Chapter 85 Year After Year the Wild Geese (Part 7) Their arrogance made Zhi Rou's heart flutter in turmoil...

Zhi Rou's voice was not at all seductive, but when Wei Yuanzhan heard it, he felt as if a cat's claws were scratching at his heart.

The gentle rays of the setting sun cast a pale golden glow on her face. Wei Yuanzhan's gaze lingered in her eyes for a moment before suddenly shifting to the door, his brows furrowing deeply.

A vague, greedy desire churned within him. He tried his best to remain calm, his mind urging him to leave quickly while simultaneously refusing to go. He even considered raising his hand to push open the door behind her.

But he shouldn't even have come to the second floor in the first place, so how could he be so abrupt?

Their eyes met, and Zhi Rou naturally noticed his distraction. She only saw him glance at the door briefly, and for some reason, she suddenly felt a strong pang of fear, sensing a hint of danger.

The figure before her was straight and broad, like a mountain. The sunlight was partially blocked by his body. Compared to before, he had a more mature charm. He was still a young man who had not yet come of age, but Zhi Rou could sense something different.

Because of this difference, she realized more and more clearly that he was different from her.

Because of the friendship she shared with him in her childhood, she didn't mind getting closer to him. But now, if he did anything else, she would find it hard to remain calm as before.

The pounding heartbeat in her arms made her uncomfortable, as if she were ill.

Fortunately, Wei Yuanzhan did not cross the line. He quickly took half a step back, and then took another half step back before finally standing still: "If you need anything, just come and find me."

Zhi Rou nodded.

Wei Yuanzhan lingered for a moment before turning to leave. Just as he reached the top of the long staircase, Zhirou suddenly called out to him, "Wait."

He stopped and turned around, watching her walk over, take off the cloak from her shoulders, and hand it back to him.

Wei Yuanzhan frowned, his dark eyebrows furrowing, and remained silent, only looking at Zhirou with a puzzled expression.

She hadn't refused to accept his clothes, so why should she return them?

Zhi Rou remained silent. Just then, the sound of a door opening came from behind. Jing Yao came out of Huai Xian's room and turned around. She met the cold and aloof gaze of the young general and froze, not daring to step forward.

Wei Yuanzhan looked away, said nothing more, and took the item downstairs.

Remembering that he had just met Su Du nearby, Wei Yuanzhan was worried about his purpose. He went outside the post station and asked the soldiers a few questions. After learning where Su Du had gone, he immediately mounted his horse and chased after him, but unfortunately, he had already disappeared without a trace.

The next morning, Gao Hongyu's men came to invite Huai Xian to stroll around the city, and Zhi Rou followed absentmindedly.

In her sleeve was a letter Su Du had given her yesterday, which listed a residence. Although she didn't recognize it, she guessed it must be the Chang family's mansion in the capital.

There are many high-ranking officials in the capital, but only so many houses. With Chang's crime, the mansion must have already changed hands. If Su goes there to stay and does anything improper, will it implicate her mother?

Zhi Rou felt agitated, realizing she shouldn't be so cold. Her relationship with Su Du wasn't entirely transactional; there was also a connection. She had to admit that besides worrying about her mother, she was also worried about Su Du.

Zhi Rou is different from Jing Yao and the others. She was forced into the marriage alliance by the Empress. She was not a palace maid and had no contract with the royal family. Now that she has returned through the legitimate means, she can go on her own and no longer needs to follow Huai Xian.

But she had no money, no carriage, and was all alone. When would she be able to return to the capital?

Zhi Rou frowned, remembering Wei Yuanzhan's words that she could go to him if needed. Would he agree?

I should have gone with Su Du.

She was preoccupied and walked slowly. Huai Xian stopped at the foot of a red platform, and she stopped as well, lifting her eyes to see Chang Huai.

Zhi Rou was overjoyed, a gleam slowly rising in her eyes as she gazed at the upright figure beside the teahouse. His hand was on the hilt of his knife, and all four limbs were intact. Chang Huai was truly alive.

In the sunlight, Zhi Rou smiled at him, glancing around him out of the corner of her eye, but there was no sign of Wei Yuanzhan or Lan Ye.

Chang Huai stepped forward, having performed military salutes so often that he momentarily forgot how he had saluted her before. He then lowered his head and said, "My mistress was summoned by the general for a meeting and was specially instructed to come and accompany the Fourth Miss."

Zhi Rou had no objection. Feeling depressed and not wanting to follow Huai Xian any longer, she took a step in the other direction and casually asked, "After you escort His Highness back to the capital, are you going back to Lancheng?"

Chang Huai lowered his eyelashes, unsure.

The reason why the master has not returned to the capital in recent years is because the fourth young lady is not in the capital. However, apart from that, Wei Yuanzhan does not dislike the border. Although life in the army is tough, he has never complained.

Changhuai roughly understood that Wei Yuanzhan's ambition lay in this; he wanted to be a great general who could protect his country, just like the old Marquis.

But Changhuai couldn't predict what the Marquis and his wife would think, or what decree His Majesty would issue, nor could his master.

Without Chang Huai speaking, Zhi Rou understood, and a dark feeling settled in her heart.

If she leaves now, will she never see Wei Yuanzhan again?

The blinding sun shone down, making it hard to concentrate. Zhi Rou was torn between two options, but then she thought, Su Du has always been steady in his actions, and even his attack on the old Khan seemed to have been premeditated.

He couldn't have helped Alamusu rise to power for no reason.

Since the old Khan's death, she had been recalling what she had heard at the royal court.

The people of Yan said that he often encountered traitors because his bloodline was impure and he harbored thoughts of foreigners. When this reached Beili, the Khan's attitude was subtle, and he secretly sent a minister to inform the Yan court.

When Zhi Rou first heard them discussing this matter, she didn't take it to heart. However, after reflecting on it repeatedly over the past few days, she finally noticed something amiss.

She frequently saw the term "two kings" in the correspondence between Lord Yuan and Chang Yu. Could it be that this title does not refer to His Highness the Crown Prince, but has another meaning?

If that's the case, Sudu's ability to remain hidden by the Khan's side for over a decade speaks volumes about his patience. Now that he's back in the capital, surely he won't act rashly?

The two strolled along, and Zhi Rou pondered to herself without asking any more questions.

Chang Huai glanced at her sideways, and when she noticed him, she looked up at him openly. He paused for a moment, but remained silent.

He couldn't quite put his finger on what had changed about the Fourth Sister, but in his eyes, she seemed to have always been the same. No matter what she wore, she never looked down on herself, and her eyes were always bright and captivating.

Judging by appearances alone, she and her master were a perfect match. In terms of temperament, they were actually quite similar: both innocent and stubborn, impulsive, with a ruthless streak hidden beneath their peaceful exteriors.

If two people like that get together and act impulsively, who knows what terrifying things they might do? No wonder the old folks say that couples should complement each other.

As he was lost in thought, a questioning voice suddenly sounded beside him: "How have you been these past few years?"

Chang Huai was sometimes silent, and guessed that the Fourth Miss wanted to inquire about her master's situation, hoping to reassure her. He said, "It's not as good as in the capital, but it should be better than what the Fourth Miss was doing on the grasslands."

The fourth sister was all alone in a foreign land, and the hardships she faced can be imagined.

Zhi Rou smiled upon hearing this. Had she become a benchmark for comparison? She then retorted, "I'm not bad either."

Chang Huai realized his words were inappropriate as soon as they left his mouth, and hearing her response now shocked him even more. He wondered to himself, "How did Lan Ye possess me? Can't I even speak properly anymore?"

He felt a pang of shame, his face flushing slightly: "Fourth Miss, that's not what I meant..."

Zhi Rou fluttered her eyelashes indifferently: "It's alright. I'm glad you're doing well."

“Actually, the young master… he suffered many injuries.” Chang Huai’s five fingers, which were resting on the knife, curled slightly as he recalled the past, and his long, slender eyebrows darkened.

"When he first arrived, the soldiers were not convinced of his abilities, but the general favored him and assigned him many tasks. Once, when they were attacking the Northern Li army from the valley, the plan was set, but the reinforcements were slow to arrive. In that battle, my master almost lost his life."

If it weren't for Doctor Qiao's arrival overnight, everyone would have thought there was no hope of saving their master, given his condition at the time.

Zhi Rou hesitated slightly, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she felt extremely distressed.

She sensed something from the first moment she saw Wei Yuanzhan yesterday; his arrogant demeanor wasn't something that came with age. In fact, he concealed his fierce nature very well, probably because he didn't want her to notice.

After a short while, Zhi Rou lifted her foot again and said firmly, "There won't be any more wars, at least... not for the next few years."

Alamusu's abilities are far inferior to Enhe's. Beili will inevitably fall into internal strife sooner or later and will no longer have the time to keep an eye on Yanchao, this lucrative prize.

Although Changhuai did not know why the Fourth Miss was so convinced, he thought that His Majesty must have had a reason for allowing the princess to return to the country.

As he walked ahead, he suddenly said to Zhi Rou, "Fourth Miss, please wait a moment."

He strode quickly toward a shop, and when he returned, he was carrying a bag of candied fruit.

"My master said that this is not available in the capital, and that Fourth Miss must try it." He handed it to Zhi Rou.

Upon hearing such a simple instruction, Zhi Rou couldn't help but smile.

Before long, the curve of her eyes softened, and a slight soreness welled up in them. It felt as if a thread was pulling at her heart; she had been wavering, but now she had found certainty.

She didn't want to leave.

Back at the inn that evening, Zhi Rou washed up, changed into a plain robe, and lay down on the bed. A bag of candied fruit stood on the bedside table. She looked at it for a while, then sat up and took out the short knife from under her pillow.

Her thumb rubbed against the scabbard, the cool touch pressing against her veins. This knife had helped her many times.

There was a knocking sound at the window. Zhi Rou cautiously opened her eyes, got out of bed, and walked to the window. She pushed open the window shutter, and there stood Wei Yuanzhan.

The moon and stars were bright. He wasn't wearing armor, so his movements were silent. He raised his arm towards her and his fingers twitched slightly, signaling her to get down.

Zhi Rou was extremely surprised and stood stiffly by the window, unable to move.

Wei Yuanzhan then threw something up, through the window, and onto the floor of the room.

Zhi Rou glanced to the side and saw it was a crumpled piece of paper.

She picked it up and slowly unfolded it. On it was a single, upright character, the writing reflecting the person's arrogance, making Zhi Rou's heart pound.

She wanted to accuse him of being insolent; what was this if not a threat?

Zhi Rou gritted her teeth in anger, but unfortunately, she had no paper or pen with her, only a bag of candied fruit that Chang Huai had bought for her. She simply grabbed two pieces and threw them at him, and he swung his hand, hitting her squarely in the palm.

Wei Yuanzhan smiled, knowing she wouldn't come down easily, so he threw up his prepared backup plan.

The lamp wick flickered, and Zhi Rou looked at another crumpled piece of paper on the ground, not even wanting to pick it up. But unable to resist her curiosity, she hesitated for a moment, then bent down and picked it up. This time, it wasn't just words, but also a small portrait.

The two people in the painting should be her and Wei Yuanzhan.

She was high above, seemingly making a promise, while he bowed and clasped his hands, with the words "The Emperor's grace is boundless" accompanying the gesture.

Zhi Rou chuckled softly, glanced down at him, lingered on his face for a moment, and then closed the window shutters with both hands.

Wei Yuanzhan waited for a long time but she didn't appear. After hesitating for a moment, he stopped waiting, lifted his robe, and stepped across the threshold.