Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 227: Did You Miss Me?

Less than an hour, the Hidden Guards returned to report to Zhan Lan that the mountains were already empty.

Zhan Lan’s gaze deepened as she sat on a chair, wiping the nameless war spear in her hand.

What must be faced, will always need to be faced.

The next morning, she was pleasantly surprised to find that she was not the first to arrive at the training field.

The voices of the new recruits were neat and orderly, echoing across the training ground.

"Attack!"

"Defend!"

"Kill!"

Zhan Lan felt reassured in her heart, this group of new recruits had finally been stimulated and began to change.

The old soldiers, from a distance in their own tents, could also hear the deafening shouts of the new recruits.

One old soldier lifted the cotton quilt covering his ears and cursed, "Damn it, these new recruits are making it impossible for me to sleep!"

"I hear them training hard out there, and I dream about fighting the enemy!" Another old soldier let out a long yawn.

The old soldier sat up angrily and declared, "That’s it, I’m getting up; I really don’t feel like sleeping anymore. If one day we go to war and these young whelps snag all the glory, I might just cry to death!"

"Get up, get up and train, don’t just lie in bed all curled up like a woman!" The leading old soldier slapped awake everyone who had their head buried in bedding.

The old soldiers, some voluntarily and some reluctantly, got out of bed one after another.

An old soldier came out of the tent cursing, "It’s all damn Zhan Lan’s fault!"

"What did you say!" A clear voice rang out behind the old soldier, who turned back and shivered.

"General Xie, I meant that General Zhan has inspired us old soldiers to rise in spirit!" the old soldier explained to Xie Yu with a stern face.

Xie Yu coldly said, "If I hear you curse General Zhan again, you’ll answer to the military baton!"

"Yes, yes, I won’t dare again!" the old soldier hurriedly apologized.

Not far away, Liu Chuang pushed open the tent door and cursed, "Damn it, will they ever let me sleep!"

Xie Yu looked in the direction of Liu Chuang’s tent and walked away with a cold face.

After he had gone far, Liu Chuang spat behind him, "Pah, what nonsense, all day long he loses his soul over that woman Zhan Lan!"

Liu Chuang thought about how to get back at Zhan Lan for the kick he received; now when he frequents brothels, the women think less of him and have begun to treat him dismissively.

...

A month later, the year-end approached, and Zhan Lan, repeating daily drills, suddenly felt a strong longing for home.

She stood by the military drum, caressing the drumhead that had turned white in the middle, her previous life in the army had been longer.

Back then, she only received things sent from home during the holidays, including Miss Li, who would also send her some food.

Si Jun would also send decrees, mostly some rewards.

At that time, Zhan Lan spent New Year’s Eve tormented by physical injuries, not knowing if it was the illness or the longing that kept her awake all night.

Now, another year in the military approached.

General Bai Qi found her and said, "Zhan Lan, this year I’m here, why don’t you go back and see your family?"

Zhan Lan gave a bitter smile, she could not recognize her relatives even when she met them, seeing them would only add to her sorrow.

"Main General, I don’t want to go back. These new recruits are spending their first New Year in the military. If I leave, I fear they might lose the morale we’ve just built up!"

"You really should go back and visit your family; I’ve heard you haven’t been home for three years now!"

In a previous life, the reason Zhan Lan was able to replace Bai Qi and take command of the army was that Bai Qi had died in battle two years later.

If he can’t see his wife and children this year, he might never be able to meet his loved ones again.

As the Main General, he carries even heavier responsibilities.

Zhan Lan recalled that there had never been a war at Heifeng Pass during the New Year festival, and this year seemed to be another peaceful one.

"His Majesty has decreed that I should return home, but I still feel uneasy," Bai Qi said, his eyes dark and serious as he looked towards Zhan Lan.

Zhan Lan smiled slightly, "With Xue Lang, Chen Zi, Xie Yu, Liu Chuang, and myself, five Deputy Generals here, you are only away for half a month. Just choose one to act as Main General, and you can return to Ding’an City with peace of mind."

Bai Qi nodded, "I have the same intention; how about you take on this role?"

Zhan Lan respectfully said, "I am too young; let the opportunity go to the other four Deputy Generals."

Bai Qi gave a slight smile, then continued to ask, "What do you think of Xie Yu?"

Zhan Lan nodded, "General Xie has followed you through numerous battles over the years. While you are away, I am willing to follow General Xie’s commands."

Bai Qi nodded, he had his reservations about Zhan Lan due to her connections with the Zhan Family.

Hearing that Zhan Lan was willing to obey Xie Yu’s orders, Bai Qi felt somewhat relieved.

Zhan Lan understood Bai Qi’s apprehensions about the Zhan Family, therefore she never really intended to pursue this role.

Thus, she gave him an easy way out, also sparing herself any embarrassment.

Bai Qi stood up from his seat and said, "Good, with this, I can rest easy."

Four days before the New Year’s Eve, Bai Qi left Heifeng Pass, making it possible for him to make it home for New Year’s Eve.

...

Finally, on New Year’s Eve, as night fell, the homesick soldiers outside their tents put up couplets and paper-cuts. The food in the camp was exceptionally good today.

The older soldiers appeared numb, while the new soldiers, biting on their buns, choked up—it was, after all, their first time away from home during the New Year.

Even though they were allowed a small drink, when it came time for their patrol, military discipline was strict, and nobody dared to be negligent.

From afar, Zhan Lan watched the fireworks exploding over Luoshui City. After a brief moment of brilliance, they disappeared in mid-air.

Fireworks fade quickly, and seeing them deepened Zhan Lan’s sense of emptiness.

She returned alone to her tent, where the Zhan Family had sent her some food and a new quilt.

Zhan Lan, planning to do it without Huang Gun and Xiao Chen knowing, pulled out a jug of wine hidden under the bed, along with salted duck eggs and dried fish made by her mother Qin Shuang, ready to drink a bit.

The wine brought by Mu Yan had now dwindled to six jugs. Fortunately, she hadn’t indulged too much and still had a few left.

Especially, she had to guard against Huang Gun. He drank wine like water, utterly unable to appreciate what a fine wine really was. In his hands, it was simply a waste.

After pouring herself a drink, Zhan Lan opened the window, standing there looking out at the fireworks occasionally erupting over Luoshui City.

She raised her glass, gently closed her eyes; the aromatic liquid smoothly slid over her tongue, softly traveling down her throat, warmly swirling in her belly, slowly lingering in her breath, the wine spreading its fragrant sweetness.

Zhan Lan slowly opened her eyes, seeing a burst of fireworks and said: "Fireworks act as though for Changchun Country, where day and night shift imperceptibly beneath the ceaseless sky."

As she was about to drink it all in one gulp, suddenly someone from behind covered her eyes.

Zhan Lan froze, this person had strong skills, hiding their presence to such an extent that they had bypassed her guards and entered her tent.

She quickly drew a dagger, but the man behind her even quicker pressed down on the dagger in her hands.

A magnetic, husky voice with a gentle breath whispered in her ear, "Did you miss me?"