Qin Yao raised her head, following Lin Xiao’s gaze, and looked toward Chixiao.

Sure enough, it remained silent and still, exactly like the compass tucked in her arms.

Could it be that the mountain truly held nothing more than some old, lingering yin-cold energy?

Lin Xiao knew Qin Yao’s temperament well; he knew she never spoke carelessly. After carefully reviewing the events of the day, he confirmed that Chixiao had given no warning, and said, “I came up the mountain today, and afterward made several rounds of inspection. If there were any monster in these mountains, Chixiao would have reacted long ago.”

Qin Yao silently laughed at herself for her shallow cultivation, having mistaken yin-cold energy for malevolent energy, worrying for nothing all evening. She said, “I must have been mistaken. The compass in my sleeve hasn’t shown anything unusual either—I suppose I simply misjudged it from too far away on the road here.”

Lin Xiao’s expression relaxed, and without wasting another moment, he went back to finishing what he had been doing before.

Qin Yao wrapped her arms around his neck, gazing at his face as finely carved as jade, and gradually felt herself stirred. Her body, handled by him, felt as though it had caught fire, and all she could remember was to bite down hard on her lip, not daring to let out the smallest sound.

Lin Xiao had just gotten Qin Yao’s clothes halfway off when Chang Rong’s voice suddenly came from outside the tent, tinged with awkwardness. “Young Master, His Highness the Crown Prince is urging you to come over.” Without even lifting his head, Lin Xiao said with great impatience, “Tell him I’m asleep!”

As if afraid of any further interruption, Lin Xiao made quick work of stripping Qin Yao completely bare, wrapped her snow-white legs around his waist, and was about to enter her.

Right at that moment, Jiang Sanlang and Prince Wu’s mischievous laughter rang out outside the tent. “Weijin, you’ve certainly taken your time changing your clothes. The wine’s been warmed several times over already, and yet you won’t show your face no matter what—must we come fetch you ourselves?”

Qin Yao’s face instantly flushed so red it looked as if it might bleed. She quickly pushed Lin Xiao away, pressed her legs together, and rolled further inside, pulling the blanket over her head and refusing to come out, saying in a trembling voice, “This is all your fault! I can’t show my face to anyone now!”

Lin Xiao gave up entirely, silently cursing Jiang Sanlang and Prince Wu several times over in his mind. Knowing Qin Yao was thin-skinned, he pulled her—blanket and all—into his arms and coaxed her for a good while. Once he saw that she was no longer so mortified she wanted to disappear, he said in a low voice, “I’ll be back soon.”

Only then, suppressing a belly full of irritation, did he rise to leave.

Once Lin Xiao had dressed and left the tent, Qin Yao carefully pulled the blanket away and pricked up her ears to listen to what was happening outside.

She could hear Prince Wu and Jiang Sanlang exchanging a few jesting words outside, and what seemed to be the Crown Prince’s voice mixed in as well, though Lin Xiao never said a word the whole time. The group didn’t linger long in front of the tent and left after only a moment.

It wasn’t very late yet, and the camp was bustling with people coming and going. Being in the mountains, it felt different from the usual night banquets back in their residences in Chang’an—the liveliness here held less extravagant splendor and more of the warmth of ordinary life.

The group strolled leisurely toward Zhuliao Terrace with their hands behind their backs. Prince Wu, smiling knowingly, looked at Lin Xiao and said, “You’ve always been quick about things—what were you doing in that tent just now, dawdling so long before coming out?”

Lin Xiao said irritably, “I was busy all day and tired, so I slept for a bit.”

“That drowsiness of yours really does come and go as it pleases.” Prince Wu raised an eyebrow, then turned to the Crown Prince and Jiang Sanlang with a smile. “Who would have guessed it—someone as composed as Eleventh Brother used to be before marriage, and now that he’s got a new wife, he can’t seem to hold himself back at all.”

The Crown Prince patted his shoulder and said with mock seriousness, “Don’t talk nonsense. Weijin already said he just went in to sleep—where’s your mind wandering off to?”

Lin Xiao said expressionlessly, “Sixth Brother, Seventh Brother, could the two of you give it a rest for a while?”

Although Jiang Sanlang was secretly laughing so hard his stomach hurt, he wasn’t willing to help anyone gang up on Lin Xiao—especially since the matter involved Qin Yao, who had once saved his life. So he quickly cleared his throat and changed the subject. “A couple of days ago, Earl Weiyuan sent an urgent dispatch from Yumen Pass, saying that Khan Menghe had recently rallied three Tujue tribes to invade Yumen Pass. Earl Weiyuan urgently requested His Majesty send reinforcements. After receiving the dispatch, His Majesty mentioned at court yesterday that he intended to select military talent from among the younger generation, though it’s not yet clear who will be chosen.”

The Crown Prince and Prince Wu had naturally already known this news, and they exchanged a glance before saying to Jiang Sanlang, “Our dynasty values both civil and military pursuits equally, and many sons of military officials have already seen battle. This invasion by Khan Menghe carries something of a bluff, but they are nomadic tribes by nature, unpredictable in their campaigns. To wipe out every last remnant of them would take at least a year or more—and what a desolate, lonely place Yumen Pass is. I’m afraid not many would be willing to volunteer.”

Lin Xiao’s footsteps paused, and he glanced at Jiang Sanlang without any change of expression.

Jiang Sanlang noticed this and said with a smile, “I heard that a couple of days ago, someone at court recommended Xia Lan, saying the eldest young master is accomplished in both letters and arms, and is currently serving in the Military Commandant’s Office, so it would be a good time for him to gain some experience out there. But His Majesty, mindful that Duke Wei’s household had only just returned from Shu, couldn’t bear to send the eldest young master to such a bitter, desolate place, and did not approve the petition.”

The Crown Prince waved a hand carelessly. “I happened to be at Father’s side while he was reviewing the memorials. Father’s meaning was that Seventh Aunt and Uncle had only just betrothed Brother Lan to the legitimate daughter of the Lu clan of Fanyang a few days ago, with the marriage set for next year—surely Brother Lan ought to be married first before going off to war. But the situation at Yumen Pass is urgent and can’t wait that long. Besides, our dynasty has no shortage of sons from military families; there’s no need for it to be Brother Lan specifically.”

Lin Xiao and Jiang Sanlang knew how highly the Emperor regarded the Crown Prince, so hearing that he personally had the Crown Prince review memorials with him wasn’t much of a surprise. Prince Wu, however, was the one whose expression shifted—he lowered his eyes with a flicker of resentment, though within moments his expression returned to normal.

“It’s a pity Weijin is currently serving as Commander of the Imperial Guard, and I myself only returned from the border last year—otherwise the two of us would have volunteered long ago.” Jiang Sanlang sighed as if with regret, then asked offhandedly, “By the way, Brother Di seems quite skilled, doesn’t he? He’s been training under General Bai at the Supreme General’s residence for some time now. If he could go fight on the battlefield, wiping out a few Tujue tribes shouldn’t be much trouble for him. Oh, and there’s also Pei Shao, Liu Jingyuan, and a few others—all promising talents. Truthfully, there’s no shortage of capable men at court.”

Prince Wu said with a smile, “What you say isn’t wrong, but when it comes to commanding troops in battle, who could compare to your own grandfather? It’s just a shame that the Duke broke his leg by accident ten years ago, and has never been able to go to the battlefield since.”

Jiang Sanlang was suddenly reminded of the matter of the fox, and then, in turn, of the woman who had died in his arms. His expression grew distant, and he stood rooted to the spot, saying nothing for a long while.

The Crown Prince, however, suddenly spoke up. “The Duke’s might and reputation need no further praise, of course, but when it comes to skill in commanding an army, Marquis Jinghai Qin Cheng was hardly inferior either. It’s a pity he passed away so early—it’s enough to make one sigh with regret. Otherwise, those petty Tujue rascals likely wouldn’t have dared invade Yumen Pass so carelessly.”

Lin Xiao gave a mocking smile but didn’t bother to argue, only saying, “The situation at Yumen Pass is urgent—the matter of appointing a general will be settled within these next few days. As for candidates, the men you just mentioned, Pei Shao and the others, are indeed not bad. Xia Di, though somewhat lacking in experience, is well-rounded in both letters and arms, and capable of taking on heavy responsibility. I just don’t know how Imperial Uncle will ultimately decide.”

Jiang Sanlang came back to himself and said, deliberately stroking his chin, “I’m just afraid the Princess might not be willing to let him go.”

Prince Wu chuckled and let the remark pass. “A’Yuan likely wouldn’t be willing to see her second brother go to the battlefield either. This matter will need careful consideration.”

After Lin Xiao left, Qin Yao fumbled for her clothes under the blanket and put them on, then, blushing, called for Caipin to bring water so she could wash up before going back to sleep.

Though the chill in the mountains ran deep, the mattress beneath her was lined with an exceedingly rare tapir hide, which was excellent at warding off wind and cold. Even without Lin Xiao’s embrace, Qin Yao slept warm and snug on her own.

Having spent the entire day riding in a carriage, Qin Yao was unusually exhausted. Though she still meant to wait up for Lin Xiao, drowsiness kept washing over her like a tide. She held out for a while, and just as she was about to lose the battle, Lin Xiao, true to his word, came back early.

Washing up as quickly as he could, Lin Xiao slipped into the blanket, wrapped his arms around Qin Yao, and went on to finish what they had started earlier.

This kept going until the middle of the night. Qin Yao could only wonder where this man had learned so many tricks—coaxing and cajoling her, turning her this way and that without ever seeming to tire of it.

Lin Xiao hadn’t expected Qin Yao to be so responsive, and felt that, since their marriage, this was the first time things had gone so thoroughly and satisfyingly—which only made him push further, feeling as though there was nothing he couldn’t do.

Early the next morning, before dawn had even broken, Qin Yao opened her eyes in a daze and saw that Lin Xiao had already changed into riding clothes and was standing by the table, wiping down his arrows.

Seeing Qin Yao wake, Lin Xiao smiled and said, “I need to set out. It wouldn’t be convenient to bring you along on the hunt, so stay here at camp. If you get bored later, go play with your schoolmates. The scenery in these mountains is lovely—as long as you don’t cross the defense line, feel free to wander around and have a look.” Qin Yao rubbed her eyes and agreed, then got up, dressed herself, and saw Lin Xiao off as he left.

The moment the two of them stepped outside, Xia Di happened to walk past the tent, a quiver on his back and dressed for riding, with Xia Yuan and Chen Yuqi following alongside him.

Xia Di’s fair neck and face were covered densely with red marks, as though he had been bitten all over by some kind of venomous insect.

Xia Yuan looked at Xia Di with concern and said, “Second Brother, does it still itch even with the ointment on? Whatever you do, don’t scratch it, or it might leave scars. Honestly, it’s no wonder, being out in such a wild, desolate place—to think it turned into this overnight. Should we send for Imperial Physician Hu to take another look?”

Although Xia Di had already glimpsed Qin Yao and Lin Xiao, he didn’t turn to look their way, simply continuing straight ahead as he said, “Having him look probably wouldn’t do much good anyway. It won’t kill me either way—just let it be.”