When Xie Queshan finished his discussions and returned to his tent, it was already deep into the night. Nanyi had actually been waiting in his tent the entire time.
Seeing him return, she instead put on an act of stern disapproval, though inwardly her anger had long since dissipated. She had spent the entire evening secretly worrying about the matter of the court envoy.
Having talked for so long, they should have reached some conclusion, right?
Knowing what was making her anxious, Xie Queshan first showed her a reassuring smile.
“Reinforcements will arrive soon.”
“Really?” Nanyi was so startled she nearly bounced up from her small stool.
Xie Queshan replied easily: “Would I lie to you?”
Nanyi looked at Xie Queshan with some distrust: “How could it be resolved so easily?”
“His Majesty trusts me and is determined to preserve Li Du Mansion. Isn’t that enough to make things easy?”
Nanyi remained half-convinced: “If His Majesty really thinks this way, then why haven’t reinforcements come all this time?”
“Overcoming opposition always takes some time.”
“You’re definitely not telling me something.”
Xie Queshan sighed—he truly couldn’t deceive this sharp-witted girl at all.
“Convincing the court officials really isn’t that easy. In special times, we need special methods. The army is actually already in Huaishuo City not far across the river, but without military orders they won’t come to Li Du Mansion. However, if the Qi people attack, they’ll send troops for self-protection…”
Nanyi immediately understood: “You want to use false intelligence to lure them into sending troops?”
Xie Queshan nodded: “When we achieve great victory, we’ll petition the court for forgiveness, but at least we’ll have resolved Li Du Mansion’s urgent crisis first.”
Only then did Nanyi nod in belief. For the envoy to bring such a risky strategy, His Majesty must have tacitly approved it.
The taut string in her heart loosened slightly. She looked up at Xie Queshan—while he was discussing official matters, his gaze was fixed directly on her. She studied his eyes carefully. How strange—there really wasn’t a trace of sadness in his eyes anymore. Lu Jinxiu had said such harsh words, and she’d thought that while he appeared fine on the surface, he must be harboring pain inside.
But after coming out from this discussion at the camp, his entire being had swept away the gloom, thoroughly clear… that must mean reinforcements really were coming? As Nanyi was lost in these thoughts, she suddenly realized that in the deep quiet of night, they were alone together, a man and woman, in a tent. Military discipline was strict, and normally she wouldn’t run to his tent—today was unavoidable circumstances. She became aware of the impropriety and felt somewhat embarrassed.
“That’s good then… I’ll go now.”
“Don’t you want to keep me company for a while?” He looked at her rather pitifully.
Nanyi cursed inwardly that she’d fallen for this man’s tricks again. When she’d come, she’d clearly warned herself not to give him any kind looks, but now her heart had softened to mush.
What had he done wrong? He should clearly be the most righteous person in this world—everyone owed him. But he was still too dignified. He wouldn’t argue and curse at people like she would, engaging in fierce but useless struggles.
Forget it. She would be his voice, helping him push back all those vicious words. Even if the whole world cursed him, she would clarify things one by one.
Her heart had reasoned it through, but she couldn’t help enjoying the secret pleasure of his quietly asking her to stay, while maintaining a somewhat unwilling and proud expression on her face.
“How can I keep you company? This is a military camp.”
He laughed: “What are you thinking?”
She hadn’t been thinking anything originally, but his words made her face flush red. Here he goes again! She huffily made to leave, but he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.
His chin rubbed against her shoulder, inexplicably somewhat docile.
“Did you put medicine on your face?”
“Second Sister still knows to feel sorry for me—she helped me apply medicine.”
“I feel sorry for you too.”
“Not as much as I feel sorry for you.” Saying this, Nanyi felt some genuine grievance. She didn’t want it to always be like this. Perhaps she empathized too deeply with his situation at every moment—her heart was completely led by him. She feared that at some point he might give up on himself again, feared she wouldn’t be able to pull him back. She desperately hoped everything would settle quickly. No matter what, it could only be the outcome she wanted to see—she wouldn’t accept any other possibility.
He held her longingly: “Yes, what would I do without you?”
Clearly these were coaxing, playful words, tinged with laughter, yet they revealed sincerity and vulnerability. When did he ever say such sweet talk normally? During battles he was especially serious with a stern face every day, but now his mouth was impossibly sweet.
Perhaps it was the good news from the court that allowed him to relax slightly too.
Being held by him made her entire body feel somewhat heated, and her previously focused mind suddenly began thinking inappropriate thoughts.
She quickly stopped her wandering thoughts, twisted a bit, and slipped out of his embrace, feigning disgust: “I just bathed at Wangxue Cottage when I returned. You haven’t washed in days—if you keep holding me, your sour smell will transfer to me.”
Xie Queshan uncertainly sniffed his sleeve: “Do I?”
“Of course you do.”
“Then you sleep first. I’ll go to the river to rinse off.”
“Hey—”
Before she could react, he quickly grabbed clothes hanging on the rack and left the tent.
What did he mean “you sleep first”? Sleep here? What would that look like? People were coming and going outside the tent—any sound would be heard clearly. If someone saw, who knew what gossip would spread!
She wasn’t staying here!
But when Xie Queshan returned, the candle in the tent had been extinguished, and someone was lying bulkily under the covers. He silently grinned and quietly slipped under the blanket.
He embraced her from behind.
She guiltily pretended to be asleep, not moving at all, but felt his robes that hadn’t yet been warmed by body heat pressed against her back, still carrying the cool of night wind and river water. Soon that bit of coolness was warmed to burning by his embrace.
His breath brushed faintly against her neck—he’d probably run back, as his breathing was somewhat rough.
Her heart felt like a thousand ants were leisurely crawling across it.