Were it not for the peculiar scent emanating from Lu Shi, Feng Jin would have almost shed tears of gratitude. Now, she had to tightly suppress the urge to laugh.
"Guard Lu, I'm returning now. You should also go back and rest early." Feng Jin turned to leave, but then seemed to remember something and turned back. "I'll have Cai Qing send you some rose dew later, so you can have a good bath."
Feng Jin truly could not stand the smell. After speaking, she hurried away.
With the raw ingredients ready, Feng Jin quickly set about making the cake. After a busy morning, she finally managed to create a basic cake. It looked a bit ugly, but it tasted quite good.
This was the only successful attempt after several tries. As for the others, either the cream wouldn't stick, or they wouldn't hold their shape.
Fortunately, her efforts finally paid off. As for the failed attempts, throwing them away would be a waste. They were all edible, so Feng Jin had Cai Qing take the discarded cakes to everyone, so they could eat them together. It was better than wasting them.
"Sister-in-law, what is this? It's so sweet!" Ling Wan had never tasted such food before. Although it looked a bit ugly, its taste was surprisingly delicious. It was sweet and had an indescribable aroma, better than any pastry she had ever eaten.
"This is a cake. The soft yellow part inside is bread, and the white part is cream," Feng Jin explained.
"Cream?" Ling Wan had never heard of such a thing and was slightly taken aback.
"It's made from milk. And this milk is all thanks to Guard Lu. If Guard Lu hadn't milked the cow, we wouldn't be able to eat such delicious cake."
Everyone's gazes fell upon Lu Shi, whose face was slightly bruised.
Feeling embarrassed by their stares, Lu Shi rubbed the back of his head. "I just helped out a bit, it's nothing. Everyone, please eat well."
Feng Jin was amused by his dazed expression. "Guard Lu, there's something else I need your help with."
"Madam, please just say it. I will do anything within my power," Lu Shi said, his confidence boosted by this experience. Before even asking what it was, he thumped his chest and made a promise.
"It's just..." Feng Jin also felt a little embarrassed and coughed lightly. "It's just that... the milk is gone... you'll have to help me milk some more."
Upon hearing that he had to milk the cow again, Lu Shi's face instantly fell. The spot on his chest where the cow had kicked him still ached faintly.
"Madam, perhaps you could find someone else? I..."
"Only you can do this. I trust you. We'll need a bucket of milk tomorrow. Thank you for your hard work."
Feng Jin patted Lu Shi's shoulder, speaking with certainty.
Lu Shi now truly regretted not controlling himself earlier and making such a big promise. There was no turning back.
"This is up to you. Eat the cake for now. I'll be waiting for you at the usual spot tomorrow."
After saying this, Feng Jin darted away like a streak of smoke, afraid Lu Shi might change his mind.
Ling Mo Han's brows furrowed tightly as he listened to their conversation, his displeased gaze falling on Lu Shi. He abruptly stood up and kicked over a nearby stool, creating a loud noise that startled everyone present.
Especially Lu Shi, who felt that the Young General's gaze upon him was strange today, as if suppressing some anger. He couldn't recall doing anything wrong.
Ling Mo Han's sinister gaze lingered on Lu Shi for a moment before he asked in a low voice, "You will inspect the West Barracks tomorrow. Depart early in the morning."
"But, Madam asked me to..."
Under Ling Mo Han's gaze, Lu Shi quickly shut his mouth, not daring to utter another word.
"Depart early tomorrow morning." Ling Mo Han uttered this, then turned and left directly.
By sending Lu Shi away, he wanted to see who Feng Jin would look for tomorrow.
As expected, the next morning, Feng Jin stood by the cowshed with a bucket, waiting for Lu Shi for a long time, but he never appeared.
She sent Cai Qing to find Lu Shi, but it had been nearly half an hour, and not a soul had been seen.
Feng Jin squatted on the ground, the sun making her eyes water. She saw a figure approaching her direction and quickly looked up.
Instead of Lu Shi, she found Ling Mo Han approaching.
"Why are you here?" Feng Jin asked, puzzled.
The man's expression gradually turned gloomy. He shouldn't have come, so who was she waiting for here? Lu Shi?
Thinking of this, Ling Mo Han's face grew even more somber, a fire burning in his chest. "Lu Shi has gone to inspect the West Barracks. You won't be able to find him."
"What!" Feng Jin exclaimed in surprise. How could it be such a coincidence? Did Lu Shi intend to quit and deliberately found an excuse?
Or was there some other reason? Before Feng Jin could ponder further, Ling Mo Han spoke, "What do you need Lu Shi for?"
"I just asked him to help..."
Halfway through her sentence, Feng Jin suddenly realized. She cast a scrutinizing gaze on Ling Mo Han, hesitated for a moment, and then voiced her suspicion: "Did you deliberately send Lu Shi away?"
He seemed to be the only one with such authority.
His mind exposed, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Ling Mo Han's face, and he coughed lightly to cover it up.
"Of course not. Military orders are paramount. Your trivial matters naturally cannot compare to military affairs."
Ling Mo Han assumed an official demeanor, completely denying that his personal feelings had led him to deliberately find an excuse to send Lu Shi away.
"Is that so?" Feng Jin raised an eyebrow. Did he really think she was a fool to be so easily fooled?
Ling Mo Han's petty thoughts were as obvious as day.
Since he was the one who sent Lu Shi away, she wouldn't show any mercy. Feng Jin thrust the bucket in her hand into Ling Mo Han's.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ling Mo Han asked, pointing at the bucket in his hand.
"Since you sent Lu Shi away, you have to take his place. Do you see that cow over there?"
Ling Mo Han looked in the direction Feng Jin pointed and nodded, not understanding.
"Take this bucket and milk some milk. Remember not to injure the cow or startle it, otherwise, it will affect the taste of the milk, and the cream won't be as good."
Feng Jin patiently and meticulously explained the precautions to Ling Mo Han.
"You asked Lu Shi to come just to do this?"
"What else would I need him for?" Feng Jin retorted. Otherwise, why would she have asked Lu Shi to come?
Ling Mo Han glanced at the bucket in his hand, then at the cow grazing, and immediately regretted it.