This battle was the most intense in Southern and Northern Dynasty history. Because of this battle, Northern Dynasty soldiers were finally defeated and fled, with Southern Dynasty forces pursuing Northern troops all the way across Qingming River. With no provisions left and winter approaching, Xiao Yin led his army directly back to court. At the very least, the Northern Dynasty lacked the strength to advance south again for the next year.

Yang Pass.

Winter had truly arrived, and the northern winds grew increasingly cold.

Hua Zhuyu stood outside Rong Si’s tent – no, she should say Jin Se’s tent. Now she was completely certain that Rong Si was none other than Jin Se, whom she had thought dead.

So heaven was still merciful after all.

Hua Zhuyu simply didn’t know how to describe her feelings. Seeing the military physician emerge from the tent, she rushed to him in a few steps and asked urgently: “How is it? How is she?”

The military physician looked up at her and sighed: “The injuries are somewhat serious. If she can survive today, she’ll be fine.”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart suddenly seemed to sink into an abyss. No, heaven wouldn’t be so cruel – Jin Se couldn’t have more troubles! She rose to rush inside, but the guards at the entrance crossed their spears to block her.

“The Prime Minister has ordered that Commander Bao cannot enter! If you insist on entering, don’t blame us for being impolite!” the guard said icily.

Hua Zhuyu looked up coldly, her eyes holding intimidating coldness. Seeing her so resolute, the two guards were frightened into retreating two steps.

The tent flap suddenly lifted as Ji Fengli emerged with a cold expression: “She won’t be in danger. You needn’t worry anymore. Come with me to the central command tent for a meeting.” Ji Fengli spoke coldly and left with hands behind his back.

In the central command tent, Wang Yu sat in the general’s position while Ji Fengli sat in the supervisor’s position to one side.

The atmosphere in the tent was extremely solemn. The arriving generals immediately felt alarmed and quickly stood in order according to military rank with serious expressions.

Having won the battle and preparing to return to court, they wondered why another meeting was called. Though confused, none dared ask.

Entering the tent, Hua Zhuyu was also startled and quickly took her position among the commanders.

“Our army finally defeated Northern forces and reclaimed lost cities – this is cause for celebration. After returning to court, the Prime Minister and I will certainly report everyone’s military achievements to His Majesty for proper rewards.” Wang Yu declared loudly.

Everyone slowly breathed easier, feeling somewhat more relaxed. Ji Fengli asked coldly: “Wang Yu, according to military regulations, how should those who violate military orders and disobey commands in battle be dealt with?”

Wang Yu knew Ji Fengli was referring to Hua Zhuyu. Speaking of which, he greatly admired Hua Zhuyu, so he answered with a bitter expression, looking very troubled: “Prime Minister, violating military orders and disobeying commands in battle is most taboo. All offenders shall be executed without mercy! However, if there are special circumstances…”

“Good!” Ji Fengli cut off his words and asked again: “What if the violator happens to have military merits?”

Wang Yu’s heart immediately eased. Just now he had been startled, thinking Ji Fengli intended to execute Hua Zhuyu. It seemed not so, so he deliberately made the punishment as light as possible: “That depends on the magnitude of their achievements. If they made decisive contributions to the battle’s great victory, then at most thirty military lashes.”

Hearing Ji Fengli and Wang Yu’s conversation, Hua Zhuyu’s lips slowly formed a cold smile. She stepped forward, glanced at Ji Fengli, and said to Wang Yu: “This commander violated military orders today, injured several of my own brothers, nearly caused the Prime Minister’s wife to lose her life, and Miss Wen was also wounded by me and captured by Northern forces – her life or death still unknown. I earnestly request General Wang to deal with me according to military law.”

In this great battle, Hua Zhuyu had indeed made significant contributions. Without her leading Tiger Roar Battalion to penetrate Northern Dynasty rear positions, this battle absolutely couldn’t have achieved such swift victory. But Hua Zhuyu had indeed violated military regulations – because she disobeyed commands, the entire formation couldn’t function fully, allowing Xiao Yin to recapture Wen Wan and most Northern soldiers to retreat safely.

Having been a general herself, Hua Zhuyu naturally knew how serious violating military regulations on the battlefield was. If punished, she had no complaints. But having Ji Fengli personally raise this matter left her feeling somewhat indignant.

The other generals also knew Hua Zhuyu had violated regulations, but none wanted to mention it. Unexpectedly, the Prime Minister had suddenly brought it up.

“Prime Minister, Commander Bao made great contributions this time. These thirty lashes – let this commander take them for him.” One commander stepped forward and knelt, saying.

“Let us take the punishment for him!” Another commander also stepped forward.

These two were generals who had shared life and death with Hua Zhuyu in the previous battle and couldn’t bear to see her punished.

“Could it be that Commander Bao can’t withstand these thirty lashes?” Ji Fengli said coldly. The tent’s atmosphere was already extremely solemn and immediately grew even colder.

Hua Zhuyu said clearly: “You needn’t do this. I can still take thirty lashes!” She stepped forward and said coldly: “Please give the military order, General!”

Wang Yu hesitantly frowned, glanced at Ji Fengli twice, and said slowly: “Prime Minister, you should give the order.”

Ji Fengli looked down at Hua Zhuyu, his handsome face covered with frost. The air in the tent was heavy as congealed stillness. After a long time, he slowly uttered three words: “Commander Bao!”

“Present!” Hua Zhuyu knelt on one knee, clasping her hands in salute, her voice indifferent and calm.

“Commander Bao ignored military orders and disturbed army morale. By rights, he should be dealt with according to military regulations. But considering he led Tiger Roar Battalion deep behind enemy lines, attacked Northern army camps, and coordinated with our forces in pincer attacks, achieving great merit, major punishment can be waived but minor discipline cannot be escaped.” Ji Fengli’s voice was bland, revealing no emotion. He pondered briefly before continuing: “Thirty lashes will be recorded for now, but he shall be bound for public display for two days as warning to others.”

She ultimately hadn’t escaped punishment! But this was already the lightest of all possible punishments. For a man, it truly wasn’t much. But she was a woman after all. Though much lighter than thirty lashes, it was still somewhat humiliating.

“This general willingly accepts punishment!” Hua Zhuyu said with lowered eyes.

Ji Fengli rose with fluttering sleeves, slowly walked before Hua Zhuyu, his deep gaze lightly passing over her face before quickly walking out with hands behind his back.

Wang Yu and other generals all breathed slightly easier. The two commanders who wanted to take Hua Zhuyu’s punishment quickly walked before her, smiling: “Finally spared those thirty lashes. The Prime Minister’s expression just now really frightened us.”

Wang Yu coughed lightly and shouted coldly: “Carry out the order!” Immediately two soldiers came over, took Hua Zhuyu outside, and bound her to a wooden post outside the central command tent.

Last night Hua Zhuyu had ridden non-stop from Eastern Yan around to the Northern Dynasty, then fought a great battle with Northern forces, and just now stood outside Jin Se’s tent for a long time. Combined with multiple wounds on her body, after being bound to the wooden post she felt aching pain throughout her body, indescribably miserable. At this moment, Hua Zhuyu was grateful not to have received thirty lashes – in her current state, she really didn’t know if she could have endured them. She was even more grateful it wasn’t summer, or being exposed to the sun like this might have killed her.

With Hua Zhuyu bound here, Tiger Roar Battalion soldiers stayed with her constantly. These days, Hua Zhuyu had led from the front on battlefields, fighting enemies with all her strength, desperately protecting her subordinates, and leading Tiger Roar Battalion in formation practice. Those soldiers had long admired her greatly. Though somewhat confused by her violation of military regulations today, they still greatly respected her.

Having just come from the battlefield and waited outside Jin Se’s tent for a long time without lunch, Hua Zhuyu soon felt parched and hungry. A Tiger Roar Battalion lieutenant quietly brought her some water, but Hua Zhuyu only drank a few mouthfuls before not daring to drink more – being bound like this, drinking too much would make relieving herself inconvenient.

The day was somewhat overcast, and by afternoon, north winds began howling.

Hua Zhuyu suddenly felt something wet and cool on her forehead. Looking up at the sky, she saw white vastness through dense clouds – snow was falling. At first, tiny snow pellets hit her face, so small they melted from facial warmth into moisture. Gradually, the pellets grew larger, slowly transforming into six-pointed snowflakes like jade butterflies dancing in the air. She raised her face, letting wind carry snow onto her body and face, her heart feeling bone-deep cold.

The northern frontier’s first snow arrived unexpectedly.

Soon her hair and body were covered with a thin layer of white snow. Looking down, everything was white. Cold seeped into her body with the freezing wind thread by thread. Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help shivering from cold, her teeth chattering. She had to circulate true energy to resist the invading cold.

Tiger Roar Battalion soldiers brought tarpaulin to cover Hua Zhuyu and went in to ask Wang Yu to release her. Wang Yu didn’t want to punish her either, but with military orders given, he couldn’t retract them.

Fierce wind and snow struck her face – cold, tired, sleepy, even her wounds joined the torment with severe pain. Light footsteps approached. She squinted and saw black official boots slowly appearing in her vision, step by step approaching until stopping ten paces before her.

“What does the Prime Minister come for? Perhaps to see how this general freezes to death?” Ji Fengli was like strong medicine – cold, tiredness, sleepiness, pain all seemed to vanish instantly, her body instantly filled with boundless fighting spirit.

She tried to curve her lips in a brilliant smile, but whether her face was frozen stiff or something else, she couldn’t smile. She only raised frost-covered lashes to stare coldly at Ji Fengli.

Ji Fengli wore a dark snow cloak, standing in the snow. He didn’t speak, only stared fixedly at her with eyes deep as the sea, containing emotions she couldn’t understand. That gaze was coldly magnificent, almost suffocating, making one lose their soul without knowing.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart grew cold, a trace of inexplicable panic and confusion crossing through, feeling somewhat at a loss under his staring gaze.

Without a word, he drew his plain fan from his sleeve, opened it with a snap, and threw it toward Hua Zhuyu.

Hua Zhuyu was greatly alarmed – what was Ji Fengli doing? Did he want to kill her?

The plain fan spun through the air, the stirred wind making snowflakes swirl beautifully. The ropes binding her suddenly loosened, cut by the sharp fan bone at the fan’s tip.

Ji Fengli caught the fan, suddenly removing his snow cloak and casually throwing it. The cloak precisely covered Hua Zhuyu.

The fox fur cloak still carried Ji Fengli’s body warmth, wrapping her extremely warmly. This warmth was like the tenderness she had long sought in dreams, making one unable to resist dependence.

But Hua Zhuyu smiled faintly, the smile spreading from her lips to eyes and brows, looking brilliant yet ice-cold.

Ji Fengli silently untied her binding ropes and threw her this cloak. What did this mean – charity?

“You can return to your tent!” He coldly dropped this sentence and turned to leave.

“I don’t need your things!” Hua Zhuyu raised her hand, and the cloak created a gust of wind, spinning down into the snow.

Ji Fengli didn’t turn back, standing quietly not far before her.

Heaven and earth were perfectly still in this white world with snowflakes quietly falling.

He was silent!

She was also silent!

Snow filled the sky, falling soundlessly.

His tall figure seemed about to merge with the flying snow.

The oncoming cold wind carried ice, and Hua Zhuyu’s face was already numb beyond feeling. She straightened up and was about to leave, forgetting she had been bound here for two hours – both legs were already numb. Her feet gave way and she tumbled into the snow.

Ji Fengli quickly walked before her, reaching out to help but seeming to remember something, those hands stiffening as he withdrew them. He suddenly turned and left, not even picking up the cloak in the snow.

Seeing him about to leave, Hua Zhuyu quickly got up from the snow and chased after him asking: “What about her? Has she awakened?” It had been so long – Jin Se should have awakened by now. As long as she was fine, Hua Zhuyu would be at ease.

Ji Fengli’s steps suddenly stopped. He turned to stare at her, his gaze burning as if to scorch her.

“Do you like her?” His voice was as cold as the flying snow.

Hua Zhuyu was stunned.

He didn’t ask if she knew Jin Se or how she knew her, but whether she liked Jin Se.

She knew that on the battlefield just now, he had already seen that she violated military regulations and frantically charged toward Northern forces just to rescue Jin Se. Cunning as he was, how could he still think she and Jin Se were strangers? He surely thought she had romantic feelings for Jin Se.

She didn’t know how Jin Se had come to Ji Fengli’s side, nor if Ji Fengli knew Jin Se’s identity. How should she answer this question? If she again answered that she didn’t like or know her, probably no one would believe it!

Snowflakes struck her face, bringing ice and cold. Hua Zhuyu’s heart felt empty and vast.

The north wind grew urgent as he stood beside her waiting for her answer.

She finally smiled brilliantly and said: “I like her!” She naturally liked Jin Se.

“Why?” Her arm was gripped as Ji Fengli seized it firmly, his tone cold and heavy.

Why? Did this need asking why?

Hua Zhuyu almost laughed, looking up at Ji Fengli with a cold smile: “I said long ago – I am not cut sleeve!”

Ji Fengli released Hua Zhuyu’s arm as if burned.

In the flying snow, his handsome face was pale as snow, his lips suddenly curving in a smile as cold as flowers carved from ice and snow – extremely cold, extremely frigid.

What a fine “I am not cut sleeve”!

Ji Fengli looked at Hua Zhuyu, his entire being emanating icy coldness, that gaze deep, cool, and sorrowful.

He said he wasn’t cut sleeve, yet he had nearly made himself become cut sleeve.

In this instant, he had an impulse to strangle Hua Zhuyu.

Ji Fengli’s entire body radiated icy malevolence as he suddenly turned and left.

“Has she awakened?” Hua Zhuyu called out coldly. After asking so long, he still hadn’t told her.

“Don’t forget – your punishment isn’t finished. Changed to confinement for two days!” Ji Fengli’s cold voice drifted over through the wind.

Two days – neither short nor long. Hua Zhuyu spent these two days mostly sleeping. On the third day, she couldn’t wait to leave her tent and seek Jin Se.

This time, the guards at the entrance didn’t stop her, only went in to announce her before letting her enter.

Jin Se’s tent was arranged extremely elegantly, very feminine. Having lived long in men’s quarters, Hua Zhuyu felt momentarily unaccustomed.

The tent was filled with heavy medicinal scent, extremely bitter and astringent. On a simple bed, crimson silk curtains hung down. Ji Fengli sat sideways on the bed’s edge, gazing at the person on the bed, saying something unknown. Seeing Hua Zhuyu enter, he frowned and rose, ordering: “Withdraw.” A round-faced, large-eyed maid holding medicine quickly bowed and withdrew upon hearing Ji Fengli’s words.

Ji Fengli rose from the bed with flowing sleeves, slowly walked before Hua Zhuyu, and said casually: “You can see her once, but only this once. From now on, she will be this Prime Minister’s wife. You probably won’t be able to meet again.”

He glanced casually at Hua Zhuyu, his dark eyes showing clear loneliness, then turned and quickly left.

The tent instantly fell silent.

Hua Zhuyu stood for a long time before slowly walking to the bedside and lifting the hanging crimson silk curtains.

The person on the bed leaned against brocade quilts. Her cloud-like hair was low-pinned with a jade hairpin inserted at an angle. Though her plain face was pale from blood loss, her complexion was quite good.

She looked up at Hua Zhuyu and immediately froze.

“Miss?” Jin Se widened her eyes, looking at Hua Zhuyu incredulously: “You… you’re still alive? You’re really still alive?” Jin Se slowly sat up and reached out to grasp Hua Zhuyu’s hand.

“Jin Se!” Hua Zhuyu nodded with tears, “We’re both still alive – how wonderful!”

The two embraced tightly, shedding tears of joy. Neither had imagined they could see each other again in this lifetime. Both thought the other was no longer in this world, yet unexpectedly they met again suddenly.

“Miss, why are you dressed like this? Have you been in the military camp all along? Are you the general the Prime Minister mentioned who rescued me on yesterday’s battlefield?” Jin Se wiped tears from her cheeks and asked puzzledly.

“It’s hard to explain in a few words. Jin Se, tell me – how did you come to be here? Why are you beside Ji Fengli and become Rong Si?” Hua Zhuyu asked quietly.

“The Prime Minister saved me. That night, I…” Jin Se’s eyes reddened again as she began speaking: “That night those men wanted to assault me. I desperately resisted and was severely injured. In my dying breath, just as my chastity was about to be lost, I saw a white figure flash by. Then I lost consciousness. When I awoke, it was ten days later, and I had returned to the Southern Dynasty from Lianyun Mountain. From the maids I learned that Miss Hua who went for the marriage alliance had died, and the Southern and Northern Dynasties had erupted into war because of this. At that time, I thought you were gone, Miss.”

Hua Zhuyu squeezed Jin Se’s hand. She too had thought Jin Se had met with misfortune. Both remembered that day’s danger and still felt lingering fear. Unexpectedly, both had ultimately escaped disaster.

“At that time, I hated Ji Fengli to the bone, and they thought I was you, Miss – that the maid had died. So I went along with it, admitting I was you. They gave me a new identity as Rong Si and let me stay by their side. Originally I wanted to find evidence of the Prime Minister harming the Hua family, but unexpectedly, none of these things were done by the Prime Minister. Miss, the Prime Minister is a good man and a good official.”

“How do you know this? How did you investigate it?” Hua Zhuyu asked with furrowed brows.

“Miss, the Prime Minister has many unavoidable circumstances. He actually never intended to harm you. That cup of poisoned wine on the wedding night – he administered the poison, but it was bestowed by Emperor Yan, fearing you would refuse and make trouble during the marriage alliance, unwilling to go. This servant doesn’t know what poison Emperor Yan gave, but I guess it must have been very potent. The poison the Prime Minister put in the nuptial wine was specially prepared by Tang Yu – he deliberately switched it. The Prime Minister said any cup of wine could serve as antidote. When he rescued me that day, he thought I had already cured the poison myself.” Jin Se feared Hua Zhuyu wouldn’t believe her and explained carefully with furrowed brows.

Hua Zhuyu thought frowningly. Indeed, that day she had only drunk one cup of mare’s milk wine that Xiao Yin poured, and the poison in her body was cured. At the time she felt puzzled – unexpectedly, the wine really was an antidote. On the marriage alliance journey, if she had drunk wine earlier, would things have been completely different?

Hua Zhuyu couldn’t hide the turmoil in her heart. After a long time, she steadied herself and said with narrowed eyes: “Even if what you say is true, even if he’s a good person, it doesn’t prove the Hua family case has nothing to do with him. They say officialdom is treacherous – becoming Left Prime Minister at such a young age, his hands must be stained with much blood. He can’t possibly be clean. His scheming and methods are probably beyond what you and I can handle. Jin Se, what you know all came from his mouth – you can’t easily believe his words!”

“But Miss, he really did save this servant! He originally didn’t know the Southern Dynasty was using us as abandoned pieces to be discarded midway. After learning this, he traveled day and night to catch up and personally rescued this servant from those men. It’s just that I was unconscious then, otherwise I could have rescued you too, Miss.” Jin Se said urgently. Fearing Hua Zhuyu wouldn’t believe her, she spoke too hastily and coughed violently twice.

Hua Zhuyu gently patted Jin Se’s back and asked worriedly: “How are your injuries? Do they still hurt? Are you alright?”

Jin Se nodded and smiled: “This servant is fine. I heard a young general risked his life to rescue me. I wondered who it was – never imagining it was you, Miss. I heard the Prime Minister even punished you for violating military regulations afterward. I’ll tell the Prime Minister shortly that you’re the real Miss Hua.”

Hua Zhuyu frowned: “Jin Se, absolutely not! From now on, you’re still Miss Hua, and I’m still a general in the military camp.”

Though this general’s protective coloring had already faded and Ji Fengli might already suspect she was Ying Shuxie. But even if Ying Shuxie’s identity was exposed, she didn’t want to reveal Hua Zhuyu’s identity. She absolutely didn’t want Ji Fengli to know she was a woman, still his once-married wife – never!

“Jin Se, that day at Lianyun Mountain, do you know who sent those assassins pursuing us?” Hua Zhuyu asked.

“That must have been sent by Emperor Yan!” Jin Se said quietly.

Hua Zhuyu’s expression grew slightly tense. Emperor Yan was possible, but uncertain. Though Ji Fengli had saved Jin Se, did that prove those men weren’t sent by him?

“Jin Se, don’t say ‘this servant’ anymore. We’re sisters. By the way, Jin Se, do you still remember the pendant you gave me that day?” Hua Zhuyu suddenly sighed.

Jin Se widened her eyes and asked: “Miss, did you find my family?”

Hua Zhuyu nodded. If she had recognized Jin Se earlier yesterday, Jin Se wouldn’t have been injured. Unfortunately, she hadn’t seen Jin Se at first.

Jin Se grasped Hua Zhuyu’s hand, her lips trembling as she asked with hopeful eyes: “Miss, then my… my family – where are they?”

Hua Zhuyu patted Jin Se’s hand and said slowly: “That pendant is now in Northern Emperor Xiao Yin’s hands. He said the pendant belonged to his long-lost sister, who is Princess Zhuo Ya. Jin Se, you’re a Northern Dynasty princess!”

Jin Se incredulously covered her mouth and didn’t speak for a long time. Perhaps this news was too shocking for her to process immediately.

Hua Zhuyu looked at Jin Se’s sorrowful profile, feeling somewhat bitter inside. Actually, she knew Jin Se would be sad learning her background. After all, she had just been wounded by Northern Dynasty swords on the battlefield and used by her own brother to threaten the Southern Dynasty. Worse still, Da Qi had torn her clothing and nearly humiliated her before so many soldiers. Though Jin Se had been strong since childhood, for a woman to face such things twice, her heart surely couldn’t bear it.

But Hua Zhuyu couldn’t hide this from her anymore. Jin Se had the right to know her own background.

“I know you’ll be sad hearing this, but war isn’t your fault. After this battle, I think the Southern and Northern Dynasties should be peaceful for some years. If you’re willing, you can still stay in the Southern Dynasty. I won’t reveal your background.” Hua Zhuyu said worriedly.

Jin Se nodded and smiled through tears: “Actually, I’m still very happy inside. Thank you for helping me find my family, Miss. I’m just too shocked – I really never imagined I’d be from the Northern Dynasty. I don’t remember anything from childhood. I always thought I was from the Southern Dynasty.”

Hua Zhuyu smiled bitterly: “When you’ve thought it through, go to the Northern Dynasty to see your brother. If he knew you were his sister, he’d certainly love you dearly. Before, thinking I was his sister, he was extremely good to me!”

“Really? What kind of person is he? Miss, do you like him?” Jin Se suddenly asked with a smile.

Hua Zhuyu was stunned and truly didn’t know how to answer for a moment. She smiled and tapped Jin Se’s forehead: “When did you fall in love with Ji Fengli?”

“I!” Jin Se’s pale face immediately reddened: “I saw him before when in Yu Capital.”

Hua Zhuyu looked at Jin Se’s flushed face, her heart slowly sinking.

So Jin Se had long loved Ji Fengli. Originally, she had lived as Hua Zhuyu’s identity in the Hua residence. Left Prime Minister Ji Fengli had been the dream lover of countless spring-struck young ladies in Yu Capital. Jin Se probably fell in love with him then. In that case, when Ji Fengli agreed to Emperor Yan’s bestowed marriage, he must have secretly seen Jin Se, or he couldn’t have agreed to the marriage. This meant Ji Fengli and Jin Se might have mutual feelings?

So after all this circling around, she was just an outsider.

“Miss, do you… like the Prime Minister?” Jin Se asked hesitantly.

Hua Zhuyu smiled: “How could I? I’d never met him. Agreeing to marry him originally was because of Emperor Yan’s bestowed marriage. After all that happened, I hate him too much to possibly like him.”

Jin Se breathed a sigh of relief and frowned: “Regardless of whether you like the Prime Minister, Miss, I don’t want to marry him anymore. After all, he was once your husband!”

Hua Zhuyu smiled casually: “Jin Se, consider your marriage yourself. If you’re willing, marry him; if unwilling, don’t – you needn’t consider me.”

“Miss… I…” Jin Se’s hand holding Hua Zhuyu’s trembled, obviously extremely moved inside.

“Jin Se, I still can’t reveal my current identity – there are many things I must continue investigating. So if you’re still willing to be Miss Hua, continue being her; if you want to return to the Northern Dynasty, go back. Jin Se, you nearly lost your life for me. Don’t make things difficult for yourself for my sake anymore.” Hua Zhuyu said slowly: “Don’t mention our relationship to Ji Fengli – just say we knew each other before.”

“Alright.” Jin Se slowly nodded: “But Miss, isn’t this too hard on you?”

Hua Zhuyu smiled with raised eyebrows: “How am I suffering? I’m doing well in the military camp with many brothers who’d die for me. Two days ago when Ji Fengli wanted to punish me, several brothers stepped forward to take my punishment. Don’t overthink it. Come, let me feed you medicine.”

Hua Zhuyu picked up the medicine from the table. Feeling the bowl had cooled, she took it to the stove to reheat before bringing it back to feed Jin Se. She had just scooped up a spoonful when the tent door opened and Ji Fengli entered.

Seeing Hua Zhuyu about to feed Jin Se medicine, his expression froze. He quickly walked toward the bed, instantly reaching the bedside and standing before Hua Zhuyu.

“This Prime Minister’s wife doesn’t need Commander Bao’s trouble. Give me the medicine bowl.” He extended his hand toward Hua Zhuyu, his dark eyes burning with anger yet hiding barely perceptible desolation.

Hua Zhuyu stared at his extended hand, remembering that day when he sat on Zhu Yang and reached out to her. At that time, on the battlefield with fire arrows flying, that phrase “Give me your hand!” had greatly moved her heart. Today, the same wide white sleeves billowed like clouds before her eyes, but seemed covered with wind and snow, radiating coldness.

This scene was so similar yet so different.

This time, he no longer wanted her hand but the medicine bowl in her hand – medicine for his bride-to-be.

“Give me the medicine bowl!” Ji Fengli’s long eyebrows furrowed slightly, his dark eyes cold as frost, impatiently repeating. His tone was cold, seeming infected by outside snow, his entire aura also cold.

Hua Zhuyu’s expression changed slightly, self-mockery flashing through her clear eyes.

What was happening? Just from hearing a few good words about him from Jin Se, she was becoming less calm facing him. Even if what Jin Se said was true, so what?

Hua Zhuyu collected herself, her lips slowly curving in a smile – cold yet bitter. She raised her hand, scooped up a spoonful of medicine, brought it to her lips and blew gently. When it wasn’t hot, she brought it to Jin Se’s lips.

Jin Se seemed stunned, momentarily uncertain whether to drink or not. Hua Zhuyu smiled slightly at Jin Se, who then opened her mouth and slowly drank the medicine.

Hua Zhuyu placed the spoon in the medicine bowl, slowly stood up, and extended the bowl toward Ji Fengli.

“Then please let the Prime Minister feed her.” Hua Zhuyu said casually.

Ji Fengli hummed coldly and reached for the bowl. Inadvertently, their fingers touched. Both seemed scalded and quickly withdrew their hands.

With a crash, the medicine bowl fell to the ground, dark brown medicine splashing everywhere. A few drops splashed onto Hua Zhuyu’s hand.

Though not as hot as when freshly brewed and not enough to raise blisters, it still burned a red mark on Hua Zhuyu’s hand.

Ji Fengli’s gaze swept over Hua Zhuyu’s hand, then looked at the mess on the ground, his phoenix eyes showing cold condensation.

Hua Zhuyu frowned slightly, bent down to squat, and reached for the medicine bowl pieces on the ground.

Jin Se uneasily tried to sit up, saying carefully: “Let Xu’er clean this up. You may withdraw.”

“Lie down properly.” Ji Fengli stepped forward and sat on the bed’s edge, pressing Jin Se back down.

Jin Se had no choice but to lie back on the bed. Ji Fengli reached out to tuck in Jin Se’s quilt corners, smiled warmly, and said gently: “Be careful the wound doesn’t reopen.”

Hua Zhuyu picked up the medicine bowl pieces one by one. Accidentally, her hand trembled slightly and her finger was cut, bleeding several bright red drops. Probably from long sword and spear practice, she was always clumsy with such tasks and didn’t do them well. Ji Fengli’s deep gaze lightly swept over Hua Zhuyu’s bleeding finger before quickly looking away.

“Si’er, does the wound still hurt?” Ji Fengli smiled gently at Jin Se, asking in a low, tender voice.

Ji Fengli’s incomparably graceful smile made Jin Se’s heart instantly freeze, her face showing two touches of red with infinite shyness: “It doesn’t hurt much anymore.” She answered quietly, her gaze not knowing where to look, but inadvertently seeing the red on Hua Zhuyu’s finger made her heart tremble.

Though Hua Zhuyu’s finger wound wasn’t large, blood still flowed. She searched her body for a long time without finding any cloth to bandage the wound. Seeing this, Jin Se pulled out a brocade handkerchief from under her pillow and said softly: “Use this.”

Hua Zhuyu smiled bitterly. Having disguised as a man for so long, she didn’t even have the handkerchief essential for women. She rose to accept it, skillfully wrapped her finger, bent down to gather the bowl fragments, and said: “Left Prime Minister, this general takes leave.”

Ji Fengli didn’t look at Hua Zhuyu, waved his hand, and frowned: “Go then.” Hua Zhuyu bowed and withdrew.

Outside, cold winds still blew with chaotic snow flying.

Suddenly emerging from the warm tent into the biting cold wind made her involuntarily shiver. Hua Zhuyu threw the porcelain bowl fragments in a corner and walked slowly into the snow, facing the striking snowflakes.

Originally she had planned to investigate some matters from beside Ji Fengli, but unfortunately encountered warfare. Now with fighting ceased, the shelved matters should be attended to. After returning to the capital, she probably couldn’t stay beside Ji Fengli anymore.