The General got the report about the stolen map and the calmness that he always put on fade-away instantly, cold aura spreads from him and makes the soldier in front trembling.
However, he regains the agitation and in the end, the general just sighing. The soul that died in the war not little, he sacrifices hundreds and thousands of soldiers to maintain the border. If he couldn't handle something like that he would not be able to survive the war.
Leaving the capital and took the Emperor order as a general for years. The amount of life that he took also not light. He almost became numb, there is nothing that he felt when he killed except disdain for them.
Such important items like maps would not be put in an open place He sure that there are only a handful of people that know where he kept it and now the map disappeared. That means the opposition has a spy on him. So after the anger and disappointed vanished he felt a thrill and excitement. Even without notice, the corner of his lips was raised with a dangerous look flash in his eyes.
The soldier that frightened starts to cry and pry in the heart for however that has the guts to steal the map.
"Twenty planks and a year cut off salary. That your punishment. Go!" The general has disdain for this kind of coward. He has not done anything yet somehow the soldier already trembling and almost rendered senseless.
In the middle of the tent there are ten to twenty people and one behind the desk, of course only him that got to sit that's right her nemesis number one, the almighty general.
They look at her with murderous eyes. Ning Rui feels intimidated and try to manage her behavior.
"General why don't we torture this criminal. He is really suspicious, suddenly ran away in the middle of the road!"
"Yes General I agree with deputy commander, he must have a conscious after doing something bad. Don't be deceived just because his age. Nowadays there are many spy that consist a kids."
The twenty or so people are the General trusted retainers, they has been with him even since the previous general that now retired they has already take post.
There's a long silence after the retainer said their mind. They know that the General is thinking and contemplate many things so they didn't disturb him.
Afthe ter a couple of minutes the General take the arrangement.
"First do you know why you are called here?"
No one answered. Ning Rui bow down her head and try to be invisible, she didn't even heard what they said because her head is a mush now.
"Hey! The General ask you!"
Someone grab her head, she didn't know whether it's intentional or not but he grabs with so much force that Ning Rui sure she lost many strands of hair. She is gonna be bald. There's a rim in her eyes. And she look up.
"No one ask you to look up!"
The man that grab her head now make her bow down again. First it was you that grab my head from behind when I looked at the ground and now... Ning Rui full of grievances. They are barbaric people! grabbed her head now make her bow down sound because she is afraid that her crying will make them more ferocious.
The General only repeat what he said before. After hear the question Ning Rui answer with a quite voice.
"I didn't know."
The retainers lost their patience and want to slice her apart but the General give them a warning. So they felt sad. General we do it for you ah, we know how important this battle for you and how much that map can affect the flow of this war ah.
Ning Rui really didn't know what mistakes she do so she only answer with 'no'.
The General then explain what happened. And after some minute he finished. That so generous of you to do that Ning Rui though.
"So, what do you said?"
After understanding the situation Ning Rui know the gravely her condition now. Steal the map, she really didn't do that. What should she do? She started getting panick. But in another eyes she look like a criminal that gotten caught after doing something bad.
"But I really didn't do it!" She pleaded.
"What are you doing last night?"
Last night? Did the criminal take it last night? That means there is still a chance to retrieve the map.
"Last night I am sleeping. I really didn't know anything. If..."
"Is there someone that can clarify that?"
"Ah? Clarify? But I slept alone and I didn't converse with anyone yesterday."
"Then there is no witness for your alibi."
"Ah.... Yes."
She was really alone from the start the Old housekeeper told her to work until sleeping she didn't has the time to engage in conversation and besides anyone that saw her look away and some even run. So she know that they alienate her.