Mu Ling, suspicious: "Why is it you?"

Qin Yao smirked: "Surprise, it’s you!"

No wonder Wang Jin said the support could never be cut off, turns out it’s the renowned Princess Guard.

Wang Jin opened the official residence’s door and saw the two of them staring at each other across the distance, a scene full of shock.

Wang Jin looked at Qin Yao in the second-floor window, then at Mu Ling on horseback, not believing that these two formidable women around him actually knew each other!

"General, you’ve finally arrived." Wang Jin stepped forward and saluted, relaxing completely as he straightened up.

Mu Ling withdrew her gaze from Qin Yao, looking down at Wang Jin, giving a cold and distant nod as a response, with no intention to dismount.

"To avoid any further delays, please have Lord Wang bring the items, and depart with me immediately."

Wang Jin was taken aback, "Now?"

The sky was still pitch black overhead, with two hours until the city gates opened.

Though he knew the situation was urgent, it didn’t need to be this rushed.

Mu Ling, not bothering to explain, coldly said: "Half an hour to prepare, Lord."

Wang Jin, hearing this, had to shake his still groggy head and comply.

"The cargo is heavy, General. Please lend me two people." Wang Jin politely asked.

Mu Ling raised an eyebrow, glanced at the window above, which had been shut, then dismounted and gestured for Wang Jin to lead the way.

Wang Jin was flattered and hurriedly said, "No need to trouble the General, just two of the women with me will suffice."

"No more nonsense! Lead the way." Mu Ling responded impatiently, taking steps into the residence.

Wang Jin understood inwardly that it was likely not just to help him move things, but to meet another formidable woman.

He wondered which of the two was stronger as he led the way while letting his mind wander.

Arriving outside Qin Yao’s door, before Wang Jin could knock, Mu Ling kicked it open.

The flimsy wooden doors couldn’t withstand the blow and collapsed with a loud bang.

Wang Jin’s heart skipped a beat; surely, there was some grudge here?

"General, if the door is broken, you’ll have to pay for it." Qin Yao stood inside, holding a candlestick, smiling.

The candlelight illuminated the room and revealed Mu Ling’s ambiguous smile.

"Lord Wang will pay for it." She stepped over the threshold, her teasing gaze sweeping over Qin Yao’s face, then immediately moving to the conspicuous large wooden box inside the room.

"Open it!" Mu Ling ordered Wang Jin, wanting to inspect the contents of the box.

Wang Jin glanced at Qin Yao, "There are still outsiders here...."

He gave Qin Yao a desperate look to leave.

Qin Yao shrugged, set down the candlestick, and was about to leave when Mu Ling’s low voice said, "No matter."

Qin Yao paused, her suppressed interest sparked, curious to see what was in the box.

Wang Jin was momentarily stunned but then chose to obey, taking out a key to unlock the box, revealing the contents within.

A few weapons and a smaller box.

Mu Ling picked up the weapons, seeing they were not familiar swords and knives of the martial world, but military spears.

This item was also a ceremonial object used by the Ritual Officer when conferring titles of nobility.

Mu Ling’s lips curled into a cold smile, setting down the identically shaped spears with inscriptions and signaling Wang Jin to open the smaller box inside.

Wang Jin seriously placed the box on the table in the guest room and unlocked it.

A glimpse of dark cloth met their eyes, with gold thread embroidered into exquisite dragon scales. Even if Qin Yao had never seen the Shen Country’s Emperor’s Dragon Robe, she could guess this dragon scale design was surely taboo.

"They have actually privately forged a Dragon Robe!" Mu Ling was seriously startled, then suddenly laughed, another opponent of the Princess eliminated!

"Lord Wang, well done. When I return, I will truthfully report everything here to the Princess." Mu Ling said contentedly, patting Wang Jin’s arm to reassure him, "The Princess will not forget your efforts."

Unexpectedly, Wang Jin evaded her hand, saluted solemnly, and said earnestly:

"I am entrusted by His Majesty, and everything I do is for the people of the Sheng Country. This is all within my duty."

Mu Ling’s hand in the air slowly withdrew, her smile vanished, and she glared coldly at Wang Jin for a moment. Seeing he remained unmoved, she completely dropped her friendly demeanor.

"Wang Jin, if you don’t wish to serve the Princess, then don’t come begging at the Princess Mansion anymore!"

Though her face was cold, her anger nearly burst from her eyes, wanting to burn this petty Imperial Censor who wanted both ways.

Wang Jin remained humble, "I believe the Princess loves her people as her children and would not turn a blind eye to those secretly plotting against the Sheng Country. Hence, I appealed to the Princess’s mansion, requesting her intervention."

"Now that the Princess has sent a General to assist, I am truly grateful. Once I reach the Capital, I will boldly visit to express my gratitude for the Princess’s dedication to the people."

Before Mu Ling could respond, Wang Jin immediately said: "If the General thinks the Princess helped only because of my position as a mere seventh-rank Imperial Censor, then it’s the General who sullied her noble character!"

Mu Ling, angry: "Wang Jin, my loyalty to the Princess is unwavering, how dare you sow discord!"

"I dare not." Wang Jin, submissive, "Please calm down, General."

"Very well! You’re quite something!" Mu Ling pointed angrily at Wang Jin, "I hope you keep your word and continue your duty as a small seventh-rank Imperial Censor, not failing the Princess’s trust in you!"

Wang Jin bowed deeply in the direction of the Capital: "I will not fail the Princess’s trust!"

What else could Mu Ling say? If he wasn’t willing, didn’t want to take sides, could she, as a Great General, lower herself to solicit his allegiance?

There were plenty of seventh-rank Imperial Censors in the Capital, not just Wang Jin!

"You, carry the box downstairs." Mu Ling suddenly turned to Qin Yao, pointing at the wooden box and ordered.

Qin Yao narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking, Who do you think you are?

Mu Ling confidently glared back, you two left this mess and now I, the General, have to clean up after you. What harm to assign you some work?

Knowing when to bend, thinking of the 200-plus people in Liu Family Village, Qin Yao flashed a smile, "Yes, General, right away, General."

Mu Ling hummed in satisfaction, glanced at Wang Jin with a dangerous tone, "Lord Wang, aren’t you going to pack your things?"

Wang Jin slapped his forehead, "I’ll do it right away."

Then, he gave Qin Yao a fawning smile, when you’re under someone’s roof, you should bow when it’s time, don’t clash with the bigwigs.

He then stepped out of the room, heading to his own room quickly.

As soon as he left, Mu Ling dropped her authority and curiously asked Qin Yao, who was packing the wooden box: "How much silver did Wang Jin give you? I’ll pay double if you come with me to the Capital."

If Wang Jin were still here, seeing Mu Ling’s almost coaxing tone, he would surely angrily ask: How come you, the General, have two faces!