***Past***

The rest of the night ended quietly like it was supposed to. Only now, the small resting area they had set up is filled with more people. Xiong Jingfei didn't mind it one bit! It felt safer, like apart of her father was here protecting her. The reinforcement that had shown up out of nowhere to help them. They were soldiers trained by her father.

The soldiers were busy tossing the dead bandits bodies into a hole they quickly dug. Once they finished piling the bodies on top of each other. One of them brought a torch over and tossed it into the pit.

Xiong Jingfei's steady complimented hands that were grinding up the herbs shook. What happened, happened all too quickly for her to fully digest. It was scarier than what she read or ever imagine. She thought she was well prepared for the battle waiting for her upfront. After today, she came to realize... She wasn't.

"Not strong enough..." Xiong Jingfei gritted her teeth, grinding the herbs harder.

Meanwhile, she was grinding the herbs outside the carriage. Xu Song was tending Xiong Guang injuries inside the carriage. Seeing the boss bandit's head go flying caused Xiong Guang to faint on the spot. Yet, she will wake up every few minutes crying and screaming in terrors.

"General Feng, we checked the area, and we did not find anyone else."

Xiong Jingfei stopped her grinding and took a peek at her savior. It is him. The one she saw that had a fighting warrior inside him at Zhao Fan's wedding. It's just, she never expected he was given the t.i.tle of a general conferred by the Emperor. He looked too young to hold onto that t.i.tle. Most don't get that t.i.tle until they are twenty-five or older.

"Miss," Xu Song lifted the curtain and walked down the carriage steps. "Xiong Guang is finally sleeping without sweating or crying."

Xiong Jingfei nodded her head. It's a good thing the tea they forced down Xiong Guang's throat worked. The tea that was given to her was meant to help Xiong Guang's body relax and fall asleep. Unfortunately, they couldn't make her drink it like a normal person.

Xiong Guang kept trying to fight them off and was screaming at them to stay away from her. The first time it happened, they weren't careful, so Xiong Guang bolted toward the woods. It was a good thing General Feng was nearby and caught her in time.

"This should be good," Xiong Jingfei claps her hands together, happy with her work. Tomorrow, these grounded herbs should be ready to replace the one wrapped around Xiong Guang's waist.

"G-general Feng, how did you know we were in danger?" Captain Hu hesitated to ask, feeling intimidated by someone who can be his younger brother.

"We saw the fire in the sky, and it just didn't felt right, so we rushed to check it out." He emotionlessly replied. As if what happened did not affect him. "Luckily, we weren't camping that far away from you."

"Yes, we are very fortunate!" Captain Hu smiled anxiously.

Xiong Jingfei sat beside the carriage and listened to their conversation openly. She didn't hide the fact that she was eavesdropping. Since she was doing it already, she might as well hear everything clearly. Hiding will just hinder her from making out what they were saying.

She also became curious when she heard the soldiers calling him General Feng. There was only one General Feng she was well aware of. He trained alongside her father and had been at her father's side during every battle. While this General Feng standing before her seemed rather young.

Though, one shouldn't judge a person based on their appearance.

"Ah... I apologize as I don't mean to be rude, but there is only one General Feng I am aware of?" Captain Hu raised his eyebrows. He didn't doubt this person's ident.i.ty, seeing as their saviors were wearing armors only for Lou Zeimin's army.

"You are thinking of my father. My full name is Feng Huan." Feng Huan explained, looking at Captain Hu up and down. "I was given this t.i.tle recently.

Feng Huan took his sword out of the sheath. On the silver blade, there, it engraved the Emperor's seal.

All those who have bestowed the t.i.tle, General. The Emperor will personally engrave the Imperial seal onto their sword. It was a symbol of trust towards that person, and in return, he expects their loyalty.

Captain Hu didn't bother to inspect to make sure the symbol was faked. Even at a quick glance, without a doubt, it was the Emperor's stamp. This young man standing in front of him was bestowed the t.i.tle by his Majesty.

"Where are you headed off to?" Captain Hu asked.

"To the front border." Feng Huan turned to look at Xiong Jingfei, who was sitting quietly and listening. "Now that you have asked your questions, it is my turn. Who are you and where are you heading to?"

Xiong Jingfei sat up straighter and looked back at him, is he asking me?

Her eyes looked at Captain Hu for an interpretation, but he only shrugged his shoulders. It wasn't like Feng Huan was looking at him for the answer, and he was looking at her. So it must be her.

Well, since he is asking her... Xiong Jingfei stood up from her spot but was having a small mental break-down.

Never had she thought she will encounter him this quickly! Not only was he a regular soldier, but why did he have to be a general? Being one and going to the front border, that means she was going to encounter him, probably, a lot. He was someone who witnessed her outside the manor and saw her face without a veil on.

"We were ordered to head to the front border as well. In these two other carriages, we have supplies that will aid the army in this war." Xiong Jingfei answered truthfully, without hiding anything.

She really hoped this will distract him, and he wouldn't realize she was the person that saw him crying. There was a small chance he didn't get that "great" of a look at her face.

After slicing off that pig of a boss bandit's head. He reverted his attention back to where the real fight was at. The real threat to

Xiong Jingfei was now lifeless, so he paid no mind to her. While he was giving out orders, Xiong Jingfei was able to get a hold of her veil to cover her face.

"You..."

He spoke but didn't say anything else, seeing Xiong Jingfei having her veil on. Quickly, he looked away and took off his cloak and threw it at her.

Xiong Jingfei was so worried about her face being seen that she forgot about her actual clothes. It was a mess! Her right shoulders were out in the open and bear. She immediately covers herself with his cloak. She never felt this humiliated in her life! It must have happened when the bandit boss pulled her back.

"And who are you?" Feng Huang reask since Xiong Jingfei answered only one of his two questions.

"Uh, I-I am Xiong Jingfei's maid, Xiong Guang." Xiong Jingfei smiled through her lie. "I would like to thank you for saving our lives."

Then she gave him a courtesy bow, which left Captain Hu utterly speechless. It was a good thing he was. Better than him blurting out her real ident.i.ty.

"X-Xiong Jingfei!" Feng Huan's eyes widen. "You mean, Commander Xiong Guozhi's eldest daughter?"

Feng Huan peered over at the carriage that had two people inside. One of them came out, but she looked much older than Xiong Guozhi's rumored eldest daughter. That leaves the one who got injured and resting inside.

Xiong Jingfei observed his reaction. At first, it was filled with shock and then into disappointment. She smiled. He was rather honest about his emotions. He may have an emotionless face, but when needed, his feelings are very honest and straightforward.

She was only questioning what the disappointment face was for. Did he have something against her? It can't be that he was still holding a grudge over the Zhao Fan's wedding incident. Unless he didn't like her because of Zhao Fan? It wasn't like Zhao Fan, and she was known to be on good terms before she got married.

Whatever his reasons are for not liking her. At this time, she cannot tell him she was Xiong Jingfei. She needed to request something from him, and it was not something she can do under the name of Xiong Jingfei.

"General Feng, we will like to thank you for saving us. We will make sure to properly repay you once we reach the front safely." Xiong Jingfei smiled, handing him the medicine she freshly ground in a bowl. "This is not much, but we will like to show our grat.i.tude, at least."

"Thank you," Feng Huan took the bowl, and in a low voice that can only be heard between the two of them. "Almond. Girl."

Xiong Jingfei's smile froze along with her hands. They did not retract properly to their place even after he took away the bowl.

c.r.a.p! Xiong Jingfei cursed.