The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1564: Joining Forces

"Shangguan Jian is my most trusted brother. No matter what, I will not give up on him. Alive, I need to see him; dead, I need to see his body," Ye Shikai stated with firm resolve. He absolutely would not abandon his brothers, and furthermore, he refused to believe anything had befallen Shangguan Jian. Despite being accompanied by only a hundred cavalry guards, Shangguan Jian was a seasoned warrior, possessing both courage and strategic brilliance. While the Qin Army in Nanyang County was numerically superior, they were wholly unprepared. It was possible Shangguan Jian was already en route to Southern County.

"Since you have already arrived in Southern County, do not let your emotions dictate your actions. The Qin Army in Nanyang County is making considerable moves, which is not a good omen. If you return now, you will not only be unable to assist Shangguan Jian but will also walk directly into a trap," Mi Wen remarked with a cold tone.

"I can consent to other matters, but I must save Shangguan," Ye Shikai insisted.

"You have come to join me, have you not?" Mi Wen abruptly shifted the topic.

"Yes," Ye Shikai confirmed.

"Since you have come to join me, that makes me your lord. Do you not need to obey my orders?" Mi Wen questioned.

Ye Shikai found himself temporarily speechless. As Mi Wen pointed out, Ye Shikai and his few thousand brothers were essentially under her patronage. Their sustenance, provisions, and future welfare would depend on Mi Wen; thus, they were naturally obligated to follow her directives.

"You..." Ye Shikai’s expression grew stern, and he remained silent for an extended period.

"Very well, let us change the subject entirely, as we have finally met," Mi Wen declared with a sudden smile, personally pouring wine for Ye Shikai.

"I have heard that you are of Chu State’s royal lineage," Ye Shikai finally broke the long silence.

"Previously, I concealed my identity out of necessity. The restoration of Chu State’s former glory is a significant undertaking. I trust you do not hold it against me for not revealing the truth earlier," Mi Wen responded.

"I certainly do not blame you. It was your decision, and besides, when I served as a general of the court, you would naturally not have confided in me," Ye Shikai replied, shaking his head still with a grave expression, clearly still concerned about Shangguan Jian’s well-being.

"If your concern is truly that great, then I make a promise to dispatch individuals to Nanyang County to search for him. Will this appease you?" Mi Wen offered a compromise, yet she remained steadfast in her refusal to permit Ye Shikai to venture into peril himself.

"Where are Ling’er and Xue San? I wish to see them," Ye Shikai did not directly answer. He rose to his feet and moved towards the door.

"I shall escort you," Mi Wen stated.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Mi Wen guided Ye Shikai to a mansion within the city walls, its appearance conveying considerable luxury. It seemed He Linghan resided there, suggesting her living conditions were quite comfortable.

"This mansion was once the residence of the county magistrate. After I eliminated him, it remained unoccupied. I received word some time ago and had it specially renovated. Had you journeyed from Nanyang County, you would have passed by here," Mi Wen explained.

"Miss He was unwell upon her arrival, likely due to the arduous journey, which her constitution could not endure."

"Is her condition serious?" Ye Shikai’s countenance shifted dramatically upon hearing of He Linghan’s illness, and a palpable anxiety gripped him.

"Fear not, I have already summoned a distinguished physician to attend to her. She has, for the most part, recovered. The doctor indicated that her ailment stemmed from overexertion and fright, exacerbated by the miasma. She simply requires quiet recuperation."

"That is good," Ye Shikai uttered, breathing a profound sigh of relief, and proceeded directly into the mansion.

"Husband." He Linghan reclined on the bed. Upon witnessing Ye Shikai’s entrance, tears immediately welled in her eyes. Mi Wen had apparently kept his arrival a secret from her, intending it as a surprise.

"Ling’er."

Ye Shikai approached the bedside, and the two embraced with profound intensity.

Though the world may be vast, as long as you remain by my side, even a life of constant flight holds no dread for me.

Amidst their laughter, tears streamed from both their eyes.

"Ling’er, are you truly alright?" Ye Shikai gently touched her forehead. It had been over ten days since he last saw her, and she appeared to have lost considerable weight.

"Do not worry, I am well," she reassured him.

"Along your journey, did you face any peril?" Ye Shikai’s sense of guilt deepened. Since He Linghan had been with him, she had known little comfort and was forced to constantly move, risking her life.

"Rest assured. It is entirely thanks to Xue San’s astute judgment that we evaded the Qin Army’s pursuit."

In contrast to Ye Shikai’s contingent, which had suffered casualties, Xue San’s group had fared much better. Not only had they navigated the route without encountering any ambushes, but they had also successfully recruited Hou Ganxian and his contingent of over a thousand men.

"Indeed, we should extend our gratitude to Miss Mi. Had she not personally intervened, we would have found ourselves in dire straits."

"Hmm, you are correct." With that, Ye Shikai held He Linghan close once more. After all the turmoil, a fragile peace had settled, and this moment was precious to him.

"You ought to rest well here. I will return to see you tonight." Ye Shikai gently covered her with a blanket, and only after assuring himself of He Linghan's well-being did he finally exhale in relief.

"So, are you finally at ease now?" A sharp voice cut through the air, making Ye Shikai jump. He turned to find Mi Wen standing by the doorway, her gaze fixed upon him. Eavesdropping was impolite, yet Ye Shikai let it slide. This was, after all, Mi Wen's domain, and they were under her protection, leaving him with no room for complaint.

"I wish to check on my brothers."

Within the military encampment.

"Salutations to the General."

"Salutations to the General."

"My brothers, please lie down and rest." Ye Shikai encouraged the soldiers in the wounded camp to take their ease. Their severe injuries necessitated immediate medical attention, a fact for which he was deeply grateful to Mi Wen. Had there been even a day's delay, several of his men would have perished.

"You are quite safe here, everyone. Rest assured."

Exiting the wounded soldiers' quarters, Ye Shikai proceeded to his tent. The assembled officers were already awaiting his arrival within.

"Salutations to the General." Xue San moved to the front, offering a salute.

"Xue San, I am truly indebted to you for this endeavor," Ye Shikai acknowledged with a nod.

"A general's command is my utmost priority, no matter the peril involved."

"My comrades, following the recent engagements in East County and Nanyang County, we have sustained significant casualties, losing many soldiers and much of our cavalry. However, our survival signifies that destiny has not yet decreed our downfall. So long as we stand united, we can rebuild," Ye Shikai declared from the platform, addressing the assembled generals.

"General Ye, should you have further directives, please issue them. I pledge to execute them without fail."

"Indeed, General Ye, the imperial court will never cease its persecution. We might as well fight until the bitter end."

"To the end!"

"Everyone, please be seated." Ye Shikai motioned for calm. The combined forces gathered in the county town numbered barely seven thousand. While they possessed the capacity for a desperate last stand, Ye Shikai was resolute against such a course of action.