Chu Hong's body froze, not daring to look up at her: "I...it's nothing."
"You're still saying no." Chu Qingluan chuckled softly, her voice full of tenderness and determination: "Are you afraid that after you regain your memory, I won't love you anymore? I won't treat you as my brother anymore, right?"
Chu Hong's ears suddenly turned red when his heart was touched, and even his breathing became a little rapid.
"Sister, I..."
"Seeing this, Chu Qingluan took two steps forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.
"Silly boy, your memory may help you recover your past identity, but it can never erase the days we spent together in Li Village. Regardless of whether you can recover your memory or not, regardless of what you become, you are my only brother."
She looked at him seriously and made a solemn promise: "So, don't be afraid. No matter what the future holds, as long as I am still here, I will protect you."
"I will definitely not abandon you!"
This sincere and firm promise, like a warm current, dispelled the uneasiness in Chu Hong's heart.
But he couldn't be happy.
My dear brother...
What he wanted was never to be her biological brother!
Every word Chu Qingluan said made his heart overflow with bitterness, but he didn't dare to show it in the slightest. He didn't dare to look at her with such an intimate gaze like Qin Yuan and Xie Yunqi did.
He lowered his eyelids to hide the complex emotions surging in his eyes and the pain that was almost uncontrollable. When he looked up again, a smile with dependence and emotion was forced on his face.
"With your sister's words, I feel relieved."
He tried to make his voice sound cheerful and contented: "It's getting late and the night is cold. Let's go into the city quickly."
——
The two of them traveled quickly all the way and soon entered Youzhou City.
As soon as she stepped into the city gate, a bustling atmosphere hit her face, which made Chu Qingluan's tense heartstrings relax slightly.
It was completely different from what she had imagined: the war clouds were gathering and the people were in panic.
At this time, Youzhou City was bustling with traffic and people, with shops lining both sides of the street and flags waving. The people all had happy smiles on their faces.
Chu Hong went to inquire and found out that today was the annual River Lantern Festival in Youzhou City.
According to custom, people would pray by the water and place river lanterns in the river. The lights would float downstream, like stars falling into the mortal world, which is very beautiful.
Chu Qingluan couldn't help but feel a complex emotion in her heart.
Although Qin Yuan took Zhao Mang's life with thunder and lightning, he did not vent his anger on the people of Da Chu in the city. In fact, under the shadow of possible war, he acquiesced and even maintained the prosperity of the city, allowing the people to celebrate their festivals as usual.
He has always been kind-hearted.
"Sister, what should we do next? Should we go directly to the Jiedushi's residence to ask for an audience?"
Chu Qingluan shook her head, "Don't alert the enemy."
Their trip was originally a secret one. Apart from a few guards who accompanied them for secret protection, they did not bring anyone with them. Moreover, in the eyes of the world, the Crown Princess of Da Chu should be far away in the capital at this time, rather than appearing in this border town.
Therefore, if you want to see Qin Yuan, you have to think of other ways.
The two quickly found an inn to stay in. Chu Qingluan asked Lin Qi to take good care of Chu Hong, while she left the city alone, heading for the Qin military camp.
However, they were stopped at the gate of the military camp.
The soldiers guarding the camp stepped forward to stop them, saying, "This is a restricted area of the military camp. Women are not allowed inside. Leave immediately!"
When Chu Qingluan heard this, she did not panic, but slowly took something out of her sleeve.
It was Yu Nu who had not been seen for a long time.
After several months, Yu Nu has grown a little, and her fur has become increasingly shiny and soft.
At this time, it was placed in a small bamboo cage, sniffing around curiously.
"Give this to your Crown Prince and tell him..."
Chu Qingluan's voice was cold and calm through the veil, "When old friends meet, they will be marquises outside the camp."
The captain of the soldiers saw the ferret in her hand, only the size of a palm, and its body was flawless white. He couldn't tell what kind of animal it was, but the little thing seemed to be very intelligent. It was obvious at first glance that it was definitely not an ordinary creature.
"What is this? What if it hurts His Highness?" The soldier did not let down his guard.
Chu Qingluan raised her eyebrows: "I am right here. If I really hurt your prince, I will bear the responsibility!"
The captain of the soldiers hesitated for a moment, then finally took the jade slave and turned to run towards the main tent.
Inside the main tent, Qin Yuan was concentrating on looking at the map of the northern border, with a trace of fatigue and depression between his brows that was difficult to dispel.
Tonight is the River Lantern Festival, and Li Linyuan and others went to the city to play before the holiday. Qin Yuan didn't want to be reminded of the past by the sight of things, so he could only numb himself with the mountains of government affairs.
Because whenever he was free, the figure whose life or death was uncertain would appear in his mind. The name Chu Qingluan had long been engraved in the deepest part of his heart like a brand, burning day and night, and his longing for her was almost crazy.
At this time, a soldier came in and announced, "Your Highness, there is a woman outside the camp holding this thing, and she said she wants to see you."
Qin Yuan frowned and was about to wave his hand to ask people to leave, but when his eyes fell on the snow-white ball in Qin Bing's hand, he suddenly froze as if struck by lightning!
"Jade slave?!"
The next second, he suddenly stood up from his chair, almost losing his voice, his voice trembling with disbelief.
When the ferret saw him, it immediately squeaked happily and tried to climb out of the cage.
After confirming that it was Yu Nu, Qin Yuan felt as if struck by lightning. All his rationality, planning, and calmness were wiped out.
The longing was like a flood that broke through the dam, instantly breaking down all his defenses.
"Where is she?"
He grabbed the soldier's collar and asked in a trembling voice. He felt his heart beating wildly at this moment, and blood rushed to his limbs.
"At the camp gate..."
Before the soldier could finish his words, he felt a gust of wind passing before his eyes. Before he could even see clearly, the figure of his own Royal Highness the Crown Prince had already rushed out of the tent like a ghost.
They had never seen His Royal Highness the Crown Prince lose his composure like this!
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
The soldier hurriedly stood up, straightened his helmet, and chased after him in a panic.
That lady has a strong aura, but Your Highness the Crown Prince must not be fooled.
However, when the captain of the soldiers arrived at the camp gate, he happened to witness a scene that he would never forget.
The lady, dressed in white but with extraordinary manners, was sitting upright on horseback. When she saw her own Crown Prince, she suddenly raised her hand and pointed at him. Her voice was clear, but with a kind of deliberate laziness and arrogance.
"Are you the famous Crown Prince of Qin in the northern border?"
Qin Yuan: “…”
"If it's as the rumors say, he's handsome, looks like Pan An, and extraordinary in bravery!"
All the soldiers were stunned, looking at the strange scene in front of them in confusion.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
