"Come to think of it, it's quite mysterious. Without the pigeons, how did you two communicate? How did he know we had gunpowder?"
Ye Yingfeng showed a meaningful smile. He took a slow sip of his wine and deliberately kept them in suspense.
Just when everyone was impatiently waiting for an answer, he finally spoke in a mysterious tone.
"It was those wolf howls. Zhang Guang grew up in a wolf's den when he was a kid. He was raised by wolves until he was seven or eight years old, so he knows a bit of wolf language. We just followed his example, and it became our unique way of communication."
Ye Zhinan had a piece of mutton in her mouth. As she listened to Ye Yingfeng explain what had happened, she couldn't help but praise him in her heart.
She thought it was some kind of Morse code, but it turned out to be pure natural communication.
"Please don't mention the gunpowder incident anymore. It was a risky move. Saying less will save us from trouble," Qin Yihuai's voice suddenly rang out, as loud as a bell, reminding everyone present.
Everyone patted their chests and promised that they would keep this matter a secret.
Ye Zhinan didn't really care. She had prepared for the worst when she took out the gunpowder. When it came to human lives and rumors, she always chose the former.
It was impossible to stop people from talking, but fortunately, Qin Yihuai had spoken up for her, which made her feel a bit better.
"We'll go down the mountain tomorrow. We still need to wrap up the county magistrate's case. It'll probably keep us busy for a while," a deep voice came from above Ye Zhinan's head. She was biting the mutton and looked up blankly.
Qin Yihuai was rambling on about what he was going to do next.
It even made Ye Zhinan have the illusion that he was reporting his schedule to her.
"I... I see. You didn't have to tell me. If you have things to do, just go ahead," she stammered. Her mind was in a mess.
She noticed that the light in Qin Yihuai's eyes dimmed. He looked a bit unhappy.
Ye Zhinan wanted to say something to make up for it, but by the time she realized it, he had already walked away.
"You're so stupid! Those words clearly meant to draw a line with him, but that's not what I intended!"
Ye Zhinan lay in bed. The words they had just said kept replaying in her mind.
Over and over again, they seemed to be shouting at her for saying the wrong thing.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the window. She quickly turned over and whispered quietly.
"Who's there?"
"I'm here to deliver medicine for you. If it's convenient, come out and talk," Qin Yihuai's figure was cast on the window, making him look even thinner and more upright.
Ye Zhinan couldn't contain her joy. She quickly put on a coat and ran out in small steps.
She didn't notice the threshold when she got to the door and almost tripped.
"Be careful," Qin Yihuai held her. When their skin touched, she noticed that his hands were extremely cold.
It seemed that he had been standing outside for a long time.
She shivered. Qin Yihuai quickly withdrew his hands, turned around, and rubbed them hard before coming back to tighten her cloak.
"It's getting colder. Remember to wear more clothes so you don't catch a cold." He wasn't very good at showing concern, especially when it came to Ye Zhinan. His mouth seemed to be tied up, and he couldn't say many things.
The atmosphere became awkward again. Qin Yihuai suddenly remembered that he had come to deliver medicine. He took out a delicate small medicine bottle from his bosom and stuffed it into Ye Zhinan's hand.
"You've never ridden a horse before, so you're bound to have some bruises and scratches. This is the best golden sore medicine. Apply it when you get back, and it'll take effect tomorrow."
The medicine bottle still retained his warmth. Ye Zhinan held it tightly in her hand. Her heart was like melting spring water, rippling with emotions.
It was getting dark. They had to set off early tomorrow, so Qin Yihuai didn't stay long. He urged Ye Zhinan to go back.
She went back into the room and observed the medicine bottle by the candlelight. She found that there was a little girl drawn on it.
The girl looked extremely similar to her in both appearance and figure.
Even the lotus - colored jacket was exactly the same as the one in her childhood memories.
"Could it be that we met when we were kids?"
She played with the medicine bottle and searched her memory for any clues about the past.
But even combining her two lifetimes (herself and the original owner), there was no trace of Qin Yihuai.
It must be a coincidence.
She applied the medicine and carefully put the medicine bottle into her money bag and then hid it in a corner of her space.
The rooster had just crowed in the morning when she was drowsily woken up. She sleepily put on her clothes and got into the carriage.
When she woke up, they were almost at Shen Beiting's mansion.
"The prefect told us to go back and rest first. He especially told you siblings to calm down. Come back in a few days to discuss the follow - up matters."
Ye Zhinan didn't even step into the door before she was sent away again.
She was definitely a bit angry. After all, they had risked their lives for Shen Beiting this time, but he didn't even say a polite word. Instead, he was rushing them away.
She frowned. Then she met Qin Yihuai's gaze and put away all her anger.
It seemed that there was something mysterious going on.
When the three of them got home, Han Xiangmei was busy in front of the stove with red eyes.
Ye Zhinan's nose twitched. She quickly walked up to her and hugged her arm.
"Mother, I missed you so much."
The moment she saw her mother, all the emotions she had suppressed for days came pouring out.
Fear and grievance mixed together, making her feel as wronged as a child.
Han Xiangmei stroked her head, her eyes full of pity.
"I've heard that you were quite the hero. You became a big hero outside, and the story of you three men has spread far and wide."
It seemed like a joke, but in fact, there was more blame in it.
Ye Shenyan was afraid that his wife would worry before he left, so he only said that he was going to be questioned and would be back that night.
But he was gone for a full three days. How could she not worry?
"Don't be angry, madam. Whether you want to beat or scold us, we three men will take it. But we have to eat first so that we have the strength to be punished," Ye Shenyan spoke first. The siblings also chimed in.
Han Xiangmei had no choice but to scold them while putting the dishes on the table.
"Father, I met someone in the mountain stronghold. She's also from an official family, but she was framed by a villain. She's the only one left in her family," Ye Zhinan suddenly remembered something important. She briefly told them about Lu Yanlai's experience and wanted to hear Ye Shenyan's opinion.
Ye Yingfeng's face turned ugly. He had only suspected that it was man - made before, but he didn't expect the same trick to be used again.
"I'm wondering if this person could be the county magistrate?"
Ye Shenyan shook his head and denied Ye Zhinan's idea.
"The county magistrate is colluding with the enemy country, so he won't waste his time on the guilty officials in the northern border. The more stable the border is, the less attention it will attract. If I were him, I'd wish for peace in the northern border."
He stopped there and didn't intend to say any more.
Since it wasn't the county magistrate, there was a deeper secret waiting for them to uncover.
"If we look at the Lu family's experience, this person's goal hasn't been achieved yet. We need to be more careful in the future."