Along the corridor outside, white plum blossoms were strewn among piles of snow, accompanied by the aroma of the flowers. The man sat by the wooden corridor. His eyes were closed tightly, and he seemed to have fallen asleep. No one was sure how long he had been sitting there. Plum blossoms fell on his dark clothes along with the snow, slowly piling upon him. They exemplified his chilly and somewhat indifferent character.

 Earlier, when Bao Yan went out, she must have noticed him sleeping. Thus, she did not go forward to greet him in fear of disturbing his sleep.

 It was already the 12th lunar month. The bitter cold, along with the piercing winds of Youzhou, forced Su Jiu to return to her room and bring a cloak to cover him.

 Xiao Lie suddenly awakened, his eyes wide open. He grasped Su Jiu’s wrist and stared at her.

 “Did you not sleep well last night? Why did you fall asleep here early in the morning?” Su Jiu smiled as she asked.

 Xiao Lie continued looking straight at her. Without answering the question, he asked, “…You’re awake?”

 Su Jiu nodded. “I just woke up!”

 Xiao Lie looked at his cloak, and his thin lips pursed into a smile. He slowly released Su Jiu’s hand and whispered to her, “I don’t know when, but I fell asleep!”

 They hurried here from Shengjing City. The ten days of fear and apprehension they had experienced were harrowing. Now, he saw that she was slowly becoming more relaxed, and he too felt that his own body was on the brink of exhaustion.

 “If you are tired, go back to your room and sleep!” Su Jiu stood up. “I’ll go see Hu Dapao!”

 Xiao Lie got up, wrapped his cloak around Su Jiu, and said, “Let’s go together!”

 “Okay!”

 The two of them walked out, side by side. As soon as they walked out of the crescent gate in the western chamber, they saw Chang Huan and Ah Shu walking towards them. They had changed into clean clothes, and they were full of vigor. When they saw Su Jiu, they were so happy that they hurried over and shouted.

 “Boss!”

 “Chief!”

 Su Jiu looked at the two of them and smiled. “How are you? Do your injuries hurt? Are they serious?”

 Ah Shu patted his shoulder. “It’s okay!”

 “Boss, are you injured?” Chang Huan asked anxiously.

 “Just a surface wound!” Su Jiu asked, “How about Wei Tan and Zhao Xiong? And how is Wang Wengong? Is she going back home?”

 They had followed the army back to Youzhou and had gone to sleep immediately when they returned. A day and night had since passed. Hopefully, nothing had gone wrong with Wang Wengong.

 “Chief, rest assured! Zhao Xiong’s people have come back to say that he has been sent back safely. Zhao Xiong took his brother back to the mountain, and said he would drink with you in the future, Chief! Wei Tan lives in Youzhou City now, and he told us to wait and inform him when you’re awake,” Ah Shu replied in detail.

 Su Jiu nodded gently. She knew that Zhao Xiong was originally a bandit, so he subconsciously resisted the Daliang army and soldiers. Even if he stayed in Youzhou, his stay would be an uneasy one. They had been mountain bandits before, and they certainly knew how that felt.

 Zhao Xiong and Wei Tan had helped them a lot this time around. Without them, it would not have been easy to bring Hu Dapao down the mountains. If they could meet up with Zhao Xiong and the others in the future, they would certainly thank them for their help!

 Ah Shu and Chang Huan greeted Xiao Lie once more, before going to visit Hu Dapao together with him.

 Hu Dapao’s injuries were the most severe. His wound had torn as he made his way down the mountains through Camelback Ridge. He bled profusely, and he had been in a coma since he came down.

 Several people entered the eastern chamber. They noticed a woman wearing a pink lotus dress walking into the chambers with medicine in her hands.

 Ah Shu yelled, “Lady Huang!”

 The woman looked up and smiled brightly. She shouted pleasantly, “Ah Shu!”

 Chang Huan explained to Su Jiu in a low voice, “This is Governor Huang’s daughter, and she knows Hu Dapao. Ever since he returned from Camelback Ridge, she has been taking care of him. We met and got to know her when we came to see Hu Dapao this morning!”

 Su Jiu nodded her head, having learned this new piece of information. She inspected the tall woman, who had long and dark hair, honey-colored skin, big and bright eyes, a tall nose, and a gorgeous appearance. She was a classic beauty from Northern Xinjiang indeed.

 Ah Shu introduced them to one another. “This is His Royal Highness Rui, currently the commander of the North Guard Army. This is our Chief, and this is Chang Huan, whom you met this morning!”

 The woman saluted Xiao Lie, then looked at Su Jiu with some curiosity and smiled. “My name is Huang Ying. I am very happy to meet you!”

 Su Jiu grinned. “Thank you for taking care of Hu Dapao!”

 The woman raised her eyebrows. Without the normal squirminess of a typical maiden, she replied generously, “I’m willing to do it on my own accord. Please, you do not need to thank me!”

 Su Jiu pursed her lips meaningfully and entered the room with the rest.

 The outdoors were covered in ice, whilst the house was warm with a burning fire. It was unusually warm. Hu Dapao was lying on the bed, wearing only a tunic with a thin quilt covering him. He had been washed, and his face was now very clean, albeit a little pale.

 Su Jiu walked over quickly, sat on the edge of the bed, and whispered, “Hu Dapao… Hu Dapao!”

 Hu Dapao frowned in his sleep. Everyone thought he was going to wake up, so they all swarmed up in an instant. Alas, his eyes were still firmly shut.

 Ah Shu said, “Chief, don’t worry! The medical doctor said that Hu Dapao’s wounds have begun to heal, although he lost a lot of blood. Furthermore, he did not rest well whilst he was in the mountains. As long as he sleeps for a longer period, there will be no further danger to his life!”

 Su Jiu nodded.

 She looked up and saw Huang Ying bringing over the medicine. Her watching eyes were filled with alertness and scrutiny.

 Xiao Lie slowly stepped forward and pulled Su Jiu’s wrist, indicating that she should get up. “Hu Dapao needs rest, so let’s not disturb him. Let Miss Huang take care of him!”

 Su Jiu glanced at him and noticed his deep, unexplainable gaze. She nodded knowingly. “Well, when he wakes up, let’s come again!”

 As they walked out, Su Jiu glanced back and saw that Huang Ying was already sitting by Hu Dapao’s bed and feeding Hu Dapao with a spoon. Her actions were patient and attentive.

 Su Jiu ordered Ah Shu and Chang Huan to tell Wei Tan that she was fine, and turned back to the western chamber.

 Xiao Lie walked along the corridor with her.

 Su Jiu asked, “Did you get me out here on purpose? Why?”

 Xiao Lie smiled and said, “Can’t you tell that Miss Huang likes Hu Dapao? She is rather hostile to you.”

 He didn’t like the woman’s look at Su Jiu. The hostility was way too conspicuous.

 However, his disapproval of the woman’s gaze did not affect his approval of the woman as Hu Dapao’s wife.

 Su Jiu frowned. “But Hu Dapao and Nangong Bi have a marriage contract!”

 “Didn’t Hu Dapao go to Northern Xinjiang just to avoid that marriage?” The man’s voice was lazy and coarse.

 Su Jiu was startled and asked seriously, “Does Hu Dapao like Miss Huang?”

 “If Hu Dapao stays in Northern Xinjiang in the future, it would be a good thing for him to marry Governor Huang’s daughter in Youzhou!” Xiao Lie said quietly.

 Su Jiu pursed her lips and said nothing.

 Snow blossoms bloomed outside along the corridor, making a gorgeous sight. In this frigid place, charming red blossoms were like crimson brushstrokes, standing out in stark contrast against the gray lifeless grounds of Northern Xinjiang. It had the effect of diluting the feelings of desolation in Youzhou.

 The fragrance produced was light and elegant.

 Su Jiu turned her head to look at the plum blossoms on the branches. She inhaled deeply, and her chest swelled with cool air. It was a burst of freshness.

 Although she preferred Nangong Bi, she could not force them to be together. Xiao Lie was right. If Hu Dapao married a woman who liked him and would take care of him in this bitterly cold place, it would also be a blessing.

 She decided to let this matter rest. With that, Su Jiu’s steps became brisk and light.

 Xiao Lie looked at the girl’s delicate eyebrows. He noticed that her mood had improved and her face gleamed, causing his mood to improve as well. He asked quietly, “What about you? Do you have any plans to return to Shengjing City?”

 She had come here for Hu Dapao. Now that Hu Dapao had been rescued, would she leave when he woke up?

 Su Jiu had not given this issue much thought. After pondering it, she said, “We will wait until Hu Dapao is well!”

 Here, there was no Ji Yuxian.

 Without Miss Su around, she could breathe the rough winds of the north and smell the aroma of the grasslands. She felt a sense of tranquility and happiness that she had not experienced for the longest time.

 “It’s almost New Year, so let’s stay here for the New Year celebrations!” Xiao Lie’s voice was low as he gazed at her quietly.

 Su Jiu didn’t answer immediately, and she asked, “How are things at Yanyun Pass?”

 “Thirty thousand Naye soldiers were almost annihilated, and the Qiang Clan is isolated and helpless. They won’t be able to hold out for too long!” Xiao Lie said. Thinking of another matter, he asked, “What happened to Chang Huan? Why did he come with you to Youzhou?”

 Su Jiu explained, “He still refuses to accept Princess Yu Long’s story about his background. He’s even resisting to embrace it!”

 Xiao Lie frowned slightly. Chang Huan was Lord Yun Nan’s son. Recognizing one’s ancestors was very important and expected for everyone. Besides, Chang Huan also had a distinguished reputation. Why would he resist?

 His eyes contained a deep look as they fell on the girl’s exquisite profile. Could it be that Chang Huan…

 “What about the Lord Yun Nan and his mistress?”

 They had been in pain after learning that they had lost their son. Now that they had found him, they were likely very excited. How could they just ignore and leave him alone?

 “Princess Yu Long was worried that Lady Yun Nan’s body could not bear such tumultuous events, so she wanted to wait for Chang Huan to accept his own identity before she takes him to see the both of them.”

 “Such considerations are correct!”

 If Chang Huan insisted on not acknowledging his parents, this would indeed be a blow to the Yun Nan couple.

 As they talked, they slowly entered the western chamber. They turned around the corridor and saw that the Nangong brother and sister were waiting outside the door of Su Jiu’s room.

 When she saw Su Jiu, Nangong Bi ran forward quickly. Her fur coat which extended to the ground seemed to be flying around like a butterfly. She stopped breathlessly in front of Su Jiu and paid her respects to Xiao Lie with a smile. She said, “Su Jiu, you are awake!”

 Su Jiu was wearing a woman’s dress, and there was no rouge on her face today. She looked up in embarrassment at Nangong Shu who came over, and said modestly, “I didn’t intend to hide my identity on purpose! Please forgive me!”

 Nangong Bi chuckled. “My brother has long known that you are a woman! He also told me this on the way to Youzhou. I don’t blame you; we were simply too stupid. It’s strange to say this, but now that I know you’re a woman, you look exactly like one. Why couldn’t I tell before?”

 Su Jiu raised an eyebrow and looked up at Nangong Shu, who was staring at her. She suddenly felt abashed and laughed. “I’m glad you don’t blame me! That’s great!”

 She did not intentionally hide her identity, but she never found an opportunity to make it clear to them either.

 Besides, her gender identity was not much of an issue to her.

 Nangong Shu’s seemingly forgiving face was gaunt. His facial features were deep, and the cold winds in Northern Xinjiang seemed to accentuate his coldness. It was as if he had been born there.

 He squeezed his thin lips, smiled gently, and said in a deep voice, “Why would we blame you? I would also like to thank you for destroying the 10,000 Naye soldiers. You did this all with the strength of one person. Had it not been for you, Yanyun Pass would have been in danger. Where will we even find time to speak with you here? Besides…”

 He paused for a moment, and then continued, “If it were not for you arriving on time, I am afraid that Hu Dapao would not have made it down the mountains!”

 He was badly injured. At that time, the 10,000 Naye soldiers had obtained Hu Dapao’s specific location and had surrounded the mountain by then. Even if Hu Dapao was not injured at the time, it would not have been possible for him to survive under the siege of all those soldiers.

 By the time they arrived, perhaps all they would have seen was Hu Dapao’s corpse!

 Although she was a woman, she was better than thousands of men!

 After listening to Nangong Shu’s words, Xiao Lie also looked at Su Jiu with his long and deep eyes. In those bottomless ink eyes of hers was a hidden gentleness that only he could see.

 Su Jiu replied, “The situation was urgent at that time, so I didn’t think much! Hu Dapao is not only a general of the court but also a member of the Dragon Conqueror Gang. We naturally came to rescue him!”

 “Anyway, you have accomplished a great feat this time. I will surely report to the courts truthfully on these matters!” Nangong Shu said.

 “No, really, don’t! I didn’t want to make any great achievements, but the situation forced me to. I think every reasonable person would have made the same choice when faced with the situation at that time!” Su Jiu said seriously as she raised her brows.

 “Su Jiu, you are too humble! I have always followed you as an example, but I feel that I am getting further and further away from you!” Nangong Bi sighed angrily.

 She used to think that Su Jiu was a man, and felt a little comfort in her heart. Now she discovered that Su Jiu was also a woman.

 She had a naive tone in her voice. Nangong Shu and Xiao Lie smiled in unison as they heard her comments.

 “Su Jiu also has injuries. Please, take a good rest here. May I trouble Miss Nangong to accompany her during this period?” Xiao Lie’s eyes were clear and gentle, and his tone suggested an obvious familiarity with Su Jiu.

 Nangong Shu looked at Xiao Lie with a deep glance and then dropped his eyes.

 Nangong Bi smiled, not noticing anything. “Relax, I will look after Su Jiu, our great hero, very very well!”

 They chatted for a while longer. Afterward, Nangong Shu and Xiao Lie left to discuss the battle at Yanyun Pass. Before leaving, they ordered Su Jiu to have something to eat and told her that they would come to visit her again in the afternoon.

 Su Jiu muttered an agreement and returned to the room with Nangong Bi.

 The smile on Nangong Bi’s face then disappeared. She hesitated for a moment and asked, “Su Jiu, have you gone to see Hu Dapao? Is he alright? Has he woken up?”

 Su Jiu shook her head. “He was injured so badly that he is still in a coma. However, the army doctor said there was no need to worry about his life. He will live!”

 Nangong Bi nodded, instantly looking a little lighter. She pulled on Su Jiu’s sleeves, expressing guilt, “I’m sorry. If it wasn’t for me, Hu Dapao wouldn’t have come to Northern Xinjiang and become so badly injured. And he almost…”

 Su Jiu, like Chang Huan, had complained about Nangong Bi before, but they had since learned that she was merely innocent.

 From the time they had met until now, the girl was kind, virtuous, intelligent, and lively. Although she came from a reputable family, she had never behaved like a spoiled child. Rather, she was sincere, brave, and strong. Su Jiu was very fond of this girl.

 Unfortunately, Nangong Bi and Hu Dapao were incompatible.

 Su Jiu patted her shoulder to appease her. “It’s not your fault. That is all in the past! Don’t think about it anymore!”

 Nangong Bi bit her lip. “I wanted to take care of Hu Dapao myself, but I don’t know how to face him.”

 She had struck and scolded him previously. Now, she felt ashamed in her heart, and she didn’t know how to face him.

 “Relax, someone is taking care of him. Since you don’t like Hu Dapao, don’t give him any more hope. It’s better to stay away from him!” Su Jiu said. She did not know how she knew this, but she felt that she hit the nail on the head.

 Nangong Bi was surprised when she heard this and asked in amazement, “Does Hu Dapao truly like me? Does he?”

 “Yes!” Su Jiu nodded. “At least he was willing to leave Shengjing City for you. He liked you, but had to leave you to not make you sad!”

 Nangong Bi bit her lip, her eyes drooping.

 Su Jiu touched her hair and smiled. “Don’t be like this! Don’t feel guilty! Master An said that time will dilute everything, and Hu Dapao also said that he will forget you! So, don’t feel sorry for him!”

 Nangong Bi looked up at Su Jiu. Her eyes were a little red as she nodded in a trance.

 The two were outside the bedroom and were just about to push open the door to enter. Just then, Bao Yan suddenly appeared next to them in a panic. She saw that it was Su Jiu, and was immediately relieved. She smiled and said, “Miss, where have you been? Your servant has brought porridge for you to eat!”

 Su Jiu had already smelled the aroma of the porridge. She was indeed hungry, so she went forward to pick up the bowl of porridge herself. She finished the porridge in a few gulps, without waiting for Bao Yan to pass over a spoon. She then handed the empty bowl over to her and said, “Please get me another bowl!”

 Bao Yan looked dumbfounded as she took the bowl in a daze. She merely muttered an “oh” and turned away.

 Nangong Bi turned her eyes towards her and smiled. “I finally know why we didn’t see you as a woman before! That’s because you don’t behave like a woman!”

 Su Jiu shrugged, though she didn’t think of it as a disparaging comment.

 Soon, Bao Yan brought two bowls of porridge, several side dishes, and some pastries. She said, “This servant thought that since Miss had just woken up, she would only want to eat something light. Since Miss is hungry, please eat more!”

 Nangong Bi gaped at the egg rolls and milk cakes. “I want to eat too!”

 “Yes! Your servant has also prepared a set for the princess!” Bao Yan said immediately.

 Princess?

 Su Jiu raised her eyebrows and abruptly remembered that the Emperor had given the title of Princess Heyu to Nangong Bi as part of the marriage contract. He probably guessed that Nangong Bi would disagree with the marriage, so he gave her this title to appease her. Alas, the Emperor had underestimated Miss Nangong.

 After eating, Nangong Bi helped Su Jiu to change the medicine on her wounds. After sitting with her for a while, she allowed Su Jiu to take a rest and returned to her room.

 Nangong Bi hesitated as she walked out of the door. Her hands reached out to pick a plum blossom, only to feel more chaos in her heart. She felt like a messy branch blown by the wind, directionless.

 Northern Xinjiang loved the wind.

 The rowdy winds could make one’s heart all messed up!

 After a while, Nangong Bi seemed to finally make a decision. She tossed the plum blossoms in her hands on the corridor and strode out.

 She came to the eastern chambers and asked the servants where Hu Dapao was staying. Nangong Bi then walked over slowly. When she got to the door, she walked slower and slower. She couldn’t help but curse herself. She merely came to see Hu Dapao, which was an acceptable thing to do. However, why was she hesitating so much?

 Hating what she was feeling, Nangong Bi hit herself. She raised her head and saw a slit in the window, causing her eyes to turn. Should she peek in and see if Hu Dapao was awake?

 If he had woken up, she would go in and apologize to him for all those words that she had previously said to him when they were in Shengjing City. She also wanted to apologize for those two tight slaps she had given him.

 If he was not awake, then…

 The girl bit her lip and suddenly smiled. She would come again the next time if he was not awake!

 Nangong Bi made up her mind, walked gently passed the window, and looked inside through the gap. Alas, she immediately froze.

 There was a woman in the room, wearing a lotus pink dress, sitting at the edge of the bed and wiping Hu Dapao’s face and neck with a silk cloth.

 Who was she?

 Nangong Bi frowned. She was serving Hu Dapao, but from her outfit, she did not look like a servant.

 As she was in doubt, she heard the woman cry in surprise. “General Hu, are you awake?”

 Nangong Bi hurriedly continued to peek inside. Sure enough, Hu Dapao opened his eyes and looked around, stunned. His voice was hoarse as he asked, “Where is this?”

 “You slept so much that you’re still groggy. This is Youzhou, and you are at an outpost!” the woman said happily.

 Hu Dapao suddenly became very conscious. He seemed to have remembered something and got up abruptly. “Chief… Ah!”

 He groaned as a sharp pain reverberated across his chest. He immediately fell backward onto the bed as Huang Ying quickly helped him. “General Hu, you can’t get up now! Lie back quickly!”

 Her arms were wrapped around Hu Dapao’s waist. Their posture was intimate as she supported Hu Dapao’s body with her strength.

 Nangong Bi’s eyes widened. This was too much! Did this woman not know the decency that needed to be kept between a man and a woman?

 Hu Dapao seemed to have the same thought, as he immediately pushed Huang Ying away and lay back on the bed, asking, “How long have I slept? Where is my Chief?”

 Huang Ying’s eyes turned, and she suddenly remembered the girl that Ah Shu brought with him this morning. She immediately said, “She came here, together with Ah Shu, Chang Huan, and His Royal Highness Rui. They all went back when they saw that you were still asleep!”

 Hearing this, Hu Dapao heaved a sigh of relief. He remembered the shadow he saw on Yuhu Mountain, and he hesitantly asked, “Did an adorable-looking woman with golden-yellow clothes come and visit me?”

 “Woman?” And cute? A flash of displeasure flashed across Huang Ying’s eyes. Shaking her head, she uttered, “No!”

 Nangong Bi heard Hu Dapao’s words, and her ears turned slightly red. She could not help but touch her face.

 Cute? Was this his impression of her?

 Hu Dapao, who was in the room, looked a bit disappointed and said politely, “Thank you, Miss Huang, for taking care of me. Please, go back. I am not deserving of your care. When I am better in the future, I will go to your place and give my thanks!”

 Huang Ying smiled. “Don’t drive me away! It’s your Chief who let me stay by your side and take care of you. Also, don’t call me Miss Huang! I want you to call me Ying’er!”

 Nangong Bi, who was standing outside the window, gritted her teeth. So shameless!

 What kind of relationship did they have? Did it even warrant such an intimate way of calling one another?

 Hu Dapao’s pale face suddenly flushed red, and he said, “Miss Huang, you are so caring! But I dare not accept!”

 “You…” Huang Ying’s big eyes stared at Hu Dapao angrily. Just then, her eyes flickered outside the window. She yelled coldly, “Who is there?”

 Nangong Bi was taken aback. She wanted to escape but suddenly stopped. Why should she hide? Had she done anything bad?

 Speaking of which, she was more upright and respectful than the people in that room! She was alright indeed!

 She snorted. Nangong Bi then pushed the door open with a puffed-up chest.

 Hu Dapao gawked at the young girl coming in. He was momentarily stunned. He used his arms to push himself upright as he tried to lean against the soft pillow.

 Huang Ying looked at Hu Dapao’s expression and guessed that Nangong Bi was the lovely woman he just mentioned. This man had a marriage contract with her, the young lady of Shengjing City’s Nangong Manor.

 However, she had heard that Miss Nangong did not like him, so Hu Dapao ran away to Northern Xinjiang.

 Since they didn’t want to marry, the two had no relationship with one another!

 Huang Ying got up and said, “Paying my respects to the princess!”

 Nangong Bi’s pretty face was stone cold as she said quietly, “I have to speak with Hu Dapao about something. Please go out!”

 Huang Ying raised her eyebrows and turned to cover Hu Dapao with a big quilt. Then, she smiled and said, “Dapao has just woken up. The army doctor said he needs to have quiet recuperation. May I trouble the princess to not speak for too long, or else Dapao’s wounds may worsen!”

 Those familiar words, laced with a kind tone, merely masked the silent provocation towards Nangong Bi.

 Nangong Bi frowned, glaring at her. She instinctively disliked this woman.

 “Dapao, I’m going out first. Call me if you need anything!” Huang Ying said to Hu Dapao, before passing by Nangong Bi and going out.

 Hu Dapao’s face was pale. He was afraid that Huang Ying’s earlier comments would cause a misunderstanding between him and Nangong Bi. He wanted to explain but remembered that she certainly didn’t care, so he stopped again. He decided to just smile and say, “Miss Nangong, why are you here?”

 Nangong Bi took two steps and approached him. The atmosphere was a little awkward as she asked, “How is your injury? Does it still hurt?”

 “No more pain!” Hu Dapao immediately replied.

 “Do you want to drink some water?”

 “Thank you. I don’t need anything to drink.”

 The room was quiet again. The special relationship between them seemed to make the two rather unsure of how to face each other. Nangong Bi looked at the corner of the red plum blossom exposed by the window and muttered softly, “Sorry, I said too much last time. Also, I should not have hit you. I’m so sorry!”

 Hu Dapao was startled, and a silly smile crept up his handsome face. “It’s okay, I have forgotten about it!”

 Nangong Bi frowned, suddenly feeling dullness in her heart. She glanced at him and asked, “Who is that woman?”

 Hu Dapao replied, “She is the daughter of Governor Huang. When I first came to Youzhou, Miss Huang and the governor’s wife met bandits when they were out of town. I coincidentally bumped into them and got acquainted. However, there is nothing between me and her, and we merely met a few more times after. I also don’t know why she would come here…”

 In the end, he still could not help himself but explain further.

 Nangong Bi lowered her head and said in a dull tone, “I didn’t ask you this!”

 It turned out to be a situation of a hero saving a beauty!

 Hu Dapao immediately closed his mouth.

 The room was suddenly quiet, filled with a hint of embarrassment. The wind was howling outside the window, and the branches were flapping against the window panes. The sounds created made one feel unsettled and perturbed.

 Hu Dapao was sitting there, his chest feeling much like a beaten window. It beat hard, so hard that his wounds began to hurt.

 He wanted to say something to break the silence, but he didn’t know where to start.

 For the first time, he hated himself for not being smooth with words!

 He was so apprehensive that he remained quiet. He was afraid that the girl could not stand such silence, and would leave instead.

 He knew that it was impossible between him and her, yet he craved and savored every moment with her.

 He never thought that he would see her again!

 Or even see her so soon.

 In his imagination, perhaps after three to five years, their marriage contract would have been dissolved, and the two would have married others. Then, he would return to Shengjing City by accident. She would already be married to her beloved, and they would randomly walk past him. However, he would not even recognize her.

 That day, under the sunset of Yuhu Mountain, her appearance made his withered heart fresh again, like the spring of life re-watering his body. She was the goddess in his life, the ultimate beauty in his temple. Alas, she was out of his reach. He felt that he would never forget the feeling of surprise when he saw her at that moment.

 It was also because of that surprise that he was still alive.

 To have been able to witness that scene!

 Nangong Bi’s eyes turned from the corner of the window. She watched the wind-fringed tassels on the bed linens and whispered, “Let me see. What happened to your injuries?”

 Hu Dapao was abruptly awakened from his thoughts. He hurriedly shook his head. “No, it’s okay!”

 Nangong Bi walked over slowly, sat by the bed, and repeated softly, “Let me see!”

 Smelling the fragrance that was approaching in an instant, Hu Dapao’s tense eyes didn’t know where to look. “No need to look, it’s really fine!”

 Nangong Bi raised her eyebrows and said, “Why? Why can the governor’s daughter take care of you, but I can’t even look at your injury?”

 Hu Dapao suddenly froze.

 Nangong Bi had already leaned over and raised her hand to untie his tunic.

 Hu Dapao’s body stiffened. He dared not move.

 His tunic was unbuttoned, revealing the man’s majestic shoulders, strong and powerful. Nangong Bi suddenly recalled that day outside Shengjing City. The man was holding her tightly whilst being topless. Her face immediately turned crimson when she thought of this.

 Soon, her eyes fell on the man’s wound, which was wrapped in gauze. The bandaged gauze had traces of bleeding that had splotched it. He had likely reopened his wound from earlier when he tried so hard to get up.

 Nangong Bi’s eyebrows rose unconsciously. Her fingers slowly untied the gauze, and when she saw the bones and bloody wounds, she suddenly took in a breath of air.

 Hu Dapao quickly lifted his clothes to cover the grim wound and said in a panic, “Did it scare you? Don’t look anymore!”

 Nangong Bi stopped his hand, her voice a little hoarse. “Why would I? Why are you hurt so badly?”

 “Originally it was just a little injury, but it became like this when there was no medicine on the mountain. It will heal in about two days!” Hu Dapao said indifferently.

 “Where is your medicine?” Nangong Bi asked, looking around.

 “There’s no need. The army doctor will come soon. It’s too dirty, so you don’t need to touch it, Miss Nangong!” Hu Dapao stretched out his hand and pulled the tunic over his wound.

 “It’s not dirty at all!” Nangong Bi said lightly. She got up and walked to the table. When she saw a porcelain bottle on it, she opened and smelled it. It released a whiff of a familiar scent.

 As the daughter of a general, she could still distinguish what was medicine and what was not.

 She headed back and sat by the bed again. Nangong Bi mercilessly moved the hand of Hu Dapao away and said coldly, “You are a big man. Now don’t wiggle around!”

 Hu Dapao suddenly widened his eyes. “Who… who’s wiggling?”

 He was just afraid that she would be afraid of seeing blood, or that she would abandon him…

 Nangong Bi chuckled and glanced at him. She took the medicine brush and gently applied the ointment to the wound as she smiled softly. “You look down on people! Don’t forget, I grew up on horseback, so there is nothing that I haven’t seen before!”

 The girl’s amused eyes swept across his body. Hu Dapao only felt that his bones were crisp, his naked shoulders were hot, and he couldn’t even feel the pain of the wound.

 The girl lowered her head, her white fingers holding the medicine brush steadily. She gently applied the ointment to his wound. From Hu Dapao’s angle, he could see her curled eyelashes, crystal clear smiling eyes, and her small nose. Then, he noticed her cherry-like lips…

 This seemed to be the first time he was looking at her like this at such a close distance. His eyes could not help but ogle her, and he gradually became enchanted.

 She did her job seriously, and thin beads of sweat soon appeared across her forehead. Perhaps it was too hot in this room, or perhaps she was just tense due to the severity of his wound.

 Moreover, perhaps it was because she was sweating, but the scent on her body grew stronger by the minute. Hu Dapao closed his eyes slightly. If he was to die at this moment, he would be willing to in such circumstances.

 There was a sense of unspeakable tenderness in him, a kind of love from the deepest depths of his heart. It made him want to hug her like that and be intimate with her.

 However, he didn’t dare to even think about doing so. It felt like blasphemy against his goddess.

 He couldn’t forget that look. In the heavy rain, she had glared at him with a disgusted expression.

 Upon completing the application of the medicine, Nangong Bi took clean gauze and bandaged him.

 The gauze was wrapped around his shoulders, and Nangong Bi had to lean her arm towards Hu Dapao. They were half-hugging, and her body was very close to the man.

 As soon as the girl approached, Hu Dapao suddenly tightened up again and said absentmindedly, “Let… let others come and do it!”

 “Don’t talk!” Nangong Bi chided him.

 Her flowery breath sprayed on his face, Hu Dapao was all red from his ears to his neck. He hurriedly shut up and glanced out the window as he subconsciously cleared his throat.

 Nangong Bi was also very embarrassed. She deliberately used a rebuke to cover up her embarrassment. Except for her childhood with her brother, this was the first time she was so close to a man.

 That time in the rain did not count as one. Back then, she was only resentful under the influence of the heavy rain.

 This time, however, it was different.

 It was different from what she had imagined. Hu Dapao did not have smells of sweat. Instead, he had a strong and majestic atmosphere that made him extremely manly and charming. It was a scent that made her blush and caused her heart to thump rapidly. Her chest became soft, and as her fingers touched his muscular frame, her chest seemed to be burning up.

 She finally managed to wrap the gauze around him. Both of them couldn’t help but heave out a breath of relief.

 Nangong Bi helped him put on his tunic. She then put away the medicine bottle and gauze, and then came back to check that there was no blood seeping out of the wound.

 “Good!” Hu Dapao echoed.

 Unbeknownst to them, the relaxed atmosphere earlier became silent and awkward once more.

 Nangong Bi bit her lower lip and said softly, “Have a good rest. I will go back first, and I will come to see you tomorrow!”

 Hu Dapao was reluctant for her to go, but he could only bob his head.

 Nangong Bi closed the open window tightly and turned to go outside.

 “Miss Nangong!” The man’s voice suddenly came from behind her.

 “What’s wrong?” Nangong Bi stopped and turned around.

 As if the cloud covered the sun, the light in the room gradually dimmed. Hu Dapao looked up straight. In the dim light and shadow cast, his pale face looked a little gloomy. He swallowed, and then said with tremendous determination.

 “Miss Nangong, please don’t come again!”

 Nangong Bi’s eyes widened slightly, and she heard the man continue speaking. “Miss Nangong, you don’t like me, I know that very well. However, taking care of me like this will make me have hope and expectations again. So, don’t come again. If there is no future between us, I would rather not have these expectations between you and me.”

 Nangong Bi’s complexion was as white as paper as she bit her lower lip tightly.

 This was what Su Jiu had mentioned. If it was impossible between them, wouldn’t it be best to stay away?

 Or was it because he simply didn’t want to see her at all?

 Earlier, he was talking and laughing with that Huang Ying lady. No wonder he was so uptight when he was spending time with her.

 Did he fancy Huang Ying?

 Was a man’s love so fickle?

 With a heavy dose of inexplicable annoyance in her heart, Nangong Bi said coldly, “Okay! I know!”

 With that, she turned around and darted away quickly.

 Hu Dapao abruptly sat up straight, wanting to stop her for a moment. Alas, in the end, he did nothing and said nothing.

 What would he say to her even if he stopped her?

 At this point, what could be said had been said. She had decided to go, so there was no meaning to ask her to stay.

 The man laid back, annoyed. The tenderness and excitement in his chest disappeared, leaving behind nothing but a sense of loss.

 Hu Dapao, what else did you expect?

 Your goddess didn’t like you!

 Her short-lived tenderness to you was only because of her guilt. Did you have to fall into the trap and remain trapped inside once again?

 Although, had he ever gotten out of it?

 The man laughed self-deprecatingly and slowly closed his eyes.

 If what was behind that moment of light turned out to be endless darkness, he would rather not have that moment of light. At least, he would not have such a difficult time in his current dark void.

 Thus, by not giving him any expectations, staying away was a kind gesture to him!