Chapter 148: The General's Favor

"Who are you?" Jia San looked at the officers, seemingly obedient to Qin Xiangnuan's orders, with a puzzled expression. Qin Xiangnuan saw him getting so close that she raised her hand and tapped him twice on the painful acupoints, offering a bit of a lesson. "Shut up! Just do what I tell you to do. Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask." She frowned. Just as Jia San had said, his pulse was steady, showing no signs of the plague.

If that's the case, then it can be used.

"Take him and follow me to find Jiang Lin." Qin Xiangnuan turned around and winked at the official, then walked ahead. Jiang Lin's room was already dark, but Qin Xiangnuan didn't mind. She pushed the door open and walked in, knowing he was definitely awake. She strode in and saw Jiang Lin, leaning against the couch in the dim candlelight, sorting out the secret letter in his hand and tying it to the pigeon's leg.

Even after arriving in Lianhua Town, he still remembered to pass on the news. It seemed that he was really planning something big. Qin Xiangnuan raised an eyebrow, a little curious in her heart, but she remained calm and indifferent on the surface.

"Why are you here?" Jiang Lin frowned, opened the window and released the carrier pigeon. Wearing only a thin inner garment, he lowered his eyes and chuckled, saying jokingly: "Are you scared at night and want to sleep with me? If that's the case, I won't resist, you can..." He originally wanted to see Qin Xiangnuan's shy expression, but unexpectedly, he saw a bit of amusement in her eyes.

After a while, hesitant footsteps were heard outside, and the officer asked tentatively, "Master Qin, shall we go in too?"

"Of course." Qin Xiangnuan couldn't help but burst out laughing. Seeing Jiang Lin's embarrassed expression, her smile grew wider, and she even squatted down, holding her waist, almost crying with laughter. Jiang Lin looked at her, frowning, not knowing how to explain. Instead, the official gave him a firm and understanding look and said seriously, "Don't worry, Prince, we will definitely not spread rumors! Between you and Young Master Qin... we understand! We've seen such things back home before... and there must be more in the capital."

It's better not to comfort anyone. These two sentences mean that the more you describe something, the worse it gets.

Seeing that Jiang Lin was about to get angry, Qin Xiangnuan hurriedly stopped them from interrupting and pointed at Jia San and said, "He is from Lianhua Town, smart, and often runs around the alleys. It is a good idea to rely on him to help, so that the mayor won't cheat us or miss some places. But he ran to the mansion to steal food tonight, and he needs to be severely punished. Please tell me what to do specifically, my lord. I have no right..." Qin Xiangnuan always remembered that she was an exile. Even if the officials around her didn't know, Jiang Lin knew. She didn't want to get involved in the muddy water of the court for the time being.

"Are you from the capital?" Jia San heard their conversation and realized something was wrong. "Impossible! The people in the capital have given up on us! They can't possibly send anyone here!"

Jia San shook his head, but a glimmer of hope shone in his eyes. Jiang Lin pulled out a badge from his pocket, placed it in front of Jia San, and asked, "Can you read it?" Jia San carefully identified the lines and handwriting on it by candlelight, and read it out bit by bit. "Xiaoyao Marquis Mansion?" Jiang Lin nodded, pointed at Qin Xiangnuan, and said, "Have you heard of the name of General Qin Guang?"

Qin Xiangnuan frowned when she heard him introduce himself in this way, a little annoyed, and was about to refute and scold him. But Jia San broke free from the restraints of the official, knelt on the ground and looked at her in disbelief, "Are you really a family member of the general? Then you must have come to save us!" He kowtowed twice, and now his expression was a little panicked and said, "I'm afraid that everyone outside is dying. Now everyone is waiting to die of starvation and disease. Please save them. We often hear about the general. He is a good man who truly cares about the people!"

"I was wrong to break in without permission. I accept the punishment. You can beat me, even kill me, as long as you can save the people outside." Jia San kowtowed sincerely, his forehead soon covered in blood. Qin Xiangnuan frowned and asked the officer to help him up. He said calmly, "Write down everything you know and give it to them. Don't miss any details. I need to know how many people are still outside, where most of them are gathered, and how much food, charcoal, and herbs the city needs..." Jia San nodded heavily, wiped the blood with his hand, and ran outside.

Jiang Lin and Qin Xiangnuan were the only ones left in the house again.

"Why did you reveal my identity? The General's Mansion is now in exile. If I interfere in the affairs of the court without authorization, I am afraid that my father will be punished even more severely." Qin Xiangnuan turned around and stared at Jiang Lin with anger in his eyes. He must be aware of the seriousness of the problem. It was clearly intentional just now! "But you also said that who knows what will happen in the future? Since you are helping, you must make a name for yourself and let them remember that you are doing me a favor."

"Don't worry about the court. I've already sent a letter back, telling His Majesty that this happened on the way and I forced you to help. It has nothing to do with you." Qin Xiangnuan heard Jiang Lin's explanation and thought of the carrier pigeon she had just released. She hadn't expected it to contain such content. "Gu Mingqi will definitely make a fuss about this, but he's not the only one in power at court. He has friends in the Marquis Xiaoyao's mansion as well. While General Qin's friends wouldn't dare plead for him, they'll definitely come forward to report on such a matter. You'll be fine."

Jiang Lin had already thought of all the problems in advance, and it was clear that he wanted to put the General's Mansion in memory of the kindness shown by Lianhua Town.

What exactly is he planning? Qin Xiangnuan feels that she is increasingly unable to understand this person.

As if sensing the doubt in Qin Xiangnuan's eyes, Jiang Lin, wearing his inner garment, slowly walked up to her, held the candlelight to her face, bent down and whispered in her ear, "Haven't you figured it out yet? Haven't they all said that I have other thoughts about you?" His breath, with a refreshing fragrance that could calm the mind, sprayed on Qin Xiangnuan's ears.

Qin Xiangnuan took a half step back, and her calf hit the leg of the eight-immortals table next to her, and she almost stumbled and fell.

Jiang Lin reached out and grasped her waist, applying a slight pressure to press Qin Xiangnuan's body against his. Their eyes met, and a drop of candle wax fell to the ground, leaving a bright red mark like a flower. "Boom—boom—" Qin Xiangnuan could hear the sound of her heart beating in her chest, unable to tell whether it was her own or Jiang Lin's.

"You will be busy tomorrow, so please rest early, my lord. I will take my leave now."

Qin Xiangnuan pushed Jiang Lin away and ran out the door holding her breath. She was relieved to confirm that Jiang Lin hadn't chased her out. This guy really knows how to tease people!