Once Feng Qingyin’s breathing had calmed somewhat, Lingling asked softly, “Miss, what is the Crown Prince’s position on this now?”
“Our forces outnumber Feng Jiu’er’s by twenty thousand. If we were to attack, we would absolutely achieve victory — so why are we still waiting?”
Feng Qingyin drew a deep breath, withdrew her gaze, and looked at Lingling.
“If I could fathom Crown Prince Brother’s thoughts, I would not be this vexed.”
“His meaning seems to be that his fifteen thousand troops are still making their way south — as though there is no urgency.”
“And yet, with our current strength of over sixty thousand facing Feng Jiu’er’s forty thousand, this battle could be won with ease no matter how it is fought.”
She pursed her lips and drew another deep breath.
“Most likely, Crown Prince Brother still has feelings for that wretched woman in his heart, which is why he keeps delaying the move.”
“We cannot wait any longer.” Lingling stood up, went to pour a cup of water, and approached Feng Qingyin. “Miss, drink some water.”
Feng Qingyin took the water and looked up at her briefly.
“Sit down. Your health is poor — there is no need to attend on me.”
“Yes.” Lingling nodded and sat down a short distance away.
“According to the scouts’ reports, on the side of Phoenix City, the Ninth Prince’s forces are limited — yet driving the Eighth Prince’s men out of the city is not out of the question.”
“The longer this drags on, if the Ninth Prince truly does manage to defeat the Eighth Prince, he will certainly come at once to provide reinforcement.”
“If the Ninth Prince personally leads elite troops here, I believe that even with our reinforcements arrived, they may not necessarily be his match.”
“What did you say?” The furrow between Feng Qingyin’s brows deepened further. “Even the Eighth Prince is no match for the Ninth Prince?”
“Was it not said that the Eighth Prince had already pushed into Phoenix City before the Ninth Prince even returned?”
“Yes.” Lingling nodded. “The Ninth Prince holds the title of the War God Prince — this is not said without reason.”
“Even the Eighth Prince, who is equally brilliant in both strategy and valor, and who is said to be ever-victorious, is no match for him — to say nothing of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Miss, you must know that His Highness the Crown Prince’s experience in warfare falls far short of the Ninth Prince’s.”
“So, to destroy Feng Jiu’er, right now may be our only opportunity.”
Thinking that the husband she had climbed so hard to reach was not even as strong as Feng Jiu’er’s man, a surge of bitter blood welled in Feng Qingyin’s chest, making her deeply miserable.
And her man’s heart and mind were still entirely fixated on that wretched Feng Jiu’er.
“No! This time I absolutely cannot let Feng Jiu’er off!” Feng Qingyin gripped her fist tight, her fingertips nearly pressing into her palm.
“Miss, you have finally managed to conceive. You must stay calm.” Lingling watched her and offered a soft reminder.
“In truth, at this moment, if something were to occur to spur His Highness the Crown Prince into attacking immediately, those inside would certainly die.”
Feng Qingyin was not unaware of this situation — but she could not fathom Zhan Yuheng’s mind at all, nor could she force him to give the order.
“Lingling, you must think of another way.” She looked at Lingling, her expression urgent.
“No matter what, we cannot give Feng Jiu’er another opportunity to escape.”
Lingling raised her hand and touched her face through the gauze, her jaw clenched tight.
“I will not let that wretched Feng Jiu’er off either. She destroyed my face — I will make her repay it tenfold!”
With a cold snort, Lingling then recalled something of great importance.
“Miss.” She looked at Feng Qingyin and drew a deep breath. “The Crown Prince’s command token…”
“Right — where is Crown Prince Brother’s command token? Return it to me quickly, otherwise it will be impossible to keep this concealed much longer.”
Meeting her gaze, Feng Qingyin’s brow furrowed even tighter, her expression more anxious than before.
“It is fortunate that Crown Prince Brother has not had occasion to use the command token these past days. If he were to call for it, he would certainly discover it had been swapped out.”
“If he were to suspect anyone, I would be the first. Lingling, return the command token quickly. I will find an opportunity to switch it back.”
“The command token is gone.” Lingling pressed her lips together and said quietly.
“What?” Feng Qingyin was so furious she stood up at once.
Looking at the face that not even the gauze could conceal to a less nauseating degree, she turned her gaze away with distaste.
“What do you mean, gone? Explain yourself clearly.”
“Feng Jiu’er took it.” Lingling immediately stood up and went over, taking Feng Qingyin by the arm.
“Miss, do not be angry! I will think of something. You have worked so hard to conceive — please do not be angry! You must not, under any circumstances, be angry.”
Feng Qingyin shook her arm forcefully and broke free of Lingling’s support.
“You tell me something this important is missing, and you expect me to stay calm?”
With a cold snort, she turned to the side, her back to Lingling.
“However this is handled, find a way to get the command token back first. It is always Feng Jiu’er, Feng Jiu’er — so many people die every day, yet why is she still not dead? She makes me so furious. Feng Jiu’er, I will definitely kill you! I will definitely kill you!”
“Miss, do not be so agitated! I will think of something. Even at the cost of my own life, I will help you recover the command token.”
Lingling stood to the side, frantic with worry, yet not daring to go near Feng Qingyin, afraid of making her even more agitated.
“Your life is still needed to kill Feng Jiu’er. Aside from the command token, I also want Feng Jiu’er’s life.”
Feng Qingyin drew several deep breaths. Knowing her own behavior had been somewhat excessive, she turned back, looked at Lingling, walked over, and took her hand.
“Lingling, you are my only family left. You must help me. I absolutely need you to help me — otherwise, I do not know what I would do.”
“Miss.” Lingling cupped Feng Qingyin’s hands in both of hers, supported her, and helped her sit back in the chair.
Pressing her lips together, she knelt before Feng Qingyin.
“Miss, my life was saved by you. Even unto death, I will fulfill your every wish.”
“Do not worry. I will certainly think of a way to compel the Crown Prince to send troops — I will certainly find a way.”
Feng Qingyin shook her head and let out a soft sigh.
She extended her hand and touched the gauze covering Lingling’s face.
“I know you have done your utmost as well. I should not have lost my temper. As for the matter of the command token, let me think of something. Do not weigh it too heavily on your mind.”
“Once this battle is over and we return, even if I must scour the entire country for the finest physicians, I will have your face healed.”
“Miss, I am fine.” Lingling, still kneeling, leaned forward and embraced Feng Qingyin’s legs. “Rest assured. I will certainly think of a way.”
Feng Qingyin extended her hand and stroked the head buried against her, the corner of her mouth curling into a wicked smile.
…
For no apparent reason, Feng Jiu’er had been idle and sleeping for an entire day and night. When she finally woke, she found — to her complete surprise — that what greeted her eyes was the dashing face of the heroic Jian Yi.
Looking at Jian Yi sitting beside her, Feng Jiu’er knew at once something was off and immediately sat up.
She swept her gaze around the surroundings. The setting felt somewhat familiar, but she still could not be certain.
“Jian Yi, what time is it now? How long have I slept this time? When did you all arrive? Are you all right?”
After rattling off a series of questions, Feng Jiu’er did not forget to take hold of Jian Yi’s hand and lay her long fingers upon his pulse point.
Heavens knew what was actually wrong with her — how did she manage to fall into such a deep sleep each time? Had she contracted some illness she herself did not even know about?