"What is it that becomes so serious the moment it reaches your lips? Look at what you're saying. I can't be this unlucky, just as I'm stepping out..."
"Watch out!"
Before Feng Jin could finish speaking, an arrow whizzed past her eyes. She was so startled that cold sweat broke out all over her body, and she stood frozen on the spot, forgetting to dodge.
Ling Mohan leaped forward, shielding Feng Jin in his embrace. "Get into the carriage first. You are not allowed to come out."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Mohan pushed Feng Jin into the carriage and joined the battle himself.
Only then did Feng Jin snap back to her senses. Did her words have some sort of premonition? Why did everything she said come true?
"Young Madam, are you alright?"
Cai Qing, hearing the commotion, was also terribly frightened and rushed forward to ask about Feng Jin's condition.
"I'm fine. How are you all?" Feng Jin asked instinctively, her gaze sweeping over them as if examining them.
Taking a deep breath, she finally managed to calm her emotions after a moment. She quickly found the pre-made crossbow bolts from a nearby cabinet and distributed them to Cai Qing and Chu Qing.
"Wear this on your wrist. It can save your life in a critical moment."
Feng Jin tightly gripped the crossbow bolt on her wrist, her heart suddenly filled with anxiety. She wondered how the child was doing and if Ling Mohan had sent anyone to protect them.
She now regretted that she didn't know martial arts. It was all Ling Mohan's fault; he had refused to teach her even a single move, insisting that she was not suited to learn martial arts now and would only injure herself if she insisted. He absolutely refused to teach her.
This left her confined to this small carriage, waiting for others to protect her, with no ability to defend herself, let alone protect her two children.
Today's events only strengthened Feng Jin's resolve to learn martial arts. Once she returned to the capital, she would definitely learn a few moves. Even if Ling Mohan refused to teach her, she would find someone else to impart her martial arts skills.
Feng Jin reached out to lift the carriage curtain to peek outside but worried that assassins might be lurking, revealing their whereabouts.
She could only sit inside the carriage, her heart consumed by anxiety, but utterly helpless.
"Young Madam, if you are worried about the young master's safety, I can go out and take a look."
Chu Qing, having noticed Feng Jin's worry, offered.
"No, we don't know the situation outside, nor do we know if the attackers are bandits or someone else's arrangement. It's too dangerous for a girl to go out."
Even though she was worried about her two children's safety, Feng Jin would not let Chu Qing go out in such danger.
"Young Madam, I know a little martial arts. Besides, there are soldiers all around. I will be absolutely fine going out."
"You know martial arts?" Feng Jin sounded slightly surprised. How had she never noticed Chu Qing knew martial arts before?
"I only know a little bit, nothing significant. But I can defend myself. Young Madam, please let me go. I promise I will be safe."
Chu Qing's confident assurance made Feng Jin waver. After a moment of consideration, she said, "Then, when you go, be careful. If it's too much, come back quickly. Don't push yourself. Your safety is the most important thing."
She cautioned Chu Qing repeatedly to prioritize her own safety, knowing she would feel guilty and uneasy if anything happened to her.
"Young Madam, rest assured."
With her words, Chu Qing left the carriage.
Feng Jin's heart was filled with worry. She secretly lifted the curtain just a crack, her gaze searching for Chu Qing's figure.
The outside was filled with a cacophony of clashing swords, sabers, and spears, mingled with shouts that assaulted her ears. Feng Jin was visibly shaken by the brutal scene and remained in a daze for a long time.
It was at this moment that Feng Jin truly realized how skilled Chu Qing was.
Even with more than a dozen attackers surrounding her, they could barely get within half a step of Chu Qing. They were all clearly at a disadvantage.
Chu Qing did not linger to entangle herself with them. After repelling them one by one, she hurried towards the carriages in the rear to find the two young masters.
When Chu Qing arrived, soldiers had formed a tight circle around the carriages. Two wet nurses were holding the young masters tightly, not daring to make the slightest mistake.
Upon seeing Chu Qing, a hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the two wet nurses. They said in unison, "Miss Chu Qing, you're here. Where is Young Madam?"
"It's extremely dangerous outside. Young Madam specifically sent me to check on the safety of the two young masters."
"As long as Young Madam is unharmed, this old servant will protect the young masters even at the cost of her own life."
Granny Lin hugged the young master in her arms tighter. Before they departed, the Old Master had already instructed her to protect the young master at all costs.
The Old Master had shown her immense kindness. Without his protection, her entire family would have lost their lives long ago. Today, she would definitely protect the young master, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.
"Miss Chu Qing, your ability to break through the battlefield demonstrates your exceptional martial arts skills. Miss Chu Qing, it would be arduous, but please return to protect Young Madam. I will protect the young master with my life. Please convey to Young Madam not to worry."
If anything happened to Young Madam, how would the young general survive alone? Granny Lin said with some concern.
"I should stay here. Young Madam is most worried about the two young masters..."
Chu Qing thought it over and decided it would be best for her to stay. After all, Young Madam's greatest concern was the two young masters. Only if the young masters were safe could Young Madam rest assured.
"This..."
Granny Lin looked troubled. After much thought, she agreed to Chu Qing's suggestion.
Indeed, with Chu Qing present, they would be much safer. For the sake of the two young masters' safety, Granny Lin agreed to let Chu Qing stay.
...
"Young Madam, Chu Qing has been gone for so long. Will something have happened to her?"
Cai Qing's worry was evident on her face, especially with the sounds of fighting outside, which only amplified her concern.
The situation outside was so perilous. Even with Chu Qing's high martial arts skills, one pair of hands could not fight off four opponents. Moreover, as a lone woman, how could she not worry about her venturing alone?
"Her not returning is actually a good thing. She has probably stayed to protect the two children. I believe Chu Qing will be fine."
Ever since she had personally witnessed Chu Qing's martial arts prowess, Feng Jin was even more certain that Chu Qing would not be harmed. She just needed to wait patiently.
"If Young Madam says she is fine, then she will definitely be fine."
Cai Qing couldn't help but recall their past encounters with danger. Whenever Young Madam was present, they would always emerge safely. This time would surely be the same as in the past; they would definitely get through this safely.
Cai Qing took off the jade pendant she wore around her neck, clasped it in her hands, and prayed silently, wishing for everything to be peaceful.
"You're praying..."
"Yes, Young Madam," Cai Qing replied with a nod.