Years turn into wind

Ling Xiaotian left the study early and entered the courtyard. The morning sun shone brightly, but the chill still lingered. Ning Wan, dressed in a light green dress, was squatting beside the flowerbed in the courtyard, intently pruning branches. The corners of her lips curled slightly, as if she were lost in her own world.

Ling Xiaotian looked at her profile, and with a thought in his mind, he stepped forward and asked, "What are you busy with? You look so serious."

Ning Wan looked up at the sound and said with a smile, "These rose bushes are growing too messy. I want to help tidy them up. Do you want to try?"

Ling Xiaotian shook his head and smiled, "You seem to be quite free. I don't have the patience for that." He squatted down and took the scissors from her hand. "But for the sake of accompanying you, I can do it reluctantly."

Ning Wan couldn't help laughing and deliberately handed him the most difficult one to cultivate: "Then I'll trouble you, Marshal."

Warm time

The two of them sat by the flowerbed, each pruning a branch. Ling Xiaotian diligently imitated her technique, occasionally asking insignificant questions. Ning Wan noticed that the usually stern Ling Xiaotian now had a childish air, and her heart softened a little.

"Xiaotian," she suddenly whispered, "If there were no war, could we always be like this?"

Ling Xiaotian paused, glancing at her sideways, a complex expression flickering in his eyes. He reached out and brushed her hair behind her ear, whispering, "There are no ifs. As long as you're here, I'll find peace."

Ning Wan was slightly stunned. She had never heard him express his feelings so directly. Her cheeks turned slightly red and her heart beat faster.

The two looked at each other for a long time, and Ling Xiaotian suddenly laughed and said, "But your craftsmanship is really not that good. You just taught me, but you actually damaged a petal yourself."

Ning Wan glared at him, put down the scissors, stood up and made to leave, but was grabbed by him.

"Don't go," he said in a low and gentle voice, "I have something to ask you."

Ning Wan turned and looked at him, seeming to sense the solemnity in his tone. "What's wrong?"

Undercurrents gradually emerge

"Last night, several of my personal soldiers discovered something amiss," Ling Xiaotian said slowly. "Someone is secretly contacting other generals in an attempt to weaken my forces. Many people are involved."

Ning Wan was shocked: "Is it a spy sent by the enemy?"

Ling Xiaotian nodded, his brow furrowed. "But this isn't just any spy. I suspect someone high up in our ranks has already been turned."

Ning Wan was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you have any clues?"

Ling Xiaotian nodded, but a hint of hesitation lingered in his eyes. He whispered, "It's not clear yet, but I'm certain it involves more than just high-ranking military officials. It might even involve the people I trust most."

These words made Ning Wan's heart tremble. She felt his loss and anger and whispered, "Then what can I do to help you?"

Ling Xiaotian pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Just stay in the mansion and don't worry about these things. I'll take care of it."

Hidden danger

That night, Ning Wan was about to rest when she heard subtle footsteps outside the window. She became alert and quietly opened a corner of the curtains, seeing two dark figures talking quietly in the garden.

She didn't act rashly, but noted their direction. After the two left, she put on her coat and quietly followed them.

The shadows crept into a secluded warehouse within the mansion. Through the window, Ning Wan watched as one of the men pulled a letter from his chest and handed it to another. She couldn't make out the contents, only vaguely catching the words "secret report," "counterattack," and "action."

Startled, she immediately turned and ran back to Ling Xiaotian's study, only to find he wasn't there. Ning Wan could only order someone to notify her personal guards while she remained where she was and waited.

A few minutes later, Ling Xiaotian arrived. After listening to Ning Wan's account, his expression darkened. He immediately ordered the entire headquarters sealed off and personally led his men to search the warehouse.

However, when they pushed open the door, they found that the two men had disappeared. In the empty room, only half of the burnt letter paper was left.

Ling Xiaotian stared at the ashes on the ground, his eyes as deep as the abyss: "It seems that the enemy is not only bold, but also more cunning than I imagined."

Ning Wan held his hand tightly and said firmly, "No matter what, I will be with you through it."

Ling Xiaotian looked at her, silent for a moment, then suddenly took her into his arms and whispered, "As long as you are here, I have nothing to fear."

The suspense is revealed

The next morning, news came from the palace: one of the lurkers had been apprehended. His identity was...