A familiar fragrance wafted into Leng Feng's nostrils the moment Su Ling'er entered, instantly easing his restless feelings and even lessening the itch in his throat.
Leng Feng was initially happy to see her, but then he remembered they were still in Qing Ya Pavilion, and his expression immediately changed. "Why are you here? This isn't a place for you. Hurry and leave! If others see you, I worry you'll be punished."
"I came to see you because I was worried. Why are you rushing me away as soon as we meet? What's wrong? You look so weak. Are you injured? The butler just asked me to decoct medicine, and I thought it was for you, but the other two Deputy Generals snatched it away," Su Ling'er pouted, complaining to Leng Feng and using her handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
Leng Feng raised his hand and pinched her face, feeling like he hadn't seen her petulant expression in a long time. "I'm not injured, I'm just... just unwell, which is why I look so weak. You don't need to worry. Hurry back to the backyard."
"I won't. Unless you tell me what happened, I'm not leaving. Aren't they your good brothers? How could they treat you like this? Knowing you're unwell, they didn't even send anyone to take care of you. Big Brother Leng Feng, please let me stay and take care of you! Otherwise, I won't be at ease," Su Ling'er clasped Leng Feng's hand, her eyes welling up with tears, appearing genuinely sincere.
"Knowing you're worried about me is enough. Don't worry! They're not neglecting me, it's just... they'll be here soon," Leng Feng opened his mouth but ultimately decided not to tell her the truth.
Seeing that he refused to explain, Su Ling'er gritted her teeth in anger, her hand gripping the edge of the bed so tightly that it cracked.
Su Ling'er quietly withdrew her hand, worried she might break the bed or that Leng Feng would discover her martial arts skills. "If you don't want to say, then don't. I'm just a little maid anyway, I wouldn't be able to help even if you told me. Can you ask the butler to let me stay and take care of you? Consider it repayment for saving me before."
Leng Feng noticed her slight displeasure and was anxious to clarify, not wanting her to misunderstand. "Ling'er, that's not what I meant. Don't overthink it. It's just that for a while, I might have to stay here to recover, you..."
"Second Brother, time to eat... why are you still here? How dare you trespass into Qing Ya Pavilion? What is your intention?" Leng Heng entered with the food, only to see the little maid somehow inside his Second Brother's room.
Upon seeing someone enter, Leng Feng shielded Su Ling'er behind him. "Fifth Brother, she didn't mean to trespass into Qing Ya Pavilion. She just wanted to come and see me. For the sake of our brotherhood over the years, can you not hand her over?"
"Second Brother, you..." Leng Heng's face showed difficulty. He hadn't expected Leng Feng to value this woman so much.
"Deputy General Leng, I beg you. I just want to stay and take care of Big Brother Leng Feng. I promise I won't wander around," Su Ling'er saw Leng Heng's expression and knew he was different from the person who had yelled at her earlier.
The previous person was full of anger and didn't even allow her to say an extra word, even mentioning Leng Feng's name was useless. But this one was different. Seeing his hesitant look, she knew the matter wasn't entirely non-negotiable.
Although Leng Feng remained silent, he also looked at Leng Heng with expectation. He placed the food on the table, unable to harden his heart and turn the person away.
"Second Brother, you know the rules of Qing Ya Pavilion very well. If you want her to stay and take care of you, then she must control her legs and not go to places she shouldn't. Otherwise, if anything happens, even you won't be able to save her," Leng Heng said and then left the room, tacitly agreeing to let Su Ling'er stay and take care of Leng Feng.
Oh well! Second Brother only met the woman he liked in his thirties. Why insist on separating them? Anyway, Fourth Brother was still angry, and they still had to take care of Eldest Brother. Let's just fulfill Second Brother's wish.
Now he had no other wishes, only hoping that Tenth Brother could safely pass this ordeal. Otherwise, Second Brother's life would be ruined...
"Ling'er, get up quickly! Fifth Brother agreed to let you stay," Leng Feng walked unsteadily to Su Ling'er, holding his chest, his eyes full of tenderness.
"He's really not going to chase me away? That's wonderful! Big Brother Leng Feng, I will definitely take good care of you." Su Ling'er supported Leng Feng's shoulder, and they gazed at each other affectionately.
At this moment, Su Ling'er's happiness was not feigned. She had finally managed to infiltrate Qing Ya Pavilion and no longer had to find ways to encounter Huo Qiyuan during meals. This golden opportunity must be seized.
Leng Feng was lost in self-感动 (self-感动 is usually translated as "moved," but here it implies self-satisfaction and emotional indulgence). If he could have such a wife, what more could he ask for? Su Ling'er, however, was already planning how to seduce Huo Qiyuan. The two held hands and looked at each other, their minds occupied by entirely different thoughts.
The person Su Ling'er was planning to conquer was currently rushing towards Ya Jing City on the back of an eagle, carrying the near-death Leng Nuo.
Perhaps sensing the urgency of the situation, the eagle not only flew at an incredible speed but also chose wide, open terrain for its rest stops instead of any random mountain peak.
Its considerate actions greatly reduced the frequency of Leng Nuo being moved, preventing further injuries to someone already hanging by a thread.
The eagle flew continuously for over eight hours, without rest or food, finally arriving at Ya Jing City around six in the evening.
Huo Qiyuan had the eagle fly directly into the palace. After it landed outside the Imperial Study, he carefully carried the unconscious Leng Nuo to find Su Muqing.
Shortly after the two departed, the eagle collapsed. With a "boom," it sprawled on the ground, kicking up dust. Its eyes were half-closed, looking utterly exhausted.
"What happened to the divine eagle?"
"Quick, report to His Majesty!"
The sudden collapse of the eagle startled the nearby soldiers. It was not only the mount of His Majesty and the Prince but also a divine bird in the hearts of the people of Ya Jing. Anything happening to it would be a grave matter!
Su Muqing had just arrived at the dining hall with Madam Zhou for dinner. Before she could even settle into her seat, a palace servant reported that Huo Qiyuan had returned with a severely injured person, who was currently waiting for her in Ping Lan Courtyard behind the Imperial Study.
Upon hearing the servant's report, Su Muqing frowned. She had only received a letter from Huo Qiyuan yesterday via eagle, stating that he would be departing for Che He City soon. Why had he returned so suddenly? And who was the injured person he brought back?