My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1462 Unwilling
Madam Lin looked the girl up and down, her clothes tattered and her face streaked with tears, her tone clearly contemptuous. "Look at her like this, how could she be a proper young lady? She'll have to be properly disciplined in the future." With that, she dismissed the others, leaving Ling Xue alone to face this sudden turn of events.

As night fell, Ling Xue tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. A light rain began to fall outside the window, its patter echoing on the roof tiles. Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats shattered the night's tranquility. Immediately afterward, the steward rushed in to announce, "His Highness the Heir Apparent of the Marquis of the Capital has arrived!"

Ling Xue curiously climbed out of bed and looked out the window to see a young man in fine clothes dismounting from a fine horse. He was tall and straight, with a heroic air about him, his gaze sharp yet gentle. That man was Zhou Xing, the eldest son of the Marquis of Dingyuan, personally appointed by the current emperor. It turned out that he had a past friendship with Madam Ling and felt deeply guilty for not being able to visit his friend when she was seriously ill. Now, hearing of her friend's orphan's difficult situation, he had come to fulfill his promise—to take Ling Xue back to the capital to raise her.

When Zhou Xing stood in front of Ling Xue, the little girl instinctively shrank back. But then he knelt down and said gently, "I came here at your mother's request. From now on, I will protect you." These words were like a ray of light shining into her dark world.

The next morning, the entire Ling household was in a flurry of activity. Although Madam Lin was unwilling, she dared not say anything in the face of the Marquis's power. Before leaving, Master Ling gave Zhou Xing a letter, instructing him to treat his daughter well. Ling Xue was allowed to take a few personal items as souvenirs. She chose some of her mother's jewelry and a small box filled with books.

The carriage slowly drove out of the city gate, heading north. For the first few days, Ling Xue rarely spoke, simply watching the changing scenery along the way. Zhou Xing didn't urge her, letting her adapt to the new environment. Occasionally, he would tell her interesting stories or teach her to read and write, gradually opening her heart.

One evening, while setting up camp, dark clouds suddenly gathered, and soon a torrential downpour began. Everyone scrambled to set up tents for shelter, only to discover that a small river nearby was rising rapidly and threatening to flood the camp. In this critical moment, Zhou Xing decisively directed everyone to move to higher ground and personally risked his life to rescue the trapped animals. His bravery and composure left a deep impression on Ling Xue.

As their journey took them deeper into the north, the climate grew increasingly cold and dry. To help Lingxue adapt to the temperature changes, Zhou Xing prepared thick cotton robes and fox fur gloves for her. Whenever they passed through a town, he would take her to sample local delicacies and experience the different cultural customs. In these small gestures, Lingxue felt an unprecedented sense of care and warmth.

The day they arrived in the capital was in the dead of winter, and the entire city was covered in a blanket of white, making it exceptionally beautiful. People had been waiting for a long time in front of the Marquis's residence, and they were all overjoyed to see their young master return. The old Marquis personally came out to greet them, and seeing the thin and pale Ling Xue, he felt a pang of heartache and immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare nourishing soups for her to recover.

Ling Xue's first days in the Marquis's mansion were not easy. The complicated family relationships and strict etiquette rules left her feeling lost. Fortunately, Zhou Xing often stayed by her side and patiently guided her, and with the help of several kind nannies, she gradually learned how to be a proper noblewoman.

As spring arrived, the Marquis's residence held a flower-viewing banquet, inviting relatives and friends to join in the grand occasion. This was Ling Xue's first time attending such a grand event. She wore a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a white shawl, her hair styled in an exquisite double bun, making her appear fresh and refined, like a fairy descended from heaven. At the banquet, everyone praised her highly, especially the old Marquis's wife, who was particularly fond of her and presented her with many precious gifts on the spot.

However, this period of peace was short-lived, as undercurrents began to stir in the court. Some, jealous of Zhou Xing's talent and position, plotted to frame him. A sudden storm shattered his peaceful life. Someone had accused Zhou Xing of treason and colluding with an enemy state! The emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation. Although the evidence was insufficient to convict him, suspicion remained, and he was no longer trusted with important positions.

Faced with adversity, Zhou Xing did not succumb to despair but instead worked even harder to prove his innocence. He volunteered to go to the frontier to defend against foreign invasion, hoping to clear his name with military achievements. On the eve of his departure, he stayed up all night in his study, devising a battle plan. When Ling Xue secretly brought him hot tea, she saw his exhausted figure and couldn't help but shed tears.

"Don't worry," Zhou Xing comforted her, holding her hand. "I will definitely get justice for you when I return in triumph." At dawn the next day, he prepared to set off for the battlefield. For a long time afterward, there was no news of him, causing everyone great anxiety.

Until one day, news of victory arrived by fast horse! It turned out that Zhou Xing had led his army to a great victory over the enemy's main force, turning the tide of the battle! The news caused a sensation in the capital. The emperor was overjoyed, not only restoring his official position but also bestowing upon him a noble title as a reward. When Zhou Xing returned laden with honors, he was greeted by the people lining the streets, receiving a hero's welcome.

After this incident, Zhou Xing's prestige soared, and he became a pillar of the court. Meanwhile, his feelings for Ling Xue quietly deepened amidst their shared hardships. One moonlit night, as they strolled in the garden, Zhou Xing mustered his courage and confessed his feelings: "Xue'er, I'm so grateful for your unwavering companionship all these years… If you're willing, I'd like to marry you and spend my life with you, is that alright?"

Ling Xue blushed, lowered her head, and twisted the hem of her clothes for a long time before softly agreeing. Soon after, the two held a grand wedding and became husband and wife. After their marriage, they supported each other through thick and thin, enjoying many happy times together. Later, they had a son and a daughter, who inherited the best qualities of both parents and were intelligent, clever, and lovable.

Years later, Ling Xue still felt deeply moved when she recalled that arduous and winding journey. If it weren't for the person who decided to take her away from Jiangnan, perhaps her life would have been completely different… Fortunately, everything happened just right, creating this beautiful story that has been passed down through the ages… And she finally understood that true home isn't a specific place, but rather where that person's heart resides…

The twilight was blood-red, the setting sun painting the clouds on the horizon a crimson hue. On the steep cliff, the howling wind tore at Ling Xue's dust-covered armor. She knelt, one hand on her sword, her chest heaving, her gaze still sharp as a hawk's as she fixed her gaze on the enemy before her—her former comrades-in-arms, now pressing closer with torches in hand.

"Why?" Her voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible, echoing through the mountain stream. No one answered; only the clanging of blades clashing jarred in the silence. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her back, and she stumbled forward, her last sight being the rebel leader's狰狞 smile and a hail of arrows. Her body plummeted uncontrollably, the wind whistling past her ears, her consciousness fading into darkness…

After an unknown amount of time, the pungent smell of medicine filled her nostrils, and Ling Xue slowly woke up. Before her was an elegantly furnished room, with a carved wooden bed and silk curtains, quite unlike the simple military tents. She tried to get up, but found herself weak and her head very dizzy. At that moment, the curtain moved slightly, and a pretty young maidservant entered carrying a bowl of medicine.

"Miss is awake! That's wonderful!" the maid exclaimed with delight, quickly helping her sit up. She scooped up a spoonful of medicine, blew on it, and brought it to her lips. "This is the doctor's prescription; drinking it will help you recover faster." Ling Xue looked at her warily, not taking the bowl. "Where is this? How did I get here?"

The maid smiled and said, "This is the capital of the Western Liang Kingdom. A few days ago, someone found you unconscious at the foot of the mountain, and my young master kindly brought you back." Seeing that she was still full of doubt, she added, "The young master is Zhou Xing, the second young master of our General's Mansion. He is the kindest and most benevolent man."

Upon hearing this, Ling Xue was startled. Xiliang was the archenemy of Great Yan, and the two countries had been at war for many years. How could she, a female general of Great Yan, have fallen to such a state? She instinctively reached for the sword at her waist, but found nothing but emptiness. The maidservant seemed to sense her worry and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Miss. Your weapons are all stored in the storeroom. They will be returned once you've recovered."

And so, Ling Xue was forced to stay in the enemy general's mansion as a lowly maid. Because she still had the martial arts skills she had before losing her memory, and was quick, nimble, and hardworking, she quickly gained the approval of the head maid and was assigned to help out in the kitchen. Every day she had to get up before dawn to start a fire and cook, and under the smoke and fire, her hands, which had once held a sword, were now covered with calluses and burns.

That morning, the kitchen was bustling with activity. Ling Xue was busy preparing vegetables when she suddenly heard a hearty laugh from outside the door: "Is breakfast ready today?" As the voice faded, a tall, slender figure stepped into the room. The man was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, his hair tied up with a jade crown, and his handsome face carried a hint of nonchalance. It was Zhou Xing, the second young master of the General's Mansion.

He glanced casually at the neatly arranged ingredients on the cutting board and nodded in satisfaction, "Not bad." His gaze then paused as he looked at the busy crowd—it landed on Ling Xue, who was working diligently. Although she was simply dressed, her bearing was exceptional, and her every move exuded an air of refinement. Especially her eyes; even hidden in the cooking fumes, their sharpness was undeniable.

Zhou Xing stepped forward with interest: "Are you new here?" Before she could answer, he said to himself, "I find you quite pleasing to the eye. From now on, you'll follow me." He then casually tossed her a token, "Take this to the accounting office to collect your monthly allowance."

Those around her all looked on with envy, knowing that being able to serve the Second Young Master closely was a rare and coveted position. Only Ling Xue accepted the token with an indifferent expression, secretly on guard: This person seemed carefree and unrestrained, but in reality, he was deep and cunning; getting close to her was probably not so simple.

From then on, Ling Xue became Zhou Xing's personal maid. She discovered that this second young master's behavior was very different from ordinary people: during the day he would either go out to make friends or stay at home to read and paint; at night he would often drink alone under the moon until late at night; occasionally he would change into night clothes and sneak out of the mansion and disappear without a trace... All these signs indicated that he was not as simple as he seemed on the surface.

One night, it was Ling Xue's turn to stand guard outside the study. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor, and the air inside was filled with the aroma of wine mixed with the smell of ink. Bored, she looked around listlessly, her gaze drifting to a military map spread out on the desk, densely covered with markings. Just as she was about to lean closer for a closer look, a languid voice sounded behind her: "Still not asleep so late?"

Zhou Xing leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a half-smile, toying with a wine glass in his hand. Ling Xue hurriedly bowed her head and said, "Please forgive me, young master, I had no intention of offending you." He waved his hand to indicate that it was alright, walked closer to the table and sat down, inviting her to drink with him: "Since you are my personal maid, I should naturally trust you more than others."

The two sat facing each other, their faces becoming increasingly clear in the candlelight. Zhou Xing raised his wine cup and took a sip, then suddenly asked, "Do you still remember who you are?" The question struck Ling Xue like a thunderbolt! She abruptly looked up at him, her eyes filled with shock and wariness: "Why do you ask such a question, sir?"

Zhou Xing did not answer directly but said calmly, "After observing you these past few days, I've discovered that you are no ordinary woman. Your words, actions, and even the occasional glimpse in your eyes reveal a unique temperament." He paused for a moment and continued, "Moreover, your skills are not what one would expect from an ordinary maid."

Ling Xue was sent a chill down her spine by his words! She forced herself to remain calm and retorted, "Young master is joking; it's nothing more than rudimentary skill." In her mind, however, she was frantically calculating her next move. Had he already discovered her identity? If so, why didn't he expose her on the spot but instead chose to speak privately?

Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, hurried footsteps outside broke the silence. A guard rushed in to report, "Reporting to Young Master! An urgent report has arrived from the border!" Zhou Xing's expression changed drastically. He abruptly stood up, grabbed his sword from the table, and strode outside. Before leaving, he glanced back at Ling Xue, who stood frozen in place, hesitated, and ultimately said nothing before turning and leaving.

Watching his departing figure, Ling Xue felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, she worried that the exposure of her identity would bring even greater disaster to both countries; on the other hand, she felt a strange curiosity about this mysterious young man... She didn't sleep a wink all night until dawn.

The next morning, a tense atmosphere pervaded the entire general's mansion. Soldiers bustled about carrying supplies and equipment; generals gathered in the hall to discuss countermeasures; even Zhou Xing, usually leisurely and carefree, was nowhere to be seen. It turned out that intelligence received the previous night indicated that the Great Yan army was secretly gathering, preparing to launch a surprise attack on the Xiliang border fortress! As the son of the defending general, he had to rush to the front lines immediately to command the defensive operations.

Before leaving, Zhou Xing found Ling Xue and handed her a secret letter, instructing her, "If I do not return within three days, deliver this letter to the address written in it." With that, he spurred his horse and rode off, leaving her standing there, bewildered, for a long time. Opening the envelope, she saw several powerful characters written on it—"To be opened by the Commander-in-Chief of the Great Yan Army!"
At this moment, all the guesses were confirmed! It turned out that Zhou Xing already knew her true identity and had secretly passed messages to the enemy commander! Anger and disappointment intertwined, almost causing Ling Xue to lose her mind. But she quickly calmed down and realized that things were far more complicated than she had imagined... Perhaps there was more to the story?
Filled with questions, she decided to personally go to the battlefield to uncover the truth. Under the cover of night, she secretly slipped out of the general's mansion and headed towards the battlefield where the two armies clashed. Along the way, she witnessed horrific scenes: corpses strewn across the fields, rivers of blood flowing; the deafening shouts of battle; flames illuminating half the sky, as if the end of the world had arrived…

They finally located the Great Yan army camp. As they approached, they heard a fierce argument erupting from within: "...We absolutely cannot retreat! If we hold out just a little longer, we can breach the city and capture the enemy general alive!"