95: Chapter 0095 In-depth Exchange

Lin Xiao hurriedly dismounted and ran over, catching Xiao Qingxuan in his arms as she rushed toward him.

"Husband!"

Xiao Qingxuan wept with joy as she threw herself into the man's arms, her heart finally settling.

"My lady, your face..."

Lin Xiao cupped the woman's face, only to find it covered in black soot and even traces of blood.

"Oh, it's nothing!"

Xiao Qingxuan wiped it with her sleeve and smiled brightly. "It's just some coal dust, and the blood belongs to the enemy. I am not injured."

But as she raised her hand, Lin Xiao immediately noticed several blisters on her palm!

"Your hand—is this a burn?"

Xiao Qingxuan hurriedly hid her hand, looking a bit embarrassed. "It's nothing, husband. It will be better in a couple of days..."

"Hmph, to defend the city, Qingxuan mobilized everyone to burn coal and even decocted medicine for the wounded. She didn't rest the entire night, and her skirt almost caught fire from the coal!"

Leng Bingyan complained from the side, "Since she followed you, she hasn't had a single day of peace. She's constantly living in fear and having to suffer like this."

"Yaner!! Stop talking!!"

Xiao Qingxuan immediately scolded her. "My husband and the soldiers were risking their lives on the front lines. What does this little bit of work I did in the back count for?"

Leng Bingyan turned her head away. Although she knew Xiao Qingxuan wasn't wrong, she still felt aggrieved on her behalf.

"Husband, don't listen to her nonsense. I don't feel like I suffered at all. I only regret that I don't know martial arts and couldn't join you on the battlefield to kill the enemy."

What Xiao Qingxuan regretted most now was that she had only studied literature since childhood and had never practiced martial arts.

Lin Xiao's heart was filled with a mix of emotions. Even if she was a fallen Empress, she was still an Empress!

To be able to do this much for him—with a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?

"My lady, rest assured. I, Lin Xiao, will never fail these hands of yours in this lifetime."

Lin Xiao lowered his head and kissed the woman's red, scarred hands twice.

Xiao Qingxuan's bright eyes shimmered with tears as she gave a beautiful smile.

"With those words from my husband, I can die with no regrets."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Lin Xiao said with a frown.

"It was a slip of the tongue. Husband, go quickly to see Wanying; she also worked very hard defending the city."

Lin Xiao secretly admired her. Look, this is the breadth of mind of an Empress!

He immediately took Xiao Qingxuan's hand and returned to the city together.

Leng Bingyan puffed out her cheeks behind them and muttered softly:

"This young lady worked very hard too, okay? Hmph... two heartless people."

Back in the city, the commoners erupted in cheers. Many were weeping, feeling as though they had been given a second lease on life.

Seeing Lin Xiao and his wife, many commoners spontaneously knelt on the ground, shouting, "Thank you, General Lin!"

There were even many who cried out, "Thank you, General's Wife!"

Clearly, Xiao Qingxuan's various actions over the past few days had won over many hearts.

When Lin Xiao saw Mu Wanying, she was visiting the wounded.

The female general was covered in blood and filth, and her face was also dirty.

Seeing Lin Xiao approach, Mu Wanying wanted to step forward but hesitated.

Lin Xiao smiled and took the initiative to pull the woman into a hug.

Mu Wanying was so moved that her eyes turned red. Her tense nerves relaxed, and her tears almost became uncontrollable.

"Husband... I thought I wouldn't be able to hold the city..."

"You did very well. I believe General Mu would be proud of you in the afterlife."

"Mhm..."

Behind them, General Wu Jinzhe and the other veterans of the Golden Scale Guard were so moved that these tough men shed tears.

After this night of open field combat and city defense, it wasn't just Mu Wanying who had undergone a transformation, but the entire Zhenbei Army!

Although Lin Xiao was exhausted in body and mind, he first summoned Su Chang, Fiscal Officer, and the other city officials.

"Clear the battlefield. Not just outside Baishui City, but also the various counties and villages within the commandery—everything must be investigated thoroughly!"

"There are likely some remnants of the Barbarian Army that escaped. Don't let them harm the people!"

"Record all the fallen soldiers clearly. For those from Baishui and Wu Mountain commanderies, arrange for pensions immediately."

"In two days, the entire army will gather before the monument to see them off!"

As the orders were handed down one by one, the entire city became busy once again.

It wasn't until nightfall that Lin Xiao returned to the mansion.

By now, the Prefects Mansion had been renamed the "Zhenbei Generals Mansion."

When Lin Xiao arrived at his room, Xiao Qingxuan had already had the maidservants prepare hot water.

"Husband, my hands are injured, so I cannot attend to your bath. Should I have a maidservant do it?"

Lin Xiao looked at the woman whose hands were wrapped in white cloth. Thinking about how she hadn't slept for two days and a night, he naturally felt pained for her.

"My lady, it's a small matter. I'll wash myself. You should get some rest early."

Hearing this, Xiao Qingxuan nodded silently and walked out.

When Lin Xiao was halfway through his bath, he saw Mu Wanying walk in bashfully.

The female general had already removed her armor, and her jet-black hair fell to her waist.

"Wanying? Why are you..."

"Qingxuan said I should come to attend to husband's bath because husband is very tired."

Lin Xiao was moved. This wife of his was simply too considerate!

To be honest, although fighting was exhausting, after such a bloody battle, there was a surge of wildness and restlessness in his body that couldn't be calmed.

"Come in!"

Lin Xiao directly issued the command.

Mu Wanying's delicate body trembled as she obediently stepped into the bath barrel...

The next morning.

Xiao Qingxuan also slept in late before getting up to prepare breakfast.

Seeing that her husband and sister had not come out, and the maidservants didn't have the courage to call them, she had no choice but to enter the bedroom herself.

Coming to the large bed, Xiao Qingxuan's pretty face turned slightly red. She was about to turn around and leave to let the two of them continue sleeping...

But a hand suddenly pulled her onto the bed!

"Ah!"

Mu Wanying had no choice but to silently pretend to be asleep...

More than an hour later, the three of them finally left the small courtyard.

While having breakfast, both women clearly had unnatural expressions. Whenever their eyes met, they would immediately look away.

Lin Xiao, however, was very satisfied.

"We are all one family. Being open and honest with each other and having deep communication is a good thing!"

Xiao Qingxuan said coquettishly, "Husband is bullying me. Since it's a good thing, next time I want to see how Wanying communicates."

"Why bring me into this? It's all husband's mischief; I didn't say anything..." Mu Wanying hurriedly tried to clear herself.

Lin Xiao chuckled and said, "Wanying didn't say it, but she was quite busy hiding under the covers."

"Oh... husband, stop talking!"

Mu Wanying was too embarrassed to face anyone. She had clearly tried her best to hide, yet she was still seen?

As they were discussing the blushing topic, the Old Butler walked in from outside.

"General, both Madams, there is a guest visiting!"

Fortunately, the three of them had noticed the Old Butler coming in, otherwise it would have been awkward.

"Oh? Who is it?" Lin Xiao asked.

"The other party claims... to be from the capital and is an old acquaintance of Madam Mu!"