CHAPTER 416: CHAPTER 384: PRAYING FOR MR. QI AT FAHUA TEMPLE (PART 2)

Three days later, Lu Xingzhou departed from Ningzhou and headed north, arriving at the Northwest Battlefield after about ten days.

This time, some of the Western Expedition Army were Lu Xingzhou’s former subordinates. Recognizing him immediately as the once-renowned War God, they did not trouble him.

Lu Xingzhou expressed his wish to see Xu Guangfu, and someone promptly led him there.

Inside the main command tent.

Xu Guangfu was currently overwhelmed by the battle situation. Hearing that Lu Xingzhou had arrived, he was momentarily stunned, then quickly got up to personally welcome him in, unable to conceal his excitement, "Why has Second Master come?"

Lu Xingzhou glanced at the setup inside the tent and smiled, "I heard you were in the Northwest, quite close to my place, so I came to visit."

"Second Master, don’t tease me," Xu Guangfu said. "You’re in the Southwest, we’re in the Northwest—separated by mountains and rivers. How is it close?"

A map of the current battle hung in the center of the tent.

Lu Xingzhou’s gaze lingered on it for a long time.

Xu Guangfu personally brewed tea for him and served it, "Second Master, please have some tea."

Lu Xingzhou recollected himself, took the teacup, and asked, "Has Su Qing arrived yet?"

"He just got here two days ago," Xu Guangfu said. "We were in a truce when he arrived, and he spent all last night analyzing tactics with me. He just went back to rest. Do you want to see him? I can have someone call him."

Even though he had been demoted to a commoner, his former subordinates remained loyal.

Listening to Xu Guangfu call him "Second Master," Lu Xingzhou found himself nostalgically recalling those years of life and death with his brothers.

"Second Master?"

Seeing him lost in thought, Xu Guangfu called out.

Lu Xingzhou gathered his thoughts and said, "Since he just laid down, there’s no need to disturb him."

Xu Guangfu did not understand why Lu Xingzhou came to the Northwest. Being straightforward and unreserved, he asked directly, "Did Second Master come to the Northwest to find someone or for another purpose?"

Lu Xingzhou also didn’t beat around the bush, "The Great Chu army hasn’t fought a battle in a long time. Although the scale of this Northwest battle isn’t large, it’s not easy to win. I’m here to lend you a hand."

Upon hearing this, Xu Guangfu was nearly moved to tears, praising Second Master as a living Bodhisattva sent by the heavens to relieve their suffering.

After drinking the tea, Lu Xingzhou quickly focused on strategic analysis.

...

Su Qing woke up and was informed that Lu Xingzhou had arrived at the Northwest camp.

He rubbed his temples and asked his subordinate, "Was he sent by the Emperor?"

The subordinate said he didn’t know, indicating that Second Young Master Lu was in General Xu’s tent and asked if Su Qing wanted to go see him.

Su Qing nodded and, after a quick wash, headed to the main command tent.

Earlier, for acquaintances to recognize him so he could smoothly enter the military zone, Lu Xingzhou had deliberately shown his true face. After negotiating with Xu Guangfu, he had disguised himself a bit.

Now, seeing him, Su Qing initially didn’t recognize him and looked towards Xu Guangfu, asking, "Who is this...?"

"Second Young Master Lu, the once-renowned War God."

While introducing Lu Xingzhou, Xu Guangfu’s face showed a proud sense of honor.

Su Qing understood that the other intentionally concealed his appearance.

Xu Guangfu lowered his voice and said, "Second Master came this time to be our military strategist without the Emperor’s knowledge, so this matter must not be leaked. Otherwise, if the court ministers use Young Marquis Lu as an issue, the Emperor will be put in a difficult position."

Su Qing nodded and clasped his hands towards Lu Xingzhou, "I am honored to face the enemy together with Second Master."

Lu Xingzhou, who was initially bent over the sand table studying, lifted his head upon hearing this and gave Su Qing a deep look.

The young man before him was in the prime of his youth, somewhat reminiscent of his own younger self.

On the way here, Lu Xingzhou wondered whether Su Qing would think he was here to steal the limelight since he wasn’t sent by the Emperor.

Now, it seemed he had worried needlessly.

Curving his lips into a smile, Lu Xingzhou said, "I have long heard of Mr. Qi from the Su family, and today, he indeed lives up to the reputation."

Su Qing chuckled, "What works for an individual might not work on the battlefield. From now on, I look to Second Master for more guidance."

These words made Lu Xingzhou appreciate him even more.

After a round of pleasantries, they stopped idle chatting and immersed themselves in analyzing the battle situation.

The three-day truce ended, and according to Lu Xingzhou’s strategy, the Great Chu army took the initiative to attack and won the first battle.

The news returned to the Capital, where Emperor Guangxi was greatly pleased, "Good! I knew I wasn’t wrong about Su Qing."

In his happiness, he looked at Mr. Cui, who was waiting at his side, "I always said, the Great Chu won’t collapse without the Lu family, nor will I have trouble sitting securely on the throne without them. See? This victory is proof!"

Mr. Cui nodded in agreement, "The Emperor has keen eyesight, and the commander you personally chose naturally wouldn’t be lacking."

Thinking that Su Qing might overshadow the glory of the Lu family, Emperor Guangxi openly declared, "If he can achieve a great victory, I will reward him heavily!"

——

After Su Qing’s reinforcement led to a victorious first battle, the news quickly spread, reaching Lin Xiaoyue’s ears.

In the main room, Jin Zhi was helping Ah Nuan change clothes while happily saying, "To win the first battle, it’s certainly thanks to our Mr. Qi."

Lin Xiaoyue had just gotten up and sat at the dressing table. Upon hearing this, she glanced at her reflection, seeing her own thinner face due to worrying about Su Qing, and instinctively touched her belly, whispering, "I knew he wouldn’t disappoint me."

"Of course," Jin Zhi was happier than anyone else, "Our Mr. Qi has been different from others in the big house ever since he was little. What was that saying... Heaven bestows great responsibilities on the person they must endure hardships? Mr. Qi didn’t have a good birth and was bullied a lot in those years at the big house. After the separation, life got better and better. Now he’s become a First-Grade Left Army Commander and has finally made it.

Granny Qi never saw it, but every time I go out, those who used to look down on our family treat me like a master, afraid of offending me and by extension Mr. Qi. At the big house, even a few low-ranking maids who do misc work have asked if our mansion is hiring, hoping to come serve us. Hmph—do they ever look at themselves? If there were such great opportunities, would I leave it to them?"

Jin Zhi spoke at length before realizing Lin Xiaoyue wasn’t reacting much. She turned to her master, "There are so many people outside trying to please Granny Qi. Aren’t you happy at all?"

Lin Xiaoyue rolled her eyes, "It’s their business to try to please me. Why should I be happy?"

Jin Zhi giggled, "I also heard that once Mr. Qi returns victorious, you’ll definitely be conferred a decree, a First-rank Imperial Decree Lady. Just thinking of the faces of those in the big house sitting together with the Grand Lady makes me really pleased."

Lin Xiaoyue said, "You should first pray for your Mr. Qi to return safely!"

"Mr. Qi will certainly come back," Jin Zhi said with uncanny confidence, then thought of something, "Since Granny Qi is so worried about Mr. Qi, why don’t we go to Fahua Temple and pray for him? They say it’s very effective."

"Fahua Temple?" Lin Xiaoyue looked at her.

"Yes!" Jin Zhi nodded repeatedly, "Madams and ladies in the Capital often go there, so let’s also go offer incense and pray, asking Bodhisattva to bless Mr. Qi to win and return safely."

Lin Xiaoyue had been unable to eat or sleep well, worrying for Su Qing. Hearing Jin Zhi’s suggestion, she wavered.

She thought for a moment, "Since we’re going to Fahua Temple, why not call someone else to join us?"

"Who?" Jin Zhi asked.

"Miss Song, Mrs. Wen."

Jin Zhi suddenly understood.

Thinking back to when the Champion Scholar Mansion caught fire, it was the Song family who sheltered them. The sisterly friendship between Granny Qi and Miss Song probably began around that time.

Lin Xiaoyue reflected on how she hadn’t seen Wen Wan for over two years, feeling quite moved.

At that time, when Lin Jingjing’s sister tried to harm her by hiding poison in a hairpin, it was Wen Wan’s timely appearance that saved her and her unborn child. Later, when Ah Nuan reached the full month, their home caught fire, and the big house wanted to take her in as a hostage. She escaped during the night with nowhere to go, ultimately being taken in by the Song family.

She couldn’t deny that being with Wen Wan gave her an inexplicable sense of security.

As for today, the idea of going to Fahua Temple with her was purely because Wen Wan was her only friend in the Capital, not because she treated her like a peace charm.

Having made up her mind, Lin Xiaoyue personally wrote an invitation to Wen Wan and sent it over.

Two years passed, and her writing had become elegant and upright.

Wen Wan was a bit surprised to receive the invitation and asked the messenger boy, "When did Granny Qi return to the Capital?"

The boy said, "She’s been back for almost a month now."