CHAPTER 388: CHAPTER 388: ENCHANTRESS

Pei Shu’er extended her pinky finger and lightly hooked the palm of Tang Zan’s hand, with a teasing smile.

Tang Zan paused his steps, turned his head, and gave her a warning look.

"I think you just need a good lesson."

Pei Shu’er naturally understood what that meant; she tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Tang Zan, don’t be angry, you can’t bear for me to take risks, just as I can’t bear for you to encounter trouble."

Tang Zan pursed his lips and said nothing, while Pei Shu’er took the opportunity to link arms with him and walk to the back, already half-leaning on Tang Zan’s shoulder.

Only then did the other soldiers realize that the person carrying the large package was, in fact, their lady.

Tang Zan continued forward until he mounted his horse; only then did he bend down and lift Pei Shu’er onto the horse as well. With gentle movements, he encircled Pei Shu’er’s waist with his arms, allowing her to lean comfortably into his embrace.

Amidst the familiar cold fragrance, and the gentle swaying of the horse, Pei Shu’er drifted into sleep without realizing it.

In her drowsy state, Pei Shu’er mumbled a sentence.

"Tang Zan, I like you, that’s why I worry about you facing any danger."

Tang Zan instinctively tightened his hold around Pei Shu’er as he looked at her closed eyes, letting out a soft sigh.

How could he not know?

With Ma Zhong’s men covering their retreat, and the Dazi suffering significant losses, their immediate priority was to return to the military camp as soon as possible and settle Tang Peizhong.

At this moment, Tang Peizhong was also on horseback, his gaze frequently shifting towards Tang Zan and Pei Shu’er.

Only when they reached the military camp was Tang Peizhong led into the General’s Mansion alone.

Tang Zan sat at the desk, silently reading a book, while Tang Peizhong sat on a chair, nervously rubbing his hands on his knees.

It was rare for him to feel so constrained in Tang Zan’s presence; now he felt his heart leap into his throat.

"Zan’er, this time it was my fault. If you have anything to say, just tell your father. Whether you hit me or scold me, it’s fine."

The brush in Tang Zan’s hand made a "snap" as it was placed on the table, splashing a bit of ink on the paper.

He slowly lifted his head.

"Father, I thought you knew what you did wrong."

Tang Peizhong sheepishly touched his nose.

"I do know my mistake, and from now on, I will fully support you."

After a pause, he added softly.

"I’ve already given up on Jing Ci, and now I just want to peacefully guard you and your mother."

As soon as these words were spoken, Tang Zan chuckled.

"Father, do you really think my mother cares so much about you?"

"Twenty years of emotions, father-son bonds, and Pei Shu’er’s life-saving grace, none of it compares to Jing Ci. My mother would cherish you? Impossible."

Previously, Tang Zan mostly admired his father with reverence, but now he’s suddenly realizing how misguided his father is.

Especially regarding emotions, how can he be so naive?

Pei Shu’er, standing on the side, also remained silent; she too thought Liu Xu was unlikely to forgive Tang Peizhong.

Tang Peizhong had hurt Liu Xu so deeply, yet he still hoped for forgiveness?

Tang Peizhong’s expression turned somewhat peculiar, finally slumping forward, burying his face in his large, wide hands.

"Zan’er, it’s only because your father didn’t recognize the true nature of someone."

After saying this, he glanced at Tang Zan, who remained silent and wasn’t even looking at him.

Pei Shu’er didn’t bother treating Tang Peizhong’s wounds anymore, figuring his thick skin wouldn’t let him die.

Moreover, Tang Zan and Tang Peizhong were currently arguing.

If she tended to Tang Peizhong’s wounds now, even if her heart sided with Tang Zan, he might still feel hurt due to his sensitive nature.

After all, he was actually standing up for her right now.

Pei Shu’er sat next to Tang Zan, poured him a cup of tea, and placed it by his hand.

Tang Zan didn’t take it; he was still fuming.

Pei Shu’er gently poked Tang Zan’s elbow.

"Have a drink? You must be thirsty today."

Pei Shu’er’s voice was soft and tender, and her peach blossom eyes were gentle and endearing.

Tang Zan’s heart softened, and so did his tough exterior a little.

But then he thought about how Pei Shu’er always acted recklessly. If he let it slide this time, there could be another incident, and she might be even more secretive next time.

With weapons around them, she could be killed by the enemy at any moment without him even knowing.

When this thought crossed his mind, his heart ached sharply.

His expression grew stern, displaying a determined refusal to drink.

Pei Shu’er rested her chin on Tang Zan’s shoulder, gently coaxing him, her warm breath brushing against Tang Zan’s earlobe, which turned red.

"I’m worried about you."

Tang Zan said, "Didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t go? Why did you go?"

Pei Shu’er blinked her eyes, which were watery and innocent-looking.

"Wasn’t it because I was worried about you? As your wife, is it wrong to worry about my husband?"

Tang Zan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his eyes grew deeper with emotion.

Suddenly, he realized he couldn’t be angry with Pei Shu’er.

She’s practically his nemesis, a fairy targeting his weakness.

Pei Shu’er noticed Tang Zan softening a bit and pushed further.

"Besides, think about it, if I didn’t go, wouldn’t it have been more difficult?"

Tang Zan was amused by Pei Shu’er and pinched her nose with a smile.

Seeing Pei Shu’er still adorably smiling, he finally couldn’t resist anymore, took her hand, and led her inside.

He wanted to tame this fairy.

Tang Peizhong cleared his throat.

Tang Zan’s body stiffened as he remembered there was someone else in the room.

Tang Peizhong said, "In that case, I’ll head to the Deserted Mountain first."

Tang Zan’s eyes darkened, and he snapped his fingers, prompting Di Yi to appear.

"Take the Earth Department and escort Father to the Deserted Mountain."

Afterwards, Tang Zan took Pei Shu’er into the inner room.

In Tang Peizhong’s eyes, a hint of disappointment flashed; his son didn’t trust him at all now.

But understandably, after all, he’d put him in such peril before.

In the room, Pei Shu’er was subdued by Tang Zan over and over.

Pei Shu’er said, "Master, I realize I was wrong."

Only then did Tang Zan let her off.

"Will you dare next time?"

Pei Shu’er whimpered twice, finally surrendering under Tang Zan’s glare.

"I won’t dare again."

Though she thought, if there’s a next time, she probably would dare.

Meanwhile, the military camp underwent a tremendous change.

The most significant shift was that of the thousand-man squad that went out; none were lost, all returned safely.

This wasn’t a brief skirmish. They deeply infiltrated the enemy camp and returned unscathed, completing their mission, which in itself demonstrated the success of the strategy.

Simultaneously, the earth bomb, which contributed to the mission’s success, began to spread within the Gulan Military Camp for the first time.

More and more people became interested in the earth bomb.