Chapter 5021: It’s Me Editor: Misty Cloud Translations However, Song Lingbo’s strength was indeed formidable. Coupled with the fact that the guard birds accompanying them this time were all top-tier fighters, though wounded, their injuries were not life-threatening. After a fierce battle, the Vittle Spirit Birds ceased their harassment, and the group pressed onward, each bearing their wounds... The next day, as soon as the city gates opened, they headed toward the Song family estate. As it was still early, the streets were relatively empty. Nevertheless, when the passersby saw the group returning, each bearing wounds and looking thoroughly exhausted, they stared in astonishment for a long while. Hao’er and Muchen kept pace with the others as they hurried along, while Yue’er slept soundly, carried on Mi’er’s back. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎 After knocking open the mansion gate, Song Lingbo strode inside, instructing those behind him, "Guard, go rest first! Yihong, you three also go wash up before coming back. Tend to your wounds a bit so that your Mother won’t worry. Mi’er, take the three children back to the courtyard to sleep." "Yes, sir." They responded in unison, watching him stride deeper into the mansion before dispersing. When Song Lingbo returned to the main courtyard, Lady Song had not yet awakened. As the door creaked open, he entered with hushed footsteps, drawing a chill breeze into the room. Startled, Lady Song jolted awake, eyes snapping open as she sat bolt upright. "Who’s there!" Ever since that fateful night, her sleep had grown restless, her heart constantly guarding against the fear of intruders. "My lady, it’s me," Song Lingbo said, striding to the inner bedside. Hearing the familiar voice, Lady Song’s heart settled. She lifted the bed curtain to see him, startled by his disheveled state. She hurriedly rose, asking, "Why so much blood? Where are you hurt?" Her hands gripped his arms as she examined him, yet found no visible wounds. "It’s nothing. Not my blood—it’s from some fierce beasts. We had to rush back and didn’t have time to change or clean up." He hurried to reassure her. "That’s good, that’s good. By the way, how are Yihong and the others? And the three children? Are they all right?" she asked again. "They’re all fine, don’t worry. The guard birds sustained some injuries, but none are life-threatening. We just returned. I had Yihong and the others go change and wash up first before coming over. I had Mi’er take the three children to rest in the courtyard." Song Lingbo spoke as he guided her to the table and sat her down. "My lady, what happened at home? Did something frighten you?" He had deliberately softened his footsteps entering the room. Normally, she wouldn’t have jolted awake so suddenly. Hearing this, Lady Song finally explained, "You don’t know—that day, a man named Cheng Wanli arrived with some attendants and four elders. He claimed to have an old connection with you and came to pay a visit. Right at the door, he injured the gatekeeper. At the time, the clan elders intervened, saying the Cheng family was a prominent clan from Longnan. Since they had an old connection with you and had come to the door, it would have been inhumane to refuse them again." Her voice faltered as she continued, "But no. After inviting them to stay in the manor that night, Cheng Wanli actually sneaked into the main courtyard and entered my room. He drugged me unconscious, bound me with a rope, and attempted to assault me." As she recounted this, she seemed to relive that night’s events, shuddering involuntarily as goosebumps prickled up her skin.