Wu Zhen stumbles around an area he knows well... The Generals quarters, the war tent is in this area too. He's been here many times when his Uncle was still alive, coming and going as he pleased.
Tonight nobody is around but it's not that surprising, with Ying's abilities she doesn't need any guards. He didn't mean to come to this part of the camp but his feet moves out of habit...
The boy sighs and keep looking down to the ground, not really caring about what might be going around him right now. He sees some light sips beneath the hem of the war tent, perfectly at the center of the other ones currently empty.
Curiosity takes the best of him so he softens his movements and approach enough to hear a few words, not too close to be intercepted but still close enough to catch a glimpse of what topic they might be discussing at this hour...
What if it was some useful information and he could use it to prove his loyalty to Han? After all nobody was as good as him when it came to soft steps, maybe he could even get past Ying's hearing.
-... I want our men to know about this, all of them...- he hears these words "Well, at least she's not keeping them out as Han does" he thinks
-On the day they move... he's got some men staying behind... Report to Han, kill him- he covers his mouth upon hearing those words "She knows we're planning to move?! So there really is a spy among us! But... Does this mean she knows about Han's plan to decimate her troupes too?"
He immediately understands that hearing more will only put him in troubles and decides to leave while he still can, he moves around the tents as silently as possible to make his way out but immediately see light flashing over the dark ground... Only for a brief moment, meaning that someone left the tentnjust now.
He panics and looks around for any hiding place, his eyes fall on a pile of boxes and rushes behind them, covering himself with some more to prevent anyone from seeing him upon passing close.
He seats on the cold soil and tries to calm his pounding heart, holding his breath as he hears steps stopping just in front of him "Please let it be anyone but General Ying, not her, please not her!" He prays in his mind.
The wall of stacked boxes separating him from whoever is on the other side comes down just a few seconds after and he finds himself facing the person who terrifies him the most -G g general Ying?!-.
...
While in the chair, circled by all of us, the boy seems to become smaller and smaller with each question.
-Who sent you then?- Qin Luo rises his voice just slightly and he flinches in fear
-Nobody, I swear, no one sent me!- he begs for us to believe him -I came here out of habit... It has been hard to think clearly lately so I just... Left-
-Left?- I ask, coming forward. He bows his chin and looks at his feet -I wanted to be on my own...-
-You're a man of Han, what are you implying? Trying to leave your faction?- interrupts him Qin Luo again -No not that... Well yes but not like LEAVE, just...-
Qin Luo bends more over him, to pressure him to talk, but I reach out an arm and push him a bit back -Let him talk Ge- he looks at me and with a nod, takes a few steps back -Go on- i encourage the guy in front of me to talk
-I just mean that lately I feel like Han isn't the same around me so I was getting confused and just wanted to stay away from anyone who adores him so much... So I could collect my thoughts in peace-
-You're doubting him?-
He bits his lips and looks around the area, feeling in a tight spot as I corner him with my questions -Stop avoiding the problem, this time nobody's gonna throw you a symbolic knife to help you get out of this situation-
Wu Zhen eyes widen and his head shoots up, looking at me with the mouth open wide -What did you just say?-
I turn my head and look at the man hiding his fece behind black veils then again at Wu Zhen -Everyone knows about your murder attempt-
The hundreds of questions running around the boy's mind can be visibly seen from afar, as if the words where passing over his eyes at each moment -Only I and Shen knew about the knife... He retrieved it right after coming to my rescue, how do you know about it?-
I turn around once again and look at the man in the shadow -Seriously? He's clueless- our spy rises his shoulders -I remember telling you to start giving him hints by now-
The man nods and whispers -I did-
I sigh upon realizing just how slow Wu Zhen actually is and face him again, he looks between me and that man in terror -What am I supposed to know? Eveyone seem to really enjoy keeping secrets from me...- his voice barely audible
-Well I guess it's better this way, less risks for you then- I say one last phrase to Shen HuaiZhi before talking with the boy again -As you might have realized by now, I was watching, in a way or another... And you know what other thing I also know?-
The boy shakes his head
Chuckling I reply -You saw that man's face, I know you did. You recognized him-
He freezes and cold sweat begins to run down his neck, the eyes locked on the ground
-Do you want me to narrate the events of that night for you?-
He seems to have suddenly regained some kind of courage and straightens up -So Han was right, there was indeed someone there aiming at us that night! It was you! That man too, it was sent by you!-
My eyebrows twitch, realizing once again how slow and loyal this guy is -Seriously? If I were there why wouldn't I have snatched the letter from just the three of you? Also, do you think you or Han would have survived that night if I were out there with the intent of killing you? I had barely realized your existence a few hours prior to that incident, all because of the plea of someone asking me to spare you after stealing from me... Asking me to help you survive this internal war you got caught up in between by being such a key element-
His pupils tremble as he meets my eyes -What are you talking about...?-
-You still haven't caught on. I see. Let me break it down for you... I have spies in your ranks, people who genuinely want to save these men and this nation, they know how crazy Han's plan is and are willing to work with me... It's He the one who's trying to poison his former brother in arms, the one twisting a secret letter as an imperial order, the one messing with our weapons out of fear, the one planning to slaughter his comrades in less than a week from now.
And also the one who sent that murder in the wood, come on... Don't tell me you didn't have any doubts after seeing his face? Why would someone try to kill a member of his own squadron with the risk of being found out? Unless someone who holds power order it to him-
He doesn't fully understand my words yet and tries to rebate -But why?! Why would I be a key element, so important to the point of getting killed by my own faction even?-
-There are many reasons, you're an emotional factor in this. The army got split after your uncle's death so by taking Han side, you reassured the men that I am an enemy to the late General Wu and Han is the one honoring him... You also knew about the letter and were willing to steal from me out of blind loyalty for Han, thing that he himself didn't dare do, he knew his limits and that you were disposable unlike him.
And also... If you had died and the blame was thrown on me, making me once again a traitor, Han would have gained absolute power... Especially if we think about the after. Once he completely wipes us out, the rebellious soldiers, he will be dragged to Court and this story would make him even more believable.
But he failed, yet he managed to turn his murder attempt story around and still uses it for his own good-
The boy falls silent and I understand that no more words will leave his mouth for a while, I pat his shoulder -Take your time, you don't need to believe me... Truth will eventually hit you straight in the face one of these days-
After saying that I rise my hand and ask for someone to take him out, still in shock as the words begin to sink in...