Traveling through time and space to become a lady of a noble family, but she only wants to escape

Chapter 199 Turnaround

"At first, Doctor Jiang was looking for a helper. After he knew I was from Qing County, he knocked on my door. I figured I'd stay anyway, and the sick and injured clinic provided food, so I might as well go. Do you think I'm out to do good things? I'm not you, the righteous Captain Qiao..."

The words got increasingly offensive. Bai Zhi realized something was wrong and stopped herself, wanting to pull back. However, when she turned her head and saw Qiao Wanwan's clueless expression, she felt a surge of anger and continued, "Captain Qiao, you bravely stepped forward in times of crisis, yet you're running away to where the danger lies. You're playing pot-to-pot with your life. Who can match your unwavering loyalty?"

Qiao Wanwan was bewildered, not knowing why Bai Zhi had gotten so angry. She stared at her friend's expression, which was both angry and worried, for a moment, then suddenly realized what was happening. She patted her friend hard, feeling both amused and helpless. "To put it bluntly, you're just afraid of my death. Can't you just speak sensibly? I'm not here to die. I'm here to save the people's lives. When we entered the city, the people praised and worshipped us all the way, treating us like gods who could save the world. How come we can't even get a nice word from you? Besides, you're afraid of my death, but why aren't you afraid of your own Royal Highness Prince Jing's death? He's been here for half a year, haven't you?"

Bai Zhi didn't buy her rhetoric. "Why would I criticize him? Everyone in the White Tiger Army knows that Prince Jing is precious, and they'll do everything in their power to protect him. But you, a mere captain, how can General Zhu protect your life?"

"Will do."

"What?"

Qiao Wanwan asked seriously, "Do you know General Zhu's nickname?"

Bai Zhi shook her head.

"Zhu Sanku, that's what my father named it. General Zhu was a cunning rabbit with three burrows on the battlefield, and she prioritized her own survival. Enemies often perished before they could even see where her army was. During the Thirteen Prefectures Rebellion a few years ago, General Zhu's army was the only one that survived the defending army, which is a testament to her. And, Bai Zhi, look."

Qiao Wanwan pointed into the distance, and Baizhi looked in the direction she was looking. It was already completely dark, and only a few houses had hung up moon lanterns.

Bai Zhi then remembered that today was August 15th.

I was so busy that I forgot to buy mooncakes. Qiaoqiao and Chuqi will definitely be disappointed if they can't eat mooncakes tonight.

"Moonlight, moonlight, Mid-Autumn Festival, light a pair of lanterns, and you will be happy forever." Qiao Wanwan said in a soft voice, "The world is not at peace, who can remain immune? Baizhi, I have seen the battlefield, so I am not here for the sake of passion. You know, before I came to Wu County, I thought the current situation of Wu County described in your letter was only about reporting good news and not bad news. I thought it would be like the previous turmoil, with only a few broken bricks and tiles left on the ground, blood and corpses everywhere, and the surviving people sleeping on the roadside. But I have seen with my own eyes that now is no different from the days when there was no war. Apart from the war, the people are most worried about not making enough money and not having enough food to eat. It is too unreasonable to retreat after fighting such a reassuring battle."

"When the war first broke out, there were still a few days of chaos, with looting and killing everywhere. Now it is indeed... people have enough food and clothing, and they live a good life, so they won't take risks. They can even light lanterns and make mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Good times don't just happen. Without the brave soldiers fighting on the front lines, the common people wouldn't have any power. Besides, I still have grudges to take. Ge Zhenke killed several of my comrades who I saw every day."

Bai Zhi's side was empty. Qiao Wanwan had already stood up, stretched her arms, and let out a long sigh. "Alright, I'm going back. I sneaked out just to see your heartless side. Oh, and I heard that military funds are tight and they can't afford to fight a war. Is that true?"

Bai Zhi was confused and said, "Is military funding tight?"

Qiao Wanwan waved her hand and said, "Come on, you don't know anything when you look at your appearance. Ask your Highness Prince Jing when you see him later."

Suddenly, there was a sound of fabric scraping against the wall from behind a nearby corner. Qiao Wanwan immediately became alert and shouted angrily, "Who is it?"

Bai Zhi grabbed Qiao Wanwan and said, "Hey, hey, hey, this isn't a military camp. Don't get so startled. It's probably just a kid passing by. Don't scare him anymore."

"Oh, oh, yeah." Qiao Wanwan cleared her throat awkwardly. "Then I'll leave. You...that...you..."

Bai Zhi: "What about me?"

"Hmm... You said in your letter that my second brother is with you. If he holds you back, you can just throw him on the side of the road. If he doesn't hold you back, you can still raise two children, you..."

Seeing her friend hesitating for a long time and unable to say a complete sentence, Bai Zhi simply said on her behalf: "I will take care of him, don't worry."

"You don't have to take care of him too much, just..."

"Okay, okay, stop saying one thing and not thinking another. Go back now. You sneaked out and are still dithering." Bai Zhi pushed Qiao Wanwan forward, then remembered that she hadn't explained the dangers of the battlefield, so she muttered as they walked, "The barbarians have used a strange poison on the male soldiers. Now it's the female soldiers who are leading the charge. You have to be careful..."

"Oh, I know, I know. I heard this from General Zhu a long time ago."

"What she says is up to her. Your life is most important on the battlefield..."

"Why are you talking so much nonsense..."

As the two of them gradually walked away, enveloped in the noise, a piece of dirty gray-white clothing appeared from behind the corner of the wall where the noise had just come from. The owner of the clothing seemed to have been listening here for a long time. For some reason, his expression was frantic, and his teeth were trembling violently: "My sister will obey my orders... My sister will obey my orders..."

A few days later, the provincial official returned to Wu County quietly.

Thanks to General Zhu Daoxian's arrival with a large army, the situation on the front lines finally showed some signs of improvement. The public didn't know the details of the battle, but they only heard that Zhu's army fought two battles with the barbarians, who, as if they had seen a ghost, retreated a full hundred miles.

The war has taken a turn for the better, which should have been a good thing. However, this time the common people are not in high spirits, and there are far fewer people cheering in the village than before. After winning and losing until now, the string pulling back and forth in my mind has become as thin as a hair and can't stand it anymore. It's better to let go of the sadness and joy and save some energy.

Bai Zhi was happy, however, because the wounded soldiers sent from the sick and injured workshop this morning had brought her a letter from Qiao Wanwan. It was called a letter, but it was actually just a piece of cloth, written on a piece of cloth and a burnt stick, with three large, gray characters: "Alive."

As long as you are alive, there is hope.

There were not many wounded soldiers sent from the Sick and Injured Workshop today. Bai Zhi had a rare opportunity to rest, so she leaned against the door frame and looked at the street view.

"Hey, have you heard? County Magistrate Yang is back?"

Baizhi pricked up her ears.

"Really? When did it happen?"

"Just recently, I heard it from the second daughter of the Chen family. He's a yamen runner, so the news is pretty accurate."

"It's good to be back. Although Lord Yang doesn't like to pay much attention to us ordinary people, he is a very good official and his judgments are very accurate."

"Then I still prefer Lord Sun. He never puts on airs and is very approachable."