Chapter 79: Stirring Up Trouble

It was just that Father had a violent temper—if he lost his temper and lashed out, one slap would send my younger brother, Lu Bao, running scared from the underworld for good.

In the future, I must find a good path for my brother and sister.

And what about my dear Yana Li? She and I have weathered hardship together as husband and wife—does she miss me now, I wonder?

Oh, my little one, do you know how much I miss you!

Yana Li must become my wife, and Quan Meiyu is just as devoted—what am I to do? Just thinking about it gives me a headache...

What am I doing, wallowing in these tender thoughts when there are so many unresolved matters before me?

Lu Hu coughed lightly, then turned over and sat up.

Ma Lihong and Zhu Xiaoying came in with small, quick steps, carrying hot water and towels.

“Good morning, Lord Divine,” the two greeted, setting down the basin, wetting the towels, and proceeding to wash the Lord’s face and hands.

“Good morning,” Lu Hu said out of habit, a routine ingrained by his English teacher in his previous life.

What on earth did he mean by ‘fooling with cats’? Xiaobai and Huahua had slept in the sisters’ bed last night—there wasn’t a cat to be found in the entire tent, or the army camp for that matter. How was the Lord Divine ‘fooling with cats’?

Could it be that he wants us to bring him a cat to fool with? Or perhaps he wants us to fool with cats ourselves?

Ma Lihong and Zhu Xiaoying were full of questions but dared not ask. Both were clever and quick-witted; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been chosen from among so many attendants.

A glance passed between them, and they understood: this must be Lord Divine’s way of saying good morning.

The Lord’s words were as good as law; from now on, every morning would begin with ‘fooling with cats.’

Quan Zhenzhu came in, holding Xiaobai; Quan Meiyu followed, carrying Huahua.

Both sisters looked a bit wan, clearly having spent a sleepless night thinking of their beloved.

Of course, during this night, only a thin veil separated them—it felt both tantalizingly close and heartbreakingly distant.

They could hear each other’s breathing, yet not sleep together; how could their hearts remain at peace?

“Awooo…” Xiaobai, who had been lying quietly in Quan Zhenzhu’s arms, immediately perked up upon seeing Lu Hu, kicking and flailing to be held by the Lord.

Lu Hu reached out to take Xiaobai from Quan Zhenzhu.

“Lord Divine, Lady Divine, breakfast is ready,” Zhu Xiaoying announced softly.

Lu Hu nodded.

Ma Lihong called out, “Jijing! Piaopiao! Bring in Lord Divine’s breakfast!”

A reply came from outside the tent, and moments later, Madam Jijing and Xiang Piaopiao entered, carrying in the dining table.

On the table were several golden and silver dishes, each covered, their aromas stubbornly escaping into the air.

Ma Lihong and Zhu Xiaoying had risen early, tidied their rooms, set up the table and chairs, and made all preparations for breakfast.

Lu Hu stroked the eager Xiaobai in his arms, who was smacking his lips hungrily at the aroma. No wonder the moment he opened his eyes, the air was so fragrant!

“You two are dismissed—go tell Yakexi to bring people and tidy up your rooms. After breakfast, we’ll be holding a meeting in the tent.”

Ma Lihong promptly dashed out—she was always eager to take credit.

“Fooling with cats, General Kexi!” Yakexi was waiting outside. As Ma Lihong lifted the flap, she greeted him with solemn ceremony.

“Good morning, Messenger Lihong. I assure you, I haven’t fooled with any cats. The white tiger is a little like a cat, but even if I had the courage of ten men, I wouldn’t dare fool with Lord Divine’s big cat.”

“You don’t understand. ‘Fooling with cats’ is Lord Divine’s phrase. From now on, every morning, when we meet, it must begin with ‘fooling with cats.’”

Ma Lihong put her hands on her hips, striking an impressive pose.

“Understood—causing mischief, fooling with cats, Messenger!” Yakexi bowed and nodded obsequiously.

Who knows how far you’ve gotten with Lord Divine, but since you sleep beside him every night, I’d be a fool to cross you! Play whatever game you like—it all brings glory to Lord Divine! If you want us to start every morning by ‘fooling with cats,’ then so be it. As for the reason, that’s not my concern—as long as it’s the Lord’s will, we’ll fool with cats for fun.

“Bring your people in, tidy up all the bedding, and prepare the chairs. Lord Divine will convene a meeting after breakfast,” Ma Lihong ordered, playing the part of chief steward.

“Understood!” Yakexi let out a long sigh and finally dared to act like the head steward.

The guards, well versed in following orders, responded, “Understood! General Kexi is fooling with cats, Messenger Lihong is fooling with cats!” When it came to the Lord’s decrees, they were especially diligent. As soon as Ma Lihong gave the word, ‘fooling with cats’ was etched into their hearts, never mind what it actually meant.

Lu Hu and the Quan sisters ate, listened, and were amused all the while.

“Tch, such a show-off,” Zhu Xiaoying thought, packing up the sisters’ bedding and belongings while secretly sneering at Ma Lihong.

Yakexi, following behind Ma Lihong with the guards, was about to give orders when Ma Lihong and Zhu Xiaoying bustled about, directing the guards to gather screens and luggage in the corners.

Those two bossy women had completely sidelined him!

Yakexi dared not try to act like a third steward and simply joined the guards in moving and lifting.

The tent was a hive of noise; Lu Hu and the Jin sisters stopped their public displays of affection and hurriedly filled their stomachs.

Zhu Xiaoying multitasked, pretending to be in charge while keeping an eye on the three as they ate. When she saw they were finished, she quickly brought mouthwash, then three hot towels.

The trio busied themselves rinsing and wiping their hands and faces.

“Lihong, come clear the table,” Zhu Xiaoying finally got her chance to show the guards she was the real chief steward, and Ma Lihong merely the second in command.

“Brother Kexi, Lord Divine has finished breakfast. Lead everyone to pile the items in the corner, arrange the chairs properly, and don’t delay the meeting,” Ma Lihong still maintained her air of authority.

“Understood!” Yakexi exhaled heavily, finally daring to act the part of chief.

Lu Hu had no patience for these trivial squabbles. He strolled out the back entrance of the tent.

Snow was still falling, even heavier than the night before.

It had already piled up halfway to his calf.

Lu Hu crunched through the snow to the front of the tent.

Before him stood a neat formation—helmets and armor dusted with snow.

Shi Zhenxiang stood at the front, Shi Gengxiang behind him, and twelve centurions in perfect rows behind them.

Each stood at attention, hands respectfully at their sides, gazes fixed devoutly on the tent entrance.

Their eyebrows and beards were frosted white; they had clearly been waiting for quite some time.

“Fooling with cats, Lord Divine!” they all greeted Lu Hu in unison as soon as they saw him.

The guards at the entrance had already relayed Ma Lihong’s message about the Lord’s will.

Lu Hu nodded, “Don’t stand out here in the cold—come inside and warm yourselves.”

“Understood!” Shi Zhenxiang and the centurions barked in reply, brushing snow from their armor as they crowded into the tent.

And then, another group suddenly appeared...