That day, after the army had set up camp, Wang Yi weaved her way through the area and found herself near Fa Zheng's carriage, but she did not see him.
"Excuse me, is Fa Xiaozhi here?" Wang Yi asked directly, not wanting to waste time with someone like Lu Xun, whom she considered just a kid.
"The Prime Minister had some business to discuss with General Zhao and isn't here at the moment. If you have something important, I can pass it along," Lu Xun replied, glancing at Wang Yi and sensing no apparent danger. After all, girls generally didn't appear threatening.
"Can you really pass it along?" Wang Yi was initially disappointed, but after sizing up Lu Xun's refined appearance and recalling his composed manners earlier, she decided to give it a try.
"Certainly," Lu Xun said, setting aside what he was working on and standing up.
"Are you sure?" Wang Yi raised an eyebrow. "Don't promise what you can't deliver."
"If I say I can do it, then I will," Lu Xun responded, a bit annoyed.
"Oh, that's good. I was worried you might fail," Wang Yi nodded.
"Speak quickly. My time is valuable too," Lu Xun said, dusting off his hands.
"Take me to see Fa Xiaozhi," Wang Yi said with a slight smirk.
Lu Xun was taken aback, then he gave Wang Yi a long, hard look. "Follow me."
"Thank you," Wang Yi said with a light laugh. "Little brother, I owe you one. I'll treat you to some pastries later."
Lu Xun silently cursed himself. He had underestimated Wang Yi and fallen for her trick. But having agreed, he could only take her to Fa Zheng, as he prided himself on keeping his word.
Although Lu Xun's expression showed some displeasure, he didn't say anything more. Wang Yi could tell that he was a steadfast character, so she continued cheerfully, "Don't be angry, little brother. How about this—I'll tell you my name as an apology. I shouldn't have tricked you, but I have urgent matters to discuss with him."
"I'm not angry," Lu Xun replied, calming himself. He glanced back at Wang Yi.
"Even if your face doesn't show anger, that doesn't mean you aren't upset. Actions sometimes reveal more than expressions," Wang Yi teased.
Lu Xun's brisk pace slowed as he regained his composure. He turned to Wang Yi and said, "Alright, I'm no longer upset. I didn't expect to be so emotional. I am Lu Boyan. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss."
"Impressive," Wang Yi muttered, surprised by how quickly Lu Xun regained his calm. But since he had introduced himself, she responded with a graceful bow, "I am Wang Yi of the Wang family in Fufeng."
"Fufeng?" Lu Xun raised an eyebrow, beginning to make some connections, especially since Fa Zheng was also from Fufeng.
"Is that so surprising?" Wang Yi asked with a smile. Seeing Lu Xun's reaction, she knew he had linked her to Fa Zheng. That was exactly what she wanted, so she didn't have to explain much more. Wang Yi wasn't naturally domineering; she had acted urgently only to meet Fa Zheng as quickly as possible and resolve the matter.
"No, not at all. Come with me, but once inside the camp, be mindful of what you say," Lu Xun said with a hint of frustration, feeling that Wang Yi had indeed tricked him.
Soon, Lu Xun led Wang Yi to the outside of the military camp. Although the entire convoy was under the army's protection, they were still stopped at the camp entrance.
"Who goes there?" the guard asked, though the security wasn't overly tight.
"I'm accompanying the Prime Minister," Lu Xun sighed, producing the token that Fa Zheng had given him. After verifying the token, the guard allowed both of them to enter.
"It doesn't seem that strict here. They even let me in," Wang Yi said, surprised. She had been disheartened earlier when Lu Xun led her toward the military camp, knowing that women were usually forbidden from entering.
"Quite the opposite. This camp is very secure. Without this token, you wouldn't have been allowed in," Lu Xun explained, feeling slightly defensive. "Fa Xiaozhi once served as the central military advisor for the army, a position he still holds. This token signifies that status."
"He served as a military advisor?" Wang Yi was shocked.
"He did. During the campaign against the Yellow Turbans, he was the military advisor," Lu Xun replied with a smirk, remembering how Fa Zheng had boasted about his past achievements.
Fa Zheng's situation was somewhat complicated. He did hold a noble title. In fact, all the participants in the campaign against the Yellow Turbans had received titles and rewards. Even if he hadn't received one then, he would have been granted a title later.
Fa Zheng had been made a Marquis of the Passes when he was appointed Prime Minister of Qi the previous year. Although the title was a bit superficial, it was still a noble rank. Regardless, he was officially a marquis. And while the title didn't come with land, during these chaotic times, land grants were practically meaningless. As a symbol of status, however, Fa Zheng stubbornly refused to acknowledge himself as a marquis until he was granted a more substantial title.
This was why even Fa Zheng's father didn't know that his son actually held a noble title. Fa Yan occasionally wondered how Fa Zheng could become the Prime Minister of Qi without such a rank. How could that be?
Fa Yan and Lu Xun had assumed Fa Zheng wasn't a noble. Wang Yi, however, had correctly deduced according to Han law that he must have been granted a title, though she hadn't understood how Fa Zheng had earned it. After all, the Han Dynasty had a law that stated, "No one can be ennobled without military merit."
Now that Lu Xun had mentioned Fa Zheng's participation in the campaign against the Yellow Turbans, Wang Yi finally understood. She couldn't help but laugh bitterly. All she could do now was her best. She realized that since leaving Fufeng, Fa Zheng had soared to great heights. The difference between them had grown so vast that Wang Yi could only resign herself to fate.
"What's wrong?" Lu Xun asked, noticing that Wang Yi, who had been playful and teasing him earlier, had suddenly fallen silent.
"I'm just feeling a bit reflective," Wang Yi replied with a helpless expression. She had a strong urge to turn around and leave. The Wang and Jiang families had struggled for over a century, claiming to be among the most powerful in Fufeng, yet they had never produced a marquis. The highest-ranking official in their lineage had only been a city governor, nowhere near Fa Zheng's level.
One hundred years of effort from two families couldn't compare to five years of Fa Zheng's work. Wang Yi couldn't help but feel melancholic. It was a harsh reminder that sometimes people failed to recognize true talent. If Jiang Ying's father knew about Fa Zheng's current situation, he might have regretted not seeing the true potential of an uncut jade.
"We're here. I'll take you this far. The rest is up to you," Lu Xun said, pointing to a large tent.
"Since you're already here, come on in, Boyan," Zhao Yun called out from inside the tent, having heard the commotion outside with his sharp ears.
"It seems you won't have to wait long," Lu Xun said, lifting the tent flap and stepping inside.
Wang Yi let out a long sigh and followed.