That noon, Song Yu and Ma Xu led a large group out of Fufeng.

Although it was a fully armed military operation, the core of the team was dozens of water carts. The citizens in the city saw this scene and braved the scorching sun to send them off at the city gates. After all, water supply was a matter of life and death for the entire city. Seeing these troops escorting the water carts to the upstream of the Little Forest River, everyone was overjoyed, and the sound of cheers spread far.

Even after passing through the city gates and walking far away, Ma Xu, who could still hear the cheers behind him, held the reins with one hand as he swayed on horseback and impatiently said, "What’s there to be happy about."

Song Yu, walking beside him, said, "The common people have no water to use. Wouldn’t they hope for us to bring back some water to save their lives?"

Ma Xu rolled his eyes, "Dignified military general of the court, now reduced to fetching water for people."

Song Yu snickered, "You make it sound like you didn’t want to come."

"..."

"Enough, stop complaining. We brought out this large team. If we really encounter Xue Xian’s men, we must handle it well."

"Handle?"

Ma Xu’s eyes gleamed sharply, "I must defeat them utterly to avenge last time!"

Seeing him so eager, Song Yu helplessly shook his head.

Because they were carrying water carts, the team couldn’t advance at full speed and could only move slowly along the riverbank. On one side was the rushing river water; on the other, was the lush forest outside the city. Soon, the tall city gates and towers behind them were no longer visible. Ma Xu glanced back but seemed to remember something, speaking softly, "By the way, don’t you feel like the Young Master seems—"

Song Yu looked at him, "Hmm?"

Ma Xu glanced around again. The surrounding soldiers were all hunched over, as if wilting leaves under the sun, not paying any attention to their conversation, so he whispered, "Didn’t you say before that Young Master Yu Wen is with Lord Yu’s family? But I’ve noticed these past few days, he seems to be speaking in favor of that General’s wife."

"..."

"It’s as if there’s something between them."

Song Yu’s brows slowly furrowed.

After a long silence, he said, "Though I don’t know what the Young Master is thinking, he can’t confront his sister-in-law openly in front of everyone."

Speaking of which, his expression darkened again, "However, it appears that the General’s wife isn’t easy to deal with."

"Her?"

Ma Xu asked, "What’s wrong with her? Didn’t she—stop investigating that matter?"

To him, the arson was their biggest hold over, and although Song Yu had repeatedly assured that no clues were left for others to investigate, being a thief was always a stressful position, with a sharp blade hanging in his heart.

Song Yu said, "Yes, that’s what my people said."

"..."

"Last night, she asked about the cause of the fire in front of Yin Changyue and others and asked people to investigate it. Just as we presumed, she also concluded it was just an accident."

"So what are you still worried about?"

"..."

Song Yu didn’t speak immediately, but his brows knitted tighter, especially recalling how Yu Wenqian almost handed the words directly to Shang Ruyi only for her to calmly deflect everything.

Such behavior, if not too foolish, then is too clever.

Which one is she?

Recalling the news he received from Daxing City before, Song Yu murmured, "I always feel like she’s plotting something."

Enduring the sun, ever-advancing like a fiery ball, they walked several miles until reaching a place where the river water was clear and bright, free of sediment, and far from the Capital, which exuded a strong, corrupt smell. Confirming the water source was unpolluted, the group stopped at once.

Song Yu said, "Quickly fetch water."

The soldiers immediately stopped and drove the water carts to the riverbank to begin fetching water.

Some people, overheated by the sun, couldn’t wait to rush to the river’s edge and gulp down water or splash the clear river water on themselves, feeling a refreshing relief.

However, Ma Xu did not join in.

He sat on horseback, looking across the river and then surveying the upstream and downstream surroundings, saying, "Wasn’t it said that the Longxi Army is always ambushing on the upstream? That as soon as our men came, they were intercepted? How come there’s no one today?"

Song Yu also dismounted and drank a couple of sips of water.

Hearing this, he couldn’t help but turn back with a laugh, "What, you’re hoping they’ll come?"

Just as his words fell, a gust of wind suddenly blew from behind. The soldiers drenched in river water felt a chill penetrate their bones, especially Song Yu, who couldn’t help but shiver. He instinctively looked at the dense forests behind, only to hear the rustling of swaying branches and leaves, as if countless shadows hid within.

But on closer inspection, there was nothing there.

Ma Xu glanced back as well, frowning, evidently disappointed.

He had set out hoping to encounter the Longxi Army and gain merit from the battle, but unexpectedly, while previous water-fetchers were intercepted, he hadn’t even seen a shadow of Xue Xian’s men, feeling somewhat deflated.

Song Yu sighed in relief but remained wary, "It’s a good thing there’s no one stopping us. Fetch the water and return quickly, it’s an achievement nonetheless."

Ma Xu snorted, "What kind of achievement is this."

|

Meanwhile, in the quiet room of the official office’s courtyard, Shang Ruyi sat by the bed, gently cooled the spoonful of warm rice-scented porridge in her hand, and then fed it to Yu Wenye’s mouth.

He was unconscious and naturally unable to speak.

Shang Ruyi pried open his jaw with a spoon and gently fed him. After a while, hearing a "gulp," he swallowed.

Shang Ruyi sighed in relief.

In this way, she patiently fed Yu Wenye over half a bowl of rice soup bit by bit. Just then, she heard Wo Xue’s voice coming from outside the screen: "Young Madam."

"Yes?"

Shang Ruyi calmly took out a handkerchief to wipe Yu Wenye’s mouth corner before getting up to go outside. She saw Wo Xue kneeling by the low table, with an opened paper roll on the table containing Jiangzhen Fragrance, Mugwort, and other herbs, clearly used for fumigation. But last night, due to someone adding Hook Vine, which causes unconsciousness, it nearly led to disaster, so Wo Xue had carefully unwrapped it to inspect.

But she didn’t understand pharmacology and needed to ask Shang Ruyi.

She asked, "Young Madam, are there any poisons in these herbs?"

Shang Ruyi glanced over and smiled: "No problem, they’re just some ordinary herbs, all usable."

Only then did Wo Xue breathe a sigh of relief.

So she rolled up the paper tube, lit a section as before, then extinguished the flame. Instantly, a burst of medicinal scent wafted through the smoke. Wo Xue carefully brought it close to her nose and, once assured she felt no discomfort, took the paper tube into the inner chamber. She waved it around the bed where Yu Wenye lay and then around the room.

Just as the house was filled with medicinal fragrance, the partly open door was suddenly pushed open.

"Wow!"

Shantong’er let out a low cry, thinking that a fire had broken out again, and hurried to rush in, only to see Shang Ruyi sitting composedly by the low table, which set his mind at ease.

He quickly walked to Shang Ruyi’s side: "Sister Ruyi."

Shang Ruyi looked up at him with a smile. Despite having spent the whole night outside with the guards, the kid was as energetic as ever. She asked him, "Did you get enough rest? Have you eaten?"

Shantong’er nodded eagerly: "I’m full!"

"And how’s it outside?"

"I had people follow to check. Song Yu and Ma Xu have already taken people out of the city."

"And Mr. Yin and the others?"

"They’ve gone up to the city tower. I heard a lot of troops have gathered in the city, fearing something might happen this time."

"Oh..."

Shang Ruyi nodded and stood up, telling Wo Xue: "Stay in the room; don’t go anywhere. We’re going out on business."

Wo Xue seemed to sense something but didn’t ask, simply nodding: "Yes."

Thus, Shang Ruyi led Shantong’er out. The blazing sun was intense, and the heat made them sweat not long before reaching the gate. As they walked, Shantong’er, remembering something, asked softly: "Sister Ruyi, where did Brother Nie go?"

"Hmm?"

"I couldn’t find him since last night. I didn’t see him either when I went back today. Did he go somewhere?"

"I sent him to do something for me; he won’t be back for a while."

"...Oh."

Shantong’er blinked, seemingly curious and wanting to ask more, but thought better of it. As they neared the gate, he added: "By the way, I couldn’t find a carriage, so they prepared horses instead."

Shang Ruyi laughed: "Riding horses is fine too."

Just as she spoke, they had stepped outside, only to find a carriage parked at the gate.

Both were taken aback. Before they could react, they saw a tall, elegant figure casually emerging from behind the carriage, clad in azure garments like floating clouds, imparting an inexplicable sense of serenity even under the scorching sun.

It was Yu Wenqian.

Seeing him, Shang Ruyi’s breath momentarily hitched as Yu Wenqian smiled and said: "I heard you’re going out, so I had a carriage prepared."

"..."

"In such heat, it’s better not to ride horses."

Shang Ruyi’s brow unconsciously furrowed.

However, she didn’t hesitate long and stepped forward, smiling: "This is too troubling for you, elder brother."

"With family, there’s no such thing as trouble."

"But does elder brother know what I’m going to do?"

"..."

Yu Wenqian shook his head and smiled: "Not exactly."

A hint of inquiry crossed Shang Ruyi’s eyes: "Then, why did you prepare a carriage for me anyway?"

Yu Wenqian looked down at her, his clear eyes showing no ripples, and smiled: "I said last night, once the letter reaches Daxing, I won’t urge you to leave Fufeng with Feng Chen anymore. Go ahead with whatever you need to do."

"..."

"I will help you."