She had actually fallen asleep! Na Rimu, who just moments ago had been batting her big eyes trying to seduce him, was now deeply asleep. What kind of situation was this? Yun Ye scratched his head looking at the sweetly sleeping Na Rimu, completely baffled. What kind of woman would seduce her groom for one minute on her wedding night then fall asleep herself? Didn’t she know there were still very important things that hadn’t been done?

Crawling under the blanket, Yun Ye let out a long sigh. He turned his head to look at that still rosy face beside him. It couldn’t be called beautiful, and her skin was somewhat dark—only those eyes were as clear as a pool of spring water. In them one could see blue sky and white clouds, see cattle and sheep, but never the complexities of the mortal world.

Yun Ye used his hand to brush the hair from her forehead. A few mischievous strands had burrowed into her nostrils. She crudely rubbed her nose with her fist and wrapped the blanket even tighter around herself. Only then did Yun Ye remember—she was only fourteen years old.

A few days ago, when Yun Ye was counting the *galahans* in his pocket, he had calculated her age. Fourteen sheep knuckle bones had been played with by her until they were glossy black, seemingly coated in a layer of brown jade essence. Legend said the finest jade stones had to be polished by maidens’ hands—only this way could the jade’s quality be enhanced. Na Rimu now wore Yun Ye’s jade pendant around her neck. Would it be worth even more in a few decades?

He lightly slapped himself on the cheek. What kind of mindset was this? Although his desires were now surging like tides and he needed to distract himself, he couldn’t have such strange thoughts. What were fourteen-year-old girls doing in the future world? He didn’t know, but at least they weren’t herding sheep every day or constantly facing death.

He couldn’t be a beast—he really couldn’t bring himself to do it. Even though grassland women matured early and their bodies had developed to a certain extent, every time he felt desire, Yun Ye experienced a severe sense of guilt. The education of a harmonious society had been extremely successful with him.

Na Rimu slept very peacefully. Yun Ye slept terribly, especially when Na Rimu, sleeping until midnight, extended one leg and draped it over his stomach—that really killed Yun Ye. He forcibly endured stuffing her leg back under the blanket, desperately thinking of Xinyue in his mind to get through it.

There were no roosters crowing on the grasslands, but Na Rimu woke up right on time. At this moment, stars still hung in the high sky outside. The dark-circled Yun Ye couldn’t understand where the happiness on her face came from. After rustling into her clothes, Na Rimu lightly pecked Yun Ye on the cheek, then lifted the tent flap with a face full of smiles and went out, looking like a victorious general.

The red candles in the tent hadn’t burned down yet, flickering with a faint, wavering light. Huan Niang had somehow slipped inside, asking with a grin: “My lord, did you sleep well last night?”

Yun Ye said irritably: “Sleep well my ass! I didn’t sleep all night. What were you two plotting?”

Huan Niang said in surprise, covering her mouth: “My lord, you should also cherish your own body. Young people indulging in pleasure without restraint won’t do!” After speaking, she glanced at the bed with her eyes.

Yun Ye stood up with a whoosh, threw back the blanket, and said to Huan Niang: “What are you thinking at your age? Nothing happened last night.”

Looking at the clean sheets, Huan Niang was very doubtful: “Na Rimu told me she slept with you last night.”

“That’s right, she slept with me—but it was only sleeping. As soon as she got on the bed she fell into a deep sleep. At midnight she even stole my blanket. I froze for half the night. Don’t come up with such worthless schemes next time, and I’ll freeze two fewer times.” Yun Ye was very irritable in the early morning.

Huan Niang stared wide-eyed, constantly looking Yun Ye up and down, as if trying to see something unusual.

“Don’t speculate wildly. My body is perfectly fine, I have no hidden ailments—I just don’t want to act recklessly. Even if I wanted her, I would do it openly and honorably. What kind of thing is this? We’re leaving tomorrow—let’s not harm that foolish girl.”

Huan Niang lowered her head, hesitating for a long time before saying to Yun Ye: “My lord, I don’t want to return to Chang’an. I want to stay here with Na Rimu.”

Yun Ye stopped dressing and asked strangely: “Haven’t you always hoped to return to Chang’an? Don’t worry, my household is full of women—you’ll get along very well with them. Isn’t it good to peacefully spend the rest of your life?”

“My lord, I no longer have any relatives. I believe that after returning to Chang’an you would take very good care of me. But I’ve lived on the grasslands for thirty years and have grown accustomed to life here. Besides, I really like Na Rimu—being with her makes me feel very happy.” Huan Niang said to Yun Ye with a smile.

“You and Na Rimu have only been together for a month—have you already grown to like her so quickly?”

“Some people only need a few days together to feel as if they’ve been together for many years. Some people, even if together a lifetime, remain like strangers. I know Na Rimu’s heart, so I arranged such an opportunity for her. Who knew this foolish girl couldn’t even grasp this final chance. My lord, don’t abandon this silly girl—without your support, she can’t survive on the grasslands.” Huan Niang pulled at Yun Ye’s sleeve, pleading.

“Huan Niang, you need to think clearly—are you staying on the grasslands or coming back to Chang’an with me? Don’t worry about Na Rimu. I’ll arrange things well for her. You only need to consider yourself.”

Huan Niang stood behind Yun Ye, coiling his hair into a topknot, then putting his hat on for him and smoothing the two ear flaps. She said quietly: “I’ve long since fallen in love with the grasslands, loving the unrestrained atmosphere here. My lord, don’t worry about me. The princess is too lonely alone—I’ll stay and keep her company.”

“I’ll leave all the household utensils for you. Take good care of yourself. If you no longer like living on the grasslands, when autumn comes there will be merchant caravans coming here. Just return to Chang’an with them.”

Yun Ye had always respected people’s choices. No matter who it was, as long as they made a clear choice, Yun Ye would let them have their wish. In his view, the average lifespan of Great Tang commoners was only thirty years. If they weren’t allowed to live more freely, how would this life differ from grass and trees?

Na Rimu had gone to herd sheep. From afar one could hear her singing voice overflowing with happiness and expectation.

Cheng Chumo had returned. These past days he’d been going around subjugating those small tribes that refused to submit. According to him, the army only needed to push forward to completely eliminate all the rebels. He’d returned last night wanting to talk with Yun Ye, but was stopped by Huan Niang who told him Marquis Yun was not receiving guests tonight.

The fellow who was usually so dumb that Yun Ye needed to bash his head in to pour anything into it turned out to be a natural genius in this area. Just by looking at Huan Niang’s expression, he understood perfectly and went to drink with He Shao.

Getting up early in the morning, he circled around Yun Ye, sniffing at him from time to time. Picking up a long hair from the bed, he grinned foolishly at Yun Ye with his mouth wide open. In his half-closed eyes there was actually a flash of shrewdness—something that had never happened before.

“What’s with the gleam in your eye? And that foolish grin? Haven’t seen you for a few days—where did you learn to guess people’s thoughts?” With Cheng Chumo there was no need to be roundabout—if you didn’t understand something, just ask directly.

“Ye’zi, are you already starting to make arrangements so early? My old man told me that even rabbits have three burrows, so people should have at least five or six. That way if one burrow is destroyed by accident, there are still four others, right? That’s called ‘people without long-term considerations will have immediate worries.'”

“Nonsense! What’s this about the cunning rabbit’s three burrows? Right now we have a sagely enlightened emperor on the throne—what need is there to make preparations? Only in chaotic times does one need to make such preparations. I just pity Na Rimu—one person leading so many half-grown children, life isn’t easy. I’m giving them a place to settle down and make a living, that’s all. Don’t speak such nonsense in the future.” Yun Ye righteously lectured Cheng Chumo.

“Big brother understands. You sent Hong Cheng away, so now there are no Hundred Cavalry in the army. Making some small moves won’t be discovered by anyone. Later no matter who asks, big brother will just say this was compensation because you accidentally slept with someone’s daughter, Ye’zi.”

“Get lost! Blockhead!” While cursing Cheng Chumo with his mouth, his heart was worried. Had he been too obvious? Even an idiot could see it—could he hide it from Tang Jian and Xu Jingzong? Not to mention Li Jing.

The grasslands were really strange—just thinking of Li Jing, a guard came running to tell Yun Ye that the Grand Commander had matters to discuss with Marquis Yun and requested he come to the main tent.

Hurrying to the main tent, he saw a brocade box placed on the table. A big man covered in wounds stood before Li Jing, surrounded by guards on all sides, ready to start cutting at any moment. The big man was very familiar—it was Xi Tong who had sung in the heavy rain. His clothes were torn and ragged, his hair disheveled and face filthy, with blood constantly seeping from his shoulders and back. It seemed he’d been through an extremely brutal fight.

“Xi Tong, how can it be you? Don’t you know that trespassing into a military camp means beheading?” After saluting Li Jing, Yun Ye hurriedly asked Xi Tong.

“This humble one owes Marquis Yun a life. Hearing that the great bandit Ye Tuo had offended Marquis Yun, this humble one traveled a thousand li alone in pursuit to kill Ye Tuo. Finally slaying this criminal under my blade, I’ve specially brought his head for Marquis Yun to view.”

Not having seen him for many days, this fellow was still so spirited. Having been slashed several times, his vital energy was still abundant—his heroic spirit hadn’t diminished at all!

Li Jing said to Yun Ye: “This person came to the main camp carrying a head, saying he himself killed the villain who ambushed Marquis Yun on the road. This old man has never seen Ye Tuo, so I’m asking you to come identify him.”

Yun Ye lifted the brocade box lid. Inside was indeed Ye Tuo’s head. Ye Tuo had died in extreme agony—his face was almost contorted together. The head had been severed with a sharp blade, the cut surface incomparably smooth. Yun Ye’s heart tightened.

Turning back, he asked Xi Tong: “What’s your sect called? What else do they want to know?”

As soon as Yun Ye spoke, the surrounding guards immediately pressed the horizontal blades in their hands to Xi Tong’s vital points. This fellow seemed to be completely unfazed—facing five or six gleaming long blades, he didn’t even blink. He just opened his mouth and laughed loudly, as if mocking Yun Ye for not recognizing a good person’s heart.

“Xi Tong, forget it. Don’t pretend in front of me. I’ll tell you two things. The third thing I’ll tell you after you confess. First, you’re no match for Ye Tuo. Second, even without you killing him, Ye Tuo would still die.”

“I ambushed him to take him down!” Xi Tong shouted at the top of his lungs.