Qin Zhao stared at the charcoal fire beside him without raising his eyes: "If I really didn't care about feelings, I wouldn't have gone to so much trouble to come to the capital."

If he hadn't been ruthless, he could have spoken these words openly and honestly when he met Xiao Yue. He didn't even need to look for any evidence; he could have just taken over the world.

But because he didn't want to believe it.

In the firelight, Qin Zhao said calmly, "I'm willing to give him a chance and confront him because of the past. But if he really wants to get rid of me, who will rule this country?"

.

It was already late when Qin Zhao left Xiao Yue's tent.

The campfire in the camp gradually dimmed, and only a few soldiers on night watch dozed by the fire. Qin Zhao looked back at the nearby mountains. The woods on both sides were dark and silent, but he knew that in the darkness, countless pairs of eyes were guarding this camp.

The personal guards of the Great Protector of the Nation may not be very capable as kidnappers, but their ability to protect people should be good.

Qin Zhao gathered his cloak and walked towards a smaller tent nearby.

There was still a fire in the tent.

As soon as he walked in, a figure rushed over and crashed into his arms with the warm air from the tent.

"Slow down." Qin Zhao lowered his voice and asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet? Is Yuzai asleep?"

"I went to bed a long time ago." Jing Li rubbed Qin Zhao's arms for a while, and felt that he was full of cold air. He quickly pulled him inside, "Come and warm yourself by the fire, you're so cold!"

The charcoal fire in this tent is three times that of other places, and the tent is as warm as summer, which is probably Jing Li's intentional request.

Jing Li helped Qin Zhao take off his thick cloak, asked him to sit next to the charcoal brazier, and was busy pouring hot water for him.

"It's too late to drink tea. Have some water." Jing Li pressed the cup into Qin Zhao's hand. "Are you hungry? Someone just brought some fruit."

"...I'm not hungry. Sit down." Qin Zhao pulled Jing Li, feeling somewhat helpless. "If you need anything, I'll do it myself. You're busy running around. It would be troublesome if you woke the child up."

Jing Li said "Oh" and stopped struggling.

The charcoal brazier was placed next to the camp bed. Qin Zhao and Jing Li moved wooden stools and sat by the fire. When they looked up, they could see the little guy sleeping soundly on the bed.

After a while, Jing Li asked, "How was your conversation?"

"It's okay, don't worry." Qin Zhao said, "Xiao Yue is just worried that something might happen to the emperor, and wants to discuss with me face to face what to do next."

Jing Li nodded and asked, "Are we going into the city tomorrow?"

"Go in," Qin Zhao said. "Xiao Yue came to the capital secretly this time, so it's not convenient for him to show up. It won't help if we stay here. It's more convenient to do things in the city. Have you heard the saying, 'The great hide in the city.'"

"Of course I have."

Jing Li leaned on Qin Zhao's shoulder and said softly, "I just don't know when this matter can be resolved."

Qin Zhao raised his hand and hugged him into his arms, touching his hair: "Are you scared today?"

Jing Li pursed his lips: "I'm not afraid."

"You lied." Qin Zhao said gently, "Have I ever told you how I reacted the first time I encountered this kind of thing?"

"Huh?" Jing Li blinked and shook his head, "No."

"I was terrified," Qin Zhao said. "I was less than ten years old at the time. I went out and met a group of thieves. They had an vendetta against my father and wanted to capture me for revenge."