Niange kept her head down, not daring to make a sound. In her eyes, they were not going to get away, but if they could have a full meal before being locked up in the dungeon by the county magistrate, she was satisfied.

"Sir, I'm truly sorry for dragging you down. Why don't you run first? As a blind woman, I don't think the county magistrate will make things difficult for me."

Faced with Niange's distrust, Lin Yi appeared calm and collected.

"I said I could take you with me, even if the Emperor himself came, I could still take you. Bai Lu, pack up, we're getting ready to leave."

Knowing that Lin Yi planned to escape, Tang Baozhang hurriedly gathered the villagers around them, vowing not to let them go.

Lin Yi did not resist, as he did not want to harm the innocent, and anyway, Tang Baozhang did not dare to come near them, so the standoff continued.

Soon, the county magistrate and the Minister of Public Works, escorted by government officials, arrived.

Seeing Lin Yi, the Minister of Public Works was completely shocked.

"Lin, Master Lin—"

"County Magistrate, save us, save us! These two are mountain bandits, and they've kidnapped a village girl!" Before the minister could finish, five butchers screamed for help.

The county magistrate, recognizing the familiar faces of the five butchers, immediately ordered that the butchers be released and had Lin Yi and the others tied up.

The next second, the minister slapped the county magistrate across the face, angrily rebuking, "Are you insane or just suicidal, daring to tie up Master Lin? How many heads do you have?!"

The county magistrate, dizzy from the slap, asked confusedly, "Minister sir, what did you say? He's Master Lin, which Master Lin?"

This made the minister furiously slap the county magistrate again. "He is Lin Yi, the Great General of You Country, Chief of Staff for the Ministry of Industry, for the Ministry of Revenue, and Acting Minister of the Criminal Department!"

Hearing these eminent titles, the county magistrate was instantly stunned, unable to utter a single word.

The five butchers were equally shocked. Initially wanting to continue their "quest for justice", they could only stay silent after hearing the minister.

Lin Yi had no time to waste talking with them. Pointing at the villagers of Tang Village, he said, "This is for you to handle. Also, this girl's adoptive parents sold her for ten taels, enforce the strict laws of You Country on them."

With that, Lin Yi took Niange's hand and carefully descended the mountain.

The minister was not one to be lenient, following Lin Yi's orders as if they were Holy Decrees, showing no mercy in dealing with the county magistrate, the five butchers, and Niange's adoptive parents.

Due to her blindness and injured legs, Niange was slow even as Lin Yi led her by the hand.

Seeing this, Bai Lu offered, "Master Lin, let me carry Miss Niange."

Lin Yi paused, how could he let Bai Lu carry the girl he liked?

'Boy, there's no need for you to do this; I'm quite capable of it.'

"The path is rugged, just provide light for me, I'll carry Miss Niange."

After saying this, Lin Yi crouched down, signaling Niange to climb onto his back.

Niange hesitated, after all, men and women should not have such close contact, but Bai Lu encouraged her.

"Miss Niange, don't worry, Master Lin is very—"

"Hmm?" Lin Yi looked at Bai Lu with a warning tone, startling Bai Lu so much that he swallowed the words "eunuch".

"What's wrong with Master Lin?" Niange was very curious.

"Master Lin is just very concerned about you, rest assured, he's strong enough, carrying you downhill is a piece of cake."

Indeed, Lin Yi was overjoyed to hear such words.

'Cough cough, you rascal, you do understand quite well, knowing that I am physically strong. However, it's not enough that only you know; I must also let Niange know about my strength.'

With Bai Lu's assurance, Niange lightly kicked and then lay on Lin Yi's back.

Feeling the delicate creature on his back, Lin Yi couldn't help but tense up, his hormones surging.

'No, I must control myself, I must control myself. Niange is still injured; I cannot scare the poor girl.'

Ultimately, reason triumphed over passion. Lin Yi safely brought Niange back to the General Mansion to see Doctor Zhang.

It's rather embarrassing that although Lin Yi had intended to seize the opportunity to diligently learn medical techniques, he had been too busy and delayed this matter.

After Doctor Zhang's diagnosis, it was concluded that Miss Niange's eyes suffered from intermittent blindness, which could be easily treated with acupuncture.

Lin Yi did not want to give away the chance to treat Niange to his apprentice.

"Very good, very good, you have successfully passed the test of your master, to recognize this as intermittent blindness. Now, you may go back first, I will handle the rest here."

After Doctor Zhang left, Lin Yi immediately checked the medical books, found the acupuncture treatment for intermittent blindness, and accurately treated Niange.

Half an hour later, Lin Yi pulled out the silver needles from Niange's head, exclaiming excitedly.

"Miss Niange, you may open your eyes now."

Niange, half-doubtful, slowly opened her eyes. At first, she saw a blur of lights and figures, but then the light gradually became clearer, and she distinctly saw a majestic face.

"You, you are Mister Lin?"

Niange asked cautiously.

Lin Yi smiled without speaking, just contentedly nodded. Niange's clear eyes, like a tranquil pond, were enchantingly beautiful.

"Thank you, Mister Lin, for saving my life. You are like a reborn parent to me, and even cured my eyes. There's no way I can repay your great kindness and virtue; I can only offer myself to you."

Niange knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face.

Lin Yi was not accustomed to seeing a beauty in distress, gently squatting down, his hand seemingly unintentionally but deliberately resting on Niange's waist.

'Miss Niange, you can't blame me this time, I've been trying hard to control myself, but your offer of marrying me has really flustered me.'

After understanding Lin Yi's hint, Niange turned her face away shyly.

Thinking that Lin Yi was the high and mighty protector General, and that he had showed her kindness, even if she could only be his concubine, it was still her good fortune.

Of course, here, Niange did not know that Lin Yi was an eunuch; having lived in the remote Bailin Village for years, she had no idea about the tumultuous court politics, and always thought that men in court were upright.

Lin Yi had been storing his 'bullets' for several days, and now all he could think about was firing them. Fortunately, Niange very cooperatively hooked her arms around Lin Yi's neck.

That night, Lin Yi began his instructive lessons, and thankfully, Niange was quick to learn; sketching out the moves, she managed to emulate them quite convincingly.

But being her first time on the battlefield, it was inevitable for Niange to get knocked and hurt, shedding some blood – but that's the cost of growth and learning.

After the teaching, considering that Niange might need to perform in tomorrow's Qiqiao Festival love song contest, Lin Yi refrained from teaching more physical skills tonight; after all, she still needed to walk tomorrow.

"You get some rest now, I will come to pick you up tomorrow morning. Remember, you must keep my identity secret."

Lin Yi gently pecked on Niange's forehead and left feeling refreshed.

The General Mansion was safe, and Niange obediently nodded her head, watching Lin Yi leave.

...End of Chapter...

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