Chapter 146 What is Love?

To return to Chengdu, one naturally takes the main road through Jianmen and Pingwu directly to Chengdu. Zhang Chi did not bring many troops this time, only detaching a hundred men from the cavalry commanded by San Tong to accompany him.

Do not underestimate this mere hundred men; they were all elite martial artists from the Hanmen, each possessing exceptional combat skills. Additionally, Daoxuan, Dark Blade, and Hamster were also accompanying them.

Returning to Chengdu this time would inevitably involve potential friction with the Inspector of Liangzhou, and the murky depths of officialdom were fraught with just as much danger and crisis as any battlefield, proving to be no easier in the slightest.

Moreover, if Zhang Chi brought a massive army back to Chengdu, they could only camp outside the city walls anyway, rendering a large force quite useless. Bringing fewer men served well enough as a personal escort; the most important thing was that every individual's martial prowess had to be top-notch.

Therefore, he left Du Ximing, Qin Bo, San Tong, and the others behind entirely, bringing only Daoxuan and Dark Blade as his personal bodyguards.

The hundred cavalrymen this time were placed under the command of Hamster. Naturally, Hamster and these cavalrymen belonged to the same Hanmen background, meaning there was a greater mutual understanding between them.

Shortly after leaving Hanzhong city, Zhang Chi caught sight of Emei. It was clear that Emei was waiting for Zhang Chi not far outside the city gates.

Zhang Chi urged his horse forward, and Emei spoke first: "Emei has been waiting here for the Young Master for quite some time."

Given that Dark Blade and Hamster by his side were both from the Hanmen, it was hardly surprising that Emei knew of his plan to return to Chengdu. Zhang Chi smiled and asked, "What is the Fairy waiting for me for?"

"I happen to be heading south as well, so I thought we might travel together," Emei replied.

Zhang Chi naturally desired nothing more, though it was a pity that Emei was riding a separate horse this time, meaning they could not ride together. A sense of quiet regret lingered in Zhang Chi's heart.

Although they could not share a horse, traveling together and spending more time in each other's company would still help foster affection. With Emei accompanying him, Zhang Chi did not find the journey tedious at all, and thus they journeyed past Pingwu until they reached the vast plains.

Emei possessed an ethereal and transcendent grace, her white robes as pristine as snow without a single speck of dust from the campaign. Every glance and smile of hers tugged at the heartstrings, and in Zhang Chi's mind, even a celestial maiden from the nine heavens could scarcely surpass this.

They were not far from Chengdu now, but at this moment, Emei bade farewell to Zhang Chi.

"Young Master, ahead lies Chengdu. I have other important matters to attend to, so I must part ways with you here."

Hearing that Emei was leaving, Zhang Chi indeed felt a pang of reluctance to part, yet he lacked any excuse to make her stay. He could only sigh and say, "After parting today, I know not when I shall see the Fairy again."

"Does the Young Master wish to see me again?" Emei asked with a knowing smile, a hint of gratification seemingly lingering in her expression.

Not knowing how to respond, Zhang Chi merely nodded heavily.

"I heard that the Young Master has plans to campaign against Qinzhou once more?" Emei suddenly asked.

Zhang Chi had not concealed these intentions from Dark Blade, Hamster, and the others, so he felt no surprise when Emei voiced them. He was merely puzzled as to why she suddenly shifted the topic to this.

"I do indeed harbor this intention, but for the moment, my strength falls short," Zhang Chi replied.

"What the Young Master is undertaking is a great endeavor, and Emei dares not delay you. However, the road ahead is fraught with peril. I ask the Young Master to take care and exercise caution at every turn. Although our Hanmen is not large in number, we are spread across every corner of Shu. Should you have any needs, the Young Master need only instruct Dark Blade and Hamster," Emei exhorted.

Zhang Chi nodded and urged Emei in return: "In these turbulent times under heaven, the Fairy must also take care of herself."

Emei smiled faintly. Indeed, given her martial arts prowess, where in the world could she not go? Yet, hearing Zhang Chi's concern, she felt a profound sense of warmth. "If the Young Master truly wishes to see me, it is not entirely without a way."

"What way?"

"Once the Young Master has accomplished your great undertaking and attacked Qinzhou, regardless of victory or defeat, you may come seek me. I only fear that by then, the Young Master will not be coming merely to catch a glimpse of me."

Emei's words seemed to carry a deeper meaning, and Zhang Chi asked, "Then for what reason would I come to find the Fairy?"

Soon after parting ways with Emei, Zhang Chi arrived in Chengdu.

As for Zhang Chi's reputation among the common people now, it was several times higher than when he had last returned to Chengdu. During the centuries of the Wei and Jin dynasties, how many generals were truly capable of defeating the northern nomads? Moreover, this time he had first repelled an invading nomadic army of three hundred thousand, followed immediately by a string of recaptured lost territories—and all achieved with inferior numbers against superior forces. In the eyes of the common folk, Zhang Chi had long since become the embodiment of invincibility.

This time, after entering the city, Zhang Chi did not immediately go to pay his respects to the Prince of Chengdu. Since it was already past noon, he decided to first return to his Governor's Mansion to rest, and pay an audience to the Prince of Chengdu tomorrow. At the same time, he wanted to check on the two maidens in the mansion, Jiu Niang and Ruoshui.

When Luo An had originally yielded his residence to Zhang Chi to serve as the Governor's Mansion, Zhang Chi had actually spent barely two days living there. When setting out on the military campaign, he had not brought any female dependents, leaving Jiu Niang and Maiden Ruoshui behind in Chengdu. Counting the days, it had indeed been quite a while since they last met.

As Zhang Chi led his troops to the gates of the Governor's Mansion, he happened to catch Yu'er just as she was about to step outside, spotting his white steed from afar.

Zhang Chi's appearance was unmistakable; White Snow was a magnificent steed, rare in this world, and furthermore, Zhang Chi invariably wore a cyan scholar's robe year-round, allowing Yu'er to recognize him at a single glance.

"The Young Master is back! The Young Master is back!" Yu'er hastily turned back and shouted excitedly into the depths of the courtyard.

This shout was all it took; within the blink of an eye, a whole group of people came running out.

Jiu Niang and Maiden Ruoshui were the first to hurry out through the gates, followed closely by Yu'er and the other young women whom Zhang Chi had rescued back in Kuaiji.

To be frank, Zhang Chi certainly had a way with women.

Jiu Niang's eyes were already brimming with tears, while Maiden Ruoshui teased, "You've finally returned, Young Master. You have no idea how much younger sister here misses you day and night, praying constantly to the heavens for your safety."

Jiu Niang's cheeks flushed slightly as she replied with bashful shyness, "Elder sister, you're teasing me again. Weren't you doing the exact same thing?"

In truth, how could Zhang Chi fail to see that Jiu Niang had long since given him her heart? Deep down, Jiu Niang already considered herself the Young Master's woman, entrusting her entire being to Zhang Chi without reservation.

Yet Zhang Chi always worried about failing Jiu Niang's tender affections.

Jiu Niang possessed a gentle and delicate disposition, having suffered no small share of hardships in the past. Zhang Chi truly lacked the heart to let her suffer any further harm, which was why he held a certain deep affection for her.

As for Maiden Ruoshui, she was the sole woman with whom Zhang Chi had shared a physical relationship since crossing over into this era, leaving him somewhat at a loss as to how to properly define and face their relationship whenever he stood before them.

Logically speaking, having three wives and four concubines was entirely normal in ancient times, but as a modern traveler, Zhang Chi always felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.

Moreover, although Zhang Chi cherished both Jiu Niang and Ruoshui, if asked which woman truly stirred the depths of his soul, it remained the ethereal and immortal-like Emei.

What is love? It is truly difficult to put into clear words.

Exhausted from his long journey, returning to the mansion meant Zhang Chi naturally needed to first enjoy a hearty meal, drink a cup of fine wine personally warmed by Jiu Niang, and then take a good sleep above all else.

Zhang Chi fell asleep in the afternoon and did not wake until twilight. Opening his eyes, he saw Yu'er attending to him right by his side.

Zhang Chi thought to himself that men of this era were simply blessed beyond measure compared to the men of his previous life. Never had he imagined that he could also cross over to ancient times and enjoy the supreme blessing of multiple wives.

"You're awake, Young Master." The moment Yu'er saw Zhang Chi open his eyes, she eagerly prepared a basin of clean water. Once Zhang Chi finished washing his face, she handed him a handkerchief.

Zhang Chi stretched lazily. Before he could speak, Yu'er smiled mysteriously and said, "Since the Young Master is awake, I will go call the two elder sisters."

The two elder sisters Yu'er referred to were naturally Jiu Niang and Maiden Ruoshui.

Before long, the two women indeed walked over with graceful steps. However, as they arrived, both of their faces were flushed with bashful embarrassment, making it difficult for them to speak.

It was Maiden Ruoshui who maintained her poise, asking first, "Now that the Young Master has returned this time, when do you plan to set out on campaign again?"

Zhang Chi thought for a moment and replied, "This time upon returning, I likely won't stay long. In three to five days I will head back to Hanzhong. After all, I am the commander-in-chief of the three armies; I cannot remain away from the camp for long."

Jiu Niang nervously twisted the hem of her garment with her fingers, biting her lower lip, clearly reluctant to see Zhang Chi leave so soon.

Maiden Ruoshui suddenly gave Jiu Niang a gentle nudge, pushing her toward Zhang Chi, and smiled, "Since the Young Master has returned this time, why not take elder sister as your bride first?"

Zhang Chi was momentarily stunned, not expecting Maiden Ruoshui to make such a remark.

Maiden Ruoshui continued, "During the days the Young Master was away on campaign, elder sister here has pined for you day in and day out. If you were to fail her deep devotion, I fear even the heavens would deem it unfair."

Jiu Niang's face turned even redder, crimson enough to bleed as she whispered shyly, "Little sister, you're doing it again... aren't you the exact same way?"

"Why not, Young Master, take Ruoshui little sister instead? Jiu Niang is willing to become the concubine and serve you for all eternity."

"How can that do? My background is lowly; how could elder sister place herself beneath me?" The lowly background Maiden Ruoshui referred to was the fact that she had once been a renowned courtesan of Shanyin.

"Why ever not? You and the Young Master have long shared a physical bond, and matters like this must respect the order of seniority," Jiu Niang said shyly.

"Elder sister, argue no more. Let it be as I say. Elder sister shall be the primary wife, and I gladly accept the role of concubine to serve the Young Master. In any case, we cannot let some latecoming princess seize the precedence."

Hearing Maiden Ruoshui put it this way, Zhang Chi instantly understood. It turned out they had caught wind of the rumor that the Prince of Chengdu intended to betroth Princess Wuyou to Zhang Chi as his wife.

Jiu Niang had always been gentle and submissive; though she harbored tender and affectionate feelings for him, these words were certainly not something she would ever bring up on her own. The reason she came to see him today and spoke at such length was likely due to Ruoshui's instigation.

Maiden Ruoshui was indeed quite shrewd. Previously, she hadn't been in a rush because she knew she had already shared a physical bond with Zhang Chi, and given his character, he would certainly not mistreat her. Ruoshui's mind was as clear as spring water, and she naturally understood this well.

Yet the situation was different now. The entire city was abuzz with the news that the Prince of Chengdu intended to marry his beloved daughter, Princess Wuyou, to Zhang Chi. How could she ever be willing to let a complete stranger of a princess take precedence as the primary wife? Given how things stood, it would be far better to let Jiu Niang become Zhang Chi's primary wife while she herself took the position of concubine. Thus, throughout the entire afternoon while Zhang Chi was resting, Maiden Ruoshui had incessantly persuaded Jiu Niang.

Ruoshui truly cared for Jiu Niang, and since Jiu Niang possessed such a gentle nature, even if Jiu Niang became the wife and she the concubine, she knew they would get along harmoniously. Therefore, she had egged Jiu Niang on, leading to their joint appearance in Zhang Chi's chambers.

At first, Jiu Niang felt that whether one was a wife or a concubine mattered little; as long as she could accompany the Young Master and serve him for a lifetime, she would gladly content herself even as a maid or servant. But Maiden Ruoshui had told her: "Elder sister, your background is spotless, but I was originally a famed courtesan of Jiangnan with a lowly birth. If you serve as the primary wife, my life will be somewhat easier. But if someone else takes the position of primary wife and I am merely a concubine later on, wouldn't I suffer endless grievances?"

Seeing how pitiful Ruoshui made it sound, Jiu Niang had ultimately agreed.

Now, seeing Zhang Chi hesitate in silence, Jiu Niang displayed her thoughtful nature. Lowering her head, she spoke softly, "If the Young Master has concerns, please do not trouble yourself over this. Jiu Niang cares nothing for titles; as long as I may stay by the Young Master's side to serve you, I am entirely content."