Tired from an afternoon in the medical tent, Qin Wan returned to the central command tent when it was already late. Though they would march on the main camp tomorrow, Yan Chi hadn’t yet returned. Qin Wan bathed first, and while stretching her sore back with Bai Ying, she said, “Good thing we didn’t bring Fu Ling along. She probably would have handled it even worse than me.”

This thought made her worry again. “I wonder if they’ve arrived yet.”

Bai Ying replied, “They’re traveling slowly, so they should arrive in the next couple of days. Don’t worry, there are only a few old servants at the mansion, no one will bully Fu Ling.”

Qin Wan smiled and nodded. “That’s good. I suppose we won’t receive news from her until we reach the main camp?”

Bai Ying agreed, and Qin Wan asked no more. Soon after, Yan Chi entered, bringing the cold air with him.

Qin Wan hurried to meet him. “Why so late? Is everything settled?”

Yan Chi made a sound of agreement, and they sat together on the couch by the window. He held a sheepskin map, which he now spread out. “It takes two days to reach the main camp from here, but with the mountains blocked by snow, it might take three. Lin Xu Gui can mobilize ten thousand troops, and add the wavering Shuo Xi soldiers, at most two or three thousand. To avoid damage to the main camp, I plan to lure out Lin Xu Gui’s forces and deal with them outside.”

Qin Wan, being quite intelligent though not versed in warfare, understood. “When you said earlier that General Chu would go first, it was to draw out the enemy?”

Yan Chi nodded. “They leave tomorrow, we leave the day after. He’ll use six thousand men as bait, while I lead the rest in ambush.”

Qin Wan asked, “Will I travel with you?”

Yan Chi looked at her, his expression serious. “You’ll come with me.”

Qin Wan’s eyes brightened. The infirmary would certainly leave last, and she had worried Yan Chi would make her stay behind with them.

Having heard many stories about Yan Chi in Shuo Xi from Doctor Xu during the day, her reverence for him had only grown. Seeing his arrangement pleased her, she couldn’t help but embrace him. “That’s good. I want to be with you.”

Seeing her more forward than usual, Yan Chi laughed. “Are you that moved?”

Qin Wan shook her head and told him about Doctor Xu, then looked at him. “I wouldn’t have known these things if I hadn’t come to Shuo Xi. To the people here, you must truly be like a deity.” She paused, then added, “And now in my heart as well!”

Yan Chi’s smile deepened. No man dislikes praise from someone they care for, especially from someone as normally reserved as Qin Wan.

Moved, Yan Chi suddenly lifted Qin Wan and carried her to the back tent. At the bedside, he pressed her down and kissed her deeply. Qin Wan pushed him away, breathless. “This… this is the camp, they can hear through the tent…”

Yan Chi caught his breath. “No one would dare listen.”

With those words, ignoring her shyness, his hand slipped under her skirt.

Early the next morning, Qin Wan was awakened by the beating of war drums. She startled awake and looked beside her—sure enough, the brocade quilt was empty. She touched it; the warmth had long dissipated. She quickly called Bai Ying to help her dress.

She used to be very alert, but since marriage, between the nightly exertions and having Yan Chi as a living furnace, she slept more soundly than before. Unless it was her usual waking time, she didn’t wake easily. Now Yan Chi had risen without her noticing.

After quickly dressing and washing, when Qin Wan walked out of the central command tent, she saw the path to the camp gate lined with fully armed soldiers. The Shuo Xi army wore black uniforms with wolf emblems on their armor. The mass of black created an imposing, intimidating presence!

Standing at the tent entrance, Qin Wan was immediately struck by the overwhelming killing intent.

The morning cold was bitter, yet couldn’t match the frost on the faces of the departing soldiers. Yan Chi was by the camp gate, mounted with Master Qi and others. The war drums grew more stirring, and suddenly, Qin Wan saw Yan Chi wave his command flag. Instantly, General Chu led several thousand soldiers out on horseback.

As the troops gradually left the camp, Yan Chi watched until they disappeared from view before turning back. Tomorrow the entire camp would move, and as soon as General Chu left, people began dismantling tents. Though it was chaotic work, the entire camp maintained complete silence. Watching the soldiers efficiently and orderly break camp, Qin Wan increasingly appreciated the elite nature of the Shuo Xi army.

After breakfast with Yan Chi, Qin Wan went to the infirmary, which would leave last, departing in two days. She spent all day helping Doctor Xu prepare medicines and changing the dressings of the most severely wounded with better ointments. After a busy day, she and Bai Ying packed their belongings in the evening.

That night, she requested Yan Chi. “May I ride horseback tomorrow?”

Yan Chi frowned. “It’s so cold, how can you ride?”

Qin Wan sighed. “Everyone else is riding. It would be strange if I took a carriage.”

Yan Chi laughed. “What’s strange about it? You’re my Princess Consort, naturally precious.”

This made Qin Wan’s cheeks redden, but she still wanted to discuss it. Seeing her persistence, Yan Chi thought for a moment and surprisingly nodded. “Alright then, you can ride tomorrow.”

Qin Wan immediately brightened. “Don’t worry, I’m a good rider!”

Yan Chi just smiled and nodded without saying much, but that night he didn’t dare tire her out, to spare her for the journey.

The next morning, the entire camp awakened while it was still dark. The camp kitchen had prepared breakfast early, and by first light, the troops were assembled. Qin Wan wore her male attire with the fox fur cloak Yan Chi had bought her and pulled up the hood against the cold before leaving the central command tent. This camp movement, one day behind Chu Fei Sheng, wasn’t for battle but to set up an ambush at White Wolf Mountain’s northeast, two days away. Thus, there were no war drums like before. When Qin Wan emerged from the tent, the vanguard had already left the gate under Zhou You’s command.

Outside the gate were three horses. Qin Wan blinked. “Which horse is mine?”

Bai Feng and Bai Ying exchanged glances, both staying silent.

As Qin Wan was about to express surprise, Yan Chi emerged from the council tent with Master Qi and others. Though not in armor today, he wore a black cloak that made him look handsome and dignified, truly pleasing to the eye. Qin Wan watched him approach. “Can we leave now?”

Yan Chi nodded. “We can go! Let’s depart!”

At his words, Qin Wan asked, “Which horse is mine?”

Yan Chi walked up to her and, before she could react, lifted her onto horseback. When she realized what was happening, she was already seated on Yan Chi’s horse!

“Oh? Then what will you—”

Before she could ask what horse he would ride, Yan Chi mounted behind her, taking the reins and encircling her in his arms.

Qin Wan was stunned, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “When you said I could ride, you meant riding together with you?”

Yan Chi adjusted the reins, and the horse stepped forward. He said, “Did you think I’d let you ride alone?”

Qin Wan took a shallow breath, muttering, “You underestimate me…”

As she spoke, Yan Chi spread his cloak to completely envelop her. Master Qi and the others around them couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Qin Wan squirmed, but Yan Chi’s arms only tightened. Her face reddened as she whispered, “Won’t this make everyone think I’m spoiled?”

Yan Chi laughed. “Why shouldn’t you be spoiled? I want to love you openly.”

Qin Wan was speechless, her face warm but her heart melting. The morning valley wind was bone-chilling, but wrapped in Yan Chi’s cloak and surrounded by his presence, she seemed sheltered from the bitter cold. She sighed inwardly and gave up struggling.

Seeing the couple ride off together, Master Qi shook his head helplessly behind them.

A general beside him said softly, “His Highness seems truly devoted to the Princess Consort.”

Master Qi turned to look at him. “You all know His Highness’s nature. Since you see it clearly, don’t do anything foolish. Besides, our Princess Consort is no ordinary person. Just watch…”