TSWPF -Chapter 456 Injured

Liu Zhimou explained his plan to Deputy Magistrate Ma once again. After listening, Ma nodded in strong agreement.

If the previous magistrate had cared for the people as much as Liu Zhimou did, their lives wouldn’t have been so hard.

What a pity…

Shaking his head, Ma volunteered to learn as well.

He needed to protect his family too. The more life-saving skills he learned, the better his chances of survival.

Liu Zhimou nodded. As long as someone was willing to learn, he would teach them.

To motivate the villagers, he also joined in. He already had a foundation from learning with Li Qingling years ago, so he picked it up quickly.

Seeing how skilled Liu Zhimou was, the villagers became more determined and gritted their teeth to persist.

By the end of the day, many villagers had improved their archery. Liu Zhimou arranged for them to patrol with the guards at night.

During the first half of the night, Liu Zhimou and Li Qingling stayed near the traps. Listening to the rising and falling howls from Ninghua Mountain, their expressions were solemn.

Judging by the sound, the wolf pack was large. They didn’t know whether the traps could stop them.

Li Qingling patted Ah Huang, who was squatting beside her, signaling him to howl and scare the wolves.

Ah Huang immediately raised his head and roared loudly.

Diandian joined in enthusiastically.

After a while, the howling from the mountain quieted down.

Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou exchanged glances in delight. Was it working?

“Ah Huang, Diandian, keep howling a bit more,” Li Qingling said. “If you can suppress them, that would be best.”

After a few more howls, Ah Huang turned to Li Qingling and told her that he could only intimidate them temporarily. If it lasted too long, it wouldn’t work, and she should be mentally prepared.

Li Qingling nodded. She hadn’t fully relied on them anyway. Even temporary intimidation was enough to buy time to improve the traps.

This year, they would do their utmost to help the villagers avoid wolf attacks.

Near midnight, the snow grew heavier. Ling Yi came over and asked them to return to the residence, assuring them that the guards would stay on watch.

He was worried that the magistrate and his wife couldn’t withstand the cold.

Liu Zhimou frowned. With such heavy snow, torches would easily go out. Once the torches were extinguished, it would be the wolves’ chance to descend.

How could they protect the torches?

“Wife, why don’t you go back first? I’ll think of a way to preserve them,” he said, seeing her red, frozen face.

Li Qingling shook her head. She would go back with him.

Brushing the snow off Diandian, she sighed inwardly. In this weather, keeping the torches lit was very difficult.

“Husband, let Ling Yi and the others stay alert tonight. Once the beacon tower is built tomorrow, it’ll be much easier.”

Liu Zhimou thought about it and agreed. He instructed Ling Yi and the others to prioritize safety and avoid direct confrontation. If things became dangerous, they were to retreat.

Ling Yi responded respectfully.

Just as they were about to leave, Ah Huang suddenly howled. Understanding his warning, Li Qingling turned sharply and saw a pair of green eyes at the foot of the mountain. Her heart skipped.

They were here…

“The wolves are coming down! Everyone, be careful!” Liu Zhimou shouted, staring at the hungry wolf. “Is there only one?”

“It’s scouting us,” Li Qingling said calmly. She stroked Ah Huang’s head. “Ah Huang, it’s up to you.”

Ah Huang snorted and rushed forward.

Diandian was eager to join, itching for a fight.

Li Qingling gently tapped his head and told him to stay by her side to protect her. Otherwise, she would be scared.

Hearing this, Diandian obediently sat down, pleased that she needed him.

Liu Zhimou shook his head at the easily fooled Diandian and refocused on Ah Huang.

Though he trusted Ah Huang, he was still nervous.

After an agonizing half hour, Ah Huang returned with a wolf’s corpse in his mouth. He dropped it in front of Diandian with a loud thud and lifted his head proudly.

“….”

Diandian pushed the corpse aside and let out a howl.

If he had gone, he could have killed it too.

But he had to protect his mistress, so he wouldn’t steal the spotlight.

Ah Huang glanced at him and howled several times, warning the pack not to come down—or face death.

After that, the wolves quieted down for several days. Even their howls became rare.

The villagers wondered if the wolves had left.

But Li Qingling wasn’t optimistic. Wolves were extremely vengeful. After losing a companion, they wouldn’t just leave.

They were waiting for the right moment.

“Husband, tell the villagers not to relax. The wolves won’t leave so easily.”

She feared that if people let their guard down, the consequences would be disastrous.

Losing livestock was tolerable. But if villagers were attacked, it would be terrible.

There weren’t enough guards to protect everyone.

“I will,” Liu Zhimou replied, yawning. He had barely slept for days.

Li Qingling tenderly touched the dark circles under his eyes and urged him to rest.

Leaning against her shoulder, he murmured, “Wife, I’ll sleep for a bit. Wake me if anything urgent happens,” and fell asleep.

Listening to his steady breathing, she quietly asked Xichun to help move him to bed.

Even a body of iron couldn’t endure this.

“Madam, you should rest too,” Xichun whispered.

Li Qingling rubbed her aching temples and shook her head.

She couldn’t. She had to be ready for emergencies.

Xichun sighed softly and handed her a cup of ginseng tea.

After drinking it, Li Qingling felt slightly refreshed and asked about Xiaoxiao.

“She’s fine. She only looks for you and Master at night,” Xichun replied. “She’s very easy to care for.”

She was mature beyond her age.

Li Qingling smiled. “I’ll go see her.”

Before leaving, she added, “Until the wolves are dealt with, I’ll have to trouble you to stay with her at night. Does Liu Shi mind?”

“He wouldn’t dare,” Xichun replied shyly.

Li Qingling chuckled and stopped teasing her.

Two months earlier, after Xiaoxiao’s first birthday, Liu Shi had finally married Xichun.

Xichun chose to stay in the residence, and Li Qingling respected her wishes.

Arriving at Mr. Luo’s courtyard, Li Qingling saw Xiaoxiao sitting in his arms, reciting the Three Character Classic in her childish voice.

Her eyes moistened slightly.

“Xiaoxiao,” she called softly.

“Mother!” Xiaoxiao cried excitedly and struggled to get down.

Mr. Luo teased that she forgot her great-grandfather as soon as she saw her mother.

Xiaoxiao giggled, kissed his cheek, and sweetly called him “Great-grandpa.”

Li Qingling picked her up and asked if she missed her.

Xiaoxiao nodded pitifully.

“Do you know why Daddy and Mommy can’t stay with you?”

Xiaoxiao hugged her neck and said slowly, “To… fight bad wolves…”

Li Qingling’s heart melted. She rubbed cheeks with her and promised to spend time with her once the wolves were gone.

“Okay…” Xiaoxiao smiled brightly.

She asked if Xiaoxiao had been good.

“Yes…” Xiaoxiao replied, looking at Mr. Luo for confirmation.

Mr. Luo praised her for studying and serving tea.

Li Qingling kissed her several times. “Xiaoxiao is amazing. Mommy is very happy.”

The little girl bounced happily, calling “Mommy.”

Before Li Qingling could respond, Ling Yi rushed in to report: “The wolf pack has come down again. Some villagers have been injured.”