Chapter 422 Re-entering the Northern Army Camp, An Eager Feeling

Princess Qingyun's facial features began to appear strangely disproportionate.

"Zhao, Zhao, Zhao..."

She seemed to have developed a stutter, unable to repeat the three words Ji Qingwu had said.

Even if she was a princess, she could not utter the emperor's name.

Princess Qingyun's eyes flashed with horror, and her body went limp.

"Fifth cousin, are you going through something difficult and your mind isn't clear? This is something only you and I know, I won't tell anyone else."

Ji Qingwu said, "I've indeed run into some difficulties. Can you help me?"

Princess Qingyun said with a sincere yet troubled expression, "Although I am a princess, you know that the emperor comes first, then the princess. I don't know which side to stand on."

Ji Qingwu chuckled and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Princess Qingyun said, "Aren't you going to fight your brother to the death?"

Ji Qingwu pointed to himself, raised his chin, and said, "Do you think I can beat them?"

Princess Qingyun remained silent, clearly indicating her negative opinion on the matter.

But she still felt she was right and asked, "Then why did you call my brother by his given name? That's a capital offense."

Ji Qingwu blinked and said, "Can't I call it?"

She seems to have called out many times, and there haven't been any serious consequences.

Princess Qingyun said, "Anyway, I've never heard anyone call me that. Fifth Cousin, please don't call me that, at least don't call me that in front of me."

She patted her chest, still shaken, and said, "It was so exciting! I was even starting to get scared from screaming."

Princess Qingyun suddenly realized: "Huh? So you're going to the Northern Border to find your brother, the Emperor?"

Ji Qingwu nodded and said, "Yes, that's right, I need to get to the Northern Border as soon as possible."

She still possessed a national fortune boost that hadn't been released yet; it would only unleash its full power when she reached the border. Time was of the essence, and she couldn't afford to delay any longer.

Ji Qingwu said directly, "Your Highness, please prepare a document with your seal on it for me."

To enter the border between the two countries, one needs the personal seal of a state official or higher. However, to enter the military camp, one must also possess special documents and seals. Presumably, the princess's golden seal would suffice.

Princess Qingyun frowned and advised, "Fifth Cousin, there is a war going on at the border, it's not peaceful. You should stay here with me, it will keep me company."

Ji Qingwu ignored him and lowered his head to count the time on his fingers.

"It should take about a day and a night to get there. Please prepare the carriage for me."

Princess Qingyun continued to persuade her, "Fifth cousin, the soldiers in the military camp are all roughnecks. They don't eat or sleep well, and there's no one to keep you company. Why don't you stay here with me?"

After calculating the time, Ji Qingwu still felt it was not right and said anxiously, "Why don't we prepare a fast horse and I ride over? That way we can save two or three hours."

Princess Qingyun wanted to change her mind, so she couldn't help but raise her voice.

"Fifth Cousin, it's too dangerous to go to war with Xijin. You can't go. I'll stop you no matter what—"

"Zhao Jiayun!"

Ji Qingwu frowned as she looked at the other person, her expression stubborn as she interrupted her.

She couldn't give up at this final hurdle, and no one could stop her.

She knew better than anyone how dangerous the battlefield was, which is why she wanted to be by his side.

Ji Qingwu took a breath and said, "If you don't want to help, then forget it. I have my own way."

Caught off guard by being called by name, Princess Qingyun's expression froze. This was the first time anyone had dared to call her by name, apart from Emperor Wusu.

She felt as if her soul had left her body and then returned to its place; it was a feeling of complete comfort, as if some unspeakable boundary had been broken between the two of them.

The pink-clad figure in front of me had already started walking outside.

Princess Qingyun bit her lip and finally relented: "I'll help."

He then added, "But..."

Ji Qingwu turned around and looked at Qingyun with surprise, wondering what request she wanted to make.

Qingyun smiled and said, "Fifth Cousin, call me again, just my name, Zhao Jiayun. It sounds incredibly beautiful coming from your mouth."

*

After discussing it with Qingyun, Ji Qingwu ultimately decided to enter the Northern Territory in a safer way.

Two thousand elite soldiers, led by Li Chengxun, embarked on their journey back to the northern border in a grand procession.

Ji Qingwu sat in an unassuming carriage, still using Chunhua's face, but dressed in gray clothes the same color as the soldiers.

She was wide awake and looked out the car window.

The night was as dark as ink, the stars scattered across the sky; I wonder what he was doing...

The convoy moved at an unusually fast pace, and after a whole night, it finally arrived at the northern army camp at dawn.

Ji Qingwu lifted a corner of the thick curtain, and a cold wind suddenly rushed in, making her more awake. She looked around.

The military camp gate was tall and heavy, made of large logs and studded with iron nails.

Not far away, several tall watchtowers stood at the edge of the camp, with sentries standing on them.

A huge flag hangs on the gate tower, black with gold trim, and the words "Beili" are embroidered in the center, fluttering in the morning breeze.

Two rows of fully armed soldiers stood on either side of the gate, holding spears, their eyes sharp and vigilant as they watched their surroundings.

The guards recognized Li Chengxun, and the troops were allowed to pass through smoothly, allowing the two thousand elite soldiers to return to their camp.

As Ji Qingwu's carriage slowly approached the gate, the guards stepped forward to stop it and asked in a cold voice, "Who goes there?"

The coachman handed over a document stamped with Princess Qingyun's golden seal and said respectfully, "We are here on the princess's orders to escort the maid to the military camp. We have important matters to discuss with the emperor."

After carefully checking the documents, the guard waved his hand, signaling for passage.

Ji Qingwu stared intently at everything before her; this was also the place where she had once lived.

The camp was filled with tents, neatly arranged in several square formations, with wide roads in the middle for people and horses to pass through.

The carriage passed through an open training ground, where in the center of the camp stood a main tent much larger than the others.

Ji Qingwu used to be familiar with every plant and tree here, but after a few years, there have been quite a few changes.

But the most undesirable change...

It is the drill ground.

There were no soldiers drilling, and no deafening battle cries.

Ji Qingwu put on his veiled hat, hurriedly got off the carriage, and ran to the soldiers guarding the camp.

He asked urgently, "Why is the military camp so empty? Where have all the people gone?"

The soldier looked at the unfamiliar girl in front of him and said sternly, "Who you are is a matter of military intelligence, not something that irrelevant people can inquire about."

Ji Qingwu frowned. The army was deserted; they must have gone out to fight. Could it be that Xi Jin had learned of Wei Ting's departure from Black Wind Stronghold last night and launched a surprise attack?

Thinking of this, Ji Qingwu's heart raced.

Her ears twitched suddenly as she heard the sound of galloping hooves. Without even putting on her veil, she ran wildly toward the gate of the military camp.

Just as she rounded the corner of the training ground, she stepped on a strewn pile of arrows, and her body lurched forward...