Chapter 1637: Chapter 1637: Three Months
"You..." Mi Wen said angrily.
"Master, we had an agreement before. I defeated Wang Li, and now that the campaign is over, I’ve returned the Commander’s Seal to you. I won’t get involved in what comes next. Your civil and military officials have some skills, but I’m not on the same path as them, so... it’s better to have less contact. If one day they push me too far, I might clean up the side of the throne myself." Ye Shikai joked, a sort of "threat." Although Mi Wen killed the slanderous ministers this time and helped him vent his anger, what about next time? There will always be someone to falsely accuse him. Open attacks are easy to avoid, but secret schemes are hard to guard against. Ye Shikai isn’t a pushover; if someone openly or secretly tries to "fix" him, he’s not to be trifled with, and he will certainly retaliate.
"How dare you threaten me?"
"This isn’t a threat, but you are the master, after all, your words carry significant weight."
"A man’s words carry significant weight, but I am not a man, I am a woman." Mi Wen said craftily. "I just want to go back on my word; what can you do about it?"
After hearing this, Ye Shikai felt speechless. He really couldn’t handle Mi Wen’s shameless demeanor. Alright, she’s the master, she wins...
"I haven’t seen Ling’er in a long time. Since I’ve married her, I can’t let her down again."
"You just said ’again,’ does that mean you’ve been married before?" Mi Wen, picking up on the word, immediately became somewhat excited and questioned loudly.
"Yes, you’re right. Actually, before meeting Ling’er, I had already been married twice." Ye Shikai said calmly. During his days in the Qin Dynasty, memories of the past were fading fast, and unknowingly, he had forgotten many people. These people were like passers-by on the street, brushing shoulders but unable to remember who they were. Only Su Qingyu and Chen Yuxin remained in his mind. Perhaps... the memories of these two were engraved in his bones and hard to forget.
"What." Mi Wen’s face showed displeasure, and her tone turned icy. By this count, He Linghan is already his third wife. Even in ancient times, it was rare for men to have three marriages, and most importantly, in this era of polygamy, even the main wife had been changed several times. How many "concubines" would there be?
In an instant, Mi Wen suddenly felt that the man sitting in front of her was a "heartless scoundrel."
"These things are a long story." Ye Shikai said calmly. He had only talked about Su Qingyu with He Linghan because, now, she was his wife, and only she had the right to know her husband’s past. Ye Shikai once worried whether He Linghan would have concerns since any woman would be uncomfortable knowing her husband had a previous wife looking exactly like her. Would He Linghan feel she’s only a substitute for Su Qingyu? Did Ye Shikai marry her not because of love but out of longing for his former wife? It was precisely because of this thought that Ye Shikai felt uneasy, fearing He Linghan might overthink.
"Alright." Mi Wen slowly stood up. "I’ll give you a benefit: for the next three months, you can stay home with Miss He, how about that?"
"Really?" Ye Shikai suddenly raised his head.
"Of course, you’ve defeated Wang Li, which is a significant achievement. I still have great use for you. As for Ba County and Shu County, I’ll have other generals handle those."
"But..."
"Enough, isn’t being with Miss He your wish? I’m fulfilling it for you. Besides, I was the witness to your wedding to Miss He, so consider it my contribution to your happiness."
"Thank you, master." Ye Shikai said repeatedly. Three months of peaceful time is worth more than gold to a general like him, who has battled life and death.
"Don’t celebrate too soon, I also have conditions."
"What conditions?"
"Firstly, you cannot leave Linxiang City, nor can Miss He."
"This... is acceptable."
"Moreover, if the campaign goes well, after three months, the battles in Ba and Shu counties will be nearing completion. I believe the Qin Army will have new moves, and then you must be ready when called."
"Alright, I agree."
..............................
Ye Mansion.
"General, you’re back. I’ll go notify the lady." The attendant at the door saw Ye Shikai’s team and immediately approached. After Mi Wen executed those ministers, orders were sent to Wan Qi Yuan to bring the army into the city and distribute rewards to stabilize the troops.
"No need, I’ll go in myself." Ye Shikai dismounted and walked in alone. This return to Linxiang City was under secret orders from Mi Wen, so He Linghan would have no idea.
Thus, he could give her a surprise.
"Gen... General, you are back."
"Shh, keep it down." Ye Shikai saw He Linghan’s maid, Hehua, in the corridor. If he hadn’t covered Hehua’s mouth in time, with her voice, the entire mansion would have heard her scream.
"General, you’re back, why didn’t you notify in advance?" Hehua calmed her excitement and said.
"The campaign ended, I returned overnight. Is the lady well? Where is she?"
"The lady is in the kitchen."
Ye Shikai quietly walked to the kitchen door, and indeed, He Linghan was inside cooking with several attendants. That serious look made it seem like she was preparing a "feast."
Ye Shikai tiptoed, walked behind her, and covered her eyes with his hands.
"Who is it, acting so impolitely?" He Linghan was startled by this gesture and shouted loudly.
"What, even your husband can’t touch you?" Ye Shikai whispered softly in her ear.
"It’s... it’s you." He Linghan turned her head; their eyes met, and after not seeing her for several months, she seemed a bit worn...
A big hug ensued, and He Linghan fell into his arms. After a long while, he felt a dampness on his shoulder, which was He Linghan’s tears.
"You bastard, you went away for so long and didn’t even give a heads up when coming back." He Linghan bit his shoulder. It wasn’t that she was blaming Ye Shikai, but expressing the grievances she felt. They were newly married, yet she was left alone in the mansion. Ye Shikai wouldn’t understand how lonely those days were.
"Alright, I’m sorry, it’s my fault; I’ve made you suffer these days."
He Linghan reached out, touching his cheek. In just a few months, Ye Shikai’s face showed more weariness than someone of his age should have.
"Ling’er, cooking should be done by servants. Why must you cook yourself?" Ye Shikai held her fair hands and said softly.
"Being alone in the mansion with nothing to do, apart from cooking, I couldn’t find anything else."
