Yu Jin Chang An (With Jin's Chang'An)

Chapter 18

On the eve of the Snow Festival, the people of Lu City had mostly returned home and settled in. According to tradition, there would be a lantern festival in Lu City on the night before the Snow Festival.

This year, due to the tense situation outside the city, the people had just returned from fleeing and were not adequately prepared, resulting in a less festive atmosphere than usual. However, the enthusiasm for the festival was unprecedentedly high.

Every household in Lu City was adorned with lanterns and decorations, while small snowflakes drifted down from the sky, creating a serene atmosphere. Against this backdrop, the red lanterns looked even more charming.

Despite the people's happiness, the vigilance on the city walls could not be relaxed in the slightest. Li Shuang led her guards to patrol the walls for a while and, seeing no abnormalities, descended from the walls. As she arrived at the main camp, she saw several soldiers roasting meat and sharing it with the soldiers.

Luo Teng handed Li Shuang the largest piece of meat. "General, the money we usually receive as stipend is never fully used. So, we pooled our resources and bought a lot of meat from the market during the day. We had the chef who used to serve as the city defender cook it and roast it. Tomorrow is the festival, so tonight we're sharing it with our brothers to replenish our strength. Here, I've saved the best piece for you."

Li Shuang chuckled at the piece of meat that seemed larger than her head. "What? Do I look like I can eat more than you?"

"To be able to eat is a blessing!" Luo Teng replied. "Those delicate ladies in the inner chambers barely eat anything, looking sickly all day long, afraid to touch anything. Unlike you, General, who can endure hardships."

Qin Lan, who was behind Li Shuang, glanced at him. "Luo Teng, don't overdo it."

Luo Teng waved his hand. "Hey, our general doesn't mind. Here, General." He pushed the meat forward again, and Li Shuang, feeling helpless, accepted it. "Alright, I'll eat. But after eating, we can't relax our vigilance."

"Understood!"

Li Shuang took the large piece of roasted meat back to her tent. It was cooked well, golden in color, not too fatty or oily. She cut off a piece with a small knife and took a bite. The skin was crispy, and the meat inside was tender and juicy. The meat was probably quite fresh, with a satisfying elasticity. Li Shuang nodded approvingly as she ate. The chef from the Li Zhangyi Manor was indeed skilled, no wonder he had maintained such a plump figure.

After finishing two pieces of meat, Li Shuang suddenly remembered Jin'an. Now was the time when children were growing, and there was no harm in letting him eat more meat. She ordered someone to call Jin'an over. The soldier obeyed and left. During this time, she took charge of cutting the meat. With a few cuts, she separated the bones from the meat and placed them in a bowl. Just as she finished, the soldier returned empty-handed and reported, "General, we couldn't find the kid again."

Li Shuang pondered for a moment, suspecting that he had gone out to pass on a message to someone. But nothing significant had happened in the camp recently, so what message could he have to deliver? About her daily trivial matters? Li Shuang waved her hand, dismissing the soldier. At that moment, the lantern festival outside Lu City was getting lively, and there was a commotion outside. Li Shuang absentmindedly looked outside the camp, and Qin Lan happened to come in and witness this scene.

It was rare to see Li Shuang interested in such matters, and Qin Lan's lips curled slightly. "General, today is the lantern festival in Lu City. There's nothing major happening in the camp. Why not go out for a walk? Your nerves have been too tight lately; it's time to relax."