The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1563: Reunion

"Once General Ye encounters our family head, all will be made clear." Huo Ziqing subtly suggested, indicating the contingent behind him.

"General Ye has journeyed thousands of miles to the Chu Territory, leading the righteous army and evading pursuit from the Qin Army. You must be weary. I have brought provisions and medicine, all intended for General Ye."

"Thank you kindly." Ye Shikai expressed his excitement, offering repeated bows of gratitude. At this moment, provisions and medicine were precisely what he needed most. With these supplies, his men would be taken care of, and Huo Ziqing's timely arrival addressed his pressing needs.

"General Ye need not thank me; these arrangements were made by my superior. I am merely executing my orders." Huo Ziqing gestured, and the soldiers began unloading the supplies from the carriages. Witnessing this, the Three Elders also instructed the villagers to disperse, thereby averting a potential confrontation.

"General Ye, to be forthright, your fierce battles against the Wolf Clan in Ji County yielded remarkable results. Furthermore, your decision to forgo imperial riches for the safety of the populace and to take up arms in rebellion – these actions I greatly admire, and I have long desired to witness your presence."

"As the General of East County, it is only proper that I consider the welfare of the people. The court's decrees were so illogical that I felt compelled to rebel."

"This is hardly a suitable venue for discussion. I have prepared a feast in the county town for General Ye and the righteous soldiers, and accommodations have also been arranged. Please, General Ye, join us."

"I appreciate your hospitality, General Huo." Ye Shikai concluded, then turned to address his soldiers.

"Attention, all ranks! Break camp and prepare to march."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

Two hours elapsed.

"That situation earlier was truly perilous. Those villagers had surrounded the quarters of our wounded men. I, along with the Iron Armor Army, confronted them, narrowly avoiding an armed clash." Man Cang, accompanied by the Iron Armor Army, escorted the injured soldiers toward the county, appearing visibly unsettled. Ye Shikai had repeatedly ordered them not to harm the civilians. Had the villagers attempted to enter the wounded soldiers' quarters, given Man Cang's temperament, he would certainly have ordered the Iron Armor Army into direct conflict.

Fortunately, Huo Ziqing's timely intervention, including his explanation of the situation, led to the villagers' withdrawal.

"Indeed, there was no alternative. To appear in such attire within the territory of a rebel army, it's fortunate we weren't mistaken for hostiles and injured." Ye Shikai sighed, entering the county as Huo Ziqing guided him to the designated residence.

"General Ye, you have endured a long journey. Please, take the seat of honor."

"Thank you."

Ye Shikai took his seat but observed that Huo Ziqing remained standing.

"Why does General Huo not take a seat?"

"I have suddenly been called away on urgent business and cannot partake in the feast with General Ye. I beg your forgiveness."

"Is that so? Very well, I shall visit another time." Ye Shikai moved to stand but was gently restrained by Huo Ziqing.

"General Ye need not stand on ceremony. While I must attend to pressing matters, another esteemed guest will be arriving shortly. Kindly wait a moment longer." Huo Ziqing clarified.

"A guest? I don't believe I know anyone in this region."

"Haha, you shall soon find out, General Ye." Huo Ziqing bowed in farewell and departed the hall.

"General, what is the meaning behind Huo Ziqing's actions? He invites us for a meal yet leaves the guest unattended." Man Cang inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"I am uncertain as well. For the time being, let us refrain from any rash actions." Ye Shikai spoke calmly, instinctively adopting a defensive posture. He scanned the surroundings, noting the absence of hidden soldiers or archers, which suggested Huo Ziqing harbored no ill intentions. Nevertheless, the host's sudden departure citing urgent business struck him as peculiar.

Abruptly, a figure entered the hall, and Ye Shikai turned his head to look. To his utter astonishment, his jaw dropped, and his chopsticks clattered to the floor.

"It has been a long while."

"Hua... Hua Lian Die."

"My true name is Mi Wen. You must no longer call me by that name."

The newcomer was Mi Wen. Clad in battle armor usually worn by men, her presentation as a woman in such attire exuded an energetic aura, embodying the spirit of a female general.

"I never imagined the 'friend' General Huo mentioned would be you." Ye Shikai let out a wry chuckle. Mi Wen's appearance was both surprising and, in hindsight, logical. Huo Ziqing had mentioned following orders from a 'superior,' and it now seemed apparent that this superior was Mi Wen.

"What? Are you displeased to see me?"

"Of course, I am pleased." Ye Shikai's tone shifted as he jested, "If you had also been surrounded by the Qin Army for half a month, you would surely understand my feelings now."

"Haha." Mi Wen poured Ye Shikai a cup of wine, then refilled her own.

"Let us toast to our reunion."

"Agreed."

"Brother Man Cang, I wish to have a private conversation with your general. Could you excuse us for a moment?" Mi Wen spoke calmly. Man Cang glanced at Ye Shikai, and after obtaining his approval, he departed the hall.

"We’ve only just entered Southern County and already encountered your subordinates; it seems your influence has expanded quite rapidly." Ye Shikai observed. If his guess was correct, the entirety of Southern County was now under Mi Wen’s command. Furthermore, several counties situated to the south likely fell under her dominion as well.

"If you had accompanied me to Chu Territory back then, the outcome wouldn’t be what it is now."

"Do you have regrets?"

"No." Ye Shikai paused for a brief moment before replying with firm resolve. Reflecting on it, perhaps if he and Mi Wen had returned to Chu Territory together, his followers might have been spared numerous casualties, but that's merely an 'if.' Life offers no 'ifs.' Looking back from the present perspective is like having a 'God’s eye view'—it's ultimately meaningless. If time could be rewound just one month, and if Ying Huo Shou Xin hadn't arrived, Ye Shikai would still have chosen to remain in East County.

Moreover, from a different viewpoint, had Ye Shikai and Mi Wen arrived in Chu Territory together at that time, the twelve thousand individuals residing within fifty miles of East County’s Meteor Pit would indeed have met their 'demise.'

"By the way, what about Ling'er and Xue San? Have they reached Southern County? And Shangguan Jian, have your subordinates seen him?" Ye Shikai seemed to recall suddenly, rising to his feet and inquiring loudly.

"Rest assured, Miss He and Xue San are currently staying at my residence; they were more fortunate than you, as they weren’t pursued by the Qin Army. As for Shangguan Jian, I have no information regarding his whereabouts. Wasn’t he with you? How is it that he’s disappeared now?"

"It’s a long story." Ye Shikai took a deep breath. At the very least, He Linghan and Xue San were safe, a fact that had been a constant source of worry for him.

"Once things are settled, I must journey north to locate someone." Ye Shikai declared with determination.

"No, it’s far too perilous at the moment. The Qin Army stationed in Nanyang County is vast in number."