Chapter 79: On Guard by Day, Drawn Close by Night

Wei Lan’s concerns were clearly not unfounded.

After that day, quite a few people were vaguely monitoring the movements of the Lu residence.

Since that day, Hang Shuyao had even transferred sixteen more people from the Lu residence’s servant boys.

She divided these sixteen people into two teams of eight each, taking turns patrolling the outer perimeter of the Lu residence’s walls, specifically to ensure the safety of the residence.

Similarly, Lu Zijin also sent two shadow guards to monitor Chen Zhou’s movements.

If anything happened, the shadow guards would naturally come to report.

As for Wei Wenyuan, the fifty taels of silver he had received were stolen by the thugs in the alley.

He was also severely beaten, losing four of his front teeth.

He ended up living in even more miserable conditions than before.

***

After more than a month of long travel, Fan Chuan and her group had finally crossed into the borders of Zhuozhou.

In just a few more days, they would be able to return to the Marshal’s residence in Zhuozhou.

Shen Lingwei lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked outside.

Layer upon layer of mountains came into view.

The northern border was located in the north, and after autumn arrived, it already felt a bit cold.

She leaned by the window and looked out for a while, then withdrew her gaze.

They hadn’t traveled too urgently these days, so Shen Lingwei hadn’t fallen ill again.

Seeing the sun setting in the west, they would probably be spending another night in the wilderness tonight.

The front of the column had already stopped.

The soldiers began setting up camp on this flat stretch of land.

Fan Chuan rode up from the middle of the column.

She brought her horse close to the carriage window, then lifted the curtain and looked inside.

“Come stay in my tent with me tonight.

The carriage is too small.

I’m afraid you won’t sleep comfortably.”

Ever since Shen Lingwei had fallen ill last time, Fan Chuan had reflected on her own carelessness.

A Kunze’s constitution was inherently weak; she should take good care of Shen Lingwei.

“Alright.

Then thank you, Marshal.”

Shen Lingwei smiled and nodded at her.

Fan Chuan nodded slightly, then rode off again.

The soldiers worked very quickly.

Soon, the central command tent was set up.

Fan Chuan came to the carriage to escort Shen Lingwei.

“My lady, the tent is ready.

Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Shen Lingwei lifted the carriage curtain and saw Fan Chuan standing below, reaching out to help her.

The corners of Shen Lingwei’s mouth lifted slightly.

She gave her hand to Fan Chuan and, with her help, stepped down from the carriage.

“Let’s go.

It’s over there.

In a few more days, we should be back at the Marshal’s residence.”

Fan Chuan led Shen Lingwei towards the central command tent.

The ground in the wilderness was uneven.

Afraid Shen Lingwei might fall, Fan Chuan kept one hand lightly behind Shen Lingwei’s waist.

The smile in Shen Lingwei’s eyes grew even brighter.

She followed Fan Chuan into the tent.

Fan Chuan’s tent was about twice the size of an ordinary soldier’s.

In the front was a low desk for the commander.

Behind the desk was a screen.

Behind the screen was a bed about one and a half meters wide.

“Have a seat first.

I’ll go have them make a fire and prepare the meal.”

Fan Chuan had Shen Lingwei sit behind the desk to rest.

She left the tent and came back in after a while.

When she returned, she was carrying a kettle filled with boiled water.

Fan Chuan took out her own set of cups and poured hot water for herself and Shen Lingwei.

“It’ll be a while before the food is ready.

Have some hot water to warm up.

It gets a bit cold in the wilderness at night.

We’ll rest early.”

“Mm.”

Shen Lingwei looked at Fan Chuan and nodded.

All along this journey, she had become accustomed to Fan Chuan’s care.

Apart from not having consummated their marriage, she and Fan Chuan seemed like a newlywed couple.

Soon, a soldier brought up the meal.

Soft, steamed flatbreads, and the dishes were dried meat and vegetable soup, along with two plates of pickled vegetables.

Conditions in the wilderness were basic, after all.

Afraid Shen Lingwei might not be used to it, Fan Chuan said softly, “I’m sorry, the conditions are poor out here.

Please make do.

In a few days, when we’re back at the Marshal’s residence, you can have the kitchen make whatever you want.”

“It’s fine.

This is already very good.”

Shen Lingwei smiled at Fan Chuan.

She wiped her hands with a cloth, then tore off a piece of flatbread and took a bite.

Fan Chuan used a spoon to ladle some dried meat soup into Shen Lingwei’s bowl, then served herself.

The dried meat could actually be eaten as is, but making it into a soup with wild vegetables made it more flavorful and easier to chew.

Shen Lingwei took a spoonful of the soup.

The taste was very simple, barely drinkable.

But they were out in the wilderness, and she wasn’t a fussy person, so she drank it slowly.

Fan Chuan, on the other hand, ate much faster.

By now, she had already eaten one flatbread and finished most of the soup in her bowl.

Before long, Shen Lingwei had finished the small piece of flatbread in her hand.

Fan Chuan naturally noticed and quickly asked, “Would you like more?”

Shen Lingwei quickly shook her head.

“I’m full.

You go ahead.”

“Alright.”

Seeing that Shen Lingwei was really finished, Fan Chuan ate the remaining half of the flatbread, along with the rest of the dried meat soup.

Even though she knew Fan Chuan had a large appetite, Shen Lingwei still couldn’t help but look at her curiously.

Fan Chuan’s body shape was about the same as hers.

How did she eat so much without gaining weight?

Shen Lingwei’s gaze fell on Fan Chuan’s body.

Fan Chuan was still wearing her armor.

Shen Lingwei said, “Let me help you take off your armor.

You’ve been wearing it all day.

Aren’t you tired?”

“It’s fine.

I’m used to it.”

Fan Chuan smiled at her, then stood up and very cooperatively walked to the wooden rack where her armor was stored.

Shen Lingwei also walked over.

She reached her arms around Fan Chuan’s back, untying the armor’s belt.

Then she began to remove the other pieces of armor, one by one.

The armor was a bit too heavy for her; some parts she could barely lift.

How could Fan Chuan not be tired, wearing this on her body all day?

Thinking this, Shen Lingwei’s brow furrowed slightly.

After the armor was removed, Fan Chuan had the soldier take away the bowls and plates from the desk and also had someone boil some hot water.

Conditions in the wilderness were basic, but they could at least wash their faces.

Soon, a personal guard brought in a basin of hot water.

Water was scarce in the wilderness.

The place they were camping today wasn’t along a river, so this bit of water was even more precious.

Fan Chuan called Shen Lingwei over.

“You wash first.

It’s getting late.

We’ll rest early.”

“Mm, okay.”

Shen Lingwei looked at Fan Chuan, smiled at her, then walked to the simple wooden rack.

She wet a cloth with warm water and gently wiped her face.

After she finished washing, Fan Chuan walked over and used the water Shen Lingwei had just used to wash her own face.

Then she dried her cheeks with a cotton cloth nearby.

Shen Lingwei’s eyes curved.

Fan Chuan didn’t seem to mind that the water had been used by her.

She waited by Fan Chuan’s side.

Seeing she was done washing, she said, “Will you be handling military affairs tonight?

If not, let’s rest early.”

“Okay.”

Fan Chuan nodded.

By now, they had entered the borders of Zhuozhou, and her heart was a little more at ease.

But when they reached the bed, Shen Lingwei stepped forward again, instinctively wanting to help her undress.

Fan Chuan, however, stepped back.

She smelled herself and felt she was covered in sweat.

So she said, “I’ll do it myself.

I’ve been wearing my armor all day.

I smell.

You might be bothered.”

Shen Lingwei, however, stepped closer to Fan Chuan again.

She reached out and took hold of Fan Chuan’s belt, stopping her from stepping back.

She leaned slightly closer to Fan Chuan’s neck and sniffed, smiling.

“No.

There’s no smell.

Let me help you undress.”

Fan Chuan’s heart raced from Shen Lingwei just leaning in like that.

She quickly averted her gaze.

“Alright.

I’m indebted to you.”

Shen Lingwei saw that Fan Chuan didn’t dare look at her again, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

She walked in front of Fan Chuan, smiling as she looked at her, while her arms reached around to Fan Chuan’s back and unclasped the belt buckle.

She then stepped back slightly and began to slowly untie Fan Chuan’s garment sashes.

By the time Shen Lingwei had helped her undress, Fan Chuan was almost sweating.

Even though Shen Lingwei had helped her undress many times, she still felt inexplicably nervous each time.

The two got into bed one after another.

Since they were on the march, Fan Chuan’s bed wasn’t very large.

Afraid of crowding Shen Lingwei, she only slept on the very edge.

Fan Chuan’s action amused Shen Lingwei.

She smiled and reached out to tug at Fan Chuan’s wrist.

“Marshal, move further in.

It looks like you’re about to fall off.”

“Alright.”

Fan Chuan moved in a bit, but still could only lie on her side.

The bed was only about one and a half meters wide; two people lying flat probably wouldn’t fit.

But the two were exhausted from the long journey, and soon fell asleep.

The temperature in the wilderness at night was very low, even with a tent and blankets.

The two, sleeping fitfully, unconsciously hugged each other.

Shen Lingwei ended up sleeping in Fan Chuan’s arms.

Early the next morning, when Fan Chuan woke up, she felt something in her arms.

She opened her eyes and saw Shen Lingwei sleeping in her embrace.

Fan Chuan’s earlobes flushed slightly.

She was a bit flustered.

She wanted to reach out and help Shen Lingwei up, but was afraid of waking her.

She hesitated for a long time.

Her gaze unconsciously fell on Shen Lingwei’s face.

Shen Lingwei’s skin was fair as snow, her features very beautiful.

Her gaze traced from Shen Lingwei’s brow down to her lips.

Shen Lingwei’s lips were naturally pink and tender; even without rouge, they were very beautiful.

Fan Chuan suddenly came to her senses, breaking out in a cold sweat.

No good.

Shen Lingwei was, after all, someone the old emperor had sent.

She couldn’t be fooled by her beauty.

Fan Chuan closed her eyes, not daring to look at Shen Lingwei any longer.

When she opened her eyes again, her emotions had calmed down a bit.

She couldn’t really be blamed.

The main issue was that Shen Lingwei was naturally beautiful and always gentle.

Fan Chuan really couldn’t muster any wariness towards her.

Fan Chuan told herself she shouldn’t be like this.

She mentally warned herself for a long time before finally calming down a bit.

Seeing that it was getting late, Fan Chuan reached out and gently patted Shen Lingwei’s back.

“My lady?

Wake up.

It’s time to get up.

We have to travel today.”

Shen Lingwei was sleeping soundly.

Hearing Fan Chuan’s voice, she opened her eyes.

But as soon as she did, she felt something was off.

When had she ended up in Fan Chuan’s arms?

Shen Lingwei’s pretty face turned completely red.

She sat up from Fan Chuan’s arms.

“I’m…

I’m sorry.

Did I crush you?”

Seeing that Shen Lingwei seemed a bit shy, Fan Chuan inexplicably felt happy.

“It’s fine.

You’re not heavy.

Get up early.

We need to march.”

“Okay.”

Shen Lingwei sat on the bed and rested for a moment, then quickly got up to help Fan Chuan dress.

Fan Chuan had originally wanted to say no, but thinking she could never win an argument with Shen Lingwei, she simply opened her arms and let Shen Lingwei help her.

Shen Lingwei had also recovered by now.

The bed was so small, and it had been cold last night.

Even ending up sleeping with Fan Chuan wasn’t really her fault.

Besides, even if she and Fan Chuan hadn’t consummated their marriage, she was still her wife.

Sleeping together for one night was no big deal.

Thinking this, Shen Lingwei’s movements became much smoother.

As usual, as if being held by Fan Chuan, she reached her arms around Fan Chuan’s back and fastened the belt clasp.

“Wait for me.

I’ll help you put on your armor.”

As she spoke, Shen Lingwei hurriedly dressed herself, as if afraid Fan Chuan wouldn’t wait for her.

Fan Chuan smiled and shook her head.

After Shen Lingwei finished dressing, she helped Fan Chuan put on her armor.

The two washed up slightly, ate some more flatbread and hot soup, and then began to break camp.

By the time the whole column was on the road again, the sky was already bright.