“I’ve remembered, you’ve said it more than ten times on the way,” Feng Jin rubbed her ears, feeling them going numb from Lu Shi’s nagging.
Lu Shi instantly regretted agreeing to accompany Feng Jin, realizing he’d brought a big trouble upon himself.
“Young Madam, I’ve arranged for personal guards to stand watch inside and outside the tent. You can rest assured tonight. We will depart for Yingzhong early tomorrow morning. I’ve already spoken with the general escorting the grain supply, and you will ride in the carriage with them tomorrow.”
Lu Shi had pleaded for a long time before being allowed to let Feng Jin ride in the grain escort carriage.
“I’ve noted it all. You can go and attend to your duties.”
Feng Jin agreed readily. After Lu Shi left, Feng Jin lifted the tent flap and was about to step out when she was stopped.
“General Lu Shi has ordered that you are not to leave this tent without his permission.”
“I need to relieve myself…” Feng Jin, possessing a thick skin, stated this without any hesitation.
“There is a chamber pot inside the tent. If you must go outside, we will accompany you.”
Feng Jin was dressed as a man at this moment. The soldiers were diligent in their duties, even willing to accompany her for such a basic need.
“No need. I’ll take care of it inside the tent.”
With that, Feng Jin directly closed the door. Lu Shi’s security was indeed formidable. She couldn’t leave today, so she could only try again tomorrow.
Feng Jin drooped her head, lying on the bed. She might as well sleep for a while.
…
“Reporting to the Young General, the army is fully assembled and ready to depart tomorrow.”
Ling Mohan put down the memorial in his hand and raised his eyelids, asking Lu Shi in a deep voice, “How is Feng Jin?”
“The Young Madam is currently in the manor. I have assigned a squad of personal guards to protect her.”
Lu Shi appeared calm, but inside he was panicking, terrified that Ling Mohan might see through his deception.
“Assign another squad of personal guards to keep constant watch. No incidents must occur.”
“Yes, Young General. Your subordinate accepts the order.”
After agreeing, Lu Shi hastily withdrew from the large tent.
That was close. He almost let the cat out of the bag. Lu Shi patted his chest with a look of panic.
“Oh! Were you punished again? You look so scared!”
Gu Beichen, seeing Lu Shi’s flustered expression, asked with schadenfreude.
“Greetings, Young Master Gu. Has your injury improved?”
“It’s nothing, just a minor superficial wound. Those rebel soldiers are just a rabble. If I hadn’t been concerned about the civilians and momentarily lost focus, I wouldn’t have sustained this arm injury from them.”
Gu Beichen’s hand was securely bandaged, with only a few fingers exposed.
“Your Lordship is indeed wise and valiant. Those rebels were naturally no match for you. However, I heard that our Young Madam actually saved your life. When the Young General arrived, you had already fainted.”
Exposed, Gu Beichen’s face instantly lost its composure. With an embarrassed expression, he slapped Lu Shi with his uninjured hand.
“What nonsense are you spouting? It was clearly I who bravely fought against the rebels, thus protecting Feng Jin! My fainting was due to exhaustion from battling the rebels. Furthermore, if I hadn’t delayed the rebels, Ling Mohan wouldn’t have been able to rescue all the civilians intact when he arrived. All of this is my achievement!”
Gu Beichen wished he could broadcast his deeds to everyone, praising himself at every opportunity.
“Yes… Your Lordship is wise and valiant. Next time we encounter rebels, your subordinate will definitely not intervene, allowing Young Master Gu to vanquish all the rebels by yourself.”
Lu Shi knew Gu Beichen’s capabilities well. His skills were only sufficient to deal with two or three people; once the numbers increased, he was at a disadvantage.
“Go to hell! Hurry up and scram, you’re talking too much now!”
“No need to trouble you, Young Master Gu. Your subordinate will leave now.”
Lu Shi disappeared in a flash.
…
Feng Jin changed into a soldier’s armor and, led by Lu Shi, boarded the carriage transporting the grain supply.
“I’ll leave this person in your care. Thank you.”
“General Lu Shi, rest assured. I will definitely take good care of him. You should hurry and rendezvous with the Young General.”
Feng Jin tugged at Lu Shi’s sleeve and asked softly, “Where are you going?”
“Young Madam, I must report to the Young General immediately. If you need anything, just find Old Wang.”
Lu Shi whispered into Feng Jin’s ear.
“Yes, little brother, you can rest assured. I will definitely take good care of you. Since you are General Lu Shi’s brother, you are my brother, Old Wang.”
Old Wang was a burly man with a rough appearance and a rough way of speaking.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Lu Shi…” This traitor just abandoned her here. If she ever gets the chance, she’ll have him back for this.
Feng Jin was in a temper when a hand suddenly patted her shoulder, making her shiver involuntarily.
“Little brother, you’re too thin. With your small frame, how can you fight on the battlefield? Here, take some flatbread. Eat it when you get hungry on the road.”
Old Wang took out a few slightly dry cakes from his pocket and offered them to Feng Jin.
“Thank you, Brother Wang.” Feng Jin was hungry and accepted the cakes, taking a bite. It took considerable effort to bite down; the cakes were too hard.
To shorten the march, they traveled along narrow, bumpy paths. Feng Jin, sitting in the carriage, was jolted violently, her stomach churning like a stormy sea.
“Stop… stop the carriage…”
Feng Jin shouted loudly. She really couldn’t hold on any longer. As soon as the carriage stopped, she eagerly stumbled out and crouched on the ground, vomiting.
Everything she had eaten was now coming out, and Feng Jin felt a little better in her stomach.
“Little brother, are you alright?”
“What’s wrong?” Lu Shi, who had been keeping a close watch on Feng Jin’s movements, rushed over to inquire as soon as he sensed something was amiss.
Feng Jin forced herself to stand up, a wave of dizziness washing over her. She struggled to maintain her balance and said, “I… I’m fine… just a little carsick…”
“Lu Shi, you’d better find me a horse.”
If the jolting continued, her life would surely be forfeit.
“These horses are accounted for, and I can’t just conjure one up!” Lu Shi said with difficulty.
“Then…”
“The military situation is urgent. Are you still idling here?”
Before Feng Jin could finish speaking, a familiar, angry voice rang out, startling her into quickly turning her head away.
“Greetings, Young General!”
Lu Shi, snapping back to reality, knelt on the ground in fright, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
“What’s all this commotion and panic!” Ling Mohan immediately sensed something was amiss with Lu Shi. Lu Shi had never appeared so flustered in his presence before. His gaze fell upon the figure with their back to him, feeling a sense of familiarity.
“Which battalion are you from? Why are you idling around here? Turn around!”
Feng Jin’s palms clenched into fists, covered in sweat. Her heart was pounding wildly. This was it, she had been caught red-handed. No matter, she’d just have to wing it. Could Ling Mohan possibly beat her?