Chapter 139

The wheels rolled over the rugged mountain road, making the ride increasingly bumpy. The carriage swayed violently like a small boat in a storm. Although Su Zhelan closed her eyes to rest, she couldn't truly fall asleep.

The churning sensation in his stomach returned as the drug's effects wore off, accompanied by swaying of his body. His face turned ashen, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He pressed his lips tightly together, trying to suppress the discomfort, his fingers unconsciously gripping the soft cushion beneath him.

Although Xiao Qiyun's gaze remained fixed on the book, he could clearly see Su Zhelan's every subtle frown and suppressed breath in the corner of his eye.

He put down his book, sighed silently, reached out, and instead of pressing the back of Su Zhelan's hand, placed it directly on Su Zhelan's clenched fist, gently pried open his cold fingers, and then used his own palm to warmly and firmly envelop Su Zhelan's cold hand.

"Are you feeling very uncomfortable?" Xiao Qiyun's voice was low, filled with undisguised heartache, as he gently stroked the back of Xiao Qiyun's slightly cool hand with his fingertips. "Come closer, it will make you feel better."

Su Zhelan opened his eyes and met the familiar concern and worry in Xiao Qiyun's deep eyes. A wave of grievance and discomfort instantly welled up in his heart. He didn't speak, but obediently moved his body and gently rested his head on Xiao Qiyun's strong shoulder.

The cool, refreshing scent emanating from Xiao Qiyun, mixed with a faint fragrance of ink, strangely relaxed his tense nerves. Xiao Qiyun naturally adjusted his posture to make him more comfortable, and gently wrapped his other arm around his waist, pulling him loosely into his embrace, using his own body heat to dispel his chill.

"Bear with it," Xiao Qiyun gently brushed his chin against Su Zhelan's forehead, his voice as gentle as a whisper, "We'll be there soon. Once we're settled, I'll have someone make you a bowl of hot ginger soup."

Su Zhelan softly hummed in his arms, feeling the steady heartbeat and warmth from his chest, which seemed to dispel much of the turmoil he felt. He closed his eyes, savoring this warmth and comfort that was uniquely his.

As dusk settled, the last rays of the setting sun were swallowed by the rolling mountains. The autumn wind, carrying a biting chill, howled through the valleys, its sound like a mournful lament. The carriage finally came to a stop at a relatively open platform at the valley entrance.

A steady voice came from outside the carriage from Lin Feng, the commander of the personal guards: "Your Highness, it is getting late. The roads in Luoxia Valley are treacherous, and it may be dangerous to travel at night. I have already surveyed the terrain. This place is open, sheltered from the wind, and has a water source. It is suitable for setting up camp and resting for the night. We will enter the valley at dawn tomorrow."

Xiao Qiyun put down his book, lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to look at the dim sky and the jagged outline of the valley outside, and a cold wind immediately rushed in. He quickly closed the curtain and whispered to Su Zhelan, who was leaning on his shoulder, "It's cold outside. Wait in the carriage for a while, and I'll have them set up the tent to make it warmer before we go down."

Su Zhelan nodded, still leaning against him, absorbing that reassuring warmth.

Xiao Qiyun gave the order through the curtain: "Granted. Set up camp on the spot, open fire, strengthen vigilance, and pay special attention to the cliffs on both sides of the valley entrance. Make sure to add two extra layers of felt to the tent next to the commander's tent, and prepare enough heaters and hot soup."

"Yes, sir!" Lin Feng accepted the order and immediately directed his accompanying guards and the "Swift Wind Battalion" cavalry to take action. The well-trained soldiers moved swiftly and methodically, unloading supplies, cutting down dry branches, lighting campfires, and setting up tents.

The sounds of horses' hooves, voices, and the clanging of metal armor echoed through the silent valley. Soon, several sturdy marching tents were erected in the light of the campfire, and a roaring bonfire blazed in the center of the camp, dispelling the chill of late autumn.

Throughout the entire process, Xiao Qiyun remained seated in the car, not getting out immediately. He glanced at Su Zhelan, who was huddled in the corner, her face growing increasingly pale, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. The noise and chill outside clearly made Su Zhelan even more uncomfortable.

Once the campsite was initially set up and a campfire was lit to dispel some of the chill, Lin Feng, the commander of the personal guards, came to the carriage again to report: "Your Highness, the campsite has been initially set up, and your command tent is ready. Please proceed."

Xiao Qiyun nodded and whispered to Su Zhelan, "We've arrived. Get out of the car." His voice was softer than usual.

Su Zhelan opened his eyes and forced himself to sit up straight. The moment he lifted the carriage curtain, a gust of biting cold wind rushed in, making him shiver involuntarily. He leaned against the carriage door and got out of the car, his steps unsteady.

A bone-chilling cold instantly enveloped his thin body, and the churning in his stomach intensified. He instinctively covered his mouth, forcefully suppressing the nausea.

Xiao Qiyun then got out of the car and glanced around the camp. His command tent was located in the very center of the camp, surrounded by other tents and guards, and was brightly lit.

Adjacent to the commander's tent was a smaller but equally thick and warm tent, also located in the core area of ​​the guard perimeter.

"Take him to that tent," Xiao Qiyun instructed the guards standing beside him, his gaze pointing to the small tent. "Prepare a heater, hot soup, and a soft couch inside. Let him rest well, and no one is to disturb him without my order."

"Yes!" The guard immediately accepted the order and respectfully said to Su Zhelan, "Young Master, please follow me."

Su Zhelan glanced gratefully at Xiao Qiyun and whispered, "Thank you, Your Highness." He was indeed extremely weak at the moment and desperately needed a warm and quiet place to rest.

Xiao Qiyun nodded slightly, said nothing more, and walked straight to his command tent. He needed to handle some military affairs immediately and reconfirm the details and security arrangements for entering the valley tomorrow.

Led by his guards, Su Zhelan walked towards the tent prepared for him. Lifting the thick curtain, a warm scent mixed with the dry smell of wood ash wafted out. The tent wasn't large, but it was thoughtfully furnished: thick felt covered the floor, a low couch covered with soft fur sat in the corner, and next to it was a small stove burning charcoal, radiating warmth. On a low table sat a steaming earthenware pot, beside which were clean bowls and spoons.

"Please rest assured, young master. Hot water and soup are here. If you need anything, please let me know. I will stand guard outside the tent." The guard said respectfully before leaving and lowering the curtain.

The tent fell silent, save for the faint crackling of the burning charcoal. Su Zhelan's tense nerves finally relaxed.

He took off his chilly outer robe, walked to the fireplace, sat down, and stretched out his hands to feel the long-lost warmth. His icy fingertips gradually warmed up, and the lingering chill seemed to be dispelled somewhat.

He ladled out a bowl of hot soup, a warming soup made with ginger slices and medicinal herbs, spicy with a hint of sweetness. The warm soup slid down his throat, spreading warmth from his stomach, dispelling the chill and discomfort in his body, and finally restoring a touch of color to his pale face.

He held a bowl, sat by the stove, and listened quietly to the sounds from the camp outside the tent: the footsteps of the patrolling soldiers, the crackling of the campfire, the howling of the mountain wind in the distance... and, faintly, the voices of Xiao Qiyun and his generals discussing matters from the command tent.

A warmth spread from his stomach to his limbs, dispelling the fatigue and discomfort of the journey. The bowl of hot soup not only warmed Su Zhelan's body but also revitalized his somewhat listless spirit.

He curled up on the low couch covered with soft fur, the warmth of the stove making him feel relaxed and no longer as weak as before.

He was idly fiddling with the soft fur on the low couch, his thoughts drifting as he thought about the Sunset Valley he would traverse tomorrow, the meeting at Black Stone Valley, and... that plan that made him both reassured and somewhat uneasy.

Just then, the heavy tent flap was gently lifted.

A chilly night wind swept in, only to be quickly shut out. Su Zhelan looked up and saw a tall figure standing at the doorway, his features deep and imposing against the light of the campfire outside the tent—it was Xiao Qiyun.

He had clearly just returned from a meeting in the command tent, still carrying the chill of the outside air, and the shoulders of his dark cloak seemed to still glisten with the night dew. He casually took off his cloak and handed it to the guard who was following closely behind and stopped at the door, before stepping inside.

The soft glow of the brazier inside the tent illuminated his face, dispelling some of the harshness of the outside world, yet still carrying a hint of solemnity after handling military affairs.

"Your Highness." Su Zhelan sat up straighter, a faint smile appearing on her face. Her eyes brightened considerably, no longer showing their previous weariness. "Have you finished dealing with all the military affairs?"

Seeing that Su Zhelan seemed to be in good spirits, Xiao Qiyun's eyes warmed. He quickly walked to the bedside, sat down naturally, and reached out to touch Su Zhelan's forehead.

"Yes, everything is arranged." He replied while carefully feeling the temperature of Su Zhelan's forehead, and then squeezed his hands, which had been cold due to motion sickness, to make sure they had warmed up before he was completely relieved.

"It seems that soup worked well; her complexion is much better." He smiled slightly, his gaze lingering on Su Zhelan's face, which had regained some color.

“I’m much better,” Su Zhelan nodded, letting him hold her hand and feeling the warmth from his palm. “My stomach doesn’t feel uncomfortable anymore, but I’m still a little tired.” He tilted his head slightly. “Your Highness has worked hard, discussing matters for so long.”

"It's alright." Xiao Qiyun replied casually, his gaze falling on the smaller, steaming earthenware pot on the low table. "The medicinal soup has also been prepared."

He gestured, and a faint, bitter herbal scent wafted from it. "It dispels cold and calms the mind. Drinking this will help you sleep better at night." He paused, then added, "Although you're in good spirits now, you did deplete your energy before, so you still need to take good care of yourself."

"Yes, I know," Su Zhelan replied obediently, watching Xiao Qiyun get up to get a bowl.

Xiao Qiyun picked up the bowl and scooped out a small half-bowl of dark brown medicinal soup. The bitter smell wafted over. He tasted a small sip himself first to test the temperature before offering it to Su Zhelan's lips: "It's warm, just right."

Su Zhelan obediently lowered her head and, with Xiao Qiyun's help, sipped the warm medicinal soup.

Xiao Qiyun took the empty bowl and put it back on the low table. His gaze returned to Su Zhelan's face, and his expression became serious: "Regarding the meeting at Black Stone Valley tomorrow, I have thought it over carefully and feel that we need to add another layer of insurance."

Upon hearing this, Su Zhelan sat up straight and looked at him intently: "Your Highness, please speak."

“Your appearance is too striking,” Xiao Qiyun said, his fingertips gently brushing Su Zhelan’s smooth cheek, his movements filled with a hint of tenderness and worry. “The King of the Southern Border and Zhao Cangqu are both greedy people. If they see your face clearly, I’m afraid it will only cause more unnecessary covetousness and trouble. Even if it’s just a brief appearance, you should still conceal it.”

"Your Highness means...?" Su Zhelan had a vague guess in her mind.

“When you appear tomorrow, you must wear a veil.” Xiao Qiyun said firmly, “As the ‘Holy Son,’ maintaining an air of mystery is only natural. A veil can not only conceal your appearance but also add to your unfathomable aura, making them hesitant to disrespect you.”

Su Zhelan nodded, finding the arrangement reasonable: "Yes, I understand. A veil is indeed more secure."

“However,” Su Zhelan changed the subject, a glint of intelligence flashing in her clear eyes, “a veil can indeed conceal things for a while, but Your Highness, I always feel… it’s not safe enough.”

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of scheming: "After all, a veil is an external object. If that brute Zhao Cangqu really dares to disregard etiquette and force me to remove my veil to 'verify my identity,' even if we refuse, we will appear passive and may even arouse greater suspicion."

“When I was in a cult, I saw some ancient Gu poison runes and diagrams. Those patterns were strange and mysterious, containing specific powers, and could even affect people’s minds. Ordinary people would be afraid when they saw them and dare not look directly at them.”

"Oh?" Xiao Qiyun raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.

“Hmm.” Su Zhelan nodded. “Imitate the style of those evil and mysterious Gu patterns used by cults, but make them more ancient and mysterious. Draw them in prominent places such as the corners of your eyes, your forehead, and the center of your face. These patterns can be interpreted as marks of 'holy power' or 'divine marks' left from fighting against evil forces. It will not only increase the credibility of your 'holy son' identity, but more importantly—”

He paused, a cold glint in his eyes: "At the same time, it can further obscure my true appearance, so that even if they see my face clearly, they will only remember these unsettling patterns, not my actual appearance."

“There’s no time to lose,” Xiao Qiyun said decisively. “What materials do you need? I’ll have someone prepare them immediately.”

Su Zhelan named several herbs and mineral powders, all of which were not particularly rare but had a peculiar effect when combined. Xiao Qiyun immediately ordered the guards outside the door to prepare them.

While waiting for the materials, the tent fell silent, save for the soft crackling of the charcoal fire in the heater. Xiao Qiyun's gaze fell on Su Zhelan's face, filled with undisguised admiration and a hint of barely perceptible eagerness.

"Those rune patterns you just mentioned," Xiao Qiyun suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an unusual interest, "what exactly do they look like? Do you have any images of them?"

Su Zhelan paused for a moment, then took out paper and pen from a small bag next to the low couch: "I roughly remember a few styles, I can draw them down for Your Highness to see."

He picked up his pen and began sketching quickly on the paper. The lines were smooth and precise, and soon, several rune patterns of different shapes, full of ancient and eerie aura, appeared on the paper: some were twisted and coiled like snakes, some were sharp like thorns... each exuding a mysterious and unpredictable eeriness.

Xiao Qiyun leaned closer, looking at the patterns on the paper, a strange light flashing in his deep eyes. He suddenly stretched out a finger and gently pointed to one of the most complex patterns, which resembled intertwined vines and flames: "This... is very interesting."

He raised his head, his gaze fixed intently on Su Zhelan, a confident and expectant smile playing on his lips: "Zhelan, let me paint for you, shall we?"

Su Zhelan looked up in surprise: "Ah? This..."

“I learned to paint when I was young. Although I’m not a master, my brushwork is decent, and my hand is very steady.” Xiao Qiyun’s tone carried an undeniable certainty, even with a hint of boasting. “You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

Su Zhelan couldn't help but laugh out loud, her eyes crinkling into crescents: "Alright, alright, you draw it. I'll draw the design in more detail right away."

He picked up his pen and began to carefully sketch the intricate vine and flame pattern, adding more details. Xiao Qiyun sat beside him, one hand supporting his chin, watching him intently as he wrote, while his other hand unconsciously rested lightly on Su Zhelan's knee, his fingertips tapping lightly, with an affectionate and comforting tone.

Time slipped away quietly as Su Zhelan focused on her drawing. Just as she finished refining the most complex rune design, a respectful voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness, Young Master, the necessary materials are ready."

Xiao Qiyun responded, "Bring it in."

A guard entered carrying a small tray with several small paper packets and porcelain bottles neatly arranged on it—exactly the materials Su Zhelan needed. The guard set down the tray, bowed respectfully, and then withdrew.

Xiao Qiyun picked up a small paper package and looked at it, then glanced at the deep darkness outside. The light from the campfire shone through the gaps in the tent, revealing that everything outside was quiet except for the rhythmic footsteps of the patrolling soldiers.

He turned to look at Su Zhelan. Although Su Zhelan had recovered quite a bit, there was still a trace of weariness in her eyes.

“I have found everything,” Xiao Qiyun put down the paper package, his voice very soft, with a hint of gentleness that was hard to detect. “But it’s getting late, and drawing these patterns requires great care, so it will probably take quite a while.”

He reached out and gently brushed away the stray hairs that were slightly messy on Su Zhelan's forehead. "You've had a long journey today and have just recovered. You shouldn't exhaust yourself. Besides, it's late at night and the light isn't as good as during the day."

His deep eyes gazed at Su Zhelan, his expression filled with undeniable tenderness: "Get a good rest tonight and recharge your energy. I'll draw these patterns for you in detail after we've settled in tomorrow, how about that?"

"Okay, fine." Su Zhelan put down his pen. "I'll do as Your Highness says." He rubbed his slightly sore wrist. "I am indeed a little tired."

"Then get some rest." Xiao Qiyun stood up, walked to the basin, wrung out a warm, damp towel, and walked over to Su Zhelan. "Wash your face."

Su Zhelan obediently took the towel, and the warm, dampness on his face dispelled the last trace of fatigue. After wiping his face, he handed the towel back to Xiao Qiyun.

“Alright,” Xiao Qiyun walked back to Su Zhelan’s side, naturally took his hand, and led him to the low couch. “Rest now.”

Su Zhelan lay down as instructed, the soft fur and cloak providing a comfortable touch. Xiao Qiyun leaned over and carefully tucked in the edges of the cloak, ensuring there wasn't a single gap letting in any air. His movements were meticulous and focused, as if he were completing an extremely important task.

After doing all this, Xiao Qiyun did not leave immediately. He sat down by the couch, looking at Su Zhelan's brows and eyes, which appeared exceptionally docile in the warmth, and felt a surge of tenderness in his heart.

"Go to sleep." Xiao Qiyun's voice was deep and gentle, like the softest lullaby. "I'll stay here and wait until you fall asleep before I leave."

Looking at his handsome face so close to hers, and feeling his meticulous care, Su Zhelan felt a sense of peace and dependence. He reached out and gently grasped Xiao Qiyun's sleeve: "Your Highness... please rest early as well."

"Yes, I know." Xiao Qiyun took his hand in return, wrapping his slightly cool fingertips in her warm palm. "Close your eyes quickly."

After an unknown amount of time, feeling Su Zhelan's breathing become even and deep, and his grip on Su Zhelan's hand completely loosen, Xiao Qiyun carefully and slowly withdrew his hand. He leaned down and placed a soft, feather-like kiss on Su Zhelan's smooth forehead.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

He stood up, took one last look at the sleeping Su Zhelan, made sure he was sleeping soundly and that the heater was warm enough, then tiptoed to the door, lifted the curtain, and quietly went out.