She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Then, he quickly explained his plan.

Upon hearing Han Lei’s plan, the brothers of the Big Character team were secretly tongue-tied. This was much harder than the task of probing into the Su Family’s industry and then setting it ablaze.

After all, scouting and arson were done in the dark, but Han Lei’s upcoming task had to be carried out amid the crowded military camp.

Moreover, most of the Jingzhou Military Camp comprised old troops of the Su Family, which added several degrees of difficulty.

”Princess Consort, can this work?” Second Divine frowned.

First Divine Captain looked at Han Lei, who had returned to her original disguise, and was also very worried.

”Princess Consort, this mission should be executed by us infiltrating, you must not risk yourself. We’ve already been through death once, but you are different.”

Third Divine didn’t say anything, but kept nodding alongside.

Only Fourth Divine, who had personally executed a mission at the Champion Hou’s Mansion with Han Lei, looked excited after a brief surprise.

”Great, I believe in the Princess Consort. Rest assured! There won’t be any issues.”

Seeing First Divine Captain with a look of facing death fearlessly, Han Lei chuckled softly.

”Alright! Don’t complicate matters. Just follow my instructions carefully, stay composed, and there will be no problem. As for Su Qi, leave that guy to me and Fourth Divine.”

Han Lei refused to hear further, directly making a decision. First Divine Captain and the others, unable to argue with Han Lei, reluctantly agreed.

The brothers got off the carriage, guarded either side of it, and moved towards the Jingzhou Military Camp.

Turning past the mountain bend ahead, through the misty rain, a large military camp built along the mountain appeared before them.

Under the grayish sky, the outline of the camp resembled an ink painting blurred by rain, with flags drooping weakly in the drizzling rain.

Han Lei lifted the car curtain, the rain immediately wetting her fingertips. She looked at the few brothers of the Big Character team behind her, speaking in a suppressed tone.

”Remember, your tasks are merely supplementary.” Her gaze traversed each face, ”Act judiciously, succeed if you can, if not, retreat quickly.”

At this point, a cold smile tugged at her lips, ”I shall repeat my old trick, Su Qi won’t escape.”

The brothers of the Big Character team exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.

First Divine Captain patted the sword at his waist, ”Princess Consort, rest assured, we know what we’re doing.”

”Hey, hey, hey! Once inside, stop calling Princess Consort, call her Miss,” Fourth Divine hurriedly reminded, finally showing some wit this time.

The carriage continued forward, the rain-soaked wheels making squelching sounds.

As expected by Han Lei, Su Qi had already dispatched personal soldiers to wait at the camp gate.

The soldier, wearing a straw cape, stepped forward upon seeing the carriage approach, rainwater dripping from the brim of his bamboo hat.

”Is it Miss Wei inside the carriage?” The soldier’s voice blended indistinctly with the rain.

”Indeed.”

Han Lei deliberately softened her voice, sounding gentle like a March breeze, invoking an impression of harmlessness.

She slowly parted the car curtain, revealing half of her exquisite face, nodding politely to the soldier, with a touch of timid elegance typically of a lady of noble birth. ”Thank you.”

The soldier was momentarily dazed by the voice, then returned to his senses: ”Miss Wei, please follow me.”

Upon confirming the identity, the soldier turned and waved to the guard at the gate. The heavy barricade slowly moved aside, emitting a dull friction noise.

The soldier led the way, with Han Lei’s carriage following closely into the military camp.

In the drizzle, Han Lei discreetly observed the camp’s layout through the gap in the curtain.

Tents were arranged neatly, soldiers occasionally marched in formation, their armor reflecting cold light in the rain.

The Su Family was closely tied to royalty, no wonder they were tasked with guarding Jingzhou, which was essentially the heartland of the Da Jing Dynasty. The conditions here, whether in the tents or soldiers’ attire, seemed far superior to those at the Beiguan Camp.

”Miss Wei, up ahead is the council hall,” a low reminder came from the soldier outside.

Han Lei withdrew her gaze and tidied her dress. As the carriage stopped, she saw Su Qi already approaching quickly with an oiled paper umbrella.

Today, he wore an elegant satin robe, clearly dressed with care.

”Miss Wei, this way, please,” Su Qi’s voice carried undisguisable joy, ”The rain is getting heavier, watch your step.”

Han Lei gracefully alighted from the carriage, her yellow gauzy dress floating gently in the wind.

As she was about to lift her hand to ward off the rain, she found Su Qi’s umbrella already moved considerately to cover her head, closing in their distance, she could even smell the scent from Su Qi’s perfume.

Dressed and perfumed, combined with his gallant manners, Han Lei understood his intentions more clearly.

Earlier in the carriage, she had already inquired about Su Qi’s character from the brothers.

The brothers mentioned the Su Family wielded great influence, with military units under their command stationed around the capital, protecting the imperial city.

Su Qi was nearing forty, living in Jingzhou, with numerous wives and concubines at home, yet still frequenting the brothels in town. Apparently, Su Qi had a keen interest in women!

During her leisure time, Han Lei occasionally watched countless court drama series on domestic intrigue. Knowing how to treat such lustful ailments certainly wasn’t beyond her knowledge.

”Thank you, General Su.”

Han Lei softly expressed gratitude, stepped back slightly, skilfully maintaining a subtle distance.

Su Qi smiled till his eyes narrowed, ”Hey! We are all from noble families; Miss Wei, there’s no need for formality.” He said, attempting to touch Han Lei’s arm.

Han Lei deftly used her handkerchief to cover her lips for a delicate cough, avoiding his touch.

”Quite so, General Su.” Han Lei’s eyes wandered towards the not-too-distant council hall, ”This is what the General mentioned...”

”Yes, yes, this is the council hall.” Su Qi hastily replied, leading her forward, ”Though a bit modest, it’s newly renovated, large and clean. Please, Miss Wei.”

As Han Lei walked, she secretly assessed the imposing building.

The council hall with its blue bricks and dark tiles, tilted eaves and edges, had copper bells hanging from the corners, clinking briskly in the wind.

Han Lei couldn’t help but twitch her lips, a mocking intent gleaming in her eyes, a council hall in a military camp built so lavishly, matching the scale with Qingshui County’s courthouse.

Yet she remembered Zhao Zun as a Marshal of a gate, had his councils simply in the central military tent.

The raindrops hammered down on the oiled umbrella with a crackling sound.

Han Lei followed Su Qi up the steps, their blurred reflections mirrored on the wet bluestone.

As she crossed the threshold, she discreetly nodded to the Big Character team brothers behind her.

Inside the council hall, Han Lei inadvertently glanced back as though just noticing several guards coming in.

Suddenly her expression changed, assuming the demeanor of the Wei Family matron, scolding the brothers of the Big Character team loudly.

”Hey? Why did you follow in? Who allowed you inside? You servile lot have no sense of propriety, get out this instant. Look at the mud on your feet, dirtying the new council hall that the General just built.”