PMM -25

Lian Sheng stared at the dark spot on his shoulder for a while, noticing that the wound no longer oozed blood, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. The weather in October was not cold, so she laid the quilt between them, drawing a clear line of boundaries, before rolling over to the other side of the bed.

Lian Sheng felt a bit smug, wondering if this bastard was faking it, but in any case, she had hit him and taken advantage of him. Whether it was fake or not, he had to bear the consequences. Having taken this small revenge, Lian Sheng finally felt a little less angry.

She had made up her mind. The next morning, she would persuade Yi Qiancheng to let her visit her brother. Lying in bed, she found herself wide awake, the nightmare about Yingtong finally over, leaving her feeling somewhat confused. The nightmare had ended, but her life had turned upside down. She had gone from being a girl from Yingtong to the wife of a lord in Shaji, and the world was about to change hands.

Yi Qiancheng refused to divorce her, so she still had to stay by his side. The future seemed uncertain, and for a moment, she didn’t know which direction to take.

She tossed and turned until the sky began to brighten, and then, in a drowsy haze, she finally fell asleep.

Yi Qiancheng, who had been lying beside her, opened his eyes. His gaze was unclear. So, in her eyes, he was bad-tempered, arrogant, proud, and unreasonable. He reached up and gently touched her soft cheek, and for a brief moment, his gaze softened.

It’s alright, he thought to himself. As long as you’re still by my side, I can try to change, little by little.

Lian Sheng hadn’t slept well, and the next day, she woke up later than usual. Nanny Liu, helping her get ready, hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Young lady, last night...”

Lian Sheng shook her head. “He was drunk.” Then she asked, “Granny, where is Yi Qiancheng?”

“The general left early this morning. He told us not to disturb you. And there’s something important: he asked me to inform you that tomorrow, you’ll be returning to Shaji with him. He wants you to say goodbye to your family in time.”

“Tomorrow?” Lian Sheng was surprised. Why so soon? Honestly, she preferred staying in Yingtong. In Shaji, aside from Yi Huan, who was kind, there were too many people who were hostile toward her. But in Yingtong, there were many who treated her well.

Yi Qiancheng’s decision to leave so quickly must have a reason; otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such a rush to return to Shaji, even with his injuries. Lian Sheng thought for a moment. Since Yi Qiancheng had agreed to let her go out, visiting her brother was a priority.

She skipped breakfast and went straight to see Lian Qi. Lian Qi had been unconscious all night, waking up once at dawn, but his spirit was weak, and he fell back into a deep sleep.

Lian Sheng personally went to Lian Qi’s courtyard. His personal soldiers, of course, didn’t stop her. They respectfully let her in.

Lian Sheng walked softly, her heart aching as she looked at Lian Qi on the bed, his face pale and thin. She felt a deep pang of sadness. She had lost her mother at a young age, and since then, her life had only included her brother and Nanny Liu. Though she had once longed for her father’s love, he had always favored her younger sister, Lian Sitan, and her younger brother, Lian Xi. He never looked at her with any affection.

Over time, Lian Sheng had come to understand that her brother and Nanny Liu were the only remaining family she truly had, the ones closest to her soul.

In her memories, her brother had always been gentle and omnipotent. When they were young, a group of children were learning classical texts, and he was the smartest—he could memorize them after reading them once. Later, he didn’t hire a tutor for Lian Sheng but taught her himself.

From when she was a child to when she blossomed into a young lady, he had patiently taught her, one stroke at a time. When she had a temper and didn’t want to study, he would gently tell her some interesting stories, waiting until she felt ashamed on her own before continuing.

Such a brother, who had now become so lifeless, made Lian Sheng’s eyes fill with tears, which she desperately tried to hold back.

Lian Qi seemed to sense something. His eyelids trembled before he finally opened his eyes. “A Sheng...”

“Brother, how are you? Don’t move, just lie down properly.” Lian Qi’s face was frighteningly pale, and Lian Sheng hurried to stop him from sitting up. Her brother had always taken care of her; she had never seen the strong Lian Qi in such a state.

“I’m fine. A Sheng, please pour me a glass of water.”

Lian Sheng nodded quickly and poured him a glass of water from the table, carefully feeding it to him. His voice was hoarse as he spoke. “A Sheng, listen to me. Yi Qiancheng is not a good match for you. When he was seventeen, he single-handedly killed countless Western Qiang people and fought his way to Yingtong for help. At that time, our father rejected him and even annulled the marriage alliance between the Lian and Yi families. He must hate the Lian family deeply.”

“Moreover, this man is ambitious. He certainly doesn’t just have two cities in mind; he plans to conquer the world. One day, when his true nature is revealed, the princes, and the city lords of Yuanhuai and Huan Shui, like Xian Han and Ling Jiuyao, will never let him off easily. Staying by his side is dangerous. Yi Qiancheng hates the Lian family; how could he care about your safety? Listen to your older brother, come back.”

Lian Sheng silently listened to her brother. How could she not know what he was saying? But the current situation left no room for retreat. Yi Qiancheng was unwilling to let her go, and she had made a promise to the people of Shaji, vowing her loyalty to Shaji City for life.

Aside from matters of belief, if we only look at military power, Yingtong is no match for Shaji. Since Shaji almost fell to the Western Qiang five years ago, Yi Qiancheng had devoted himself to training his troops. Lian Sheng had seen firsthand in the Lord’s Mansion that Yi Qiancheng was strict with his soldiers, but even stricter with himself.

He had invested great effort in creating an ironclad army, while Yingtong had gradually lost its fighting instincts amidst peace and prosperity. As a result, the Western Qiang almost conquered Yingtong in just over a month. Now, with Yi Qiancheng’s army stationed there, with a single order from him, Yingtong would change hands through bloodshed.

When Lian Sheng married, it was for the safety of her brother and the people of the city. How could she possibly disregard the bigger picture and return to Yingdong now?

She smiled, “Brother, don’t worry, I’m doing quite well. But you... you look much more haggard. Brother, focus on recovering, take care of yourself. The people of this city will be relying on you from now on.”

Lian Qi fell silent. The issues Lian Sheng had considered, he had certainly thought of as well. Currently, the most powerful forces were the northern ruler, Yi Qiancheng, and the southern ruler, Xiang Han. Yingdong was no longer the prosperous city it once was, and it could be easily manipulated. No one knew better than him how despairing it was to watch comrades fall one by one while fighting side by side.

Unable to suppress his feelings, Lian Qi grew resentful. Why couldn’t Yi Qiancheng leave Lian Sheng alone? The Lian family had already owed him so much, and it shouldn’t be Lian Sheng who had to bear the consequences. For the first time, he hated his own weakness and his inability to do anything about it.

...

For this trip back to Shaji, Nanny Liu insisted on accompanying Lian Sheng. Lian Sheng only had two young maids sent by Madam Sang, and Nanny Liu was genuinely concerned. Furthermore, the tension between the young lady and General Yi was still significant. As someone who had seen it all in her life, she believed that staying by the young lady’s side would allow her to offer advice at critical moments.

Lian Sheng still disagreed. If Nanny Liu stayed in Yingdong, her brother would take good care of her. She was older and deserved to enjoy a peaceful life, not suffer with her.

“There’s no need for you to say anything more, my mind is made up,” Nanny Liu said, “This is the one thing I’ve been hoping for my whole life. If you don’t want me, I’ll die.”

Lian Sheng had no choice but to relent. Eventually, she agreed to bring Nanny Liu to Shaji. She arranged for a carriage with thick cushions to make the journey more comfortable for her.

The next day, Yi Qiancheng and Lian Sheng set off for Shaji. All of the Lian family came to see them off, except for the severely injured Lian Qi.

Lian Sheng glanced at Madam Sang and Lian Sihan, finding it somewhat ironic. When she married, they hadn’t come to send her off. Now, in order to curry favor with Yi Qiancheng, they were eager to see her off.

Lian Sheng didn’t have much to say to them. Her gaze fell on the gates of Yingdong, and a sense of melancholy filled her heart. This city had witnessed her birth and changed her fate, but in the end, she did not belong here.

A soldier rode over and handed Yi Qiancheng a note.

Yi Qiancheng opened it and smiled faintly. The world was changing so quickly. The new emperor was the second prince, which indicated he was a man of skill. However, in Yi Qiancheng’s eyes, the imperial family was nothing now.

The note clearly stated that the Lord of Huan Shui had supported the new emperor’s ascension.

Huan Shui, known for its peaceful and neutral stance, had unexpectedly gone against its usual position and supported the second prince. This matter was certainly suspicious. However, Yi Qiancheng didn’t have the time to dwell on the tensions between Huan Shui and the imperial family. The immediate priority was to resolve the internal conflicts.

The morning breeze still carried a slight chill, and Yi Qiancheng turned to look at Lian Sheng. She was just pulling her gaze away from the gates of the city. When their eyes met, she looked unexpectedly calm, before drawing the curtains of the carriage. Yi Qiancheng felt an unexplainable sense of loss.

“General, it’s time to depart,” someone called to him.

Yi Qiancheng nodded. He had left a few soldiers in Yingdong and had also left his chief bodyguard, Fang Mu, behind. He figured that with Lian Qi’s courage, he wouldn’t stir up any trouble. Yesterday, Mr. Fu Yi had told him, “The only one in Yingdong with the courage and ability to challenge you is the eldest son, Lian Qi. But you needn’t worry, he cares about his wife and wouldn’t dare do anything reckless.” This was one of the reasons Yi Qiancheng had been persuaded to marry Lian Sheng.

But Yi Qiancheng, upon hearing this, didn’t feel pleased. His face remained cold, and he stayed silent for a long time.

Sounds of commotion came from behind the crowd. Lian Sheng said, “Xi Yu, go check what’s happening?”

Xi Yu nodded and got off the carriage. She quickly spotted Lian Qi. His complexion still looked bad. He was sitting in a sedan, and it seemed he was in great pain but insisted on making the journey.

He gave a small nod to Xi Yu. “Where is your lady?”

Xi Yu, nervous and unwilling to meet his gaze, hurriedly replied, “The lady is in the carriage! I’ll go ask her to come.”

Lian Sheng, upon learning that her brother had arrived, quickly disembarked. He was sitting in the sedan, his jade crown in place, with a thick blanket draped over his legs.

“Brother, what are you doing here? Is your health alright?”

“A Sheng, I came to see you off. We don’t know when we’ll meet again after today.”

Lian Sheng’s heart was filled with sorrow at the thought of parting, and she forced a smile. “I’ll take good care of myself. You too, brother. Get better soon.”

Lian Qi nodded, his eyes cold as he glanced toward Yi Qiancheng. “A Sheng, if you suffer any grievances, you must tell me.”

Lian Sheng nodded, but Lian Qi whispered, “Live well. Wait for me, wait until I become strong. Then you can leave Shaji, and leave Yi Qiancheng.”

Lian Sheng thought her brother meant for her to live happily in Shaji, and replied, “I will.”

“Lady, the general says it’s time to leave,” a soldier informed Lian Sheng. She glanced ahead at the army, where Yi Qiancheng had turned his face away.

“Brother, I’m leaving now,” she returned to the carriage, still feeling unsettled.

Lian Qi watched as Yi Qiancheng’s army slowly receded, his gaze growing colder. He would remember this moment—this was the most humiliating and powerless moment of his life. Because he was too weak, because he couldn’t prevent the fall of this city or the Lian family, he had to watch as Lian Sheng left.

But one day, he would bring her back.

Yi Qiancheng’s shoulder wound still ached faintly, but he usually didn’t pay much attention to such pain. After traveling some distance, he rode back to the rear of the caravan, where Lian Sheng’s carriage was.

When he lifted the curtain of the carriage to enter, the two maids quickly bowed. Lv Er and Xi Yu exchanged looks, and Xi Yu tugged at Lv Er’s sleeve, pulling her down from the carriage.

"Miss, we shall take our leave now." Xiyu bowed, and Lu’er, somewhat confused, followed suit. Lian Sheng was surprised that Yi Qiancheng had come into the carriage. She was still upset with him, but she knew the maids weren't suitable to stay, so she nodded and allowed them to leave.

The two maids went to the back to the carriage of Old Madam Liu, leaving Lian Sheng and Yi Qiancheng, who were both silent for a while, with an air of tension.

"My wound hurts." He suddenly spoke, explaining why he had come into the carriage.

Lian Sheng glanced at his shoulder but remained silent. She felt that in this arranged marriage, she had been too passive. It was often Yi Qiancheng who decided how things would go, and she had to follow. He still hadn’t learned to respect her, and since she had made herself clear, there was no need to indulge him any further.

"Ah-hem," Yi Qiancheng coughed lightly, sitting next to her, his voice slightly hoarse. "Ah Sheng, the Second Prince has ascended to the throne."

Lian Sheng turned her head sharply to look at him. "What did you say? The Second Prince has ascended to the throne? How could it happen so quickly?" She was genuinely shocked, even forgetting that he had subtly changed the way he addressed her.

Yi Qiancheng sighed with relief. She was indeed interested in this. He slowed his tone to explain, "The late emperor had seven sons, but before his passing, he didn’t appoint a successor or crown a prince. The late emperor favored Consort Mi and did not favor the Empress, which is why there was no direct heir to the throne. Consort Mi’s family is from Huan Shui, and the city lord is her relative. The Second Prince is her son. The throne struggle ended quickly this time, and Huan Shui played a crucial role."

Lian Sheng pondered for a moment. "Huan Shui helped the Second Prince ascend the throne? But wasn't the city lord of Huan Shui supposed to be neutral? Why would they intervene and support the Second Prince? Even though Consort Mi is related to him, it doesn’t seem likely they would change their stance so quickly."

Lian Sheng was right. Yi Qiancheng's heart sank. The fact that she knew all of this surely had something to do with Lian Qi. Thinking of Lian Qi, his gaze darkened. Lian Qi’s behavior was very abnormal. He would never discuss state affairs with Yi Huan, nor would he look at his brother-in-law with a rival's gaze.

Yi Qiancheng narrowed his eyes slightly. His intuition told him that Lian Qi was not someone easy to deal with, and he surely harbored unusual feelings for Lian Sheng.

Lian Qi was a problem he had to find a way to resolve. He looked at Lian Sheng, trying to keep any killing intent out of his eyes, and continued the conversation. "You’re right, the city lord of Huan Shui wouldn’t suddenly agree to help Consort Mi and her son unless he had something on her."

Although Lian Sheng generally understood the situation, she didn’t know much about these people. Yi Qiancheng piqued her curiosity. What kind of hold could a city lord have on a consort? It seemed like there was some significant secret behind it that could cause someone to break their principles and get involved in the power struggle.

She looked at him with a pair of curious eyes, her gaze deep as autumn water. Yi Qiancheng felt a tingle down his spine, his ears faintly reddening. In truth, Yi Qiancheng also didn’t know what the hidden secrets were, but he didn’t want to disappoint Lian Sheng. So, he told her, "I’ll investigate this matter and tell you once I find out."

He was worried that once Lian Sheng finished this topic, she might stop speaking to him again. Knowing she was still angry, he quickly explained why he had to return to Sha Ji in such a rush. "The reason I’m returning to Sha Ji is to… attack Feng Mu."

His explanation made Lian Sheng curl the corners of her lips. Was this progress? She focused and tilted her ear toward him, showing that she was paying attention.

Yi Qiancheng cleared his throat, feeling awkward as if she could see right through him. "This campaign… I don’t know when I’ll be back. I’ll make sure to…" He paused, suddenly remembering that she had once called him arrogant, and awkwardly changed his words, "Would you be willing to stay with Huan'er for a while?"

Lian Sheng nodded, the weight in her heart lightened a bit. At least this time, he was asking about her feelings.

"Ah Sheng, I’ll be leaving for the campaign soon." His eyes gleamed with an unusual intensity.

Lian Sheng didn’t understand. Hadn’t he already said that? And there was nothing she could help with, so why was he looking at her like that? Yi Qiancheng waited for a long time but didn’t get the soft, caring advice he expected. Feeling a bit frustrated, he consoled himself—well, at least she no longer looked at him with disdain.

The city of Ying Dong always seemed like a deep chasm between them, but he always found ways to bridge that gap.

...

The ascension of the Second Prince to the throne was now an established fact, but even he couldn’t explain why Huan Shui had agreed to help him. He looked at his ever-beautiful mother, unable to suppress the doubt in his heart and asked, "Mother, why did Ling Jiuyao suddenly agree to help us?"

Consort Mi gently stroked her nails, her expression cold. "This is something you don’t need to worry about. Just focus on sitting firmly on your throne. The throne may seem glamorous, but only those who have sat on it know how difficult it is. In the north, there’s Yi Qiancheng, and in the south, there’s Xiang Han. Both are watching and waiting. Ling Jiuyao will only help us this once. For the future, you’ll have to rely on yourself."

The Second Prince Liang Zhen’s eyes flashed. "Mother, I know a lone hand is hard to play, but with support, it’s different. Once I ascend to the throne, I can use marriage alliances to strengthen our power."

"Marriage alliance? Which city? Ling Jiuyao has no daughters, and the girls from Feng Mu aren’t of the right age. Are you planning to marry someone from Ying Dong?"

Liang Zhen remembered the girl he had seen a year ago, and his eyes darkened. She was truly stunning, unforgettable at first sight. He had once tried to pursue her but failed, and now he had thought about her for an entire year. Looking at the women in the palace, he had no appetite for them. When it came to looks, figure, and interesting temperament, who could compare to Lian Sheng? This time, he would definitely make her his.

Consort Mi saw that he didn’t deny it and frowned. "Zhen'er, do you know the situation in Ying Dong? Two months ago, the Western Qiang besieged the city, and the news said it was Yi Qiancheng who broke the siege. I heard he married the girl from Ying Dong, which shows that Ying Dong has already had rebellious thoughts. Now, they are under Yi Qiancheng’s influence. How could they possibly marry their daughter to us?"

Liang Zhen smiled. "The city lord of Ying Dong doesn’t necessarily want to submit to Yi Qiancheng. If we offer him a chance for ‘redemption,’ to free himself from Yi Qiancheng’s control, do you think he would refuse, Mother?"

He remembered that the Lord of Lian had two daughters, and that it was impossible for Yi Qiancheng to be willing to suffer a loss and marry Lian Sheng. After all, it was Lian Si Tian who had been engaged to him. This was a perfect opportunity; if the Lord of Lian wanted to free himself from Yi Qiancheng’s control, he could only send Lian Sheng to the imperial city.

The beauty he had long been thinking about was finally within his grasp.

"Come, bring me the writing materials," Liang Zhen waved his hand. He would personally write a letter to the Lord of Lian, not believing that the Lord wouldn't be moved.

When this confidential letter arrived, the Lord of Lian was filled with mixed emotions, including a sense of unspoken regret. The day the second prince would ascend the throne was only a few days away, and in this letter, the second prince expressed his apologies for not being able to offer immediate assistance, while also telling him that he could "atone for his sins."

For a moment, the Lord of Lian was tempted. The second prince clearly stated in the letter that he would help him no longer be suppressed by Yi Qiancheng, and promised that once he ascended the throne, his daughter would become the empress!

Everything sounded good, except for two words in the letter — "Lian Sheng."

The second prince wanted Lian Sheng! But where could he possibly send Lian Sheng to the imperial city now? The Lord of Lian deeply regretted it. It was already too late, and with a sigh, he burned the letter, deciding not to think about it anymore.

When Lian Si Tian entered the room to pay her respects, she smelled the burnt scent and frowned. "Father, what are you burning? It smells strange."

The Lord of Lian thought for a moment. Lian Si Tian was almost sixteen, and though her temper was somewhat arrogant, she was smarter than his younger son, Lian Xi Yue. He felt it wouldn't hurt to tell her about this matter.

After hearing it, Lian Si Tian was initially surprised, but then her heart began to beat uncontrollably. The second prince wanted to marry into the Lian family to deal with Yi Qiancheng?

Lian Si Tian remembered the humiliation she had suffered when Yi Qiancheng came to Shaji, and the hatred in her heart grew uncontrollably. Just because she married a powerful husband, Lian Sheng could treat her and Lian Xi Yue that way. And because Yi Qiancheng was around, she could only endure it, putting on a fake smile to send them off. Thinking about it made her boil with anger. She had never suffered such humiliation in her life!

Now, a great opportunity lay before her—if she were the one to marry the second prince, her status would be much higher than Lian Sheng's. Moreover, Ying Dong could easily break the marriage contract and no longer be under Yi Qiancheng’s control. It would be a double win.

Once she became the empress, Lian Sheng would be at her mercy. A year ago, she had seen the second prince, and he was handsome, noble, and seemed gentle and cultured—he was a perfect match, much better than the bloodthirsty Yi Qiancheng.

Lian Si Tian nearly laughed. "Father, the Lian family has more than just Lian Sheng as a daughter. The second prince merely mentioned it in passing. Since he wants to marry into our family, it must be for the greater cause. I am your legitimate daughter, and my status is much higher than Lian Sheng’s. I am willing to marry him."

The Lord of Lian had entertained similar thoughts, but he thought further than Lian Si Tian. A year ago, when the second prince visited Ying Dong for an inspection, he appeared kind and in a good mood. But how could someone who had ascended the throne with such a ruthless approach be pure and innocent? Lian Si Tian was still his daughter, and he didn’t want her to suffer after marrying him.

"Si Tian, we don't know the second prince's character. He clearly expressed his wish to marry Sheng'er, which means he has some impression of her. I fear he may not treat you well if you marry him."

Lian Si Tian knew her father wouldn't easily agree, but this matter was something she had set her heart on. "A daughter must marry someday. Rather than marry those uncouth men, why not marry the second prince? Father, you wouldn’t want to remain under Yi Qiancheng's control forever, would you? He hates the Lian family, and who knows when he might harm us? Only the second prince can help us. If I marry him, you’ll regain your power as the lord of the city."

Seeing that her father was already moved, Lian Si Tian’s face lit up with joy. She quickly added, "Right now, you have to ask the generals left behind by Yi Qiancheng for approval, but you are still the lord of the city. Why should we endure this shame?"

"Alright, it's settled. I'll discuss it with your mother."

The only obstacle now was General Fang Mu, who remained in Ying Dong. He was Yi Qiancheng’s subordinate, and if he sensed anything, Yi Qiancheng’s people would certainly not let it go easily.

A ruthless glint flashed in the Lord of Lian’s eyes. If that’s the case, no one—Fang Mu or any other person in Shaji—would be left alive.

Soon, Lian Sheng and Yi Qiancheng returned to Shaji, and Yi Huan came to meet them.

When Lian Sheng got out of the carriage, she noticed that Yi Huan looked pale, as though sick. Fu Chengyu leisurely held an umbrella, perfectly shielding Yi Huan. Lian Sheng's suspicions were confirmed: Fu Chengyu and Yi Huan had a close relationship, and Fu Chengyu must like Yi Huan. It was just unclear how Yi Huan felt about him.

"Huann'er, are you sick?"

Yi Huan was a little surprised. She hadn’t expected Lian Sheng to notice so quickly and ask with concern. She smiled at Lian Sheng. "Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I’m fine, just an old illness. The weather has turned colder, but I’ll be fine once winter passes."

Yi Qiancheng, overhearing their conversation, frowned and turned to look back. "Has Huan'er’s illness flared up again?"

Lian Sheng didn’t know, but Yi Qiancheng did. He knew that his sister had trouble in the winter, but it wouldn’t be this bad by late October. Yi Huan’s illness could likely have been triggered by an emotional shock. She had a heart condition, something she was born with. As she grew older, she was able to control her emotions well, but this time, her condition had flared up. How could she get sick while staying in the Lord’s residence?

Yi Qiancheng’s gaze fell on Fu Chengyu, who had his head lowered, his emotions unreadable. Yet his posture and the way he held the umbrella firmly spoke of his subdued mood.

Yi Qiancheng said, "Let’s head back to the residence."

The group returned to the residence, and Yi Qiancheng ordered someone to call a doctor for Yi Huan. He then turned to Fu Chengyu with a stern tone. "Come with me."

Mr. Fu Yi hurriedly asked, "General, has something happened?"

Yi Qiancheng paused his steps. Even though he harbored distrust and dissatisfaction towards Fu Chengyu, Mr. Fu Yi had worked hard and made great contributions. He could never forget his kindness, nor could he show any disrespect toward him. Between him and Fu Chengyu, Fu Yi had become a balancing bridge. As long as Fu Yi remained, Yi Qiancheng and Fu Chengyu would not turn hostile.

Yi Qiancheng softened his tone, "Mr. Fu, please come along." He would deal with Huáng'ér's situation later; seeing Fu Chengyu's expression, which was not much better than Huáng'ér's, made Yi Qiancheng feel a bit better. Anyway, the attack on Fengmu was approaching, and when the time came, there would be plenty of ways to secretly deal with Fu Chengyu.

Mr. Fu Yi and Fu Chengyu followed Yi Qiancheng into the study to discuss the attack on Fengmu. Lian Sheng accompanied Huáng'ér and noticed her pale lips. Lian Sheng couldn't help but feel worried. Huáng'ér was a very good girl, and Lian Sheng didn’t want anything bad to happen to her.

However, Huáng'ér wasn't particularly concerned. She turned her head with a faint smile and said, "Sister-in-law, how are you and Brother Yi doing?"

Lian Sheng bit her lip. Yi Qiancheng had followed her around in the carriage for several days, and it was hard for her to stay angry for too long. But it was also hard to go back to being the sweet Lian Sheng from before. The current atmosphere between them felt strange, but it was not something she could discuss with Huáng'ér. Huáng'ér's health was fragile, and she shouldn't worry about this.

"Things are fine. Don't worry, Huáng'ér." Lian Sheng thought for a moment and then said to Nanny Liu, "Granny, I remember my elder brother gave me a warm jade. Where did I put it? Could you bring it to me?"

Nanny Liu replied with a sound and carefully retrieved the warm jade from a jewelry box. This jade was a birthday gift from the eldest son to the young miss, and she had treasured it greatly.

Lian Sheng took it and handed it to Huáng'ér. "Huáng'ér, take this. It doesn't have much effect, but it’s warm to the touch and might make you feel a bit better."

"This is too precious, I can't accept it. Sister-in-law, please keep it for yourself."

Lian Sheng pretended to scold her, "What good does it do me? It's better for you. Besides, I haven't given you a gift when we met, so take this as a gift from me."

Huáng'ér didn’t decline further and gently thanked her. Not long after, a doctor arrived and took Huáng'ér’s pulse, offering some advice. In short, the doctor advised Huáng'ér to manage her emotions well. Huáng'ér nodded and softly acknowledged.

After they parted ways, Nanny Liu busied herself with organizing Lian Sheng’s luggage. Lian Sheng quickly stopped her, "Granny, you've had a long journey. Please rest well. I’ll leave everything here to Xiyu and Lü'er."

Xiyu and Lü'er nodded repeatedly. Nanny Liu smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling with wrinkles. "The old servant understands, but there is something I need to tell the young miss. I hope you won't mind the old servant being a bit long-winded."

Lian Sheng helped her sit down, signaling Xiyu and Lü'er to leave. She then asked, "What is it, Granny?"

"Miss, I wanted to speak to you about this when we were in Yingdong. At the time, I saw that you were worried about the eldest son and that the general was away at war, so I didn’t bring it up. But now that we’re here in Shaji, I have to mention it. You’ve married the general and are the lady of this city. You are only sixteen, and you will spend the rest of your life with the general. You've been married for nearly two months, but you still haven’t consummated the marriage. Not to mention how the servants in the castle view you, but this situation cannot continue."

Lian Sheng didn’t expect Nanny Liu to bring up this matter. She wasn’t unaware of everything Nanny Liu said. However, first, there was the enmity from five years ago between Yi Qiancheng and herself, and now, with the change of power in Yingdong, the distance between them was difficult to bridge. Even without these reasons, it was still hard for her to emotionally accept the idea of being a wife to him. Moreover, Yi Qiancheng had clearly stated that he would not touch her. She couldn’t exactly go and beg him to sleep in her room, could she?

"I understand, Granny, don't worry. You know the situation. The general doesn’t like me, and this matter cannot be forced. I’ll let fate decide."

Nanny Liu sighed. This matter indeed couldn't be forced. She was puzzled, though. From what she could observe, the general didn’t seem to dislike the young miss. Besides, the young miss was a great beauty, and yet, she slept beside the general, yet he could remain unmoved. Could it be... that the general had some physical ailment?

Nanny Liu was startled by this thought, and the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. But she couldn’t tell the young miss about her suspicions. Nanny Liu made a secret decision to have the kitchen prepare some medicinal food for the general to replenish his health. If the general was normal, there wouldn’t be any change. If not... then she would make plans later.

Lian Sheng managed to send Nanny Liu away. The two maids came in to tidy the room.

After a while, a maid came to ask Lian Sheng to join the family for dinner in the main hall. Lian Sheng was puzzled, as this hadn’t happened before. Yi Qiancheng had always been indifferent and left her to do as she pleased. She figured it must be because Huáng'ér had returned, and Yi Qiancheng didn’t want her to worry, so he was creating a false impression of a harmonious family.

Lian Sheng changed into another set of clothes and, with her maids, headed for the main hall. Yi Qiancheng and Huáng'ér were already there, along with Fu Chengyu and Mr. Fu Yi.

The only empty seat was next to Yi Qiancheng. Lian Sheng felt a bit gloomy but kept her expression neutral as she sat down. Huáng'ér smiled at her, and Lian Sheng relaxed a bit, returning a smile.

The meal was eaten in silence. Even Fu Chengyu, who usually loved to stir up trouble, remained silent.

The one in the best mood among the group was Mr. Fu Yi, whose joy was written all over his face. Lian Sheng felt confused, not sure what was going on. She remembered that Yi Qiancheng had mentioned earlier that he would soon lead an attack on Fengmu, and this made her feel somewhat reassured. It seemed more like a farewell dinner.

Yi Qiancheng’s expression remained neutral, while Fu Chengyu’s face showed a trace of discontent. When the meal finally ended, Yi Qiancheng spoke, "Thank you for your hard work, Military Advisor. I will send Song Yuan to escort you. Take care on the journey."

Mr. Fu Yi quickly stood and cupped his fists, saying, "General, you overestimate me. This is Fu Yi’s duty. Rest assured, both Chengyu and I will do our utmost to assist you in achieving your great cause."

Fu Chengyu’s expression showed a slight, barely noticeable trace of sarcasm, but he didn’t voice any objections. His gaze fell on Huáng'ér, who looked up, meeting his eyes briefly before lowering her gaze.

Lian Sheng couldn’t understand this cryptic situation. After Fu Chengyu and Mr. Fu Yi left, she stood up and returned to her room.

The night was not completely dark yet. The deep blue sky looked like a painting brushed with ink. The air in October was cool. Lian Sheng took a deep breath, and her dizzying head finally cleared up a little.

The moonlight stretched the shadow of the person behind her, casting it diagonally at her feet. Lian Sheng suddenly turned around and saw Yi Qiancheng.

“...What’s he following me for?”

Seeing the confused look in Lian Sheng's eyes, Yi Qiancheng paused for a moment, but remained silent. Lian Sheng felt even more puzzled and asked him, “Husband, it’s so late, aren’t you going back to your room to rest?”

Yi Qiancheng: "..." How could he tell her that he was going to sleep with her? Yi Qiancheng cursed inwardly but still maintained his indifferent expression.

“Of course, I’m going back to my room.” He glanced at her but didn’t move.

“Your room is over there,” Lian Sheng said with a puzzled look, pointing toward the direction behind him.

Yi Qiancheng felt his face burn with embarrassment. However, he couldn’t back down now. Soon, he would be setting off for battle, and conquering Fengmu wouldn’t be easy. It might take several months or even a year or two. He couldn’t take Lian Sheng with him, and they wouldn’t have much time left together.

It had been almost two months since their marriage, and they still hadn’t consummated it. Yi Qiancheng thought back to what he had sarcastically said to Lian Sheng two months ago: “What are you? You’re not even worthy to warm my bed.” He wanted to strangle himself for saying such things! How could he have said that? Now, it would be impossible to retract and say, “I regret it.”

And now, Lian Sheng innocently looked at him and told him he was going the wrong way.

Yi Qiancheng kept his tone unchanged and said, “That’s not my original room. Since my injury has healed, I naturally need to return.”

“...” This injury is so strange, it can relapse at will and heal just as easily. Lian Sheng coldly sneered to herself, guessing Yi Qiancheng's thoughts. She didn't hesitate to assume the worst of him. Before Yi Qiancheng set off for war, he likely wasn’t at ease with Yongdong, fearing that things might go wrong there, so he wanted to put on a show of harmony with her for appearances.

She didn’t want to serve this arrogant man, so she clearly told him, “Husband, that’s now my room.”

Yi Qiancheng stepped forward a few steps and lowered his head to look at her. He lowered his voice, speaking softly in her ear, “I don’t want Ring’er to worry. Her health is poor.”

The warm breath against her ear made Lian Sheng instinctively take a step back. His presence completely enveloped her, and she felt a sense of oppression. This excuse… yes, and there’s also Yi Ring. Ring’er’s health was getting worse, and she couldn’t be overstimulated. She was a well-behaved and kind-hearted girl, only wishing for family harmony.

Lian Sheng thought of the worried expression on Nanny Liu’s face. The elderly woman had traveled thousands of miles with her, concerned that she might not be loved and might be left unsupported in the future.

If Yi Qiancheng’s return could put Nanny Liu and Yi Ring’s minds at ease, it would be worth it. She and Yi Qiancheng both had their own agendas. They didn’t need to actually do anything, just put on a show of marital affection to satisfy them both.

Lian Sheng nodded, agreeing to let Yi Qiancheng move back in.

Yi Qiancheng couldn’t help but smile, his voice slightly hoarse. “Mm, let’s go back then.”

Lian Sheng watched the broad back of the man, thinking that if they were going to live under the same roof, it would be better to set some ground rules to avoid any complications.

Yi Qiancheng felt ecstatic in his heart. He happily thought that sharing the same bed meant something would happen sooner or later.