Lin Wan'er, a woman with the extraordinary ability of mind reading, accidentally stumbles into the world of the General's Manor. Xiao Yichen, a highly accomplished and handsome general, is ...
Rongguo, this vast and fertile land, gradually awakens under the morning light. The streets and alleys of the capital city, Luo'an, are already bustling with activity, with vendors' cries rising and falling, and pedestrians weaving through the crowds, some hurrying along, others strolling leisurely, presenting a scene of prosperity and flourishing.
In a secluded corner of Luo'an City, there lies a quiet courtyard where our heroine, Lin Wan'er, resides. Lin Wan'er is an extremely special woman; she was born with a magical ability—mind reading. However, she has always carefully concealed this secret, never easily revealing it to anyone.
At this moment, Lin Wan'er sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, holding an ancient book in her hands. She appeared to be reading attentively, but her thoughts had already drifted far away. She knew that her mind-reading ability was both a gift and a potential danger. In this complex and ever-changing world, people's hearts were unpredictable, and her ability to see into the depths of others' minds would undoubtedly attract a lot of unnecessary trouble.
"Miss, it's time for breakfast." The maid Xiaohe's voice woke Lin Wan'er from her reverie. She gently closed her book, got up, and went into the room. The table was laden with exquisite dishes, but Lin Wan'er only ate a few bites before losing her appetite.
"Miss, are you feeling unwell?" Xiaohe asked with concern.
Lin Wan'er shook her head slightly and smiled, "I'm fine, I was just thinking about some things."
After finishing her breakfast, Lin Wan'er decided to go for a walk. She wore a light blue long dress, simple yet elegant, and her long, black hair cascaded down to her waist, swaying gently with her steps. Walking on the streets of Luo'an City, she sensed the joys and sorrows of the people around her, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Suddenly, a commotion caught her attention. A crowd had gathered ahead. Curious, Lin Wan'er walked over and saw a ragged old man kneeling on the ground, weeping and recounting his plight. It turned out that the old man's son had been framed by a local bully and imprisoned. He had sought help everywhere but to no avail, and in desperation, he had come here to plead his case.
A wave of pity washed over Lin Wan'er. She stepped forward and gently comforted the old man. At that moment, she instinctively used her mind-reading ability, trying to uncover the truth. Instantly, the thoughts of those around her flooded her mind: some sympathized with the old man, some were angry at the bully's actions, but others were indifferent and suspicious. Lin Wan'er struggled to find useful information amidst this cacophony of thoughts. Finally, she discovered a key figure—the official in charge of the case.
Lin Wan'er had made up her mind; she decided to help the old man. She had Xiao He take the old man back to her courtyard and settle him properly. Then, she went to the government office alone. At the entrance, the guards stopped her.
"Who are you? What brings you here?" the guard asked.
Lin Wan'er calmly said, "I am a young lady from the Lin family, and I have important business to discuss with you, sir."
The guard sized her up and down, noticing her distinguished bearing, and dared not neglect her, so he went in to announce her arrival. A short while later, Lin Wan'er was led to the official's study. The official sat behind his desk, a hint of doubt in his eyes.
"So you're Miss Lin? What business do you have with me?" the official asked.
Lin Wan'er curtsied slightly and said, "My lord, I have heard of a wrongful conviction today and have come to plead for leniency." As she spoke, she recounted the old man's ordeal in detail.
After listening, the official frowned and said, "This case has already been concluded; it's not as simple as you say."
Lin Wan'er knew the official was just giving her the runaround, but she didn't panic. She used her mind-reading ability again to probe the official's inner thoughts. She discovered that the official had intricate connections with the bully, which was the reason he refused to reopen the case.
Lin Wan'er decided to expose the ugly face of the officials. She looked directly into the official's eyes and said, "Sir, as an official in charge of the people, you should be upholding justice for the people. But you have colluded with tyrants and disregarded human life. Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
The official's expression changed, and he angrily said, "Don't you dare make false accusations! I have always been honest and upright, how could I do such a thing?"
Lin Wan'er sneered and said, "If you have a clear conscience, why don't you dare to reopen this case? You think no one knows what you've done, but the net of justice is vast and its meshes are wide, yet nothing escapes it."
The official was struck by Lin Wan'er's words and felt a pang of panic. He hadn't expected this seemingly frail woman to be so capable, and he began to worry about his career. Just as he hesitated, Lin Wan'er pressed her advantage, saying, "Sir, if you reopen this case and clear the old man's son's name, I promise I won't publicize what happened today."
After weighing the pros and cons, the official finally compromised. He agreed to reopen the case, and Lin Wan'er left the government office satisfied.
When she returned to the courtyard, the old man knelt before her, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Thank you so much, Miss, for saving my life! I have no way to repay your great kindness!"
Lin Wan'er quickly helped the old man up and said, "Old man, there's no need for that. Justice will prevail. I just did what I should do."
After this incident, Lin Wan'er's reputation gradually spread throughout Luo'an City, and people knew that the Lin family had a kind and brave young lady. However, Lin Wan'er knew that her mind-reading ability had attracted the attention of some people, and she had to be even more careful.
Meanwhile, on the border of Rong Kingdom, General Xiao Yichen was leading his soldiers in rigorous training. Born into a military family, Xiao Yichen had received strict military training since childhood, honing his martial arts skills to a high level. He was tall and imposing, with a stern face and eyes that exuded an aura of authority without anger.
The border environment was extremely harsh, with rampant sandstorms, but Xiao Yichen and his soldiers did not flinch. They knew that they bore the heavy responsibility of guarding the border of Rong Kingdom, and that the peace and tranquility of Rong Kingdom could not be achieved without their sacrifice.
"General, there have been some unusual movements on the border of the Mu Kingdom recently, it seems they are amassing troops." A soldier came to report to Xiao Yichen.
Xiao Yichen frowned slightly. He had a premonition that the Mu Kingdom was about to make a big move. He immediately ordered the strengthening of border patrols and defenses, and at the same time sent someone back to the capital to report the situation to the king.
In the royal palace of the Mu Kingdom, Prince Murong Xuan sat in the magnificent hall, his eyes gleaming with ambition. Murong Xuan had always coveted the rich lands of the Rong Kingdom, believing that the Mu Kingdom was more powerful and deserved to possess more territory.
"Your Highness, everything is ready. When shall we send out our troops?" a general asked.
Murong Xuan smirked and said, "No rush. Rong Kingdom is not so easy to deal with. Let's wait for the right opportunity, and deliver a fatal blow when they lower their guard."
As Murong Xuan's ambitions grow, a crisis is quietly approaching for the Rong Kingdom. Lin Wan'er continues to help those in need in her own way in Luo'an City, while Xiao Yichen remains vigilant on the border, keeping a close watch on every move of the Mu Kingdom. The turbulent changes between the two nations are about to unfold into a breathtaking spectacle, and the fates of Lin Wan'er and Xiao Yichen will be inextricably intertwined in this storm.
The afternoon sun shone on the streets of Luo'an City, and Lin Wan'er strolled through them, feeling the pulse of the city. She knew that peaceful days might not last long, and she had to become stronger before the crisis arrived. She secretly resolved to make good use of her mind-reading abilities to contribute to the peace of Rong Kingdom.
Standing atop the frontier watchtower, Xiao Yichen gazed towards the distant Mu Kingdom, his mind swirling with thoughts. He knew the brutality of this war, yet he was fearless. He believed that as long as the Rong Kingdom's army and people were united, they would surely be able to resist the invasion of foreign enemies. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, as if declaring to the enemy that he would defend every inch of Rong Kingdom's land to the death.
In this era of rapid change, the fate of Rong Kingdom is like a ship sailing on a turbulent sea, and Lin Wan'er and Xiao Yichen are the helmsmen of this ship. They will lead Rong Kingdom to an unknown future. Whether it will be calm seas or stormy seas, everything is still unknown, but they are ready to meet the challenges that are about to come.
Deep within the palace of Rong Kingdom, in a magnificent, golden hall, the king was discussing various affairs of state with his ministers. The ministers expressed their opinions freely, their voices echoing throughout the palace. However, beneath this seemingly tranquil court, an undercurrent was surging.
Murong Xuan's spies infiltrated Rong Kingdom like ghosts. These spies were all rigorously trained, skilled in concealment and identity change. They were scattered throughout Luo'an City. Some disguised themselves as ordinary merchants, hawking their goods in the market while actually observing the conversations of passersby; others posed as wealthy businessmen, frequenting various restaurants and teahouses, striking up conversations with local dignitaries and commoners, attempting to extract information about Rong Kingdom's military, politics, and people's livelihoods from them.
In the most bustling market of Luo'an City, a spy named Li Fu ran a small general store. He appeared honest and simple, always wearing a kind smile, and was extremely enthusiastic towards every customer who came to choose goods. However, his eyes were inadvertently scanning around, capturing any potentially useful information.
“Sir, look at this fine silk. It’s imported from afar. It’s soft and brightly colored, perfect for making clothes.” Li Fu said to a richly dressed old man, introducing the goods while subtly probing, “Sir, your clothes are so exquisite. They must have been made by a famous craftsman in Luo’an City. I’ve heard that there are many skilled craftsmen in this city, especially those who make clothes for the court. Their craftsmanship is superb. I wonder what they do on a daily basis?”
The old man smiled and said, "They are naturally busy making various costumes and supplies for the palace. The current king is very particular about these things and has extremely high requirements, so they dare not slack off in the slightest."
Li Fu's heart stirred, and he continued to ask, "The palace is so busy, there must be some important matter to prepare for, right? I'm just a small merchant, and my information is limited. I hope you can tell me something, sir."
The old man glanced at him and said, "How can we common folk know about palace affairs? You should just focus on selling your goods." With that, he turned and left.
Li Fu was somewhat disappointed, but he was not discouraged and continued to wait for the next opportunity.
Meanwhile, in the Rong Kingdom's border military camp, General Xiao Yichen was leading his soldiers in a tense military drill. The soldiers were all in high spirits, their battle cries shaking the heavens and earth. Xiao Yichen stood on a high platform, his gaze sharp, carefully observing every movement of the soldiers, offering guidance and corrections from time to time.
After the drill, Xiao Yichen returned to his tent. He had a feeling that there was something strange about the area around the camp lately, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He sat in his tent, pondered for a moment, and then summoned his trusted general, Zhao Hu.
"Zhao Hu, have you noticed anything unusual about the area around the military camp lately?" Xiao Yichen asked.
Zhao Hu scratched his head and said, "General, I haven't found anything unusual. It's just that recently, some people who look like merchants have been loitering around the military camp, but after I sent men to check, I didn't find anything wrong with them."
Xiao Yichen frowned and said, "These merchants may not be simple. Send more people to strengthen patrols and surveillance around the military camp. Report to me immediately if there are any suspicious people or things."
"Yes, General!" Zhao Hu accepted the order and left.
On the other side of Luo'an City, Lin Wan'er was enjoying tea and chatting with her friend Su Yao in the garden. Su Yao was a wealthy heiress with a lively and cheerful personality. She and Lin Wan'er had known each other since childhood and were as close as sisters.
"Wan'er, it seems like a lot of strangers have come to the city lately, and I feel uneasy about it," Su Yao said, frowning.
Lin Wan'er's heart skipped a beat. She recalled the strange looks she had occasionally received in the city recently. Although she possessed the ability to read minds, these spies had undergone special training and could conceal their inner thoughts to a certain extent, so she had not fully understood their identities and purposes.
“Yao’er, you’re right. We should be careful,” Lin Wan’er said.
Just then, Lin Wan'er suddenly sensed a faint feeling of being watched. Startled, she subtly used her mind-reading ability to try and find the source of this feeling. However, she only caught a vague clue, as if a man was secretly observing them and wondering if they were connected to an important figure in Rong Kingdom.
Lin Wan'er remained secretly vigilant. She casually glanced around, but found no one suspicious. She knew that the person secretly spying on her must be extremely cunning and wouldn't easily reveal themselves.
"Wan'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Su Yao asked with concern when she noticed that Lin Wan'er's expression was a little strange.
Lin Wan'er smiled slightly and said, "I'm fine, I'm just a little tired. Yao'er, let's go back to the room and rest."
Back inside, Lin Wan'er sat by the window, pondering the day's events. She knew that Rong Kingdom might be facing a crisis, and she had to do something. She decided to secretly investigate the identities and motives of these strangers to see if they were related to the safety of Rong Kingdom.
Night fell, and Luo'an City was shrouded in darkness. Li Fu quietly left his residence and headed towards an abandoned hut on the outskirts of the city. He was going to meet up with the other spies to report on the intelligence he had gathered over the past few days.
Inside the cabin, several spies had been waiting for some time. They spoke in hushed tones, sharing their findings.
"I've learned that Rong's army is intensifying its training on the border, seemingly preparing for a confrontation with our Mu Kingdom," a spy said.
"I've learned that the Rong Kingdom's court is currently preparing some supplies, but the specific purpose is unclear," another spy said.
Li Fu listened to their report, pondering. He felt that while the intelligence had some value, it wasn't deep enough. He decided to risk delving deeper to uncover Rong Kingdom's more core secrets.
Meanwhile, in the Rong Kingdom's palace, the king received news from the border that General Xiao Yichen had noticed something amiss and had strengthened defenses. The king felt somewhat relieved, knowing Xiao Yichen's capabilities; with him guarding the border, the security of Rong Kingdom's frontier was somewhat guaranteed.
However, the king also understood that this might only be the beginning, and that the ambitions of the Mu Kingdom were likely far greater than this. He summoned several important ministers to discuss countermeasures.
"My esteemed ministers, the Mu Kingdom is now making trouble on our Rong Kingdom's border, with spies everywhere. We must make preparations as soon as possible to prevent any unforeseen events," the king said solemnly.
The ministers nodded in agreement and began discussing countermeasures. Some advocated strengthening military forces on the borders, while others suggested conducting a nationwide investigation to uncover the hidden spies of the Mu Kingdom.
During the discussion, a minister named Wang Qi raised a different opinion.
"Your Majesty, I believe that we should not only strengthen our military defenses and investigate spies, but also send people to secretly infiltrate the Mu Kingdom to understand their true intentions and military deployments. Only in this way can we know ourselves and our enemy, and be invincible in every battle."
The king nodded slightly after hearing Wang Qi's words and said, "My dear Wang, your plan is excellent. However, this matter is extremely dangerous. Who should we send?"
The ministers fell into deep thought, and for a moment no one answered.
Meanwhile, in the frontier military camp, Xiao Yichen was studying a map inside his tent, trying to discern the possible attack routes and strategic intentions of the Mu Kingdom. He knew that this contest with the Mu Kingdom was not merely a battle of brute force, but also a contest of wisdom and strategy.
Just then, Zhao Hu hurriedly entered the tent and said, "General, we have captured a suspicious person. This person has been acting suspiciously near the camp."
Xiao Yichen's heart stirred, and he said, "Bring him in."
A short while later, a ragged man was brought into the tent. The man's face was full of terror, and his eyes darted around nervously.
"Who are you? Why are you wandering around the military camp?" Xiao Yichen asked sternly.
The man stammered, "General... I am a refugee, just passing through this place, and I have no ill intentions."
Xiao Yichen looked into the man's eyes, and he had a feeling that the man was lying. He stood up, slowly walked to the man's side, and said, "You'd better tell the truth, or don't blame this general for being ruthless."
The man was intimidated by Xiao Yichen's imposing aura, his body trembling slightly. Just as he was about to speak, suddenly, a hidden arrow shot from outside the tent, heading straight for Xiao Yichen.
Xiao Yichen reacted quickly, dodging the hidden arrow with a sidestep. Then, he shouted, "Assassin!"
Upon hearing the shouts, the soldiers outside the tent rushed in and shielded Xiao Yichen. Zhao Hu, meanwhile, led a group of soldiers out to pursue the assassin.
However, the assassin had already vanished into the darkness without a trace. Looking at the hidden arrow on the ground, Xiao Yichen understood that this was a test from the Mu Kingdom. They wanted to gauge his alertness and reaction time, and also wanted to take the opportunity to eliminate him.
"It seems the Mu Kingdom's conspiracy has begun," Xiao Yichen said coldly. He knew that the war with the Mu Kingdom had inevitably begun. And he had to be fully prepared to meet the impending challenge.
In Luo'an City, Lin Wan'er also learned of the events that had occurred on the border. She was deeply worried about Xiao Yichen's safety, which further strengthened her resolve to secretly investigate the Mu Kingdom's spies. Using her mind-reading abilities, she searched the city for suspicious individuals, hoping to find clues and contribute to the safety of the Rong Kingdom.
As time went on, the activities of Mu Kingdom's spies within Rong Kingdom's territory became increasingly frequent, and their conspiracy gradually came to light. Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were engaged in a thrilling battle against Mu Kingdom's forces on their respective battlefields. This battle not only concerned their personal fates but also the life and death of Rong Kingdom.
The soft light of dawn filtered through the dappled leaves, illuminating Lin Wan'er's boudoir. She slowly awoke, still immersed in the chaotic dreams of the previous night. In her dream, the Rong Kingdom was engulfed in war, and its people were displaced—a scene that deeply troubled her.
Lin Wan'er rose and sat down at the dressing table, Xiao He combing her long, flowing hair. Looking at herself in the mirror, Lin Wan'er's eyes held a hint of worry. "Xiao He," she said softly, "the atmosphere in the city has become increasingly tense lately. I have a bad feeling about this."
As Xiaohe put the hairpin in her hair, she replied, "Miss, aren't you overthinking things? With General Xiao guarding the border and the king and ministers managing state affairs, Rong Kingdom will surely be safe and sound."
Lin Wan'er shook her head slightly; she knew things weren't that simple. After getting dressed, she decided to go out for a walk, hoping to discover some clues.
Walking along the bustling street, Lin Wan'er appeared to be strolling casually, but in reality, she was secretly using her mind-reading abilities. The thoughts of those around her flooded her mind like a tidal wave, noisy and chaotic. She tried hard to sift through this clamor for useful information, but to no avail. Those secret agents were specially trained, their inner thoughts were extremely well hidden, and she found it difficult to catch any definite clues.
As she walked into a quiet alley, Lin Wan'er sensed a faint, unusual aura. She stopped and warily scanned her surroundings. Suddenly, a dark figure darted past a corner. Without hesitation, Lin Wan'er gave chase, but by the time she reached the end of the alley, the figure had vanished without a trace.
"It seems they're getting more and more cunning," Lin Wan'er thought to herself, her brows furrowed.
Meanwhile, in the frontier military camp, Xiao Yichen was summoning his generals to discuss strategies for dealing with the Mu Kingdom. The atmosphere in the tent was serious, and everyone's expressions were solemn.
"General, according to our scouts, the Mu Kingdom's army is amassed an increasing number of troops on the border, and they are equipped with many new types of siege weapons," a general said with concern.
Xiao Yichen's expression was stern; he knew all too well the difficulty of this war. "Strengthen the fortifications, stockpile more arrows and stones, and train the soldiers to counter siege tactics," he calmly deployed the tasks. "In addition, send out even more elite scouts deep into the territory of the Mu Kingdom to ascertain their deployment time and exact troop strength."
The generals departed to carry out their orders, while Xiao Yichen stood alone in his tent, gazing at the border between Rong and Mu on the map, lost in thought. He understood that this war was not only a contest of military might, but also a test of wisdom and patience.
Back in Luo'an City, Lin Wan'er didn't give up on tracking down the spy. She went to a teahouse in the city, a bustling place where information was most readily available. She found a corner to sit down, ordered a pot of tea, and quietly listened to the conversations around her.
"Have you heard? Recently, many outsiders have come to the city, and their behavior is quite strange," an old man said mysteriously.
"Oh? What's so strange about it?" the young man next to him asked curiously.
"They seem to pay special attention to the city's defenses and food reserves, always trying to find out about them indirectly," the old man replied in a low voice.
Lin Wan'er's heart skipped a beat. Just as she was about to use her mind-reading ability to investigate further, she felt a powerful resistance. She was startled; this was something she had never encountered before. Without showing any emotion, she got up, left the teahouse, and decided to continue her investigation in another location.
In the palace, the king was also anxious about the threat posed by the Mu Kingdom. He summoned several trusted ministers to discuss countermeasures.
"Your Majesty, I believe the most urgent task is to form an alliance with friendly neighboring countries to jointly counter the Mu Kingdom," a minister advised.
"This plan is good, but it's a long-term solution that can't address an immediate problem. Moreover, each country has its own interests to consider, so forming an alliance will likely be no easy task," the king said, frowning.
"Your Majesty, could we recruit warriors within the country to expand the army?" another minister suggested.
The king pondered for a moment: "Although the Rong army is well-trained, it should not be expanded rashly, lest it cause domestic unrest. We need to consider this carefully."
The ministers nodded in agreement and continued to discuss various solutions.
Lin Wan'er arrived at the city's slums, a place teeming with all sorts of people and a convenient hiding place for spies. She walked cautiously, constantly watching her surroundings. Suddenly, she heard a faint arguing sound.
"Why are you in such a hurry? If our identities are exposed, we'll all die!" a voice hissed.
“I just feel like if we keep gathering intelligence like this, when will we ever finish our mission? The prince of Mu Kingdom can’t wait any longer,” another voice complained.
Lin Wan'er was overjoyed; she had finally found a clue. She quietly approached the source of the sound and hid behind a broken wall. She saw two ragged men arguing in front of a dilapidated house.
Lin Wan'er focused her attention and used her mind-reading ability again. This time, she successfully broke through their psychological defenses and read fragments of their memories. She learned that they were spies sent by Murong Xuan to investigate the troop deployment of the Rong Kingdom's palace and the location of the city's grain reserves. There were also other spies scattered throughout the city, and they would meet regularly in an abandoned ancient temple outside the city to exchange intelligence.
Just as Lin Wan'er was about to leave the slums, she accidentally knocked over a stone. The sound startled the two spies, who turned around alertly and spotted Lin Wan'er.
"Oh no, I've been discovered!" Lin Wan'er thought to herself, and turned to run.
The spies were in hot pursuit, and Lin Wan'er desperately fled through the narrow alleys. She knew she couldn't be caught, or not only would her own life be in danger, but she would also implicate Rong Guo. Using her familiarity with the city's terrain, she turned left and right, trying to shake off the spies.
However, the spies were well-trained and remained close behind her. Seeing that she was about to be caught, Lin Wan'er was frantic with worry. Suddenly, she saw a patrol of soldiers ahead. She cried out for help: "Help! Bad guys are chasing me!"
Hearing the cries for help, the patrolling soldiers quickly surrounded the spies and blocked their path. Seeing the situation was dire, the spies turned to flee, but were easily captured by the soldiers.
Lin Wan'er breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to explain the situation to the soldiers. The soldiers dared not delay and escorted the spy to the government office.
Lin Wan'er rushed to the palace to deliver this important news to the king. In the palace hall, the king was greatly shocked upon hearing Lin Wan'er's report.
"Miss Lin, you have rendered a great service this time. If it weren't for you, I would still be in the dark," the king said gratefully.
“Your Majesty, this is my duty. The Mu Kingdom harbors wolfish ambitions, and we must take precautions as soon as possible,” Lin Wan’er replied respectfully.
The king immediately ordered that the palace and city be strengthened, and at the same time sent men to hunt down the spies in the ancient temple outside the city.
Xiao Yichen also received the news at the border, and he was filled with admiration for Lin Wan'er's wit and courage. He knew that having such an extraordinary woman in Rong Kingdom was a blessing for the kingdom.
"Pass down the order: the entire army is on high alert, ready to respond to any attack from the Mu Kingdom." Xiao Yichen issued the order, his eyes revealing determination and resolve.
With the crackdown on the Mu Kingdom's spies, the Rong Kingdom temporarily eased its internal crisis. But Lin Wan'er knew this was only the beginning; Murong Xuan would never let it go. She returned home, sat in the courtyard, and gazed at the bright moon, pondering her next move. She understood that her mind-reading ability was a crucial weapon against the Mu Kingdom, but she needed to master it more thoroughly to better protect the Rong Kingdom and her loved ones during this crisis.
In the days that followed, Lin Wan'er began her secluded cultivation, attempting to break through the bottleneck of her mind-reading ability. She immersed herself in her inner world, battling various distracting thoughts and resisting forces. Meanwhile, Xiao Yichen remained diligent on the frontier, personally overseeing the soldiers' training and continuously improving the defensive fortifications, awaiting the next challenge from the Mu Kingdom. Throughout the Rong Kingdom, everyone was making final preparations for the impending war. Nobles and commoners alike knew this war concerned their very survival, and everyone was filled with tension and anticipation.