The air in the old city of Mobei felt inexplicably tense. Everyone was in a hurry, appearing extremely busy. Wu Ying, Gao Yujuan, and others who had stayed behind to look after Li Man'er had all been assigned to logistics. They were all frantically working to ensure the soldiers defending the city had hot meals.
For some reason, Sister-in-law Wu was kept behind. She was told that someone had to look after Li Man'er and the others and do odd jobs.
When Gao Yujuan found out, she couldn't help but make a few snide remarks. She was merely jealous that Sister-in-law Wu had it easy.
Li Man'er continued to wear men's clothing, taking care of Li Shu daily and preparing various medicinal salves for sword wounds. She had already sent away the military doctor who was originally treating Li Shu, using the excuse that a major battle was imminent.
With tens of thousands of people and only three doctors, plus a few apprentices, there was a severe shortage of medical personnel. If a real fight broke out, the military doctors would be overwhelmed. Li Shu, being incapacitated, had no right to a claim on public resources.
However, her actions earned her widespread praise. In this era of absolute imperial power, nobles seemed exceptionally precious, as if one of them was worth a hundred common lives. Li Man'er's gesture of prioritizing the overall situation and allowing military doctors to treat ordinary soldiers deeply touched those around her.
They never imagined that Li Man'er's medical skills were far superior to those of the military doctors.
The Lunar New Year was fast approaching, yet not a trace of festive spirit could be found in the old city. In the distant capital, it must have been bustling with activity, with every household preparing New Year's delicacies and new clothes, eagerly awaiting the Lunar New Year's Eve feast and the setting off of firecrackers.
These were all luxuries in Mobei. Being able to eat a warm meal was considered fortunate. If the barbarians attacked, they would be lucky to survive, let alone have the mood for dumplings.
By Lunar New Year's Eve, the tense atmosphere was particularly palpable. The soldiers Li Shu had brought with him, in particular, had never encountered the barbarians. They had heard that the barbarians were tall and possessed immense natural strength, making them feel very uncertain.
"Do you think those barbarians will really attack?" asked a young, inexperienced soldier, his expression somewhat nervous, as if the barbarians were about to descend.
"I haven't had dealings with barbarians, but I've heard that they are all robust and strong, capable of flipping a bull with their bare hands!"
"That's incredible."
"Indeed. I've heard that they are physically strong, skilled in archery and horsemanship, and can hold their liquor exceptionally well."
These words, faintly reaching the ears of the veteran soldiers in the old city, elicited silent chuckles.
Greenhorns who understood nothing!
They seemed unconcerned about the barbarians attacking the old city. It was the same every year. They would send thirty or so men, cause a bit of a stir, and then retreat, preventing everyone from having a good New Year. They'd gone through this several times without any major actions, and they were long accustomed to it.
In the winters of Mobei, darkness fell exceptionally quickly.
By the time Li Man'er had dinner, it was already pitch black. The old city was lit up, and no one could find peace to celebrate the New Year.
"Do you think the barbarians will come?"
"They will. Why wouldn't they?" Lu Dakuan tucked his slightly bent and unstraightenable hand into his sleeve, took a deep breath, and then whispered, "Don't they come every year?"
The other man chuckled, clearly understanding his meaning.
"However, this year is a bit different. The Xiao family took everyone with them and put the Li family in charge. This isn't a good sign." A peculiar glint flashed in Lu Dakuan's cloudy eyes.
The Xiao family members were all exceptionally shrewd. Once they set their sights on something, they were like monkeys with a tail. If the old city were truly stable, why would they have handed it over to Li Shu?
It was clear that Li Shu, like the three hundred men with him, were pawns pushed forward by the Xiao family. If the barbarians were not planning a major offensive, what would be the point of using pawns?
"Brother Lu, don't scare me," the other man said, his face pale. He seemed to have thought of something, his body trembling slightly, his eyes filled with an almost overflowing dread.
Lu Dakuan said nothing. He simply took his hand out of his sleeve, patted the other man heavily on the shoulder, and then walked towards the front courtyard.
He had rested long enough; it was time to get back to work.
Li Man'er ate only a few bites before asking for the dishes to be cleared.
Liu Ya had already donned the armor she wore for battle, her beautiful hair tied up at the back of her head, a helmet in place.
Old Sun, like Liu Ya, was also wearing armor. It was the first time in his life he had worn such a thing, and he found it novel, yet slightly uncomfortable.
"Liu Ya, Old Sun, you have only one task: to protect Qing Yan," Li Man'er said. She had initially considered hiding Li Qing Yan in her spatial dimension, but a living person like him, who needed special care, would be difficult to explain if he suddenly disappeared.
After much deliberation, Li Man'er entrusted Qing Yan to Liu Ya and Old Sun. These two had decent combat capabilities, and with the tranquilizers, poisons, and crossbows she had given them, she believed they could protect Li Qing Yan.
To be on the safe side, Li Man'er also dressed Li Qing Yan in a bulletproof vest, quietly instructing him not to let anyone know.
Li Qing Yan, being obedient to Li Man'er's words, readily agreed.
"Miss, is it too dangerous for you to go to the city walls to oversee the battle?" Liu Ya felt that such matters were her forte. Her death wouldn't matter much, but the young lady was skilled in medicine and beautiful. If anything were to happen to her, how would she account for it to the third madam?
"Just do as I say," Li Man'er replied. "Your only job is to protect Qing Yan."
Old Sun, looking somewhat troubled, asked, "What about the Marquis?"
Li Man'er coolly replied, "Don't worry about him." Li Shu couldn't remain asleep forever. If he stayed unconscious, he couldn't be held accountable.
He needed to wake up, but the timing of his awakening was crucial.
Li Man'er said, "I'm heading over now. Remember what I said: if you hear any unusual noises outside, quickly take Qing Yan and hide, understand?"
Liu Ya nodded. "Don't worry, Miss." There were secret passages and many hiding places in the city; hiding three living people would not be a problem.
Li Man'er nodded, reaching out to pinch Li Qing Yan's cheek. "Be good, and don't be brave."
"Sister..."
Li Qing Yan looked a bit dejected. After the New Year, he would only be ten years old. Facing such matters naturally made him uncertain, and his fear was understandable.
"It's alright, I'll be back soon."
Li Qing Yan nodded vigorously, then patted himself a couple of times, indicating that he had put on the vest properly and wouldn't tell anyone.
"You're so clever," Li Man'er said, then stood up and left.
The three of them hurried to the doorway to see her off. As Li Man'er walked into the courtyard, she glanced towards the side room.
Sister-in-law Wu stood at the doorway and gave her a slight nod, as if bidding farewell, or perhaps making a promise.