Zhang Xiue searched everywhere for dry branches, hoping to start a fire to keep warm.
Qin Xiaoniang got a thick piece of leather from the soldier and laid it on the ground. Then she put Song He'er on it, and Li Qiang's wife rubbed her feet while constantly trying to improve the blood circulation in her legs.
"That's all the firewood we have. Let He'er sit closer; it'll keep her warm enough."
Qin Xiaoniang cried as she looked at Song He'er, "You know, we all came down from the mountain, how come we didn't freeze like this? My poor child, how much suffering has she endured..."
Zhang Xiue felt agitated whenever she heard her crying. There was already a shortage of food and clothing here, so why waste time crying? She would rather look for something useful.
"Alright, stop crying. You've been crying from morning till night, my ears are about to fall off. Don't worry, you won't die."
"I...I just couldn't help it."
Looking at Qin Xiaoniang's appearance, Chundi felt a pang of pity and could only advise, "Zhang Niangzi, please say less. I'm just worried. After all, it's hard for any mother to accept if something happens to her daughter."
Zhang Xiue breathed a sigh of relief and then fell silent.
With the medical officer taking care of him, Jiang Huaifu's wounds were properly treated and stopped worsening.
The soldiers had little left to carry with them; of the tents they had prepared, only one remained, which was now only available for Jiang Huaifu's use.
Song He'er could only lie on the cold ground, warming herself by the firelight.
After Jiang Huaifu gradually woke up, he looked around at his surroundings and immediately frowned.
Where am I?
The physician put down his work and hurried over to report, "Your Highness, we are now at the foot of the snow mountain."
Jiang Huaifu paused slightly, as if something was on his mind, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes, "Then... what about that girl?"
"I have already given them deerskin and a cotton quilt. I have also gone to check on them. They just caught a cold and will be fine after drinking some hot water."
"They only gave us some hot water, cough cough cough... It's freezing cold, how can a girl sleep outside? What kind of work are you doing!"
Upon hearing this, the physician turned pale with fright and immediately knelt down to reply.
"Your Highness, please forgive us. We were only thinking of your reputation and the young lady's honor. Firstly, Your Highness is unmarried, and it is really inconvenient for you and the young lady to be alone in a room. Secondly, we don't have much left with us, and we only have one tent, which is really not enough to accommodate two people. Your Highness, you are of noble birth, how can you sacrifice yourself for a young lady?"
A cold glint flashed in Jiang Huaifu's eyes, and his face grew even more grim. "So what? You can just wash your hands of it and let her die in this desolate wilderness?"
"Your Highness, please forgive me! I dare not!" The physician was sweating profusely, and even his voice was trembling.
"You just said that this tent is too cramped to fit two people. But during the battle, a single tent could accommodate seven or eight soldiers. Now it can't even fit the two of us. I think you have ulterior motives. If you are someone from the Queen's side, you can get out now. I don't need you to serve me!"
Jiang Huaifu was furious, and the physician was so frightened that he didn't dare to breathe. He could only lower his voice and reply slowly and deliberately, "Your Highness, my heart is pure and sincere, and I have no intention of being disrespectful. You are really wronging me!"
"Get out! Get out!"
"Yes...yes, Your Majesty, I will go out now."
The physician scrambled out of the tent and, once outside, grabbed a soldier and said, "Go, quickly brew a bowl of the medicine I prepared and take it to that girl. Also, make some food for them. His Highness is angry, so be careful what you do!"
The soldier looked bewildered. "Your Highness is awake?"
"She's awake! Tell me, is that girl still breathing?"
The soldier nodded. "She's breathing. Her stepmother is taking care of her. I heard her temperature is gradually rising."
"That's good...that's good..."
Are you alright, sir?
The physician wiped the sweat from his brow and replied, "It's nothing, what could possibly be wrong with me? Go and get back to your work!"
No sooner had the words been spoken than a cold voice suddenly came from inside the tent.
"Someone, carry Miss Song to this tent to rest."
Jiang Huaifu has not yet recovered his strength, and his face is still very pale. The soldiers are naturally worried about his health and do not want him to come outside to be exposed to the wind.
"Your Highness, you are still injured, perhaps..."
"Do I need to repeat myself?"
The soldier shuddered at Jiang Huaifu's icy gaze and could only lower his head in silence.
On the other side, Song He'er's cheeks had regained color, and her hands and feet were no longer so cold.
When the soldier went to deliver the message, everyone was still hesitant, feeling that it was really inappropriate for a young woman to sleep in the same tent as a man.
"Ladies, this is an immense favor bestowed upon you by our Highness. The young lady is still ill; you should consider her health."
Zhang Xiu'e thought there was some truth to this, so she took it upon herself to agree to the soldier's request.
Jiang Huaifu was also a meticulous person. When he saw Zhang Xiue and the others coming over, he went to another place by himself and did not return to the tent to rest.
Qin Xiaoniang looked at Jiang Huaifu, who was freezing outside, and felt a little guilty.
“Once He’er wakes up, let’s hurry to Xinzhou. His Highness is still seriously injured. For a nobleman like him to suffer such a great injustice for our sake, it is ultimately our fault. Leaving him sooner will be a relief for him.”
Zhang Xiue nodded. "I see that He'er's complexion is gradually improving. As long as she has the strength, we should hurry on our way. We have now safely crossed the snow-capped mountain. If we just follow this road south, we will see the post station in Xinzhou."
Qin Xiaoniang breathed a sigh of relief and replied helplessly, "It truly is a wild and desolate place. The weather is so harsh. I hope we won't encounter any wolves or ferocious beasts there!"
"Why think so much? In any case, we'll spend our whole lives there... Who knows, we might even be buried there. Sigh, I just hope that our emperor will one day grant a general amnesty, so that we can all benefit from it and leave this poor and desolate place!"
Among this group of people, only Zhang Xiu'e is the most optimistic. She always has inexhaustible energy when faced with problems. If everyone could be like her, even the hardest days could be overcome.
After a short while, Song He'er showed signs of waking up.
......
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