Lu Zhenting was stunned, somewhat surprised.
His daughter had never cared about his affairs before, always appearing timid whenever they met. Today, she was so anxious; was she worried about him?
Marquis Lu's heart swelled with joy, and a rather silly smile bloomed on his handsome face.
"Blame your father for being too careless. With victory within reach, I grew negligent and was struck by an enemy's hidden arrow."
Lu Zhenting tried to downplay the incident, making it sound less terrifying. "It was my fault, darling. I scared you. I will never be careless again!"
Lu Qingwan pursed her lips and remained silent, which greatly unsettled Lu Zhenting. He thought she was angry, and the once formidable Marquis Zhaolie was at a loss for what to do with his own daughter.
Seeing this, Feng Xiwu said helplessly, "My Lord Marquis, I informed the Princess about your injury from the very beginning."
Lu Zhenting instantly paled with shock and grumbled, "Your Highness, how could you tell A'wan such things?!"
In Lu Zhenting's mind, his daughter was still the little girl who would hide in a corner, afraid to be hugged, after hearing that he had killed someone. He feared she would be frightened.
Feng Xiwu, however, smiled calmly. "My Lord Marquis may not know, but the Princess is no longer the timid, shrinking girl who was always anxious and fearful before you left the capital.
Perhaps you could tell the Princess truthfully about what happened in Xijiang. She might even enjoy hearing about those events?"
Lu Zhenting looked at his daughter with half-belief. He had to admit that Lu Qingwan was far more beautiful than before.
Of course, in an old father's heart, his daughter was always the most beautiful.
Lu Zhenting never thought that a small birthmark could conceal his daughter's good looks. However, the original owner of the body had been instigated by Lu Siwan to wear that ghastly mask-like makeup, and as a father, he could only let it be.
Upon their reunion, Lu Qingwan's face was free of that terrifying makeup. In fact, her makeup was more exquisite than that of the noble ladies in the palace, and Lu Zhenting was captivated.
Seizing the opportune moment created by Feng Xiwu, Lu Qingwan said, "Father, A'wan has grown up. There are some matters I can share with you and His Highness.
His Highness informed me of your injury early on. Now that you are out of danger, what else can you not tell me?
Am I, your daughter, less trustworthy than the soldiers of the Shence Camp?"
"How could that be?"
Lu Zhenting hastily denied it. "A'wan, don't be angry. Father will tell you now."
As if afraid of angering Lu Qingwan, Lu Zhenting, gathering all his strength, recounted the entire process of his injury to her.
After listening to him, Lu Qingwan said with understanding, "You mean the arrow was shot at you from behind while you were pursuing the enemy. May I assume that you were not injured by the Xiliang people?"
After all, the Xiliang people were in a desperate flight when Lu Zhenting pursued them. Even if they could steal a moment to launch a surprise attack, they should have been shot from the front.
Lu Zhenting nodded weakly. "At least, that's what I believe. The Shence Camp soldiers who were with me also found the situation suspicious.
Most importantly, after the military doctor removed the arrow and treated the wound, the arrow disappeared.
If the arrow was harmless, why would the perpetrator risk stealing it? Wouldn't that be like protesting too much?"
Lu Zhenting's ability to gain renown and a noble title at such a young age through his own efforts proved he was no mere hot-headed brute.
His words perfectly confirmed the suspicions of Feng Xiwu and Lu Qingwan.
Just then, Li Qing rushed in with urgent news, "Reporting to His Highness, Bai Xing Lin has caught fire."
"When did it happen?"
Lu Qingwan asked anxiously, "Are Meng Tang and his son alright?"
"Reporting to the Princess, both Doctors Meng are unharmed. They were in the backyard preparing medicinal herbs for daytime use and managed to escape.
However, the attackers used 'Hong Tian Lei' (a type of explosive), and all the medicinal herbs in Bai Xing Lin are destroyed. It will likely be some time before it can reopen."
"It's good that everyone is safe."
Lu Qingwan patted her chest with lingering fear, then suddenly realized that Lu Zhenting did not yet know she was Lin Sa.
She quickly added, "Those doctors are your saviors, Father. They must not be harmed!"
Feng Xiwu was amused by her guilty little demeanor.
"Go, investigate who is responsible. And invite Tie Shou to help rebuild Bai Xing Lin and assist them in reopening as soon as possible."
Lu Zhenting interjected, "This kind of setup clearly targets me.
It is also my fault for implicating those doctors. I will bear the expenses for rebuilding Bai Xing Lin. Consider it an opportunity for me to make amends."
Feng Xiwu raised an eyebrow at Lu Qingwan, who looked back with an innocent face. Feng Xiwu then smiled, "Since it is Marquis Lu's kind gesture, I will accept it on behalf of the manager of Bai Xing Lin."
He then instructed Li Qing, "Remind Dr. Lin later to ensure she is aware of Marquis Lu's intentions."
Li Qing respectfully acknowledged and withdrew. Seeing that the important matters were concluded, Li Jin offered a teacup.
Feng Xiwu took the teacup and handed it to Lu Zhenting with both hands. "Father-in-law, please have some tea."
The overly formal gesture stunned both Lu Zhenting and his daughter. It was Lu Zhenting who reacted first, accepting the teacup as a gesture.
"Since His Highness has this intention, I will accept this cup of tea from a son-in-law today.
However, I have been away from home for many years, and my daughter has been quite willful. If she makes any mistakes in the future and displeases Your Highness, please send her back, and I will personally discipline her."
This meant, "My daughter has a bad temper. If you are not satisfied, you can send her back, and I will teach her."
But you cannot touch my daughter.
Hearing this, Lu Qingwan silently cheered in her heart, "Father, you are mighty!"
On the surface, she eagerly stepped forward and took the teacup from Lu Zhenting's hand. The gesture was sufficient; she couldn't let her adoptive father get tired.
Feng Xiwu also played along, "My Lord Marquis, please rest assured. Now that the Princess has entered my household, no one will be able to bully her, not even myself."
Lu Zhenting was finally satisfied.
Seeing that he looked drowsy, Lu Qingwan thoughtfully said, "Father, you should rest now. I will visit you again later."
Lu Zhenting was severely injured. He had only managed to stay awake before, sustained by sheer willpower.
Now that his beloved daughter was here, and the suspicions surrounding his attack had been relayed to Feng Xiwu, he could no longer hold on.
He wanted to say a few more words to Lu Qingwan, but his eyelids were already closing.
Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu tiptoed out of the room.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, there was no hint of coolness even in the early morning.
Lu Qingwan casually led Feng Xiwu to a pavilion outside the Wutong Courtyard for a brief rest. "As soon as we found Madam Zhang, she was poisoned.
My father had just left Bai Xing Lin, and Bai Xing Lin caught fire. Is the person behind this too audacious?"