Sunlight filtered through the forest, sparse like patches of melting snow.
The summer breeze blew, making the "snow" rustle.
Fang Qinhu and Lu Hu led their men to guard the surroundings, looking straight ahead. As for whether they were gossiping about their master's affairs in their hearts, only they themselves knew.
"Aren't you going to say anything to me?"
It had been over half an hour since they met, but apart from the words they exchanged at the first sight, Shang Luoshu had remained silent.
The joy in Lu Yinxi's heart at the reunion had almost faded to the bottom during this time.
"Or, are you not happy to see me?"
"No,"
Reaching out to wipe the dust off her face, Shang Luoshu's eyes remained full of affection, but there was also a hint of worry, "Xi'er, I'm really happy to see you again. But you shouldn't have come here."
"You're going to say that the battlefield is full of blood and gore, and it's no place for a girl, right?"
Cutting off his unfinished words unceremoniously, Lu Yinxi pouted, and a hint of grievance gradually appeared on her face.
"Shang Luoshu, do you think I should just stay at home like other girls and wait for you to return in triumph?"
"I..."
"You don't need to explain,"
Shang Luoshu's words were interrupted again by her forcefully, "Most people would think so. I can understand."
"That's exactly why I came!"
The young girl stared at him stubbornly, her eyes showing a touch of tenacity, "Even if you try to stop me, I won't give up."
Another gust of wind blew, dispelling the heat of the sun and taking away the thin layer of sweat on Lu Yinxi's forehead.
"Okay."
The single - syllable word fell into her ears, and Lu Yinxi suddenly widened her eyes, "What did you just say?"
"If you didn't hear it, forget it."
The man turned around and was about to leave, the corners of his mouth that had been pressed down lifted slightly. Didn't he already know? Xi'er was different from ordinary girls.
Suddenly, a force came from behind, making Shang Luoshu stagger slightly. Immediately afterwards, he heard her voice.
"Stop! Say that again!"
"I don't repeat good words..."
"Will you say it or not!"
......
The gentle breeze carried their voices far away. Fang Qinhu and Lu Hu, who had good hearing and had almost heard the whole conversation, silently glanced at each other and then turned their eyes away expressionlessly.
Now that Shang Luoshu had agreed, after persuading Lu Hu, the group could set off again.
Lu Yinxi had thought it would be difficult to persuade him, but unexpectedly he had made his stance clear directly.
"If the young lady wants to follow the Prince of Jing to Yangxian, this subordinate is unable to stop you, but please allow this subordinate to follow you."
You didn't have this attitude before Shang Luoshu came!
Bullying the weak and fearing the strong was really ingrained in human nature!
After taking another break, as the sun was no longer as scorching as at noon, the group immediately mounted their horses and galloped towards Yangxian again.
Some of Shang Luoshu's personal guards actually had objections to the three women who had suddenly joined them on the way.
After all, in their impression, women meant trouble. They should stay at home, take care of their husbands and children, and manage household affairs, even the future princess was no exception.
However, in the following days, they completely changed their views.
In order to reach Yangxian as soon as possible, everyone traveled at night and rested during the day. Sometimes they ate and drank directly on their horses and then continued on their way.
Many men couldn't bear such a strenuous journey at first, but Lu Yinxi never complained about the hardship or fatigue, and even the two maids following her had no complaints.
Sometimes, they were even more unrestrained than those big men.
The sun gradually moved to the top of their heads, and the rising heat around them was becoming unbearable.
"Go to the shaded area ahead to rest."
At Shang Luoshu's order, the people behind naturally obeyed without a word.
Getting off the horse, Lu Yinxi took the water bag handed by Hongmei and took a big gulp with her head tilted back.
Traveling in summer was really torture.
"We'll reach Yangxian tomorrow night."
Handing the dry food to Lu Yinxi, Shang Luoshu pulled her to sit down under a tree root, "You've had a hard time these days."
"It's nothing. I've experienced even harder things."
The man thought she was referring to what had happened to her in the village before. His heart ached slightly, and he pulled her into his arms.
"After the matter in Yangxian is settled, I won't let you live like that again."
Although Lu Yinxi didn't know why Shang Luoshu's mood suddenly dropped for a moment, she still cooperated very well and said, "Okay, then I'll wait for that day."
While the two masters were being lovey - dovey here, the sensible soldiers dispersed tacitly, trying not to be in the way. However, there were still some who were not so sensible.
"Your Highness, this subordinate found a fainted young girl on the nearby official road."
The two looked at each other and immediately asked, "Where is she?"
As they were getting closer to Yangxian, Shang Luoshu's group no longer deliberately took the small paths but followed the official road to gather information.
The two followed the guiding guard out of the small forest and indeed saw the fainted girl not far away. Someone was feeling her pulse.
"Carry her into the forest first. The sun outside is too strong."
Immediately, someone stepped forward and carried the girl into the shade.
"How is she? Is she seriously ill?"
Letting go of her hand, Ye Luo, who had been feeling the pulse, bowed and replied, "Don't worry, Fourth Miss. She should have fainted from hunger."
Hunger?
They hadn't even reached Yangxian yet, and such a thing had happened. What would it be like inside Yangxian?
Why had the people there rebelled?
"Shang Luoshu, I have an idea." Looking at the girl on the ground, Lu Yinxi suddenly said.
Before the man could agree, she had already stood up and pulled him aside: "Don't we want to find out about the situation in Yangxian? Why don't we start with her?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like this..."
Signaling him to lean over, Lu Yinxi stood on tiptoe and whispered something in Shang Luoshu's ear.
"What do you think?" The young girl tilted her head, her eyes shining with a bright smile.
"Very good."
Ling Yin was woken up by a fragrant smell. Since she had escaped from Yangxian, she hadn't eaten for several days and had been surviving on water.
"Are you awake?"
Before she could fully regain her senses from the daze, she heard a strange voice behind her.
Looking back, Ling Yin saw a young man of medium height roasting some meat. The fragrance she had smelled came from there.
Almost instinctively, Ling Yin swallowed hard, and her previously quiet stomach began to growl loudly.
"Are you hungry?"
The young man happened to look over, with a kind smile on his face. Then he tore off a leg from the grill and handed it to Ling Yin.
"Eat."
After a long period of hunger, the young girl had almost lost all her ability to think. After only a moment of hesitation, she took the leg and began to eat it greedily.
After finishing the leg, she finally felt her stomach was a bit fuller and had some strength in her body: "Benefactor, if you want to know anything, I can tell you everything."
Raising his eyebrows, the young man was a bit surprised: "How do you know I'm going to ask you questions?"