A large portion of this vanguard force was the Lin Family Army that the Lin father - son duo had brought back to the capital before the New Year. They seemed far more spirited than other troops. Yi Zhici blended in among them like a child, mainly because of her short stature.
She couldn't even catch a glimpse of Lin Yuan at the front of the column.
But these soldiers were very amiable. They all kindly asked if she was a newly - recruited soldier, how old she was, and where her home was.
"Yeah, I'll be seventeen soon. My home is in the capital. I joined the army because I couldn't get enough to eat..."
Yi Zhici changed her voice and smeared some ash on her face. One couldn't tell that she was a delicate princess. She had done this kind of thing at Bihai Villa before, so she was quite experienced.
An old soldier noticed her frail build and even gave his thick coat to Yi Zhici, which touched her deeply.
Sure enough, this was the Lin Family Army, the mighty and battle - hardened force that had guarded the southern border for many years.
During the march, they pressed on without pause. Yi Zhici was sensitive to the cold. Although she had the old soldier's coat, the snow was heavy and the cold was bone - chilling. Without a small brazier, her hands and feet were still icy cold. She even felt that her legs didn't belong to her when she walked.
Often at night when they set up pots to cook, she would secretly run to a place closer to Lin Yuan. In fact, once she had him in mind, the discomfort she felt seemed bearable.
Yi Zhici often saw Lin Yuan sitting alone. Sometimes on a big rock, sometimes leaning against a Chinese parasol tree, and sometimes just sitting on the sandy ground, lost in thought while looking at the tassel on his sword.
Yi Zhici felt that all her efforts were worth it.
It was a serious crime for a woman to enter the military camp since ancient times. She planned to secretly confess to Lin Yuan after they set up the tents in the southern border. If she did it in public, there might be some unexpected changes, and she didn't want Lin Yuan to be punished because of her.
Just as she was about to turn back to have dinner, Yi Zhici saw Lin Yuan sigh. Then, then... he secretly kissed the small jade pendant on the sword tassel.
Yi Zhici's mind went blank. She even felt that this was more exciting than Lin Yuan kissing her directly. It was so embarrassing...
It had been almost half a month since they set out from the capital. When they reached Heishui Pass, they were not far from the southern border. Yi Zhici's legs, which had been numb from the cold since they left, seemed to see a glimmer of hope.
Heishui Pass was famous for its water. The water here was black, whether it was for drinking or other uses.
Especially the hot spring, which looked like a pool of mud with steaming hot air rising from it.
But such water was regarded as sacred here. Most of the old people here lived to be over a hundred years old.
Lin Yuan reined in his horse. "We'll rest here tonight. Tomorrow we'll head straight for Hanyu Pass without stopping."
Hanyu Pass was the defense line where the main force of the Lin Family Army was stationed. It was also the line they had stubbornly defended after retreating two cities.
Lu Xiao replied, "Yes."
Because of the legend of the longevity - bringing water in Heishui Pass, Yi Zhici had visited here once when she was traveling with Yi Junshi as a child. She was in awe of the hot spring here and couldn't resist the urge to take a soak to warm up her long - numbed hands and feet.
Taking advantage of the darkness, Yi Zhici carried her bundle and ran to a nearby hot spring. Just as she was about to take off her clothes and get into the water, a low shout came from beside her. "Who's there? Trying to be a deserter?!"
It was the night - patrolling battalion commander.
Yi Zhici: "..."
This was just great. Instead of warming up her hands and feet that felt like they didn't belong to her, she only felt a sense of despair.
In the army, whether it was on a military march, setting up camp for battle preparation, or engaging in a fierce fight, there must be soldiers on night - patrol. No one knew when the enemy would attack or if there would be a surprise attack.
Yi Zhici had known this rule for a long time, so she had deliberately avoided the night - patrol shifts. Unexpectedly, she was still discovered.
She wasn't usually this clumsy. Maybe it was because she had been frozen stiff recently.
This highly - dedicated battalion commander was so overly dedicated that he dragged the completely flustered Yi Zhici in front of Lin Yuan.
Oh no, it was all over.
Yi Zhici lowered her head, not daring to look at Lin Yuan.
Battalion Commander Tian said indignantly, "Young General, I found a young soldier about to run away by the hot spring. He wants to be a deserter before even fighting a battle. He doesn't deserve to be a member of the Lin Family Army!"
Yi Zhici wished she could bury her head in the ground. "I wasn't trying to run away..."
Looking at the dirty - faced Yi Zhici, Lin Yuan quietly sighed. He said to Battalion Commander Tian, "You go back to your patrol first. I'll handle the rest myself."
Yi Zhici also sighed. Sure enough, he recognized her at a glance...