Lu Shi's voice sounded above Cai Qing's head, like a ray of light shining in a desperate situation.
Cai Qing looked up following the sound, and for a moment, she felt that Lu Shi's image before her seemed to have grown much taller.
"This..." Cai Qing was a little hesitant. If they were seen riding the same horse, rumors would surely spread like wildfire, and Lu Shi would also be gossiped about.
"There are often wild beasts in the forest. We need to catch up before dark. It would be bad if we got left behind."
These were not mere words from Lu Shi to scare Cai Qing. Ever since they entered the forest, he had noticed many animal footprints. They had to pass through the forest before dark to be safe.
Now that they were left behind, they had to hurry. If they were even a moment slower and were blocked by wild beasts alone, they would truly be in danger.
"Really?" Cai Qing's tone was filled with doubt.
After all, she hadn't seen any wild beasts with her own eyes, so it was understandable that she didn't believe him.
Lu Shi nodded solemnly, "Time is of the essence. Let's get out of here first."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Shi mounted the horse and extended his hand to Cai Qing, motioning for her to get on.
Cai Qing looked at Lu Shi's outstretched hand, her hand hidden in her sleeve moved, and then retracted.
"There's no time, hurry up."
Her heart sank. Cai Qing gritted her teeth and offered her hand to Lu Shi, letting him pull her onto the horse.
"Hold on tight," Lu Shi said in a deep voice. Before Cai Qing could respond, the horse beneath him galloped away at full speed.
Cai Qing, terrified, gripped the saddle tightly. This was her first time riding a horse, and she was already in such a situation: "Lu Shi, I... I... I'm scared."
Lu Shi sensed Cai Qing's unease and slowed down a bit. "I'm sorry, it was my oversight. If you're scared, just close your eyes."
"Okay," Cai Qing replied in a daze and quickly closed her eyes. It was somewhat helpful; at least she couldn't see, and her fear lessened considerably.
...
"Young Madam, Miss Cai Qing hasn't returned yet. Should we send someone to look for her?"
When they stopped to rest after crossing the forest, Zhang Momo had searched around but couldn't find Cai Qing. She asked Feng Jin with a hint of worry.
"It's alright. With Lu Shi there, she'll be fine."
Feng Jin bit into the饼 in her hand with great effort. She had personally seen Cai Qing fall into Lu Shi's arms, and only then did she urge the coachman to speed up, all to shake them off.
After all, the fastest way to deepen a relationship was to be alone together. If they were always with so many people, they wouldn't feel embarrassed to say anything.
She thought it was the perfect opportunity for the two of them to have some quality time, to open their hearts and confide in each other. Perhaps, upon their return to the capital, they could directly proceed with the wedding.
Just as Feng Jin was lost in her thoughts, a shadow suddenly loomed over her head, blocking all the sunlight.
Feng Jin, annoyed, was about to speak, but upon seeing who it was, her expression instantly changed from impatience to a radiant smile.
"Why are you here?" Feng Jin looked at Ling Mo Han with a flattering smile.
"Where did you send Lu Shi?"
He had searched everywhere but couldn't find Lu Shi and had guessed that Feng Jin was involved.
"Lu Shi... Lu Shi went on a date with Cai Qing. They'll catch up shortly."
"This is absurd. There are wild beasts in that forest," Ling Mo Han said helplessly, looking at Feng Jin.
"I know!" Feng Jin nodded in agreement and then added, "I sprinkled poison powder on Cai Qing, so wild beasts can't get near them. Don't worry. Judging by the time, they should be back by now."
As soon as Feng Jin finished speaking, the distant sound of horses neighing could be heard, and it was Lu Shi bringing Cai Qing along.
"Cai Qing!" Feng Jin suddenly shouted loudly, feigning ignorance, and walked towards them with a slightly flustered pace.
"What happened? Why is Cai Qing with you?"
Ling Mo Han watched Feng Jin's performance from behind. If he hadn't known beforehand that all of this was Feng Jin's plan, he would have truly believed that Feng Jin's act was genuine.
"Young Madam, I accidentally fell off the carriage. It was Lu Shi... Lu Shi who saved me and brought me back."
Cai Qing quickly explained, worried that she would get Lu Shi punished because of this.
"As long as the person is back safely, Lu Shi neglected his duties. Upon returning to the capital, he will receive ten military strokes."
Ling Mo Han said coldly, interrupting their conversation.
"Your subordinate obeys!" Lu Shi cupped his hands in acknowledgment.
"Young General..." Cai Qing was about to plead for Lu Shi, but Ling Mo Han had already walked far away. Her heart was filled with anxiety, realizing that Lu Shi was being punished because of her.
"Let's go back to the carriage and rest for a while." Feng Jin took Cai Qing's hand and walked towards the carriage. She felt as if she was breaking up a young couple and a sense of guilt washed over her.
Cai Qing sat in the carriage, feeling dejected, her heart full of self-reproach for causing Lu Shi to be punished.
"Ten military strokes are nothing to Lu Shi. You don't need to worry."
"Young Madam, could you please ask the Young General to spare Lu Shi's punishment? He was punished because he saved me..."
Feng Jin patted Cai Qing's shoulder. "Regardless of the reason, Lu Shi leaving without authorization was wrong. If he is not punished today as a warning, more people will follow suit in the future..."
Cai Qing lowered her head dejectedly. Although she understood, she was still full of self-blame.
"Take this bottle of wound healing medicine and give it to Lu Shi when you return. Applying it to his wounds will heal them within a day."
"Thank you, Young Madam." Cai Qing accepted the bottle of medicine with a hint of excitement, her joy evident. Her guilt lessened slightly.
Feng Jin sighed helplessly. She was such a diligent matchmaker, working hard and spending money. It wasn't easy!
"I see you care a lot about Lu Shi. How about we arrange your wedding after we return to the capital?"
"Ah..." Cai Qing exclaimed in surprise and quickly waved her hands in refusal, "Young Madam... This... this won't do. I... I don't want to get married yet. I want to continue serving you and the two young masters."
"Silly girl, when a girl grows up, doesn't she get married? I don't want to keep you by my side until you become an old maid and end up resenting me for not letting you marry."
"Young Madam, I really don't want to get married. Please let me stay by your side and serve you."
Cai Qing panicked and said quickly.
"Alright, alright. Look at you, you're almost crying. Anyone who didn't know would think I was bullying you."