Too many female prisoners, a special forces soldier transmigrates and marries wildly.

The courtyard was small, paved with bluestone slabs, the cracks free of weeds, and swept clean. Several faded coarse cloth clothes hung under the eaves, swaying gently in the morning breeze. The entire courtyard, though simple, was meticulously organized, exuding a spirit of austerity yet unwillingness to compromise.

Xiao Qingli ushered Lin Feng into the main room.

The main room was even smaller, containing only a square table with peeling paint, two long benches, and a simple wooden shelf neatly stacked with half-embroidered handkerchiefs, purses, and other items. But it was also spotless, and the air was filled with a faint scent of soapberry and herbs.

"My humble abode is simple and unassuming; I hope you'll forgive my rudeness, Young Master Lin. Please have a seat." Xiao Qingli gestured to the bench, then walked to the table, picked up a rough earthenware bowl, and went to pour water, only to find the water jug ​​empty. A blush of embarrassment immediately appeared on her face. "I'm sorry, the water... the water hasn't boiled yet."

"It's alright, young lady, you don't need to be so polite." Lin Feng quickly waved his hand.

He picked up a steamed bun, placed it on a piece of oiled paper, and handed it to her, saying gently, "Please eat it, young lady, it will get greasy if it gets cold. I had one this morning, this one was specially bought for you."

Looking at the steaming buns in front of her, and then at Lin Feng's gentle and open eyes, Xiao Qingli's guard gradually lowered.

Perhaps... he really was just a kind-hearted person? I've been sick these past few days and haven't been eating properly; my mouth tastes bitter, and I feel weak all over. The aroma of these steamed buns is so tempting...

She finally reached out and gently took the steamed bun, whispering, "Thank... thank you, Young Master Lin."

Lin Feng sat down on another bench and asked casually, "Is your cold any better, young lady? Have you seen a doctor?"

"I'm much better. I got some medicine from Renjitang a few days ago, and after taking it, I'm mostly fine, though I'm still a little weak."

"That's good." Lin Feng nodded.

The two fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Qingli ate her steamed buns quietly, her movements still elegant and graceful. Even though she was extremely hungry, she didn't wolf them down. Lin Feng sat quietly, his gaze casually sweeping over the simple yet clean room, occasionally glancing at her lowered profile.

Morning light streamed in through the cracks in the door and windows, casting a soft halo around her. A few stray hairs fell beside her cheeks, swaying gently with her chewing. The room was quiet, save for the soft sounds of her chewing and the occasional chirping of sparrows outside. A strange, peaceful atmosphere permeated this war-torn morning in this dilapidated courtyard.

"Young Master Lin..." Xiao Qingli finished a steamed bun, wiped her mouth with a faded old handkerchief, and then looked up, her eyes filled with doubt and gratitude. "We are complete strangers, why... why are you so kind to me?"

"Perhaps it's because there aren't many people in this Shuofeng City who, despite their difficult circumstances, still strive to live and keep their lives clean," he said slowly, his tone sincere. "Although I am not talented, I cannot bear to see the weak and helpless suffer. A little food is nothing, it's just a small favor, you don't need to worry about it."

Xiao Qingli stared at him blankly, seemingly trying to find hypocrisy or ulterior motives in his eyes, but all she saw was openness and sincerity, and a trace of... barely perceptible pity. Her heart felt as if it had been gently bumped by something, a little sour, a little bitter, and a little warm.

"Young Master, your noble character and integrity are truly appreciated by Yunli." She said softly, using the pseudonym she had publicly declared, but a complex emotion swept through her heart.

"Miss Yun, you're too kind," Lin Feng said with a smile. "By the way, we haven't formally introduced ourselves yet. My name is Lin Feng, and I currently do some... small business in the city." He casually made up an identity.

"Young Master Lin." Xiao Qingli nodded gently, hesitated for a moment, and said, "My surname is Yun, and my given name is Li."

"Yun Li..." Lin Feng read it aloud, then nodded. "A good name." Glass is fragile, yet it is also crystal clear and has an inner radiance, which suits her very well.

"Young Master Lin, where are you from? Judging from your accent, you don't seem to be from the north." Xiao Qingli seemed to relax a bit and began to try to start a conversation.

"My ancestral home is in Jiangnan, but I moved around with my family to various places, so my accent became mixed," Lin Feng replied, half-jokingly, before asking, "Judging from your accent, it seems to have a soft, gentle southern feel. Are you from Jiangnan?"

Xiao Qingli felt a slight chill in her heart, but her face remained calm. She simply shook her head slightly, "It's not Jiangnan. My family hired a tutor from the south when I was young, and I may have picked up some accent from him. I hope you'll forgive my poor manners." She lightly changed the subject, "What kind of business does Young Master Lin run? With Shuofeng City under siege, business must be tough, right?"

"It's really tough to make a living by reselling miscellaneous goods from both the north and south in this chaotic world," Lin Feng sighed, echoing her words. "But it's still better than those people who have lost their livelihoods. It's even harder for a young woman to make a living through embroidery. In this world, it's so difficult for a woman to survive on her own."

The emotion in his tone seemed genuine.

Xiao Qingli remained silent for a moment before whispering, "Being alive is already a stroke of luck. Embroidering some handkerchiefs and purses to exchange for some rice and grain is just enough to make ends meet."

The two of them chatted like this, exchanging words back and forth, in a way that was neither too deep nor too shallow.

The atmosphere gradually became harmonious and natural.

Before she knew it, Xiao Qingli had finished all three steamed buns, and some color had returned to her face.

Seeing that she was feeling better, Lin Feng got up to take his leave: "Miss Yun needs to rest more, so I won't bother you any longer. If you need any help, you can find me at the Yuelai Inn in the East Market. I'm staying there for the time being."

Xiao Qingli quickly stood up as well.

Lin Feng said, "By the way, I saw that the handkerchiefs you embroidered are very beautiful. I was just thinking of buying a few to give as gifts. I wonder if you would be willing to do this work? The price will be the market price." He could see that she was struggling to make a living and wanted to help her, but he was afraid of hurting her pride, so he found an excuse.

Xiao Qingli looked up at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

How could she not see that he was deliberately making excuses to help her? But this thoughtfulness warmed her heart even more.

"What kind of pattern would Young Master Lin like?" she asked softly, which was her way of agreeing.

"Just embroider whatever you like, young lady. Something elegant will do." Lin Feng took out a large silver ingot and placed it on the table.

"This is the deposit. I didn't bring any loose change. I'll make up the difference when I come to pick up the handkerchief."

"It doesn't necessarily have to cost money..." Xiao Qingli hurriedly said.

"The proper etiquette still needs to be observed," Lin Feng said with a smile, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture. "Miss Yun, please rest well. I'll take my leave now."

Xiao Qingli gently said "wait a moment," then turned around and took out a small, indigo-blue amulet from a hidden spot on the wooden shelf. It was embroidered with simple auspicious cloud patterns and the stitches were fine.

"This is something I...sewed a while ago. It's filled with dried mugwort. Young master, wear it to ward off evil spirits." Her voice was soft, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her gaze fell on his chest, not daring to look directly at him.

Lin Feng felt a warmth in his heart and solemnly accepted the amulet. The amulet was soft to the touch, carrying a faint scent of mugwort and the slight warmth of the girl's fingertips.

"Thank you, young lady. I will keep it close to my heart." He carefully put it into his bosom and held it close to his heart.

Xiao Qingli's cheeks flushed even more, and she simply nodded gently.

"Take care." Lin Feng gave her a deep look, then turned and strode away.

Xiao Qingli stood at the door, watching his tall figure disappear into the alley, and remained motionless for a long time.

She closed the door, leaned against it, and sighed softly.

Regardless of who he was, she accepted his kindness.

As Lin Feng walked out of the alley, he slowed his pace.

Her behavior just now didn't seem fake.

"Perhaps she really is a fallen noblewoman," Lin Feng thought to himself, his suspicion of "Yun Li" having been reduced to a minimum.

Even a strange thought, a desire to protect her and make her life better in this chaotic world, quietly began to grow.