Chapter 73 She finally realized that falling in love with an Englishman...
At night, an urgent report arrived in Jingning City.
Upon learning of this, He Ke and the others quickly sought out Lin Qingdai to deliver the urgent report.
Lin Qingdai was still awake. Ever since Ji Yujing left Lingdong, his safety had been weighing heavily on her mind, and her sleep had become much worse than before. She hadn't had a good night's sleep in a long time.
She was undoubtedly delighted to receive news from Lonely Cloud City tonight.
With the letter in hand, his eyes shone with a bright smile.
I was still thinking to myself, General Ji is still very sensible. I'll make him a few bowls of soup when he comes back.
The wooden box that had accompanied the letter was placed on the table. Mu Jing smiled and said, "How about Aunt Mu opens it for you? Let's see what our General Ji sent back."
Lin Qingdai did not disagree.
Mu Jing immediately took the box and unlocked it.
She peered inside the box before it was fully opened.
He was shocked at the sight, and his face turned cold.
Without thinking, she fastened the lid of the box.
Seeing her expression, Lin Qingdai's smile slowly faded.
She immediately opened the letter, and after reading it, a chill ran down her spine. A strange force seemed to drain all her strength, and she could barely hold onto the thin paper.
The paper fell to the ground.
He Ke was puzzled and quickly picked it up to look at it.
How could this be?
"Could this be a trap?"
Ji Yujing was no fool; he held his own against the cunning Xuanzhi, and he also understood Zhang Qiyuan quite well…
After she finished speaking, the room remained silent for several breaths before Lin Qingdai finally spoke.
“It doesn’t seem like a scam; the handwriting on the letter is indeed Ning Luoji’s.”
He had been by Ji Yujing's side since the early days of the Ningdong Army, and was a key figure in the army's strategist team. If he harbored any disloyalty, and given Ji Yujing's trust in him, he would have had countless opportunities to resort to underhanded tactics.
"Aunt Mu, what's in the box?"
Mu Jing hesitated and said, "Miss, you'd better not ask."
Lin Qingdai asked again, "What's in the box?"
Mu Jing had no other choice, "It's...it's a severed finger."
Fearing that Lin Qingdai would worry, she quickly added, "It may not be General Ji's, Miss, please don't panic."
Lin Qingdai responded almost inaudibly.
She didn't ask to see the severed finger because she was afraid.
If she hadn't seen it, she could comfort herself as Aunt Mu had suggested; but if she had, what if it was her? She would never be able to do it again.
"Uncle He, please make the arrangements. We'll depart at dawn tomorrow."
He Ke agreed immediately without offering any dissuasion.
This is a huge matter. Even if it's a scam, they have to find out for themselves.
"Inform Xu Xian that I need three thousand soldiers."
"promise."
Mu Jing took the box with her.
Too much anger and resentment is bad for Lin Qingdai's health.
Since she and He Ke left, the front hall has become a desolate and cold place.
After nearly half a cup of tea's time, Mingyue finally approached Lin Qingdai and gently coaxed her.
"Miss, would you like to wash up and lie down in bed?"
It's so cold sitting here like this.
Lin Qingdai did not respond.
But when Mingyue washed her hands and face, she didn't object. It was as if most of her soul and spirit had been taken away, turning her into a beautiful but lifeless porcelain doll.
After washing up, I returned to my bed.
Mingyue covered her with a quilt; nowadays, winter quilts are all extra thick, and the filling material is the warmest.
It should have warmed up quickly, but Lin Qingdai felt incredibly cold. Her back and arms were chilly, and her teeth were chattering. She didn't want this to happen; reason told her that everything could be resolved. Even worse, as Uncle He suspected, there might be a trap.
But she always tends to think the worst.
Ji Yujing was tortured, and images of severed fingers kept flashing through her mind.
I drifted off to sleep, and those were the same things in my dreams.
Amidst the blinding smoke, he smiled at her from the depths of the haze.
That smile was bright and unrestrained, surpassing even the spring sun; it was something she had never seen in him during his youth.
"Ji Ci."
Lin Qingdai murmured indistinctly, and at the same time, tears slid down her cheeks. The cold night was long, but her tears were warm.
Lone Cloud City
Over the past few days, occasional clashes have continued to occur in the city. However, these clashes have remained confined to small areas and were quickly quelled by the Ningdong Army.
Ji Yujing's reputation for protecting the people of Lingdong as a commoner was already widespread. Although he had occupied Guyun City by war, he claimed he would not disturb the people, and the people of Guyun City were willing to believe him. Most even felt that they might be better off in Guyun City under Ji Yujing's control.
In conclusion, although Lonely Cloud City has changed hands, the situation within the city is still relatively peaceful.
Ke Ji and Jing were not yet fully conscious.
Sometimes, even when I appear awake, my eyes are unfocused, filled with a thick mist of tears.
These days, he and a group of high-ranking Ning Dongjun officials have been staying at the Jingfu Inn.
Lonely Cloud City is famous for its elegance and tranquility, making it an ideal place to recuperate.
On the evening of the eighth day, Ji Yujing finally felt better and was able to sit up with difficulty. After drinking some detoxifying herbal soup, his mind became clearer.
"Have I been like this for several days?"
He hadn't spoken for several days, and his voice was terribly hoarse, as if it had been rubbed by sand and gravel. Not only that, but every word he uttered was incredibly painful in his throat.
He replied, "Counting today, it's been eight days. Boss, you really scared me this time."
"Fortunately, Elder Lu came along this time."
The once carefree Doctor Lu, whose daily meals consisted of a single pancake that would last him three days, had become quite the pampered man since following Lin Qingdai. His ambition had also grown. In his words, sixty years old was the prime of his life. Every day, besides eating, sleeping, and chatting with a few other old men who shared his love of pharmacology, he spent his time reading and researching drugs.
This time, due to the needs of the battle, Ji Yujing asked Lin Qingdai for people, and he happily followed along.
Fortunately, they followed.
Otherwise, in this urgent situation, where would we find a doctor who can handle unorthodox poisons?
"The Huo family is indeed ruthless. The arrows were poisoned; most people would only survive for two days if poisoned by them."
Ji and Jing, despite their strong physiques and the help of Elder Lu, only regained consciousness after several days, demonstrating the potency of this poison.
The eldest brother woke up, and was clearly very excited, talking a lot.
However, Ji Yujing only heard the phrase "It's been eight days already."
Eight days?
Dai Dai should have received a letter confirming her safety by now?
He can go home after two more days of rest. We'll deal with the rest after the New Year. This is Dai Dai's first New Year in Lingdong after getting married; it's very important.
Lost in thought, Ji Yujing seemed somewhat dazed.
He finally saw it, and his voice trailed off.
"..."
After all that talking, the boss probably didn't hear a single word.
A moment later, Ji Yujing came to his senses.
He said to Congxin, "Help me go outside to sit for a while."
"Let it breathe."
From the new perspective: "Wait."
As soon as he finished speaking, a four-wheeled cart was pushed in from the outer hall.
"Old Lu said that you haven't been able to walk normally for a while, so he asked us to prepare a mobility scooter for you."
"So, how much silver did it cost me?"
Ji Yujing: "..." With such a loud and boisterous manner, how could he be a general who has been through countless battles?
He helped Ji Yujing back into the car and pushed it towards the outer hall. Upon arrival, he opened a window. A cold breeze blew in, brushing against Ji Yujing, and he indeed became much more awake.
Before they had even had a proper chat, Chen Sinian and Ning Luoji arrived together. Upon entering, they saw Ji Yujing and their faces lit up with joy.
"General, you're awake."
"My heart can finally find peace."
Ji Yujing looked at them, her eyes gentle, "Thank you all for your hard work."
Chen Sinian: "Why say such things when we're brothers? In terms of hardship, the general has suffered the most."
Ji Yujing chuckled, "Have a seat. This inn is quite nice."
"Yes, and the price is reasonable."
After chatting for a while, Ning Luoji suddenly stood up and knelt down facing Ji Yujing.
"Logy has done something wrong, please punish him, General."
Ji, Jing, and the other two were caught off guard and froze in shock.
A moment later, Ji Yujing spoke in a low, hoarse voice.
"What is it?"
Ning Luoji: "Luoji took it upon himself to replace the letter reporting that he was safe with a letter pleading for help..."
After enduring several days of harsh winds and freezing temperatures, Lin Qingdai finally arrived at Lonely Cloud City.
She didn't even get out of the car before the city gates opened.
Because the deputy general of the new team was guarding the city today, he spotted Xu Xian in the crowd and personally went down the city wall to greet him.
As the wheels rolled over the bricks and stones of the city wall, Lin Qingdai's mood gradually turned ashen. This ashen mood was no longer related to fear.
The city was also filled with their own people.
He Ke easily found out Ji Yujing's location, and the carriage headed towards Jingfu Inn.
Upon arrival, Lin Qingdai got off the bus.
The guards around the inn recognized her and Xu Xian and all bowed respectfully.
"Madam, General, what brings you here?"
Lin Qingdai kept a cold expression and didn't respond.
Seeing her expression, Xu Xian thought to himself: Who exactly started this mess today? Are they crazy? He had absolutely no idea how to clean this up.
During these past few days on the road, not to mention the lady, those of them who followed her to Lonely Cloud City were also extremely distressed.
"Where is the general?"
The guard sensed something was wrong and dared not say anything more, truthfully replying, "Sixth floor, Jia Shui room."
Lin Qingdai headed straight for the sixth floor, her steps quick, her cloak billowing and creating distinct ripples. A wooden box she carried in her hand was occasionally exposed to the scorching coldness of the glass; inside was the treasure map that had never been seen before.
She came from Lingdong, enduring the hardships of the journey, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Ji and Jing. She had considered the possibility of a trap, but never imagined it would be so absurd.
As she stood outside the room called Jia Shui, she heard Ning Luoji and Ji Yujing talking.
He said that when Ji Yujing was seriously injured, he asked him to send someone to deliver a message of safety back to Lingdong, but he did not.
He even staged a play with Zhang Qiyuan to lure Lin Ergu out of Lingdong, where she might possess a treasure map that had never appeared in the world for a hundred years.
The sense of absurdity vanished, replaced by anger and hatred that overwhelmed her.
"Uncle He, break down the door."
Lin Qingdai listened to everything as if in self-torture, her voice cold and silent, like a frozen sculpture.
He Ke did as instructed.
Because of his anger, he used quite a bit of force in that kick.
A door was instantly shattered into pieces.
Lin Qingdai walked in slowly, and Ji Yujing glanced at her from the side.
"Dai Dai?"
He felt a pang of panic, even though none of this really had anything to do with him. He instinctively wanted to stand up to greet her, but the toxins in his body hadn't completely dissipated, and his legs simply couldn't support his weight.
He fell forward.
All sides are mobilized, and as always, there are many people protecting him.
But the girl who used to rush over to check on him when he pretended to be in pain just watched coldly and didn't go any closer to him.
Ji Yujing was gripped by fear; he knew that if he didn't handle this situation well, he might lose Dai Dai.
"Dai Dai, listen to me..."
"Madam, this has nothing to do with the general; it's me, it's me."
Ning Luoji shifted his position on his knees, facing Lin Qingdai, and kowtowed repeatedly. Only then did he realize that Zhang Qiyuan might have been trying to sabotage the relationship between the general and his wife.
The final treasure map has appeared, and the general has collected them all; his great undertaking is about to succeed.
After this incident, the lady's feelings for him became clear.
But he forgot that the lady was no ordinary woman.
She wouldn't compromise herself just because her husband was Ji Yujing. What she would do was something even the general couldn't guess.
But now is not the time to dwell on Zhang Qiyuan's motives; he only hopes to clarify things and make amends. However, no matter how much he pleaded, Lin Qingdai didn't even glance at him.
She only had eyes for Ji Yujing, but this "only" was different from before. She was noble and indifferent, as if she were looking at a stranger.
"General Ji, here is a treasure map for you."
"Can I exchange it for a divorce agreement?"
With that, she threw the small box in her hand at him. It hit the ground a moment later with a sharp thud.
The box cracked, and a map fell out.
However, Ji Yujing didn't even glance at it, saying, "I don't want it, I don't want it."
“Dai Dai”.
"open."
He refused the help of Cong Xin and the others, and insisted on walking towards Lin Qingdai, but where did he get the strength?
With a thud, he fell heavily to the ground.
"General."
"General."
Worried shouts rose from all sides, but Ji and Jing seemed not to hear them.
He crawled toward Lin Qingdai, his arrogance crushed by the fear of losing her.
"Dai Dai, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."
"I didn't lie to you, I didn't."
"Take the treasure map, I don't want it. I don't agree to a divorce."
Lin Qingdai watched him crawl, her handsome face pale, without uttering a word.
How did they get to this point?
He seems to have done nothing wrong in all this, but in the days that followed, she was in so much pain that she almost died.
She was always worried that the severed finger was his.
She feared he was being subjected to inhuman abuse in Lonely Cloud City; the mere thought of it was enough to drive her mad.
"Ji Yujing, since I married into Lingdong, I have always put you first and kept the people of Lingdong in my heart. But what have I gotten in return?"
"Testing, deception, endless fear, everyone can manipulate me with the name 'Ji Yu Jing'."
"I suddenly feel like this marriage is holding me back, and I... don't want to love you anymore."
From fantasy to reality, the man in her heart never disappointed her.
He was indeed a towering and upright gentleman, a hero who saved countless people from suffering.
She finally realized how painful it was to fall in love with a hero.
After saying that, she turned and left, her skirt swaying, and the familiar fragrance of Ji Yujing wafted out.
But he couldn't catch it.
"No, don't go."
“Dai Dai”.
"Lin Qingdai".
Lin Qingdai did not stop. "Anyone who blocks my way, kill them."
With Mu Jing, He Ke, and other top experts present today, it would be extremely difficult to force Lin Qingdai to stay in front of them.
General, you're still injured. But doing nothing isn't an option either.
Xu Xian waved his hand suddenly, and the soldiers guarding the rear blocked the gate, standing in front of Lin Qingdai.
Lin Qingdai coldly replied, "Do you really think I won't take action?"
"I'm saying it one last time, get out of the way."
Military orders are absolute, and not a single person moved.
Lin Qingdai gave a slight smile. "Then... kill them."
If this continues, there will inevitably be casualties.
But neither side wanted to make a move.
He Ke could only step in and discuss with Ji Yujing, "General, the young lady has been worried about your safety these days, and her body and emotions are in a state of stress. Please don't argue with her."
"Let her calm down, and we can discuss the rest back in Lingdong."
Ji Yujing stared at that familiar yet resolute figure, his fingers slowly and fiercely digging into the ground.
"Xu Xian, escort the lady back to Lingdong."
They said they were escorting her, but actually they were afraid she would get really angry and never come back to Lingdong.
Once she leaves Lingdong, the world is vast and she has countless capable people around her. If she doesn't want him to find her, he really won't be able to.
He couldn't bear not being able to find Dai Dai.
He will die.
"promise."
The soldiers blocking the door immediately withdrew, and Lin Qingdai resolutely walked out of Ji Yujing's sight without ever looking back.
The treasure map that had driven the world mad with desire remained unseen by either the couple during their standoff. Only after Lin Qingdai left did Ji Yujing allow the map to be put away again and returned to Lin Qingdai in Lingdong.
Ji Yujing got back into the car, all his disheveled and confused state vanishing with Lin Qingdai's departure.
It seemed that she had taken away all the other warm feelings in his body as well.
He was nothing but coldness, extremism, and violence.
He looked towards a point in the void, "I want to see Zhang Qiyuan."
Before long, Zhang Qiyuan entered the Jiashui Room, passing through the dilapidated door, without a trace of surprise on his face.
Once inside the room, he automatically found a seat and sat down, relaxed and at ease, as if it were his own room.
Ji Yujing looked at him coldly, "What do you want to do?"
Zhang Qiyuan laughed upon hearing this.
This short, sharp sound was full of joy.
"I think……"
You have the opportunity to compete fairly with Lin Qingdai.
Having finally been able to express his long-held thoughts, Zhang Qiyuan felt extremely relieved, and his smile grew even wider.
"However, I think Miss Lin must hate you to the core now."
"I might even be half a step ahead of you."
"Zhang Qiyuan, you are a powerful and ruthless leader, yet you resort to such despicable means."
After listening to it again, he was shocked and cursed.
Zhang Qiyuan: "Really?"
After a few pauses, he said again, "Perhaps so, but if I can get a beauty who is famous throughout the world, it's worth it."
His every expression revealed a morbid obsession.
"Ji Yujing, blame yourself for not guarding it properly."
"Since ancient times, power and beauty have always been the most coveted by the strong. To expect others not to fight for them is nothing short of wishful thinking."
Ji Yujing harbored murderous intent, his gaze cold and filled with hatred.
At this moment, Zhang Qiyuan and Xuanzhi were practically synonymous.
"Lin Qingdai, she is my wife."
"Even if I die, I will take her with me."
She cannot belong to any other man.
"Start anew."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Arrange a carriage to return to Lingdong."
"Zhang Qiyuan, stop causing trouble. If I'm determined to kill you, no one can save you."
If Ji Yujing were just Ji Yujing, he would want to kill Zhang Qiyuan today.
But he can't.
After attacking several locations in a short period of time, the soldiers were exhausted and unprepared for continued fighting.
For various reasons, he had no choice but to endure it.
But Zhang Qiyuan didn't let him off the hook. "Now that you've collected all four treasure maps, you can obtain endless wealth if you agree to a divorce. That should be enough to support your march into the capital."
Ji Yujing was not angered by what he said.
He even laughed, as if he could see Zhang Qiyuan's impotent rage at being unable to obtain what he wanted.
Zhang Qiyuan asked him what he was laughing about.
Ji Yujing truthfully replied, "I will not enter the capital alone."
His wife must be with him.
In the past, he wanted to create a peaceful and prosperous world, a world where the country was safe and the people were at peace, and there was no more war.
Now, there's one more thing.
He wanted his Dai Dai to sit in a high position, holding the white jade phoenix seal.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
