Chapter 188 The time to fight for His Highness has finally arrived.
At dawn, before the sun had risen and the sky was just beginning to lighten, military drills were already underway in the western military camp.
Countless soldiers stood in strict formation, holding long spears, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and killing intent.
At the very front of the procession, Ru Mo, clad in silver-scaled armor, was patrolling back and forth along the ranks.
She would pause for a moment in front of each group, her sharp gaze sweeping over the soldiers' posture and the way they held their guns.
If any movement is not performed correctly, it will be corrected directly by hand.
"Keep your arm straighter when holding the gun!"
"Relax your shoulders and neck, don't let the armor restrict your movements!"
"Be more agile. When you're really on the battlefield, if you can't win by sheer strength, what matters is your reaction speed, understand?"
His discipline and obedience were even more swift and decisive than those of veteran generals who had been immersed in military service for decades.
For the past six months, she has lived and worked alongside all the soldiers, leading them through thick and thin, from basic martial arts to battlefield combat skills, and even troop deployment. She has personally handled every aspect of the training and has long since become the backbone of this team.
Upon closer inspection, one will discover that this well-trained team is entirely composed of women.
They wore high ponytails, their bangs damp with sweat and clinging to their cheeks, but each of them had a determined look in their eyes and was full of fighting spirit.
Since His Highness sent her to take charge of the Imperial Guard, she has been gradually replacing the soldiers of the Imperial Guard with women, in accordance with His Highness's orders.
Initially, not only civil officials but also military officers submitted memorials opposing the action, arguing that "women are weak and unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility of defending the capital."
The veteran soldiers in the barracks scoffed, thinking that these young women "couldn't even hold a gun properly and would ruin things sooner or later."
But Ru Mo led the first batch of recruited female soldiers and, in three months, won first place in a drill against the Imperial Guards responsible for the palace. She also defeated a larger force with a smaller one and captured the bandit leader alive when suppressing bandits in the suburbs of Beijing, thus completely silencing the public opinion.
Today, half of the 10,000 soldiers of the Golden Guard are women.
They are no longer delicate young women waiting to be married in their secluded chambers, nor are they women who stay in the backyard to support their husbands and raise their children. Instead, they are warriors who can wield guns and don armor to protect their territory.
They fought harder and worked harder than all the male soldiers because, unlike the men, they had no way out.
Ru Mo walked to the center of the training ground, his gaze sweeping over the resolute faces before him: "From today onwards, daily drills and formation practice will be added! We will have live-fire exercises this afternoon! Do you all understand?"
"Understood!" the soldiers responded in unison, their voices so loud that even the bare branches of trees beside the drill ground trembled slightly.
As dawn broke in the east, golden morning light pierced through the morning mist, illuminating the soldiers' armor and casting a dazzling glow.
The time to fight for His Highness has finally come.
Inside the private room of Chun Jin Lou, Lu Lingfeng finally managed to get Su Qingci to come out. Seeing that she looked preoccupied and absent-minded, he couldn't help but ask, "You were looking forward to the return of the Princess to the capital just a few days ago. Now that His Highness has returned safely, why are you looking so worried?"
Su Qingci finally came to her senses, looked up at Lu Lingfeng, her eyes filled with conflict.
She opened her mouth, and just as she uttered the words "Lu Lang, I...", it was as if something was blocking her throat, and she couldn't say the rest.
Seeing her like this, Lu Lingfeng felt a pang of anxiety and quickly stood up, walked around to her side, and gently pulled her into his arms.
He placed his palm on her back and gently patted it, speaking in a very slow voice.
"What's wrong? Have you run into some trouble? If you trust me, tell me. Even if I can't help much, I can still give you some advice. It's better than you keeping it to yourself."
Su Qingci's voice came from his embrace, "This matter... This matter concerns the Eldest Princess and the overall situation of the court. It is far too important for me to let you know. In case... In case the news leaks out, not only will I suffer, but you will also be implicated."
"Is it related to the Eldest Princess?" Lu Lingfeng frowned even more, gently pushing her away while holding her shoulders, his gaze fixed intently on Su Qingci.
The worry and fear in her eyes were genuine, not feigned.
His anxiety grew: "What is it? Is it so serious that I can't even talk about it? Will it... will it affect you? Will it put you in danger?"
“It will certainly have an impact.” Su Qingci lowered her eyes. “If we are not careful, it could be a crime that could cost us our heads, and even the Su family could be implicated.”
Lu Lingfeng's heart sank. He cupped her face in his hands, his tone serious.
“Qingci, I know that the Princess saved your life, and I understand that you are grateful for this kindness and follow her wholeheartedly. But have you ever thought that someone who truly cares about you and values you would never let you fall into such a dangerous situation?”
He gently stroked her face, the warmth of his palm flowing over her, his eyes filled with tenderness.
"Like me, I never expect you to do anything for me. I only wish you a smooth life, peace and joy, and longevity. Even just staying in a small courtyard, brewing tea and reading books every day is better than letting you risk your life."
Upon hearing this, Su Qingci's eyes reddened. "Lu Lang, but Her Highness is different. Her Highness has shown me great kindness, and now that she is in trouble, how can I stand idly by?"
She gripped Lu Lingfeng's hand tightly in return, "But the thought that if something were to happen to me, I wouldn't be able to be with you anymore..."
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Lingfeng gently interrupted him.
He reached out and pulled her back into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice gentle.
“Silly girl, I don’t want you to betray His Highness, I just feel sorry for you going to take such a risk. Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you. If you need help, I will help you even if it costs the entire Lu family. Don’t worry, I will protect you from the shadows and will never let anything happen to you.”
Su Qingci leaned against him, nodded gently, and said in a muffled voice, "Lu Lang, it's so good to have you."
After a long silence, as if she had finally made up her mind, she whispered, "Lu Lang, on New Year's Eve..."
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