Li Man'er couldn't help but mutter, "Damn, is this a joke or a ghost story!"
She couldn't tell.
"Miss, what did you say?"
"Ah, I asked, who is having a wedding in the camp? Did the scouts find out?"
A'si replied, "They found out. It's Man Muhahe and Ha Yuezhu."
Damn it...
Why is it them?
But upon closer thought, it made sense. What time is it? War. It's good if ordinary people can survive, let alone have a wedding and get married. That's a pipe dream.
But if this happened to Man Muhahe, it would be perfectly appropriate.
Well, perhaps it was for his people, or perhaps for his own selfish reasons, that he wanted to cling tightly to the formidable Ha Yuezhu.
"Hmm, they didn't have plans to get married before!" If they wanted to get married, they wouldn't have come here to attack. So this was very likely a spur-of-the-moment idea.
But what prompted them to get married in the camp?
Could it be...
Li Man'er narrowed her eyes and thought to herself, could it be that Man Muhahe was afraid of dying on the battlefield and wanted to leave some offspring?
Cough, getting sidetracked.
"Did the scouts find out the reason for their hasty marriage?"
A'si shook her head, "Not clear."
It seemed the matter was not trivial. It was precisely because there was something going on that they kept it secret. If it were just a simple wedding, it would surely be known to everyone.
Li Man'er then said, "A'si, you said they are having a celebration. Does that mean they won't be as vigilant?"
"They might be a little more relaxed, more or less! But they definitely won't have time to attack us," A'si said, and then suddenly realized, "Miss, what are you planning to do? Could it be..."
"Hey, you clever girl, you've gotten smarter since following me."
A'si immediately shook her head, "No, Miss. Last time, it was only ten thousand people. But now we are facing tens of thousands, even a hundred thousand. If each one of us spat, we'd drown. No, no, we absolutely cannot go."
Li Man'er chuckled, "I was just talking. I'm not really that foolish. Do I look like someone who overestimates her own strength? Me, alone, doing such a thing. I'd be crazy or stupid."
"You're really not going?"
"Not going!" Li Man'er said, "Last time we attacked the camp, we had over forty people, and Xiao's family provided support. The snow outside is so heavy, it's impossible to move. Where would I go?"
"Yes, yes, you're right, my lady. Please don't overthink things. Now is not the time to be brave."
"Mmm." Li Man'er then asked, "How is the Marquis doing?"
"It seems there has been no progress. The doctor taking care of him is diligent, he's taking his medicine, getting acupuncture, but he still cannot speak or move. He needs care for everything, from eating and drinking to his bodily functions. I heard that the Marquis has a terrible temper and wants to curse people every day, but..."
He couldn't curse, which made him furious enough to almost pass out, and he nearly never woke up.
"Go to my chest, take out a hundred gold coins, and give them to that doctor. Tell him, thank him for taking care of the Marquis, and ask him to do his utmost to preserve the Marquis's life."
Her actions wouldn't be conspicuous, and no one would think she was trying to harm Li Shu. After all, in people's perception, it's better to live a miserable life than to die. Although Li Shu had a stroke and was paralyzed, he still held his noble title. As long as he lived, the Iron Gallant Marquis Manor would not become the Iron Gallant Earl Manor.
"Yes!" A'si opened Li Man'er's chest, took out a hundred gold coins, put them in a plain money bag, and tucked it into her sleeve to deliver it.
Li Man'er, however, was planning to go to the barbarian camp alone.
Her skills were not weak, and her spatial ability was her greatest asset. If she went alone, she could come and go without a trace. It would be harder for the barbarians to capture her than to ascend to heaven.
This time, she wouldn't even take A'si with her. She would venture into the barbarian army's camp by herself.
A'si returned quickly, "Miss, the items have been delivered. The doctor said he will take good care of the Marquis."
"That's good!" If Li Shu died so easily, what would be the fun? She wanted her scumbag father to taste what it was like to wish for death but not get it.
"Has my third uncle returned yet?"
"No." A'si shook her head. "These past few days, young master Qing Yan has become increasingly silent. I think he is very intelligent and must have guessed something."
"Nine years old. Hmm, he'll be ten after the New Year. He's not a child anymore. He should be exposed to some things. Don't try to dissuade him. He'll figure it out eventually. Besides, there's Liu Ya and Old Sun!"
"Mmm."
Li Man'er yawned, "We don't have to guard the city these few days. I'm going stir-crazy. A'si, accompany me for a walk."
"Yes, Miss." A'si didn't think much of it. In her understanding, Li Man'er, though bold and crazy, wouldn't be so arrogant as to court death.
She didn't know that Li Man'er wasn't arrogant, but had absolute confidence. Going for a walk was merely a pretense for reconnaissance. Even though she was very familiar with the locations of the two city gates, she didn't know the Xiao family's deployment. She had to see it for herself to decide where to leave.
The mistress and servant first toured the camp and then went to the city walls.
No one stopped Li Man'er now. Instead, they showed her a degree of respect. The soldiers even saluted her and sincerely called her "General."
This was all earned. Those foot-soaking herbs, frostbite ointment, and gloves that were distributed were all costly, but also represented her thoughtfulness.
And then there was the matter of Qian Xiaofu. Li Man'er had unknowingly saved everyone's lives! Death was not scary; what was scary was being turned into mindless zombies by drugs. Thinking about it still made them feel a lingering fear, so naturally, they were even more grateful to Li Man'er.
"It seems colder than before the snow. How are your hands? Have you gotten frostbite again?"
"No, the frostbite I had before is almost healed." The soldiers smiled bashfully. Some even urged her to go down, saying it was cold on the wall.
"I'm fine. I can't sit still when I'm indoors all day." Li Man'er said, "I'll have someone prepare hot soup and send it over later. All of you drink a bowl, don't catch a cold."
They thanked her repeatedly.
Li Man'er then went to the North Gate. The terrain here was relatively treacherous, with barren mountains on both sides. Although the altitude wasn't high, it would be extremely difficult for cavalry to break through here and enter the city. Therefore, the pressure on the North Gate defense had always been small.
Li Man'er again looked around as if inspecting, but in reality, she observed the layout of the city walls, both inside and out, and secretly memorized it. She then urged A'si to return to make hot soup.
"Miss, there are so many people, how much will you make?"
"Make as much as possible. No one has it easy."
Just then, a slightly hoarse voice sounded from behind Li Man'er, "Miss Li, please wait."