PMM - 30

Last night, Yi Qiancheng had his fill, but today the consequences arrived. Since she woke up, Lian Sheng had not said a single word to him, keeping a stiff face and not even looking at him.

He knew he had gone too far last night, but at that moment, it was impossible to stop. Reflecting on that intoxicating feeling, Yi Qiancheng didn’t regret it at all. Now, he just had to figure out how to make it up to her.

Lian Sheng was both angry and embarrassed! When the nanny and maidservants came to help her get up and wash, her face was completely red. The pile of things on the bed was clearly visible, and anyone could tell that nothing good had happened last night.

Nanny Liu had not slept well the previous night. After the general ordered them all to leave, she had been feeling uneasy, wondering what had gone wrong and why the general had been so angry. She was worried about Lian Sheng being left alone with him, not knowing what he might do.

The next day, Nanny Liu came early to help Lian Sheng get ready and was greeted by the strange scene — Lian Sheng was frowning, her face flushed, as if she was trying to hold her breath. The general’s expression was odd, seeming both satisfied and embarrassed. The general had usually gone to practice swordsmanship by now, but today he had woken up late and kept glancing at Lian Sheng.

When Nanny Liu was tidying up the bedding, she saw the messy pile... She had been through this herself, so she knew exactly what it was. Suppressing her surprise, she changed the sheets and blankets and instructed Lu’er to take them out to the servants for washing.

She quietly pulled Lian Sheng aside and softly said, “Miss, last night the general….”

This time, Lian Sheng was truly embarrassed and angry. She scolded, “Grandmother, stop talking!”

Grandmother Liu softly comforted her, “This time it’s my fault. I apologize, miss. Did the general hurt you?”

Though they were speaking in low voices, with Yi Qiancheng’s sharp hearing, it was hard for him not to hear. He knew that Ah Sheng was embarrassed. At this moment, he cleared his throat, thinking he was helping her out, and said, “Grandmother Liu, please go see to the lady’s breakfast.”

Grandmother Liu had no choice but to acknowledge it, curtsied, and went to prepare the breakfast for the miss.

Yi Qiancheng walked over. Lian Sheng had already finished her grooming and was sitting at the vanity. He reached out and patted her head. “Still angry, hmm?”

Lian Sheng slapped his hand away, but to her surprise, Yi Qiancheng grabbed it and crouched down to look at her. “Ah Sheng, don’t stay angry. How about I let you hit me a few times to vent your anger?”

He was rarely so humble, and Lian Sheng wasn’t a petty person. Even when angry, she would usually try to hold back. However, recalling what happened last night, she wanted nothing more than to strangle this bastard. She had clearly been in a vulnerable situation, and he still disregarded her pleas and did that to her.

Lian Sheng bit her lip and glared at him with her watery eyes.

What impact could her glare have? Yi Qiancheng felt like his heart was melting, thinking how innocent and cute she looked. But he didn’t dare to laugh, fearing it would make her angrier. He put on a serious face. “If you’re still angry, you can hit me to vent. Just don’t keep it bottled up.”

“Who wants to hit you? My hands hurt!”

He held her little hands in his, a warm smile spreading across his eyes. He followed her words, “It’s my fault. I didn’t think things through. Are your hands still sore? Let me massage them for you.”

“Yi Qiancheng!” Her face flushed even more. He was definitely doing this on purpose!

Yi Qiancheng had figured out this little liar’s tricks. She dared say anything, but once it came to action, she became shy, like a completely different person. He couldn’t help but want to tease her, yet he also felt pity for her.

He lowered his head, trying not to let the tenderness in his eyes show, and gently massaged her hands. Lian Sheng could sense his tenderness, and despite feeling embarrassed and awkward, a warmth uncontrollably blossomed in her. When he wasn’t being foolish, he was actually quite nice.

She looked at him, seeing how seriously he was treating her, and softly said, “You... you can’t do that again.”

Yi Qiancheng, who now did everything to please her, firmly nodded, “Mhm!” Only he knew this was just a lie to soothe her. He was saying this to make her happy, but how could he stop touching her? Lian Sheng didn’t think about that—wasn’t it him who had gone back on his promise, throwing everything out the window when he couldn’t hold himself back?

She saw Yi Qiancheng agree and felt a little more at ease. Her complaints eased a bit. She was afraid that if this kept happening, he would tire her out.

Grandmother Liu instructed someone to prepare breakfast and invited the general and the miss to the table. Yi Qiancheng stood up, still holding Lian Sheng’s hand, and led her to the table to have breakfast together.

Seeing their atmosphere inexplicably soften, Grandmother Liu, though unsure of what had happened, quietly sighed in relief. Xi Yu and Lv’er, standing nearby, also felt happy. They couldn’t help but feel delighted. Now that the general was treating the miss this well, her hard days were finally over.

Yi Qiancheng accompanied her through breakfast, feeling warm and at peace. It had been many years since he felt this way. Ever since his father’s death in battle and his mother’s suicide, the places he spent the most time in were the study and the barracks. Now, seeing her eat slowly, his gaze softened.

Before they could finish breakfast, an urgent report came in, saying someone wanted to see Yi Qiancheng. Lian Sheng looked up at him. Yi Qiancheng reassured her, “Don’t worry, eat your meal. I’ll be right back.”

Lian Sheng nodded, and Yi Qiancheng left. The scout who came to report bowed and whispered, “General, the strategist told me to inform you that two days ago, in Fengmu, we discovered one of Xiang Han’s ministers. His eyes were gouged out and his ears cut off, and he was thrown on the streets of Fengmu. There’s also a major incident: Fengmu’s city lord, Yan Long, has passed away.”

Yi Qiancheng’s previous warmth vanished as he raised an eyebrow and looked sharp. After a moment of thought, he asked, “Yan Long has passed away? Did the strategist mention the name of the minister on the street?”

The scout shook his head. “The strategist said that he was the minister Xiang Han originally sent to monitor news from Fengmu. After the strategist discovered him, he intended to bring him back for questioning, but the minister appeared in a terrifying state, causing a huge commotion. The two young masters of Fengmu must have heard the news. The strategist feared disturbing things, so he didn’t act further and sent me back to inform you, hoping that you would immediately set off for Fengmu. It seems Xiang Han is about to take action.”

Yi Qiancheng’s expression turned cold. What was Xiang Han’s intention? Provocation? Or was he declaring that he wouldn’t back down in the struggle for Fengmu? Regardless of the reason, with Yan Long’s death, Yi Qiancheng had to act.

“Tell the strategist that I’ll set off immediately with my men. Have him inform the merchants of Fengmu. We’ll move in five days.”

“Yes! I will inform him immediately!”

Yi Qiancheng stood outside for a while, trying to soften his cold expression before returning to the room. Lian Sheng hadn’t eaten any more food, sitting in her chair, lost in thought. When Yi Qiancheng returned, she quickly asked, “Husband, what happened?”

“It’s nothing serious. Why have you only eaten this much? Is it not to your taste? I’ll have it redone.”

Lian Sheng shook her head. “No, don’t trouble yourself. You haven’t eaten yet, have your meal before dealing with your business.”

He smiled. “Alright.” He sat down and ate with her. After finishing, Yi Qiancheng finally spoke, “Ah Sheng, Fengmu’s city lord Yan Long has died. I’ll be heading to Fengmu today.”

Lian Sheng was taken aback, not expecting such a quick change. Yi Qiancheng had been busy these past few days and she assumed it had been about Fengmu.

“Husband, go ahead. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Huan’er.”

Yi Qiancheng’s expression softened. What a good girl she was. “Take good care of yourself. Wait for me at home. I’ll leave Song Yuan here; if anything happens, you can have him handle it.”

After a long pause, he added, “If anything comes up, you can have Song Yuan send word to me.”

“I understand, take care, my husband.”

The farewell came so suddenly, and his heart was filled with complex emotions. He stood and walked up to her, holding her tightly in his arms. “Take care of yourself.” His hand gently stroked her hair, his movements tender and affectionate, different from before. Lian Sheng buried her head in his chest, and there was a touch of sorrow from the impending separation.

“Mm.”

Yi Qiancheng had intended to spend more time with Lian Sheng, but the urgent war situation left him no choice but to depart. He didn’t even say goodbye to Yi Huan, only instructing Lian Sheng to reassure Yi Huan. As it was chilly outside, Yi Qiancheng told Lian Sheng not to see him off. He changed into his armor, and the army was already in formation, ready to move.

Yi Qiancheng mounted his horse and ordered Song Yuan, “Take good care of the madam and the young lady. Follow their orders.”

Song Yuan cupped his fists, “Yes! General, take care.”

“Go!” Yi Qiancheng urged his horse forward, and the army departed in a grand procession. Lian Sheng draped a cloak over her shoulders, and Lü Er held an umbrella for her. Lian Sheng stood by the door, watching as the army left until Yi Qiancheng’s figure was no longer visible.

“Let’s go back.”

...

Meanwhile, in the drizzling rain of Yingdong.

Yu Deyue asked his soldier, “Has Lian Chengzhu made preparations?”

“Replying to the general, Lian Chengzhu said everything has been arranged.”

Yu Deyue smiled, “Haha, good. Then send a message to Fang Mu about the riot of refugees ten miles outside the city. You arrange for people to dress as refugees, kill a few citizens, and steal their belongings. Fang Mu might not be very sharp, but if we don’t make the plot convincing, he might become suspicious.”

“Send six thousand men to ambush outside the city. Once Fang Mu falls for it, kill him and the soldiers with him. The remaining four thousand, attack Fang Mu’s camp and kill the remaining soldiers of Shaji. Remember, not a single one can be left alive!”

The soldier accepted the orders and left.

Yu Deyue thought for a moment; the emperor had also given him a second task — to take Lian Sheng from Yingdong to the Imperial City. But according to news from Lian Chengzhu, his eldest son was a troublesome figure, and it was uncertain how long Lian Chengzhu could hold him off. To ensure there were no issues, Yu Deyue gave additional instructions to his subordinates: “Among the four thousand men in the ambush, send two hundred soldiers to escort Lian Sheng. The emperor ordered that no harm should come to her.”

When Fang Mu received the news, he frowned. “How could there suddenly be a refugee riot outside the city?”

The soldier replied, “My lord, our men saw the refugees killing several citizens and stealing their belongings, then fleeing toward the outskirts.”

This matter was something Fang Mu could either take care of or ignore. He frowned, and ordered, “Send someone to inform Lian Chengzhu to send soldiers to deal with the refugees outside the city.”

Soon, the soldier returned to report, “My lord, Lian Chengzhu is not in the residence today. It is said that the eldest son is still unwell, and the famous doctor Mo Baishen happened to have come to Yingdong. An hour ago, he took the eldest son to seek the doctor.”

Mo Baishen was a renowned physician, and Fang Mu had heard of him for a long time. He was also an old friend of the late Fu Yi, and it was Mo Baishen who had developed a cure to stop the plague in Shaji years ago.

Fang Mu hesitated for a moment. If he didn’t handle the refugees, the riot would likely cause more damage. He thought of the kind and friendly people of Yingdong and sternly ordered, “Forget it. The brothers from the third, fourth, and sixth camps will go with me to deal with the riot. The rest of you stay behind and monitor the situation in Yingdong.”

Soon, Fang Mu led his men outside the city, where, at the ten-mile mark, a group of ragged refugees rushed toward the passersby, causing the city’s people to scatter in alarm.

Fang Mu waved his hand. “Capture all the refugees.”

He sat on his horse, growing increasingly suspicious. The “refugees” seemed to be causing chaos, but they didn’t immediately steal anything. Fang Mu’s heart sank as he looked at the exposed arms of the refugees.

“Not good! It’s an ambush. Retreat!”