OFTLHFRO C142

Chapter 142: The Letter

By the time Luo Mingchen returned to Hancheng, it was already evening. He instructed the soldiers who had been to Bingcheng to scald their clothes and face coverings with boiling water and then have each of them drink a bowl of medicinal soup before considering the matter settled.

However, it was heard that Huo Yan and Hu Zhongyi had not yet come back.

The candlelight flickered as Luo Mingchen lay on his bed, feeling the emptiness beside him.

When Huo Yan was here before, Luo Mingchen hadn’t felt anything unusual.

But once he was alone in the room, sleep eluded him.

Indeed, Huo Yan’s warning that he would suffer insomnia in his absence proved true…

Unable to fall asleep, Luo Mingchen contemplated going out to find Huo Yuhui for a chat but caught sight of a black shadow swiftly gliding across the rooftop.

Its speed was remarkable. Luo Mingchen furrowed his brow and perceived the stranger’s trajectory. Instantly, his water tendrils shot out, coiling around the figure’s legs and pulling him in.

Soon, a voice called out: “Master Luo! He is not a villain!”

At the sound of Ziyan’s voice, Luo Mingchen loosened his clenched fist and turned to look at her. “This is one of the covert guards as well?”

Ziyan hurried up, bowing respectfully, “He is my husband, Master’s servant.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Mingchen awkwardly retracted his water tendrils and helped the man up. “Then why didn’t you enter through the door? Climbing and leaping across rooftops easily causes misunderstandings.”

The masked Mor Feng showed no discernible expression but pulled a letter from his bosom and said, “I was trying to avoid the Huo family soldiers.”

“You could have entered openly. They wouldn’t have passed the message anyway,” Luo Mingchen replied, taking the thick letter from his hand.

Mor Feng was silent for a moment before agreeing, “Yes.”

Just as Luo Mingchen was about to leave, he asked, “Have you eaten?”

“…No.”

“It’s late. You and your wife haven’t seen each other for a long time—you must have much to say. Ziyan, take the night off. Since you’re married, he can stay in your room tonight, sparing you the trouble of tidying up again.”

With that, Luo Mingchen left, letter in hand.

Mor Feng, left behind, was speechless.

Ziyan cleared her throat, tugged at Mor Feng’s sleeve, and feigning calm said, “Since this is Master Luo’s instruction, then you should sleep in my room tonight.”

Mor Feng glanced at her and nodded, “Mm.”

Back in his room, Luo Mingchen sat at his desk and opened the envelope.

The contents were substantial. The good news was that they had earned a considerable sum. The bad news was that the emperor, due to the situation in Yuanzhou Prefecture, suspected them of collusion. The Third Prince had been under house arrest for half a month and was only released after news of their victory reached the capital.

Now the Third Prince had found the time to send the letter, urging them to be extremely cautious.

Such a critical time, and Huo Yan was absent.

Observing Mor Feng’s presence, Luo Mingchen guessed he wouldn’t stay long—it was imperative to write a reply.

After much thought, Luo Mingchen sought out Huo Yuhui to have him write on his behalf.

After all, the handwriting of a ballpoint pen differed vastly from that of a brush. For safety’s sake, it was best to use a brush.

Moreover, Luo Mingchen did not know how to write traditional characters well and would have to look each up, a troublesome task.

Huo Yuhui, busy practicing his calligraphy, looked puzzled when Luo Mingchen approached. “Can’t sleep, Little Daddy?”

“Uh… indeed, I can’t. Mainly, I need your help with something.”

Huo Yuhui put down his brush attentively. “Please tell me, Little Daddy.”

Luo Mingchen pulled up a chair beside him and said, “Write a letter for me to the Third Prince.”

Huo Yuhui paused, “Is Father not coming back tonight?”

“Probably not. You start writing; if he still doesn’t return tomorrow, at least we can give a report.”

Luo Mingchen was aware of the situation in Hancheng; the letter would be simple.

Huo Yuhui nodded slightly. “What would you like to say?”

“Just tell the Third Prince that we have planted the vegetables and grains, the Northern Yue Kingdom cannot attack for now, and that we will remain vigilant everywhere. Tell him not to worry and to take care of himself.”

After hearing this, Huo Yuhui hesitated and asked, “Little Daddy, who brought the letter here?”

Luo Mingchen replied, “One of the Third Prince’s covert guards. Quite formidable.”

If his perception hadn’t been so sharp, he might not have caught him so easily.

Huo Yuhui considered this and said, “Little Daddy, why don’t we inform the Third Prince about the smuggling?”

“That’s fine. Tell him everything we can—the epidemic, the document signed in Bingcheng today granting us a hundred acres to farm rent-free for two years. No need to worry about food.”

“Good…”

Luo Mingchen sat beside him, watching as Huo Yuhui wrote extensively—five pages of neat characters, including many details Luo Mingchen himself barely recalled.

When Huo Yuhui finished, Luo Mingchen was satisfied. “Looks like you haven’t been in the dark all this time.”

Huo Yuhui smiled shyly, “I had some free time and read quite a bit.”

“That’s good… Your father and I were thinking of asking if you want to study under Strategist Ji?”

This was one of the reasons Luo Mingchen wanted to speak with Huo Yuhui.

Huo Yuhui smiled, “Strategist Ji is knowledgeable and talented. If possible, son would naturally welcome the opportunity.”

“Good, we’ll arrange that.”

After a while, Luo Mingchen added, “Your father and I have too many matters and cannot take you everywhere every day. If there’s anything, you must tell us. Don’t keep things to yourself.”

Huo Yuhui blinked and joked, “Should I tell you about the mice stealing food in the kitchen?”

“Ah?”

Luo Mingchen was momentarily stunned. “Mice? Are there many? Should we put out some poison?”

He remembered there was some in the space.

Huo Yuhui guessed, “Xiang and I think one cat is raising that whole nest of mice.”

Hearing this, Luo Mingchen felt it was surreal. “A cat raising mice to feed—and then eat them when they’re fat?”

Huo Yuhui also found it hard to believe. “We observed for several days; the cat waits in the dark tunnels. It had raised one nest already—already eaten.”

Such a wonder?!

If Huo Xiang had said this, Luo Mingchen wouldn’t have believed it so readily.

But this came from Huo Yuhui.

When the ink on the letter dried, Luo Mingchen returned to his room with the letter. Passing the kitchen once more, he recalled Huo Yuhui’s story of the cat and mice and turned toward the tunnels.

Could such a remarkable cat really exist?

Using his perception, Luo Mingchen searched thoroughly before finding the cat Huo Yuhui spoke of in the tunnel.

Perhaps small animals were more alert, for as soon as Luo Mingchen sensed it, the cat immediately perked up and darted away.

Interesting…

Luo Mingchen excitedly pursued the cat.

Honestly, the cat was quite swift, weaving skillfully through the tunnels.

This gave Luo Mingchen a chance to realize how many tunnels there were underground in Hancheng.

Seeing the cat so familiar with the route, Luo Mingchen was in no hurry to catch it but followed it for a long while.

Only at dawn, when the exhausted cat could go no further, did Luo Mingchen bring it back.

The cat was adorable and clever; the only pity was that it was a white cat—not the little black one Huo Yan preferred.

Oh well… he would take it home for now. If it couldn’t be kept, he would set it free.