The war was fierce, and there were some matters within the military camp that required Ling Mohan to handle, so after staying for only a short while, he hurried back to the barracks.
Feng Jin stood under the eaves for a long time, gazing foolishly at the doorway. Ling Mohan had left a long time ago, and all she could see was the closed door.
“Young Madam, the wind is biting cold; you should return to your room. Even if you don't think of yourself, you must think of the child in your belly. You can't let him suffer with you.”
Cai Qing could not bear to see Feng Jin like this and spoke to persuade her.
“Let’s go back,” Feng Jin sighed softly. No matter how worried she was, it was futile.
Feng Jin tossed and turned all night, her thoughts drifting, constantly wondering about Ling Mohan’s situation.
It wasn’t until dawn began to break that Feng Jin heard a loud bang, causing the vase on the desk to shake a few times. Only an explosion could cause such a great commotion.
Could it be that explosives were used in this battle? Feng Jin couldn’t help but clench her skirt and get up to go outside.
She saw Ling Muzhu and Cai Qing squatting by the doorway, their ears pressed against the door, listening to the sounds outside.
“What exactly is going on?” Feng Jin inquired.
“Young Madam, there was a sudden loud noise, and the streets outside are filled with panicked citizens running chaotically.”
Feng Jin walked to the doorway. The noise outside was even more piercing. “What’s going on with the citizens outside? Why are they so panicked? Could it be that the rebels have attacked?”
“I’ve just inquired. Our soldiers’ morale is high, and they are breaking through the rebel ranks, defeating them consecutively. It’s a dream for them to attack Yingzhong Commandery.”
Ling Muzhu spoke with pride, as if he were the one who had defeated the enemy.
Outside, Ling Mohan was in command, along with a hundred thousand soldiers. What could the rebels’ petty tricks do against Ling Mohan? If it weren’t for the shortage of troops and supplies in the city these days, how could those rabble have been making trouble for so long?
“The panic of the citizens outside is causing unrest throughout Yingzhong Commandery, making it easy for spies who have infiltrated Yingzhong Commandery to take advantage of the chaos and disrupt the army’s morale.”
Feng Jin’s tone carried a hint of worry. She had to find a way to stop it. “Ling Muzhu, go out and tell everyone that our army has defeated the rebels and can wipe them out completely. Tell them not to panic.”
“I… I’ll go?”
The citizens outside were all fearful for their lives, and their actions driven by the desire to survive were immeasurable. If he went out to persuade them now, and if he was unlucky, he would be trampled into mincemeat.
“You are the only man here, who else can go?”
Feng Jin looked as if it were a matter of course. She opened the door, and before Ling Muzhu could react, she pushed him out. Then, she firmly closed the door, regardless of Ling Muzhu’s heart-wrenching cries outside.
“Young Madam, are you really not letting Young Master Ling in?”
The voice sounded rather pitiful, and Cai Qing shivered. Feeling a pang of sympathy, she pleaded with Ling Mohan.
“What are you afraid of? It’s not a flood or a ferocious beast.” Feng Jin’s eyes were filled with disdain. Why should he be so scared? She couldn’t help but shout loudly to Ling Muzhu outside, “Quickly tell the citizens, and urge them to return to their homes immediately. Don’t run around on the street like headless flies.”
After saying this, Feng Jin felt her throat was very dry, so she took Cai Qing back into the house for some tea.
Feng Jin sat in the corridor, sipping tea and eating pastries. Only when there was no longer any noise outside did she let Cai Qing open the door to check on Ling Muzhu.
As soon as Cai Qing opened the door, she suddenly screamed and instinctively closed the door tightly. The look of panic on her face did not subside for a long time.
“What happened? What’s outside?”
“Young… Young Madam… I just saw someone outside, with disheveled hair, standing there like a ghost. It was terrifying!”
Cai Qing’s words made Feng Jin shiver. It was broad daylight; could she have encountered a ghost? Mustering her courage, she walked towards the door to investigate.
“Young Madam, you… you slow down!”
Startled, Cai Qing was still in shock and tremblingly followed behind Feng Jin.
As Feng Jin’s hand reached the door handle, ready to open it, a roar suddenly came.
“What are you standing there for? Open the door and let this young master in!”
Ling Muzhu’s voice came through the thick door panel, perfectly clear.
The two exchanged glances, and after realizing what was happening, they quickly opened the door.
Cai Qing looked carefully before realizing that it was indeed Ling Muzhu who had scared her out of her wits just moments ago. However, in such a short time, how had he become like this?
“Haha…” Feng Jin couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Did someone rob you? Anyone who saw you would think you were a refugee.”
No, even refugees probably weren’t as miserable as Ling Muzhu at this moment.
“I’m like this, and you’re still laughing at me. Do you have any sympathy at all?”
If it weren’t for Feng Jin, he wouldn’t have ended up looking like this. Those citizens were more frantic than each other, completely ignoring his words. When they saw the valuables on him, they wished they could snatch them all away. If he hadn’t had some martial arts skills, he wouldn’t even have this piece of clothing left.
Fortunately, the soldiers came to suppress them, which allowed him to escape their clutches and be preserved.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself for a moment… hic…”
Although Feng Jin said she was sorry, the smile on her lips never faded. It wasn’t that she was doing it on purpose, but Ling Muzhu’s current appearance was truly hilarious, and she really couldn’t help it!
“Stop laughing!” Ling Muzhu gritted his teeth and uttered these words, glaring at Feng Jin, then turned and walked into the inner room. He really couldn’t bear to look at himself like this.
His body smelled of foul sweat, and his clothes were in disarray. He truly couldn’t stand it.
“Greetings, Young Madam.” Lu Shi entered, looking dusty and weary.
Feng Jin, with her sharp sense of smell, immediately detected the smell of blood on Lu Shi. It seemed he had just come from the battlefield.
“How was the battle?”
“This battle was a complete victory. The Young General is leading the troops in pursuit of the person behind the scenes. He specifically sent me to report your safety, Young Madam, so please do not worry.”
“Hurry back and pursue the rebels. I am safe here.”
Feng Jin couldn’t bear to waste any more of Lu Shi’s time and quickly told him to leave. Only by completely uprooting the rebel forces would this war finally end.
“Yes, Young Madam. I take my leave.”
Cai Qing watched Lu Shi’s retreating back, a look of reluctance in her eyes.
“Alright, stop looking. He’s already far away.”
“No, it’s just that the door wasn’t closed,” Cai Qing fumbled for an excuse and took a step to close the door.
Feng Jin smiled faintly. She knew that this young girl’s feelings were hard to hide.