Chapter 202 - 201 Betrothal, Yaoyao

In the Song Army camp of Celestial River City.

"Are you saying that the most beautiful woman in Nanyang, Luo Zhen, was secretly kept by Chen Hong and even became his woman?"

Xiao Teng looked at the old subordinate kneeling on one knee before him, now a soldier under Chen Mo, and pondered.

The person nodded and continued, "Reporting to Commander Xiao, not only that, but Chen Hong also secretly hid three chests of treasure from you, totaling more than three hundred thousand taels. His intentions are despicable."

Hearing this, Xiao Teng’s eyes slightly narrowed, then he raised his hand, and a personal soldier took the man away.

Afterward, Xiao Teng turned to another personal soldier beside him and asked, "What do you think about Zhou Lin’s words? True or false?"

"According to me, it should be true. After all, Zhou Lin is your man, Commander Xiao, and having been demoted from Captain to a mere Commander, it’s inevitable he holds a grudge against Chen Hong. What’s strange to me is, what’s a eunuch like Chen Hong doing secretly keeping a beauty? He can’t even use her," the personal soldier said in confusion.

"You don’t understand. Are there few palace maids and eunuchs in the palace who eat together?" Xiao Teng laughed and said, "Moreover, those who have lost their faculties tend to have stronger desires. It seems my father’s suggestion is feasible."

"Commander Xiao, won’t you punish him?" the personal soldier asked in confusion.

"People with desires are not scary. It’s those with no desires who are hard to trust." Xiao Teng raised his hand, looking at his spread fingers, and said, "As long as a person has desires, they can be controlled better. Besides, Chen Hong is a rare talent, and for such talent, we often need to grant him some privileges."

"What does Commander Xiao mean?"

...

...

"Commander Xiao, apologies for making you wait so long. I never thought you would personally visit this humble one’s camp..."

When Chen Mo arrived at the tent, he first saluted, then rambled on a lot before getting to the point: "Why has Commander Xiao come in person?"

"Oh, it’s nothing major, just passing by, and I thought I’d stop to see you and discuss something," Xiao Teng said.

"Please speak, Commander Xiao," Chen Mo said.

"No rush on this matter," Xiao Teng paused for a moment, then said, "General Chen Hong, do you know the whereabouts of Nanyang’s most beautiful woman, Luo Zhen?"

"I don’t know." Chen Mo shook his head, then asked, "Has Commander Xiao found her?"

Xiao Teng also shook his head, then smiled and said, "Though I hear she is with General Chen Hong, hidden by you, and has become your woman, is this true?"

"Whoever said that is a son of a bitch! Commander Xiao, call him out and let me face him, see if I won’t tear his mouth apart." Chen Mo roared in anger, looking somewhat agitated.

Xiao Teng observed this and continued, "Not only that, but he also accused you of hiding three chests of treasure."

"It’s slander, Commander Xiao, this is outright slander! You have to believe me, my loyalty to the Imperial Court and the Xiao Family is unwavering, I would never dare deceive Commander Xiao."

Chen Mo’s body trembled, and he tearfully protested.

Xiao Teng also stood up, slowly walked to Chen Mo, and after heavily patting his shoulder, said:

"I naturally believe you, everything he said is sheer slander against you."

He clapped his hands and said, "Someone, bring him up."

Soon, a man covered in wounds was carried into the tent by two of Xiao Teng’s personal soldiers.

Chen Mo frowned, "Commander Xiao, this is?"

"This person is called Zhou Lin, he’s one of your subordinates, and he’s the one who slandered you. I’ve already had him taught a lesson," Xiao Teng said.

Chen Mo glanced at Zhou Lin, who had blood foam in his mouth, and with an impassive smile, said, "Thank you, Commander Xiao, for your trust."

Xiao Teng waved his hand, then remarked, "I heard you’ve been promoted to Military Commander. Congratulations, congratulations."

"Thanks to Commander Xiao’s great fortune, if it weren’t for you placing me in the Infantry Department, I wouldn’t be where I am today." Each statement from Chen Mo was filled with gratitude toward Xiao Teng.

"Oh, it’s all your own effort, I’m just riding your coattails."

The two exchanged pleasantries.

"It’s a pity there’s no wine in the army, otherwise, I’d toast you a cup, Commander Xiao," Chen Mo sighed.

"I have wine," Xiao Teng clapped his hands and then said, "But this wine is my toast to you."

"How can I, an officer, let Commander Xiao toast me? This is truly undeserved." Chen Mo declined.

"Just because of your battle merits this time, you did us Xiao Family proud, come on, drink."

Chen Mo no longer declined.

After drinking three rounds, Xiao Teng finally broached the business matter.

Several personal soldiers entered, carrying trays one by one.

Xiao Teng said, "This is a small token from my father for General Chen Hong. You made our father look good at the court, so this ten thousand taels of gold is specifically instructed by my father to reward you."

"This is too valuable, I cannot accept it," Chen Mo declined.

"If you don’t accept, I won’t be able to explain to my father," Xiao Teng said, feeling troubled.

After one more round of refusal, Chen Mo finally accepted.

Seeing Chen Mo accept, the smile on Xiao Teng’s face grew more pronounced, then he said, "The two battalions I brought today are now under your command. The rest of the arrangements will be made for you by my father once we return to the Capital."

Chen Mo nodded, "Thank you, Commander Xiao, thank you, Grand Commandant."

"No need to be so formal." Xiao Teng suddenly wrapped his arm around Chen Mo’s neck and said, "From now on, we’re family, you don’t need to be so formal."

Hearing this, Chen Mo’s heart skipped a beat, thinking that his relationship with Xiao Yunxi had been discovered.

He instinctively swallowed and said, "Commander Xiao, I’m a bit... confused by your words..."

"My cousin has a daughter named Yaoyao. She’s eighteen, not yet married, and I see you’re quite a talented individual, so I’ve specifically told my father to betroth Yaoyao to you," Xiao Teng smiled and said.

Chen Mo was shocked and then said, "Commander Xiao, you must be joking. Others may not know, but don’t you know? I’m a rootless person, marrying her would only delay her life."

"It won’t delay anything. You can rest easy, Chen Hong; it’s not actually asking you to marry her. Publicly, Yaoyao will be your maid, but you should consider her your wife," Xiao Teng said, gently patting Chen Mo’s shoulder.

After a few more feigned refusals, Chen Mo agreed.

He knew this was something he couldn’t refuse.

Refusing too clearly would only arouse suspicion.

After chatting casually for a while longer, Xiao Teng said, "Alright, it’s getting late, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first."

Chen Mo followed him at a distance.

"No need to see me off." Xiao Teng smiled and then pointed at Zhou Lin on the ground and said, "I’ll leave him to you, handle him as you see fit."

Chen Mo nodded with a smile.

After Xiao Teng left, Chen Mo hurriedly helped Zhou Lin up, quickly saying, "Brother, you’ve worked hard, this one hundred taels of gold is for you."