"My lord! This servant is absolutely loyal! Everything I say is the absolute truth of what I saw!"
Su Yingying prostrated herself, tears streaming down her face. She hoped her "pitiful" appearance would soften Feng Shaocheng's heart.
But there were always those who lacked perception.
The dull-witted soldier also declared his loyalty. "My lord, what I say is also the truth. All the brothers present at the time saw it!"
The wind quickly shifted.
Yet Feng Shaocheng continued his steps, walking one by one towards Song Qingchao. "Qingchao, I believe you. Can you tell me what exactly happened?"
He, from his high position, lowered his head but spoke softly.
Song Qingchao raised her eyes to look at him, speaking without a trace of guilt. "Yingying said there was a hot spring, so I went to soak. But on the way, I encountered a wild beast. We got separated, but the beast only chased me. Just as I was in despair, it was the soldiers who saved me. That's how I ended up being rescued by them."
Song Qingchao’s face was devoid of emotion, like a porcelain doll that could only speak.
Feng Shaocheng felt a pang of pity for her state, but his suspicion towards her did not diminish. After all, Su Yingying would not lie to him! But these soldiers wouldn't lie either. If one person could fabricate a story, it would be possible, but a whole troop? Feng Shaocheng didn't think Song Qingchao had the capability for that.
But what was the truth? Feng Shaocheng couldn't make up his mind.
Just as he was caught in a dilemma, someone rushed in in a hurry.
"My lord!" His arrival instantly shattered the stalemate and silence. "We discovered half a male corpse in the wild. It's one of ours."
Feng Shaocheng's hand, holding the fan, tightened instantly. Nevertheless, he asked calmly about the situation, "What was the scene like?"
Upon hearing this, the kneeling person's already pale complexion turned even more ghastly. He covered his mouth and was about to vomit. In the end, he couldn't hold it in and dashed out of the tent, retching violently.
Everyone present, except for Song Qingchao, had changed their expressions. Feng Shaocheng cursed the person as useless, flicking his sleeves. Su Yingying was so terrified that she sank to the ground.
Song Qingchao steadily picked up her tea and took a sip, then said softly, "Shaocheng, that must be the general who saved my life. I… I want to go and see…" She spoke earnestly, and a tear fell as she finished. "If it wasn't for me… the general also…"
Seeing Song Qingchao like this, Feng Shaocheng felt a surge of tenderness, and his stern demeanor softened considerably. "Don't cry, your body is still weak. Rest well."
Song Qingchao wiped her tears. "Can you… go and see him for me?"
"This…" Feng Shaocheng hesitated, but the tears lingering in Song Qingchao's eyes made him unable to refuse. "Alright, I promise to help you. But you must also promise me to rest well here."
Song Qingchao quickly wiped her tears and said with great sincerity, "Shaocheng, you're so kind."
After everyone had left one by one.
Song Qingchao finally wiped away her tears with her finger, then nonchalantly dismissed the maid. She removed the hairpin from her head and then smiled contemptuously. This was the man who claimed to love her. While professing his love, he also doubted her. She extended her hand, and the nine-clawed hook appeared instantly. "Shaocheng, you truly mustn't blame me for being too heartless."
On the other side.
Feng Shaocheng followed the leading soldier. The mountain path was rugged and difficult to traverse. Although he knew Song Qingchao possessed martial arts skills, given the terrain and her poor health, why would she come to this place without reason? Moreover, he had discovered a flaw. Where would there be a hot spring in such a place? With this flaw revealed, he grew increasingly skeptical of Su Yingying's words, but he did not intend to punish her yet. After all, seeing was believing.
After walking for a while longer, the smell of blood grew stronger, so much so that everyone covered their noses. The ground and tree trunks were covered with traces of a fight. The further they walked, the more shocked they became. Eventually, it was no longer just signs of a fight, but the ground was covered with bloody drag marks and blood-stained bones! The faint-hearted among them immediately felt nauseous and vomited. Only Feng Shaocheng remained somewhat astonished. It seemed to be a wild beast without a doubt. But… they had camped here for days and seen no beasts. Why would a beast suddenly go mad and attack humans? Now, only a few bones could be found scattered about, with no sign of the beast itself…
Song Qingchao's face turned cold. "Su Yingying, what else do you have to say?"
Su Yingying immediately knelt on the ground. She still felt sick, but she couldn't afford to now! "My lord! What I said is the truth! Don't be deceived!"
Feng Shaocheng kicked a bone directly towards Su Yingying. Startled, Su Yingying released his trouser leg and scrambled backward. Feng Shaocheng let out a cold snort. "I treated you well. Why did you deceive me?" Feng Shaocheng felt furious. He disliked this feeling of being deceived. But on the other hand, he also felt a sense of clarity: that Qingchao still loved him! "I will deal with you when we return!"
With that, Feng Shaocheng continued to issue instructions. "Take back all the bones that can be collected. After all, he saved Qingchao. I will treat him well…" Before he could finish speaking, the person accompanying him pointed behind him in terror. Feng Shaocheng turned around in confusion and then saw the center of the military camp engulfed in flames!! His expression changed instantly. He didn't have time to issue any orders. He immediately turned and ran back! His face was contorted, perhaps from running too fast or from excessive anger. His mind held only one thought. No one could deceive him!
Before he could even reach the camp, he heard the sound of crackling fireworks from the burning tent. The commotion shook all the animals in the forest into a frenzy. Crows took to the sky. Wild beasts roared! Song Qingchao was also startled and covered her head with her hands, involuntarily stepping backward.
When the commotion subsided, he stepped forward and grabbed someone carrying a water bucket. "Where is Miss Song?" The person with the bucket shook his head, indicating he didn't know. Feng Shaocheng stood anxiously outside the burning tent. But he only watched as people extinguished the fire before charging into the inferno like a madman.
No corpse! He didn't know whether to feel happy or disappointed. Had Song Qingchao deceived him again? He laughed as he dug out a charred hairpin from the debris. He stared at the hairpin and chuckled foolishly, completely oblivious to the massive beam about to fall from above.
"My lord!" At this critical moment, he felt himself being shoved forcefully, and then he saw the giant beam crash down onto Su Yingying with a "bang." Su Yingying was still smiling at him. "My lord, I'm glad you're alright, truly alright."
Feng Shaocheng woodenly returned his gaze to the hairpin. He wondered if Qingchao would have returned to Chang'an with him if all these things hadn't happened. All of this was Su Yingying's fault! The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. But it was also a fact that Su Yingying had saved him. He stood up, very coldly. "You deceived me, and I should have punished you. But now that you have saved me, I will not pursue this. If you survive, I will find someone to treat you, but you will not need to stay by my side anymore!"
Feng Shaocheng flicked his sleeves and walked away, giving Su Yingying no chance to speak. In the end, only Su Yingying remained in the burnt ruins, screaming hoarsely, until exhaustion finally set in. "No! You can't abandon me!"
On the other side, atop the city wall of Feng County.
Song Qingchao lowered the telescope, a cold smile curling her lips. This was the consequence of scheming against her!
"Miss Song finally decides to return." Song Qingchao's little finger lightly traced the palm of Bai You'an's hand. "Do you miss me?"
"Yes," Bai You'an replied with a gentle smile. "The year is ending. If we don't see each other now, it will be next year."
Song Qingchao playfully raised her eyebrows. "What? You won't miss me next year?"
Bai You'an's eyes remained fixed on Song Qingchao's small, moving lips. Finally, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he leaned down. "Miss you… of course, I will miss you."