Chapter 63 Escorting Provisions

Chapter 63: Escorting Provisions

In the late winter of Xingyang, the snow had melted, leaving a lingering chill that hinted at the coming warmth.

A guard reported that Madame Zhou had arrived in Xingyang, so Jing Su and Duan Lingwen headed towards the estate gate.

Just as they reached the entrance, a carriage, escorted by guards, came to a stop before the gate.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Madame Zhou, supported by her maid, stepped down. She wore a deep cyan brocade jacket and skirt, draped with a black fox fur coat, her demeanor dignified and graceful.

Following closely behind was a girl of about twelve or thirteen, her eyes lively and spirited—this was Madame Zhou's daughter, the second young lady of the Jing family, Jing Lin.

Beside her, she held the hand of a four-year-old child, whose cheeks were rosy and whose body was bundled up until he looked round. His bright, curious eyes darted around, taking in his surroundings.

The boy was the son of a concubine.

Years ago, when Jing Xun raised his army in Qu’a County, as the flames of war first ignited, the concubine went into labor. Amidst the chaos, terrified, her delivery was extremely difficult. In the end, she spent her last ounce of strength, only managing to catch a glimpse of the frail infant in the swaddling clothes before passing away, without even hearing his first cry.

Afterward, Madame Zhou took the child under her care, naming him Jing Ji.

In his previous life, after Jing Su’s death, the newly founded dynasty instantly lost its central pillar, leading to a brief period of turmoil across the land. Noble families and powerful clans everywhere grew restless.

Once again, the flames of war were rekindled.

Later, it was Deng Tong who, holding a secret edict from the late emperor, supported the then twelve-year-old Jing Ji to ascend the throne.

Due to Jing Ji’s youth, undercurrents of power swirled among various factions.

For a twelve-year-old boy emperor to stabilize the court, the hardships he endured are beyond words. It took another five years before the seventeen-year-old Jing Ji finally managed to either suppress or pacify the restless forces, barely quelling the turmoil and securing the realm.

…………

“My Lady,” Jing Su stepped forward slowly, his tone carrying a note of respect.

Beside him, Duan Lingwen bowed slightly. “Lingwen pays his respects to Madame Zhou.”

Madame Zhou’s gaze swept lightly over his face, pausing briefly in surprise at his heterochromatic eyes before she composed herself and responded with a faint acknowledgment.

Suddenly, Jing Ji broke free from his sister’s hand, toddled forward, and clung to Duan Lingwen’s leg as if trying to climb up.

Duan Lingwen quickly crouched down, arms slightly open, about to pick the child up when he suddenly remembered that his eyes might frighten him.

He glanced helplessly at Jing Su beside him.

Deliberately turning his body slightly to block the child’s view, Jing Su said, “Come, Ji’er, call him brother.”

The child obediently repeated, “Brother…”

Jing Su chuckled, bouncing him lightly, then instructed the servants to escort Madame Zhou, the second young lady, and the others into the estate.

As he carried the child inside, he continued to play with him. A child's innocent, straightforward nature might lead them to unintentionally say hurtful words like “monster” to Duan Lingwen, and he worried this innocent child might do the same.

As they walked, the child’s bright, round eyes couldn’t resist peeking over Jing Su’s shoulder, gazing curiously at Duan Lingwen.

In the main hall.

Jing Xun had already been informed and was seated in the main seat. When Madame Zhou and the others entered, he immediately stood up and took two steps forward. His tone remained respectful as always, though his expression softened slightly. “You’ve had a long journey, my Lady.”

Madame Zhou stopped and looked up at her husband. She did not speak immediately but quietly observed him for a moment before lowering her gaze to conceal the longing in her eyes. “Thank you for your concern, my lord.”

“Was the journey smooth? It’s bitterly cold—I shouldn’t have let you travel like this,” Jing Xun said, helping her to sit down. He had only recently learned that Jing Su had secretly arranged for her to come to Xingyang without his knowledge.

But since she was already here, he could only settle her in.

“The journey was smooth,” Madame Zhou nodded gently, her voice tinged with a sigh. “It’s just that along the way, I couldn’t help but think of Mei’er… When she passed, she kept staring at the door, the blood beneath her nearly soaking through the bedding. She held on until the very end, murmuring the General’s name even as she closed her eyes.”

Mei’er was the maid who had accompanied Madame Zhou into the Jing household and was also Jing Ji’s birth mother.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense.

“Father, we all missed you! When we heard you were sending someone to fetch Mother, she was so happy these past few days!” Jing Lin interrupted the strained silence between them.

Hearing this, Jing Xun’s tense expression softened, and he reached out to gently stroke his daughter’s hair. “Lin’er, you’ve grown up.”

He then turned to Madame Zhou. “These years have been hard on you, my Lady.”

His gaze finally fell on the child in Jing Su’s arms. “Is this… Ji’er?”

Jing Xun had chosen the name for Jing Ji before he was born. Recognizing a resemblance to the child’s mother in his features, Jing Xun immediately knew who he was.

“Yes,” Madame Zhou nodded softly, her expression complex.

Jing Xun took the child into his arms, feeling a mix of emotions. “Ji’er, do you know who I am?”

The child looked up at him seriously, as if trying to recognize him.

Madame Zhou said, “Ji’er, say ‘Father’.”

Hearing this, the child clearly uttered the two words: “Father…”

“Yes!”

That soft call made Jing Xun’s eyes grow warm. Unable to hold back, he tightly embraced the small figure in his arms.

Watching this scene, Duan Lingwen quietly turned and left the main hall.

In the courtyard, the late winter wind still carried a chill, brushing against the strands of hair on Duan Lingwen’s forehead.

He stood under the corridor, gazing into the distance. He recalled again how, in his previous life, General Jing Xun had died on the battlefield, and that child had never met his birth parents in his entire life.

A sense of sorrow welled up in Duan Lingwen’s eyes. Perhaps the same was true for his own child…

“What are you thinking about?”

Jing Su’s voice sounded beside him.

Duan Lingwen turned to look at him, then raised his head to the sky and sighed softly. “Nothing, just feeling that this winter seems a bit warmer than before.”

Jing Su’s gaze swept lightly over his face, understanding his meaning. He replied vaguely, “Perhaps spring is arriving early.”

“Spring is coming…” Duan Lingwen murmured softly.

With spring’s arrival, it meant that war would begin again.

Jing Su took his hanging hand, interlacing their fingers. “Once this war is over, the world… will truly know peace.”

This battle had come at least three years earlier than in the previous life.

By sheer military strength alone, Liu Zimu, who had accepted the amnesty, combined with the remnants of the Yu forces, could muster at least 500,000 troops. On the other hand, Jing Army could barely field 300,000 soldiers capable of going to battle.

This was a fight to the death.

In the study.

Duan Lingwen, engrossed in reading, suddenly felt the corner of his robe being gently tugged. Puzzled, he turned his head and saw a small, round head standing by his feet, which almost gave him a fright.

"Brother..."

Only then did Duan Lingwen realize that the child had sneaked in at some point. Just as he was about to call someone to take the child away, he noticed the little one pouting, his voice tinged with grievance.

"Brother, hug..."

Duan Lingwen’s heart softened instantly. He bent down and carefully scooped up the soft little body into his arms.

The child immediately wrapped his short arms around Duan Lingwen’s neck, burying his face against his shoulder and nuzzling him trustingly.

Just as Duan Lingwen was about to soothe him with a few words, he suddenly felt a warm, moist touch on his cheek—the child had given him a firm kiss there.

His body stiffened subconsciously for a moment before he tightened his arms, holding the warm little body even closer.

If... if the child from their previous life had been born safely, would he have been like Jing Ji in his arms—wrapping his arms around his neck, drawing close to him, trusting him, stumbling into his embrace on some ordinary afternoon...

Jing Su approached the study and saw Duan Lingwen holding the child in profile.

The slanting sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a soft glow over the two figures, one large and one small.

Jing Su watched quietly for a moment before silently retreating.

That night, inside the bed curtains, their breathing had just steadied. Jing Su embraced Duan Lingwen from behind, kissing his sweaty nape.

His lips lingered behind the ear of the person in his arms, while his hand rested on the slightly rounded belly that seemed to have borne too much.

He knew that Duan Lingwen had always been reluctant to mention the unborn child from their previous life—an irreparable loss.

Jing Su tightened his arms, pulling the person even deeper into his embrace. Their bodies pressed closer together, their breathing growing heavier.

Yet, reason extinguished his restless desire. With the situation still unstable, unrest at the borders of Wancheng, and the imminent campaign... this was no time to start a family.

Jing Su’s Adam’s apple bobbed violently as he suppressed the surging desire within. After a long while, he pulled out slowly and carefully.

As he moved, the person in his arms let out a soft, muffled whine.

The next moment, Jing Su completely forgot his earlier resolve. He lost control, his movements becoming almost rough.

Duan Lingwen groaned softly, his dazed eyes fluttering open, weariness blending with fresh arousal.

He weakly turned his head back, but his broken whispers were swallowed by Jing Su’s lips as they covered his from behind.

…………

In early spring.

An urgent report arrived from Wancheng: the supply convoy had been ambushed by Yu forces on the road, losing almost 80% of its provisions.

If this was not a coincidence, it was highly likely that there was a spy from the Yu forces in their camp—and not an ordinary soldier at that.

In the Yingyang command headquarters, everyone urgently discussed the matter, but for the time being, no solid clues surfaced. They could only conclude that consecutive victories had made some soldiers and officers complacent.

Supplies were the most critical aspect of military campaigns. With no other choice, Jing Xun dispatched additional personnel. This time, he put Duan Lingwen in charge of escorting the supplies to Wancheng first.

The convoy prepared for several days before Tan E learned of the plan. She sought out Duan Lingwen on her own initiative, saying she hadn’t been back to Wancheng for a long time and really missed it, and asked to accompany them as a military doctor.

Duan Lingwen agreed.

On the day of departure, Jing Su kept reminding him of the risky spots to be cautious of along the way.

Duan Lingwen laughed and said, "I know, I know. You’ve said it five or six times already—I’m getting calluses on my ears."

"...Take extra care on this journey," Jing Su insisted tirelessly.

Duan Lingwen nodded firmly. He turned to leave but after a few steps, he suddenly paused and quickly walked back.

Under Jing Su’s puzzled gaze, Duan Lingwen lifted his head and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Then, without a backward glance, he hurried away.

Jing Su stared at his receding figure, stood frozen in place, a slow smile touched his lips.