lian?" Zhou Ye asked again, emphasizing the last two words.

"I am Yang Lian. I do not change my surname or title." Yang Lian emphasized.

"You are indeed Yang Lian." Zhou Ye seemed to only know this sentence, repeating it, then smiled and said, "Very good, very good."

Yang Lian shook his head and said, "Not good. With internal and external troubles, the country broken and family destroyed, it's very bad."

Zhou Ye said no more, patting his thin horse and leaving.

Princess Huai Rou sighed beside him, "Since the death of Lord Zhou Ben, Zhou Ye has been strange and eccentric. It seems his illness is quite severe."

Yang Lian smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps." He then urged his horse forward slowly.

Seeing Yang Lian silent, Princess Huai Rou said nothing more and followed behind him into the training ground.

Inside the training ground, it was already crowded with people, over a hundred in total. Everyone was coming for the Emperor's rewards, though they didn't know what they would be.

Among the crowd, Yang Lian spotted Zhou Hong Zuo, who looked full of spirit. He thought of the earlier Zhou Ye and wondered how good it would be if he had that vitality!