Feng Jin shook her head and said, "No need. You won't understand the feeling of recognizing someone at a glance amidst thousands of people. Since I've decided she's the one, anyone else would be settling. I'm a stubborn person and I hate settling."
Having identified Zhang You'er as the heroine in the story, she felt that anyone else would not give her the desired feeling.
Thus, searching for others would be in vain.
"Forget it, I'm in a bad mood. Let's go back to the manor first."
Feng Jin said listlessly, her entire demeanor lacking energy.
Suddenly, a burst of violent commotion ensued, startling the horses into whinnying, and the carriage nearly lost control.
Feng Jin gripped the carriage railing tightly. Only when the carriage stabilized did she let go with lingering fear.
"Useless creature, you can't even drive a carriage properly!" Gu Beichen roared.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. A crowd of civilians surged forward, startling the horse, which caused me to momentarily lose control of the carriage."
"Let's go see what's happening." With that, Feng Jin quickly alighted from the carriage.
Before she could step forward, a group of officers and soldiers rushed past her.
The entire street instantly descended into chaos, with the civilians who had rushed forward now surrounded by the officers and soldiers.
"These rebels dare to infiltrate the capital and attempt to commit evil. Shoot them all, leave none alive."
The leading officer drew his sword and roared.
Shooting civilians… What was going on…
Feng Jin's eyes narrowed instantly. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she was about to step forward when Gu Beichen pulled her back.
"Why are you stopping me? There are children among those civilians; they are not rioters. As the Heir of the Prince of Zhennan, will you just stand by and watch the people die tragically, blood flowing like a river!"
Gu Beichen tightened his grip on Feng Jin's hand. "You stay in the carriage, I'll go see."
"Whose subordinates are you? You have great audacity, daring to shoot civilians under the Emperor's watchful eye. I think you are the rebels!"
Gu Beichen stood in front of the civilians, glaring coldly at the officers.
"Move aside quickly, or I'll kill you too!"
"I am Gu Beichen, the Heir of the Prince of Zhennan. Our Zhennan Prince's Manor has guarded the frontier for generations. Today, as this Heir is present, I will absolutely not allow you to act recklessly!"
"Kill!" With a command from the leading officer, the soldiers charged forward with their spears.
Gu Beichen stepped forward and engaged them in combat, blocking the soldiers with his own strength.
However, even the strongest fists cannot defeat four hands. Gu Beichen gradually fell into a disadvantage, his right arm being sliced. Blood continuously dripped down his arm.
"Kill him!"
The soldier, holding his spear, was about to thrust it into Gu Beichen's chest when a flash of cold light struck, knocking the spear from the soldier's hand. Immediately following, several more flashes of cold light descended, and the soldiers surrounding Gu Beichen all fell to the ground.
Gu Beichen followed the direction of the flashes and saw Feng Jin standing behind him, holding a crossbow.
"What are you standing there for? Kill them quickly!" Feng Jin shouted angrily, her crossbow bolts constantly flying.
The officers continued to hack at Feng Jin with their swords. Feng Jin hastily used her crossbow to block them.
As all her bolts were expended, Feng Jin's expression changed drastically. She quickly picked up a discarded sword from the ground to defend herself.
The anticipated stab of pain did not land. Feng Jin paused for half a moment before looking up. She saw Ling Mohan sitting on horseback, who had taken the officer's life with a single sword strike.
Before Feng Jin could react, Ling Mohan pulled her onto the horse.
"All soldiers, heed my command! Annihilate the rebels!"
Ling Mohan's steady voice resonated above Feng Jin's head. Feng Jin couldn't help but lift her eyelids to gaze at the man. At this moment, Ling Mohan's image in her heart had magnified countless times.
Ling Mohan reached out and covered Feng Jin's eyes. "Close your eyes, don't look."
Feng Jin nodded and quickly closed her eyes. The sounds of fighting filled her ears, and Feng Jin couldn't help but shiver.
"Don't be afraid… I am here." Ling Mohan's deep voice sounded by Feng Jin's ear. His hands covered her ears, and Feng Jin felt much more at ease.
"Clean everything up!"
Ling Mohan said with a somber, expressionless face, then rode away with Feng Jin.
Upon returning to the Ling Manor, Feng Jin's emotions finally began to calm down.
"What exactly happened? Why were those soldiers slaughtering civilians in public?"
Feng Jin's intuition told her that this matter was not as simple as it seemed.
"There was a flood in the Yingzhong region. They are all refugees who fled to the capital. Those soldiers chasing them are the rebels from Yingzhong."
"The rebels chased them all the way to the outskirts of the capital. The drought in Yingzhong must be very severe…"
"His Majesty has already issued a decree for me to go to Yingzhong to pacify the rebels and manage the disaster."
"I'll go with you!" Feng Jin said directly, without the slightest hesitation.
"No, the rebels are rampant in Yingzhong. You cannot go. An Sheng will wait for me in the capital. It will take half a month at most, and a month at most for me to return."
Not to mention the long journey to Yingzhong, the urgent military situation, and the hardship of traveling day and night, he absolutely could not let Feng Jin take the risk with him.
"I can protect myself and will absolutely not cause you any trouble. Just take me with you."
"I can indulge you in everything else, but not this."
Ling Mohan's attitude was firm, and he absolutely refused to allow Feng Jin to accompany him. "Lu Shi, keep an eye on the Young Madam."
With that, Ling Mohan leaped onto his horse and rode away.
"Ling Mohan, come back!"
Feng Jin shouted angrily at the man's retreating back.
"Young Madam, the Young General has ordered that you please return to the manor with me."
"Lu Shi, take me to the military camp."
"Young Madam, please do not make things difficult. Your subordinate is also acting under orders!" Lu Shi said with a troubled expression. Military orders are like mountains, and he truly did not dare to disobey.
"Then I will tell you, if you do not take me today, I will commit suicide immediately."
With that, Feng Jin took out a dagger and pointed it at her neck. "Even if you knock this dagger from my hand and lock me up, I will find ways to commit suicide."
"Young Madam…" Lu Shi looked distressed. How did he end up in such a predicament? It would have been more pleasant to fight on the battlefield.
"What are you babbling about? It would be better to find a horse and take me to the military camp." Feng Jin berated him angrily.
Lu Shi hesitated for half a moment. If anything happened to the Young Madam, he would not survive either. Taking the Young Madam to the military camp, and then being discovered by the Young General, would at most result in a beating. He knew which was more important.
"Young Madam, your subordinate can take you, but you must promise me that you will listen to my arrangements for everything."
"I will listen to everything you say."
"Very well, Young Madam. Your subordinate will arrange for horses now."
Lu Shi agreed and then led two horses, and they went to the military camp together.
"Young Madam, we agreed that you will stay in the tent for now and cannot go out without permission. When the Young General finds out that you and I…"