Chen Rong gave the surroundings a scan before turning her attention back to Wang Hong.
He was still walking in front of her.
In the bright daylight and at such a perilous time, his figure remained straight and tall, clothed entirely in white and enveloped by an air of transcendent unworldliness.
Chen Rong watched him, her lips quivering.
Wang Hong chose this moment to turn around.
His eyes were exceedingly transparent under the sun. He looked at Chen Rong and said with a faint smile, “You’ve been preoccupied ever since we met again. May I know what it is that’s on your mind?”
Chen Rong didn’t have a chance to open her mouth. A burst of rapid hooves was fast approaching them.
“Wang Qilang!” a loud cry woke Chen Rong from her reverie.
A young captain was galloping forth. After he pulled his horse to an urgent stop, he raised his clasped hands toward Wang Hong and relayed: “Sun Yan is looking for you.”
He glanced at Chen Rong who stood next to Wang Hong. Almost at once, he frowned and ironically smiled: “Only you scholars would still be traipsing around with a lover boy at a time like this.”
As soon as these words were said, Wang Hong heard a sharp draw of breath next to him.
He slightly tilted his head.
At his side, Chen Rong’s face had reddened. She shot daggers at the young captain and eventually drew her lips into a tight line.
Wang Hong outstretched his hand to lightly press a slender finger on Chen Rong’s lips.
After successfully stiffening her, he turned around, smiled at the young captain and replied, “We should go, in that case.”
When he finished, he was the first to leave.
The captain alighted from his horse, caught up to him and said, “Murong Ke is here. Qilang, do you think he’ll begin the attack tonight?”
From the front, Wang Hong’s airy voice sounded: “Tonight? He won’t.”
He sounded rather certain.
“Why not?” asked the young captain in surprise.
They talked as they walked, going farther and farther until their figures disappeared around the corner. Only then did Chen Rong stomp on the ground in vexation and made a sound, flushing and gnashing her teeth all the while. But her voice was small and vague, and never did form a complete sentence.
After fuming for a time, Chen Rong turned around.
She kept her head down while limply walking back to the mayor’s estate.
She had scarcely entered the front door when she heard Old Shang’s voice: “Miss.”
Worry was apparent on his face. “Miss, you and Wang Qilang…” he began. He then sighed and murmured: “The city will soon fall. There are only a few more days for indulgences. If you like him, then do as you please.”
Chen Rong didn’t expect to hear such a suggestion from the ever old-fashioned and loyal Old Shang.
She was so infuriated that her small face flamed red. She opened her mouth to curse, but then closed it up, flapped her sleeves, and whipped around to go inside.
She stopped after five paces, whirled back and shouted at Old Shang: “Prepare the carriage. I’m going to see General Sun.”