230 See You Soon (1/2)

Looking up from his papers, the thick silver mustache on Bai Han's face twitched.

”What's all this ruckus about?” He grumbled, his wrinkled fingers flipping through pages.

The soldier paused to regain his breath, his entire face flushed. Wiping his forehead with his arm, he lifted a letter in his hand.

”The young miss…she sent…a letter!” He gasped.

At that moment, Bai Han's movements turned stiff. Those sharp silver eyes shot in the soldier's direction, his gaze honed on the letter.

”What are you standing there for? Give it to me!” He abruptly walked around his desk and snatched the letter from the soldier's hand.

Not even bothering to hide his excitement, Bai Han practically tore the letter open, his eyes blazed with light. When he unfolded it and gazed its contents, the expression on his face shifted. On the other side, the soldier watched his commander's face change. He saw the whiskers on his beard raise, and his eyes growing sharper and sharper.

It took only a few seconds for Bai Han to crumple the letter into his fist and rushed out of the office without much as an explanation. Not that the soldier expected one anyway.

”Send a scout to request an audience with the emperor!” Bai Han's voice shouted throughout the halls.

”What's going on?” A fit and sweaty General Guo walked from around the corner, a towel draped around his broad shoulders.

Behind him, equally as sweaty, was Aiguo. The boy's soft, supple skin was still visible, still plump with childhood. His spikey hair was dark and long, tied back with a red ribbon. His face, when he turned to Bai Han, was as serious as a man's.

”See for yourself!” Bai Han passed the crumbled letter to General Guo.

Smoothing the letter, General Guo read it with a set of deep brows. His eyes widened almost immediately.

”Rin…”

The name escaping his lips caused the boy beside him to light up.

”It's from Rin? Let me see it! Did she mention me?” Aiguo jumped up to see the letter's contents, his neck straining.

Ignoring him, General Guo looked at Bai Han with a particular expression. It was unclear what he was thinking.

”Are you going to see the emperor?” He asked.

Bai Han snorted in return. ”Of course I am! Do you expect me to leave her alone when she needs us?”

”No, but if this matter is as serious as she claimed…this could spark a war…” General Guo could not hide the concern and distress in his tone.