Cao Peizhi did not know that Lin Ning would speak out since she said that she only wanted to listen but ended up talking out to the two old generals who never took any sides. “She always does the unexpected. Maybe that is why I fell in love with her.” Cao Peizhi started to recall memories of when the two of them met at Empress Dowager’s birthday. None of them wanted to be in the palace that day, and they met out in the garden. He was able to see what kind of person she was, and he found that it was a beautiful scene—hoping that he was the only one who would ever see her like that.

“I can see that you love her dearly. You better hurry and get a wedding going, or else there won’t ever be one.” Yi Changpu kind of teased his friend, seeing his expression go dark.

“I will be taking my leave.” Cao Peizhi left the tent, leaving all the mess for the soldiers to clean up.

“Tsk, tsk. He needs to hurry because I do not know what will happen if the second prince tries to take her back once he finds out that she is alive.” Yi Changpu had heard that his brother was searching for Lin Ning since he did not believe she was caught up in all that fire. ‘He is one stubborn man. He won’t be happy with a love that cannot be returned.’ Yi Changpu knew that his brother should give up, but once he had his eyes set on something, he would never give up so easily and try to take something that isn't his.

***

Cao Peizhi had gone out of the tent to see Lin Ning petting Mei Mei, seeing the wolf happily yapping at her. ‘She is so beautiful.’ Cao Peizhi went up to hug Lin Ning from behind, which surprised her.

“Are you done?” Lin Ning knew what may have happened; she knew for a fact that the Crown Prince had already figured it out. ‘At least they were able to get rid of the Zhao Empress’s servants sooner than the novel time. If they didnt, then they would be in danger again.’

“Mhm, just exhausted now.” Cao Peizhi inhaled her sweet flowery scent which soothed him.

“You can go and have a relaxing bath first.” Lin Ning laid one of her hands on his cheek from behind, hoping that he could relax a little more. ‘He always seems so busy when I read about him in the novel. It's as if he never had a day to himself.’ Hoping that he will be able to relax more in the future.

“There is a place that I want to take you to. I don’t know if it will be great for you since…” Cao Peizhi did not want to sound mean or rude.

Lin Ning knew that he did not want to be mean by mentioning her eyes. “It does not matter if I can see or not. Being able to hear is enough, and since you want to show it to me then, I do not mind. Whatever you show me, I will know genuinely accept it since it is part of your affection for me.”

Chu~

Lin Ning placed a kiss on his cheek, hoping that he would take her to the place that he wanted to show her. Cao Peizhi had to calm down for a second; he then had them both get up and head over to his horse. “Mei Mei, can you stay here for today?” Cao Peizhi asked the wolf, hoping that she would not come along.

Mei Mei could see that Lin Ning had a lot of affection for the man she was going with. “Arrgghh!” She barked back in response, being sure to sit down and wait for them to come back. ‘As long as you both come back to me. Do not abandon me.’

Cao Peizhi had a smile on his face, seeing that the wolf understood him. Lin Ning was surprised to know that Mei Mei listened to someone other than her. “Mei Mei, we will be back soon! Be sure to eat!” Lin Ning shouted before they had gone off out of the campsite.

***

“Where are they headed?” Xu Meili watched the couple leave, making her curious to see them leave so soon.

“Maybe they just need some alone time. You never know.” Yi Changpu came out of nowhere, looking at Xu Meili, who wasn’t surprised that he just popped up.

Xu Meili decided it was about time to have dinner, going to the kitchen with Yi Changpu following after her. “You don’t want to come with me?” Yi Changpu found that both women were very different, but Xu Meili was amusing for him.

Xu Meili ignored him, entering the kitchen to find another couple in it. “Ling, we have to make sure that it is not old or growing mold!”

“What do you mean?! I’ve eaten food that had mold before! It’s not bad. It is like growing tolerance against poison!” Xia Ling and Shi Men were arguing over a bowl of food that was either bad or not.

“I will not allow you to eat this! I will make you something that will be better to eat.” Shi Men said.

Xu Meili and Yi Changpu watched the couple from the entrance, seeing that they were very entertaining. “Ahem! Are you both done arguing like a wife and husband!” Yi Changpu did not know how long they were going to argue, so he decided to speak out to the two of them.

“AAAHHH!!!!” Xia Ling was startled, dropping the bowl of food onto the ground. “That was a waste.” She looked sadly at the bowl of food on the ground.

“Tch! Come with me!” Shi Men dragged Xia Ling with him, taking them outside while leaving Xu Meili alone with Yi Changpu.

Xu Meili watched the couple leave, seeing that they did not clean up the mess. “Hm, quite an interesting border if I say so on my part. It does not even seem like a place that would take life, but more like a place that seems to bloom more life than death.” Xu Meili was then hugged from behind by Yi Changpu.

“Do you want to be part of that bloom?” Yi Changpu whispered from behind.

Xu Meili flicked his forehead, ensuring that he gave them both some space. “Not in a million years.” She replied, heading to see if there was anything else in the kitchen that she could find to use and cook. Yi Changpu knew that it was not his place to cook, but he figured it would not be wrong to know.

***

Hun Cuifen was cleaning up her tent, seeing how it had been some time since she last cleaned up since she had been too immersed in creating something that Lin Ning wanted her to make. “Did you need help with cleaning?” Qin Yun entered into her tent, seeing that there was quite a mess going on in the tent.

“You’ve helped me a lot. I can’t keep bothering you.” She said to him.

“I don’t mind. I find it nice to take care of you.”

Catching her attention, she found herself blushing at his words and simply allowed him to clean up with her. ‘He is too nice.’ Seeing how not all men were alike since she only encountered men who wanted something in return, but he wanted nothing.