Inside the military tent.

Su Jin tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Xingxing was the same.

Su Jin flipped over quietly because her bed was stable, but Xingxing’s was built with planks that creaked at the slightest movement.

Xingxing turned cautiously, looking at Su Jin, she said, "Miss, don’t worry, the Young Master and the others will be alright."

Su Jin knew about Su Chong and the others going to burn Nanliang’s grain and grass.

But they only took a little over a hundred people, while the Nanliang camp had stationed a hundred thousand troops, possibly more.

Su Chong and his men had high martial arts skills, and they chose the elite among the Flying Tiger Army, but two fists are hard to fight against four hands, how could she not worry?

Moreover, there was no sign of activity from the camp at this hour, which was even more unsettling.

Although the Daqi and Nanliang armies were quite far apart, Daqi could hardly miss it if the grain and grass of a hundred thousand troops were burned.

Once the fire blazed and thick smoke soared into the sky, Daqi soldiers would surely rejoice.

Feeling uneasy inside, it was even harder to fall asleep.

She wondered if Xie Jingchen would run into Chu Shun and the others, sending some kind of message back?

As Su Jin was lost in thought, footsteps were heard outside, and Qin Hanhan called from behind the curtain, "Has the Sister-in-law slept?"

Su Jin rose from the bed and said, "Not yet."

"Then I’ll come in," Qin Hanhan said.

Xingxing quickly got up from the small couch and lit an oil lamp.

Qin Hanhan walked in, Su Jin was already leaning on a large pillow, Qin Hanhan said, "I couldn’t sleep, Xueling said your tent still had its light on, so I guessed you hadn’t slept and came over."

Su Jin invited her to sit on the bed, saying, "It’s still cold at night, come quickly and warm up."

Qin Hanhan took off her shoes and cloak, and got on the bed.

If even Su Jin was too worried to sleep, how could Qin Hanhan not be?

Su Jin and Qin Hanhan talked, while Xueling and Xingxing chatted idly.

Xueling sighed, "This military camp is not really a place to stay."

Xingxing looked at her, "Why can’t we stay?"

Xueling glanced at Qin Hanhan and said, "Even in the Capital City, we would worry about the Young Master’s safety, but we don’t know what dangerous things he’s doing. In the military camp, knowing everything clearly, it’s even more worrying."

At this late hour, the Heir’s wife is still pregnant. She was having trouble eating during the day because of morning sickness, unable to sleep at night, how can her body endure?

Xueling looked at Xingxing and said, "Aren’t you going to persuade the Heir’s wife to return to the Capital?"

Xingxing shook her head.

Since entering the camp, Xingxing hadn’t thought of persuading her own Miss to return to the Capital.

Wherever there’s Marquis, it’s not safe, then where is safe?

The only downside is the hardship, the Imperial Banquet isn’t very filling.

Besides that, there’s nothing bad.

Xueling still wanted to pull Xingxing in to persuade Su Jin and Qin Hanhan to return to the Capital, but seeing Xingxing hadn’t thought of it, Xueling silently dismissed the idea.

Su Jin and Qin Hanhan chatted for a while, diverting their attention, and since they were indeed tired, Su Jin kept Qin Hanhan in her tent to sleep, and Qin Hanhan was too lazy to go back, so they slept together.

When Chu Shun and the others returned to the military camp, the sky was still dark; besides the guards, others were still asleep, exhausted after a night’s toil, having failed to burn the enemy’s grain and grass and nearly falling into a trap, they were physically and mentally weary.

Prince NanAn and his men returned to their tents to rest.

Chu Shun returned to his own tent.

He lifted the curtain but didn’t see Qin Hanhan or the maid.

Chu Shun was a bit bewildered.

Where’s the wife?

He stepped out, saw a guard, lightly coughed, and asked, "Where’s my wife?"

"Went to see the Heir’s wife in the middle of the night," the guard replied.

"...."

Chu Shun felt relieved.

Returned to the tent, casually washed up, and fell asleep.

He slept until daylight.

Su Chong had gotten up early to report last night’s events to Marquis Dongxiang.

Marquis Dongxiang frowned deeply, "Nanliang knew about your operation to burn the grain and grass so well?"

Su Chong nodded, "If we hadn’t stopped in time, with the Flying Tiger Army we took, at least half would have been lost."

The eight thousand Flying Tiger Army was the result of Marquis Dongxiang’s efforts over more than a decade.

They were his brothers.

His brothers in blood and flesh.

Even just getting them injured was difficult for Marquis Dongxiang, let alone losing so many at once.

That Nanliang guessed they would burn the grain and grass and enhanced the guard was normal; anticipating their plan to attack the main tent to divert attention was suspicious.

Since there were many places in the Nanliang camp they could burn, it didn’t have to be the main tent.

Furthermore, crucial items from the main tent had been moved beforehand, leaving an empty shell for them to burn.

Every step seemed within Nanliang people’s expectations, as if Nanliang knew their plans completely.

Clearly, plans had leaked.

There was a Nanliang spy in the camp!

This time it was truly dangerous, thankfully when they diverted attention away from the grain and grass depot, they maintained a distance from the depot, otherwise, if too close, Xie Jingchen’s warning would have been too late, exposing himself, frustrating his efforts.

Since knowing there’s a spy, they certainly should find a way to capture them, if well-utilized, maybe it could lend them a hand.

Su Chong failed in the attempt to burn grain and grass, those Generals will certainly ask for the reason behind the failure and summarize lessons to draft the next combat plan.

Su Jin already knew about the failure of the plan, she went to find Marquis Dongxiang.

The main tent was forbidden for outsiders, but Su Jin was an exception.

However, she was tactful, she wouldn’t interrupt Marquis Dongxiang when he was discussing military affairs.

Su Jin turned and left, Xingxing worriedly said, "What are we going to do about not being able to burn Nanliang’s grain and grass, and even our own supplies are insufficient?"

Su Jin didn’t respond.

Xingxing continued, "If someone could loan us food, that would be great."

Xingxing thought of the unfortunate Mr. Wei, and Old Master Zhou.

They didn’t know many wealthy people, most were not as rich as her Miss.

Su Jin also considered borrowing grain, but not from them.

Su Jin stepped back to her tent.

Xingxing was puzzled, "Aren’t we going to help prepare the golden sore medicine?"

"I’m going to write a letter."

Meanwhile, as Su Jin returned to the tent, Xingxing helped prepare ink, elsewhere, the General of Nanliang summoned Xie Jingchen to the military tent for a conversation.

The summons were expected, Xie Jingchen had been prepared for them.

Seeing his eyes weren’t very bruised, the Nanliang General stared at him for a moment, Xie Jingchen took out a bottle from his coat, "This ointment is excellent, after just one night, the bruise on my eye has reduced significantly."

This was also why he fought for the bottle.

Though the ointment had been bestowed upon Xie Jingchen, Xie Jingchen offered it proactively, so the Nanliang General wouldn’t refuse it.

Though last night failed to capture Su Chong and the others who attempted the burn, it was regretful, when they retreated, Xie Jingchen proactively attacked, Nanliang sought such fearless, unwavering soldiers.

To encourage everyone to learn from Xie Jingchen, they planned to promote him well.

Xie Jingchen earned the rank of small captain, able to lead a hundred or so men.

Xie Jingchen thanked the General of Nanliang for the promotion, then exited the tent.

Dong Chenglang patted him on the shoulder and said, "I always knew you’d make a name for yourself."

Xie Jingchen modestly said, "The General only promoted me because of your favor."

"Don’t be humble, stick with me, I guarantee you’ll soar to great heights," Dong Chenglang laughed.

After walking for a while, Xie Jingchen couldn’t help but ask, "Last night I heard the General mention something about a telescope, what is that?"

"It’s said to be a treasure from Daqi, allows viewing very far and clear," Dong Chenglang replied.

"But unfortunately, the one from last night seems to have been broken."

Xie Jingchen’s lips subtly curved.

Dong Chenglang patted his shoulder, "To celebrate your promotion, let’s go bathe in the river."

Xie Jingchen, "...."

"Come on, it’s been two days without a bath, if I don’t soak, I’ll go crazy."

Indeed.

When the day grows hot, sweat adds a heavy scent.

Xie Jingchen went along with him.

He still carried that piece of glass, which he set on his clothes.

Soaking in cold water, utterly refreshing.

But soon, Xie Jingchen couldn’t stay comfortable, as his clothes began to smoke.

Xie Jingchen, "...."