Chapter 55: The Mystery of Game Liu Yeshu's heart moved, as if something...

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Yeshu felt dizzy and lightheaded. The scene before her swirled like a reflection in water. She tried to stand up, but the world spun around her. Her eyelids grew heavier, and her consciousness gradually faded.

Although Liu Yeshu's voice was not loud, it was particularly clear in this quiet night. Qi Yu wanted to laugh, but looking at Liu Yeshu's appearance at this moment, he suddenly fell silent for a moment.

In a trance, Liu Yeshu seemed to hear Qi Yu's low voice ringing in her ears, "I..."

Qi Yu was still saying something, but Liu Yeshu couldn't hear clearly. She felt her body lighten, as if being lifted by a pair of strong arms. Before she completely lost consciousness, she vaguely felt like a feather being gently placed in a warm and comfortable place.

The next morning, Liu Yeshu slowly awoke to the sound of birdsong. Slowly opening her eyes, she found herself lying on her bed in her room. Morning light streamed through the window lattice, illuminating the room with a soft, pale golden hue.

She sat up, her head splitting with pain. Her memories of last night were like a tangled mess, impossible to sort out. She remembered having dinner with General Qi and having a few drinks, but she couldn't recall what happened after that.

"How...how did I get back?" Liu Yeshu muttered to herself, trying to recall the events of last night. However, no matter how hard she racked her brains, the memory seemed to be shrouded in a thin veil, unable to be clearly seen.

Just then, soft footsteps were heard outside the door. A moment later, Chun Xing pushed the door open and walked in, holding a bowl of steaming hot hangover soup.

"Miss Liu, are you awake?" Chun Xing asked softly, "General Qi brought you back last night, saying you were drunk. This is the hangover soup, drink it while it's hot."

Liu Yeshu took the bowl of soup and sipped it. As the hot soup entered her stomach, she felt her mind gradually become clearer, but her memory of last night was still hazy. She vaguely felt that she seemed to have forgotten something important.

She put down the soup bowl and asked Chun Xing, "Did the general say anything when he sent me back?"

Chun Xing shook her head. "The general simply told me to send you back and take good care of you. He didn't say anything else."

Liu Yeshu breathed a sigh of relief and slowly walked to the bronze mirror. Her reflection showed her still wearing the same clothes she'd worn yesterday. A faint wrinkle was visible on her moon-colored dress, clearly caused by her drunken sleeping posture. Her hair was a bit messy, with a few strands of black hair tumbling unruly at her temples, adding a touch of languid beauty.

Chun Xing stood quietly behind Liu Yeshu, her gaze fixed on her reflection in the bronze mirror. A faint blush still lingered on Liu Yeshu's fair cheeks, evidently from a hangover. Her usually clear and bright eyes seemed now misted over, slightly out of focus, as if she were still trying to recall fragments of last night.

Chun Xing secretly speculated that if Miss Liu could become the mistress of the general's mansion, she could naturally become Miss Liu's maid, which would be a promising future. After all, everyone in the general's mansion knew that Miss Liu was a special person in the general's eyes. But... Chun Xing sighed. Miss Liu never seemed to take it seriously. Several times, she wanted to bring up the matter indirectly, but before she could even speak, Miss Liu cleverly avoided the question.

Liu Yeshu raised her hand and gently stroked her cheek, as if she could still feel the heat of the alcohol rising from her body last night. Her eyes fell on her lips, and she couldn't help but wonder if she had said anything she shouldn't have said last night. Those lips seemed to still remember the mellow aroma of the wine, but she couldn't recall what words had been uttered.

Her gaze then fell on her hands. She stared at her fingertips, vaguely seeing them pointing at Qi Yu, then at herself. Why had she made that move? Liu Yeshu took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart. She adjusted her clothes, her fingers lingering on the collar for a moment, as if to confirm something. Fortunately, everything was normal; it seemed she hadn't done anything disrespectful while drunk.

Liu Yeshu gently stroked her hair, tucking a few unruly strands back into place. She gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror, a flicker of relief in her eyes. "Judging from what's happening, I guess I just couldn't handle the alcohol and fell asleep." She reflected on her usual behavior; even when drunk, she'd never done anything out of the ordinary. At this thought, a touch of confidence crossed her features, as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart.

Liu Yeshu shook her head gently, as if to clear her mind of those chaotic thoughts. She murmured, "Never mind. I can't remember it anyway." This was both a way of convincing herself and a way of putting an end to that hazy memory. Then, she stood up and headed for the kitchen.

"Wait a minute, young lady," Chun Xing stepped forward and said respectfully but with a hint of concern, "The general left early this morning and said he wouldn't be dining at home today. He specifically asked you to rest a little longer."

The General's Mansion was exceptionally quiet at noon. The snow in the courtyard had long since melted, and sunlight streamed through the window lattices into the kitchen, filling the air with the warm scent of burning charcoal. Liu Yeshu rolled up her sleeves and walked into the kitchen, preparing to make some rabbit jerky. Widow Wang's beef jerky was in short supply, and Liu Yeshu had come up with a few ideas, which she decided to try out now.

Traditional beef or rabbit jerky typically takes a long time to marinate, perhaps overnight. Liu Yeshu's marinade is slightly heated before pouring it over the meat. The heated marinade absorbs more easily into the meat's fibers, allowing it to fully absorb the flavor after only about two hours of marinating. The marinade incorporates chopped ginger and garlic, a touch of rice wine, and salt, creating a natural tenderizer that not only quickly absorbs the flavor but also makes the meat even more tender and smooth.

Liu Yeshu placed the properly prepared slices of meat one by one on the grill, first roasting them slowly over medium heat to quickly seal in the moisture. Once the surface of the meat was slightly dry but not yet burnt, she lowered the heat and roasted them slowly. This way, the meat gradually matured within without losing its toughness.

Chuntao smelled the aroma in the kitchen and couldn't help but walk in. "Sister Liu, what's that smell?" she asked curiously, her eyes falling on the dried rabbit meat that was being roasted.

"Oh, when you smell the aroma of meat, you only care about Sister Liu. Do you still have your own sister in your eyes?" Chun Xing teased.

Chuntao made a playful face and drank the medicine that Chunxing had cooled for her in one gulp, but she couldn't help glancing at the tempting dried rabbit meat out of the corner of her eye.

"It's dried rabbit meat. I caught it while hunting before. I used some new methods. You can try it." Liu Yeshu took a few slices of freshly baked dried rabbit meat from the grill and handed them to them.

Chun Xing warned Chun Tao: "Be careful, don't break your teeth again."

"I drank the medicine Sister Liu gave me. Now even if my tooth breaks, it won't bleed profusely. What's there to be afraid of?" Chuntao took the dried rabbit meat and took an eager bite. She nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "It's so delicious!"

"It has just the right amount of saltiness and fragrance, the meat is not dry at all, and the taste is just right!" Chun Xing also praised it highly.

Liu Yeshu nodded and tried some herself. The game was indeed delicious. Yuanbao came in, following the scent. Liu Yeshu brought him a slightly burnt piece, which Yuanbao snatched away without a word. She put the remaining dried rabbit meat in a small basket, intending to give some to Widow Wang when she got home that afternoon.

That afternoon, as Liu Yeshu opened the gate to her courtyard, she was greeted by a familiar aroma. The lights in the yard were as warm as ever. Mother Liu was busy in the kitchen, Father Liu was sitting at the table adding wood to the fire, and little brother Liu was squatting in front of the stove, a large bowl in hand, staring eagerly at the steaming food rising from the pot.

Liu Yeshu was a little surprised: "Mom, why is it so lively today? What delicious food did you make?"

When Mother Liu heard her daughter's voice, she turned around and said with a smile, "Shu'er, don't you remember what day it is today?"

Father Liu looked up at Liu Yeshu, who was stunned for a moment before smiling faintly: "I've been so busy with things at the mansion lately that I forgot today is my birthday."

Mother Liu patted her shoulder and said with a smile, "Silly child, how could you forget your birthday? You may be busy, but our family will never forget. Come on, eat it while it's hot. Only by eating longevity noodles can you live a long life!" As she spoke, she brought out a bowl of steaming longevity noodles. The noodles were long and thin, the soup was clear, and the noodles were sprinkled with green chopped green onions, which was fragrant.

Liu Yeshu took the longevity noodles. The noodles were soft and smooth, the broth was fragrant, and there were two fried eggs hidden at the bottom. Eating them made her feel warm inside. Liu's mother took out a red amulet and said, "Shu'er, your father and I asked for this for you. Keep it with you. As long as our family is here, safety is our greatest blessing."

Liu Yeling was sharp-eyed and noticed the small basket in Liu Yeshu's hand. She couldn't help but ask, "Sister, what's in your basket?"

Liu Yeshu smiled as she placed the basket on the table. She opened the lid, revealing slices of glossy dried rabbit meat. "This is the dried rabbit meat I made at the General's Mansion. It's fresh out of the oven. Try some and see how it goes."

Father and Mother Liu and Liu Yeling each took a piece and took a bite. The aroma of dried rabbit meat filled their mouths. The meat was tender and juicy, and the taste was salty and delicious. The three of them couldn't help but nod in praise.

Liu Yeshu felt more confident and said with a smile, "Since you all think it's delicious, then my cooking skills are pretty good. After dinner, I'll go find Sister Wang and tell her that this method can be used to make beef jerky. It should save a lot of time."

After dinner, Liu Yeshu really did go to Widow Wang's house with some rabbit jerky. Widow Wang was worried about the recent shortage of beef jerky, but after hearing Liu Yeshu's improved method, her eyes lit up and she said excitedly, "That's a great idea! I'll try it tomorrow. It's really helpful!"

As the night deepened, Liu Yeshu was about to rest when Liu Yeling pulled him up to the rooftop to admire the stars. The cold winter sky was exceptionally clear, dotted with stars like pearls inlaid against the inky blue sky.

At this moment, little brother Liu mysteriously took out a small bundle from his arms and said, "Sister, this is the birthday gift I prepared for you!"

Liu Yeshu took the bundle with some surprise and slowly opened it. Inside was a hand-carved wooden comb. The comb was carved with exquisite patterns, lifelike, and it was obvious that a lot of thought had gone into it. She lowered her head and gently stroked the grain of the comb, saying softly, "Ling'er, you carved this comb so well!"

Liu Yeling scratched her head and smiled shyly, "Sister, there are many trivial matters in the General's Mansion. Please sort out all the troubles."

When Liu Yeshu heard this, a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She gently hugged Liu Yeling and said softly, "I like it very much."

The cold winter wind brushed their faces, bringing a slight chill, but their body warmth dispelled the chill. They looked up at the night sky, dotted with stars, like countless pearls inlaid in the deep sky. Liu Yeshu pointed to the brightest star in the sky and whispered, "Look, that's the North Star."

Liu Yeling followed her sister's finger, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Really? It looks so bright!"

"Yes," Liu Yeshu nodded, "the ancients often used it to identify directions. No matter where we go, it is there, like a guide for those who are lost."

Liu Yeling said thoughtfully: "Just like a sister, no matter where I go, you will be there to guide me."

Liu Yeshu gently rubbed her brother's hair: "Silly boy, we are family and will always support each other."

The two smiled at each other and continued to gaze at the starry sky quietly. The night breeze rustled the leaves, and the faint sound of dogs barking could be heard in the distance.

*

The next morning, the sunlight shone through the leaves onto the ground in patches. Liu Yeshu rode on the horse and gently pulled her cloak closer.

Qi Yu wasn't home today, but he'd left a message saying he wanted to try some wild game. So, Liu Yeshu brought a few attendants from the general's mansion and headed to the hunting grounds outside the city. The early winter air was chilly, and the remaining dew on the grass and trees shimmered in the sunlight. The occasional bird call in the distance broke the tranquility of the forest.

"The general is really well-informed." Liu Yeshu sniffed, not knowing how he knew that hare jerky was made yesterday.

She weighed the bow and arrow behind her. This was the one Butler Zhao had given her today, and it was much lighter than the one she had last time. The bow had a perfect curvature, and the handle was made of the finest green wood, a smooth, soft, radiant luster, with faint traces of fine cloud patterns and flying birds. The bowstring was made of a silk thread of exceptional toughness, thin but not brittle, and there was no sense of stagnation when gently pulled.

When Butler Zhao mentioned this bow, he specifically said, "This was made by the best craftsman in Ning'an County." Even if he didn't say it, Liu Yeshu knew that it was arranged by Qi Yu.

The horse paced slowly, and Liu Yeshu squinted her eyes, enjoying the feeling of the breeze on her cheeks. She cast her eyes around. The woods were still green, and occasionally she could see a few rabbits darting through the grass, making a rustling sound.

"Miss Liu, there is an open flat area ahead, suitable for hunting." The servant walking in front turned around and said.

Liu Yeshu nodded slightly, feeling a bit eager to try. At this moment, there was a sudden rustling in the grass not far away, and a gray and white hare quickly passed by her.

"There's a rabbit!" Her eyes lit up, and she drew her bow and arrow without hesitation. She leaned forward slightly, bent the bow and arrow, and aimed at the running rabbit.

“Whoosh—”

The bowstring vibrated, and the arrow flew out, hitting the rabbit right behind it. The rabbit jumped a few steps in fright, then fell heavily to the ground. A hint of pride flashed in Liu Yeshu's eyes, and he turned to the attendant behind him and smiled, "I'll go check on the rabbit first."

"Miss Liu, don't go too far!" the servants reminded, but Liu Yeshu just waved her hand and rode her horse to catch up.

The horse's hooves trod through the thick fallen leaves, making a subtle "crunching" sound. Soon, Liu Yeshu arrived at the place where the rabbit had fallen. She swiftly dismounted, squatted down, and carefully examined the rabbit's injuries, preparing to take it away.

"Looks like I'm lucky this time," she muttered to herself. Just as she was about to pick up the rabbit, a ethereal figure flashed through the trees. It was a fawn, its fur the color of autumn leaves, blending seamlessly into its surroundings. Its eyes, clear as morning dew, met her gaze for a moment before turning and swiftly leaping deep into the woods.

Liu Yeshu's heart stirred, as if some force was beckoning her to follow. She gently pulled on the reins, and the horse slowly moved forward, its hooves still making a small crunching sound as they trod on the fallen leaves. She dismounted and followed the deer's trail deeper into the forest.

The light in the forest gradually dimmed, and the sunlight filtered through the layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows. All around was silent, with only the occasional bird call echoing in the distance. She stepped lightly on the soft moss, trying not to make any noise, for fear of disturbing the deer ahead.

The fawn would occasionally glance back at her, as if leading the way, yet keeping a respectful distance. Its swift steps seemed to blend seamlessly into the forest, effortlessly weaving through branches and bushes.

Liu Yeshu's heartbeat gradually quickened. She didn't know where the fawn would take her, but her curiosity and the urge to explore kept her moving forward. Just as she was about to get closer, the fawn suddenly stopped and stood at the edge of a hidden clearing.

Only then did Liu Yeshu realize that she was already deep in the woods. She suddenly felt a strange breath behind her. She looked up suddenly and saw several figures quietly surrounding her from the surrounding bushes.

"Who are you?" Liu Yeshu suddenly became alert, stood up quickly, took a few steps back, and held the bow and arrow tightly in his hand.

However, the newcomer didn't answer. Several burly men slowly emerged from the shadows of the trees, swords in hand and fierce smiles on their faces. The leader had a face thick with flesh and scars that made him look particularly ferocious.

"Miss Liu, don't be afraid. We are just following orders." The scarred man sneered, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"Following orders? What do you want?" Liu Yeshu thought to herself, something was wrong. She quickly glanced around and realized she was surrounded by this group of people. She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. "What do you want from me?"

The scarred man in the lead chuckled and said, "Miss Liu, we know you are good at using medicine. We came here today just to ask you to treat your illness. If you don't obey, don't blame us for being rude."

Liu Yeshu looked at him coldly, her mind already understanding something. These were no ordinary bandits; they were clearly well aware of her identity and abilities, and they must have planned this all along. Furthermore, from their words, she had a vague feeling that things were not simple.

"You want to capture me and treat my illness? Who asked you to come?" Liu Yeshu pretended to be calm, trying to prolong the conversation, trying to find a chance to escape.

The scarred man didn't answer directly, but instead winked at his subordinate next to him. The man immediately stepped forward, tied Liu Yeshu's hands with a thick rope, and pushed her onto the horse. Although Liu Yeshu struggled hard, she was outnumbered and ultimately could not escape.

After being pushed onto the horse's back, the scarred man finally spoke: "Miss Liu, you can guess slowly. When you meet our boss, everything will become clear."

After saying that, several big men escorted Liu Yeshu away quickly and disappeared into the deep forest.