At nightfall, the north wind was raging, with occasional howling of the wind mixed with the crisp sound of branches being broken.

Xie Zhao rushed back from the camp outside the city. As soon as he entered the room, Jiang Yuzhu seemed to sense something. She jumped out of bed and walked around to the outer room, asking, "Yuanhe, have you had dinner yet?"

In the camp north of the city, the generals were hungry and full, and were worse off than the soldiers.

Jiang Yuzhu saw Xie Zhao pause and told Hongli next door to go to the tea room to get a bowl of wontons.

The meat wontons with thin skin and large fillings are already wrapped, placed in a jar with a lid, and buried in the snow.

It is very convenient to take it out and cook it when you want to eat it.

In addition, Jiang Yuzhu added seaweed and dried shrimps to the soup base to enhance its flavor, and served it with two appetizers.

Xie Zhao walked towards the stove outside to dispel the coldness on his body, and said with a smile in his eyes: "Madam is still considerate."

He turned back this time just to spend some time with Jiang Yuzhu, and had to rush back to the camp before dawn.

No matter how fierce the fighting outside the city was, as long as he saw her, Xie Zhao always felt a sense of peace and tranquility in his heart.

It seems that the person who knows him best is the new emperor Xiao She.

Jiang Yuzhu put her palm against Xie Zhao's stomach. It was flat and she didn't know how long he had been hungry.

He used to be on duty at the government office, and often missed meals due to his busy work, so he already had stomachaches.

Especially since Liang An was injured and stayed at home to recuperate, there were fewer people around him to urge him.

"Let Hongli look after the camp tomorrow."

Among the maids, Hongli is better at chanting scriptures, and she is fearless because of Jiang Yuzhu's favor.

Xie Zhao was pleased in his heart, but said helplessly: "I will follow my wife's arrangements."

After lighting the oil lamp in the room, the maid brought a pot of hot tea and left the room consciously.

Jiang Yuzhu held her chin with one hand, playing with her teacup boredly, and said, "Yuanhe, is there still no news about my second brother?"

Ever since the barbarians caused trouble and the actor was burned to death, Jiang Yuzhu has been sure that Jiang Huaiqing is no longer in the hands of the barbarians.

Although it was confirmed, it also proved that the barbarians were increasing their search efforts, and Jiang Huaiqing was in a bad situation.

Xie Zhao hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's not like there's no news at all."

Xie Zhao's men hid in the City Lord's Mansion and found a man who looked very much like Jiang Huaiqing.

This man pretended to be deaf and dumb, and was taken to the house by the city lord's sister as a male lover. He had no communication with anyone.

"My husband sent someone to approach him, but he didn't trust anyone and didn't give any feedback."

For the sake of caution, the news was not leaked, not even to Princess Yutan.

Xie Zhao planned to take time out in the next two days to go to Sishui City to meet that person. If it was Jiang Huaiqing, he would bring him back.

"What, male favorite?"

The teacup in Jiang Yuzhu's hand shook, and the hot tea splashed onto the back of her hand, instantly burning it red.

Jiang Yuzhu was completely unaware of the pain. Her mind was stuck in a vicious circle, with only the word "male concubine" flashing repeatedly in her mind.

Xie Zhao stared at the red spot, as if he was stung, and almost flew out the door.

When Jiang Yuzhu came to her senses, she realized that her entire palm was covered with snow, and she suddenly shivered.

"Don't move."

Xie Zhao held Jiang Yuzhu's hand, his face tense, and said carefully, "The tea is too hot. You need to cool it down, otherwise you'll easily get blisters."

Seeing the heartache deep in his eyes, Jiang Yuzhu couldn't help but ask: "Then why don't you blame me for being careless?"

Xie Zhao's eyes darkened and he said softly, "How can I blame you for this? I should have been more careful and shouldn't have said this while you were serving tea."

So, blame him, he should have thought more.

Jiang Yuzhu wanted to say it was a minor injury, but she moved her lips and finally swallowed her words.

Perhaps in Xie Zhao's eyes, she is a fragile porcelain that needs to be carefully cared for.

Her mind was in a mess. Even though one of her hands was soaked in the snow, Jiang Yuzhu felt inexplicably hot. She saw Xie Zhao's Adam's apple and turned away uncomfortably, her thoughts in a mess.

If my second brother was really captured and made a male concubine, could it be any worse?

"Although I wasn't in the north camp, the news spread after the barbarians made a fuss."

Jiang Yuzhu felt deeply regretful and thought she shouldn't have mentioned Honghong, but she was forced into a situation like that and there was nothing she could do.

What’s even more infuriating is that now is not the time to clarify.

"Hongli went out to buy things and heard people talking about how my second brother is a playboy of the Jiang family, with concubines and maids filling up the backyard, and a plethora of illegitimate sons and daughters of various colors, and that he is not worthy of Princess Yutan at all."

Princess Yutan defended her country and held a high status in the hearts of the people, so Jiang Huaiqing was naturally trampled under her feet.

His reputation has been damaged, and it can never be cleared.

"I'm sorry, second brother!"

If she had known earlier, she should have opposed Jiang Huaiqing coming to the north. It was her indecision that made her decide to support her second brother's dream after much hesitation.

"Yuanhe, take me to Sishui City. I want to sneak into the City Lord's Mansion to find my second brother."

This move is risky, but after weighing it, Jiang Yuzhu still wants to try it.

How can she enjoy herself with peace of mind when her loved ones who doted on her the most were suffering?

Originally, Jiang Yuzhu thought it would take a lot of effort to convince Xie Zhao, but unexpectedly, Xie Zhao agreed easily.

"You already had a plan, why did you agree so readily?"

Jiang Yuzhu thought that she would not be a burden, but she also had to admit that she would be a burden to Xie Zhao. At least in terms of physical strength, she was far inferior to him.

"You want to go."

If you want to go, just go. Xie Zhao believes that he has the ability to protect Jiang Yuzhu.

Even though his wife was not around, he was still distracted.

From the capital to the north, Xie Zhao thought a lot along the way.

He can't always be self-righteous, but should consider things from her perspective.

Jiang Fulu and Chen did not support many things, but they could not reject Jiang Yuzhu's ideas.

The same goes for Xie Zhao. All he can do is provide the strongest support.

Besides pampering her, what else can I do?

He spoiled her to the extreme and continued on his own.

"Madam, you killed someone and set a fire. I, your husband, will be responsible for digging a grave and burying him on the spot."

Xie Zhao chuckled softly, and the look he gave him was intriguing.

"Although this metaphor is not quite appropriate, does Lord Xie mean to join me in this corruption?"

Seeing Xie Zhao nod slightly, the smile in Jiang Yuzhu's eyes became even brighter.

There is not only trust but also respect between husband and wife.

The atmosphere began to relax, and Xie Zhao talked about his plan to leave the border town.

"There's a teahouse in Sishui City where my men are. You and I will go to the teahouse first and find a chance to follow the troupe into the City Lord's Mansion."

It would be even better if the male favorite was Jiang Huaiqing. If not, the two of them would stay for a few more days to find out.

As they were talking, the wontons were served.

People in the north have big appetites, and a big bowl is equivalent to a small basin in the capital.

The soup is filled with seaweed and green onions, and with a few drops of sesame oil, it is fragrant.

Xie Zhao took out a small white porcelain bowl and scooped wontons and hot soup for Jiang Yuzhu.

There was no sound in the room. The couple sat side by side and concentrated on their meal without seeming awkward.

After taking a sip of the hot soup, Jiang Yuzhu sighed with satisfaction. Suddenly, she thought of her parents in the capital and warned them, "Yuanhe, you must keep our second brother's experience a secret."

Jiang Huaiqing seems to have no status and is often said by his mother Chen to be picked up. If anything happens to him, his parents will definitely kill him!