Years turn into wind

Chapter 156 The Rival's Temptation

The evening glow dyed the courtyard of the Marshal's Mansion red. Cheng Yuwei stood in the corridor, holding a cup of hot tea, her eyes cast towards the nearby martial arts training ground. Ling Xiaotian was training with his personal guards, the sun shining on his shoulders, adding a sense of majesty and composure to him.

She smiled slightly, turned around and went back to the house, but bumped into the housekeeper holding the account book at the corner.

"Young Madam, this is the income and expenditure situation of various places this month. The Marshal asked me to give it to you for review." The butler handed over the account book with a hint of respect in his eyes.

Cheng Yuwei took the account book, flipped through a few pages, and frowned slightly: "Why is the expenditure on military rations so much higher than last month?"

The housekeeper looked embarrassed. "Young Madam, we've recently encountered some difficulties in transporting grain to surrounding towns. Some transport teams have disappeared without a trace, causing grain prices to rise."

"The transport team disappeared for no apparent reason?" Cheng Yuwei looked up, a hint of doubt in her eyes. "Does Ling Xiaotian know about this?"

"The Marshal has sent people to investigate, but there is no news yet." The butler replied in a low voice.

Cheng Yuwei nodded and held the account book in her arms: "Don't worry about this matter, I will discuss it with Ling Xiaotian."

The Rival's Temptation

That night, when Cheng Yuwei was discussing the food issue with Ling Xiaotian in the study, a guard suddenly came to report: "General, Madam, Miss Li requests an audience."

"Ms. Li?" Cheng Yuwei was stunned for a moment, then looked at Ling Xiaotian, "Why did she come here so suddenly?"

Ling Xiaotian looked calm and dismissed the guards with his hand: "Let her wait."

After the guards took their orders and left, Cheng Yuwei couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Ling Xiaotian, what's going on with this Miss Li?"

Ling Xiaotian picked up his teacup and replied nonchalantly, "The daughter of a business partner. I've met her at a banquet before. Nothing special."

Cheng Yuwei raised her eyebrows slightly: "Since there is nothing special, why did she come to you?"

Ling Xiaotian put down the teacup and rubbed her head with his hand: "Are you jealous?"

"I didn't!" Cheng Yuwei snorted and turned her head away, "But I want to see what this Miss Li is trying to do."

Before she finished her words, crisp footsteps were heard outside the study door. A moment later, a woman in a light pink dress walked in. She had a bright face and an elegant temperament. It was Li Mengrou, the daughter of the Li family.

"Marshal Ling." Li Mengrou bowed slightly, her tone slightly tender. "I've long heard of your great reputation. It's truly an honor to have the opportunity to visit you today."

Ling Xiaotian nodded expressionlessly: "Miss Li, just say it."

A flicker of embarrassment flashed across Li Mengrou's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled, "I heard that Marshal Ling's reputation has grown even more in the city recently. I truly admire him, so I came here to give him some small gifts as a token of my respect."

As she spoke, she clapped her hands, and the servant behind her brought up an exquisite wooden box.

Cheng Yuwei stepped forward, took the wooden box and opened it. Inside was a dagger with extremely exquisite craftsmanship. A dazzling sapphire was inlaid on the handle, and the scabbard was carved with ancient patterns. It was obvious that it was worth a lot of money.

"This gift is quite unique." Cheng Yuwei closed the box and said with a smile, "But Ling Xiaotian already has enough swords. I'm afraid Miss Li's kindness will not be reciprocated."

Li Mengrou heard the sarcasm in Cheng Yuwei's tone, and the smile on her face froze slightly, but soon returned to normal: "This is just a small token of my appreciation, not worth mentioning."

Ling Xiaotian glanced at the dagger and said calmly, "I appreciate the gift, but I don't accept gifts without merit. Miss Li, please take it back."

Li Mengrou's smile completely faded, and she stood there in a dilemma. Seeing this, Cheng Yuwei deliberately added, "Since Miss Li is here, why not stay for dinner?"

Li Mengrou quickly agreed: "Thank you for bothering me."

Cheng Yuwei sneered secretly, turned around and said to Ling Xiaotian, "I'll go ask the kitchen to prepare it. Ling Xiaotian, you stay and chat with Miss Li."

Ling Xiaotian glanced at her, seemed to notice her displeasure, but did not stop her.

Secret plan

In the dead of night, Li Mengrou left the general's residence and hurriedly boarded a carriage. The carriage drove a distance and stopped in front of a hidden house.

Inside the room sat a thin man, fiddling with a dagger. Seeing Li Mengrou come in, he looked up and smiled, "Sent it out?"

"I gave it away, but Ling Xiaotian didn't accept it." Li Mengrou took off her shawl, her tone revealing a hint of displeasure.

"That's fine." The man chuckled and placed the dagger on the table. "It's better if he doesn't take it. We have other plans anyway."

Li Mengrou looked at him with a cold tone: "I hope your plan will not go wrong, otherwise my situation will be dangerous."

"Don't worry." The man stood up, walked to her side and whispered, "Everything is under control."

Cheng Yuwei's guess

After dinner, Cheng Yuwei returned to her room and was about to rest when Ling Xiaotian pushed the door open and walked in, holding the account book she had been looking at in the morning.

"What do you think is wrong with the transport team?" he asked bluntly, sitting in his chair.

Cheng Yuwei took off her hair and said, "What a coincidence! The food prices are rising at the same time as the transport teams are disappearing one after another. It seems like someone is deliberately targeting you."

Ling Xiaotian nodded. "Your guess is the same as mine. I've already sent someone to investigate. If someone is really behind this, their goal isn't just food and supplies."

"That's good." Cheng Yuwei felt relieved and her tone became more relaxed. "But by the way, how was your conversation with Miss Li today?"

Ling Xiaotian was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "You are really jealous."

"No!" Cheng Yuwei blurted out, but the expression on her face revealed her true thoughts.

Ling Xiaotian walked forward and pulled her to sit down: "Don't worry, Li Mengrou will not pose a threat to us. Her backers will be exposed sooner or later, and I will deal with them all at once."

Cheng Yuwei looked up at him, and suddenly felt confident: "Okay, then I'll wait and see how you solve it."

"Just wait and see." Ling Xiaotian lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his eyes filled with determination. "As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."