Chapter 022: Painful Farewell

"Hurry up and eat, why are you just sitting there?" Nangong Che said carelessly.

"Why aren’t you eating? We’ve been rushing around for most of the day, you must be hungry too. Stop drinking; drinking on an empty stomach isn’t good for you," Jin’er replied, her brows slightly furrowed, looking for all the world like a little adult.

Nangong Che was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled softly, shaking his head in resignation. He set down his wine cup and said, "Alright, I’ll listen to you." With that, he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

Seeing him heed her advice so obediently, Jin’er felt a secret delight well up inside her. The corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly as she buried her head and continued eating.

After clearing her plate in no time, Jin’er let out a satisfied burp. Soon, they would part ways, and who knew if she’d ever have such a sumptuous meal again. Of course, she had to eat as much as she could.

When the group left the tavern, Jin’er tugged at Nangong Che’s sleeve and stopped in her tracks.

"Nangong... um, Brother Che, we’ve arrived in Junzhou, and it’s time for us to part ways. Thank you for all the care you’ve shown me along the journey," Jin’er began, intending to call him by name but thought better of it, quickly correcting herself. She looked at him sincerely.

Nangong Che gazed at her for a long moment, then smiled gently, nodded, and raised his hand to pat her small head. "Take care on your way. Oh, and you haven’t any money left, have you?" As he spoke, he pulled out a small brocade pouch from his chest and pressed it into her hand.

"This..."

"Keep it. Our meeting is fate, and just for that ‘Brother Che’ you called me, it’s only right I look after you a bit." Nangong Che smiled as he closed her fingers around the pouch.

"Thank you. Then, take care." Jin’er bit her lip lightly, held the pouch tightly, and turned to leave in silence, feeling an unexpected reluctance in her heart.

"Wait." She had just taken a step when a voice sounded behind her. Jin’er paused and turned, puzzled, to look at Nangong Che.

"If you can’t find your people, or if you run into any other trouble, you can come to the General’s Mansion to find me." He smiled, his lips curving like a flower blooming in silence.

His smile was the most beautiful sight in the world, etched deeply into Jin’er’s heart.

"Alright, goodbye." Jin’er smiled faintly, pressing her lips together, and turned away, a wave of sadness rising inexplicably inside her.

After a few steps, she couldn’t help but turn back. She saw they had already headed off in another direction; that silver-clad, handsome figure flickered amid his subordinates, gradually receding into the distance.

A faint sense of loss arose in her heart, and Jin’er turned away with a gloomy expression, continuing on her path. She didn’t notice that as soon as she turned, Nangong Che also turned, silently watching her until her figure vanished at the end of his sight.

General’s Mansion.

Nangong Che sat at the head seat, his brows slightly furrowed as he sipped tea and listened to the Junzhou garrison commander report on military affairs.

After a while, Nangong Che drew a deep breath and said, "These people are bold, and their information is quick—they even know I was coming. Ha, but they’re overestimating themselves a bit." The outstandingly handsome face wore its usual faint smile, yet there was a hint of confidence and arrogance beneath it.

"Your Highness, they like to launch surprise attacks on us, stealing food and equipment from time to time—just petty skirmishes, nothing substantial, but truly troublesome. They hide themselves deeply; we can’t locate their lair, so we’ve had no way to deal with them," the commander said, clearly frustrated.

"Never underestimate them. A spark can ignite a prairie fire; we must not let them grow stronger. If we can’t handle even a single Mu Kingdom, how can we speak of our next step?"

"You’re right, Your Highness. I will do my utmost!" Hearing the slight displeasure in his tone, the commander quickly bowed his head in determination, his face tense.

Nangong Che nodded and continued to discuss strategies with him.