Lu Shi's voice sounded above Cai Qing's head, like a ray of light piercing through the desperation.
Cai Qing looked up along the sound, and for a moment, she felt that Lu Shi's image seemed to have grown much taller.
"This..." Cai Qing was a little hesitant. The two of them were riding the same horse. If they were seen, wouldn't it spread like wildfire, and Lu Shi would also be gossiped about?
"There are many wild beasts in the forest. We must catch up before dark. It would be bad if we lost them."
These were not just Lu Shi deliberately scaring Cai Qing. Ever since they entered the forest, he had found many animal tracks. They had to pass through the forest before dark to be the safest.
Now that they had fallen behind, they had to hurry up. If they were any slower and were stopped by wild beasts alone, they would truly not be able to get out.
"Really?" Cai Qing's tone was mixed with doubt.
After all, she had not seen any wild beasts with her own eyes, so it was understandable that she did not believe him.
Lu Shi nodded solemnly. "Time is short. Let's leave here first."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Shi directly mounted his horse and extended his hand to Cai Qing, wanting to pull her up.
Cai Qing looked at the hand Lu Shi extended, moved the hand hidden in her sleeve, and then retracted it.
"There's no time, hurry."
Her heart sank. Cai Qing gritted her teeth, handed her hand to Lu Shi, and let Lu Shi pull her onto the horse.
"Hold on tight," Lu Shi said in a deep voice. Before Cai Qing could respond, the horse beneath him galloped away.
Cai Qing was so scared that she gripped the saddle tightly. This was her first time riding a horse, and she had to encounter such a thing. "Lu Shi, I... I... I'm scared."
Lu Shi felt that Cai Qing was not right, so he slowed down. "I'm sorry, it was my oversight. If you're scared, just close your eyes."
"Okay." Cai Qing responded blankly and quickly closed her eyes. It was somewhat useful. At least if she couldn't see, her fear would be reduced a lot.
...
"Madam, Cai Qing hasn't returned yet. Should we send someone to look for her?"
When they stopped to rest after passing through the forest, Granny Zhang searched around but couldn't find Cai Qing's figure. She was faintly worried and asked Feng Jin.
"It's alright. With Lu Shi there, nothing will happen."
Feng Jin bit the biscuit in her hand with great effort. She had seen Cai Qing fall into Lu Shi's arms with her own eyes, and then she had asked the coachman to speed up, all to shake them off.
After all, the fastest way to heat up a relationship was to be alone together. Otherwise, if they always stayed with so many people, even if there were things to say, they would be embarrassed to speak them, right?
This was a good opportunity for the two of them to interact properly, preferably to open their hearts and confide in each other. Perhaps after returning to the capital, they could directly hold a wedding.
Just as Feng Jin was lost in thought, a layer of grayness suddenly covered the top of her head, blocking all the sunlight.
Feng Jin impatiently opened her mouth to speak, but upon seeing who it was, her expression instantly changed from impatience to a joyous smile. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Why did you come over?" Feng Jin looked at Ling Mohan with a fawning smile.
"Where did you send Lu Shi?"
He had searched everywhere but couldn't find Lu Shi, so he guessed that this matter was related to Feng Jin.
"Lu Shi... Lu Shi went on a date with Cai Qing. They'll catch up soon."
"This is really fooling around. There are wild beasts in that forest." Ling Mohan looked at Feng Jin speechlessly.
"I know!" Feng Jin nodded in agreement and then continued, "I sprinkled poison powder on Cai Qing, so wild beasts can't get close to them. Don't worry. By the time, these two should be back."
As Feng Jin's words fell, the neighing of horses came from a distance. It was Lu Shi bringing Cai Qing back.
"Cai Qing!" Feng Jin suddenly shouted loudly, pretending to be oblivious. She walked forward with a slightly panicked pace.
"What's wrong? Why is Cai Qing with you?"
Ling Mohan quietly admired Feng Jin's performance from behind. If he hadn't known beforehand that these were all Feng Jin's plans, he would have truly believed that Feng Jin's performance was real.
"Madam, I accidentally fell off the carriage. It was Lu Shi... Lu Shi who saved me and brought me back."
Cai Qing quickly explained, worried that she would implicate Lu Shi in punishment because of this.
"It's fine as long as the person is back safely. Lu Shi neglected his duties. He will receive ten military strokes himself when we return to the capital."
Ling Mohan said coldly, interrupting their conversation.
"Your subordinate obeys!" Lu Shi clasped his hands in salute.
"Young General..." Cai Qing was about to intercede for Lu Shi, but Ling Mohan had already walked away. Her heart was suddenly filled with anxiety. It was all because of her that Lu Shi was punished.
"Let's go back to the carriage and rest for a while." Feng Jin took Cai Qing's hand and walked towards the carriage. She felt as if she was breaking up a young couple, and a sense of guilt suddenly surged within her.
Cai Qing sat in the carriage, feeling dejected, her heart filled with self-blame for implicating Lu Shi in punishment.
"Ten military strokes are nothing to Lu Shi. Don't worry."
"Madam, can you plead with the Young General to exempt Lu Shi from punishment? He was punished only because he saved me."
Feng Jin patted Cai Qing's shoulder. "Regardless of the reason, Lu Shi's unauthorized departure was wrong. If he is not punished today to serve as a warning, more people will follow suit in the future..."
Cai Qing lowered her head dejectedly. Although she understood, she was still full of self-reproach.
"Take this bottle of wound medicine back and give it to Lu Shi. Applying it to his wound for a day will make it heal."
"Thank you, Madam." Cai Qing took the medicine bottle with some excitement, unable to hide the joy on her face, and her guilt lessened a little.
Feng Jin sighed helplessly. She was truly a dedicated matchmaker, working hard, spending money, and giving things. It was really not easy!
"I see you care a lot about Lu Shi. How about we hold your wedding after we return to the capital?"
"Ah..." Cai Qing exclaimed in surprise and quickly waved her hands in refusal. "Madam... This... This won't do. This servant... This servant doesn't want to get married yet. I want to continue serving Madam and the two young masters."
"Silly girl, when girls grow up, don't they get married? I don't want to keep you by my side until you become an old maid, and then you'll resent me for not letting you get married."
"Madam, this servant really doesn't want to get married. Please let this servant stay by your side to serve you."
Cai Qing suddenly panicked and said quickly.
"Alright, alright, look at you, your eyes are about to cry from fright. Anyone who didn't know would really think I was bullying you."