There are two red moles behind the ears after returning to Beijing.

The military camp was only a short distance from the Duoluo River where horses were running. To avoid cumbersome arrangements, Jiang Yanhui rode Black Cloud ahead to the camp to report the events on the ship to Dou Yao.

No one knew the details of the new leader of the You tribe. The military camp was always on high alert and ready for war. The news brought by Jiang Yanhui was undoubtedly a reassurance, giving them a breakthrough point when they couldn't figure out Urentuya's whereabouts.

Dou Yao was both angry and helpless about Jiang Yan's unilateral decision. He swallowed his words of reprimand several times, deciding to ignore it and leave the tent to arrange related matters.

Lang Rong peeked out and waited until Dou Yao was far away before saying, "The General is quite angry with you."

Jiang Yan Hui didn't care about her aunt's attitude. She shrugged and said helplessly, "When has she ever not been angered by me?"

Lang Rong hesitated for a moment, thought about Jiang Yanhui's actions in Lingzhou over the past ten years, and nodded in strong agreement.

Using "anger" to describe Jiang Yanhui's behavior is inappropriate; perhaps "a mixture of love and hate" would be a more accurate way to express her state of mind.

Every time she made a decision without consulting others, it was fraught with danger, yet Jiang Yan always managed to turn misfortune into good fortune, leaving one frustrated yet unable to find fault, causing a dull ache in one's heart.

Lang Rong lifted the curtain and glanced at the yellowish sky outside. "It's getting late, and it's going to rain soon. You should wait until the rain stops tomorrow before going back."

Jiang Yanhui, who had just touched the water glass to her lips, awkwardly put it down and looked away uncomfortably. "Something came up at the manor, I have to go back."

Even without supervision, the servants in the strictly regulated Jiangbei Prince's Mansion would operate according to the daily routine, not to mention the assistance of his two capable subordinates, Aunt Pan and Uncle Ban. Unless the sky were to fall, there was practically nothing for Jiang Yan Hui to worry about within the mansion.

Jiang Yanhui was probably always frank, so Lang Rong didn't notice her unease or realize the strangeness in her words. He said, "Then I'll get you a raincoat." He then ran off to get her the rain gear.

Jiang Yan rode onto the black cloud, looked up at the sky, and saw that the yellowish sky foreshadowed a torrential downpour.

She lowered her straw hat to shield herself from the sand and dust whipped up by the gale, then spurred her horse, and Black Cloud galloped away at full speed.

Traveling in a downpour is no pleasant experience, but when she left in the morning, Ah Chou looked at her with such worry in his eyes, and she had shamelessly promised to be back before sunset.

It's normal to suffer some hardships in order to fulfill the agreement.

Rain started falling unexpectedly halfway through the journey, and the muddy soil, which had absorbed a lot of water, quickly became muddy and soft, leaving small puddles as the horses trod.

Dark clouds covered the sky, making it seem like night. All I could hear was the noisy sound of rain pounding against my straw hat.

Arriving in Lingzhou City before being completely soaked, Jiang Yanhui dismounted in front of the Prince's Mansion. She quickly removed the heavy rain gear, her wet clothes sticking to her skin, which was very uncomfortable. Her handsome, thick eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.

The moment her wet shoes stepped across the threshold of the Prince's mansion, a small, cannonball-like figure opened his arms and rushed into Jiang Yan Hui's embrace, holding her tightly without minding her wet and cold clothes, his body heat passing through her clothes.

The servants waiting to serve the king wisely lowered their heads, keeping their shock to themselves but showing no sign of it on their faces.

Jiang Yanhui looked down at A Chou, who was hugging her, with some surprise. She knew that A Chou was no longer afraid of her lately, but what she didn't expect was that not only was he not afraid, but he was also becoming more and more disrespectful.

That's what she was thinking, but she couldn't hide the smugness in her smile as she teased, "Are you stopping me from getting windy at the door?"

With her worries gone, Ah Chou's rationality gradually returned. She then realized that the wind was blowing in through the doorway, and that Jiang Yan Hui's clothes were already soaked by the rain.

With Ah Chou by her side, it was no longer the other servants' turn to serve Jiang Yanhui during her bath.

Hot water had been prepared in the bathtub early on, along with bath supplies and clean clothes, all in preparation for Jiang Yan's return.

As he undressed, Ah Chou's eyes were wide open like copper bells, peeking at Jiang Yan Hui's body whenever he could. His strange behavior made Jiang Yan Hui simply stand in front of him with her arms outstretched, tilting her head and asking, "Is there anything else you want to see?"

All the blood in his body rushed to his face, and Ah Chou could clearly feel his skin turning red and burning. It seemed as if steam was rising from the top of his head, and he staggered back two steps.

He had only heard Aunt Pan's words implying that the negotiation was dangerous, and after waiting and waiting for her to return, he subconsciously thought that Jiang Yanhui might be injured, which was why he had been watching her closely just now.

Ashamed that Jiang Yan Hui seemed to have misunderstood him, and annoyed that there was no paper or pen to explain his rash behavior, Ah Chou lowered his head and pushed Jiang Yan Hui into the bath, silently urging her to take a bath quickly so as not to catch a cold.

A layer of dried flower petals floated in the bath, which Ah Chou had specially sprinkled in, saying it could nourish the skin, but he didn't know if it actually worked.

Ah Chou rolled up her sleeves, revealing a section of her white forearm, and sat cross-legged by the bathtub, holding a towel, diligently wiping Jiang Yan Hui.

Having known each other intimately for so long, they were already familiar with every part of each other, but every time their eyes swept over the horrific scars on Jiang Yan Hui's body, and every time their fingertips gently touched the protruding growths, they couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.

Imagine the circumstances under which these scars were left, and how many dangers Jiang Yanhui endured during his ten years of guarding Lingzhou to have so many horrifying scars.

Ah Chou wanted to gently caress her past, longing to soothe her pain with his lips, hoping that Jiang Yan Hui could be as carefree as he was in the Prince's mansion in the days to come.

But Ah Chou knew perfectly well that it was all just a beautiful fantasy. War and strife never ceased, nor would they ever cease, and inevitably someone would sacrifice themselves to maintain the balance.

"She's not very old, but she's already learned to sigh."

Jiang Yanhui grabbed Ah Chou's slender wrist, holding it in her palm as if she could crush it with the slightest force. She wondered how Ah Chou had grown up with such a delicate body.

She turned around and placed her hands on Ah Chou's knees, letting the water droplets soak his clothes. A few petals clung to Jiang Yan Hui's chest, echoing the centipede-like scar on his chest, creating a unique beauty that blended vibrancy and wildness, which was vividly displayed on Jiang Yan Hui's body.

When looking at someone from below, their long, upturned eyes have a hook-like quality that makes you want to lean down and kiss those captivating eyes.

Jiang Yanhui, completely unaware of Ah Chou's thoughts, assumed he was daydreaming and poked Ah Chou's soft cheek with her fingertip, "Do you want to go to the capital for a visit?"

"I originally planned to leave in the fall, but I changed my mind. There are many fun things to do in the capital. I haven't been back for a long time, so I have to enjoy myself to the fullest."

Thinking of the bustling capital city described by Dou Yu, A Chou felt that even the most prosperous place would be nothing without Jiang Yan Hui's presence.

Wherever Jiang Yanhui was, he went.

Ah Chou nodded without hesitation.

Aunt Pan was in charge of coordinating with the You tribe. Urentuya was very anxious and determined to find her younger brother, so she sent a team of five people into Lingzhou the next day.

If it weren't for the torrential rain yesterday, they would have sent people into Lingzhou to search after the negotiations ended.

Urentuya kept a secret from Jiang Yanhui, not revealing the specific appearance and characteristics of her brother, presumably because she was worried that Jiang Yanhui might go back on her word.

After all, these verbal agreements can be broken at any time. They all know that there is no need to be pitiful in keeping promises when dealing with enemies; only eternal interests are the truth.

While Urentuya's team was searching for people under the surveillance of Jiang Yanhui's men, carriages were already being prepared for the journey back to the capital inside the Prince's mansion.

Dou Yu was both happy and worried upon learning that he was returning to the capital ahead of schedule. He was happy to be able to return to the capital, which was more suitable for him to live in, but worried that he would have to part with his mother again, and that his mother would not be able to see him off because of her job.

Lang Rong, representing Dou Yao, came to see Jiang Yan and Dou Yu off, and also brought Deng Jiajin, who was going back with them.

Without receiving the Emperor's summons, Lang Rong could not return to the capital with them, and it would be a lie to say he wasn't disappointed.

Her parents were getting old, and she didn't know how long she would have to stay in Lingzhou, or whether she would even have enough life left to return to the capital.

Who can truly take life and death lightly, and see through the bonds of kinship?

"Please take this letter back to the capital and deliver it to my mother." Lang Rong held the leather envelope he pulled from his sleeve, his downcast eyes filled with indescribable melancholy. "Also, tell them that I am doing well in Lingzhou and that they should not worry."

Jiang Yan patted Lang Rong on the shoulder and accepted the letter.

Nothing was said; saying anything would be superfluous. Everything was understood without words.

The servants were busy carrying the items needed for their master's long journey, and the guards were carefully checking the equipment and route for the trip. No one paid any attention to Dou Yu, who was sulking and hiding in the carriage, unwilling to come out. There were no familiar friends here who would give him a way out.

Lang Rong quickly concealed his disappointment, not forgetting the general's instructions, and asked, "Where is Young Master Dou? The general asked me to pass on a message to him."

Jiang Yan gestured with her chin toward Dou Yu's carriage. She had no time to deal with the young man's tantrum; since her aunt had asked Lang Rong to relay the message, she'd let Lang Rong handle the coaxing.

Lang Rong hesitated for a moment, then resolutely walked to the window on the side of the carriage. Looking at the closed window, he said, "Young Master Dou, the General asked me to give you a message..."

"No! I don't want to hear it!"

Dou Yu's slightly excited voice came through, leaving Lang Rong, who had no experience to begin with, at a loss for what to do.

She turned to seek Jiang Yanhui's help, but Jiang Yanhui, who already knew the outcome, didn't even listen and had already gotten into his carriage.

Lang Rong clenched his fist, knocked on the carriage, and said despite Dou Yu's resistance, "The General said that if you want to come to Lingzhou again, send a letter first, and she will send someone to pick you up."

The shouts of resistance stopped abruptly, the side window opened with a whoosh, and Dou Yu, her pretty face still wet with tears, looked at Lang Rong with teary eyes, "Did Mother really say that?"

Lang Rong clasped his hands in a fist and said earnestly, "I would never dare to alter the General's orders without authorization."

"I'm coming to Lingzhou, will you be the one to pick me up?" Dou Yu pressed down Lang Rong's hand that was covering his face.

Lang Rong raised his eyes, as if making a promise, "As long as the General agrees, I will not refuse."

One second someone is teary-eyed, the next they're laughing through their tears.

Dou Yu wiped his tear-streaked face, regaining the noble bearing befitting a young master from the capital. "I will definitely return to Lingzhou. You and Mother must take good care of yourselves."

Not far from Dou Yu's carriage, on another carriage, a furry head poked out and kept looking in their direction. Ah Chou, who had been anxiously stamping his feet, relaxed his back after hearing them start talking.

Then I felt a tightness around my neck and was pulled back into the carriage by the back of my collar.

"What's so interesting that I didn't even realize I was coming in?"

Jiang Yanhui's lips were upturned, but Ah Chou keenly sensed that Jiang Yanhui's mood was not as it appeared on the surface.

He wisely shrank his neck and knelt obediently on his little cushion.

Due to the agreement reached with Urentuya, Aunt Pan and Uncle Ban stayed in Lingzhou to keep an eye on everything that happened during their trip back to Beijing, and would take down Urentuya's group of people if necessary.

The convoy, fully prepared and ready to depart, moved slowly forward at the crack of the whip cracked by the lead driver.

As the carriage exited the city gates of Lingzhou, Ah Chou, having been granted permission, poked his head out again. Half a year ago, he was illiterate, and gazing at the three characters "Lingzhou City" on the city gate, he was suddenly filled with emotion.

Just as Ah Chou was about to turn his gaze back to the carriage, his eyes caught sight of Aunt Pan talking to several unfamiliar people under the city gate. Judging from her attire, she didn't seem to be from Lingzhou.

The initial curiosity was quickly interrupted by the tightened belt. Jiang Yanhui hooked Ah Chou's belt and ruthlessly pulled him inside.

He said with disdain, "What is it that you have to look at for so long? Your face is covered in dust."

Ah Chou thought to himself that the weather outside was nice and there was no dust, but he still dutifully wiped his face.

——

Below the city gate of Lingzhou.

Aunt Pan clasped her hands in front of her, her unhurried attitude a stark contrast to the people opposite her. "Lingzhou is neither too big nor too small. You might as well tell me the characteristics of the person you are looking for, so we can help out."

"unnecessary."

The other party remained stubbornly unwilling to speak, ignoring Aunt Pan and the others who were supervising them, and began searching for people on their own.

One of the You tribesmen complained to his companion in the You language, “The chief only said there were two red moles behind the ears. We can’t possibly check behind each of our ears.”

"Otherwise what?" The man rolled his eyes at her. "How can we let our You clan's prince wander outside?"

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Author's Note: What interesting things will happen when I return to the capital?! [Starry-eyed]