Chapter 885: Succeeding in Little, Failing in Much
Editor: Henyee Translations

Rong Shenning and Du Zhaolin, supporting each other like brothers in adversity, limped along in pain.

Suddenly stumbling, Rong Shenning struggled to keep going, “Du Zhaolin, let’s just take the carriage, shall we?”

Du Zhaolin had long since grown weary of walking, yet he hesitated to abandon Rong Shenning, “Then let’s call for the general.” He shouted, “General Tang, we wish to take the carriage.”

No one responded.

Rong Shenning raised his voice, “General Tang, we want to ride in the carriage.”

Still, no response came.

Desperate to catch up to Tang Jinghong, their sore feet slowed them down. Despite their best efforts to quicken their pace, they failed to close the distance.

The two had fallen into their own trap.

Only when darkness fell and the troop arrived at the designated camp, stopping to rest, did they finally catch up with Tang Jinghong.

While removing his shoes and massaging his feet, Rong Shenning complained, “General Tang, didn’t you hear us calling?”

Tang Jinghong glanced at him without responding. He had more important tasks to manage than to waste time on such frivolous young masters.

Dissatisfied, Du Zhaolin blocked Tang Jinghong’s path, “Are you deaf to our words?”

Tang Jinghong placed a hand on Du Zhaolin’s shoulder and pushed him aside. If it weren’t for their status as the sons of the Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor, he would have dealt with them long ago.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch…” As Du Zhaolin was pushed aside, pain radiated from his shoulder.

Jiang Zhanglin passed by, leaving behind a cold remark, “More trouble than you’re worth!” before walking away nonchalantly.

Jiang Zhanglin, the grandson of the former Grand Tutor and a scholar on par with Xu Guannan, was born into privilege and talent. He had volunteered for this journey.

Unashamed, Du Zhaolin pointed at Jiang Zhanglin’s retreating back, “What’s so great about you? Just riding on your ancestors’ coattails, pretending to be something you’re not!”

Yi Chuanchuan burst into laughter, “Two prodigals mocking a scholar. Both high-born, yet only Zhanglin brother has passed the imperial examinations. What about you two?”

Rong Shenning and Du Zhaolin, united in their infamy, retorted, “What’s it to you? We were talking to him.”

“Seeing injustice and drawing my sword to help!” Yi Chuanchuan mocked them before catching up with Jiang Zhanglin to help set up tents.

Chu Qingzhi, passing by, announced, “You’ll set up your own tents. Otherwise, prepare to sleep under the stars.”

Initially defiant, the two men cowered at the sight of Chu Qingzhi, remembering her earlier demonstration of dissecting a chicken with frightening precision.

Rong Shenning, trying to ingratiate himself, stammered, “Miss Chu, we… we don’t know how.”

Chu Qingzhi calmly replied, “Can’t you learn if you don’t know?”

Seeing Chu Qingzhi, Du Zhaolin felt even more pressured than in Tang Jinghong’s presence. “We’ll learn right away, but whom do we learn from?”

“Any soldier in the camp can teach you,” Chu Qingzhi answered.

Quickly agreeing, “Okay, okay,” they went to find someone to teach them.

Chu Qingzhi watched them leave before approaching Chu Qingning, “Fourth sister, are you alright?”

Chu Qingning whispered back, “Aside from a sore bottom, everything’s fine.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “I’ll have someone buy you a quilt tomorrow. Sitting on it might help.”

Chu Qingning hurriedly declined, “No need, fifth sister. I can endure this much. If I can’t handle this, how can I go to the eastern border to find Zhaoyong?”

Chu Qingzhi reassured, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

Dong Dengyu, the prince of Chen’an Country, approached, eyeing the sisters, “Do the ladies need help?”

Chu Qingning, disliking his gaze, coldly rejected, “No, thanks. Focus on your tent.”

Despite Dong Dengyu’s impatience with others, he was especially patient with beauties. “Mine’s not urgent. It won’t hurt to set up yours first.”

Chu Qingzhi also disapproved of Dong Dengyu, known for his cowardice and lechery. “I hear your people are suffering. Yet the prince is in such high spirits?”

Flirting with her sister? He must be tired of living.

Dong Dengyu’s smile froze, “Miss, you’re too harsh. I merely offered my help.”

Chu Qingzhi, not wanting to provoke further, had already demonstrated her dissecting skills, leaving a deep impression. She glanced at Dong Dengyu, causing him to inwardly flinch before hearing her suggest, “Shengdong, this prince wishes to assist the soldiers in setting up tents. Please show him the way.”

Before Dong Dengyu could protest, Meng Shengdong, accompanied by two soldiers, took him away to assist.

At the tent setup area, Yi Chuanchuan nudged Yan Zihao beside him, “That prince actually dared to bother Chu Qingning. Isn’t he afraid of dying?”

Yan Zihao, the grandson of the Minister of Works, sent here as the family’s scapegoat, was introverted and reticent.

He glanced briefly, advising, “Mind our own business. Focus on what we’re doing.”

Yi Chuanchuan passed a rope to Yan Zihao, adding, “Zihao, don’t be so withdrawn. You’re like a mute gourd.”

Yan Zihao, tying the tent, replied, “I prefer silence. There’s nothing much worth talking about.”

Yi Chuanchuan, “…”

How could someone be so dull? He’d go insane if forced to stay quiet for an hour!

At dinner time.

Rong Shenning looked at his bowl and loudly complained, “What is this? Pig slop? I won’t eat this. Make me something else!”

Du Zhaolin, seeing Rong Shenning’s complaint, quickly echoed, “Exactly, it’s so unpalatable. Who can eat this?”

The others watched them like a show.

Uninterested in their complaints, Yi Chuanchuan snapped, “We’re all pigs here, only you noble young masters are too refined. Why bother mixing with us pigs then?”

Laughter broke out among the troops.

Rong Shenning glowered at Yi Chuanchuan, “Can’t you keep your mouth shut?”

Yi Chuanchuan retorted, “Can’t you stop whining?”

Rong Shenning shot back, “What does my complaining have to do with you? Can’t even silence you at mealtime?”

As the two seemed ready to clash, Chu Qingzhi suddenly announced, “Starting tomorrow, Rong Shenning and Du Zhaolin will join the kitchen crew, responsible for cooking for everyone. Any mistakes, and they’ll answer to the whip.”

The two instantly lost their bravado.

Rong Shenning stuttered, “We don’t know how to cook. We’d only make things worse in the kitchen.”

Du Zhaolin looked pleadingly at Chu Qingzhi, hoping she’d relent.

Chu Qingzhi said, “Not knowing is not an excuse not to learn. If you’re willing, you can always learn. Unless you’re unwilling.”

The head cook smirked, seeing them fall into his hands. He’d make the most of their ‘talents.’

Rong Shenning and Du Zhaolin had no idea their darkest moments were about to begin.