Chapter 171 Happy Birthday
When the army returned to the capital, the journey was slower than it had been due to the freezing weather.
That evening, the group found a sheltered valley and set up camp.
The campfire crackled, casting a warm glow on the inner walls of the tent.
Li Yuanzhao had just finished washing up and was leaning against the couch, flipping through military books.
Suddenly, a corner of the tent flap was lifted, and half of Shen Churong's handsome face peeked in.
These days, he has been freely entering and leaving Li Yuanzhao's tent day and night, and has become extremely familiar with it.
But today was different; he didn't stride in as usual.
He was standing outside the tent, looking somewhat embarrassed, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Seeing this, Chen Yanqing, who was standing by, quietly clenched his hands at his sides and his eyes darkened.
Li Yuanzhao glanced up and noticed his unusual demeanor, then casually asked, "What are you doing?"
Shen Churong hesitated for a moment outside the tent before slowly crawling in and saying, "Your Highness, we are about to reach Wusong Mountain. I heard there is a natural hot spring in the mountain. May I invite you to come along?"
Li Yuanzhao raised an eyebrow. "It's not even completely dark yet, and you're already acting so disrespectfully. If the soldiers in the camp saw this, who knows how they would laugh at you behind your back."
Upon hearing this, Shen Churong's wheat-colored face, which had been exposed to the sun and wind for many years, quietly blushed.
Then he felt a little embarrassed, cleared his throat and pretended to be calm, saying, "I just wanted to go and enjoy the snow with my sister."
After saying that, fearing that Li Yuanzhao wouldn't believe him, he added, trying to cover it up, "I won't do anything else."
His embarrassed appearance amused Li Yuanzhao.
She put down the book in her hand, stood up, and said, "Fine, I have nothing to do anyway, so I might as well go with you."
Chen Yanqing watched Li Yuanzhao get up, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly a few times.
He thought that the mountain road was slippery and the night was cold, so it would be better to go during the day.
Or you could bring yourself along, so someone can take care of you.
But the words that came out were just a soft whisper: "Your Highness, it's a cold snowy night, please put this on."
After saying that, he quickly stepped forward, unfolded the white fox fur cloak that was placed to the side, and carefully draped it over Li Yuanzhao's shoulders.
When his fingertips brushed across her shoulder, he deliberately withdrew very slowly, as if waiting for her to say something.
Li Yuanzhao looked up at him, did not refuse, and let him tie the cloak for him.
Shen Churong stood aside watching this scene and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It seems that the young guard didn't think much of the conversation last time.
By the time the two rode up the mountain side by side, it was completely dark.
Moonlight filtered through the branches and fell on the snow, turning the forest into a silvery white expanse.
Occasionally, snow would slide off the branches, the soft rustling sound particularly clear in the silence, making the night seem even quieter.
Although the mountain path was slippery, both men were skilled horse riders, and their horses' hooves trod exceptionally steadily on the snow.
Li Yuanzhao pulled on the reins and rode slowly, listening to Shen Churong rambling on about "interesting anecdotes from the army," and he didn't find it boring at all.
As they were talking, Shen Churong suddenly changed the subject and frankly brought up his conversation with Chen Yanqing that day.
He felt that although this matter seemed insignificant, it still concerned someone close to Li Yuanzhao, so she still needed to know.
After listening, Li Yuanzhao's expression remained unchanged; he simply hummed softly and said nothing more.
Seeing this, Shen Churong didn't press the matter, but wisely changed the subject and started talking about the legend of Wusong Mountain.
Upon reaching the mountaintop, a hot spring was indeed found hidden among the pine trees.
The rising steam, carrying a faint scent of sulfur, condensed into white mist in the cold air, contrasting beautifully with the surrounding snow, creating a scene reminiscent of a fairyland.
Shen Churong was the first to dismount and reach out to help Li Yuanzhao.
But as soon as he raised his hand, he suddenly remembered that when they were hunting in the hunting grounds, he clearly saw that Li Yuanzhao refused everyone's help.
He quickly withdrew his hand, then took off his cloak, broke off a few thick branches, and deftly made a simple stool. He carefully spread the cloak on it, saying, "Sister, sit down, you won't be cold this way."
Li Yuanzhao gracefully sat down, the moonlight illuminating her ambiguous smile. "You brought me here just to see the snow?"
Seeing that his purpose had been exposed, Shen Churong did not hesitate and decisively drew the long sword from his waist.
The sword reflected a cold, white arc of light under the moonlight. He looked up at Li Yuanzhao and said, "I have learned a new sword dance and would like to present it to Your Highness."
He still remembered the fleeting interest that crossed Li Yuanzhao's eyes when those Tibetan men performed their dance.
From that moment on, he secretly plotted to show her his own side.
As the commander of the Imperial Guard, he commanded an army of 50,000.
If his soldiers were to find out that their general was entertaining others with sword dances, they would surely become a laughing stock.
But Shen Churong felt that there was nothing shameful about pleasing the one you love.
He secretly practiced this sword dance for nearly a month, handling military affairs during the day and practicing diligently under the moonlight in a secluded spot in the camp at night.
Now, under the moonlight, he unleashed his skills, his dark robes fluttering with the sword's shadow, the sword wind whipping up the snow on the trees, turning it into fine snow mist.
His swordsmanship was inherently sharp and powerful, a skill honed through rigorous training.
At this moment, accompanied by the white mist rising from the hot springs and the biting cold wind in the mountains, the atmosphere is less somber and more free and unrestrained.
The sword light flowed like a rainbow, and his figure moved as swiftly as the wind.
Each swing of the sword carries the unique power of a warrior, a blend of strength and beauty, showcasing both the dashing spirit of a young man and a rare touch of tenderness.
Li Yuanzhao narrowed his eyes slightly.
She had seen countless people wielding swords—court dancers with their graceful charm, and chivalrous knights of the martial world with their heroic spirit—but she had never seen a sword dance like this.
Without any attempt to ingratiate himself, every move he made exuded sincerity, as if he had poured the youthful passion into the sword light and snow shadows.
At the height of the dance, Shen Churong suddenly stopped and spun around. With a slight turn of his wrist, his long sword flew across the snow.
Where the sword flashed, snow flew everywhere. When he sheathed his sword and stood still, four powerful characters appeared on the snow: "Happy Birthday".
He looked up at Li Yuanzhao, his eyes shining like starlight.
Happy birthday, sister.
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