Perfect Encounter - Chapter 4.2

PROOFREAD BY AFREANA

When Tiger General Zong Zeqing walked into the study of the Purple Cloud House, he saw Big Long holding a book and bending the corners of his mouth as if he was smiling.

Shocked!

Zong Zeqing rubbed his eyes and carefully looked again. Okay, not laughing, still that serious face. It must have been an illusion just now. Thus, Zong Zeqing’s plan remained unchanged. He pounced and fell on the chair next to Big Long: “General!”

Big Long continued to read the book, unmoved by the Zong-style spoiled behavior.

Zong Zeqing looked at Big Long’s expression, sat up straight, and spoke with an earnest attitude: “General, you should send me to be stationed at the front for a few days. Let me have a rest for a while.”

Zong Zeqing was twenty-five this year, a few months younger than Big Long. He was born with a baby face, elegant and civilized, looking pure. When he smiled, he was harmless and cute but he could also be heroic on the battlefield. He was given the name Tiger General by the emperor because of his war merits, reaching the fifth rank

Although his official position was fixed, he did not follow it with a demeanor of an official. He would always laughs and jokes around, and could be in harmony with anyone. Xie Gang looked at him acting this way and would always say, “Why don’t you come to me as a spy? With your face, you should be quite useful.”

Yuck! It’s better to be a General Tiger! Tiger!

But in fact, Zong Zeqing was a spy as well, another kind of spy.

For example, when they arrived in Zhonglan City, Big Long was busy with official duties, serious and cold, talking about military matters only. Even though he received a lot of gifts and invitations during this time, he had not accepted any of these invitation. Zong Zeqing was different. He would accept all the invitations, and would even attend events he wasn’t invited to. With a smile, patience, and politeness with respect to the various wealthy officials, he helped explain the reasons behind Big Long’s actions. He said the general was pressed by the imperial decree and did not dare slack off. Moreover, although the current military situation is not urgent, how can the Long family army be lazy and undisciplined when they arrive somewhere for the first time? If the neighboring countries saw it like this, they would be able to do anything, and so on.

Because of Big Long’s lack of smiles and laughter, Zong Zeqing, who is so good at talking, immediately attracted many people. In just a few days, Zong Zeqing’s position in the city’s official circle has become like a fish in the water, socializing constantly and being surrounded by people.

Currently however, Zong Zeqing’s serious pouting has been completely rejected by Big Long, again. Big Long raised his eyes and asked with a serious face: “Did you find anything out?”

Zong Zeqing began to talk about which official has in-laws with which house, who is who’s distant cousin, whose cousin is the second house of so-and-so official, and which gentleman is in charge of which business in the city. Which county magistrate has the power, which big family is in charge of which business, what gossip circulates in private, etc. He spoke for an hour, drinking two pots of water throughout his report.

Big Long listened while flipping through the book and did not interrupt him. As Zong Zeqing finished speaking, he saw Big Long did not respond. He intentionally picked the middle section of his report and said it again. He just started to talk about a certain so-and-so, and Big Long said lightly: “You have reported about this.”

Very well, the General proved that he was listening, he did not have to be sad. Zong Zeqing poured himself another glass of water and said enthusiastically and earnestly, “General, Chu Qing has been patrolling the front line for many days. It’s too hard. Why don’t I go for a few days instead?” Seeing the general remained unresponsive, he said: “Chong Hai is training day by day. It is too strenuous. Why don’t I go to the training field for a few days in his place?”

Drinking and gossiping is even more tiring than training. The general does not pity his men, he can only pity himself.

“Okay.”

Zong Zeqing’s spirit was lifted, and he felt alive again.

“In the next days, hang around for a while. Don’t let them think you are being too easy to grasp.”

“Yes, yes.” Zong Zeqing has been following Big Long for many years and cooperating with him to perform all kinds of scenarios.

He was familiar with Big Long’s methods. Since General Long keeps strict control over his subordinates, he does not allow his officers to casually drink and chat with others. Therefore, Zong Zeqing would rest for a few days, saying he got reprimanded by General Long, who punished him to lead the troops and train them, and then he would just wait for the opportunity to spit bitterness with people outside. This way, it would be easier to make connections with those people.

“I read those gifts lists and invitations. There are a few families we could meet.”

“Anything special?”

“Hmm.” Big Long put down the book in his hand. “It is indeed special.”

Zong Zeqing read the title on the book cover and forgot all the words he wanted to say, his mouth half open and stuck there.

What a fucking nuisance! The Biography of General Long!

This level of ass-kissing is so high in the sky! Just what kind of shamelessness is needed to do this?

“General!” Zong Zeqing’s voice was shaking with excitement. He wanted to read this book so badly. “Can I borrow this book to read?”

“No.” Big Long kept the book away indifferently. “I’m afraid you can’t hold it in after reading it, laughing from the beginning to the end when you go to the banquet, ruining the reputation of my Long Family Army.”

Zong Zeqing’s half-open mouth stuck there again. So fantastic? He’s not even allowed to see?

“Whose banquet does the general intend to go to?”

“The An family.”

An Ruochen was anxious, but today it was not Lu Daniang who sent the vegetables. She had no opportunity to talk to her. The house in Ping Hu East Lane couldn’t be used. She has to ask Lu Daniang to find another one. In addition, she has to instruct Lu Daniang in case someone inquires about the person renting the house. She has to make up a perfect story. This matter must not drag Daniang down, and must not expose them either.

While she was thinking about it, the maid came and reported that the master has asked everyone to go to the mainhall. An Ruochen couldn’t guess what could be going on, so she went there cautiously.

In the hall, An Zhifu announced with great joy that General Long would be visiting their residence the day after tomorrow.

The moment the words fell, the concubines exploded, even the servants and maids could not help but whisper about it.

An Ruochen lowered her head and raised her eyebrows. General Long? She still remembered his appearance. He looked so strong. Is it possible his head has been kicked by a donkey for her father to succeed in kissing his ass? To visit her home? The second-ranking official, ah, this person shining brilliantly from high in the sky, mesmerizing, but his light was about to shine in the wrong place.

An Ruochen sighed in her heart. It seems that Zhonglan City is in danger, Pingnan County is in danger, relying on this great general to protect them is quite unreliable, ah.

But this is an opportunity for her. General Long is coming to visit, which means the whole family’s attention will be on him. The backyard will be empty. At that time, if she sneaks away quietly, she will go unnoticed.

It’s too late to change the rented house, but maybe she won’t need a house at all. The family will be having a banquet. No one will pay attention to her. Even if they find out she’s gone, her father will not go out to look for her with the general still around. She has enough time to get out of the city.

This is a great opportunity. She cannot waste it.

An Zhifu had no idea what his eldest daughter had in mind, and he instructed about the banquet the day after tomorrow with great enthusiasm. On that day, everyone must do their best, be courteous and dress appropriately. Especially the daughters, well, to be exact, except for An Ruochen. The daughters should dress properly, wear bright red ornaments, put on all kinds of beautiful and expensive things, while in behavior they should engage in good conversation with the noble guests and accompany him to drink wine, in short, make the noble guest satisfied and back.

An Ruochen was thinking about escaping while listening to the lecture and rolled her eyes in her heart. Father, do you want to take the family plaque off the door and put up a “Hundred Flowers House” sign? You are not the pimp, and your daughters should not make fools out of themselves with this dressing-up prettily and accompanying the guests to drink. Is it something a father should say?

Also, making him satisfied and back. Satisfied with a pig, dog, cow, sheep, chicken, duck and goose, yuck!

The day after tomorrow has arrived soon.

The An House has been decorated with lights and colors, comparable to the lively New Year’s Eve. People would stop to look at it from afar. An Zhifu was waiting for General Long at the gate, proud with his nose up to the sky.

Zong Zeqing and Big Long rode in with a team of guards. Seeing the red carpet stretched to the entrance of the An House and the crowd of people, as well as An Zhifu, who was dressed in red as if he was getting married, Zong Zeqing was shocked. He almost fell off his horse.

This is too …… he momentarily can not think any appropriate adjectives. Zong Zeqing touched his nose and peeked at Big Long. If the General can’t withstand it and leaves, should he leave too or continue to play nice?

But Big Long looked neither happy nor angry on his face, remaining indifferent and calm.

Zong Zeqing touched his nose again. A person with the official title of “General” in front of a “Great” character sure is extraordinary.

The doorway to the An House was getting closer and closer. An Zhifu saw Zong Zeqing, and he smiled brightly, which made the latter have goosebumps. On the surface, the general was willing to go to An House’s banquets following Zong Zeqing’s intervention. It was him who summoned An Zhifu and instructed him to make arrangements, saying he persuaded the general to come out of the residence and walk around, make friends with some people in the city. Of course, to actually go to the banquet was the general’s own choice.

An Zhifu said at that time, “It is good the General likes the book.” Zong Zeqing immediately thought of “General Long’s biography”. So, it was a gift from An Zhifu? What kind of book is it? It’s a heartbreaking not to see it!

But right now, the most itching thing are An Zhifu’s warm eyes. Stop staring at him like this and stop staring at General Long like this. That smile is weird and disgusting. Don’t you feel it yourself?

An Zhifu obviously did not feel it. He welcomed the arrival of General Long and General Zong.

After entering the An House, Zong Zeqing was shocked again. What fucking rule is this to have women and men standing in line on both sides to greet them?

An Zhifu did not feel anything wrong and happily introduced one by one: “General, this is my eldest son, named Ronggui. Ronggui, meet the general.”

Big Long nodded his head, keeping his serious face. With a turn of his eyes, he found An Ruochen in the queue. She was standing at the very back, in an inconspicuous position, with her head hanging low maintaining a docile look.

An Zhifu followed behind Big Long while chattering and walking forward. He said his wife is dead and he has four concubines, two sons, and four daughters. The eldest daughter has been betrothed to someone already and was omitted in the introductions. The youngest daughter was too young and was omitted as well. Of the remaining children, the eldest son, An Ronggui, is fifteen and follows him to learn how to do business. The second daughter, An Ruoxi, just turned sixteen, and both of them are born from the second concubine, Mrs. Tan. The third daughter, An Ruolan, is fifteen this year, born of Mrs. Xue in the third house. These two daughters are just the right age for marriage, good and lovely ……

Big Long did not listen. This was the benefit of a serious face. He seemed to look careless, but in fact, always paid attention to An Ruochen. Is there something wrong with her? He mulled it over. Ah, it’s her body shape. It’s different from the last time they met.

An Ruochen heard his father praise his two daughters as “lovely” and wanted to pretend to faint and let people quickly lift her out. She raised her eyes to peek at her second and third sisters, feeling embarrassed for them. The two sisters lowered their heads to their chests and their faces turned red looking quite delicate with a touch of shyness.

An Ruochen swept over the General out of the corner of her eye and subconsciously looked over but saw the Great General Long was looking at her. What’s wrong with her? She is not in the range of “lovely” ah. She was not blushing. Ah, yes, she should be timid in this scene now, she should act normally and get into the character. But where are you looking, General? The direction of your eyes is wrong.

An Ruochen frowned and almost jumped up when she realized. He looked at her breasts. Although the gaze only lingered for a moment, she caught it. He raised his eyes and met her gaze, surprisingly not ashamed of his lack of morals and of being caught red-handed. He looked straight into her eyes. His eyes were sharp with an inquiry.

An Ruochen lowered her head and her face turned red like her two sisters, not in shame, but in anger, so angry she even clenched her fists.

Shameless, unashamedly shameless.

Big Long walked quickly into the banquet room and sat in the upper seat as if the momentary eye contact did not happen. An Ruochen’s nervousness made him feel she had something on her mind.

An Zhifu tucked his two daughters in the seat next to Big Long and then sat on the other side himself. The others took their places, talking and laughing. The atmosphere was cheerful and warm.

In his heart, Zong Zeqing despised An Zhifu’s action of stuffing the General with his daughters. He glanced at Big Long, secretly thinking this city was a rough place, not polite at all. The General is right for not letting him look at that book. Just looking at this An family’s face, he is about to lose control. If he reads that book …… Aiya, he would really lose his mind! He really wants to see it!

An Ruochen lowered her eyebrows and hung her head, honest and quiet. Don’t know if it’s because she has a thought in her heart or what, but she always feels that there are eyes are staring at her, and it’s General Long. But when she raised her eyes, she saw the general was listening to others and seeming not to pay any attention to her.

An Ruochen couldn’t guess what was on his mind. She sat for a while and began to calm down from the irritation she just felt. What was the reason for the great general to come to her house? It was impossible for him to lust after her simply from those scenes outside the city. Although she was satisfied with her appearance, she did not feel she had such charm to make the great general condescend to come here. It’s even less possible for keeping her father’s face. In terms of making friends with people in the city, from the east to the west gate, her father can’t be ranked among the list of worthy people. Her father is overjoyed. Doesn’t he feel there is something odd in this matter? No matter what the oddity is, An Ruochen felt uneasy.