The Innocent Heart - Chapter 50

Although they were both high-born youths “parachuted” into the camp, and neither was particularly known for being humble, Huo Qubing and Chen Zhi received vastly different treatment in the barracks.

Despite his determination to restore the prestige of the House of Tangyi through hard work, Chen Zhi had no friends in the army. He always wore a scowl, making no effort to hide the overbearing arrogance he had cultivated since childhood. To Guan Yueyao and the ordinary soldiers, Chen Zhi was simply an unpleasant fellow whom everyone avoided as much as possible.

Huo Qubing was different. Although others saw him as quiet and reserved, whenever he spoke, he cut straight to the heart of the matter. Furthermore, even though he hadn’t won the race a few days prior, everyone had witnessed the young boy’s relentless effort. His clear, convincing mind, solid physical fitness, and diligent attitude allowed him to stand out early in the ranks. While the soldiers weren’t as intimate with him as they were with Guan Yueyao, they held deep respect for the young man.

However, Chen Zhi didn’t see it that way. He believed Huo Qubing’s success in the army was due to two things: a powerful uncle favored by the Emperor, and a specific person—Guan Yueyao.

After days of cold observation, he had to admit that the youth named Guan Yueyao truly had talent. At the very least, during their sparring sessions, even when Chen Zhi gave his all, he had never managed to win a single time.

In the past, he would never have spared a glance for a lowly official like Guan Yueyao, who held a rank of only 200 dan. But now, Chen Zhi had to admit that true talent could indeed emerge from the common folk.

Unbeknownst to Guan Yueyao and Huo Qubing, Chen Zhi had made a secret resolution: He was going to steal Guan Yueyao away from Huo Qubing!

Training occurred in the mornings as well. Breaking his usual pattern, Chen Zhi arrived at the drill grounds early. The soldiers had just finished their meal and were using the short gap before formal training to chat and maintain their armor and sabers.

As usual, Chen Zhi stood apart from the rest. With a grim face, he silently watched the entrance. He knew that the youth now lived at Wei Qing’s manor along with Huo Qubing.

Soon, that tall figure entered his line of sight with a light step. He took a deep breath, forced what he thought was a friendly smile, and walked toward Guan Yueyao.

“Langzhong Guan, morning.”

Guan Yueyao was hurrying into the camp when she heard the greeting. She turned instinctively.

“Chen… Chen Zhi? What do you want?” She stopped and narrowed her eyes, sizing up the boy who had never left a good impression on her.

“I brought you something good. Here, catch.” Chen Zhi’s expression was still a bit awkward. Despite his resolve, this was his first time “humbling” himself to associate with a commoner. His tone was rushed, and he habitually sounded bossy.

Guan Yueyao felt a weight land in her hands. She looked down and saw a glittering golden corner peeking out from a cloth bundle.

Seeing this “gift” only made her more confused. It wasn’t a holiday, and since they had met, there had only been enmity between her and Chen Zhi, no kindness. What was he up to?

Guan Yueyao wasn’t the type to brood over questions in silence. Acting decisively, she reached out and grabbed Chen Zhi by the collar just as he was turning to leave.

“Chen Zhi, what the hell are you doing?” Her grip was strong. Chen Zhi struggled for a moment before giving up.

“I want you to be my friend!” he said, his back still turned to her. Even though he was asking for friendship, it sounded as if he were speaking through gritted teeth. “Be my friend, and stop hanging around that Huo kid. I can grant you whatever benefits you want—my grandmother is the Grand Princess Guantao!”

Perhaps fearing rejection, he added the last part quickly.

Guan Yueyao, however, didn’t find this funny. This behavior was all too familiar. Back in Japan, when her classmates’ usual bullying tactics failed, they had turned to isolating her completely.

“You want me to only play with you and never talk to Qubing again?” Guan Yueyao asked, slowly releasing his collar.

Chen Zhi turned around and nodded, somewhat appreciative that she seemed to catch on quickly.

But before he could say a word, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. A hard object had been hurled into his midriff, sending him to the ground clutching his belly.

“You looking for a fight?!” He tried to shout a rebuke, but the intense pain made his voice waver. His threat lacked any real intimidation.

“What do you think a friend is, and what kind of person do you take me for?!” Guan Yueyao glared down at him, completely unafraid.

Her question stunned Chen Zhi. Friend? Figures of those who had vanished after his aunt’s deposition flashed through his mind. For some reason, after only a few days, their faces had already grown blurry, as if those “friends” had never truly been in his heart.

“Friend? They’re just people who gather for profit and associate for power. When profit ends, they scatter; when power fails, they desert. But don’t worry—whatever Huo Qubing can give you, I can give. Whatever he can’t, I can. You’re just a 200-dan Langzhong now. I’ll have my grandmother speak to the Emperor; you can become a 600-dan Zhonglang at the very least!”

600 dan was the watershed for official ranks in the Han Dynasty, the most important threshold for becoming a senior official. At that rank, one gained the right to enter the palace for court discussions and the chance to meet the Emperor.

Chen Zhi felt his offer was tempting enough. No sane person could resist it. Even in powerful clans, many who started as junior clerks spent their whole lives climbing the ladder through recommendations and never touched the 600-dan threshold.

He felt smug for a moment, only to be met with several contemptuous, cold laughs.

“Who told you that friends scatter when profit ends? Are those friends? Those are just fair-weather drinking buddies!” Guan Yueyao crossed her arms, looking down at the doubled-over Chen Zhi with disdain.

“You use benefits to make people your friends, so naturally you only get people who cling to you for those benefits. Do not use your shallow and despicable outlook to tarnish the word ‘friend’.”

With that, she didn’t spare him another glance and turned toward the drill grounds.

After a long while, the dull ache in his abdomen finally faded. Chen Zhi stood up and looked down, his foot striking something hard. It was the golden pellet he had intended to use to bribe Guan Yueyao, lying quietly at his feet.

He frowned, staring at it blankly. The autumn morning sun wasn’t harsh, bathing him in a warm glow. The gold reflected a dazzling light, catching the eyes of passing soldiers.

The confrontation had caused a bit of a scene, naturally drawing onlookers. Most had moved on, but some lingering gazes remained on him. He stared at the tempting gold for a long moment before finally swinging his leg and kicking it far away.

As if it were a signal, the moment the gold flew out, the surrounding soldiers lunged toward it. Chen Zhi laughed mockingly. Who in this world doesn’t love a windfall?

But in an instant, Guan Yueyao’s angry words echoed in his mind again: “Do not use your shallow and despicable outlook to tarnish the word ‘friend’.”

But if I don’t use benefits to attract them, what else is there to use?

Guan Yueyao returned to the camp and ignored Chen Zhi. She felt deep contempt for the boy who thought she could be easily bought with petty scraps. She was angry—did he really think she was someone who would betray a friend for a few coins? No, even for a mountain of wealth, he couldn’t dream of making her abandon Qubing!

She wasn’t one to hide her emotions. When Huo Qubing finished his duties with Liu Che and arrived for afternoon training, he noticed her sour expression.

“Who upset our A-Yao?” he asked jokingly, trying to lighten her mood.

“Who else? That Chen Zhi! He actually tried to bribe me with ‘benefits’ to be his friend.” The memory still made her fume.

Hearing this, Huo Qubing’s heart skipped a beat, even though he could guess the outcome. “And… how did you respond?” The smile faded from his face as he asked tentatively.

“Hmph, how else? I threw the trash he tried to bribe me with right back at him!” Thinking of Chen Zhi doubling over in pain, she finally felt a bit of satisfaction.

“You did well, A-Yao! You can’t give people like Chen Zhi any face!” Huo Qubing broke into a massive grin. “Alright, let’s stop talking about that buzzkill. I left the Emperor early today specifically for this—come quickly, I have something to give you!”

Huo Qubing grabbed Guan Yueyao’s hand and pulled her toward Wei Qing’s tent.

“You’re trying to bribe me too?” Guan Yueyao pretended to be angry, but she broke character quickly, looking at him expectantly. “What are you giving me?”

“You’ll know once we’re in my uncle’s tent! Whatever I give you, it’s always the best!”