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"What's your name?"
When Song Ling picked up her teacup, she glanced at Yu Baizhou, who was holding and playing with the child beside her, and was momentarily stunned.
"The general looks...very refreshed today."
It's no wonder she couldn't stand it. In the past, General Yu wasn't exactly slovenly, but he was also unkempt. His thick stubble and dark face always gave people a terrifying sense of oppression.
Although he arrived in a hurry today, he shaved off the beard that had seemed to stick to his face for more than a month. His clothes were neat and tidy. Upon closer inspection, he was exactly as the young lady from the Prince's Mansion had described. Their general was indeed a handsome and dashing man.
"Me?" Yu Baizhou subconsciously raised his hand and touched his smooth chin. He felt a moment of discomfort, but more than that, he felt a secret joy and helplessness. "Is there something wrong?"
“That’s good,” Song Ling smiled slightly. “I just didn’t expect that the general, besides being a warrior on the battlefield, would also be so handsome.”
Song Ling didn't take it seriously, but the speaker didn't mean anything by it, but the listener took it to heart and her heart started pounding. Yu Baizhou immediately turned red and looked away.
Everyone has a unique personality. Yu Baizhou doesn't possess the refined elegance of the noble young masters in the capital, nor does he have the reserved gentleness of literati. He is tall and has a sharp, somewhat aggressive face.
Despite his intimidating aura and appearance, his eyes often revealed a clean and clear quality when he looked at her, which softened his demeanor considerably.
Just like at this moment, although the general was deliberately avoiding his gaze, the blush on his ears betrayed him completely.
Song Ling sighed inwardly and had no choice but to change the subject, "Xi Rong, Yu Xi Rong."
What is the general's opinion?
Yu Baizhou hadn't read many books, and at this moment he only thought the name sounded nice. For the first time, he felt a little guilty about his lack of knowledge.
"That's fine, let's call her Xirong." He looked up at her seemingly unintentionally, but his gaze met a pair of smiling eyes, and the warmth that had been there before instantly returned.
"Why...are you looking at me like that?"
"It's nothing, I just found it interesting," Song Ling said, taking a sip of tea to hide the smile on her face.
"General, please give the child a nickname, or even a pet name."
Yu Baizhou looked at the little girl who was staring at him with wide, curious eyes, and suddenly remembered her background.
"Why did Your Majesty order the execution of the entire Ning clan? Is it truly a case of the whole country betraying the enemy?"
Yu Baizhou had been in the southern border region for many years and knew very little about the news from the capital, but he could still roughly discern some shady dealings from it.
Song Ling shook her head. "His merits overshadow the emperor, that's all. His Majesty is getting old and can no longer tolerate the Ning family."
“Someone, assessing the situation, orchestrated a scheme with the spies within the Kingdom of Wuqi. Our Emperor was merely going along with the trend.”
Song Ling's tone was neither joyful nor angry, but rather sarcastic.
It's pitiful that the entire Ning clan, with their utmost loyalty to the emperor and the people, received nothing more than a decree from the king, and the entire clan couldn't even tolerate one of their children.
Yu Baizhou was silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
“Let her be called Zhi Ning by her childhood name.” He paused. “Now that the matter is settled, and her brother’s fate is uncertain for our Southwest Army, she is my own daughter.”
"That would be perfect." Song Ling nodded. This had always been her goal: to ensure that Young Master Ning had no worries.
She did use the child to blackmail the Second Young Master Ning, but the bargaining chips were laid out in the open, and the choice was in his hands. Song Ling did not find anything wrong with it.
She couldn't help but recall Yu Baizhou's inexplicable displeasure that night, and then asked him, "Why was the General so resistant to this matter that night?"
General Yu hesitated for a moment, and just when Song Ling thought he wouldn't explain, he suddenly heard him say, "Because the Southwest Army once had a strategist who was very similar to you."
Song Ling paused slightly in her teacup. "How does it resemble it?"
Yu Baizhou's thoughts turned back, as if recalling some unspeakable past, and a trace of sorrow flashed in his eyes. "You may have heard of Zhong Yue. Six years ago, he was the commander of the Southwest Army."
Song Ling lowered her eyes slightly, "I've heard a little about it."
"Unbeknownst to us, General Zhong has gained a brilliant strategist by his side, who has helped our Southwest Army win many battles."
"Until that day, hundreds of children were tied up by the Southern Barbarians and brought to the front lines..." Yu Baizhou's voice grew increasingly sorrowful as he spoke, "Those were all children of our Southern Frontier people..."
His eyes stung with tears. "Do you know? I watched with my own eyes as those young children had their necks pierced and their heads chopped off... and I couldn't do anything about it..."
What were they doing, leaving their homes and guarding the southern border year after year? It was nothing more than for the peace and tranquility of the people, but at that moment they couldn't even protect the children of the people.
"Because of that strategist?"
“Trading something small for something big—when he said that, his tone was icy cold. I even doubted whether he had any heart at all.” Yu Baizhou gritted his teeth.
"So, General, you think Ling is as ruthless as that strategist?" Song Ling asked him. The general didn't explain the specifics, but she could roughly guess.
What happened to that strategist later?
Yu Baizhou's voice was somewhat hoarse, "General Zhong died from his serious injuries, and he also committed suicide by self-immolation."
“He came on his own initiative, and he is equally wise, intelligent, and resourceful. I’m afraid you’ll follow in his footsteps…”
Song Ling's heart skipped a beat, but when she looked at him, she saw the seriousness in his eyes. She then smiled slightly with a bitter smile, "General, please rest assured, that day will never come."
"If any decisions are made in the future, Ling will consult with the General. The prerequisite is that the General requires it..."
In addition, if she survives to that day.
Both of them understood the unspoken meaning in her words, which led to a temporary silence in the conversation.
"Knock knock knock..."
Qi Man knocked on the door and, after receiving permission, came in and said, "Miss, a guest has arrived; it is Miss Wang."
"Please let her in."
Just as Yu Baizhou was thinking how coincidental the surname was, he was suddenly caught off guard by the person who entered the room.
Who else could it be but Governor Wang's daughter, dressed as a man without any makeup?
Wang Zhiyan was also taken aback for a moment, not expecting to see General Yu again, so she immediately bowed and said, "Yueyun greets General Yu."
Since Song Ling felt comfortable letting her in, she assumed that this general was also trustworthy.
Yu Baizhou's lips twitched slightly, "Wang Xiao..."
"Cough cough cough..."
Looking towards the spot where he was coughing, he saw the hint in Song Ling's eyes and immediately understood.
"Yes, Your Highness... there's no need for such formalities."
"Since you're having a get-together, I'll be leaving now." With that, Yu Baizhou was about to leave with his child in his arms.
Wang Zhiyan then realized the child in his arms. Although her expression remained unchanged, the shock in her eyes was almost overflowing. This was General Yu's child?
Song Ling suddenly called out to him, "Please wait in the courtyard for a while, General. I have something to give you later."
Seeing that Yu Baizhou had left, she looked at the person who had come.
"Sit down. Have you thought this through?"
Song Ling handed Wang Zhiyan a cup of tea. "I know that Miss Wang is mostly using me now, but once you're on this boat, there's no turning back."
Wang Zhiyan chuckled, "Do I really have that many choices? Now I'm afraid it's impossible for me to marry General Yu, right? Rather than going to Luoyang to become some damn prince's concubine, I'd rather do what you said..."
"I will find a way out on my own."
“He’s just a son of a concubine. Why can he be the heir? Why can’t I be the heir?” She laughed freely, her eyes filled with determination.
Looking at her, Song Ling couldn't help but admire her decisiveness. Whether this Miss Wang was acting for herself, for her mother, or simply because she had the courage to break through so many barriers, it was truly rare.
“In that case, I will lend you a hand, Miss.” Song Ling stood up and handed her a brocade pouch. “This pouch can be opened in three days.”
"As for the transportation of medicinal herbs, we will have to trouble Miss Wang."
Wang Zhiyan smiled slightly and bowed, "It was nothing, then Yueyun thanks Mr. Song."
Song Ling shook her head slightly, "It's not really about that, it's just mutually beneficial."
“Yes,” Wang Zhiyan stood up and smiled, “you deserve it.”
She could get her father to relinquish power with just one strategy, so why shouldn't she accept it?
When Song Ling saw Wang Zhiyan off from the courtyard, she saw General Yu sitting in the courtyard, looking at the flowers with a bored expression.
"It's rare to see General Yu so obedient," Wang Zhiyan said softly, a far cry from the way he had been when she and her father had searched for him, hiding and showing him all sorts of disdain.
Song Ling simply smiled and said, "The general is devoted to the people and has always kept his promises."
Seeing that she neither understood nor responded, Wang Zhiyan didn't know what else to say.
"Sir, you are unparalleled, able to see through grand schemes, yet you cannot see through trivial matters."
She kindly offered this advice just this once, and that was it—no more.
Wang Zhiyan looked at Song Ling, but saw that her expression did not change at all, and she only said softly, "Ling, just take it as Miss Wang praising me."
Elm wood… Wang Zhiyan was speechless for a moment. Forget it, why should she meddle in these other people’s business?
Then he bowed in farewell, walked away leisurely with his hands behind his back, looking just like a carefree young master.
As Song Ling watched her figure disappear from sight, the faint smile on her lips faded, and her eyes lowered, revealing an inscrutable expression, as if she were lost in thought.
What are you thinking about?
As you turn around, you first see a broad chest in front of you, and only when you raise your head slightly do you see this slightly puzzled face.
"Nothing, where's Zhi Ning?"
Yu Baizhou was stunned for a moment before he realized who "Zhi Ning" was. "Your maid just took her away to breastfeed."
While in Huailai, Qi Man was Song Ling's subordinate; but after descending the mountain, she mostly appeared as her maid. He was probably referring to Qi Man taking the child down with her.
"In that case, General, please come inside. I have something to give you."
*
What is this?
Yu Baizhou looked at the small purse, or rather, the brocade pouch, in his hand.
“People infected with the disease have begun to appear in Shannan Prefecture. General, you must take immediate precautions after returning to the camp today.”
"The brocade pouch contains some medicines and materials for preventing epidemics, as well as some methods for dealing with epidemics in Shannan Prefecture. The general can discuss these with his military advisor and several deputy generals and then adopt them as appropriate."
"As for purchasing medicinal herbs, someone will go to the military camp to find the general this afternoon, and he will take care of the matter of medicinal herbs for you."
"What's his name?" Yu Baizhou examined the brocade pouch in his hand. "Do you have enough medicinal herbs for making medicine?"
Song Ling paused for a moment, then said, "General, rest assured, it's enough."
His name is Shi Yu.
For some reason, Yu Baizhou noticed a strange emotion in her eyes. He asked, seemingly casually, "Is he also your subordinate?"
“No,” Song Ling shook her head and said softly, “He is... an old friend.”
"An old friend I haven't seen in a long time."
Looking at the longing and rare tenderness in her eyes, for some reason, Yu Baizhou clenched his teeth, and a sour feeling welled up inside him.
"General, did you understand?" Song Ling couldn't help but urge him, after all, it was a matter of life and death.
"Hmm," he said, his tone somewhat stiff.
Yu Baizhou originally intended to leave directly, but before taking a step, he pulled back and walked stiffly to Song Ling.
Just as Song Ling was wondering, he took out the silver notes from his chest and stuffed them into her hand, saying, "This is all the money I have on me right now. You can use it for now."
Song Ling chuckled, "What would I do with your money?"
Seeing that she wanted to return it to him, Yu Baizhou felt even more distressed. "Whatever you want, buy medicine or clothes."
"I have to go for training this afternoon, I'm off."
Before she could react, he left hastily after uttering a single sentence.
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