On the day of the surprise attack on Panlong Gully, Lin Zhao had also experienced a close brush with death.

Seeing Lin Yao now, she couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional, but she wasn’t one to be sentimental.

She just grunted softly, “Brother.”

Lin Yao reached out and tousled her neatly braided hair into a mess, saying, “You, this girl, how many times have you been caught now? Stop getting yourself into trouble in the future!”

Lin Zhao retorted, “Last time it was Wu Xiao who betrayed me! This time, didn’t we protect Qiyun Village?”

Lin Yao couldn’t help but laugh at her frustration. “You were the one rushing to protect Qiyun Village?”

Lin Zhao fixed her messy braid, muttering, “I couldn’t just stand by and watch Sister Azheng being taken away alone.”

Wang Biao chimed in, “Big Brother, as long as Miss Azheng is back safe, you don’t have to keep scolding her.”

Wang Biao and Lin Yao were brothers, and he also saw Lin Zhao as a sister.

Hearing Lin Zhao’s words, Lin Yao sighed and didn’t scold her anymore.

“The people of Qiyun Village indeed owe Mrs. Cheng a huge favor.”

Lin Zhao remembered the days she and Qin Zheng were trapped in the villa, the various methods the official used to make Qin Zheng happy.

She couldn’t help but worry for the couple.

Looking around and not seeing Qin Zheng and Chu Chengji, she asked, “Where did Sister Azheng and her husband go?”

Sister Azheng and the official were betrothed to each other.

Sister Azheng didn’t remember, but her husband did.

It would be best if these two didn’t have any grudges.

Wang Biao pointed to a tree stump, “They’re over there.”

Lin Zhao sneakily glanced over and saw Chu Chengji sitting on a large rock, rolling up his sleeves to reveal half of his arm.

Qin Zheng was crouched beside him, carefully bandaging the wound on his arm with a strip of cloth.

The two of them looked quite affectionate, not like they had any grievances. Lin Zhao finally relaxed.

Chu Chengji had several cuts on his arms from clamping down on the spears.

He carried medicinal powder with him, and Qin Zheng applied it to his wounds before carefully bandaging them with torn strips of cloth.

Although he had been in Shen Yanzhi’s hands for several days and had some grievances with him, Chu Chengji hadn’t mentioned a word about it from the road to now.

Qin Zheng didn’t know if he didn’t intend to ask or if he planned to ask after they returned.

After some thought, she broached the subject, “How did you know we would be taken out of the city today, husband?”

“Today, when we entered the city, we happened to encounter a messenger being intercepted and killed by the officials outside the city.

By chance, we rescued him and found out that he was delivering a letter to the magistrate of Qingzhou, accusing Shen Yanzhi of harboring you.

After entering the city, we learned that the magistrate of Qingzhou had been raided.

I figured Shen Yanzhi would have known about the letter, so I guessed he would transfer you overnight and had people watch the movements of the villa.

The ambush was set up after you left through the east city gate,” Chu Chengji explained calmly.

He was usually concise with his words, so explaining this much was rare for him.

In the woods at night, there were many mosquitoes.

Chu Chengji had already killed many with his sword.

He didn’t light a torch for fear of revealing their location.

Qin Zheng’s eyesight wasn’t as good as his, so she couldn’t see the mosquito corpses around her.

She thought he was just poking the ground with his sword out of boredom.

Recalling the scene where he fought the soldiers alone on the road, Qin Zheng still felt a bit frightened.

She pursed her lips and said, “Dealing with the soldiers alone was too risky.”

“Warfare is all about deception,” Chu Chengji replied calmly.

As long as he could win unexpectedly, it was good enough.

Bringing more people to face the enemy head-on would only result in more lives lost to arrows and spears.

Every time he talked about military strategy, Qin Zheng always felt that he was distant from her, yet she also had the strange feeling that he was trying to make her understand him.

This thought was abrupt and somewhat strange, just like when she saw him fighting the soldiers alone, she always felt that there was another person’s shadow on him.

Qin Zheng didn’t say anything more about the matter and finished tying the bandage.

Chu Chengji pulled down his sleeve and stood up to get the water bottle from the horse.

When she reached out to take it, their fingertips accidentally touched, causing a slight tingling sensation.

She pretended nothing had happened, uncorked the bottle, took a few sips to moisten her throat, and handed the bottle back to Chu Chengji.

There was still a little water left in the bottle.

He took it and drank it all in one gulp.

His Adam’s apple moved gracefully as he swallowed, giving off an inexplicable charm that made one want to lightly bite it.

Seeing this scene, Qin Zheng remembered that she had just drunk from this bottle.

A flush rose to her face.

She quickly averted her gaze, telling herself that there was only one water bottle on the horse and there was no need to be so particular about it while traveling.

After drinking the water, Chu Chengji closed the bottle and put it back on the horse.

At that moment, Wang Biao’s loud voice came from the opposite direction, “Strategist, everyone is ready to go! We can set off now!”

If the soldiers caught up to the east city gate and realized that they were actually chasing Shen Yanzhi’s group, they would definitely turn back to search.

They had to hurry.

The people Lin Yao brought back didn’t have horses, but the villagers took some of Shen Yanzhi’s horses, so they didn’t need to ride together.

Qin Zheng could only ride with Chu Chengji.

When he mounted the horse, Qin Zheng wanted to return his outer robe to him, but Chu Chengji’s gaze darkened as he looked at her.

He only said three words, “Keep it on.”

Qin Zheng knew he meant well, but she had felt a bit cold even with his outer robe covering her while sitting on the horse.

He only wore a single layer of clothing and would be even colder than her.

She shook her head firmly. “The temperature drops sharply at night. You should wear it, husband.”

Chu Chengji looked at her for a long time before taking the robe but not putting it on.

Instead, he reached out his hand to her.

Seeing his slight displeasure, Qin Zheng smiled and handed over her hand.

Almost the moment his large palm grasped her hand, Qin Zheng was lifted into the air and landed steadily on the horse’s back.

Chu Chengji immediately draped the outer robe over her, wrapping her tightly.

His voice was calm as he said, “You were wearing a cloak earlier. It’s chilly in spring, and suddenly losing your extra layer can make you catch a cold.”

Before Qin Zheng could say anything, he urged the horse forward to catch up with the rest of the Qi Yun Village group.

Seeing Qin Zheng bundled up like a dumpling in Chu Chengji’s embrace, most of the villagers couldn’t help but stifle their laughter.

Some bold ones joked, “When it comes to pampering one’s wife, no one in our village can surpass the strategist. Look at this, isn’t it the same as carrying a person in your pocket?”

The one riding in front turned his head to look and chuckled along with the rest.

Qin Zheng had thick skin in other matters but was thin-skinned when it came to emotions.

She blushed as she turned to look at Chu Chengji.

Just then, the road ahead was rough, causing the horse to bump, and Qin Zheng’s nose bumped into Chu Chengji’s jaw.

The pain made her see stars, and her entire face pressed against his neck due to the force.

Her soft lips brushed against his Adam’s apple, causing Chu Chengji’s body to stiffen for a moment, and the hand holding the reins tightened involuntarily.

Qin Zheng didn’t notice at all and thought he was hurt.

She quickly raised her hand to massage him and asked, “Did I hurt you?”

Her hands were delicate and tender, gently rubbing his jaw.

He tried to look back at her, but the impact had caused his nose to tear up involuntarily, making his usually clear eyes appear misty.

Chu Chengji’s expression grew even colder.

He grabbed her wrist, which was as white as snow, and pushed it back into her sleeve.

His voice was slightly hoarse as he said, “No.”

His grip on her wrist was a bit firm, his lips pressed tightly together, as if he was trying to restrain something.

After a while, he released her and rubbed her nose, asking, “Feeling better?”

Qin Zheng wasn’t that sensitive.

Although her nose still felt a bit sore from the impact earlier, she shook her head and said, “I’m fine now.”

Chu Chengji withdrew his hand, and the two of them remained silent for the rest of the journey.

Being wrapped up in his embrace felt warm and comforting, like leaning against a big furnace.

The chill of the night wind dissipated, and the scent of cedarwood, which was soothing, filled Qin Zheng’s nostrils.

She felt drowsy and struggled to stay awake, but eventually, her eyelids gave in and closed.

Feeling her steady breathing, Chu Chengji gently pulled the reins, slowing down the horse’s speed.

They had passed several mountains and were shrouded in darkness, so the pursuers should not be able to catch up now.

He looked down at Qin Zheng’s peaceful sleeping face and murmured softly, “Have you not slept well these past few days?”

After walking for dozens of miles and reaching the waterway, Lin Yao and the others arrived at the place where they had parked the boat.

They waited for half an hour before they saw Chu Chengji leisurely riding towards them.

Lin Yao had intended to make a joke and ask why they were so slow, but when he saw Qin Zheng sleeping soundly on the horse, he couldn’t help but look surprised and asked in a low voice, “Did she fall asleep on the way?”

Chu Chengji nodded lightly, and the others also instinctively quieted down.

Perhaps smelling the familiar scent, Qin Zheng slept deeply, and Chu Chengji carried her off the horse without waking her up.

Lin Yao watched Chu Chengji’s gentle movements as he carried Qin Zheng onto the boat.

He rubbed his arms, which had goosebumps, and said to Wang Biao, “Men who are tied down by women are truly terrifying. I’ll never be able to do this for any woman in my life. I prefer to be free.”

As Lin Zhao passed by, she rolled her eyes and said, “If you could marry a sister-in-law like Sister Zheng, I’d kowtow to you three times whenever I see you in the future.”

The siblings bantered with each other, and the people in the village were already used to it.

They boarded the boat one after another.

---

The cavalry, who had been relentlessly pursuing Shen Yanzhi’s group, finally arrived at the east city gate, planning to launch a pincer attack.

However, when they reached the gate, they saw that the lights were on, and the group they had been chasing turned out to be Shen Yanzhi.

Shen Yanzhi initially thought that the pursuers behind him were bandits from various mountain factions colluding together.

When he saw that it was the cavalry from the south city gate, he was almost so angry that he spat out blood.

Escaping with about a hundred men in such a sorry state, it turned out that they had fallen for the enemy’s trap!

Thinking of Qin Zheng’s resolute departure towards Chu Chengji, his heart ached again.

This pain was a thousand times stronger than the pain she had caused him when she disappeared after regretting the marriage and fleeing from the Eastern Palace.

Back then, he knew she was still waiting for him.

Even if he lived like a walking corpse, as long as he knew she was waiting for him, even if it was in hell, he would go to her.

But now, she had turned and thrown herself into another man’s arms, and that man was Chu Chengji!

A surge of blood surged in his chest, and Shen Yanzhi couldn’t even tell whether it was anger or jealousy.

Everything in front of him seemed to be covered in a bloody haze, his chest felt tight, and his limbs felt like they were weighed down by lead.

A fierce black hatred extended through his body along with his blood.

There was a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, and he clenched the collar of his clothes tightly against his chest, as if this could alleviate the dull pain in his heart.

There was no light in his dark eyes, and a fragile smile appeared on his pale face.

She had simply chosen another man. What’s the big deal?

Just kill him.

If he killed the man who looked exactly like Chu Chengji but wasn’t Chu Chengji, she would come back to him.

After returning to the mansion, the doctor diagnosed Shen Yanzhi’s pulse and advised him to rest well, but Shen Yanzhi asked his guards to bring him a map of Liangshan.

His personal guard, Chen Qing, was severely injured and couldn’t leave the ground.

The other guards didn’t understand Shen Yanzhi’s temper and tried to persuade him, “My lord, it’s late at night. You should rest first and look at it tomorrow.”

Shen Yanzhi sneered, “This prince will attack Liangshan tomorrow.”

The guard widened his eyes, “To…tomorrow, I’m afraid the order to mobilize troops has already been sent.”

Shen Yanzhi applied force with his fingertips and broke a wolf hair brush in half, “Then let the order to mobilize troops arrive a few days late!”

The loss of Minzhou was nothing more than a loss, but Minzhou belonged to Li Xin, which fell into the hands of Huaiyang Wang.

What did it have to do with him?

Although he was in a fit of anger, Shen Yanzhi was extremely clear-headed.

The Lu family in Yingzhou was now joining hands with Huaiyang Wang to attack Minzhou.

Obviously, they wanted to divert the thirty thousand elite soldiers from his hands.

Once he left, the former crown prince, together with the mountain bandits inside Qingzhou City, would easily take over Qingzhou City!

Losing both Minzhou and Qingzhou would not be worth the gain.

Shen Yanzhi pressed his temples and ordered in a deep voice, “Go and investigate the secrets of the former royal family, especially those related to the former crown prince. Leave no stone unturned.”

The person who appeared tonight was definitely not the former crown prince.

It was understandable that Qin Zheng would be confused by such a person, but that didn’t mean that the man shouldn’t die!

---

Two Yan Mountain.

When the boat docked, it was already the middle of the night.

Qin Zheng was awakened by the sound of the signal flare exploding only when the people on the boat signaled that they were their own.

Opening her eyes, she found herself lying in Chu Chengji’s arms.

With just a glance, she could see his perfectly chiseled jawline and the starry sky above.

This scene was too much like a dream, and Qin Zheng’s brain stalled for a second.

Chu Chengji patiently waited for a moment, seeing that she showed no intention of getting up, he said in a gentle tone, “We’ve disembarked. You can sleep when we get back.”

Fully regaining her senses, Qin Zheng remembered that she had fallen asleep on horseback and hurriedly got up.

She was shocked herself.

What kind of nerve did she have to fall asleep directly halfway through the journey? She was usually not so careless.

Qin Zheng felt a bit embarrassed and dared not look at Chu Chengji.

She secretly criticized herself for being fortunate that she was not with someone else, or else she wouldn’t even know if she had been sold.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Qin Zheng suddenly realized, did she already trust Chu Chengji so much subconsciously?

As they walked on the rugged mountain road after returning to the stronghold, Qin Zheng occasionally glanced at Chu Chengji, her expression subtle.

Back at the stronghold, he didn’t wear the mask anymore.

In the soft moonlight, his face could be described as ethereal and exceptional.

When Qin Zheng looked up at him again, she didn’t pay attention to where she was stepping and almost tripped.

Fortunately, Chu Chengji reached out in time to support her.

He glanced at her sideways and said, “Watch your step.”

Though he didn’t release his grip on her fair wrist, as if he wanted to help her walk steadily through this rugged mountain path.

Qin Zheng trailed a half-step behind him, watching him hold her wrist.

For some reason, she remembered the question he asked on horseback, “Will you come with me?”

She shook the hand held by him and whispered, “I’m following you, sir.”

Although it sounded like a response to “Watch your step,” Chu Chengji’s steps suddenly paused, and the grip on her wrist tightened.

The gaze he cast down at her made Qin Zheng’s heart tremble.