If it weren't for the peculiar scent emanating from Lu Shi, Feng Jin would have almost shed tears of gratitude; now, she had to suppress the urge to laugh.
"Guard Lu, I'm heading back. You should also return and rest early," Feng Jin said, turning to leave. Then, as if remembering something, she turned back. "I'll have Cai Qing send some rose dew to you later. You should take a good bath."
Feng Jin simply couldn't stand the smell. After speaking, she hurried away.
With the raw materials in hand, Feng Jin busied herself making the cake. After a morning of work, she finally produced a basic cake. It was rather ugly, but it tasted quite good.
This was her only successful attempt after several tries. As for the others, either the cream wouldn't stick, or they wouldn't hold their shape.
Fortunately, her efforts paid off, and she finally succeeded once. As for the failed attempts, it would be a waste to discard them; they were all edible. Feng Jin had Cai Qing take the discarded cakes for everyone to share, which was better than throwing them away.
"Eldest sister-in-law, what is this? It's so sweet!" Ling Wan had never tasted such a food before. Although it looked a bit clumsy, the taste was surprisingly delicious. It was sweet and had an indescribable fragrance, far more delicious than any pastry she had ever eaten.
"This is a cake. The soft yellow part inside is bread, and the white part is cream," Feng Jin explained.
"Cream?" Ling Wan had never heard of such a thing and was slightly taken aback.
"It's made from milk. We have Guard Lu to thank for this milk. If Guard Lu hadn't milked the cow, we wouldn't be able to eat such delicious cake."
Everyone's gaze fell on Lu Shi, whose face was slightly bruised.
Feeling embarrassed by their stares, Lu Shi touched the back of his head. "I just helped out a bit. It's nothing. Please enjoy your meal."
Feng Jin chuckled at his dazed expression. "Guard Lu, there's something else I need your help with."
"Young madam, please don't hesitate to ask. I will do anything I can," Lu Shi said, his confidence boosted by the recent event. Without even asking what it was, he readily pledged his assistance.
"It's just..." Feng Jin seemed a little embarrassed. She cleared her throat and said, "It's just that... the milk is gone... you'll have to help milk the cow again."
Upon hearing that he had to milk the cow again, Lu Shi's face fell. The spot where the cow had kicked him on the chest still ached faintly.
"Young madam, why don't you find someone else? I..."
"You are the only one who can do this. I believe in you. I'll need a bucket of milk tomorrow. I'm sorry to trouble you."
Feng Jin patted Lu Shi on the shoulder, speaking with certainty.
Lu Shi truly regretted not controlling himself earlier and making such a bold promise. There was no going back now.
"This matter is entrusted to you. Enjoy the cake. I'll be waiting for you at the usual spot tomorrow."
With that, Feng Jin darted away, disappearing in a flash, afraid Lu Shi might change his mind.
Ling Mo Han watched their exchange, his brows furrowed. His displeased gaze fell on Lu Shi, and he abruptly stood up, kicking over a nearby stool with a loud crash, startling everyone present.
Especially Lu Shi, who felt that the young general's gaze towards him was unusually strange, as if suppressing some anger. He couldn't recall doing anything wrong today.
Ling Mo Han's dark eyes lingered on Lu Shi for a moment before he asked in a low voice, "You will inspect the West Army Camp tomorrow. Depart early in the morning."
"But, Young Madam asked me to..."
Under Ling Mo Han's stern gaze, Lu Shi quickly shut his mouth, daring not to utter another word.
"Depart early tomorrow morning," Ling Mo Han stated, then turned and left.
By sending Lu Shi away, he wanted to see who Feng Jin would turn to tomorrow.
Indeed, the next morning, Feng Jin waited by the cowshed with a bucket for a long time, but Lu Shi never appeared.
She sent Cai Qing to find Lu Shi, but nearly half an hour had passed, and there was still no sign of him.
Feng Jin squatted on the ground, squinting against the sun. Seeing a figure approaching her direction, Feng Jin suddenly looked up.
She hadn't expected Lu Shi, but instead, Ling Mo Han had arrived.
"Why are you here?" Feng Jin asked, confused.
The man's expression gradually turned gloomy. He couldn't be here. So, who was she waiting for here? Lu Shi?
Thinking of this, Ling Mo Han's face darkened further, a fire burning within his chest. "Lu Shi has gone to inspect the West Army Camp. You won't be able to find him."
"What!" Feng Jin's voice was filled with surprise. This was too much of a coincidence. Had Lu Shi decided he didn't want to do it anymore and deliberately found an excuse?
Or was there another reason? Before Feng Jin could ponder further, Ling Mo Han spoke. "What did you need Lu Shi for?"
"I just needed him to help..."
Mid-sentence, Feng Jin suddenly realized. Her probing gaze fell on Ling Mo Han, and after a moment's hesitation, she voiced her suspicion: "Did you deliberately send Lu Shi away?"
Only Ling Mo Han had the authority to do so.
His secret revealed, a flicker of embarrassment crossed Ling Mo Han's face. He cleared his throat to cover it up.
"Certainly not. Military orders are like mountains. Your small matters naturally cannot compare to military affairs."
Ling Mo Han adopted a businesslike demeanor, completely denying any personal motive in deliberately finding a reason to send Lu Shi away.
"Is that so?" Feng Jin raised an eyebrow. Did he really think she was a fool to be so easily deceived?
Ling Mo Han's little scheme was as obvious as day.
Since he was the one who had Lu Shi sent away, she wouldn't be polite. Feng Jin thrust the bucket into Ling Mo Han's hands.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ling Mo Han asked, pointing at the bucket in his hands.
"You sent Lu Shi away, so you have to replace Lu Shi. Do you see that cow?"
Ling Mo Han followed Feng Jin's gaze and nodded, uncomprehending.
"Take this bucket and milk some milk. Remember, you must not harm the cow or startle it, or it will affect the taste of the milk, and the cream made from it won't be as good."
Feng Jin patiently explained the precautions to Ling Mo Han in detail.
"You asked Lu Shi to come for this?"
"What else would I need him for?" Feng Jin retorted, as if asking what other reason she would have for calling Lu Shi.
Ling Mo Han glanced at the bucket in his hand and then at the milk cow grazing nearby. He immediately regretted it.