He watched with a half-smile, and Tie Ci worried that if she weren’t also on the vine, this person would definitely cut the vine with a sharp snap immediately. After her feet touched solid ground, Rong Pu thanked her. She only smiled and said, “Comrades-in-arms, it’s only right.”

Her frank yet distinctly distanced words made Feiyu’s expression slightly better.

After Tie Ci steadied herself, she looked toward that child.

The child’s face flushed red as he stammered to Captain Yu, “…I didn’t know he would rush so fast, I didn’t have time to shout…”

Captain Yu said understandingly, “That’s true, we can’t even see Colonel Ye’s qinggong shadow.”

Tie Ci said nothing and gestured for everyone to continue on their way. The path ahead showed no more cliffs, and the closer they got to the Western Rong side, the more organized areas they encountered. This seemed to be from some minor earthquake that had split open a crack in the mountain. After being weathered by mountain winds, rain, and snow, the fissure grew larger and larger. When the Western Rong side discovered it, they simply took the opportunity to excavate a passage.

As Tie Ci walked along, she felt somewhat relieved. From the current state of this passage, it would be impossible for a large army to pass through in the short term.

They could only cross in batches. Once a large army was stretched out along this narrow, winding road, as long as this side was prepared, they could set traps almost everywhere to defeat them section by section.

That evening, everyone rested in the mountain forest. The child said that because everyone had traveled quickly, they should be able to emerge from the mountains tomorrow.

Tie Ci discussed with Captain Yu and chose a slightly more open area beside a small stream. Although the vegetation behind was rather dense, there was a small cave where they could rest, allowing those with less physical strength to sleep peacefully.

They didn’t choose to camp against the mountain, fearing falling rocks might tumble down at any time.

After a tense day of marching, with the evening bringing deep mountains, dense forests, tiger roars, and ape calls, no one could relax. They all gathered around the campfire, silently warming themselves.

Feiyu took Tian Wu, Yang Yixiu, Da Wu, and Xiao Wu hunting. Tie Ci gestured for Dan Shuang to tidy up that small cave for Rong Pu to sleep in.

After all, Rong Pu hadn’t even brought a servant to show his determination.

Today, a soldier had eaten the wrong wild berries and was vomiting and having diarrhea. It was Rong Pu who solved the problem.

Dan Shuang had a proud temperament and usually served no one except the Crown Princess and His Majesty. Tie Ci was somewhat worried she might be unwilling, but unexpectedly, she went without a word. She lit a fire in the cave, heated the ground, then moved it aside, broke many branches and gathered thatch grass, laying a thick layer.

As she busied herself inside and out, Tie Ci smiled and gave her a meaningful look. Dan Shuang lifted her chin and said, “The future National Father still deserves some courtesy.”

Tie Ci looked at her in surprise.

Wait, although she and Feiyu hadn’t made everything completely clear and hadn’t discussed the future, Dan Shuang had been by her side and knew their relationship best. How could she not approve?

Dan Shuang said quietly, “At least this person’s identity is clear, and he’s completely sincere toward you. The Rong family is the Rong family, and he is himself. If you reject him just because of the Rong family, I’m afraid you’ll miss someone who truly treats you well.”

Tie Ci fell silent, then after a long moment said, “What, you think Feiyu doesn’t treat me well?”

“He’s saved you many times, I believe he wouldn’t harm you. But someone who must hide even his identity—what kind of good person could he be?”

“You’re contradicting yourself.” Tie Ci pointed at her. “Haven’t we also not been honest about our identities with him?”

“That’s because your identity is too sensitive! And besides, you hadn’t broken off the engagement before.” Dan Shuang said, “You didn’t intentionally conceal it. Now that the engagement is broken, are you planning to tell him?”

“I’ve wanted to tell him several times, but always got interrupted. Look at all these people, and we’re crossing mountains.” Tie Ci gestured with her mouth. “It’s really not a good opportunity for romantic conversations and mutual confessions. Forget it, let’s wait until this matter is settled.”

Dan Shuang stared into her eyes and said, “I think you’re somewhat afraid.”

Tie Ci laughed heartily and turned her head.

This girl could be obtuse sometimes, yet other times incredibly sharp.

She wasn’t just “somewhat” afraid.

Afraid that the Crown Princess identity was too sensitive, afraid that in the end their positions would be opposing.

Dan Shuang said quietly behind her, “You’re afraid because of your identity. But why doesn’t he speak either? Things have come this far. Is it because his identity is also special, and he’s also afraid that once it’s revealed, you two won’t have a future either?”

Tie Ci fell silent again, then said, “Perhaps he also feels now isn’t the right opportunity and wants to find some dark, windy night to tell me.”

Dan Shuang snorted, “Then what? While committing murder and arson?”

Tie Ci chuckled, “I never realized you were such a pessimist. Maybe he’s the son of one of my loyal subjects?”

Dan Shuang said coldly, “I’ve never heard of any loyal subjects of the Great Qian Dynasty among the Liaodong people.”

“Who says so? The Prince of Liaodong is utterly loyal, a pillar of the nation…” Tie Ci said halfway, then suddenly stopped.

Dan Shuang looked at her puzzled.

Tie Ci said slowly, “Tell me, he couldn’t be one of the Prince of Liaodong’s sons, could he?”

Dan Shuang seemed to understand, “Could it be he already has a wife at home? I heard the first few sons of the Prince of Liaodong have all married and had children! Your Highness, you’ve been marriage-scammed!”

“What sons does the Prince of Liaodong have again?” Tie Ci asked her blankly. “The palace does have records. But the Empress Dowager guards against me like guarding against a thief. The archives containing the secrets and family records of various ministers and princes are all kept under the Ceremonial Directorate’s control. Especially for important regional princes like the Prince of Liaodong—she’s afraid I might collude with them to rebel, so she won’t let me touch them at all. I don’t even know what his sons are called.”

Master had helped her gather information before, but it was generally focused on important court officials. For Liaodong, she only knew some information about the power players there.

She knew more about Qiu Wujiu than about that pile of princes in Liaodong.

The two stared at each other with wide eyes for a long moment, then Tie Ci suddenly stood up, “Why guess? Just go ask directly!”

But Feiyu hadn’t returned from hunting yet.

Rong Pu suddenly poked his head out of the cave and called to her.

Tie Ci thought he was feeling unwell and quickly walked over. Rong Pu gestured for her to come into the cave to talk.

In the distance, Qi Yuansi peeked out, stared at the cave entrance lost in thought, then turned his head away.

Tie Ci entered. The cave was small, so it was warmed cozily by the fire. Rong Pu had spread his cloak against the opposite wall as a cushion, gesturing for her to sit.

Tie Ci sat down accordingly. As soon as she sat, Rong Pu came to remove her boots.

Tie Ci quickly pulled her feet back, saying, “What are you doing?”

“Wet and stiff—isn’t it uncomfortable?” Rong Pu pointed at her boots.

To disguise herself as a Western Rong soldier, Tie Ci had found a soldier with smaller feet and put on his dirty boots. She had wrapped several layers of socks and stuffed them with grass, barely managing to walk. But after a day of wading through water and climbing mountains, the boots had gotten wet then dry then wet again, and were now damp, heavy, and sticky—extremely uncomfortable.

She thought about it, then took off the boots herself and peeled away the wet socks layer by layer, drying them by the fire. She went to the small stream by the cave to wash her feet.

While washing her feet, she picked up a piece of wood. With a press of her jade brush, the flat blade popped out like a small knife. She carved the wood into a wooden bowl and filled it with water from upstream to bring to Rong Pu.

When she returned to the cave, Rong Pu produced a pair of thick wool socks like magic, smiling, “New ones, never worn.”

Tie Ci, who could even wear the stinking boots of Western Rong soldiers, hardly cared about such things. She smiled, thanked him, and accepted them.

Rong Pu had already warmed the socks by the fire, so they were toasty when she put them on. Tie Ci sighed comfortably and stretched her legs against the cave wall.

This posture would only seem improper when done by other women, but when she did it, it only seemed casual and elegant.

Rong Pu watched without blinking.

Tie Ci tilted her head slightly, saw the bowl of water, picked it up and handed it to Rong Pu, saying, “I carved you a bowl on the spot. I was afraid you weren’t used to drinking from the stream.”

Rong Pu said, “If you can endure such hardships, how could I mind drinking from a stream?”

But he didn’t take the bowl.

Tie Ci pushed the bowl toward him again, thinking: Does this guy want it heated before drinking?

Then she heard him say, “Actually, I don’t want you to make this bowl.”

Tie Ci: “?”

Then she saw Rong Pu staring at her hands, saying earnestly, “How much easier it would be to just cup your hands and bring it to me to drink.”

Tie Ci: …Will you die if you don’t take every opportunity to flirt?

She pulled back her hand, brought the wooden bowl to her lips, and drank all the water in one gulp.

Rong Pu wasn’t angry either, and said methodically, “I accidentally overheard some of your conversation with Dan Shuang just now.”

Tie Ci chuckled internally.

We spoke very carefully, keeping our distance from your cave. You must have been pressed against the wall to “accidentally” overhear.

Too lazy to call him out, she waited to see what tricks he’d pull.

“Speaking of which, since you’re acquainted with Rong Wei, are you planning to have a frank talk with me?”