Chapter 113 Between the Clouds (Part 3) No one is as important as you. ...

Zhi Rou was awakened by the sound of bugles from the military camp.

The soldiers of Changfeng Camp got up before dawn. By the time the sun had just begun to rise, they had already marched around the drill ground in formation. They were still far from their tents, but the sheer scale of the battle made it impossible for them to even get a moment's rest.

Zhi Rou lay on the bed for a while, covering her ears, before finally getting up and putting on her boots.

Wei Yuanzhan's clothes, broad-shouldered and long, seemed ill-fitting on her, making her appear frail, as if she might be blown away by the wind at any moment. Yet, she was quite tall and extremely strong, and looking in the mirror, she looked awkward no matter what.

Zhi Rou changed back into her original clothes, stepped out of the folding screen, and saw two copper basins and water drying on the table. After washing up, she went out with a solemn expression, only to have her view blocked by a broad and sturdy back.

Hearing the voice from inside the tent, Lan Ye turned around, gave Zhi Rou a slight bow, and then said, "My master went to the training ground and specifically told Fourth Miss to get up and let me take you to try some military specialties."

Zhi Rou glanced at him suspiciously, then chuckled softly, "What trick?"

She still remembered Wei Yuanzhan's teasing last night and was resentful.

Last night was truly an awkward situation; she could only pretend to be asleep, which gave him the upper hand. Hearing Lan Ye mention "special features," she inexplicably felt that this was another trap set by Wei Yuanzhan, waiting for her to fall into it.

Zhi Rou was unwilling to let him succeed. She glanced at him and naturally stepped towards another tent: "I want to go see Su Du first."

“A northerner, is he really worth Fourth Miss’s concern…” Lan Ye frowned beside her, keeping her voice low, afraid that Zhi Rou would hear, yet also afraid that she wouldn’t hear.

Upon entering the tent, Changhuai glanced at Zhirou, slightly surprised, then lowered his eyes and called out, "Fourth Miss."

Zhi Rou smiled and responded to him, then walked to the bedside.

She stood far away, not even half a step beyond the screen, maintaining a respectful distance.

A pine resin oil lamp was lit in the tent. Su Du sat on the edge of the bed, his face still showing signs of illness. Hearing the sound, he glanced at Zhi Rou for a fleeting moment without making a sound, but did not speak.

Zhi Rou frowned, then suddenly turned her head and said, "Um... I'm hungry. I want to try the military specialties that Wei Yuanzhan mentioned."

Chang Huai met her gaze first, and was stunned for a moment: "Flatbread?"

She looked back blankly.

This was something Wei Yuanzhan had instructed Lan Ye to do. Since the Fourth Miss had taken an interest, he accepted the order and replied, "I'll go." He then stepped out of the military tent.

Chang Huai didn't leave. Seeing Zhi Rou's gaze fixed on him, he observed her expression, composed himself, and withdrew.

As the curtains opened and closed, Su Du turned his gaze to Zhi Rou and said softly to her, "Miss Song is truly ingenious."

Zhi Rou was not used to his way of speaking. She raised an eyebrow slightly, but before she could respond, she heard him say, "You saved my life. Say what you want to say."

His tone was flat, but compared to before, it was more sincere, without a trace of embellishment.

"I'm not here to criticize you. I want to ask, the person you're pursuing..." She pursed her lips, unsure how to phrase it, and finally asked, "Is he useful?"

Su Du stared at her silently for a long time after hearing this, her eyes still red, her brows tired, but the color in her eyes had deepened: "It seems that Zhao Xun has told you everything."

Zhi Rou retorted, "Is there something I shouldn't know?"

At first, there was no such thing. Su Du just felt that he had committed too many killings, and that wherever he went, there was always bloodshed. So there was no need for her to see it, otherwise she would be afraid of him.

But on that day on the cliff, he did not want to mention the filth.

"Are you going back to the city today?" Su Du suddenly asked.

Zhi Rou suppressed her doubts and nodded.

He asked, "Please tell Zhao Xun that if anyone who followed me out of the city that night has died, please make sure they are properly buried."

You haven't answered my question yet.

“Useless,” Su Duping said in a flat voice, his eyes as deep as abyss, repeating, “That person is useless.”

A light drizzle suddenly began to fall. A line of carriages and horses traveled along the official road, their ruts crushing the scattered leaves and leaving fine, uneven tracks.

This trip back to his hometown was to temporarily avoid the brunt of his political enemies. Han Rui, with his military background, naturally understood the principle of biding his time. However, he couldn't shake his wariness. A third of the servants in his entourage were all strong and capable men. As Han Rui sat in the carriage drinking tea, his eyelids twitched, and he felt inexplicably uneasy.

The convoy moved a little slower, a yellow light shone overhead, he put down his cup and focused his gaze alertly on the car wall, listening to the faint sound of rain outside, his palms clenching slightly.

Suddenly, a scream came from nowhere, the carriage came to a screeching halt, and a heavy force shoved people forward, spilling tea all over the floor.

Han Rui gripped the window sill, sat up straight, opened the car door, and asked, "What happened?"

The servant examined the bone arrow in front of the carriage closely, then removed the tube attached to it and handed it into the carriage: "Master, someone shot something at us, it looks like... a letter."

"A letter?" Han Rui took it out and read it. When he reached the end, his expression changed slightly. He then got out of the car and looked into the distance in the direction from which the bone arrow had been shot.

Not far away, on a cliff, a banner fluttered in the glow of the sunset. Han Rui was shocked. After a long pause, he took a dozen or so strong servants and changed course to go up the mountain.

Su Du and others waited in front of the nearest cave.

Occasionally, a mountain bird would be startled and fly away, creating a rustling sound.

The road was deserted, except for one man; there was no one else in sight. The moment Han Rui recognized him, a clear look of astonishment flashed across his eyes.

Chang Jinchen briefly lived in a military camp with his father when he was young, and Han Rui met him there.

That figure, those exquisitely handsome features, gradually blended with the childlike appearance of that time, creating a subtle sense of familiarity: "You are Chang..."

Before he could finish speaking, the man interrupted, "Lord Han still remembers this flag."

The commander's flag, often seen, was bright red and imposing. On the flagpole, white feathers fluttered in the wind, and the characters written on the silk were powerful and vigorous, conveying a sense of impending dominance.

Han Rui turned his face slightly back and stared intently at Su Du. The initial flutter in his eyes had subsided, and he remained polite and composed: "Young master, you brought me up the mountain, surely not just to reminisce about old times?"

Seeing the tranquility around him, he felt even more at ease. He clasped his hands on his leather belt and smiled kindly, "Going alone, no wonder you are the son of a general, what courage."

Su Du smiled and said, "Lord Han is joking. What general's son is this? I am just here to admire Lord Han's talent and ask how I can serve His Highness Prince Zhao like Lord Han."

Han Rui said, “Young master, there’s no need for your sarcasm. I, Han Rui, am not the kind of person who would forget his former master or be ungrateful. Back then, when the general colluded with the northerners, I tried to persuade him gently, but what was the use? The general was determined to do his own thing, and I could only watch helplessly as my comrades were buried and their bones filled the river, my heart aching. Their souls are still without the protection of the gods, and they are all lonely ghosts.”

"Nonsense." A cold glint flashed in Su Du's eyes as he looked at him indifferently. "You, a man who would exchange children for victory, do you know how to protect the soul?"

Han Rui gritted his teeth upon hearing this, his gaze fixed on the person opposite him. After a moment, he shook his head and chuckled, "Young Master's appearance... truly resembles your father's."

Su Du had no patience to listen to his nonsense and was about to speak when he suddenly saw him put away his smile and say solemnly, "Whether you believe it or not, I have never wronged your father. Even if there is any connection, it was only to introduce someone to him."

"Who is it?" Su Du frowned slightly and tentatively asked, "Magnolia?"

"What?" Han Rui seemed to have heard something absurd. He stopped, then burst into laughter. "Your father wanted to emulate Emperor Ai of Han, not the 'Dong Xian' I offered."

Hearing his insolent words, Su pulled back his knuckles and bit out the words with viciousness: "You're asking for death."

At this moment, Han Rui looked at him with a sense of satisfaction. The little boy who used to only follow the general around causing trouble had now grown into a tall and outstanding young man: "What a pity...what a pity."

He could have lived a life of ignominy, but he had to run into the door at this crucial moment, which conveniently allowed him to be taken back to the capital, another achievement for the family.

Han Rui's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he turned to order, "Take him down."

...

Zhi Rou and Su Du could only exchange a few words before they sat in silence, looking at each other. Perhaps it was due to their differing stances, or perhaps it was out of empathy, but she couldn't force Su Du to be honest with her.

When Lan Ye returned to her tent, she tasted a piece of bread, smiled with clenched teeth and pursed lips, and after a long while said, "Not bad." Then she stood up and did not stay any longer.

Stepping outside, the sunlight was soft and delicate. Zhi Rou glanced at Chang Huai standing beside her. He looked back at her and immediately asked, "Where is Fourth Miss going?"

"Go home." There weren't many soldiers passing by the camp yet, and she didn't want to attract attention, but Wei Yuanzhan wasn't in sight.

Zhi Rou asked, "Is Wei Yuanzhan like this every day? May I... see him?"

“The master just went to inspect the training ground recently. It’s not impossible for the fourth young lady to go. However,” Changhuai said carefully, “there are many people and eyes there. For now, only a few guards and military doctors know that the fourth young lady and Su Du have entered the camp.”

Zhi Rou naturally had reservations, but felt that leaving without saying goodbye was slightly inappropriate. After hearing Chang Huai's words, she stopped thinking about it and looked up at him, asking, "Chang Huai, where is my horse?"

The stables in the camp were not far from the military tents. Chang Huai should have led the horse to the gate himself, but he involuntarily led her for a while. During the journey, he subtly inquired about Su Du from her.

When Wei Yuanzhan returned from the drill ground, he saw this scene.

Under the azure sky, Zhi Rou and Chang Huai stood side by side, very close together as they talked about something.

Wei Yuanzhan stood still, a dark undercurrent surging in his eyes, but his voice was ordinary, revealing no emotion.

"Changhuai".

He looked up at the sound and saw Wei Yuanzhan. Thinking that his master had given an order, he strode over.

Zhi Rou stood still, not moving. She saw Wei Yuanzhan dressed in his morning martial arts uniform, with his sword at his waist. He looked clean and neat, which was very appealing.

She couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile and called out, "Wei Yuanzhan."

It's really childish to stay silent just because of a little jealousy.

Wei Yuanzhan relaxed his brows, glanced at Tui Changhuai, and walked towards Zhirou with a completely unchanged expression: "Why did you come out? Are you going back to the city?"

"Hmm. I'm afraid Xinghui won't be able to hold on for long, and she'll get anxious."

"I'll see you off."

As they exited the camp gate, Chang Huai was already waiting by the horse. The road outside the camp was wide. Wei Yuanzhan took the reins and strolled slowly with Zhi Rou. Even though it was a short separation, he still felt reluctant to part.

Zhi Rou brushed the bloodstains off her stained collar, then put on her coat and looked at Wei Yuanzhan: "Su Du is not fully recovered yet, so I will have to trouble you to take care of him for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Wei Yuanzhan glanced at her, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before he said thoughtfully, "Zhirou, this is a favor. How do you intend to repay me?"

He started calling her by her first name, without her surname. The voice he was so familiar with, though missing just one syllable, sounded remarkably different in his mouth.

Zhi Rou turned her head to examine him closely. In terms of personal relationships alone, she owed him far too much. If she were to repay him, no amount of effort would be too much.

But she hesitated to utter anything too formal or intimate, her eyelashes fluttering as she gave a playful smile: "How about I let you boss me around for two months?"

Wei Yuanzhan smiled at her appearance, but did not respond to her words. Thinking about the unfinished conversation from last night, he said seriously, "From now on, don't always act impulsively on your own. No one is as important as you."

Knowing he was still shaken by what happened in Sudu, Zhi Rou lowered her eyes and slowed her pace: "I know, I wasn't entirely unprepared either..." Her voice grew softer and softer.

Seeing that she seemed aggrieved, Wei Yuanzhan paused for a moment, then adjusted his tone to be gentle: "I just hope that you can put yourself first and not take risks alone."

He took two steps forward and then said, "Actually, I'm glad you came to see me, but I also think you're late."

She knew she could rely on him, proving that in her heart, he was someone she could walk alongside and trust. He needed this special connection and was delighted by it, yet he couldn't help but want her to come sooner, so she wouldn't have to do those things alone.

Zhi Rou didn't speak, but her heart skipped a beat.

The road from Changfeng Camp to Wuhua Gate was not rugged, and the path was smooth. She brushed away the strands of hair that were ruffled by the wind, and just as her hand was about to fall, her foot suddenly tilted, as if she had tripped over something.

Wei Yuanzhan quickly helped her up, his hand encircling her slender waist, and he smiled gently: "Didn't you eat breakfast this morning?"

The teasing tone was too overt, clearly indicating that he was thinking of the flatbreads served in the army, judging from the fact that she hadn't taken more than a few bites.

The soothing warmth emanated through her clothes, and without her noticing, his palm slid down, following her belt to the dagger.

Since she returned to Beijing, he has often seen it, and it is almost always by his side.

The lingering jealousy and good-natured dissatisfaction in his heart instantly vanished into a warm smile. He stopped and took her hand: "Come back to camp with me. It's a long way, let's eat first."