"I deliberately concealed it, but now I see how foolish I was. I underestimated your magnanimity, Madam. I am willing to tell you the entire list of names I know."
After careful consideration, she decided to tell Feng Jin everything she knew. Perhaps this was the only way to help her other sisters survive.
"Aren't you afraid that once I have the list, I will hunt them all down? They are all your sisters."
Cui Er shook her head firmly, "I am not afraid. I know you are not such a cruel person, Madam. You are kind-hearted; you rescued even someone like me, whom you had never met. You surely would not kill innocent people. Instead, I believe that only by telling you these things, my sisters might have a chance to live, just like the three of us."
After this incident, she finally understood that if they continued to follow Sun Momo, death was inevitable, regardless of the outcome.
Sun Momo and the Western Liang royal family did not regard them, the palace maids, as humans. In their eyes, they were mere tools to be used. Once they lost their value, their only path was death.
Cui Er took out a sachet from her embrace. Inside, it contained a white handkerchief and half a jade pendant. She placed the handkerchief under the sun for a while, and immediately, dense characters appeared on the pure white fabric.
"Madam, the handkerchief contains the list of all the spies I know, just like myself."
Feng Jin glanced over it. There were at least a hundred people. One could imagine the chaos if these individuals infiltrated the capital, permeating every corner of the city.
If Eastern Chu were to go to war with Western Liang, Eastern Chu would be completely at the mercy of Western Liang and doomed to defeat. Cui Er's list was a great fortune for Eastern Chu.
"There is one more thing I wish to ask of you, Madam."
"Just say it. If I can do it, I will spare no effort."
Cui Er had given her such a valuable gift; she would naturally do her best.
"This half jade pendant is a token between my sister and me. I beg you to save my sister."
This was her only concern. Her sister had always been loyal to Sun Momo, hoping to achieve great merit one day to earn her freedom.
But now that she had luckily escaped, her only worry was her sister. She had revealed everything in the hope of securing her sister's safety.
"I will try my best, but I cannot guarantee whether I can rescue your sister."
After all, her sister was from Western Liang. Even with her willingness, she might not be able to intervene.
It was already a miracle to have safely rescued Cui Er and her two companions. To rescue another person, she truly had no confidence.
Moreover, if Cui Er's sister was a loyal person, her rash attempt to save her might lead to her own downfall.
"I know this is extremely difficult, but I only ask you to try your best. If she cannot be saved, then it must be fate."
She knew better than anyone how difficult this was. Moreover, her sister still trusted Sun Momo implicitly. Even she herself could not convince her sister, making it hard to expect her to turn back willingly.
"Madam, if one day my sister commits a wrong deed and falls into your hands, please spare her life, considering that I have handed over the list."
All she could do was to preserve her sister's life, just as her sister had protected her before.
"I promise you." After a moment of hesitation, Feng Jin agreed. After all, Cui Er had helped them immensely by giving her the list. She should help with what she could.
"Thank you, Madam."
With Feng Jin's personal promise, Cui Er felt considerably relieved, a rare smile appearing on her lips.
"It's getting late. Leave this place quickly. You will be completely safe then."
Feng Jin glanced at the setting sun outside the window and reminded Cui Er that it was time to leave. Only by truly distancing themselves from this place would they be truly safe.
After seeing Cui Er and her companions off, Feng Jin watched the carriage recede into the distance. Their lives would begin anew, free from schemes and intrigue, enjoying a simple life. Their future days would be filled with happiness.
"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?" Ling Mo Han noticed a fleeting trace of melancholy on Feng Jin's face and asked.
"It's nothing, just a little wistful, and a little envious..."
Envious of their simple lives, envious of their freedom.
"Envious... envious of what?"
Ling Mo Han asked, puzzled. He couldn't quite grasp Feng Jin's thoughts.
"Envious of their ability to live a simple life, far from the chaos of schemes and deception. If it were truly possible, I would wish to live like that too. In a secluded village, planting a few acres of fertile land, a man farming and a woman weaving, working from sunrise to sunset. Although it might be tiring and arduous, it would be peaceful and happy..."
A vision of an imagined scene unfolded in her mind: she and Ling Mo Han sitting in their courtyard, watching the stars, with two children playing around them.
It would be quite wonderful to live such a life one day.
"Such a life is indeed worth yearning for, but in this chaotic world, rife with war, where common people struggle for food and shelter, simply surviving is difficult."
He had abandoned literature for martial arts and gone to the battlefield precisely to bring peace to the common people. True peace would only come when everyone could live a life of contentment and security.
"The empire has been divided for a century, and this period has been plagued by continuous warfare. Only by unifying the empire can the wars be truly ended, and the common people can achieve lasting peace."
"Unifying the empire, how easy is that to say."
He had vowed to unify the empire in his youth, but the hardships involved were immense.
Being able to protect the people of Eastern Chu and ensure their well-being was already a blessing.
"I believe in you. I believe you can end this war and bring peace to the common people. I believe you will eventually lay down your armor, return to the fields, and live a simple life with me."
Feng Jin looked at Ling Mo Han, her eyes filled with unwavering conviction. She believed Ling Mo Han could achieve it.
For no other reason than a simple belief in Ling Mo Han's capability, she was sure he could bring peace to the people.
"With my wife's words, I, your husband, will do my utmost."
Ling Mo Han reached out and drew Feng Jin into his embrace, resting his chin gently on her forehead. The faint fragrance of Feng Jin's hair filled his senses as he savored this rare moment of peace.
He too longed for the day when the war would end, he could lay down his arms, and live a simple life with Feng Jin.
"By the way, Cui Er just gave me a list. It contains the names of all the spies from Western Liang. I just looked at it; there are at least a hundred of them."
She had almost forgotten this important matter. Feng Jin took the handkerchief with the list from her sleeve and handed it to Ling Mo Han.