Chapter Text
Maomao sneeze.
"Bless you." Guen said who was sitting next to her on the wooden wage. "I have an extra coat in my bag I can lead you, Haixo."
"It's alright," Maomao wipe her nose, "didn't Jinshi-san say we'll be arriving at the other camp today?"
Guen nod. "Hopefully before nightfall."
Maomao hummed pull her hanfu cloak closer, she looked next to her. A couple of the soldiers were either walking or on a horse, which were five, all tired and worn from the traveling.
They had left several days ago. Jinshi announce they'll be departing to the front lines as the first army request backup.
Maomao turn her attention to Jinshi on his horse leading them with Rikuson beside him.
Everyone was wearing their armors including the medical team, provided by Jinshi.
"I swear..."
Maomao glance over to a group of men.
"We are marching into battle but feel a lot like cattle."
The man next to him nod. "Our aching feet aren't easy to hold."
Suddenly a young soldier Maomao remembered was called Tianyu, rush up to the group.
"Hey, think of instead a girl worth fighting for!" He smiled happily.
Maomao gave a confuse expression. "Eh?"
Tianyu yanked Maomao out the wage wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Think of it, girls cheering as we march victoriously!"
One pop right behind them. "I'll love her to be pale like the moon and eyes that shine like stars."
Tianyu flexed his arm. "They'll marvel at my strength and battle scars."
Onsou playfully elbow Maomao arm. "Bet all the local girls in your town found you as quite the charmer."
She undetached herself from Tianyu deciding to walk a bit.
Jinshi chuckled seeing Haixo irritated face.
"Seems like you’re growing fond of Haixo." Rikuson pointed out with a smile.
Jinshi gave a questionable look at Rikuson. "I wouldn't say fond...more like amused."
"As if," Rikuson countered with a knowing look, “You go on and on about how Haixo glares at your discretion every time.”
Jinshi became silent.
Did he really go on about Haixo like that?
It’s just that Jinshi had very few people he comfortable around. Jinshi couldn’t explain why this excited him so much just that it was a part of feelings he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Excitement.
Something new.
As strange as it sounded like, it was almost liberating when Haixo gave him those look of disgust.
Jinshi knew Haixo was annoyed by his presence clearly wanting him to leave.
And was hilarious.
It was refreshing from a lifetime of being seeing nothing but lust-filled, adored expressions.
Haixo looks of disgust were as nectar of the heavens to him.
“Jinshi-san?”
“Huh?” Jinshi asked, shaking his head coming back to reality. He had been so lost in thought that he hadn’t realized Rikuson was speaking again.
"Said Haixo is coming this way." Rikuson said tilting his over his shoulder, sure enough the young lad had come over to them.
"Got a little to rowdy back there?" Jinshi smirked as Haixo nodded. "A bit of fun doesn't hurt anyone."
"Not for myself," Haixo groaned rubbing his forehead, "need to get away before they started singing like drunk sailors."
Jinshi shook his head jokely, a sudden thought came to him. "Haixo, do you perhaps have a certain girl waiting for you back home?"
Maomao eye twitch staring at Jinshi like he grown another head.
"It'll wouldn't a surprise if I told you no," Maomao clear her throat, "people take one look at me and see I'm not marriage material."
For unknown reason Jinshi felt relief, maybe because it wouldn't be hard for Jinshi to break the news if Haixo doesn't survive this war.
That had Jinshi pause, the thought of Haixo dying didn't sit wee with him.
In the back the three can continue to listen to the soldiers conversation.
"Girl will see I have no flaws and I'm a major find."
"Thinks he such a lady killer."
"Jokes on you I've got a girl back home who's unlike any other."
Jinshi lower himself to Haixo ear. "The only girl who'd love him is his mother."
Rikuson cover his mouth to surpress his laughter while Maomao hid behind her sleeve not lying the joke is slightly funny.
However before Maomao can open her mouth they all froze.
Not far they stood in a burnt out village completely ruined. Jinshi and Rikuson both tugged their horse having go forward the rest following.
Stepping in the scent burnt flesh, Maomao used her sleeve to at least breath through safety.
Everywhere they turned laid nothing but snow mixed in with burn ashes.
"Search for survivors!" Commanded Jinshi having the soldiers spread.
Insteadly the medical team unpack a few items. "Even with these supplies," Guen whispered, "I don't think it'll be enough for a group of ten."
Letting do their thing Maomao went to join in on the sreach. She step into a burn house scanning the area till her eyes land on little rage doll.
Gently picking it up Maomao held it to her chest. She then heard a groan from underneath broken wooden roof then another.
Quickly she yelled for help in a flash Jinshi came digging through the snow, Maomao heart pound waiting.
They gasp.
"Basen! Gaoshun!"
The father and son were heavy wounded also unconscious. Li and Liu rush to aid them carefully moving them into the wage.
Staying behind Jinshi can only stare at the devastating village. "I don't understand their army weren't supposed to here till another week as Gaoshun written."
"Captain!"
Maomao and Jinshi turned their heads, Rikuson is standing on a hilltop his finger pointing down.
They walked towards him.
Jinshi gasp at the brutal scene.
An army of soldiers lay dead in a bloody battle field. Their body went from miles, weapons and armors scattered everywhere.
"An ambush," Maomao glance at the burn village, "just how big is our enemies forces?"
Jinshi noticed a shang zhou helmet not far from them. He gracefully took in his hands, thinking how inhumane these men were slaughtered.
Maomao and Rikuson watched Jinshi walk to the opposite side of the hilltop.
Alone Jinshi unsheathe his sword and buried it into the snowy ground then set the helmet on top.
He kneel bowing in respect of these fallen soldiers.
Maomao approach him, she can't comprehend Jinshi emotions nor feel like many do upon death or one passes.
Only thing she could do is lay a gentle hand on Jinshi shoulder in response he softly squeeze it.
Taking a deep breath Jinshi stood up, he'd face his troops. "Our enemies are moving fast, we'll make better time to Empire through the blizzard path."
Jinshi hop onto his horse eyes sharp as he stare at them. "We're China's last hope."
"Li, Liu," he called out to the two, "take Basen and Gaoshun to the nearest village."
"Haixo and Guen will be coming with us." Jinshi tugged his horse reins, "now move out!"
Maomao stayed longer to at least pay respect. She place the doll against Jinshi sword then bow, leaving to catch up.
Now the weighed is heavier on their backs.
"What a world we live in..." Maomao mumbled.
It was the dead at night when Jinshi decided to visit Haixo. He was worried that maybe he rope Haixo into this without his consent.
He can shoot an arrow but Jinshi seen how Haixo handles a sword very poorly.
Then again he'll probably visit the doctor too.
Jinshi heard rushing inside, sighing he push the tent fabric. "Haixo sorry to interrupt you I wa-"
He freeze at the sight.
Haixo is standing in the middle, it wasn't the fact he was undressing that caught Jinshi eyes.
Rather the dudou covering his chest...and curve body...
Blue eyes lock onto purple ones.
"Haixo-o..." Jinshi stuttered "you're...a woman?"
The two heard footsteps coming towards them, without hesitation Jinshi unclip his hanfu cloak and wrap it around Maomao body.
"Pretend to be asleep," Jinshi whispered he pull down the hood, "I'll handle it then we can talk."
Maomao nod watching Jinshi exited her tent to confront whomever was outside. Although knowing she'll been discovered and will face execution; Maomao could think about her two fathers and cousin.
What will happen to them?
Will their family be banish or worst kill for treason?
All because of her stupidity.
"I could convince Jinshi-san it was my idea," Maomao clutch her hands, "need to chose my words carefully."
Five minutes went by, Jinshi had manage to dismissed the soldier claiming that Haixo was sleeping.
He re-enter the tent.
Fully clothed, Maomao sat down. "Thank you Jinshi-san."
"Your welcome," Jinshi sat on the ground Maomao did the same, "now oblivious your real name isn't Haixo so what is it miss?"
The girl frowned, still looking nervous, but answered, “M-Maomao, sir. Just Maomao.”
Jinshi raised an eyebrow how unusual her name was. "Sound like a cat name." he teased.
"I… I get that a lot." Maomao admitted a grumpy expression on her face.
Jinshi chuckled slightly though his tone became low. "Well...Maomao~" he gave her a dazzling smile. "Care to explain why your impersonating a soldier?"
Maomao let out a long breath. Jinshi watched her with curiosity as she seemed to take a few seconds to collect herself.
The young woman straight herself and Jinshi found his teasing grin fading. From there Maomao told her story about her father and his condition.
She spoke calmly without the slightest indication of emotion. "So then… now that you know the truth, what do you intent to do with me?" Maomao held her breath waiting for the verdict.
Jinshi shook his head. "Nothing..."
"Huh?" Maomao blurred out, "why?"
"Isn't it clear?" Jinshi replied standing up, "what your doing is very honorable, maybe not to many but in my view it is."
Jinshi glance down at the young girl, there was no other way for him to put it but that… she was beautiful.
However the thing that stood out the most was her face. There wasn’t a single freckle in sight—in fact, her complexion had beautiful skin without a single blemish with a slightly rosy glow, most likely from the chilly wind.
"Jinshi-san?" the apothecary said as her deep-blue eyes pierced through him like a knife.
"Rest," Jinshi finally was able to force out. "Don't worry about anything, your secret is safe with me."
Jinshi quickly left the tent.
He walked until he stood outside his tent.
His gaze turning to the starry sky… finding himself thinking more about those blue eyes again.
Maomao.
Jinshi smiled to himself. "The name suits her."