That night, Yuan Qi Yu held his head high and waited for Yuan Xuan to return home.
But by the time he woke up, Yuan Xuan still hadn't come back.
So he went into Yuan Xuan's room and placed the things he bought in the most conspicuous place at the head of his bed.
He also wrote a note and put it underneath to make sure Yuan Xuan would read it.
After finishing his work, he went back to sleep.
When Yuan Xuan returned, the sky was already slightly white, and the morning mist was filled with a faint moisture in the air.
There have been sudden changes at the border in the past two days. The Northern Qiang people are uneasy and the atmosphere in the military camp has become tense.
For this reason, he almost stayed awake all night, until Huo Yan saw that he was too tired, and ordered him to come back and rest for a while.
When he pushed open the gate, he subconsciously looked up at Yuan Nan'an's courtyard.
Unexpectedly, he saw Yuan Nanan coming out of the house. She was wearing a thin cloak and seemed to be preparing to go out.
The two met unexpectedly and collided head-on.
Yuan Nan'an obviously did not expect to see Yuan Xuan at this time. He suddenly stood there with his eyes wide open.
The two looked at each other and the air suddenly became quiet.
Yuan Xuan glanced at the gradually brightening sky, frowned slightly, and was the first to ask, "Where are you going so early?"
When asked this question, Yuan Nan'an seemed a little guilty, his eyes flickered, and his voice was soft: "Nothing... nothing..."
She paused, pursed her lips, and seemed to be organizing her words.
"It's just... I can't sleep, I want to go out for a ride..."
Her eyes were wandering, which made Yuan Xuan feel indescribably unhappy. His tone unconsciously became a little cold.
"With Wu Yu again?"
Yuan Nan'an hugged his cloak and just nodded perfunctorily when he heard this.
Then she moved very quickly, as if she was afraid of being discovered, and walked away, leaving only one sentence.
"Well...cousin, you should have a good rest first, I won't disturb you!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she pulled her cloak tighter, lowered her head and walked quickly past him, not even daring to look at him again.
Yuan Xuan stood quietly there, his eyes following her back.
His hands unconsciously clenched into fists until his knuckles turned white, but he didn't say another word.
When he returned to the room, he noticed something left at the bedside. Without even a close look, he just swept the thing to the ground.
Then he fell asleep.
…
When Yuan Xuan woke up again, it was already three quarters past three in the afternoon.
The entire general's mansion seemed exceptionally quiet. Everyone was busy with their own affairs. Occasionally, a few birdsong could be heard in the yard, and the surroundings were empty.
He had a simple meal and was about to go to the barracks to continue handling affairs when the door was pushed open with a "bang" and a small figure rushed in like the wind.
——It’s Yuan Qi Yu.
"Brother Xuan! Can you take me somewhere on horseback?"
Yuan Qi Yu ran up to him, his eyes sparkling and his face filled with unconcealable excitement.
Yuan Xuan frowned, pulled back the hand that Yuan Qiyu was holding, and said calmly: "I have something else to do, go and play by yourself."
Seeing that he refused, Yuan Qiyu immediately changed his strategy, hugged Yuan Xuan's arm, and pulled him out like a spoiled child.
"Brother Xuan! I'm scared and alone! Please help me!"
He raised his face, his eyes full of expectation and a hint of cunning,
"I found a really great place. It's really great! Please take me there!"
Yuan Xuan felt helpless because of his pestering. He pursed his lips and said in a cold voice: "Yu'er, it's the same if you go alone."
Seeing this, Yuan Qiyu said hurriedly, as if he had come up with a "trump card".
"Brother Xuan! You've been working hard for several days. Daddy specifically told you to have a good rest today! Why are you going to the military camp instead of taking a rest?"
His serious look made Yuan Xuan burst out laughing, and the fatigue in his eyes faded a little.
He looked at Yuan Qiyu's big eyes full of expectation, and finally sighed and nodded slightly.
"Okay, just this once."
When Yuan Qiyu saw that he agreed, he jumped three feet high and smiled like a little fox who had succeeded.
"Great! Brother Xuan, you're the best!"
"Don't be too proud too soon. If I find out you're messing around..."
Yuan Xuan glanced at him indifferently, his voice was cold but with a hint of indulgence.
"No, no!" Yuan Qi Yu nodded repeatedly, trotted to get the horse, humming a tune.
Yuan Xuan looked at his adult-like appearance and couldn't help shaking his head, his eyes softening a little.
When he jumped onto the horse, his robe was blown up by the wind, and there was a long-lost sense of leisure and composure between his brows.
Yuan Qiyu climbed onto the horse, sat behind him, and directed his route.
"First, leave the city from the west and walk west along the official road..."
"Turn right at the next intersection. Yes, that's the mountain ahead..."
“…Let’s go up the mountain!”
…
The further Yuan Xuan walked, the more he felt something was wrong.
The road along the way became more and more remote, and the trees around were so dense that even the birdsong became a little rarer.
He tried to rein in his horse several times, frowning and asking Yuan Qiyu, "Why did you bring me here?"
But Yuan Qi Yu led the way excitedly, pointing in the direction, and it was obvious that he had a clear purpose.
Yuan Xuan looked around, then looked down at the traces on the ground. He found that although the road was remote, he could vaguely see a mess of horseshoe prints, which obviously showed that someone had been here more than once.
He looked up at the sky. The setting sun was already sinking in the west, and the last touch of orange dyed the top of the mountain. The shadows between the mountains were very long.
At this moment, Yuan Qiyu suddenly shouted, "Stop!"
Yuan Xuan was startled and immediately pulled the reins. The horse's hooves turned on the spot and a puff of white air came out of his nose.
Yuan Qiyu quickly dismounted and shouted at him mysteriously, "Brother Xuan, get down quickly! I'll take you somewhere!"
Yuan Xuan stared at Yuan Qiyu's excited expression. Although he still had doubts in his heart, he dismounted, tied the reins to a tree trunk beside him, and followed him along the path deeper into the cave.
Along the way, a breeze occasionally blew through the trees, bringing a hint of moist water vapor. The ground gradually became soft, and the soil underfoot was even a little slippery.
When they passed a bush, their view suddenly opened up and a clear lake appeared in front of them.
The surface of the lake sparkled in the setting sun, covered with golden fragments, so bright that it was difficult to open one's eyes.
Yuan Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly. The lake rippled softly in the golden light. The surroundings were very quiet, with only the sound of the breeze blowing through the treetops.
The lake was shimmering, and the setting sun was slowly setting, dyeing half the sky red.
Yuan Xuan was fascinated by the scenery for a moment. He squatted down slightly and wanted to touch the lake water.
The lake water was icy cold to the touch, and a pair of icy hands covered his eyes.
"Don't move! Robbery!"
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