She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

Duke Ningguo gestured for Xue Fengling to sit down, then solemnly handed her Chu Zhiyi's letter, saying, "Fengling, I had Feng'er call you here because there is something very important I want to discuss with you. My grandson, Chu Zhiyi, was framed by a villain and nearly perished in a fire, but was saved by his master."

There are treacherous officials in the court now colluding with the Japanese to harm our Chiyan clan, and Rongzhou is precisely where the Japanese have entered. The people there are suffering terribly from the Japanese burning, killing, and looting.

Some time ago, Yi'er arrived in Rongzhou and killed Ran Sheng, the prefect of Rongzhou who colluded with the Japanese pirates, and took up the banner of resisting the Japanese pirates.

Fengzhou is adjacent to Rongzhou. If the Japanese pirates are not driven out in time, the people of Fengzhou will most likely be the next to suffer.

Phoenix Spirit Island has accumulated considerable strength over the years, and I thought it might be able to lend Yi'er a hand, so I called you here to discuss it together.”

Xue Fengling took the letter and quickly browsed through it. After reading it, she frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.

After a moment, she raised her head and said with a firm gaze, "The people of Rongzhou are suffering and the Japanese are rampaging. This is a national crisis, and Fengling Island has an inescapable duty to help."

Over the years, we have recuperated and built up our strength on this island, precisely so that one day we can step forward when the country needs us.

The Duke of Ningguo nodded slightly, his eyes full of admiration for his daughter-in-law.

"Feng Ling, I knew you were a person of great principle and would definitely lend a helping hand. However, if we are to send people to support Rongzhou, what about the guards on the island?"

Xue Fengling nodded gently and looked at the Duke of Ningguo, saying, "Father, I plan to leave a portion of elite troops to guard Fengling Island to ensure the safety of the rear."

Then I will personally lead another group of men to Rongzhou to support His Highness the Crown Prince. My men train diligently and are all highly skilled; they will certainly be able to play a vital role in the fight against the Japanese pirates.

The Duke of Ningguo stroked his beard and said with satisfaction, "That's very good. Fengling, with your help, Yi'er's chances of winning have increased even more. However, you've been traveling a long way, and as a woman, you're leading an army in battle, so you must be careful in everything you do."

"Father, I will accompany Fengling to Rongzhou." Li Mufeng suddenly spoke, his tone firm.

Recalling his first meeting with Xue Fengling, he saw her with a touch of the free spirit of a wandering swordswoman. She took a liking to his handsome appearance at first glance, and then kidnapped him to Fengling Island, forcing him to marry her.

After their marriage, although they were husband and wife in name, they never consummated their marriage. Li Mufeng always felt some resistance to this inexplicable marriage.

Xue Fengling looked at Li Mufeng, smiled, and said, "Father, don't worry. With my husband by my side, and with my years of martial arts training on this island, I'll be fine. Besides, it's my honor to contribute to the country and relieve the people's worries."

Xun Yan, who was listening from the side, was so excited that he immediately got up and knelt down, saying excitedly, "With the help of the Lord of Phoenix Spirit Island, His Highness will be overjoyed when he finds out, and the people of Rongzhou will be grateful for the Lord's great kindness."

Xue Fengling stepped forward and helped Xun Yan up, saying, "You don't need to be so polite. We are all fighting against the Japanese and protecting our country, so we should work together."

"Without further ado, I will arrange things on the island now, and we will set off for Rongzhou first thing tomorrow morning."

After everyone had reached a consensus, Xue Fengling quickly got to work.

She first summoned her capable officers on the island and assigned them detailed tasks for guarding Fengling Island, repeatedly urging them to strengthen patrols on the island and not to slack off in the slightest.

Subsequently, she personally selected a group of elite subordinates and prepared weapons, equipment, and supplies.

That night, Phoenix Spirit Island was brightly lit, and everyone was busy preparing for the next day's expedition.

Xun Yan lay in his makeshift lodgings, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The thought of returning to Rongzhou with reinforcements to lend His Highness a helping hand filled him with anticipation and excitement.

In the main courtyard, Li Mufeng and Xue Fengling sat on the edge of the bed, their eyes meeting.

“Mu Feng, I didn’t expect you to be willing to go to Rongzhou with me. I know you’ve always harbored resentment about me forcibly abducting you to marry you back then.”

Xue Fengling broke the silence first, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes, "But my feelings for you have always been sincere."

Looking at the woman before him who had stepped forward without hesitation for the greater good of her country, the barrier in Li Mufeng's heart quietly dissipated.

Looking back on her every move these days, he realized that everything she did demonstrated her kindness and responsibility, and his love for her had been slowly growing in his heart.

He gently held Xue Fengling's hand and whispered, "Fengling, I was confused before. Seeing how righteous you are today, I finally understand how precious you are."

As he spoke, he leaned closer and placed a kiss on Xue Fengling's forehead.

Tears welled up in Xue Fengling's eyes, yet she was also filled with joy. She turned around and tightly grasped Li Mufeng's hand.

In this warm atmosphere, Xue Fengling blushed, tilted her head slightly, and gazed at Li Mufeng with tenderness and a hint of shyness.

Li Mufeng gently pulled her into his arms, letting her rest her head on his shoulder, and the two quietly felt each other's heartbeats.

"Feng Ling, from now on, no matter what happens, I will never leave you."

Li Mufeng whispered softly in her ear, his warm breath sending a shiver down Xue Fengling's spine.

"Mu Feng, I've been waiting for you to say that for so long." Xue Fengling's voice was choked with emotion, and she hugged him even tighter, as if she wanted to merge herself into him.

The moonlight, like water, streamed through the window and bathed the couple in a silvery glow.

Li Mufeng gently stroked Xue Fengling's long hair, sliding it from the top of her head to the ends, his movements tender and full of love.

Xue Fengling tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling. Their gazes met, and they could no longer look away.

Gradually, the two drew closer and closer, their breathing becoming more and more rapid. Finally, Li Mufeng gently kissed Xue Fengling's lips.

Xue Fengling closed her eyes, immersed in this sweet moment, her hands unconsciously clinging to Li Mufeng's neck, responding to this belated love.

The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly intense, and soon the bed began to creak.

The next morning, as sunlight shone on Fengling Island, Xue Fengling and Li Mufeng led their men to bid farewell to the Duke and Duchess of Ningguo.

Duke Ningguo stepped forward, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Xue Fengling and Li Mufeng, his eyes filled with concern and expectation: "Feng'er, Fengling, your journey to Rongzhou is fraught with danger, so you must be careful in everything you do and look after each other."

Lady Ningguo's eyes were slightly red. Holding Xue Fengling's hand, she repeatedly urged her, "Fengling, although you are highly skilled in martial arts, the battlefield is dangerous, and I am really worried about you. And Feng'er, you have never experienced such a battle since you were a child. You must listen to Fengling and protect yourself."

Xue Fengling nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with determination: "Father, Mother, don't worry, we will definitely return safely. The people of Rongzhou are suffering, and we will not let everyone down. We will drive the Japanese out of Chiyan Kingdom."