When Xie Queshan finished his discussions and returned to his tent, it was already deep into the night. Nanyi had actually been waiting in his tent the entire time.

Seeing him return, she instead put on an act of stern disapproval, though inwardly her anger had long since dissipated. She had spent the entire evening secretly worrying about the matter of the court envoy.

Having talked for so long, they should have reached some conclusion, right?

Knowing what was making her anxious, Xie Queshan first showed her a reassuring smile.

“Reinforcements will arrive soon.”

“Really?” Nanyi was so startled she nearly bounced up from her small stool.

Xie Queshan replied easily: “Would I lie to you?”

Nanyi looked at Xie Queshan with some distrust: “How could it be resolved so easily?”

“His Majesty trusts me and is determined to preserve Li Du Mansion. Isn’t that enough to make things easy?”

Nanyi remained half-convinced: “If His Majesty really thinks this way, then why haven’t reinforcements come all this time?”

“Overcoming opposition always takes some time.”

“You’re definitely not telling me something.”

Xie Queshan sighed—he truly couldn’t deceive this sharp-witted girl at all.

“Convincing the court officials really isn’t that easy. In special times, we need special methods. The army is actually already in Huaishuo City not far across the river, but without military orders they won’t come to Li Du Mansion. However, if the Qi people attack, they’ll send troops for self-protection…”

Nanyi immediately understood: “You want to use false intelligence to lure them into sending troops?”

Xie Queshan nodded: “When we achieve great victory, we’ll petition the court for forgiveness, but at least we’ll have resolved Li Du Mansion’s urgent crisis first.”

Only then did Nanyi nod in belief. For the envoy to bring such a risky strategy, His Majesty must have tacitly approved it.

The taut string in her heart loosened slightly. She looked up at Xie Queshan—while he was discussing official matters, his gaze was fixed directly on her. She studied his eyes carefully. How strange—there really wasn’t a trace of sadness in his eyes anymore. Lu Jinxiu had said such harsh words, and she’d thought that while he appeared fine on the surface, he must be harboring pain inside.

But after coming out from this discussion at the camp, his entire being had swept away the gloom, thoroughly clear… that must mean reinforcements really were coming? As Nanyi was lost in these thoughts, she suddenly realized that in the deep quiet of night, they were alone together, a man and woman, in a tent. Military discipline was strict, and normally she wouldn’t run to his tent—today was unavoidable circumstances. She became aware of the impropriety and felt somewhat embarrassed.

“That’s good then… I’ll go now.”

“Don’t you want to keep me company for a while?” He looked at her rather pitifully.

Nanyi cursed inwardly that she’d fallen for this man’s tricks again. When she’d come, she’d clearly warned herself not to give him any kind looks, but now her heart had softened to mush.

What had he done wrong? He should clearly be the most righteous person in this world—everyone owed him. But he was still too dignified. He wouldn’t argue and curse at people like she would, engaging in fierce but useless struggles.

Forget it. She would be his voice, helping him push back all those vicious words. Even if the whole world cursed him, she would clarify things one by one.

Her heart had reasoned it through, but she couldn’t help enjoying the secret pleasure of his quietly asking her to stay, while maintaining a somewhat unwilling and proud expression on her face.

“How can I keep you company? This is a military camp.”

He laughed: “What are you thinking?”

She hadn’t been thinking anything originally, but his words made her face flush red. Here he goes again! She huffily made to leave, but he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

His chin rubbed against her shoulder, inexplicably somewhat docile.

“Did you put medicine on your face?”

“Second Sister still knows to feel sorry for me—she helped me apply medicine.”

“I feel sorry for you too.”

“Not as much as I feel sorry for you.” Saying this, Nanyi felt some genuine grievance. She didn’t want it to always be like this. Perhaps she empathized too deeply with his situation at every moment—her heart was completely led by him. She feared that at some point he might give up on himself again, feared she wouldn’t be able to pull him back. She desperately hoped everything would settle quickly. No matter what, it could only be the outcome she wanted to see—she wouldn’t accept any other possibility.

He held her longingly: “Yes, what would I do without you?”

Clearly these were coaxing, playful words, tinged with laughter, yet they revealed sincerity and vulnerability. When did he ever say such sweet talk normally? During battles he was especially serious with a stern face every day, but now his mouth was impossibly sweet.

Perhaps it was the good news from the court that allowed him to relax slightly too.

Being held by him made her entire body feel somewhat heated, and her previously focused mind suddenly began thinking inappropriate thoughts.

She quickly stopped her wandering thoughts, twisted a bit, and slipped out of his embrace, feigning disgust: “I just bathed at Wangxue Cottage when I returned. You haven’t washed in days—if you keep holding me, your sour smell will transfer to me.”

Xie Queshan uncertainly sniffed his sleeve: “Do I?”

“Of course you do.”

“Then you sleep first. I’ll go to the river to rinse off.”

“Hey—”

Before she could react, he quickly grabbed clothes hanging on the rack and left the tent.

What did he mean “you sleep first”? Sleep here? What would that look like? People were coming and going outside the tent—any sound would be heard clearly. If someone saw, who knew what gossip would spread!

She wasn’t staying here!

But when Xie Queshan returned, the candle in the tent had been extinguished, and someone was lying bulkily under the covers. He silently grinned and quietly slipped under the blanket.

He embraced her from behind.

She guiltily pretended to be asleep, not moving at all, but felt his robes that hadn’t yet been warmed by body heat pressed against her back, still carrying the cool of night wind and river water. Soon that bit of coolness was warmed to burning by his embrace.

His breath brushed faintly against her neck—he’d probably run back, as his breathing was somewhat rough.

Her heart felt like a thousand ants were leisurely crawling across it.

He wasn’t asleep either. While seemingly honestly holding her, his hands restlessly wandered upward, slipping into her undergarments.

Nanyi finally couldn’t bear it and turned to face him directly.

Trying to cover up, she declared firmly: “You’re not allowed to do anything—only sleep.”

“Mm, of course.”

He answered absentmindedly, his burning gaze fixed on her face in the darkness. Like a flower within arm’s reach.

Not even a second after agreeing, he smoothly captured her lips.

This lecher!

But her resistant thoughts were quickly scattered by the romance of this kiss, completely routed. Too many things had happened recently in succession, and with continuous frequent battles, everyone’s nerves were highly strung. They’d had no tender moments for a long time, not even time to think about such romantic feelings. But once they drew close, human instinct and desire were skillfully awakened. Like floodwaters bursting through gates, they overwhelmingly occupied every corner of their bodies.

Soft, melting, burning, indulgent.

They pressed tightly together, with only restrained rustling sounds in the darkness. His rough palms slipped into her robes, wantonly kneading that ball of soft jade.

She was kissed dizzy, her mind still holding onto the last bit of reason, thinking this could only go this far, no further. Her defenses were breached layer by layer, until he skillfully stripped off her undergarments and buried his head in the snowy mounds of her chest with light kisses—she still naively thought this was just a taste.

He was too good at teasing. She nearly forgot where she was.

“No… we can’t continue like this…”

Only then did his movements stop. He looked up at her reluctantly, his dark eyes filled with undisguised longing and desire. She was left speechless again, retreating once more.

“Is it alright?” He leaned close to her ear and asked softly, like a plea, yet like a seduction.

She could only stammer out an “mm.”

He held her sideways, his movements extremely careful, though this could only scratch the surface of quenching his thirst.

Outside, patrol torchlight accompanied by footsteps moved over. For a moment the tent was illuminated by firelight, and Nanyi was so startled she quickly raised her waist to support herself and escape.

Turning to face him in fear, her eyes misty with tears, sweat-damp hair sticking to her cheeks, she wordlessly pinched his hand, silently reproaching his recklessness. He could only kiss her cheek to comfort her.

“It’s fine, no one will come in…” He still deluded himself into coaxing her.

“You’re only making noise…” Half reproachful, half aggrieved, she pushed at him with teary eyes.

He simply lifted her up by the waist.

…

Outside, more firelight swept past, making the tent bright again. The stolen pleasure was both nerve-wracking and thrilling, with all senses seemingly opened to their limits, the pleasure even more intense than usual.

The firelight finally flickered past. In the complete darkness, he suddenly lifted her up.

Like pear blossoms beaten down after a sudden storm, she collapsed limply against his shoulder.

He breathed roughly, and after catching his breath for a long while, carried her back to the bed. He wrung out a clean towel and gently wiped the sweat from her body bit by bit.

She had no strength left and could only let him do as he pleased. The cool water brushed over her body, relieving the heat all over—it felt wonderful.

“When the fighting is over, we’ll go home…” She had entered a half-dreaming, half-waking state, not knowing what nonsense she was saying. “At home we won’t have to sneak around… so tired…”

He laughed, lying down himself and embracing her as they slept under the same covers.

Before falling completely into deep sleep, she seemed to hear him softly call her.

“Nanyi.”

“Mm…”

“I’m a terrible person.”

He spoke very softly, and these words brushed past her ear like a feather. She no longer had much consciousness to understand the meaning behind his words.

“Mm?” She hummed again, almost completely asleep.

After a long while, he gently patted her back.

“Never mind, forget it.”

…

So tired, her eyes wouldn’t even open.

Not knowing how long she’d slept, Nanyi felt someone shaking her. She pushed the person away, wanting to continue sleeping.

Unexpectedly, he persisted in shaking her, and seeing she wouldn’t wake, he simply leaned over to kiss her.

She was kissed dizzy and finally gained some clarity, half-squinting to see Xie Queshan close at hand—did he have this much energy?

Still not fully awake, her hand instinctively explored downward, but was deftly deflected by him.

He propped himself up with a half-smile, saying: “The scout camp will have a mission soon. If you don’t go back now, the camp people will come looking for you.”

These words made the still-confused Nanyi take quite a while to react before she bolted upright from the bed, her face flushing red. She vigorously wiped her mouth, somewhat angry from embarrassment.

“If you’re going to wake me up, just wake me up—why are you kissing me!”

Xie Queshan still smiled, saying: “You have half an incense stick’s worth of time to get back.”

Nanyi frantically felt around the bedding for her clothes, unable to find even a sash. Following Xie Queshan’s amused gaze, she saw her clothes had already been draped on the rack. Not caring about her complete nakedness, she hurriedly got out of bed and ran over.

Dawn was already breaking, and her spring beauty was completely exposed. His gaze was naked and direct. She felt somewhat shy and covered herself like an ostrich, glaring at him.

She grabbed her clothes to put on, but he still wanted to tease her, embracing her from behind while she was dressing. His chin rubbed repeatedly against her neck, making her whole body tingle.

She was tying her sash while his hands were still playing inside her clothes. Nanyi finally couldn’t stand it, half-scolding, half-pleading: “I don’t have time!”

Xie Queshan kissed her cheek and finally reluctantly let her go.

Usually he wasn’t someone obsessed with lust—why was he being so outrageous today? But there was no time to think about it. She hurriedly dressed, poked her head out to observe the tent for a while, then took advantage of no one outside paying attention to dash out in one quick movement.

That bastard dog of a man—eating his fill and then teasing her!