Due to the heavy snow, the sky brightened later than usual. More than two hours later, a pale gray finally appeared on the horizon. By this time, Yan Chi had arrived at Yunling with a thousand-strong contingent. Yunling, located between Luozhou and Lin'an, was a hilly region. In the valley west of Yunling stood a temporary military camp of the Luozhou garrison, from which the Black Knights sent to Lin'an for reinforcement had been dispatched. The snowfall had lightened considerably, but the sky remained gloomy, and the entire Yunling area was blanketed in pristine White Silk. As the contingent reached the camp gates, a middle-aged man in full military attire promptly emerged to greet them.
"Your Highness—we've finally been waiting for you!"
The middle-aged man, around forty years old, was robust and spoke in a resonant voice. He knelt before Yan Chi's horse as soon as he approached.
Yan Chi dismounted and personally helped him up. "Rise quickly! We're all comrades here, no need for such formalities."
The middle-aged man glanced at General Mu and asked, "Huaiqing, how did it go? Was it smooth?"
Mu Huaiqing smiled at this. "His Highness didn't have us wait in the city; the troops I brought weren't even needed."
Yan Chi laughed. "What, were you worried we wouldn't make it out of the city?"
The middle-aged man shook his head and sighed. "I was terrified when I received the news. Fortunately, Your Highness had us prepare in advance, or we might have been too late to reach the capital in just one night. Quick, it's too cold outside—let's head in to talk…"
The middle-aged man gestured in invitation, but Yan Chi didn't immediately step forward. He turned to look at the carriage. "Wait a moment."
Yan Chi strode to the carriage and pushed the door open. "Guan Guan, we've arrived."
Qin Guan had long known they'd reached their destination, but with the greetings outside, she hadn't felt it appropriate to show herself. Everyone saw a delicate, jade-like hand extend from the carriage door, followed by a graceful and elegant figure stepping out.
The world was dim and yellow, with wind and snow swirling. Qin Guan, draped in a snow-white cape, had exquisite features and a noble demeanor, instantly lifting the spirits of the soldiers at the camp gate. The camp was filled with men who had never seen such a celestial being; one by one, they stared at Qin Guan with dazed, fixed gazes. Qin Guan descended from the carriage with Yan Chi's assistance. As the wind and snow were fierce, Yan Chi casually pulled up her hood, half-concealing her face. This partially revealed appearance only made the onlookers more eager to see her clearly. However, when Yan Chi, holding Qin Guan's hand, turned and swept his gaze over the crowd, everyone's hearts trembled!
Yan Chi's gaze carried inherent authority, mingled with the chill of the wind and snow and a sense of intimidation from dust and bloodshed. In an instant, all shoulders hunched, and heads bowed. Yan Chi led Qin Guan forward and said, "My princess consort—you haven't met her yet—"
Both Mu Huaiqing and the middle-aged man knew Yan Chi was getting married that day. At these words, they promptly bowed with clasped hands. "We pay our respects to the princess consort!"
The soldiers behind them quickly knelt in salute.
Though Qin Guan was strong-willed, the scene slightly startled her. After all, she wasn't born into nobility, and having so many people kneel before her made her feel somewhat unworthy. Yet, thinking of the person beside her, she brushed aside that flicker of discomfort. "Generals, there's no need for such courtesy. Everyone, please rise."Qin Guan's composed and dignified demeanor exuded an air of noble elegance. Mu Huaiqing and the middle-aged man exchanged a glance as they stood up, both showing admiration in their eyes. Yan Chi smiled and introduced the middle-aged man, "This is General Zhou You, who followed my father on the battlefield. This is Mu Huaiqing, who also served my father for many years and is now General Zhou You's deputy."
At these words, Zhou You laughed heartily, "Your Highness flatters me greatly. Princess Consort, in truth, I was merely a guard who served the Old Prince for many years. In my youth, I was just a household servant in the royal residence. Later, I followed the prince to Shuoxi and only had the opportunity to earn merits thanks to the prince's recognition and guidance. The Old Prince devoted his entire life to loyalty and service to the nation, but in the end... alas, I was ordered back to Luozhou due to injuries and illness. Now it seems it was truly fate's will..."
After a pause, Zhou You continued, "Princess Consort probably doesn't remember, but I went to Lin'an to see His Highness after the prince's incident and caught a distant glimpse of you then."
Zhou You's straightforward nature revealed much in just a few sentences. Qin Guan turned to look at Yan Chi, who smiled and said, "In short, we're all on the same side. Let's go inside to talk."
Zhou You quickly stepped aside to let Yan Chi and the others enter. Inside the camp, though modest in size, the barracks were neatly arranged with an air of elite discipline, clearly showing the commanding officer's military prowess. The main tent had been prepared in advance. Zhou You escorted Yan Chi's party into the tent, "This is my tent. I've temporarily replaced some items and had it thoroughly cleaned. I hope Your Highness and the Princess Consort won't mind its simplicity. Please rest here for today, and we can depart once Your Highness has finalized the plans."
Noticing that Fuling and Baiying had followed them in, Zhou You added, "The charcoal fire and hot water are all prepared inside. I'll have someone bring hot meals right away. Your Highness and the Princess Consort must be exhausted after traveling through the night. Please rest for half a day, and we can discuss matters after you've recovered."
However, Yan Chi responded, "We'll rest for two quarters of an hour. Wait for me in the strategy tent. I'll join you after that. We're too close to the capital - our journey here couldn't have gone completely unnoticed. We need to leave before nightfall and travel under cover of darkness toward Yuzhou."
Zhou You's expression turned serious. Though newly married with his beautiful bride beside him, Yan Chi's decisiveness remained unaffected, earning Zhou You's deeper respect.
"Yes, Your Highness. Please rest first with the Princess Consort. I shall take my leave."
As Zhou You withdrew, Qin Guan finally removed her hood and glanced around the tent. It was tidy and functional in style. Never one for extravagance herself, she simply sat with Yan Chi on the main couch. Yan Chi held her hand and said, "I wasn't with you in the carriage tonight - you must have many questions. Go ahead and ask."
Fuling brought over hot tea. Qin Guan accepted it and handed it to Yan Chi, smiling as she said, "Tonight was an emergency situation. These troops aren't your personal guard. If you had been in the carriage with me, it might have affected morale. I do have some questions, but they're not urgent. We only have two quarters of an hour - drink some tea to warm yourself first."Yan Chi's heart had initially been filled with solemnity, but as Qin Guan's words were spoken so gently and he saw the steaming hot tea before him, a wave of bittersweet emotion suddenly welled up within him. He suddenly realized how genuine his earlier declaration—"This is my princess consort"—had been. The sky outside was already growing bright; this night should have been their wedding night, yet it had turned into such a perilous and exhausting ordeal. But the darkness was about to pass, and they were about to welcome the first day after their marriage.
Yan Chi took the hot tea, drank a hearty sip, then grasped Qin Guan's hand and turned to Fuling and Baiying. "You two should also go rest. Return later to attend to the princess consort."
At these words, Fuling and Baiying immediately withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the room.
Yan Chi gazed deeply at Qin Guan before pulling her tightly into his embrace. With a contented sigh, he exclaimed, "I am a man with a wife now!"
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