Years turn into wind

Early morning, in the backyard of the Marshal's Mansion.

Cheng Yuwei was sorting herbs in her small garden. The warm autumn sun bathed her body, bringing a sense of tranquility and peace. Concentrated on cleaning the leaves of a dandelion, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure from the corner of her eye.

"How come you, such a busy man, have time to come to the garden today?" Cheng Yuwei raised her head and looked at Ling Xiaotian with a smile.

Ling Xiaotian leaned against the garden gate with his arms folded, looking at her focused expression with a faint smile on his face. "No matter how busy I am, I have to check on what you are doing, lest someone gets covered in mud again, like a little cat."

Cheng Yuwei snorted softly: "I am researching medicinal herbs, not like some people who only know how to use their fists."

Ling Xiaotian remained silent, slowly approaching and crouching down beside her. He casually plucked a blade of grass and played with it, his eyes falling on her fair fingers. He whispered, "You've been so busy lately, and restless at night. Did you dream about something again?"

Cheng Yuwei paused, raised her eyes and looked at him: "How did you know?"

"Every time you dream of something bad, you frown when you sleep." Ling Xiaotian's voice was low, but it was full of heartache. "Is it related to those poisons and the enemy's conspiracy?"

Cheng Yuwei lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment before speaking, "I'm indeed a little worried. The ingredients of the powder are too complex. If it spreads on a large scale, the consequences will be disastrous. And..." She paused, "I always feel that the people behind this are not only looking to make money from arms and weapons, they have deeper motives."

Ling Xiaotian's eyes narrowed slightly, and he reached out and gently held her hand: "Don't worry, I'm here. Even if it's a huge conspiracy, I will protect you."

Cheng Yuwei pursed her lips, nodded, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "Okay, I believe you."

The little sweetness in daily life

The warm morning sun shone on the garden bench, and Ling Xiaotian simply stayed there. He leaned back, watching Cheng Yuwei busying around, and suddenly smiled and said, "What's so special about these herbs? I look at them over and over, but I can't figure out what they are."

Cheng Yuwei looked up and rolled her eyes at him. "If you don't understand, don't ask. These herbs are what I need for my recent research on the antidote to the poison powder. Especially this cornflower. Its rhizome can be used to extract an ingredient that can alleviate the toxicity in the powder."

Ling Xiaotian nodded, seemingly understanding, but suddenly said, "Why don't you just quit this job and concentrate on being my wife?"

Cheng Yuwei was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Ling Xiaotian, you're so bold! If I don't study these, who will help you solve those messy poison problems?"

"What I mean," Ling Xiaotian looked at her seriously, "is that you don't have to work so hard. Just let me take care of the rest. You just need to stay by my side."

Cheng Yuwei smiled lightly, with a hint of joking: "If I stay by your side all day, will you find me annoying?"

Ling Xiaotian raised the corner of his mouth slightly: "I'm glad you don't bother me."

Cheng Yuwei smiled and picked up the blade of grass in her hand, deliberately patting him on the face: "Slippery tongue!"

Ling Xiaotian took advantage of the situation and grabbed her hand, his eyes serious and affectionate: "Yuwei, what I said is all true. No matter what time, I just hope you can be happy and don't let those conspiracies and crises affect you."

She looked at his focused eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart: "I know. Ling Xiaotian, thank you."

The two looked at each other for a moment, and Ling Xiaotian suddenly moved closer and kissed her on the forehead: "Saying thank you would seem awkward."

Cheng Yuwei was slightly startled, then smiled and pushed him away: "Don't push your luck!"

Ling Xiaotian smiled even more broadly: "Okay, I have to go back to take care of official business. Don't get too tired, let's go for a walk around the streets together this afternoon. I heard there's a lantern exhibition coming up soon."

Undercurrents Resurface

While Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei were enjoying a moment of peace, in the secret room of the Marshal's Mansion, Adjutant Lin Tian was hurriedly reporting the new situation.

"Marshal, we just received intelligence that the head of the coastal merchant alliance appears to be secretly dealing with a certain rebel group in the north. They plan to take advantage of our scattered forces to transport a batch of arms from inland."

Ling Xiaotian's eyes were sharp as a knife after hearing this. "Inland transportation? They're trying to cut off our support and disrupt our rear."

Lin Tian nodded: "Yes, and according to the spy report, this batch of arms may be hidden in a smuggling fleet and will pass through the Jiangnan area tonight."

"Since they're so impatient, let them experience the bitter taste of losing more than they gain." Ling Xiaotian sneered, "Immediately dispatch our elite troops and set up a tight net. Not a single one of them can escape!"

Lin Tian took the order and left, but Ling Xiaotian's eyes grew even deeper. He knew that this secret war had just begun, and the enemy's true trump card was far from being revealed.

Lantern show at night

In the evening, Cheng Yuwei held Ling Xiaotian's arm and walked together on the street where the lanterns were displayed. The street lights were brightly lit, and lanterns of various shapes competed with each other in splendor, making the night look like a dream.

Cheng Yuwei was attracted by a lotus-shaped lantern and couldn't help but stop: "This lantern is so beautiful."

Ling Xiaotian smiled slightly: "If you like it, I'll have someone buy it for you."

"No need." Cheng Yuwei waved her hand. "Isn't the fun of viewing lanterns to just walk around and look around?"

Ling Xiaotian nodded: "You have a point. But enjoy the lanterns, don't go too far."

Cheng Yuwei turned around mischievously: "Why, are you afraid that I'll get lost?"

"If you get lost, I won't be able to live like this." Ling Xiaotian said seriously.

Cheng Yuwei was amused by his serious tone, but a sweet feeling welled up in her heart. She leaned gently on his shoulder and whispered, "Ling Xiaotian, thank you for giving me the opportunity to see this scenery."

Ling Xiaotian looked down at her, his eyes full of tenderness: "As long as it is the scenery you want, I will take you to see it."