After completing all of this, he brought over a small copper basin with white steam billowing out from it. He washed a face towel clean, and Qin Zhiyan sat on the bed with the towel, carefully wiping the corners of Qing Xia’s mouth. His gaze was serene and distant, like a clear lake. The warm towel carried heat as it softly caressed Qing Xia’s face, bringing an indescribable sense of relaxation.

The sound of water splashed as Qin Zhiyan cleaned the towel, then took Qing Xia’s hand from under the covers. Her hands had many injuries – the knuckles were all scraped raw, but after being treated with medicine, they had already healed fifty to sixty percent. Qin Zhiyan carefully avoided her wounded areas and thoroughly wiped her hands clean. Then he slowly bent down and gently embraced Qing Xia’s shoulders. His scent was still as pleasant as before, carrying that reassuring medicinal fragrance. His chest was still as broad as ever, like a vast ocean with its moist, warm temperature. His chin was thin as he tilted his head slightly up, revealing the dark stubble on his chin. Above that were his thin lips and prominent nose. Qing Xia tilted her head slightly, leaning against his shoulder with only her eyes visible as she gazed upward.

He helped Qing Xia sit up halfway, placing soft cushions behind her at the head of the bed, allowing her to lean back comfortably.

After completing all of this, Qin Zhiyan picked up the basin and stood up. He smiled gently at Qing Xia, extending his other hand to pat her cheek softly, saying, “Don’t talk too much. Rest when you’re tired.” Then he turned and walked out.

Qing Xia’s gaze followed his figure until he walked out and was blocked by the curtain, disappearing from view.

“Xia Qing!” The curtain suddenly moved, and Ban Bu’er and his group of young men rushed in, along with several youths they had met in the Xichuan camp. They all ran to Qing Xia’s bedside, their eyes red like a group of rabbits.

Being able to see them after surviving such great danger filled Qing Xia’s heart with sudden joy. She smiled at Ban Bu’er, Na Keduo, and the others, saying, “You’ve all come.”

“Xia Qing,” Ban Bu’er knelt beside the bed, nervously examining Qing Xia with reddened eyes, “Thank goodness you’re alright. These past few days, the Qin people wouldn’t let us come near this place. We were worried sick.”

“Xia Qing, they didn’t mistreat you, did they?” Na Keduo knew that Qing Xia was a woman and had been worried about this matter all along. Although the Qin commander appeared refined and gentlemanly, he still couldn’t put his mind at ease and quickly asked.

Li Xian and the others had just been told about Qing Xia being a woman. Seeing her now, they were all stunned speechless.

Qing Xia smiled and shook her head gently, saying warmly, “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

“You’re fine, but someone else is in a terrible state.” Ban Bu’er suddenly interjected, looking at Qing Xia with bright eyes and a fox-like cunning smile. “Xia Qing, let him come in. Otherwise, if he stands there for three more days, he might turn into stone.”

Qing Xia suddenly turned her head, her eyes widening. Ban Bu’er smiled and stood up, walking toward the entrance of the tent. Great hope and nervousness rose from the depths of her heart as Qing Xia stared intently at the tent entrance.

Finally, the curtain slowly lifted. Ban Bu’er walked in front, followed by a sudden gust of cold wind. The person entering wore blue armor, his clothes torn and his hair disheveled. His limbs were almost rigid as he slowly walked in. He still wore the same military uniform from Xichuan, as if he had rolled through battle flames – it was now completely blackened. Large sections of his sleeves had been torn away. In such cold weather, he didn’t even have a cloak behind him, and his entire body emanated intense cold.

Qing Xia looked at his gaunt face, at his stiff steps as he stood before her, at his blood-red eyes, at his weather-beaten features. Suddenly she felt excitement surge up from her heart like tidal waves, overwhelming her rationality completely. Her eyes became slightly moist. She bit her lower lip hard and slowly raised her hand, weakly swinging it toward him.

The young man quickly bent down so that Qing Xia’s wounded hand could strike his unarmored shoulder without hurting her hand.

Tears slowly flowed from the corners of Qing Xia’s eyes, winding down her pale cheeks.

“Xia Qing,” the young man crouched in front of Qing Xia’s bed, lowering his head and saying softly, “I harmed you.”

Qing Xia pressed her lips together tightly and sniffled. Finally, she smiled through her tears, gripping Xi Linchen’s hand tightly. Tears flowed down line after line, like broken pearls on a string.

“Xia Qing, Xi Lin has been standing outside the tent for three days. Please don’t blame him anymore.” The least perceptive Na Keduo was still nervously pleading for Xi Linchen. Ban Bu’er helplessly rolled his eyes.

“It’s good that everyone is safe.” Qing Xia wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, smiling. Having survived the disaster, everyone looked at each other and smiled knowingly. Bright laughter filled the tent, and everything seemed harmonious. The storm brought by the White Deer Fortress attack had finally cleared after the rain.

Qin Zhiyan stood in front of the tent for a long time. Finally, he turned to his capable subordinate, Young General Yi Zhou, and said gravely, “Break camp tomorrow and head to White Deer Plain.”

“Your Highness,” Young General Yi Zhou frowned and said carefully, “We hid the Yan character battalion among the supply trains and took a roundabout route precisely to arrive at White Deer Plain later, letting them fight first. If we go to White Deer Plain so quickly now, won’t all our previous efforts be wasted? According to my intelligence, Southern Chu and Eastern Qi are still on the road.”

Qin Zhiyan’s expression was calm as he said indifferently, “White Deer Fortress has occupied the western region for many years, blocking the Yin Mountain trail. It’s not only a thorn in Xichuan’s throat but sand in our Great Qin’s eyes. Since they’ve come here this time, we might as well eliminate them completely. Send an envoy to see Yan Hui and tell him I’m willing to join forces with him. We’ll reach White Deer Plain within three days and wipe out these audacious bandits in one strike.”

Young General Yi Zhou nodded silently and withdrew. He had never doubted his lord’s words. Having followed Qin Zhiyan for seven years, he deeply understood this lord’s temperament and nature, and knew what kind of decisive, strategic imperial heart lay beneath his sickly exterior. However, this time he felt a slight doubt. Watching the young serving maids filing out of the tent like a long dragon, the corner of his mouth curved slightly. His Highness was, after all, a man with emotions and desires. He just wondered what kind of woman in that tent could earn the favor of someone like His Highness.

The last ray of light on the horizon was slowly swallowed up as the final night of the Yan character battalion at Yao Pass slowly arrived.

Qing Xia’s previous injuries were mainly from excessive blood loss, severe wounds, and exhaustion. Qin Zhiyan’s personal physician was indeed miraculous – after one dose of medicinal soup, Qing Xia felt her body had recovered more than half. Except for the external wounds that hadn’t fully healed, there were no major problems.

When White Deer Fortress attacked that day, Xi Linchen had gone to the rear camp to protect Xichuan’s grain supplies and fled the main camp, becoming separated from Qing Xia and the others. Just as Qing Xia turned back to look for him, he had caught up from behind. In the chaos of battle, the two had almost passed each other without seeing one another. When Ban Bu’er and the others wanted to go back and notify Qing Xia, Xi Linchen knew that even going wouldn’t accomplish much, so he boldly sought aid from the Qin camp, offering all of Xichuan’s grain supplies as a condition to meet the Qin commander, Qin Zhiyan.

When Qin Zhiyan heard the name Xia Qing and questioned Ban Bu’er and the others in detail, he learned that Qing Xia was surrounded by White Deer Fortress. He immediately rushed with his army to the rescue.

Speaking of it, it was indeed perilous. That Qing Xia survived this great disaster could be considered a stroke of luck.

Xi Linchen had been exhausted beyond measure. Feeling that he had caused Qing Xia’s predicament, he insisted on standing outside the tent waiting while Qing Xia was unconscious, refusing to leave even a single step. In such harsh winter cold, his hands and feet had already been frostbitten. He had just been dragged away by the physician, allowing Qing Xia to finally feel somewhat at ease.

The curtain rustled, and Qin Zhiyan entered carrying a square tray. He walked directly to Qing Xia’s bedside and sat down. A rich medicinal fragrance wafted over, but it wasn’t the fritillaria scent from his body – it was an unfamiliar medicinal aroma, very strong and pleasant. Qing Xia sniffed carefully twice.

Qin Zhiyan smiled elegantly and lifted the lid. Inside were several ceramic bottles arranged on the tray, which had three levels – upper, middle, and lower. From the side, one could see glowing red charcoal on the bottom level, bubbling boiling water in the middle level, and the ceramic bottles on top emitting wisps of blue smoke.

“This is calming incense that can help you sleep,” Qin Zhiyan smiled, placing the tray on a nearby small table. He sat beside Qing Xia’s bed and naturally extended his hand to feel her forehead temperature. Qing Xia felt Qin Zhiyan’s palm was ice-cold and couldn’t help shivering.

Qin Zhiyan was startled and quickly withdrew his hand, grabbing a nearby hand warmer and holding it in his hands, saying, “It’s very cold outside – I forgot about that. Quickly lie down – it’s warmer under the covers. I’ll call someone to add more charcoal.”

Just as he was about to stand up and go out, Qing Xia grabbed Qin Zhiyan’s sleeve. Qin Zhiyan turned back and met Qing Xia’s eyes directly.

“Qin Zhiyan, thank you.”

Qin Zhiyan looked at Qing Xia’s serious expression, smiled slightly, and shook his head, saying softly, “You don’t need to say such things to me.”

“No,” Qing Xia stubbornly shook her head, looking up earnestly, “Every time I’m in my worst situation, you’re the one who saves me. Without you, I would have died many times already. My gratitude toward you cannot be repaid with just a simple thank you. This time you not only saved me but also saved Xi Linchen, Ban Bu’er, and the others. So I should thank you even more. I know that if not for me, Qin would never have cared about Xichuan’s life or death.”