Chapter 065: You Don’t Need to Pretend

Chapter 065: You Don't Need to Pretend

Seeing the situation, Chu Li started a heated argument with Ji Lingchuan, and when things got intense, they even began to physically fight.

Chu Li was no match for Ji Lingchuan, who quickly pinned her arms behind her back, rendering her immobile. Seizing the opportunity, Ji Lingchuan whispered, "I went back to the city to check on the grain stores, but the Wu family has gotten suspicious. They’ve been tailing me all day, and it’s inconvenient to act with those two following me."

Chu Li lifted her leg, aiming for Ji Lingchuan’s forehead. He was forced to let go, his face filled with anger. "If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been forced to leave the capital. Now, I’ve been roped into doing free labor for He An. My soldiers are skilled warriors, but thanks to you, they’re out digging mud."

"Nonsense! If you left the capital, it’s because you’re disobeying an imperial order. When I get back, I’ll report this to the emperor."

Ji Lingchuan remained unmoved. "Go ahead, we can all go together. I’ll ask the emperor to rescind the order."

Chu Li: "..."

Even though she knew he was just angry, Chu Li still felt a sharp sting of sadness. This might be a temporary situation, but he wasn’t entirely lying. He didn’t like her, didn’t want to marry her—those were facts.

The shadow beside the alley had disappeared. Chu Li lowered her defensive stance, her expression cold, and was about to leave.

But Ji Lingchuan hoisted her onto his shoulder.

Chu Li was about to struggle but then worried there might be spies. "They’re gone. Put me down."

"We can’t be careless. We’ll talk once we’re back," Ji Lingchuan said, then barked, "Before the emperor takes back the order, you’d better stay in line and not embarrass this general."

**

By now, everyone had gathered at He An’s villa. After putting Zimo to sleep, Ruan Qinghuan led them to a side room.

Ji Lingchuan looked dejected. "We’ve located the grain stores, but the Wu family is on high alert, with guards posted everywhere. The six storages are far apart, and to seize them all at once, we’ll need a lot of manpower."

Chu Li said, "When it’s time to take them, I’ll lead a team."

Ji Lingchuan dismissed the idea without a second thought. "That’s crazy. You can’t afford to mess up."

Ruan Qinghuan looked at the two of them, one with a listless expression and the other troubled, both worrying about the other without realizing it.

"There’s no rush. If we act too soon, before the dam is completed, Wu Quan might deploy his private army, and that would cause chaos. If war breaks out, the people of Lu City will suffer."

Ji Lingchuan understood this, but getting a large number of troops into the city without alerting the enemy wasn’t easy.

Ruan Qinghuan reminded, "General Ji, don’t you remember the bandits we captured on our way here?"

"Of course, they were just locked up in the county jail when someone attempted a jailbreak. Fortunately, the Chancellor anticipated this and foiled their plan."

"If I’m not wrong, those people were likely small leaders of the private army. Once the dam is completed, we can use them as bait. Even if we can’t capture the entire private army, we’ll still uncover some dirt."

Ji Lingchuan thought for a moment. "It’s a plan."

Chu Li said, "Luckily, Qian Yunxi used her charm to convince Wu Quan to send flour to Mount Wangyue. It’ll last a month, feeding the refugees and depleting their grain supplies."

Ruan Qinghuan shook her head. "It’s not that easy. Wu Quan will definitely try to restock the grain supplies. I’ve already sent Jiang Chen to inform the officials to keep an eye on the Wu family’s movements. Once they purchase grain, we’ll seize it."

At this point, Ji Lingchuan was genuinely impressed with Ruan Qinghuan. Out of nowhere, he said, "Sister-in-law, are all these strategies of yours from dealing with household matters?"

Chu Li punched him, unsure if that was a compliment or an insult.

Ruan Qinghuan didn’t mind. "You could say that."

After finishing the serious discussion, they chatted casually. Ruan Qinghuan said, "General Ji can’t leave the city for now, so we’ll stage a performance to fool the enemy."

Chu Li was reluctant. "I’m not very good at acting."

Ji Lingchuan said with a smile, "You don't need to put on an act. Just be yourself."

Chu Li's face was cold. Clearly, this wasn't a compliment.

**

At the moment, news of Ji Lingchuan falling out with He An had spread. It gave her a good opportunity to leave the city and take a look outside. Before, Ruan Qinghuan had stayed in the city to keep the Wu family at ease. As long as she was here, they weren't afraid that He An would act recklessly.

Maybe the heavens were showing mercy. Since the construction of the dam began, there had been no heavy rain. However, drizzles were constant, and staying in the humid, hot environment for too long could make one feel irritated.

Before leaving, Ruan Qinghuan went to see Xie Zitang. As soon as she entered, she was almost pushed out by the wave of heat, "Why not open some windows or work outside? This room feels like a sauna. If you stay here too long, your body won't be able to take it."

"It's alright. Making too much noise would raise suspicion and cause problems," Xie Zitang said. He had already finished making the small, delicate crossbow according to the blueprint. After several adjustments, though not as powerful as a longbow, it was agile and rapid, capable of continuous shooting, holding up to ten small arrows.

Ruan Qinghuan fastened the crossbow to her arm. It fit perfectly. She looked around, aimed at the teacup on the low table, and pressed the mechanism. With a crisp sound, the teacup shattered.

Ruan Qinghuan praised, "This is really excellent. Master Xie's craftsmanship is outstanding. It's much better than my original design."

After spending days and nights crafting the weapon, Xie Zitang felt just as excited, "It's all thanks to your advice. If this crossbow can be mass-produced and equipped to the soldiers on the frontlines, it will greatly increase our chances of victory."

Ruan Qinghuan nodded, but that was a matter for the future. She thanked him and left.

After the noble left the room, Xie Zitang closed the door. He seemed to have grown accustomed to the hot environment, and even though he was drenched in sweat, he didn't find it too uncomfortable.

His life had been saved by the noble, and as for going to the capital, he did want to, but Lu City was a dangerous place. Once he showed his face, it would surely bring deadly danger to the noble.

Everyone had a selfish side, and he was no exception. He worried that if the noble knew about the situation at West Wind Cliff, they wouldn't risk saving him. This was why he hadn't mentioned a word about it.

He didn't speak, and the noble didn't ask. Xie Zitang couldn't shake off his guilt.

His inner turmoil tormented him. Limping, he came to the desk, picked up the teapot, and poured it into his mouth. The cold tea sobered him a little.

No, he couldn't repay kindness with betrayal.

He had just overheard the noble and Xia Lian talking. They were about to leave the city. Beyond the city walls lay a den of tigers and wolves.

Xie Zitang clenched his fist and knocked on the table. It was as if he had made a decision. Limping, he opened the door and bumped into Ruan Qinghuan, who was about to leave and was instructing Xia Lian to take good care of Zimo.

"The noble cannot go," Xie Zitang said, coming out of the room.

Ruan Qinghuan didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue. To her surprise, Xie Zitang knelt down, his face etched with shame.

Seeing this, Xia Lian was a little angry, "After finally throwing away your crutches, are you trying to ruin your leg again?"

Ruan Qinghuan said, "Stand up and speak."

Xie Zitang didn't get up but looked up, "The noble cannot leave the city. There are private soldiers on West Wind Cliff. You must not go near it."

The dam construction site was close to West Wind Cliff. Xie Zitang feared that his savior would be in danger.