Chapter 337: Chapter 337: But I Already Have You

Shen Ningning was confused. "Why?"

She misunderstood and hurriedly explained, "Brother, I would never use the title of ’blessed girl’ to throw my weight around!"

Mo Lingwei shook his head. "That’s not what I mean."

"I want you to hide your ability to resolve natural disasters because I’ve heard the State Preceptor is still under my father’s orders, sending people all over Cangyun Country to find the ’true’ blessed girl."

"I find this whole thing strange. Even though the natural disasters can be resolved, they insist on pinning all their hopes on finding this so-called blessed girl."

"I have a bad feeling about it, like it’s not a good thing. So, try to avoid drawing attention to yourself."

Shen Ningning blinked. After a moment’s thought, she smiled. "I know why."

"It’s because the State Preceptor once predicted that only the true blessed girl can make you completely well, Brother."

"That’s why Uncle Emperor is in such a hurry to find her!"

Mo Lingwei saw the unconcerned look on her face, as if she hadn’t taken his words seriously at all.

His narrow eyes darkened, and he said testily, "But I already have you. What do I need another blessed girl for?"

Shen Ningning tilted her head, looking innocent. "But I haven’t cured your illness, Brother."

Even her Spirit Grass was powerless against it.

It could only provide temporary relief, not a fundamental cure.

Mo Lingwei rubbed the bridge of his nose. He wanted to get angry, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it with the little one.

His pleasant, youthful voice carried a hint of resignation. "It’s not your fault that I’m not cured."

"It’s my own body that’s letting me down."

As soon as he said it, he realized something was wrong.

’When have I ever admitted that my body is weak? So much for my masculinity!’

It was also the first time Shen Ningning had ever heard the proud and unrestrained Mo Lingwei say something like that.

They both froze for a moment. Then they looked up, their eyes meeting, and saw the astonishment in each other’s gazes.

"Pfft—" Shen Ningning burst out laughing.

Mo Lingwei couldn’t help but laugh along with her.

"Don’t you dare repeat what I just said." Mo Lingwei quickly composed himself, putting on a stern face as he warned her.

Shen Ningning ran to his side. "I know, I won’t tell anyone! I’m on your team, Brother. I want you to get better soon, too!"

With that, she stood on her tiptoes, as diligent as a little bee. "I’ll grind the ink for you!"

Mo Lingwei scooted over and patted the spot next to him.

"You can sit up here, too."

When Chen Shaobei arrived to report on state affairs, he saw two people sitting on the crown prince chair—a seat that symbolized the authority of the Crown Prince.

As Shen Ningning spoke, Mo Lingwei watched her with a focused gaze, like the sun chasing the moon.

Chen Shaobei felt he had come at the wrong time.

So, he silently turned back.

Recently, Jiang Zhi had finished his short-term training and had begun patrol duty as one of the General Mansion’s household soldiers.

Chen Shaobei returned to the mansion to change his clothes. Hearing it was time for the midday meal, he went to check on the household soldiers as they ate.

But he didn’t see Jiang Zhi.

He summoned one of the household soldiers and asked, "Where’s Jiang Zhi? Is he skipping his meal again?"

The soldier clasped his hands and replied, "Young General, Brother Jiang said he had a stomachache and went back to his room."

Chen Shaobei nodded in understanding. "I see. Go on and eat."

He then picked up a food container holding two dishes, a soup, and rice, and went to the side courtyard where the household soldiers lived.

Jiang Zhi had a peculiar personality and was also Shen Ningning’s good friend, so Chen Shaobei did his best to help him.

That was why he had allowed Jiang Zhi to have a room to himself.

When he reached the door, he knocked lightly. "Jiang Zhi, I heard you weren’t feeling well. I came to check on you."

There was no response from inside.

Chen Shaobei knocked again. "Jiang Zhi?"

He frowned slightly, wondering if Jiang Zhi’s stomachache was so severe that he had passed out.

’I hope it’s not some strange and complicated illness.’

Chen Shaobei pushed the door open and went inside.

The room was sparsely furnished with a bed, a cabinet, a table, and a stool.

Jiang Zhi was curled up on the bed, wrapped in a blanket and sleeping soundly.

Chen Shaobei walked over to check and found Jiang Zhi’s brows furrowed in what looked like discomfort.

He touched the other’s forehead; it wasn’t hot.

’Probably just a common stomachache.’

Chen Shaobei placed the food container on the table and went out.

A short while later, he returned, holding a hot water pouch made of cowhide.

The army physician had once said that getting intestinal cramps while on a campaign could be life-threatening.

But applying a hot pouch could bring significant relief.

Chen Shaobei lifted the blanket and placed the cowhide pouch in Jiang Zhi’s arms.

Jiang Zhi seemed to find it too cold, quickly shrinking away and turning over.

Just then...

Chen Shaobei saw a dark red bloodstain on the mattress beneath Jiang Zhi.

He froze.

His eyes then lifted, and he stared in astonishment at Jiang Zhi’s face.

Jiang Zhi was fifteen this year, only three months younger than him.

But Jiang Zhi was exceptionally handsome and delicate, not at all like the burly, rough men in the barracks.

Chen Shaobei’s expression darkened. He covered her with the blanket again, then picked up the food container and left quickly.

「An hour later.」

Jiang Zhi woke up.

She rubbed her abdomen as she got out of bed, both hungry and in pain.

Usually, her period wasn’t this uncomfortable, but the recent training had been far too harsh.

As a household soldier, she had to stand three watches at night, each lasting three hours.

With the freezing weather outside, she had probably caught a chill.

Jiang Zhi got up to make the bed, intending to find something to eat.

But then, she saw the red spot on her bedding.

"Damn it!" she panicked. "How did it get on the mattress?"

Just then, she heard a knock at the door from Ah Si, another household soldier.

"Brother Jiang, are you in there? The Young General sent me to bring you some food!"

Jiang Zhi quickly used the blanket to cover the bloodstain. After taking a deep breath, she deliberately deepened her voice. "Come in."

Ah Si pushed the door open, grinning. "Brother, you’ve really lucked out."

"Our Young General is really looking out for you. Look, orders just came in transferring you to the Fire Soldier Camp!"

The Fire Soldier Camp was previously in charge of making gunpowder.

But now, with the freezing weather and no battles to fight...

...the soldiers there had nothing to do when there were no campaigns.

Jiang Zhi was stunned. "The Fire Soldier Camp? Does that mean I don’t have to patrol anymore?"

"Are you playing dumb? Of course you don’t! Haven’t you seen those guys from the Fire Soldier Camp? They sleep in until almost noon every day, living the good life. You should be counting your lucky stars!"

After Ah Si finished, an uneasy feeling grew in Jiang Zhi’s heart. She quickly asked, "Ah Si, have you been outside the courtyard this whole time?"

"Yeah."

"No one came into my room, did they?"

Ah Si found Jiang Zhi’s question odd and laughed. "Besides you, who else would come into this courtyard of yours? We’d never just come in."

Ah Si put down the food and left.

Jiang Zhi’s mind raced for a while. Then she hurriedly changed her clothes, quietly fetched some water, and washed the bloodstained mattress ticking.

She didn’t dare hang it to dry in the courtyard, so she simply hung it up inside her room.

Then, she locked the door and went directly to the study where Chen Shaobei handled his work.

Several Deputy Generals were lined up, reporting on military affairs.

"Young General, the situation of our battle with Changliu Country is not looking good. Spies in the army have sent word. If this continues, the Emperor will certainly dispatch our Chen Family Army as reinforcements. We must prepare in advance."

Chen Shaobei nodded, his gaze steady. His entire presence was like a heavy, unmoving mountain.

"Understood. Proceed with the preparations as planned."

"Yes, sir."

As the Deputy General walked to the door, Jiang Zhi quickly greeted him. "Greetings, Deputy General."

The Deputy General grunted in acknowledgment and hurried away.

Jiang Zhi looked up, just in time to meet Chen Shaobei’s icy gaze.

For some reason, she felt that Chen Shaobei’s attitude today was particularly different.

"You have business with me? Come in," Chen Shaobei said.

Jiang Zhi hurried inside. She stood ramrod straight, her expression serious. "General, may I ask what I have done wrong?"

Chen Shaobei’s hand, which was reaching for a military ledger, paused.

He raised his cold eyes, confused. "What?"

"If I have done nothing wrong, why are you transferring me to the Fire Soldier Camp?"

Chen Shaobei knitted his brows. "That’s a cushy post. Many men would kill for the opportunity, and you’re not satisfied?"

But Jiang Zhi was even more resolute. "I don’t want to be a freeloader. I only want to train and prove myself. I ask the General to retract the order and allow me to continue my patrol duties as a household soldier!"

"Otherwise, the General can also send me to the border to support General Xie Mingxu. I am willing to lead troops to resist our foreign enemies!"

Chen Shaobei was so exasperated he almost laughed.

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