It happened to be the day we arrived in Canghan City that a heavy snow fell.
As the year draws to a close and the weather grows cold, the sky is a gloomy, hazy blue, even at midday it has a hazy, dark hue, as if dawn is breaking and night is not yet over.
The blizzard raged on, covering everything in its path. The pure white snow seemed to be utterly cleansing the world, and the biting north wind felt like a sharp knife scraping against our faces, making our bones ache.
Looking out, the world was a vast expanse of pale white.
The snow was so deep that it covered the horses' hooves, making it difficult to move even on the official road. Two fine horses galloped one after the other on the road covered in deep snow, their hooves kicking up scattered snowflakes.
Zhan Xinjia casually wiped the snow off his face with his sleeve, tightened the reins, and looked back.
"We're about to enter the city, are you alright?"
"It's alright, the snow doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon. Hopefully we can arrive safely before dark."
The "snowman" behind her shook the snow off its shoulders, barely revealing a human figure, which was none other than Meng Qiao, shivering from the cold.
Both of them had frostbite on their faces to varying degrees, and their hands were also itchy from time to time due to the chilblains. Although they had prepared warm winter clothes before setting off, they were still too thin for Canghan City in November.
He exhaled a puff of hot mist, which was quickly dispersed by the chilly north wind.
Zhan Xinjia wanted to laugh, but her frozen face only managed a weak twitch for a long time, which looked a bit creepy.
In the midst of the raging snow and fierce winds, even sounds were barely audible.
"These hard times are far from over."
General Qu's troops are stationed year-round in a military camp twenty miles outside Canghan City, located on the border between Dasheng and Nanjun, serving as the first line of defense, where the environment is even harsher and more difficult.
Not to mention that Canghan City is bitterly cold all year round and is not suitable for living, they can't even live in the city.
However, Zhan Xinjia was already mentally prepared.
"Let's go. We won't have time to rest once we enter the city; we need to meet up with General Qu and the others."
The soldiers guarding the city stood tall in the wind and snow on the city wall, clad in armor. Zhan Xinjia handed over his fish-shaped tally, which caught the other party's attention.
"Zhan... Oh, that's a nice surname."
The city guard smiled, his expression softening, and casually patted Zhan Xinjia on the shoulder.
Zhan Yue had guarded Canghan City for seven years. He loved his soldiers like his own children, was a master marksman, and won battle after battle. He was almost the most respected person in the eyes of the generals and soldiers of Dasheng. Anyone who had a connection with the Zhan family would be treated with extra enthusiasm by both soldiers and civilians in Canghan City.
Zhan Xinjia didn't say much, just smiled slightly, and led Qiaoqiao into the city against the wind and snow.
Most of the buildings in Canghan City are made of huge stones, and special materials are filled into the gaps between the stones to prevent wind damage. There are very few pedestrians on the streets, and only a few shops along the way are open to customers.
It is already remarkable that a city could be built in such a harsh environment and that people would be willing to settle here.
After acquiring some essential supplies, the two of them hurried out of the city through another gate and headed straight for their camp.
As dusk fell, a sliver of dazzling orange-red clung to the deep blue sky. Bathed in the cool glow of the sunset, Zhan Xinjia dismounted and walked to Qu Zhen, who was already waiting at the door.
Having a pre-existing knee injury, and inevitably suffering from frostbite along the way, Zhan Xinjia staggered a few steps when he dismounted. It was Qu Zhen's handsome adjutant, wearing a fox fur cloak, who reached out to help him.
Zhan Xinjia bowed and thanked him before greeting Qu Zhen.
"General Qu!"
"...Although I had already received the imperial document, I still couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion when I saw that it was really you who came. Paper girl, it's been so many years since I last saw you, you've grown up so much and can stand on your own now."
A hint of emotion flickered across Qu Zhen's resolute face, and he sighed deeply.
The last time I saw this girl was more than ten years ago. She was only four or five years old then, and the child who recited poems was still alive...
Life is unpredictable. In fact, Yinshu was trained from a young age to be Zhan's successor. The child had lofty ambitions and dreamed of becoming a great general as powerful as his father.
But now...
The girl, weary from the wind and snow, grinned and smiled generously.
"General Qu, you can just call me Xiao Zhan from now on."
She came here to suffer, not to cultivate relationships or use her status as an uncle or nephew to gain special privileges.
Qu Zhen felt gratified and turned his gaze to another girl behind her.
"You must be Qiaoqiao, the one Xiao'er greeted me about."
Qu Xiao, Qu Zhen's younger sister, is also the martial arts master that Meng Qiao has always followed.
Meng Qiao chuckled.
"My name is Meng Qiao! I greet General Qu."
"General, it will get even colder after sunset. Let's take the two of you into the tent first."
The handsome man beside Qu Zhen offered some advice, and Qu Zhen nodded.
As Zhan Xinjia walked further in, his heart was filled with shock and turmoil. These simple military tents stretched all the way into the camp, seemingly without end, with soldiers diligently guarding the entire route.
Despite such harsh conditions, tens of thousands of people stationed here for many years, sacrificing themselves to protect their loved ones far away.
What a powerful belief that must be.
“The new separate tents haven’t been set up yet. Why don’t you and Miss Meng stay at my place for the night? I’ll go and squeeze in with the others.”
After the handsome man finished speaking, he smiled faintly, his fox-like eyes slightly narrowed, and a tuft of white fox fur at his collar made his face appear even whiter. He exuded a lazy, gentle, and refined air.
"My name is Pei Yi. Please come to me if you need anything in the future."
Pei Yi...?
Zhan Xinjia vaguely remembered him; this person seemed to be a military supervisor sent by the imperial court, with a rather high-ranking official position. For the time being, he appeared to be a kind and easy-going person.
However, she still shook her head.
"Just lead me to whichever tent the captain is staying in. Qiaoqiao... can be placed next to me."
"But Commandant Zhan, the camp is almost entirely composed of men..."
"It's just sharing a tent, not sleeping in the same bed. Why be so particular? As long as there's a place to close your eyes, that's fine."
Zhan Xinjia really doesn't care about that. On the battlefield, everyone's a brick, moved wherever needed. Does she really need to go to the extra time and effort to set up a new tent just because she's a woman?
Should we prepare a bathtub for her to soak in flower petals? Should we also prepare some flowing dresses to make her look beautiful and ethereal? Should we also have a separate small kitchen to cook her meals?
Isn't that just plain crazy?
She joined the army, not for tourism. Ugh.
Besides, training and patrolling during the day must be exhausting. After finishing, they can just wipe their faces and fall asleep. Who has the time or inclination to care about anything else? It's ridiculous.
Despite Zhan Xinjia's insistence, Pei Yi didn't say much, but his gaze towards her changed slightly.
He pursed his lips.
"Since Qu Xiao left, there have been few women in the military camp. However, the new military doctor has a bright and beautiful girl by his side. If Commander Zhan has nothing to do, he can go and chat with her."
Zhan Xinjia gave a vague reply, without much formality, and led Qiao Qiao inside, lifting the curtain.
Thankfully, there wasn't any unpleasant smell inside, just a lingering stench of blood. Everyone was huddled in their spots, wrapped in thick blankets, fast asleep, and hardly anyone was awake.
Zhan Xinjia found a spot in the corner near the door, feeling a little guilty and unsure whether it would be better to let Qiaoqiao stay alone.
She herself didn't care about these things, but she still had to ask Qiaoqiao's opinion.
Just as she was about to speak, Qiaoqiao, who was standing to the side, had already started making the bed for the two of them in a very good mood.
Zhan Xinjia was stunned for a moment, but ultimately said nothing.
The night was cold and frosty, and the sound of wind and snow breaking branches could be heard outside the tent. In the pitch-black silence, Zhan Xinjia felt Qiao Qiao, who was lying next to her, move closer to her wrapped in a thick quilt, and their body heat was shared.
Just like the intimate conversations between ordinary young ladies, the two snuggled together in the same quilt, keeping each other warm.
Half-asleep, Zhan Xinjia felt Qiao Qiao's hushed voice in her ear.
“Ah Zhi… I’m so happy. Back when I was being humiliated and beaten at that inn, I never imagined I could become such a capable person, able to do so many meaningful things. Thank you…”
Zhan Xinjia didn't respond; a slight smile played on her lips in her sleep.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com